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What It Means To Be Lost

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• I. Separation from God

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Is. 59:1-2• [1] Behold, the LORD's hand is

not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:[2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

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• NOTE – men are separated from God by personally committed sins

• God has the ability to save – He knows our every need --- the separation results when man continues to live in sin

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Gal. 6:7-8

• [7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

• [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

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Js. 1:13-14

• [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

• [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

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1 Jn. 3:4

• [4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

• Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. (ASV)

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• Sin is something that we do --- we are not born in sin

• THE SINNER LIVES AS IF GOD HAD NO LAW!

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•II. Spiritual death now

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• Living people can be dead – people can be alive physically and at the same time be dead spiritually

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Lk. 15:22-24

• [22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

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• [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

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Lk. 15:32

• [32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

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Eph. 2:1

• [1] And you hath he quickened, (did he make alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins;

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1 Tim. 5:6

• [6] But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

• The inspired word of God states that lost people are “dead”

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•The Moment you die!

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•III. Torments after death

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• Luke 16 teaches that there are two realms where all spirits of the dead go to await Final Judgment

• These are “Abraham’s bosom (paradise) and torments

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Lazarus - Lk. 16:22

• [22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried

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Lk. 16:25

• [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

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The rich man - Lk. 16:22-25• [22] And it came to pass, that the

beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

• [23] And in hell (hades) he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

22• [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

• [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

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• How would you describe the rich man in one sentence?

• “Lost in life and tormented beyond death”

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• IV. The second death throughout

eternity

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• In the book of Revelation John often wrote of the “second death”.

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Rev. 2:11

• [11] …He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

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Rev. 20:14-16

• [14] And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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Rev. 21:8

• [8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

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• Second death = eternity in “Gehenna” – hell – the place of eternal punishment

• The word “Gehenna” appears 12 times in the N.T. --- 11 of those 12 times it is used by Jesus

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Eternal punishment is:

• The furnace of fire – Mt. 13:42• The place of outer darkness – Mt.

25:30• The place where the fire is never

quenched and their worm dieth not – Mk. 9:44-48

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• The realm where there is no rest – Rev. 14:11

• The realm of everlasting punishment – Mt. 25:46

• The place where the souls of the wicked will be eternally banished – 2 Th. 1:7-9

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2 Th. 1:7-9

• [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,[8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

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• [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

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• This place is prepared for the devil and his angels – Mt. 25:41

• [41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

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• In this lesson we looked at the state of the lost in 4 different states:

• Two in this life – separation from God and spiritually dead which really amount to the same thing

• Two after this life – one in Hades and the other in the eternal torments of hell

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•The only time you have to prepare is now – in this life!