"5 Things From Hell The Church Needs Today"

Over the next few lessons here I want to begin looking at the text from Luke 16. I pray this is an encouragement and help to all who read. Let's begin...
The essence of genuine Biblical faith is based on you and me seeing that which is unseen.
Understand with me that because of the evidence of God's Word you and I can know things beyond our personal physical experience in this life.

Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (NKJV)
Moses knew there was a God who will reward His people. Hebrews 11:27, "By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible."

God gives everyone the opportunity to see Him. Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,"

As Christians we need to keep a clear view of the unseen realm. We do this by knowing His Word.
And when we have this strong confidence in God and His Word, we will treat this world as the temporary world it is. (Romans 8:24-25)

When our spiritual sight dims, this physical world will then take over our hearts. And we will be more concerned about the STUFF of life and how quickly we forget......(2 Peter 1:9-10)

In the King James translation there are two Greek words translated "hell."
1. Hades - (Acts 2:27) - Hades (lit. an unseen place);
(a) the place of the dead (Acts 2:27);
(b) usually in the NT as the temporary underworld prison where the souls of the ungodly await the judgment (Luke 16.23)
2. Gehenna; lit. the Valley of the Sons of Hinnom, ….figuratively in the Gospels for hell, a fiery place of eternal punishment for the ungodly dead (Matthew 5:22).

When a person dies, his final reward is sealed. This person now knows absolutely the reality of the previously unseen world. In this lesson, I want us to look and see the clarity of thinking in such a man.
Consider the thoughts of the rich man of Luke 16:19-31.

I. Our first point; There are fervent prayers in hell, according to this scripture.
This prayer is coming from the lips of a man who, in his physical life, had no time, took no time, for prayer! But what do we see him doing NOW?
With great concern for others he lifts his voice in prayer.

Prayer is of great value to those of us who see the unseen. (Luke 18:1,6-8) Why does this man pray now? Concern for self others. (Luke 16:24,27-28)

If I believed God answers prayer, how would I pray? (1 John 5:14-15)
I would pray for the erring brother or sister NOW; my dear family members NOW; for a stronger faith NOW; for daily decisions NOW!
Can this be said of us? (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Our prayers are a good barometer of our faith. How is your faith when it comes to seeing the unseen and living TODAY in such a way as to prepare for it?
We will pick this up next time and take a look at the next two points...