PAVING THE ROAD TO HELL

I. The road to hell is paved with GOOD INTENTIONS

The saying is thought to have originated with a monk by the name of Bernard of Clairvaux, who wrote around A.D. 1150.

Uzzah had good intentions

uzzah 2 Sam. 6:6, 7, “And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.”

PAUL HAD GOOD INTENTIONS

Acts 23:1, “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

1 Tim. 1:13, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” As a Pharisee, Paul did his best. As a Christian Paul exemplified the true meaning of faithfulness!

Scientists frequently refer to the "the law of unintended consequences

News publications believe they are doing a great service by informing the population of terrible situations like school shootings. However, it opens the minds of the distraught in doing the same thing.

DENOMINATIONS They firmly believe they are helping people Get to heaven. The unintended consequences of their teachings is damnation!

II. The road to hell is paved with GRAND ILLUSIONS

1) God will not punish! Matt. 25:46, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

2) Time to repent People have this grand illusion that they will have time to live for God later.

2 Cor. 6:2, “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

3) We will get a second chance People have this grand illusion that Jesus is going to give the lost a second chance!

The rich man of Luke 16 realized there were no second chances The rich man of Luke 16 realized there were no second chances. He pleaded for his brothers still living but not for himself!

4) Hell will not be that bad Matt. 8:12, “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matt. 13:42, “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

III. The road to hell is paved with GROSS INDECISION

1) Putting off your salvation Acts 24:25, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

2) Reconciling with others Some put off making things right with a brother or sister believing there is time to do so!

Matt. 5:22-26, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.  Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”

IN CONCLUSION The road to hell is paved with good intentions, grand illusions, and gross indecisions. Don’t make the mistake of being unprepared to meet God!