## Who Cares?

## Luke 16:19-31

This morning’s text is a fearful and often forgotten text. Fearful because of the subject: hell. Fearful because of the speaker: Jesus Forgotten because most have chosen more pleasant texts.

It seems that the aim of much preaching now is to make people feel better; give them principles of how to become successful. But few sermons have to do with saving souls from hell. So the title of the message is put in the form of a question: Who Cares If a Sinner Goes to Hell?

I. God the Father Cares.

A. The Father cares and sent His Son.

1. John 3:16, "For God so loved..."

2. Bethlehem’s stable cries: ‘THE FATHER CARES"

3. Calvary’s cross cries: ‘THE FATHER CARES"

4. The long wait for Christ’s return cries: "THE FATHER CARES"

B. The One who cares for the falling sparrow cares about keeping souls out of hell!

II. Jesus the Son Cares.

A. We see Jesus reaching out to sinners and you know He cares.

Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

1. Mingling among sinners, ministering to them.

2. ‘This man receiveth sinners" (Lk.15:2)

3. Even in death we find Him reaching out to one more sinner. cf Lk. 23:39-43

B. Hear Him sending His disciples into the world and you know He cares.

Mt. 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world"

Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

John 20:21, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

III. The Holy Spirit Cares.

A. The Holy Spirit coming on the Day of Pentecost. cf Acts 2

1. Empowering believers to witness.

2. Three thousand saved in a day!

3. He still speaks through Christians to reach lost ones.

B. The Holy Spirit is the Lord of the Harvest

1. Bringing conviction to sinners

2. Revealing Christ to the repentant heart

3. Regenerating those who trust in Christ.

Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

IV. Heaven Cares.

A. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. cf Lk 15:10

B. Every convert brings songs of praise in heaven from God the Father and God the Son.

C. We make heaven glad when we lead people to Christ.

V. Hell Cares.

A. Compare the rich man and Lazarus in life (vv. 19-21)

B. Compare them in death (v. 22)

C. The cry of the rich man in hell: "Send Lazarus"

D. Five minutes in hell would make us all concerned for souls.

1. But then it would be too late!

2. Just as it was too late for this man to reach his family.

3. What we would do for eternity, must be done today! Tomorrow may never come!

Who cares if a sinner goes to hell? God the Father cares, God the Son cares, God the Holy Spirit cares, Heaven cares, and Hell cares. But the question this morning is this: Do we care?

We answer that question by what we do, not what we say! Those who care are quick to share the gospel with the lost. Those who care, pray and witness to bring sinners to Christ. Those who care give of their time, talents, and treasure to reach the lost. Those who care are involved in giving to world-wide missions. Those who care make sure that their life will witness to the power of God. Their priorities are established with eternity in view!

If you are without Christ this morning, realize that someone cares! Please don’t go to hell! Everything we do at this church is designed to see folks come to Christ. Will you come this morning?