Sermon Notes - Dragnet: The Final Episode

Dragnet: The Final Episode, Matthew 13:47-51
Dr. Robert Jeffress, First Baptist Dallas, attended September 6, 2009

If we refuse to talk of Hell to unbelievers then we are neither faithful nor loving. We are like a fireman who stands by watching a house burn down with people inside.

At first glance, this parable seems to duplicate the truth found in the parable about the wheat and tares. It is similar but He does leave out details here. He was repeating the truth for emphasis. Repetition is the key to learning. It is as if He is saying I’m giving you a final warning – the time is coming.

1. The separation of unbelievers (Matthew 13:47-49)

God’s judgment is certain – In our present age there is no separation of believers and unbelievers so it is often hard to see this coming. We go about our daily lives thinking everything will continue as they are and never thinking of the judgment to come. Like ants under the boot of a child, oblivious to their impending doom.

God’s judgment is impartial – The farmer and the fisherman had an objective standard they used to separate the wheat and tares and the good fish and the bad fish. Our “plumb line” is the law, fulfilled in Jesus. All humans are measured against His perfect standard. Therefore, none of us measure up and we need a Savior to cover us in righteousness. We are ignorant of God’s holiness when we deny Hell or a God who judges. The question we should be asking ourselves is, “How could God ever allow sinners like us into Heaven?”

God’s judgment is final – Irretrievable and irreversible.

2. The suffering of unbelievers (Matthew 13:50) – The theory of annihilationism, unbelievers just cease to exist, is popular today, even in Christian circles, i.e. surely a loving God would not let unbelievers suffer eternally. At first glance this verse might seem to promote that view, were it not for “the final disturbing phrase Jesus utters.”

Hell is a place of eternal torment (Luke 16:19-31) – Is this passage literal? Hard to say definitively as we know that Hell is also a place of darkness so how can they two co-exist? We should take no comfort however if He is talking symbolically as He is saying it is worse than a literal fire.

Hell is a place of eternal regrets – We carry our memories of this life into the next. In verses 24 and 25 of Luke 16 Abraham says “remember”, so we can. This has got to be one of the most horrific aspects of Hell.

Hell is a place of eternal remorse – Verses 27 and 28 of Luke 16 show that he feels guilt. He wants them to be warned. How much attention do we, as parents, give to spiritual matters of our children? We focus on lot on academics, athletics and social aspects. How much worse will eternity be knowing that our children, the ones we love the most, are suffering in Hell with us knowing we helped bring them there?

3. The application (Matthew 13:51) – To hear and understand means doing and applying. It doesn’t just mean a cognitive understanding.

To unbelievers – Know there is a day coming.

To believers – This is a motivation for ministry and mission. The purpose of the church is to warn people and point them to the only way of escape. Strengthening relationships, strengthening our understanding of the Word or providing answers are all secondary to the real mission of the church.

“Some talk about it as an unreasonable thing to fright persons to Heaven, but I think it is a reasonable thing to endeavor to fright persons away from Hell. They stand upon its brink, and are just ready to fall into it, and are senseless of their danger. Is it not a reasonable thing to fright a person out of a house on fire?” Jonathan Edwards