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| Are You Among The Miserable? |
ECCLESIASTES 8:6b
“Therefore, the misery of man is great upon him.”
Romans 3:16, Revelation 3:17
Most rational thinking men and women would agree at least philosophically with
Solomons statement: “The misery of man is great upon him.” For we can look out around
our world through our T.V. News, radio, newspapers, etc. and read of wars and rumors of
wars; of famines; of drought; of diseases, and epidemics; of how cruelly man treats his
fellow man of children suffering under the hands of wicked parents and so on;
Many would even agree theologically with the Apostle Paul- “Destruction and misery are
in their ways.” That yes, man receives the direct results of his sinful practices in his daily
life, and in the life to come.
But I believe, that even though you can get agreement with Solomon, and Paul both
philosophically, and theologically, that practically most would say no if asked if they
personally were miserable?
The word Misery is defined as: wretchedness of condition or circumstances, distress of
mind or extreme unhappiness.
Many people would agree that yes there are bad times for them, distressing times, but
miserable? No! I am not miserable! I have my health, I have a job, I have shelter, I have
friends, I have, I have, I have…. I mean, I may not be completely happy all the time, but
who is? And things are getting better, or will get better... miserable? No way!
YES WAY!!!
Let me explain what I mean.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they who were the favorites of all of
God’s creation, lost favor with their creator. They lost that close intimate communion with
God; they lost the joy of those times spent one on one with God and fell into the misery of
sinful separation from God.
In Romans 5:12-14 we read:” Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: for until the law sin
was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned
from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams
transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.”
And in Ephesians 2:3 we read that because of sin we “were by nature children of wrath.”
All of mankind is born in a condition of fallen misery.
Oh, I know, that at times we have all tried to witness to people who have told us that they
do not need Jesus-they are happy-have peace- have purpose and are completely fulfilled
and satisfied. Now, while some are lying to try to cover up their misery others are as far as
they know are telling the truth; they are ignorant of their true condition, they are literally
blind to their own misery, and need to be awakened to their true sinful condition before a
holy God.
What misery is a direct result of sins coming upon all men?
I. THE MISERY OF ENSLAVEMENT TO SATAN
“By nature children of wrath” Lit “heirs of wrath!” –Gods displeasure!
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men…”
Consider the present wrath man is under vs 24-32
Consider the future wrath he will face- 2:5-9
Jesus said in John 3:18 “ He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but He that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.”
Then in John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
It is a miserable life to live under God’s wrath both now and in the life to come all because
you would not come to Jesus!
THE MISERY OF LIVING WITHOUT HOPE IN A WORLD CURSED BY SIN
A. Man is born to trouble- Job 5:7
B. Violence
C. No peace
D. Fear
E. Death
IV. THE MISERY OF SPENDING ALL ETERNITY WITHOUT GOD
We have no doubt heard the phrase;
“Born once, die twice; Born twice, die once!
Rev. 20:14,15
“And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.”
1. There will be Physical torment
Luke 16 “and being in torments
How terrible it will be! Rev. 9:6 in describing the terror of the wrath of God that will one
day be puired out on this earth: “They shall seek death, and not find it!”
Imagine that desire for all of eternity!
2. Spiritual torment
No churches, no gospel music, no gospel preaching, no one handing you a tract to read,
no one praying any longer for your salvation it is over, over, over.. No presence of God in
His love, mercy and grace.Only His wrath will be experienced!
You who laughed at the gospel will laugh no longer! You who put it off because you
wanted just a little more time to enjoy life will have only misery-you who ran from God,
made every excuse not to hear His Word will get your wish-No more Word!
Misery is the lot of every life except those who have come to Jesus. He is the only escape
from the misery of fallen sinful man! He is the only door to God’s forgiveness and joy.
Only Jesus can break the power and hold of Satan on our life
Only Jesus Has taken God’s wrath on Himself in our behalf
Only Jesus can offer God’s mercy and grace
Only Jesus Gives us God’s peace
Only Jesus gives us the victory over this life
Only Jesus delivers us from the punishment of hell.
Only Jesus!
Now just a word to you who are saved. You once knew the joy of God’s love, forgiveness,
peace- But misery is crowding the edges of your living.
No more joy, no more peace, no more victory over sin.
Why? You walked away!! You compromised-you like the Church of Ephesus have left
your first love.
You like the church at Laodecia have become neither hot nor cold-you are lukewarm- You
think that because you have gifts, abilities, talents, material things, that all is well-Yet the
Lord is saying to you what he did to them: “You are wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind and naked”
O RETURN TO THE LORD!!
GIVE HIM FIRST PLACE IN YOUR LIFE ONCE MORE!
An old song says:
Would you live for Jesus and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace, that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be:
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul and you will see;
Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
O come out of your misery today and find in His presence fullness of Joy!
“Therefore, the misery of man is great upon him.”
Romans 3:16, Revelation 3:17
Most rational thinking men and women would agree at least philosophically with
Solomons statement: “The misery of man is great upon him.” For we can look out around
our world through our T.V. News, radio, newspapers, etc. and read of wars and rumors of
wars; of famines; of drought; of diseases, and epidemics; of how cruelly man treats his
fellow man of children suffering under the hands of wicked parents and so on;
Many would even agree theologically with the Apostle Paul- “Destruction and misery are
in their ways.” That yes, man receives the direct results of his sinful practices in his daily
life, and in the life to come.
But I believe, that even though you can get agreement with Solomon, and Paul both
philosophically, and theologically, that practically most would say no if asked if they
personally were miserable?
The word Misery is defined as: wretchedness of condition or circumstances, distress of
mind or extreme unhappiness.
Many people would agree that yes there are bad times for them, distressing times, but
miserable? No! I am not miserable! I have my health, I have a job, I have shelter, I have
friends, I have, I have, I have…. I mean, I may not be completely happy all the time, but
who is? And things are getting better, or will get better... miserable? No way!
YES WAY!!!
Let me explain what I mean.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they who were the favorites of all of
God’s creation, lost favor with their creator. They lost that close intimate communion with
God; they lost the joy of those times spent one on one with God and fell into the misery of
sinful separation from God.
In Romans 5:12-14 we read:” Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: for until the law sin
was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned
from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams
transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.”
And in Ephesians 2:3 we read that because of sin we “were by nature children of wrath.”
All of mankind is born in a condition of fallen misery.
Oh, I know, that at times we have all tried to witness to people who have told us that they
do not need Jesus-they are happy-have peace- have purpose and are completely fulfilled
and satisfied. Now, while some are lying to try to cover up their misery others are as far as
they know are telling the truth; they are ignorant of their true condition, they are literally
blind to their own misery, and need to be awakened to their true sinful condition before a
holy God.
What misery is a direct result of sins coming upon all men?
I. THE MISERY OF ENSLAVEMENT TO SATAN
- Ephesians 2:2
Once man was free, but now is enslaved to a master who hates him, and seeks to
destroy him!
- Psalm. 106:41
“and they that hated them, ruled over them.”
- John 10:10
“The thief cometh not but for to steal to kill and to destroy:”
- The Devil is called by certain names which describe his character and his purpose:
- Satan-Adversary
- Devil-Slanderer
- Abandon - Destroyer
He is a murderer, a liar, an accuser, the god of this age, an angel of light etc. His
purpose is to rule over the hearts of rebellious men and ultimately destroy them!
1. He rules the understanding of men
2 Corinthians 4:3,4
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel
of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."”
2. He rules the will
He cannot force anyone to do anything-yet he tempts them according to their own
lustful desires and leads them into sin and submission to his authority.
Jesus said to the Pharisees; “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father, ye will do.”
Look at Jeremiah 44:15-17
It is a miserable life to be under the dominion of Satan, and yet all outside of Christ
are in this misery!
“By nature children of wrath” Lit “heirs of wrath!” –Gods displeasure!
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men…”
Consider the present wrath man is under vs 24-32
Consider the future wrath he will face- 2:5-9
Jesus said in John 3:18 “ He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but He that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.”
Then in John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
It is a miserable life to live under God’s wrath both now and in the life to come all because
you would not come to Jesus!
THE MISERY OF LIVING WITHOUT HOPE IN A WORLD CURSED BY SIN
A. Man is born to trouble- Job 5:7
B. Violence
C. No peace
D. Fear
E. Death
IV. THE MISERY OF SPENDING ALL ETERNITY WITHOUT GOD
We have no doubt heard the phrase;
“Born once, die twice; Born twice, die once!
Rev. 20:14,15
“And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.”
1. There will be Physical torment
Luke 16 “and being in torments
- a. Every Physical sense affected
b. The eyes-darkness
c. Ears-screams of suffering and agony of those around
d. Touch-burning fiery heat that never ceases
e. Smell-sulphur brimstone
f. Taste-dryness parched lips desperate for just a drop of water that will never
be given
g. The worm dieth not-literal worms? Or unfulfilled lusts, cravings, that can and
never will be fulfilled
How terrible it will be! Rev. 9:6 in describing the terror of the wrath of God that will one
day be puired out on this earth: “They shall seek death, and not find it!”
Imagine that desire for all of eternity!
2. Spiritual torment
No churches, no gospel music, no gospel preaching, no one handing you a tract to read,
no one praying any longer for your salvation it is over, over, over.. No presence of God in
His love, mercy and grace.Only His wrath will be experienced!
You who laughed at the gospel will laugh no longer! You who put it off because you
wanted just a little more time to enjoy life will have only misery-you who ran from God,
made every excuse not to hear His Word will get your wish-No more Word!
Misery is the lot of every life except those who have come to Jesus. He is the only escape
from the misery of fallen sinful man! He is the only door to God’s forgiveness and joy.
Only Jesus can break the power and hold of Satan on our life
Only Jesus Has taken God’s wrath on Himself in our behalf
Only Jesus can offer God’s mercy and grace
Only Jesus Gives us God’s peace
Only Jesus gives us the victory over this life
Only Jesus delivers us from the punishment of hell.
Only Jesus!
Now just a word to you who are saved. You once knew the joy of God’s love, forgiveness,
peace- But misery is crowding the edges of your living.
No more joy, no more peace, no more victory over sin.
Why? You walked away!! You compromised-you like the Church of Ephesus have left
your first love.
You like the church at Laodecia have become neither hot nor cold-you are lukewarm- You
think that because you have gifts, abilities, talents, material things, that all is well-Yet the
Lord is saying to you what he did to them: “You are wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind and naked”
O RETURN TO THE LORD!!
GIVE HIM FIRST PLACE IN YOUR LIFE ONCE MORE!
An old song says:
Would you live for Jesus and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace, that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be:
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul and you will see;
Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
O come out of your misery today and find in His presence fullness of Joy!
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