Classic Sermon Outlines (continued)
CLASSIC SERMON OUTLINES — Matthew Henry
B. It Is an Eternal Death.
The eternal or second death is the sinfulness of man and the wrath of God immutably fixed. It is not the extinguishing of men's beings, but the extinguishing of their bliss.
1. It is real. Misery and torment in the next world will certainly be the portion of all who live and die ungodly lives (Romans 2:5-11).
2. It is fearful. The second death is inconceivably dreadful. Who knows what the power of God's anger is, either what He can inflict or what it is possible for a soul to suffer—or what a fearful thing it is for a sinner that has made himself obnoxious to God's justice?
3. It is near. There is but a step between the sinner and the second death and it may be a short step and soon taken. There is only one life between the sinner and hell and that is the sinner's own life which may shortly come to an end.
II. THE SINNER'S FAULT AND FOLLY: "DESPISETH HIS WAYS."
A. The Meaning of Despising Our Own Ways.
1. Unconcern about the end of our ways. This includes: (a) Failure to consider and direct our ways toward the God-purposed aim or end of our lives, namely, to show forth the praise of God and to live for Christ. (b) Failure to enquire what will be the last end in which our ways will terminate—heaven or hell.
2. Indifference to the rule of our ways. We despise our way if we set aside the rules which God has given us to obey: the Scriptures; and conscience in subordination to the Bible. We despise our way if we set up our rules of life in opposition to God's. Such are guided by personal desires and the cause and custom of this world.
3. Wavering in the course of our ways. It is certain those have not the concern they ought to have who have not resolution enough to persist in good purposes and to hold to them and have not sufficient constancy to proceed and persevere in the good practices wherein they have begun.
4. Failure to acknowledge and apply ourselves to God. This honor God has been pleased to put upon our ways, that He has undertaken to be our