CLIMBING INTO HELL

( Proverbs 1:24 - 31 )


Introduction. In the story of "The Pilgrim’s Progress" it depicts a man on the road to 
heaven. He is faced with many temptations and trials along the way. Finally after he 
climbs over them all and overcomes he climbs his last mountain and enters into heavens 
reward. It is true that living for the Lord is not an easy thing. It is a struggle from day to 
day to walk the walk and to talk the talk. Paul spoke of wars and soldiers and fighting the 
good fight. As hard as it may seem to live for Jesus, there is one thing I believe that is 
harder. That is to climb over all of the obstacles and hurtles to hell.

Proverbs 1:24 

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man 
regarded; 

The picture is one of a person lost in the wilderness, he is calling and the person refuses 
to answer his call for "what ever reason." Or a person drowning and ignoring the hand of 
a person reaching to pull them out. What could make someone do something like that? 
What is it that keeps those here from responding to the call of God?

He said that there will come a time, NOT IF IT COMES!!!, that you will call upon him, 
and he will laugh. He will mock their fear.

They shall call upon me, but I will not hear it! The day you pray will come, you will pray 
to deaf ears.

Then he said;

Proverbs 1:31 

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own 
devices. 

You might think this is hard or rash, but, this after time after time of God’s dealing and 
calling and trying to reach a person. God does not want anyone to go to hell!!

2 Peter 3:9 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is 
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to 
repentance. 

If a person goes to hell, he or she has to climb over a number of things to get there. It 
might be hard to go to heaven, but, it is even harder to go to hell.

They must climb;

I. OVER ALL OF THE WARNINGS:

A. The word of God is full of warnings of the judgment of God. 

1. Man wants to paint a picture of God as a doddering old grandpa who winks at 
everything we do wrong, and is always happy to hear from us even if its once a year or 
month.

2. Many choose just to deny that there is a God, therefore they answer to no one for what 
they do.

B. The bible tells us that these ideals are not really right you will answer for your life.

Hebrews 9:27 

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

1. When you stand before God and your life is opened you can’t say "I didn’t know."

C. The penalty for sin is clearly defined in the bible.

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 


D. If you go to hell, you will have to climb over all of the warnings of the word to get 
there.

II. OVER THE LOVE OF GOD:

A. Our text did not start out with wrath and warning, but, with a call of hope and a hand 
of help, lovingly reaching out.

1. And it was rejected for the fear and hurt of their situation. 

2. Everything God does is motivated by love.

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth 
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

B. To many, looking upon the life and death of Jesus, it would seem like a cruel and 
hateful thing. 

1. There could be no worse death.

2. It was done to show the depth of God’s true, unconditional love.

John 15:13 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

C. There was not worse way of death because there was no greater love.

1. It took the worse death to show the greatest love.

2. It took going to the lowest point to get us to the highest place. 

D. If you go to hell you will have to climb over the mountains of God’s love to get there!

III. OVER THE DRAWING OF THE SPIRIT:

John 16:8 

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of 
judgment: 

A. The Holy Spirit of God has softly whispered to each of us from time to time about the 
sins of our lives.

1. He has called us to repentance and to God.

2. We have turned him away and put him off with a promise of tomorrow.

Genesis 6:3 

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:

A. There will come a time when God will stop calling to us and we will be given a mind 
that can not see between right and wrong.

B. If you go to hell you will have to climb over all of the times God called you to 
salvation.