Hell or Heaven

For those who believe all sermons should be only love filled and accepting of all, let me introduce you to Jesus Christ, who offended many with His doctrine.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. (Luke 4:32 KJV)

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? (Matthew 15:12 KJV)

Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? (John 6:60-61 KJV)

How many times in Matthew 23 do we hear Christ call his hearers fools, blind and hypocrites! Yes, even with the exclamation mark. How many times does He say “Woe unto you”? How offended would you be if your preacher said the same in a sermon to you?

Some preachers throw in fire and brimstone. To read an example of such a sermon from almost three hundred years ago, try Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Only don’t expect to be reading a modern thirty-minute sermon to which most congregations hold their preacher.

Would any Christian expect us to ignore simple sins such as lying? Who has not found themselves doing such? Paul and John both address that particular sin – along with some others people would not admit to.

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:9-10 KJV)

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:6-8 KJV)

Do not expect kind, considerate and thoughtful sermons to ignore the reality that all have fallen short, all have sinned, only God’s mercy provides a way to heaven and that way is through acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 KJV)

Such sermons are necessary to present the gospel message to unsaved friends and loved ones. It is also necessary for the saved to recall, look forward to better and give thanks always for His loving us before we loved Him.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)