Just listened to a clip of a pastor preaching out of “Horton hears a Who” by Dr Seuss. The Way of the Master guys cross played that with a sermon by Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” and it got me thinking. We are somewhat vary of hellfire and brimstone preaching, and to a certain extent rightfully so. However, it has a point, namely to warn sinners of a terrible fate.
Would you like to….
- hear about how to improve your marriage, so you can go to hell happily married?
- learn about how to raise your kids better, so they are polite when you go to hell?
- know how to be more successful at your job, so you can go to hell a rich upper management person?
Let’s not lose focus on what our mission regarding unbelievers is. The loving thing to do is to warn them about the eternal consequences of dying unvindicated, however unpleasant it may seem.
Just to clarify, this should be part of every sermon, though the focus of preaching is the edification of the saints according to Ephesians 4.
No related posts.
Is it wrong for a chuch to be a listening church; a personal church; a relational church; a deep-thinking church; a living breathing church; an inclusive accepting churchl and honest – real church?
I agree that the church needs to get back to the business of Evangelism and Discipleship.
I have done some programs about the way to make love last a lifetime… and others… and find these are a great opportunity to have people outside of the church come in… These topics draw them in…
BUT… sadly many churches forget the all important Alter Call. Recently I had a UM Pastor tell me he thinks alter calls to youth are worthless… and are only moments of peer-pressure – so he refuses to do them.
What a bunch of BUNK!!!
The church in some ways needs to be a place where those who are “Spiritual Tourists” can stop off – find an attraction they can grab hold onto and find interesting…
Should we not be so surprised that people are not walking in the doors of our churches since we have made little to no effort to be attractive?
We must however – remember our mission. The Great Commission is Simply stated best in Christs Words
Go into the World -Preach The Gospel – Disciplining…
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Max Lucado? by Billy Graham, By Ed Stetzer? … NO
Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God. While those other authors are great… awesome – and have had a great impact on the Kingdom… WE MUST GET BACK TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE!!!
AMEN brother.
Disciple not discipline