So this week we did something I've never done in church before, we talked about HELL! It turns out many of us have never heard a sermon preached on or about hell (somewhere around 20-30 or us). This of course has something to do with the fact that sermons on the topic at one time were the norm, and now we are living in the natural knee-jerk reaction to that. The over saturation of fire and brimstone sermons of generations past, has lead to a general absence of sermons that deal with the reality or consequences of sin and especially the topic of hell. So we did it this past Sunday. We talked about hell, without condemning anyone there, or trying to scare anyone out of hell.
We spent some time talking about the types of images that come to mind when we mention the word hell, while admitting that the Bible is not particularly interested in describing the place for us. Images of fire, pain, suffering, the devil, and separation from God were prominant in the discussion. We also acknowledged that while there's a substantial contingent of people who do not believe in hell at all, amongst those who do, there are generally two camps, those who view hell as a literal place of fire and brimstone, and those who see it as more of a figurative or metaphorical place of torment and punishment. I shared a story from my own past, where the six year old me reasoned that if hell was fire, that I could go down there with a fire truck and solve the problem all together. Obviously I would have fallen firmly into the camp of those who see hell as literally filled with fire. I pointed out that many think of hell less literally and instead imagine it as a place where you are forced to do something you hate (eat lima beans) or be with someone you can't stand (you know who I'm talking about).
Either way, almost everyone who believes in hell, sees it as a destination of eternal punishment for those who end up there. I suggested that some have seen this aspect of hell as being particularly problematic when one considers that as humans we live finite (or limited) lives, and likewise can only committ a limited number of sins. It stands to reason then, that to be punished eternally or infinitely is unjust. To put it simpler, it would be as if my child colored on the walls, and as punishment I put her in timeout forever! Of course such a punishment would not seem fair to anyone. The same can be said of a hell that punishes its inhabitants eternally.
Now I'm not one to make theological arguments based on my feelings, no matter how strongly I have them. I am much more comfortable looking to the biblical witness to help inform my understanding of such things, and so we looked at a few passages that discuss hell. The first passage Revelation 20:10-15 portrays hell as a "lake of burning sulfur" and as the "second death". The key to this passage is the characterization of hell as the "second death" or as the complete destruction of the person. The second passage we looked at, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, is a parable of Jesus' that informs what will happen upon Christ's return and likens hell to a "fiery furnace" that will that will burn up and completely consume those who are thrown into it. Both of these passages do not describe hell as a place where the inhabitants are torutured forever, but rather a place of total destruction. As a matter of fact, there is only one (maybe two) passage(s) in scripture that portrays hell as a place of eternal torment (here). Having said this, without much effort I can easily point to no less than seven passages that clearly portray hell as a place of final destruction (here). It would seem more biblical (if not more sensible) to see hell not as a place of eternal torment, but rather as a place of ultimate destruction.
Having said all of this, hell is a very bad place, and the only good news about hell, is that we don't have to go there. Regardless of what you think about hell, the reality is that we all have an opportunity to either choose God or choose the alternative (which we call sin). While it is true that the wages of sin is death, and all have fallen short, through belief in Jesus Christ we need not perish, but rather can have life everlasting. Of course even the demons believe and this is why our belief must not be merely intellectual assent (head knowledge), but also what John Wesley referred to as "heart knowledge". A belief that goes beyond knowing into doing and truly being a follower of Christ.
If this is something you're looking for, the journey you have already begun, is meant to be one of community. This means finding a faith community near you and becoming a part of it. That could be our community (Oxford & McDonough United Methodist Churches) or it could be any church or faith community near you. The point is that following Jesus is not something done alone, but rather in community.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sermon Sampler (July 5th) - The Church that Nurtures
Throughout my life, first as a member of a church, and now as the pastor of two churches, I've been cared for (or nurtured) by the church. I have been blessed with many mature and faithful Christian men and women look out for me, nurture my growth (both spiritually and physically), and help me to grow into a true disciple of Christ. It is therefore that the topic of the Church's call to Nurture is one that is especially important to me.
As we've already discussed, the Church (all followers of Christ) exists to grow (make disciples of all nations), and to serve (be in mission). Now we'll discuss how the Church exists to nurture or care for those within the community. Two key biblical texts, when exploring this idea are Acts 6:1-5 and John 21:15-17. The first passage speaks to the Church's role of providing for physical needs, while the second speaks of spiritual needs.
Nurture, as it occurs in a local congregation can look like food programs, clothing distribution, various financial assistance resources, and many many other programs designed to satisfy very real physical needs fundamental to human life. Nurture can also look like Bible study, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, book studies, counseling programs, and a plethora of other programs designed to satisfy very real spiritual needs, also fundamental to human life. But for many Chrsitians, the best way they can offer nurture to others is through much less formal ways, like smiles, handshakes, phone calls, and visits.
It is no understatement to point out that while Growth (Evangelism) and Service (Mission) are two primary ways that people are introduced to the Church and initially brought within the fold, Nurture is essential to keeping people engaged and within the fold. Without nurture, people will be apt to leave just as quickly as they entered.
So the two questions I would like you to struggle with and live with throughout this week and the weeks to come are (1) How do you/we ALREADY nurture? and (2) How can you/we BETTER nurture?
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
As we've already discussed, the Church (all followers of Christ) exists to grow (make disciples of all nations), and to serve (be in mission). Now we'll discuss how the Church exists to nurture or care for those within the community. Two key biblical texts, when exploring this idea are Acts 6:1-5 and John 21:15-17. The first passage speaks to the Church's role of providing for physical needs, while the second speaks of spiritual needs.
Nurture, as it occurs in a local congregation can look like food programs, clothing distribution, various financial assistance resources, and many many other programs designed to satisfy very real physical needs fundamental to human life. Nurture can also look like Bible study, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, book studies, counseling programs, and a plethora of other programs designed to satisfy very real spiritual needs, also fundamental to human life. But for many Chrsitians, the best way they can offer nurture to others is through much less formal ways, like smiles, handshakes, phone calls, and visits.
It is no understatement to point out that while Growth (Evangelism) and Service (Mission) are two primary ways that people are introduced to the Church and initially brought within the fold, Nurture is essential to keeping people engaged and within the fold. Without nurture, people will be apt to leave just as quickly as they entered.
So the two questions I would like you to struggle with and live with throughout this week and the weeks to come are (1) How do you/we ALREADY nurture? and (2) How can you/we BETTER nurture?
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July
Happy Independence Day! This is our country's 233rd Independence Day, and it certainly won't be our last. Enjoy the day to celebrate our country, and if you can spend it with friends and family!Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sermon Sampler (June 28th) - The Serving Church
When I say "missionary" or "missions" what do you think of? Likely you think of Africa, South America, China, or some other far off and exotic place. Almost certainly you think of a person or persons who've dedicated their life to the service of others for the kingdom of God. If you think this way, you're absolutely right, those things all relate to missions and missionaries, but in the following paragraphs I hope to open up your understanding of this topic so that it might become so much more.
The word "mission" comes from a Latin word "missum" which means to be sent. With this understanding to be in mission or to be a missionary simply means to be sent to something. In the case of the church (read all Christians everywhere) a good start to what we are sent to can be found in Matthew 25:31-46. Essentially that big long passage breaks down to say that as Christians we are called (or sent) to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, show hospitality to strangers, and visit the sick and imprisoned.
We've been thinking about and discussing what "the church" is, and what "the church" exists to do (or it's purpose). So far we've decided that "the church" consists of all who believe in Jesus (Christians) and that "the church" is called to grow (spread the good news of Jesus) and now to serve (be in mission). I would encourage you not to think about mission as something you need to go away to do, but something that can be done everyday, right where you are. In this case, mission looks just as much like shoveling your neighbors sidewalk, as it does building a school in Haiti. The person who visits the sick shut-in is just as much a missionary as the doctor who visits the village in the jungle. The congregation that shows hospitality to those in its community is equally involved in mission work as the one that sends a mission team to Honduras yearly.
With such a broadening of this concept that we've always reserved for a uniquely gifted and uniquely called group of people, I hope you're beginning to realize that as a part of the church you too are called to serve others (or called into mission). I also hope you realize that just because you aren't in some distant land with different people doesn't mean you can't be a missionary serving the least. Now armed with this fuller understanding of what it means to be the body of Christ (the church) in mission, it is up to you to look at your own life, your daily routines and find the places you have been sent to the sick, the poor, the hungry, and all those in need.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
The word "mission" comes from a Latin word "missum" which means to be sent. With this understanding to be in mission or to be a missionary simply means to be sent to something. In the case of the church (read all Christians everywhere) a good start to what we are sent to can be found in Matthew 25:31-46. Essentially that big long passage breaks down to say that as Christians we are called (or sent) to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, show hospitality to strangers, and visit the sick and imprisoned.
We've been thinking about and discussing what "the church" is, and what "the church" exists to do (or it's purpose). So far we've decided that "the church" consists of all who believe in Jesus (Christians) and that "the church" is called to grow (spread the good news of Jesus) and now to serve (be in mission). I would encourage you not to think about mission as something you need to go away to do, but something that can be done everyday, right where you are. In this case, mission looks just as much like shoveling your neighbors sidewalk, as it does building a school in Haiti. The person who visits the sick shut-in is just as much a missionary as the doctor who visits the village in the jungle. The congregation that shows hospitality to those in its community is equally involved in mission work as the one that sends a mission team to Honduras yearly.
With such a broadening of this concept that we've always reserved for a uniquely gifted and uniquely called group of people, I hope you're beginning to realize that as a part of the church you too are called to serve others (or called into mission). I also hope you realize that just because you aren't in some distant land with different people doesn't mean you can't be a missionary serving the least. Now armed with this fuller understanding of what it means to be the body of Christ (the church) in mission, it is up to you to look at your own life, your daily routines and find the places you have been sent to the sick, the poor, the hungry, and all those in need.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
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