Hellfire, Love or a mix?

[JTTNMinistries]

What do you think is more effective in reaching people- hellfire preaching or mercy/love preaching? Jesus preached on hell more than he did on heaven. The book of Acts primarily has preaching about Jesus as the "judge of the earth."

What are your perceptions about hellfire vs. mercy/love preaching? What kind of preaching were you saved under?

[Shawn]

Love and the Cross.

[rava61]

Jesus can talk about 'hell' because He knew what He was talking about; however, I think we have much to learn before we say anything about it.

The Church's mission is to get the message to the lost....not point out what they think is sin or not sin - leave that to the One who knows for sure.

[A.W. Bowman]

Ready for another long-winded message? If not, just skip over the next few posts, you will not be missing very much.

[A.W. Bowman]

Doesn’t what one preach depend a lot on who you are preaching to?

Personally, after almost 40 years of walking with Jesus, I get a little tired of being told that if I do not repent and live a life as defined and required by the pastor, I will go to hell.

On the other hand, I also get tired of hearing of a gushy love-sick god who simply can’t wait to shower me with everything I want, desire, need, and even add more stuff than that upon my growing heap of goodies.

It seems like we have two different Gods that we claim to follow. One is a fire and brimstone breathing judge, just waiting for a person to stumble just so he can smite the offender down and crush him – something like Job’s initial experience. The other god is a supper Wal-Mart owner, where one is given a free, unlimited credit card and told the heavenly store is open 24/7/365/forever, if you don’t see what you want, just ask and we’ll order it for you..

The results are predictable. We have some “coming to Christ” so they won’t get their tails singed – buying heavenly fire insurance. The other result is a growing number of health and wealth, name it and claim it heavenly welfare country club members.

In both of these extremes, we have become a religion of “mental assent” believers. That is, we accept a god that is currently preached from the pulpit this Sunday, but without a heart-felt convection rooted in a personal encounter with the creator of the universe. We are guilty of substituting religious performance for spiritual substance. Ask Christians around the “third-world” what their experience of God is. Most of them share Job’s visitation of Satan, and are denied the use of the heavenly credit card that the western church seems to enjoy.

The question then becomes twofold. What does one preach to “sinners” and what does one preach to “believers”? A third question would be, “What do you preach to a congregation filled with both believers and unbelievers?” Of course, according to 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, a passage not often preached in church, we can get a rather good summation of what is to be taught within an assembly – regardless of who is in attendance. More specific instruction can be gleamed from 1 Corinthians 14:22, concerning speaking in tongues and prophesying. But, we have a problem with teaching and applying that passage as well.

[A.W. Bowman]

When an unbeliever walks down most any big city street (especially in my town), he is met with literally churches on every corner. At least one church in my area owns and occupies an entire former shopping mall), In some places there are literally a number of churches next door to each other. Each of these churches claim to have and to teach “the truth”. So, come join with us and forsake all of those other “false churches”. Confusing? Well, what about those churches with the same organizational name over the door, that denounces the other churches in the same town for not preaching the “truth”? And, we still pray for revival?

I tell you the truth. No one is going to biblically repent of anything, to anyone, until they become aware of, and become crushed under the enormity of their sin before the holy majesty of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is only then that the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus Christ becomes apparent in its full scope and expression of absolute love. I have heard the question asked, “Are you saved? Saved from what? Hell? Are you saved from lying? Are you saved form stealing, from adultery? Just what you saved from?” Implied is the question, “What are you saved to?” Acts 2:38 is not the gospel of the kingdom of God; it’s the expected response to the gospel. Most of us really do not know what Jesus and His apostils taught concerning the kingdom!

Many people have been preached into the kingdom through fear and intimidation. Many of these folks have become so fearful that they can’t do enough in their own eyes (or in the opinion of others) to justify their God provided forgiveness. When we preach hellfire to these folks, they redouble their effort to get everything just “right”. We call such believers, “legalists”. But, there are two sides of that coin. We also have those who “know” that they have everything just “right”. Both of these types of individuals generally become hypercritical of others, in order to maintain their belief (self-justification) that they are acceptable unto God. “See, God, I am being good and I got it right!” We call these people, “Self-righteous” or, “holier than thou” saints. (Luke 18:10-14).

Then we have those who are preached into the kingdom with the promise of piece, joy, happiness and other such benefits. We withhold from these new converts the truth of the nature of these spiritual promises. Then, when their expectations are not met, these folks leave the church and look elsewhere for their spiritual fulfillment. We call these disillusioned saints, “backsliders”. Should these love-struck saints find a reason to remain in the church, we often call them “liberals”.

[JTTNMinistries]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

I tell you the truth. No one is going to biblically repent of anything, to anyone, until they become aware of, and become crushed under the enormity of their sin before the holy majesty of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is only then that the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus Christ becomes apparent in its full scope and expression of absolute love. I have heard the question asked, “Are you saved? Saved from what? Hell? Are you saved from lying? Are you saved form stealing, from adultery? Just what you saved from?” Implied is the question, “What are you saved to?” Acts 2:38 is not the gospel of the kingdom of God; it’s the expected response to the gospel. Most of us really do not know what Jesus and His apostils taught concerning the kingdom!

This is true. I agree with most of what you have posted. The real point is that we cannot box ourselves into preaching only one thing, whether it be love, mercy, hell, destruction, 2nd coming etc. We must be cautious to preach the whole council of God and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading on what we should preach or say to a person at any given time.

One time I was preaching straight hellfire and damnation at a college campus and a small group of students came up to me and said "We can tell that you care about us. We really feel the love of God coming form you." They stayed and talked with me for over an hour. I was shocked that hellfire preaching presented them with a loving feeling.

We should always preach what God would have for us at the time I suppose.

[Michael The Disciple]

Thats funny, if its all love why is the Bible chock full of warnings of judgment and punishment for evil? Are we reading the same Bible?

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Thats funny, if its all love why is the Bible chock full of warnings of judgment and punishment for evil? Are we reading the same Bible?

It is not all about love but it certainly is one of the most MAJOR things. I would much rather win someone to Him by showing them his love and compassion than trying to scare hell out of them. I have seen that done and it doesn't seem to work very well. Plus most of those I know that all they do is worry about the angry God are not very happy people.
It didn't take preaching hells fire on the day of Pentecost, why should it take it now?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

It is not all about love but it certainly is one of the most MAJOR things. I would much rather win someone to Him by showing them his love and compassion than trying to scare hell out of them. I have seen that done and it doesn't seem to work very well. Plus most of those I know that all they do is worry about the angry God are not very happy people.
It didn't take preaching hells fire on the day of Pentecost, why should it take it now?

One sermon may not tell the whole story.

Notice the effect Pauls preaching had on the Governor he witnessed to.

23: And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24: And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Acts 24:23-25

What was Paul preaching? Righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Upon hearing Felix trembled. Apparently Paul felt this was to be included in his witness. We are to preach the word. The results are up to God.