I’ve had this on my mind since last week…
I’ve heard preachers say before, “Give ‘em hell on Sunday!” I know what is meant by it…but its sort of sad really that some people actually delight in the fact that there is a place called hell and people really do go there.
Reality is this…people get enough “hell” during the week…their marriages are on the rocks, jobs are uncertain, kids are freaking out, dating life is falling apart…I could go on…
And the last thing people need is to walk into an environment where someone “gives ‘em hell!” (MAYBE that’s one of the reasons people are dropping out of church like crazy!)
I would say don’t “give ‘em hell” this Sunday—but GIVE THEM HOPE! (I heard Pete Hise say last week that Hope is on the endangered species list…that people NEED hope, but they aren’t turning to the church for it!)
The life of Jesus gives us HOPE that God actually wants us in a relationship with Him.
The cross gives us HOPE that there is no condemnation for those in Christ.
The empty tomb gives us HOPE that He can conquer anything that we face.
People need HOPE!
Don’t misunderstand…I’m not saying, “go easy and don’t call out sin!” The problem is that many pastors want to call out the sin but not point to the Savior who paid for that sin and in whom is COMPLETE forgivness and RESTORATION to a God that is desperate to reach people!
The message should be a message of HOPE…and with the world being as dark as it is the church should be shining brighter than EVER before!
We don’t shatter darkness by condemning people…but by pointing them to Christ, the One who shatters condemnation!
Give ‘em hope Sunday!