So as some of you ask - do we really need to go there? Wouldn't it be better to start by telling people about God's love and work our way around to hell?
One of the struggles for us this year with the God of the City series is that we're hitting some massive topics each week. This means we can't unpack all of the issues and answer all the questions before we move onto the next topic.
It also means that we're telling a story over the whole year. This means we're not just obsessing about hell. We're placing that in a bigger picture and story of our series. So we didn't start with hell we started with the beauty and complexity of God, then the wonderful world he created, then our place in the world, then our rebellion and idolatry and then judgement. And we haven't finished there - we continue the journey of how God has pursued us in love. Season 3 of the series (in August) we'll go to town on all that Jesus has done and won for us!
So we're never just some crazy guy standing on a corner yelling at people that they're going to hell. Worshipping God in our city means we find a way to share all the beauty, complexity, love and judgement of God with our city. If we leave hell out of that story then we sell Jesus short. We're in danger of saying to people - 'you need Jesus because...he's a good guy and he loves you'. And they say 'i'm already in a relationship and i don't need anymore friends' (joke - please laugh).
So I agree we should rant and rave about hell but if we never speak of the reality then we mislead people about the future and we lose our passion to see our friends, workmates, neighbours and family meet Jesus.
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