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Hebrews 10:28-31 - Why Teach the Doctrine of Hell? - Joshua Janke
"Eternal damnation in hell is a doctrine that has all but disappeared from Christian preaching in 21st century America. (I would be willing to bet that some of us have never heard a sermon focused on the reality and severity of hell.) Why? There are three main reasons. First, this is not the kind of thing that would seem to appeal to unchurched people. We’re told that unchurched people don’t want to hear about a God who punishes sin and unbelief with eternal death in hell. Our response is: of course not! No unbeliever is going to want to hear about hell because, by definition, no unbeliever thinks that he or she deserves to go there. That conviction is only worked by the Holy Spirit through the proclamation of the Law – which includes the threat of eternal punishment in hell.
Secondly, the subject of hell is one which even we – believers – don’t really like to think about or talk about. Even if we know that in Christ we are absolutely certain that we will escape the punishment of hell, we do not like to think about it too much or too long because we have friends and relatives who have rejected Jesus and we cannot bear the thought that if they remain faithless will go to hell. And the result is that we tend to downplay or ignore or, sometimes, outright deny the reality of hell.
The last obstacle may come as a surprise to you: hell is not a topic that Christian pastors relish discussing and applying. Think about the oncologist who must tell a patient that they have stage four cancer and only has days or weeks to live. Compare that to telling a person who has rejected Christ and the salvation he offers – that the only future he or she has to look forward to is punishment that never ends. And yet, in spite of these obstacles, it is important that we hear what God’s Word has to say about hell. Why? Because so many deny it, because it is Biblical fact, and because it reveals, better than anything else, our need for a Savior."
snip
"And there’s one final reason to clearly teach and preach the doctrine of hell: because it reveals our need for a Savior. One of the most powerful and dangerous human impulses is the impulse to minimize, rationalize, and downplay the severity of sin. That’s why we come up with phrases like “little white lies” and “I know it’s a sin but it’s not hurting anyone.” In relation to hell, the impulse to justify ourselves leads many to underestimate the punishment sin earns. It’s the idea that I can pay for my own sin – whether that means making amends or giving to charity or paying the fine or suffering whatever temporary consequence is required. It’s the satanic lie that no sin is so bad that I can’t pay for it sooner or later."
snip
"The doctrine of hell is a terrifying truth. But only when we realize that hell is what we deserve will we understand the stakes of Christianity. This is not just about making friends or having a good time or having a positive impact on the community. The stakes in everything we do – from evangelism to education to discipline – are eternal life and eternal death.
That’s why, even though it might make us squirm and may seem like a doctrine that was left behind with the fire and brimstone preaching of past eras, it is still important to teach this doctrine faithfully, not only to defend God’s people from being led astray by those who deny it; not only because the Bible clearly teaches it; not only because it reveals our desperate need for a Savior from sin; but especially because it will help us appreciate so much more during this Lenten season what God’s Son did for us and saved us from by his suffering and death on the cross. Amen."
"Eternal damnation in hell is a doctrine that has all but disappeared from Christian preaching in 21st century America. (I would be willing to bet that some of us have never heard a sermon focused on the reality and severity of hell.) Why? There are three main reasons. First, this is not the kind of thing that would seem to appeal to unchurched people. We’re told that unchurched people don’t want to hear about a God who punishes sin and unbelief with eternal death in hell. Our response is: of course not! No unbeliever is going to want to hear about hell because, by definition, no unbeliever thinks that he or she deserves to go there. That conviction is only worked by the Holy Spirit through the proclamation of the Law – which includes the threat of eternal punishment in hell.
Secondly, the subject of hell is one which even we – believers – don’t really like to think about or talk about. Even if we know that in Christ we are absolutely certain that we will escape the punishment of hell, we do not like to think about it too much or too long because we have friends and relatives who have rejected Jesus and we cannot bear the thought that if they remain faithless will go to hell. And the result is that we tend to downplay or ignore or, sometimes, outright deny the reality of hell.
The last obstacle may come as a surprise to you: hell is not a topic that Christian pastors relish discussing and applying. Think about the oncologist who must tell a patient that they have stage four cancer and only has days or weeks to live. Compare that to telling a person who has rejected Christ and the salvation he offers – that the only future he or she has to look forward to is punishment that never ends. And yet, in spite of these obstacles, it is important that we hear what God’s Word has to say about hell. Why? Because so many deny it, because it is Biblical fact, and because it reveals, better than anything else, our need for a Savior."
snip
"And there’s one final reason to clearly teach and preach the doctrine of hell: because it reveals our need for a Savior. One of the most powerful and dangerous human impulses is the impulse to minimize, rationalize, and downplay the severity of sin. That’s why we come up with phrases like “little white lies” and “I know it’s a sin but it’s not hurting anyone.” In relation to hell, the impulse to justify ourselves leads many to underestimate the punishment sin earns. It’s the idea that I can pay for my own sin – whether that means making amends or giving to charity or paying the fine or suffering whatever temporary consequence is required. It’s the satanic lie that no sin is so bad that I can’t pay for it sooner or later."
snip
"The doctrine of hell is a terrifying truth. But only when we realize that hell is what we deserve will we understand the stakes of Christianity. This is not just about making friends or having a good time or having a positive impact on the community. The stakes in everything we do – from evangelism to education to discipline – are eternal life and eternal death.
That’s why, even though it might make us squirm and may seem like a doctrine that was left behind with the fire and brimstone preaching of past eras, it is still important to teach this doctrine faithfully, not only to defend God’s people from being led astray by those who deny it; not only because the Bible clearly teaches it; not only because it reveals our desperate need for a Savior from sin; but especially because it will help us appreciate so much more during this Lenten season what God’s Son did for us and saved us from by his suffering and death on the cross. Amen."
