Isn't Christianity Hateful

Introduction:

· Jonathan Edwards & the Sinners In The Hands of an Angry God

THE IDEA OF JUDGEMENT EXPOSES OUR NEED, WARNS US, AND POINTS US TO HOPE.

I) The Reality of Judgment Exposes our Greatest Need:

A. Judgment Asks a question of Identity

i. What is it that defines us? (vv. 19-20)

1. Jesus introduces us to a man not by name but by wealth… (vs. 19)

2. …and one is a name before a socio-economic status (vv. 20-21)

ii. Death is the great equalizer (vs. 22)

1. Two obituaries in one day: One known, revered in the community…

2. The sobering truth: Death comes to us all!

B. Judgment Points us to our greatest need

i. The Distinctions of Death:

1. For one: Death is cold, impersonal; the other’s is deeply personal!

2. We are created for deep intimate fellowship with God – yet we will look anywhere else but there to fill that void in our hearts

3. EXAMPLE: Money; its sports; marriage/family

ii. Longing for an embrace

1. We assume judgment=God’s behavior ledger; Jesus asks what defines us?

2. Are we defined by__________ OR, by the God who knows our name?

ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE SUCH TROUBLE WITH THE IDEA OF HELL IS HTAT WE MISUNDERSTAND WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS.

II) The Reality of Judgment Warns us About Our Greatest Problem

A. Judgment Is God Honoring Our Choices

i. Judgment shows us that we become more of who we are (vs .24)

1. The RM continues to bark order, tries to control: he’s still who he is!

2. So: God honors our choices into eternity

3. QUOTE: “Thy will be done…or thy will be done.”

ii. Judgment shows God’s priorities differ from the World’s priorities (vs. 25)

1. Eternity pulls back the curtain and reveals the “good things” that matter

B. Judgmentis Disintegration

i. The Torment of Hell illustrates disintegration (vs. 24b)

1. Is hell literal fire? Maybe, maybe not – if not, it’s much worse

2. FIRE: disintegrates, it destroys

ii. Thus hell begins today

1. Even the smallest sin left unchecked has the power to destroy lives

2. Hell is what happens when all sin is left unchecked to destroy

C. Judgement is an expression of Love

i. Isn’t hell opposed to a loving God?

ii. No; Judgement & Love are compatible (vs. 25a)

1. The tenderness of Abraham is surprising warm, personal because Hell isn’t God’s unchecked temper/rage, but an expression of love

2. God judges precisely because he

I SAID EARL YON THAT THE REALITY OF JUDGMENT NOT ONLY POINTS TO OUR NEED, AND NOT ONLY WARNS US, BUT IT ALSO GIVES US HOPE.

III) The Reality of Judgment Gives us the Hope We need

A. Judgment Promises the Hope of Justice

i. Seeing Across the Chasm (vs. 26)

1. the chasm between heaven and hell is permanent but can see across

2. Why that matters: we can “see” that justice will be done one day

ii. This Liberates us

1. This is powerful because it allows us to forgive

2. EXAAMPLE: Marriage; work; relationships; ex-wife;…

B. Judgment Promises the Hope of Mercy

i. Seeking a sign: (vv. 27-30)

1. RM hoped for a reprieve for his family

2. In ominous words – even a resurrection couldn’t change the minds of the religious leaders who had already rejected scripture

ii. The Hope of Jesus rescues us from Hell

1. BUT: The good news is that we have scripture, revealing Jesus to us

2. There is one who has crossed that uncrossable chasm

3. Therefore, the path of our life is now resurrection, not judgment!

Transition:

Conclusion

The Road to Embrace