Matt Schmucker gave an incredible sermon this past Sunday on Matthew 7:21-23, which was half exposition of the passage and half topical treatment of the doctrine of hell. He attacked some false ideas of hell: 1) the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 2) pluralistic/Christian universalism, 3) annihilation-ism. And gave some characteristics of hell that we get from the Bible: 1) hell is punishment, 2) hell is destruction, 3) hell is banishment (away from all God's graces, including common ones), 4) hell is suffering. We should not make hell more palatable because doing so does a disservice to God in misrepresentation and a disservice to non-Christians in lying about their true state of affairs.
Matt pulled out some good application points for us:
- Being familiar with the doctrine of hell makes true contentment easier; we've been saved from hell, what is the present suffering in comparison?
- Hell should increase our desire to share the Good News.
- We should adore God and Christ; when we make much of sin, we make much of Christ and vice versa.
On a less serious note, I loved when Matt was giving an anecdote and said, "Mother Schmucker." The congregation laughed, so I knew I was not alone in drawing inappropriate play-on-words.
General Updates:
- Work at USCC remains very interesting and I get to do what I love to do: read.
- Went to a winery last weekend for Kaitlin birthday outing; had wine-tasting, a picnic, awesome company, and a jolly good time.
- After the winery outing, went to the Fujitos for college/intern fellowship night. Lots of questions about vocation and how to think about being a Christian while pursuing a career.
- Having dinner tomorrow with the Schreiners. Will be the last time I'll see Dangus in a long time, twill be a bittersweet farewell.
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