Kia Ora,
Last Sunday began the series of 'The Big Ask'. We gave Don Barry a huge hospital pass and allowed him to tackle the concept of hell. It is such a deeply challenging concept for us all to think about. I believe that Don provided a solid biblical foundation for us to explore this idea further. I would encourage everyone to listen to the message again.
What I took away from the message might be slightly different to you. I was reminded of how much God actually hates sin, all sin. We serve a redeeming, forgiving God, but our understanding of that can warp the idea that God calls us to live a righteous life, free from sin. I was challenged by this thought…Do I ask for forgiveness because I want to be forgiven or do I ask for forgiveness because I know I have hurt the heart of my father? We all want to be forgiven, but I wonder if I would be more empowered to live well if I remembered that my sin offends the heart of God? It was such a big deal to God that he sent his only Son.
I don't know about you, but what I really want is to live to please the heart of the Father. I know he is always pleased with me, but he is not always pleased with my actions. I don't want to offend the Father's heart and treat his grace for me as cheap.
Probably not what you took away from the message on hell, but it was for me.
Ngā Mihi
Na Aaron
Last Sunday began the series of 'The Big Ask'. We gave Don Barry a huge hospital pass and allowed him to tackle the concept of hell. It is such a deeply challenging concept for us all to think about. I believe that Don provided a solid biblical foundation for us to explore this idea further. I would encourage everyone to listen to the message again.
What I took away from the message might be slightly different to you. I was reminded of how much God actually hates sin, all sin. We serve a redeeming, forgiving God, but our understanding of that can warp the idea that God calls us to live a righteous life, free from sin. I was challenged by this thought…Do I ask for forgiveness because I want to be forgiven or do I ask for forgiveness because I know I have hurt the heart of my father? We all want to be forgiven, but I wonder if I would be more empowered to live well if I remembered that my sin offends the heart of God? It was such a big deal to God that he sent his only Son.
I don't know about you, but what I really want is to live to please the heart of the Father. I know he is always pleased with me, but he is not always pleased with my actions. I don't want to offend the Father's heart and treat his grace for me as cheap.
Probably not what you took away from the message on hell, but it was for me.
Ngā Mihi
Na Aaron