It's easy to go to extremes whenever the topic of hell comes up. Either we focus on lurid descriptions of the damned burning in eternal torment or we avoid the topic altogether.  As a matter of fact, the whole topic of hell isn't mentioned in church very often. As my 7 year old told me, "HELL, that's a naughty word." Even in conservative evangelical churches we prefer to hear about God's love and the possibilities of the abundant life God wants to give us. 

In one sense that's not altogether bad. I wouldn't care to go to a church where the pastor made hell his favorite sermon topic. There would probably be something wrong with a person who loved to preach about hell.

We are told that hell is indefensible, obsolete, and out of touch with modern thinking. That last point is certainly true. In a world where the very concept of truth is up for grabs, the notion of eternal hell seems fearfully outdated. 

But Jesus didn't think so.  He talked more about hell than heaven.  Why?

THIS WEEK we will dive into this 'hot topic' and explore what the Bible has to say about hell.  Is hell real?  Are the images of fire and brimstone literal or figurative?  Why is hell necessary?  And most importantly, if hell is a real place, far worse than we could ever imagine, how do I avoid going there?

Pastor Bryan