Rev. Don Campbell
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, JUNE 18, 2017: FIVE TIMES WHEN A PREACHER SHOULD NOT PREACH ABOUT HELL
In the King James Version, the word “hell” is used 10 times, not counting the duplicates in the Synoptic Gospels (Matt, Mk, Lk). Jesus used it 8 of those 10. This does not tell the whole story, however. The words judge, judgment, condemn and condemnation are used a combined total of 163 times. When Jesus told the 12 that he would send the Holy Spirit, he said that he would convict the world of sin, righteous, and judgment to come (John 16:8). Clearly, warning people of sin and judgment is an important part of preaching. However, there are at least five times when a preacher should not preach about hell.
1. When he delights in passing judgment, even God’s judgment. When Jesus pronounced the final judgment against Jerusalem, he wept (Luke 19:41-44).
2. When he selectively condemns sin and sinners. It is easy to thunder against fornication, adultery, and drunkenness while winking at a proud, boastful brother who trusts in himself that he is righteous and disdains all others.
3. When he usurps God’s judgment. Paul warns: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10-12).
4. When he bears only bad news. The very meaning of the word “gospel” is “good news,” and Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). From the days of my boyhood, I have attended “gospel meetings” in which not a good word was spoken about anyone.
5. When he is guilty of the sins against which he pronounces judgment. “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Rom 2:3).
