Okay I made it back last night from Shirleysburg, PA (yes, out in the middle of nowhere) from Creationfest. It was awesome. Thursday morning I preached on “Heaven, Hell and everything in between”, a sermon that was based on Daniel 12:2-4 that says,
“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
This is a very preachable passage because it talks about heaven (“some to everlasting life”) and hell (“others to shame and everlasting contempt”) and the “everything” we are to do in between (“shine like the brightness of the heavens” and “lead many to righteousness”).
So in this sermon I spent time describing the glory of heaven and the horrors of hell and then challenging everyone to “shine and share” in between, shine the light of Jesus with our lives and share the hope of Jesus with our lips. I also did something I’ve never done before. I read
A Letter from Heaven and A Letter from Hell in the same sermon.
These are dramatic pieces I wrote twenty something years ago at a camp in Glendo, Wyoming. They are meant to ask the question if you got a letter from the afterlife from someone you never told about Jesus (letter from hell) or someone you lead to Christ (letter from heaven) what would they say to you? The letter from hell has become a bit of a youtube/Godtube sensation with a dramatic audio piece we did several years ago. A youth group we know and love added graphics…pretty intense.
Nobody seems to preach on hell anymore. Many Christians are so enamored by the bright side of the historic Christian faith they never take time to look at the dark side. But heaven seems much more glorious and attractive when it is painted on the backdrop of everlasting judgment.
As horrible as hell will be, heaven will be infinitely more awesome. I loved reading the letter from heaven to the crowd at Creation…cool stuff.
Yesterday I got to train everyone to share their faith using the GOSPEL. Many took the double dare to share the gospel with everyone they know, in God’s timing, in God’s power and with God’s love and to start with one person they know within 48 hours of coming home from Creation!
Please pray for them as they seek to share the good news of Jesus with their friends. If you were at Creation and took the double dare please share your story with me!
