Erasing Hell

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  (Acts 17:11)

Back in the summer, while we were on vacation visiting friends, Michael and I journeyed into a bookstore on a date.  As I was perusing the books in the Christian section, one caught my eye.  It was a new release by an author with whom I was familiar, and I was curious to check out his book.

I picked it up and began doing what I always do--flip it over and read the description on the back cover.  I was shocked.  I quickly went to find Michael so he could read for himself.  Really?  Could this man, who appeared in some excellent videos we used in Bible class a number of years ago, and I used at some of the women's retreats at which I spoke, really have written a book based on these beliefs?  I was dumbfounded.

This morning, while getting ready for church, I decided to go to the Cornerstone Church website to see if there were any recent sermons by Francis Chan (I love listening to him preach).  Since I had watched the short video of him that we would be using in Bible class, I was hungry for more.

I was incredibly intrigued when I saw the title of his most recent sermon:  "Erasing Hell."  I knew exactly what it was about, since a few months ago I noticed he had written a book by that title.  I immediately guessed it was a response to Rob Bell's book, and it was.

Since in our Bible readings right now we are witnessing the early church taking off and growing, as well as the apostles having to confront and refute false teachings among the brethren, I thought this was very timely.  It is exactly what we see Paul and Peter doing over and over again.

This is one of our modern-day false teachings, folks.  You may have had co-workers, friends, or family members mention this book (Love Wins) and the beliefs it lays out about heaven and hell.  Are you prepared to refute false teachings?  Do you know how to redirect them to the truth?

With all we are discussing in our Bible class right now, this entire message ties in amazingly perfect.  Not only does it discuss this false teaching that many folks are reading and considering, but it also speaks to the other realities of the disciples' lives and how our own lives should look, if God still speaks to people today and tells them what to do for Him, and other topics that we have discussed.

I encourage you to make time to watch this video of Francis Chan and a few other men discussing this false doctrine, and then teaching the beautiful truth of Scripture.  It seems God IS talking to us, dear friends!

"Erasing Hell" (you will need to scroll down to the date 6/19/11 in the list of sermon dates and topics, click on it, then click where it says "watch")

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  (2 Tim. 2:15)