There is perhaps no other doctrine more difficult to grasp and reconcile than Hell.  People have a very difficult time trying to reconcile a finite person, committing finite sins, paying for those sins consciously for eternity in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone.  More than that it seems so difficult to reconcile a GOD who is love punishing people like that.

In this episode, we look at how a loving GOD, who is love, can and will have those who reject HIS love pay for their sins in hell.  We will also look at one alternative to eternal suffering in hell called Annihilationism.  A very well known theologian, John Stott, is one of the first to put this alternative forward (We have included a link to his views here).  we examine the Scriptures if this view should truly be considered.

What is important to remember is in Genesis when GOD said to Adam, on the day he would eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, he (Adam) would surely die.  Most of the time when "death" is mentioned we think of physical life.  But there is also mental, emotional and spiritual death.  Understanding this helps to understand why hell is a place where GOD'S justice and holiness is carried out for those who reject HIM.  A good book to help work through this is called, "Biblical Teaching on the Doctrines of Heaven and Hell" by Edward Donnelly (a link for that book is also listed here).

May the LORD JESUS give us all a deeper and more clear understanding of this essential doctrine.

          6      For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
          7      and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well awhen the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
          8      dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
          9      These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
(2 Thessalonians  1:6–9)

          9      Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
          10      he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
          11      “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
(Revelation 14:9–11)

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I think it can be argued one of the most horrific sins Israel committed was seeking to be like the nations surrounding them.  They asked for a king, they made idols of animals and other images, they intermarried and lastly they put idols and worshiped them in the temple of GOD.  Today, in the modern church, especially the church in America/the west, there is this same running headlong into idolatry.  We would call it mysticism or universalism.  One aspect which finds itself clothed, especially in Word of Faith, is praying to the universe.  Once you go down a path of praying to the creation rather than the CREATOR destruction does not loom far away.  This episode we examine why people, particularly, those who call themselves Christians have adopted this blasphemy into their worship of GOD.  We examine how this is not true worship but idolatry.  More than that we see how your sin affects those who are around you.  Look at the following text and then go to Jeremiah 15.  Jeremiah started prophesying 20 years after Manasseh.  Even though Manasseh repented and tried to fix what he had done, the damage was already to far gone.  We too, need to be careful of how we approach GOD.

          1      Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.
          2      He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD dispossessed before the sons of Israel.
          3      For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.
          4      He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My name.”
          5      For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
          6      He made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD provoking Him to anger.
          7      Then he set the carved image of Asherah that he had made, in the house of which the LORD said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever.
          8      “And I will not make the feet of Israel wander anymore from the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them.”
          9      But they did not listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the sons of Israel.

(2 Kings 21:1–9)

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Who you surround yourself with is an indication of your inner self.  Who you love is who you want to be around.  For a person to claim they are a Christian and yet still be tied to the world, not separate from it is a contradiction.  We will look at Scripture which shows love for the world makes you an enemy of GOD.  Correspondingly, separation unto CHRIST JESUS will make you an outcast of the world.  You must decide where you will stand.

14      Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15      Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16      Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
         “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
         AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17      “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
         “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
         And I will welcome you.
18      “And I will be a father to you,
         And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
         Says the Lord Almighty.

(2 Corinthians 6:14–18)

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Perhaps one topic everyone could use some help with is how to handle disappointment.  We all encounter it and for most we usually just try and bury the pain it causes.  GOD gives us direction, from HIS Word, on how to deal with disappointment. Join with us as we look within and discover how to handle disappointment.

11      Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12      I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13      I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:11–13)

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     Just today, as this broadcast was recorded, Holly had a sister in CHRIST, ask her what she was studying in GOD'S Word.  It made such an impact on her, as this was the first time, in such a long time, that Holly has had someone ask her about the Word.  It was such a blessing and encouragement.  At the same time, it put a pain in her heart as she thought about all those who do not take the time to read, share, listen to or fellowship in a manner which sows the Word of GOD deep within a persons heart.  Join us on this program as Holly takes the lead in sharing and encouraging us in this all to important part of the Christian walk.    


           22      Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
          23      for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
          24      For,
         “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
         AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
         THE GRASS WITHERS,
         AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
           25      BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”
    And this is the word which was preached to you.
          1      Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
          2      like newborn babies, long for the bpure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
          3      if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

(1 Peter 1:22–2:3)

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GOD has compassion - for all HIS creation, especially HIS image bearers.  This episode we look at compassion through the eyes of GOD in the book of Jonah.  In the Book of Jonah we see the unfathomable depth of GOD'S compassion and at the same time examine how shallow are is.  This episode is a good heart check to see where you land in regards to how you value mankind and all of GOD'S creation.  Glory to GOD! Worthy is the LAMB!

1      But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry.
2      He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.
3      “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.”
4      The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

(Jonah 4:1–4)

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This is part 2 of our looking into prayer, more specifically, what does GOD say we should pray for.  Last week we looked at Colossians  1:9-10.  We discovered, Paul had never met the church at Colossae. Yet, once he heard of their love and faith he began praying for them regularly.  This week we look at a prayer Paul prays for the church at Thessalonica.  You will notice both prayers have something similar.  Join with us as we examine the greatest need in our prayer life - that we and other may know GOD!

Grace and peace friends.  Glory to GOD!  Worthy is the LAMB!

11      To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
12      so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 1:11–12)

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 Have you ever thought about what people ask for when you ask them what you can pray for them about?  Most of the time you will hear requests for earthly things.  Not that those are necessarily bad or do not have merit.   But, really, when was the last time you heard someone ask you to pray for them that they might know GOD more, as HE is revealed in HIS Word?

One area we as believers need to get back to is our FIRST LOVE and how HE is known in HIS Word!  We need to know GOD more and more so we may grow in HIM.  Our prayers should be reflective of that.  


             9      For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
          10      so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
          11      strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
          12      giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

(Colossians 1:9–12)

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This episode we examine, perhaps the most personal letter written in Scripture.  But, the more I studied and prayed the more I discovered what an in depth representation of the gospel.  I saw the law of CHRIST - a law of love!  I saw humility and a desire to see the church built up!  Oh, what an amazing tender and intimate book in Scripture!  Join with us as we examine the book of Philemon.  Grace and peace to all who are in CHRIST JESUS.


          1      Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
    To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,
          2      and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
          3      Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
          4      I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
          5      because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;
          6      and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.
          7      For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
          8      Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,
          9      yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
          10      I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
          
Philemon 1-10

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This episode we look at and examine who id GOD the HOLY SPIRIT and what is HIS role in the GOD HEAD.

Who is HE?  The third person of the HOLY TRINITY – GOD

When do we first hear of the HOLY SPIRIT? Genesis 1:2 during the creation.

Look at GOD taking HIS SPIRIT and placing it on 70 others along with Moses in Numbers 11:25…interestingly verse 29 seems to be a foreshadowing of the HOLY SPIRIT being given to all of GOD’S people.

 For the LORD gives wisdom from HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding:  Proverbs 2:6

***I think Scripture shows this to be sanctification by the SPIRIT – look at 1 Peter

    1      Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen

    2      according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 1 Peter 1:1-2 

    1      Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,

    2      like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,  1 Peter 2:1-2

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Revelation 1:4-5

…a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:6

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
 And a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
 The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
 The spirit of counsel and strength,
 The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 11:2

 But, what I believe the HOLY SPIRIT does for us is Love.  

I think of the foremost commandment

I think of the LORD JESUS telling us that love is what will be the sign of being HIS disciple

I think of the LORD JESUS telling us about unity and love in John 17.

I think of 1 Peter

 8          Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

 I think of the entire book of 1 John

I think of what the LORD said in John 6:

63        “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.  John 6:63

    7      Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

    8      The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  1 John 4:7-8

Interestingly, the test of 1 John 4 to determine if a person does not belong to GOD is love.  Remember there were no chapter and verse separations when the Scriptures were written. 

The SPIRIT is never taken from us…

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