Heaven, Hell, Who Cares?

I have totally loved the preaching feedback this blogging community provides on message topics - both from our fantastic Connexus folks and from leaders all over.

We had our usual SPD meeting today (Service Programming Design) with my staff friends Rich Birch and Andy Walker, where we went over the message schedule for the next six months.  Your ideas are being woven into the next six months of preaching here at Connexus.  Just wanted to say thanks.

But then I threw a curve ball in. I've heard recently of some churches that have done a series on hell or are thinking of doing one.  I was intrigued.  I have never preached on hell actually, except to mention it in passing.  I came into the meeting with a three week surprise summer series on hell penciled in, and the team threw it around and we stretched it into a five week mid summer series on heaven and hell we're tentatively calling "Stairway to Heaven | Highway to Hell". Not sure if that's going to be the final title or not, but I kind of like it.

The series would debunk popular myths about heaven and hell that many of us hold, explore the tough  and real questions people have about both places.

As we wrestled down the big question (why would we do a series on heaven and hell), this is what I came up with:

     If had an accurate view of heaven and hell, would we actually live differently?

So, there it is.  What do you think? Could you stomach five weeks on heaven and hell?  Are you ready to explode some really bad cartoon myths and funeral-talk misconceptions about what either place is really like? Most of our friends who don't follow Jesus think hell is a really bad idea.  Would an honest conversation draw them in?  What are your thoughts?  Your questions?

Comments

[Laurie McNair]

Love this idea. When I was visiting friends in Cleveland a couple of years ago the worship service was the first in their heaven/hell series. It was really enlightening and helpful to me.

Connexus is unpacking some great stuff--keep going in new directions.

[Laurie McNair]

Love this idea. When I was visiting friends in Cleveland a couple of years ago the worship service was the first in their heaven/hell series. It was really enlightening and helpful to me.

Connexus is unpacking some great stuff--keep going in new directions.

[Gary Jonsson]

I am really glad you are covering this subject. I have always felt that these things are the most misunderstood things by both believers and non-believers. What the Bible actually says about Heaven and Hell is often very different from what people think it says. I am really looking forward to this, not only for the teaching, but also for the dialog that will come from it in our small groups. I also believe that the church's explanation of Hell is one of the biggest obstacles for non-believers, but that the Bible's actual teaching on Hell could be used to encourage and give hope and faith. I will be really praying for you as you prepare for this series. It could really make a difference for many people, including those of us who already attend Connexus, including me. Thanks.

[Gaye Tomazic]

Hey Carey: I think a Heaven/Hell Series is great and I look forward to reading your daily blogs on this subject. There is so many myths and misunderstandings in regard to hell, the old saying " if you do something wrong, your going to hell", many people have grown up with this myth and it is drummed into their heads that a lot really don't know the truth. God does not send bad people to hell, he loves all his children. Hell is described as a hot place with lots of fire and flames with the mean man in the red suit (not santa). Hell to me is a scare tactic !, but with your upcoming series there will be a clearer understand and everyone will be able to go away with more knowledge and better teaching tools for their famillies, bottom line...God is awesome and loves us all!

[Carey Nieuwhof]

thanks for the feedback so far. i appreciate it.

what are your toughest questions about heaven/hell, and what are your deepest fears?

[K]

I have enjoyed all your topics in the 4-5 months that my husband has been bringing me. I think this would make a another excellent topic.

I was always taught and I believe that there is no such thing as heaven or hell. When you die, that is the end - you are buried and you decompose, no more, no less.

You may think this is weird but I have found great comfort in this. The idea of my decease family living in heaven may be great but what if they went to hell. I don't think I could live with the idea of the ones I loved spending eternity suffering.

I am a "proof" kind of person and I have lots of questions.

How can we know if there is a heaven or hell?

Who gets in? Who doesn't?

Is God allowing good people to suffer in hell because they did not believe in him during their lives?

Does accepting Jesus into my life guarantee my admittance to heaven?

These are just a few of my questions and my apologies if I offended anyone.

K.

[Carey Nieuwhof]

Hi K...your questions are not offensive in the least. We want to be the kind of community where all questions are fair, and I think much of what you are saying many people feel. The fact that the Bible has a different viewpoint makes the discussion tense for a lot of folks, and that's exactly where we want to go in this dialogue. I promise you, if I were writing the script, I wouldn't have included hell either. So in the series, we're going to have to jump in quite deep to talk about why God would have done this.

K - your comments are valuable, helpful and appreciated. I think you summarize the thoughts of a lot of people.

[Struggling]

I always find it difficult when Christians talk about non-believers going to hell. I know there are clear cut passages in the Bible- but somehow it just feels like a judgment if I say/think it. My standard answer has been to say that's not my call- God will make that decision- but that feels like a cop out. What about people who have never heard of God, never had the chance to be saved? Maybe you could highlight what the Bible says...

Thanks Carey for tackling such a difficult subject!

[Bill Laxton]

Heaven and Hell. Carey, I have to confess that apart from my past readings and reflections on the book of Revelations, I have never really stopped to think about heaven and Hell as far as the Bible is concerned. I find it kind of shocking that I haven't and will definitely keep that matter in mind as I continue my reading. So please do follow up with that series; I am all ears.

Cheers,

Bill

[Joey]

A fear about this topic is that talking about hell has in the past made Christians sounds very judgmental of non-Christians and can really put people off.

However, talking of heaven and clearing up misconceptions about both heaven and hell would be very helpful.

I was watching a show last night about Mount Everest - the guy's climbing partner died on Everest - and he said that they had to live this way (highly extreme sports) because life was short and "death was forever" and since there was nothing but this life, you might as well live to the max. His friend got to see the sun rise on the top of Mount Everst (he died on the way down) and that was good enough - a pinacle of human existence. It was all so bleak and hopeless to me - that these guys really thought climbing Everest was all that mattered in life and that there was nothing more. So, if your friend dies climbing a mountain, oh well, he had a good run in this life - that is good enough for his life to stand for.

I think many people believe similar things - and do not see the hope, joy, and glory of heaven.

[Dave and Gen]

Great topic Carey.. really most people do not like to hear about hell or even believe God has such a place prepared for those who choose to reject His gift of eternal life with Him. We all like to hear of happiness and love for ever and ever amen.. no problems,, but that is not true life...God bless and enlighten you as you prepare for such a great teaching series..not much has been taught on this subject.