Growing up I was constantly surrounded by passionate preachers. I use the word “passionate” not only because the lessons they presented were heartfelt, but also because when the need arose they would passionately preach against the sins the Bible warns us about. This kind of passionate preaching has sometimes been labled as preaching “hell fire and brimstone”, which is a reference to the punishment that awaits those that do not obey Christ (Revelation 21:8). If someone were to tell you the preacher is preaching “hell fire and brimstone” how would you respond?
First I want to ackowledge that there are many people in our world that have probably never heard this phrase and might not have an immediate response. Maybe this is because they have never heard this kind of preaching or maybe it is because they have just never given it a label. So we need to acknowledge that phrases like this are not always understood by all, and that even includes those of us that think we know what we are talking about.
Preaching “hell fire and brimstone” gets both positive and negative responses. Some see it as harsh and unloving preaching that only focuses on sin, condemnation, and hell. Others see it as loving and zealous preaching that in a very direct way calls sin what it is, explains the punishment for being disobedient, and encourages faithful living before God. As you can see these are two very different viewpoints on this type of preaching. In a similar fashion, if someone were to say the preacher is more about love and grace there would also be both positive and negative responses. Some would see this as preaching that focuses only on God’s love and grace while never mentioning sin, responsibility, faithfulness, and judgement. Others would see it as compassionate preaching that tries to motivate, encourage, and convict people to love God and be faithful to His Word. So which is it? What is the answer? What are we to do? How are we to preach?
The reality is that as Christians we are called to teach the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). We should teach all that God has told and revealed to us in His Word. That means in regard to God Himself, our preaching should contain the grace, mercy, and love of God (John 3:16), along with His severity, justice, and wrath (John 3:36, Hebrews 10:26-31). We are to speak the truth and do so in a way that demonstrates the same kind of love that God has for us (Ephesians 4:15).This is the kind of teaching and preaching that can help us grow. Everyone will not always love what we say nor will they always want to hear. But that does not change our message. We are to lovingly speak the truth and let the Word of God work and prick hearts (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12).
As each of us prepare to teach and preach to those around us let us remember to “speak as the oracles of God,” (1 Peter 4:11). Let us all strive to “convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2b). Like the apostle Paul we are to preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23, 2:2). Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems. If we will submit to Him and obey His Word then we can have all of the blessings that our loving God has promised. But if we deny Him and reject His Word then we will face the wrath of God.
Derek Broome