Pastor Chris starts his sermon by discussing verse 42 of Mark 9, where Jesus says that it would be better for someone who causes one of his children to stumble to have a millstone hung around their neck and be thrown into the sea. He explains that "scandalizo" means something that shocks or leads someone astray from the right path. Jesus takes the treatment of his followers very seriously, as seen in Matthew 25 where he says that not doing for the least of these is equivalent to not doing it for him.
Chris then moves on to discuss verses 43-48, which talk about cutting off hands, feet, and eyes if they cause one to stumble. He uses these examples to emphasize the seriousness of sin in God's eyes and to encourage Christians to be vigilant in dealing with sin in their lives. Chris references Romans 8:13, where it says that those who live according to the flesh must die but those who put to death the deeds of the body through the Holy Spirit will live.
Next, Pastor Chris discusses the concept of hell and its origins in Gehenna, a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem. He describes hell as an unspeakably terrible place where people are punished for their sins and warns that many in the church are not doing enough to share the message of hope and salvation with those who are going there.
Chris then delves into his main point: the traditional belief in Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT) is not supported by the Bible, but rather by Greek philosophy. He argues that the word Ioneos means "lasting for an age" and does not necessarily imply eternal punishment. Chris also discusses the concept of proportional punishment, as seen in Luke 12:47-48 and Revelation 20:12, where people are judged according to their deeds.
Pastor Chris concludes his sermon by urging the congregation to share the gospel message with others, emphasizing that hell is a very real and terrifying place that no one should have to face. He encourages believers to live as salt and light in the world, showing God's love and grace through their actions.
In a final appeal, Pastor Chris invites those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior to come forward during the final hymn to receive Christ into their lives and find salvation from the judgment of hell.
