Devo, John

Is Your Pastor Going To Hell?

Is Your Pastor Going To Hell?

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So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”— John 8:21-24

So we learn here that Jesus was not a universalist. He didn't sport a "COEXIST" sticker on the bumper of his car.

We learn just the opposite. He tells us that some people will die and spend eternity in hell. And the people front and center at this moment on the Temple Mount are religious leaders. Jesus is very direct about this. They, Jerusalem's highest spiritual leaders, are going to hell and leading others there too. All because they refuse to believe.

I think if Jesus walked into our churches today, he would say the same thing. And this scares me because I am a pastor too.

But this isn't a trivial matter. There are pastors leading churches right now who never read from the Scriptures. Or they only read from the Scriptures. They prefer essentially ignoring challenging pages of the Bible. Just as these men did. There are pastors leading churches today who don't follow and live by the Scriptures they teach, just like these men here. There are pastors leading churches right now who don't preach about Jesus. Or they only preach about the Jesus they like and definitely not the man who said this in this text. And there are pastors leading churches right now who never address sin, corporate or personal. They teach around matters of sin or dismiss them as mere cultural nuances of biblical times. And these spiritual leaders, pastors, elders, and priests are going to hell, and they are taking people with them.

But be careful because we, the members and participants in these churches, are complicit in this too. Just consider how most choose a local church. We choose a church and the pastors we follow based on tradition, music style, the charism of the leader, and the programming. Seriously? That's the litmus test for a great church? I don't think so. When was the last time you heard anyone choose a church based on its willingness to drive out unbelief, correct sin, and lead people to Jesus? Seriously, when is the last time?

But that is precisely what Jesus wants his spiritual leaders to do here. He is trying to get them to drive out unbelief, correct their sin, and lead them to the belief that will save them from their sin and the fires of hell, so in turn, they will help people do the same. But in this situation, Jesus already knows the end. They are going to refuse to believe.

Yet even though he knows the end, he tells them again. And again. And again. He continues to give them a means of escape.

For unless you believe that I am he.

Here is some advice for you today. Attend a church with spiritual leaders who hate their sin and desperately love to talk about Jesus. You'll know them immediately because, during weekend services, they will talk about sin, address unbelief, and never avoid driving people to the Savior and Lord.

ASK THIS: Does your pastor preach about sin and unbelief?

DO THIS: Listen carefully this week.

PRAY THIS: God, I believe in your Son and that he can save me from the fires of hell.

PLAY THIS: I Believe In Jesus.

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14 thoughts on “Is Your Pastor Going To Hell?”

  1. Eddie Ackerman says:

    One of my pastor’s favorite quotes is “We ALL have spiritually defective DNA!” This is why we need the love and saving power of Jesus. He also says that we EACH need to have a personal relationship with Jesus, which only comes from saying yes to Him as Lord and Savior. I have grown a lot in the last 9 years since I started attending this church and have rededicated my life to Jesus and experienced believer’s baptism since then too. All the sermons he preaches are based on a verse or section of verses and how to apply that to our daily lives. When he is out of town, the supporting pastors also focus on the Bible and how to apply that to our lives and none of them are afraid to preach about sin and unbelief. Riverside Church in Big Lake, Sauk Rapids, and online is a great church. My oldest kids have chosen to go to a different church, but I know the youth pastor there too and they don’t seem to shy from the Truth, the WHOLE Truth, and nothing but the Truth. At this point in their lives, I would rather they choose for themselves the church that they want to grow in their faith, rather than force them to choose the one that is right for me because I know that if I FORCE them to go, they will stop going and stop growing in their faith.

  2. gonzalo says:

    Thanks for the bold message brother Vince!

    My pastor does preach from the Bible, when get one inch off course, he is quickly reminded (very very seldom, tho), and back on course…

    Keek bring it brother, this times are very essential for us to raise up stay on the “truth”

  5. Ruben T Garcia Sr says:

    I’m so glad my Pastor teaches from the Bible and not only the easy verses. He is bold with the word every Sunday. He doesn’t from some current trend or latest book about how ‘To”. He just lets you know what you need to do and that’s to believe in Jesus as your Savior.

  6. Ed Fuller says:

    This is why we need to find a Bible Believing Church, and Teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
    With out beating around the bush as to what it’s teaching us about our God.

  9. Michael Prill says:

    Pastor Miller, such a great and bold message today. I have been in churches like that, but I PRAISE God that he has lead me to the present church where they do talked about sin and the power of Jesus. My church has a strong men’s ministry which is also helping me with my walk with Jesus.
    Thank you and have a Blessed Day

  10. Larry Yurko says:

    The truth shall set you FREE ! Appreciate your biblical truth every morning, Vince !

    keep shining bright & sharing the truth.

  11. Rick Maillot says:

    Absolutely a great message Vince and right to the point. As always, I’ll share this one with as many people I can.

  12. Gary Wildermuth says:

    Love my PASTOR!!! He Preaches the BOLD truth of Jesus and against sin and preaches the WHOLE BIBLE as the Word of God!! Pastor Kevin of FBPC!!! Thank you Vince for also teaching us the truth and the importance of Jesus Christ for our salvation!!

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