Hookers and Hell: A Study of Christian Mythology - Audio
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In the summer of 2007, we were all much more innocent. We didn't realize how greedy bankers actually were. My family was taking part in a family tradition that I have done since I was five. Every year in the summer time, we go up to Mammoth Lakes and we go on vacation and enjoy yourselves up there. It's funny, I've been up there countless times. So I still enjoy going. But in this particular year, Sierra was four, Sam was two. And if you have ever met Sierra, you know that she loves animals, just loves animals. I don't understand why she's becoming a mechanical engineer instead of a veterinarian, but that's what she chose. However, at this point, we were driving along Lake Mary Road. When Sierra was four, she could let out this shrill scream of excitement that would deafen people. And when you're in the car and she lets out the shrill scream and you're driving, it's an unsafe moment for everyone. But Sierra let out this scream, "Ah, deer!" And sure enough, on the side of the road, there was a deer. We swerved mainly because I wasn't sure what was going on. And Kim, seizing the moment, said, "Yes, look at deer. Everybody keep their eyes out for another deer, a bear." Because you see bears everywhere on the side of the road. So we're driving along, and all of a sudden, Sam exclaims in a very excited voice, "Look, mom, a hooker!" I don't know if, Mary, can you bring up the PowerPoint or are we waiting? So there it is. There is the title, and everyone should have their hackles up and be a little bit nervous. Because not of the title, but because of the subtitle, hookers in hell, a study of Christian mythology. There is a pervasive belief among new Christian ideology that hell is not a real place. Thankfully Tom preached in this, I want to say about nine months ago, he talked about Lazarus and the rich man, and went into the idea that, "No, hell is indeed a real place." And today I hope that I'm going to give you some clarity on what hell is like. Because when you hear the word hell, just like when you hear the word hooker, you get a strong visual sense in your own mind. And hell is no different. What do you think of when you hear the word hell? The lake of fire, eternal damnation, judgment. Those are all the things we think of when we hear hell, and none of those things are correct. Hell is not the lake of fire. Hell does not represent eternal judgment or damnation. So what do you know of the word hell? Let me give you a quick history of the word hell, because I love, I love communication. I like crisp and clear, clean communication. And most of us go through a lot of our Bible, never thinking of the background of some of the core parts of our beliefs, and hell being one of them. So what is the history of the actual word hell? Hell is a Germanic word. There you can see all the different versions of it right there.
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There is a pervasive belief, today among new ideology, that hell is not a place. God's Word says differently. Words carry powerful visualization.