And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
There are two things that make many preachers clear their throat in embarrassment before mentioning in a sermon; sin and Hell. Some prefer to refer to it in passing as an “eternal separation from God” or a “Christless existence”. Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wasted no time telling his audience what was at stake. Eternal chains, gloomy darkness, judgment, and punishment of eternal fire; these are not words found in many messages. Instead, many congregations want to hear that they are good, the other people are bad, and let’s go to lunch.
The days of those sermons may be coming to an end. Sin and evil need to be a major part of the gospel message so we see our need for a Savior in an age where Satan clubs are meeting in schools, children are taught sexual immorality as a matter of course, and the church’s authority is eroding in the culture.
There is one solution. The gospel of Jesus Christ, pure joy, eternal presence with Jesus! That is something for us to share with the world. First, they need to know that this world is not the way it is supposed to be. We are progressing the wrong way. The sooner we turn around, the better.
Dear Lord, thank you that there is a way out of this broken world. Help us focus on the world to come and tell others about it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church