A Worship Challenge and a Challenging Sermon // M-Note 11.14.26

This week, I ran into a couple that used to worship at The Gathering regularly. When we saw each other, they gave me a hug, told me how much they missed the church, and apologized for falling out of the habit of coming. I told them I loved them and that I hoped they would come back whenever they were ready. They thanked me for that. I think they were expecting me to make them feel guilty, and instead I told them how grateful I am any time they come.

I meant it. We live in a world where fewer people go to church. Even those of us committed to church attend worship less frequently. And I get it.  We are busy with work, family life, friends, and trying to find time to rest. When we’re too tired to leave the house, we can just watch the sermon online.

Some pastors respond to that with hand-wringing, trying to make people feel guilty. That has never been my style. Instead, I want to invite you to try a little worship challenge. Those of you who call The Gathering home, I hope you will commit to worshiping with us in person every week from now through the Christmas season. Your presence here helps our church feel vital and vibrant on Sundays. This is the time of year when more new people try The Gathering than any other time. I want them to experience the very best version of our church!

So if it has been a while for you, I hope you will be in worship this weekend. Best of all, you can bring a friend with you. I would love to see you as we enter this holiday season. Besides, the message this weekend will surprise you, in a good way. I promise!

This Sunday, I have one hell of a sermon, literally. We are continuing our series, Afterlife, and I am going to talk about what is perhaps the thorniest and most difficult part of traditional Christian belief – Judgment Day and the prospect of eternal punishment.

I know that some of you are really interested in these kinds of questions. For many, the way you’ve heard churches talk about judgment and hell has driven you away from church. Others of you really struggle with this idea of a loving God judging us. I do too!

This weekend, I am going to unpack this doctrine – where it came from, why it was important to early Christians, and what it offers us today. Here is the part of the message that might surprise you most – for the first Christians, the idea of judgment was meant to be a message of hope, not fear. That’s right, hope. If you are wondering how that works, well, come on Sunday and give it a listen.

Have a great weekend, and I can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday.

Peace,

Matt