Hello Silas--
Curious wording on your invitation.
As of right now (the outset of this response), I see that you have managed to attract one viewer. That would be me. I took the afternoon to listen to the sermon.
Listening to preaching is not scary to me, nor does it require any courage on my part. Patience and time, perhaps. A desire to understand where you are coming from, maybe.
It appears to me that we have much in common in regard to "where we come from". I totally understand what Washer is getting at (you might disagree and say I don't, but that is your prerogative). Clearly, the gentleman is sincere in his belief, and the sermon seems to be heartfelt and genuine.
But I can see why you think that listening to sermons could be frightening. To a great extent, the focus of this sermon appears to be the fear of God's holiness.
I am not denying the holiness of God. And I pray that God forbid I ever take the idea of Christ's sacrifice lightly! But I also pray that I do not limit the grace of God to my own human standards. Even Washer said to be careful not to "play marbles with diamonds". He's talking about our words, Silas--and our attitudes. We should not take God's Message, God's Word, God's Love, God's
Son and reduce it all to a contest. God looks at the heart--you know that!
Even if we believe in the doctrine of Original Sin, there comes a point in the life of a Christian, having understood in this context the reason for Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, where we either continue concentrating on what you and Washer describe as total depravity, or we move on to the wonders of living in the Love we come to know. This is where the Spirit of God through Christ can take us, if we let Him.
It's amazing--just like the grace! It's ongoing revelation! It's Christ in my everyday life, making it into a journey of Love, and no longer fear. I just so desperately want you to know this part, because you are--to say the least--relentless! Love can use you. Don't lose the opportunity to share this Love with others in more ways than you can imagine. This is not fluffy stuff that I am telling you, Silas. It is real.
There is the sacrifice, but there is also the rest of the story...nothing added that isn't in Christ. Just the rest of His message. Don't let His Love get lost in human theology, please!
No, it didn't take courage for me to listen to the sermon. But it takes some to respond in the way I did. So, whether you agree or not, at least remember that.
InPeace,
InLove
