Back in 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon in Enfield (now in Connecticut), entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” That sermon is just as relevant today as it was all those years ago. Edwards explained to the people that salvation from Hell was available through God. He showed the people what it would be like when God pours His wrath out on the unbelieving world (as we are studying on Sunday nights in the Book of the Revelation). The people of Enfield responded, many coming to the Lord. This became one of the more memorable events of the Great Awakening.
Our county needs a new Great Awakening. Our society has moved so far away from God that the words of Edwards sound harsh to some today. But, please understand, the Bible still teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23. The Bible still teaches us in Hebrews 10:31:
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
It still is a fearful thing for sinners to fall into the hands of the living God. But, God sent his Son Jesus Christ, to take that fear away. How? Jesus died to pay a sin debt that no sinner could pay. He offered us all the opportunity to have everlasting life – not everlasting Hell. So, what must we do? You can place your faith in Jesus Christ, accept Him as your Savior and Lord, and believe that God has raised Him from the dead (See Romans 10:9). Then, you become a child of the Living God, to whom it is promised:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
You see, when we become children of the Living God, it is no longer fearful to fall into His hands. Rather, it becomes the thing we all hope for, and await with great anticipation.
I want to end with the invitation that Edwards gave over 280 years ago that is still spot on today:
And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling, and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners…
(The Works of Jonathan Edwards, v. 2, p. 11 Hendrickson). The door is wide open – come on, walk through the door into salvation. We’d love to help you with your decision and walk here at Maple Grove, so come visit and learn of the peace that sinners receive when each one accepts the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bro. Parks