Prodigal Son

"When the world ends, both sinners and good people will go to hell. Both unchurched and churched people. Only those saved by grace through Jesus will go to heaven."

Came back from GRACE, a conference in Chicago. The drive was pretty long, but not unbearable. David Choi was the speakers (not the Youtube sensation), and he preached on the prodigal son. I think it really put into perspective the intensity and scandalous-ness of the story when looking at the father's love for both his sons through the eyes of the 1st century listeners. I've always had a hard time understanding/explaining why "good" people would go to hell without Jesus. I mean, some of the unchurched people in the world are morally more upright than some of the Christians. But that's just it, isn't it? Jesus came for the sick, not the healthy. He came for the sinners, not the righteous. Pimps, prostitutes, criminals, murders, adulterers can go to heaven through Jesus but people who donate millions of dollars to charity and volunteer at soup kitchens will not without Jesus because our "good" works are just filth compared to the infinite holiness of our God.

We not only need to repent of our "bad" doings, but also our "good" doings done in our own self-righteousness.

I don't think I've ever heard a small group leader share so openly about their own struggles and sins. Almost scandalous, but more so authentic and transparent. Love it.