What is the mission of the Church? Why does UGM ultimately exist? And why should I desire to take up leadership of this work with the support of my fellow elders, church, and the UGM board?
The streets of Sacramento are home to hundreds of people, the least in our city, materially speaking. They are often forgotten, living in tents, under tarpaulins, beneath bridges, or, as I saw this morning at 7:00 a.m., sleeping on the sidewalk in sleeping bags. Many face serious mental health struggles, addiction, deep patterns of sin, and immense suffering from a variety of causes. However, they are also image-bearers of God in need of help and hope.
As I considered this shift in ministry work, I found myself asking a sobering question: Do I truly believe there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun?
I know that I believe in heaven. But do I truly believe in hell? Do I believe that the souls I see on our streets and the ones who come through our doors are heading toward a place even worse than their present reality? I have studied my Bible for decades and read more theology than many will encounter in a lifetime. But do I believe in eternal punishment for sin?
God’s Word is clear: there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. This is sobering and serious. Our sins separate us from God, and because He is just and righteous, He must punish sin. The remedy for our plight of heading toward eternal fire as guilty sinners is found in Jesus Christ. In Christ, God saves us from God. This is good news, offering hope, deliverance, and eternal life.
At our Mission, we offer material aid to the poor and needy in our city, but we also bring something even more important: the message of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the message of eternal salvation in Christ which, if believed, saves a soul from the eternal fire of God.
This was the testimony of “C,” a 30-year-old man I spoke with this morning. His story will be shared in the future, Lord willing. Today, he told me he believes he has come to faith in Christ and now hates his old ways. He attends IBC and is being discipled by Chris, our Director of Chaplaincy. My heart overflows with joy at what God is doing in his life.
Hell is a hard doctrine. Eternal fire is a terrifying prospect. But God in Christ calls us to trust in Him and be saved. There is pardon for sin and peace with your Creator through faith in His wrath-bearing servant, Jesus Christ.
My first week of leading UGM has come to an end. It has been a great blessing to my soul, but there is much work ahead.
Pray for us. And come for a visit. I would love to show you around.
Pastor Robert Briggs
