Fire and brimstone (do we need that?)

"Oh, I don't know if I want to go to church. They always talk about the blood. It's kinda gross."

"Can't that preacher talk nice? He's always talking about Jesus and the blood and sin. I think I'll stay home and watch that nice man that talks on Sunday mornings. He smiles a lot, too."

Have you ever heard anyone say things like that?
I hear heads nodding.
Some churches in our world today have lost sight of an important truth: without blood, there is no remission, no salvation, no forgiveness, no wiping out of sin.
Also, some of the "purpose driven" churches of today have assumed that the gospel is offensive, but that it can be made palatable. If presented correctly, it can be inoffensive.
No?
No.
The Bible tells us that the gospel is, by it's nature, offensive to those who hate God. Actually, even to those who are indifferent - because it's really hard to be indifferent to it. (Grin)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (I Corinthians 1:18, 23-25)

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.  (I Corinthians 2:14)

Do we need to be reminded of the blood of Christ?
Is it helpful to hear preaching that is centered on His sacrifice?
In a word, yes.
Since the teaching and preaching of the pastor, or leader of a congregation, is so significant in our worship, we need to be certain that we are listening to the kind of teaching that will benefit us and equip us for the work of the kingdom.
A great place to start is to focus on Jesus. A pastor preaching Christ highlights the preparation needed for our lives; it gives us the foundation we need for each day, and shows us how to stay the course. It not only informs people, but transforms them, as well. When we are reminded of His great love for us, we are inspired to live for Him, and we have a much deeper sense of the purpose of our lives.
Gospel preaching helps us to understand the teachings of Christ and the meaning of His sacrifice. It helps us to incorporate this knowledge into our everyday lives. We are renewed in our commitment to show His love and compassion to others, and if the way before us seems misty and unclear, gospel preaching can re-establish our faith in our Father.
As we discussed yesterday, unbelievers who hear the gospel presented may hear the call of the Holy Spirit on their lives. Believers will hear the guidance that they need. God's Word will be effective for both believers and unbelievers; He says it will accomplish what is needed:

As the rain and the snow    come down from heaven,and do not return to it    without watering the earthand making it bud and flourish,    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Do we need fire and brimstone in our worship? Probably not a constant diet of it, no.
Do we need to be reminded of Jesus' death and resurrection? Absolutely!
It's important to linger on the thoughts of what His sacrifice cost Him, and gives to us . . . .

Jesus' blood did away with sin. It's not just covered up with the sacrifice of animals.

But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26b)

Jesus' blood paid for our redemption. We are no longer slaves to sin.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (I Peter 1:18-19)

Jesus' blood not only brings us forgiveness, but also reconciles us to our Father God.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

After His blood cleanses us, it continues to wash away our sins by sanctifying us daily.

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)

When we make mistakes, Jesus intercedes for us and the Holy Spirit convicts us.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (I John 2:1)

It's not just a new start -- it's a brand new life!
And just in case the devil reminds us of our sins, we can remember what the prophet said, and tell him this:

Do not gloat over me, my enemy!    Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,    the Lord will be my light. (Micah 7:8)

Without the blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior, the cross is just two beams of wood. Gospel preaching is an important part of our worship - it will inspire and equip believers for their daily work, and it will persuade nonbelievers to start a relationship with Christ.