Q:
"Are you always going to be asking for my money?"
A:
MOST churches have a period of time set aside to enlighten the church membership about the financial situation and to ask the brethren to make financial contributions. That is NOT the primary function, of course, of the church family and we do not over-emphasize finances at Southwood. Look at it this way, though: Jesus died on the cross for your sins; what can you do to show your appreciation? Remember, churches have to pay for air conditioning, heating, electricity, repairs to the structure, insurance costs, and other such bills. Southwood is an excellent church in terms of supporting not only the local building and its needs, but also reaching out to support other ministries and missions. Someone who is truly grateful for God letting us have ANY blessings at all SHOULD want to give back to His Kingdom on earth. You never will have to worry about Southwood divulging your finances or giving.
Q:
"Do people who smoke go to hell?"
A:
There's an old joke that says, "No, smoking won't send you to hell but it will make you smell that way." Let's go beyond the joke to answer the question. Smoking is a vice, like many others mankind has faced throughout existence. Satan, the enemy of God's Kingdom, would like you to believe that smoking would put you in the dark abyss of hell forever. Man is, by nature, sinful and separated from God. What we need is a Savior. There is only one, that being Jesus Christ. If you haven't accepted the GIFT of salvation that Christ paid for you by dying on the cross, THAT will condemn you to an eternity in hell. Smoking, by itself, is not a "salvation issue," and there will be smokers in Heaven. Another issue to consider, though, is whether or not smoking glorifies the "temple" that God gave us with the bodies we live in on earth.
Q:
"Some religions believe we get a second chance at life. If I don't become a Christian in THIS life, don't you think I can in the next?"
A:
Again, let's turn to The Holy Bible, where God, Himself, has laid out a guidebook for us. The Bible says, in Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." The concept of reincarnation is not Biblical. You have ONE chance at life on earth. You, thus, have ONE opportunity to pray to Jesus Christ that He forgives you of your sins and accept Him as The Savior of the world. Once you die, as we just read, it's too late because the time has come for God to judge you. No matter how good a person you are, no matter how much you've given to make life better for mankind, you will be found "wanting" in the judgment if you're not one of Christ's children. Since you're asking this question, you have some concerns about your own salvation issue. Please feel free to call the church and discuss your road to salvation or join us for Bible study.
