Church Member's Cry from Hell
E.A. Johnston warns that superficial assurances of salvation without true repentance and holiness lead souls to eternal damnation, urging believers to heed the full gospel call.
In "Church Member's Cry from Hell," E.A. Johnston delivers a sobering evangelistic message exposing the dangers of superficial salvation and the neglect of true repentance. He challenges believers and church leaders alike to confront the realities of sin, judgment, and hell, emphasizing the necessity of holiness and regeneration. Johnston calls for a return to preaching the full gospel with urgency and faithfulness.
Full Transcript
Why did you pat me on the back and tell me I was saved? Why did you tell me I was saved by walking an aisle and repeating a prayer? Why did you fail to preach the terrors of the law so I could see my sins? Why did you broaden the way of salvation when Jesus never did? Why did you not warn me to part with my sins? Why did you not warn me that without holiness no one will see the Lord? My entire Sunday school class is in hell with me. Why did you deceive us so? Why didn't you warn me about the terrors of hell? Why did you not inform me of my duty of repentance? Why didn't you explain what biblical repentance really meant? Why did you tell me if I believed John 3.16 to be true, then I was saved? Why did you say salvation was just accepting Jesus into my heart and I had the power to do that anytime I wanted to? Why did you show me a Jesus who was not in my Bible? Why did you take my money and use up my time and send me here to this pit of flames? Why didn't you explain to me what regeneration was and I would be denied heaven without it? Why were you so funny in the pulpit when no one is laughing here in hell? Why did you accept me into your church and then neglect the care of my soul? Why did you quote so many popular men who now occupy hell with me? Why did you entertain me instead of warning me to flee from the wrath to come? Why did you not warn me that I must get under Christ's blood? Why did you not explain Christ's demands of discipleship? Why did you feed me a false gospel and preach me into this chamber of horrors? Oh why? Why? Why?
Sermon Outline
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I. The False Assurance of Salvation
- Critique of shallow conversion experiences
- The danger of equating prayer with true salvation
- The failure to preach the law's terrors
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II. The Necessity of True Repentance
- Repentance defined biblically
- The call to part with sin
- Regeneration as essential for salvation
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III. The Reality of Hell and Judgment
- The eternal consequences of neglecting holiness
- The terror of hell described
- Warnings ignored by many church members
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IV. The Responsibility of the Church
- The failure to care for souls
- The danger of entertainment over exhortation
- The call to preach the full gospel
Key Quotes
“Why did you pat me on the back and tell me I was saved?” — E.A. Johnston
“Why did you not warn me that without holiness no one will see the Lord?” — E.A. Johnston
“Why did you feed me a false gospel and preach me into this chamber of horrors?” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine your own heart to ensure your salvation is genuine and marked by true repentance.
- Church leaders should prioritize preaching the full gospel, including warnings about sin and hell.
- Do not be content with superficial faith; pursue holiness and a transformed life.