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God wants everybody in heaven, but he's not going to force anyone to go there.

Pastor Greg Laurie points out God gives everyone an opportunity to avoid judgment,

but too many choose their own way, then blame God.

The road to hell is paved with excuses.

Hell is therefore a prison in which the doors are first locked from the inside by us,

and therefore are locked from the outside by God.

So who sent who where?

It's really up to us.

We can have a steady diet of donuts and burgers, then blame the giant carbohydrate conglomerates for our weight gain.

We can speed and blame the cop for our traffic ticket, but at some point we all need to take

personal responsibility for our choices.

Today on a new beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out no one goes to hell by accident.

God gives opportunity after opportunity to choose the path that leads to heaven.

Today we'll examine the clear choice where we spend eternity.

One of the criticisms of the church for many years was,

you know, I don't like all these hellfire and brimstone features.

I don't like to hear that sort of thing.

And you know, in a way, I see that point, but here's my question,

when's the last time you saw a hellfire and brimstone preacher?

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