The preaching of fire and brimstone is not appreciated in our day. People would rather hear sermons about God’s love and mercy. But preachers should not be wiser than God, who has issued repeated warnings about the coming day of the Lord and provided horrifying descriptions of that day. A wholesome fear of the Lord will induce people to take God seriously. He is indeed a God of steadfast love, abounding in grace. But he is also a consuming fire and a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3; Isaiah 33:14; Hebrews 12:29). No one should entertain any notion that God is like Father Christmas (or Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas), a jovial, benevolent figure who only dispenses gifts. As the prophet Nahum exclaims, Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him (Nahum 1:6; Psalm 76:7).