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Today we look at a topic that gets all kinds of Christians fired up. Is speaking in tongues biblical? If you were raised in a Pentecostal church, your answer is âyesâ! If you were raised in a cessationist church, your answer is ânoâ! In this episode weâll see what the Bible has to say.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
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Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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First, letâs define terms.Pentecostalism: Pentecostalism is a Christian movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily within the United States. It places a strong emphasis on the direct experience of the Holy Spirit, particularly through practices such as speaking in tongues, divine healing, and prophecy. The movement takes its name from the biblical event of Pentecost, as described in the book of Acts, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus, empowering them to speak in other languages and to proclaim the gospel.
The Azusa Street Revival - Los Angeles, California, from 1906 to 1909, at the Apostolic Faith Mission located on Azusa Street.Pentecostal vs. CharismaticAoG, Church of God, Foursquare, Calvary Chapel, Hillsong, Bethel Church, etc.Cessationism: Cessationism is a theological position within certain Christian circles that holds that certain spiritual gifts, particularly those described in the New Testament such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and miracles, ceased or ceased to be normative after the apostolic age or the completion of the New Testament canon.
Historical Perspective: Cessationists may point to historical evidence suggesting that the frequency of miraculous gifts decreased after the apostolic era, leading them to conclude that these gifts ceased to be normative in the life of the church.Completion of Scripture: Cessationists often argue that the purpose of miraculous gifts was to authenticate the message of the apostles and to establish the early church. With the completion of the New Testament canon, they believe that the need for such miraculous gifts diminished.Cessationism is a theological perspective rather than a denominational affiliation, so it can be found within various Christian denominations to varying degrees. However, there are certain denominations or theological traditions that tend to emphasize cessationist beliefs more strongly than others. Many Reformed churches, particularly those influenced by the teachings of John Calvin and the Westminster Confession of Faith; Some Baptist churches, etc.
Next, letâs look at ActsIn the Bible, speaking in tongues is primarily discussed in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts and in the letters of the Apostle Paul. Here are some key passages often cited as a biblical defense of speaking in tongues:
1. Acts 2:1-4: This passage describes the event of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus, and they began speaking
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Welcome back to the podcast, men. The federal holiday, Juneteenth, is coming up on June 19th. The question I want us to look at today is, âDoes celebrating Juneteenth make you woke?â Is it something I as a Christian should celebrate? Is it something I should be suspicious of?
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The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.
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Background on âwokeâ
First defined in print by William Melvin Kelly in a 1962 NY Times article. Added to Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2017 - actively attentive to important facts and issues, especially issues of racial and social justice. Woke has morphed into pushing radical ideologies, not only tolerance but acceptance and approval of sinful lifestyles and choices, using affirmative action and diversity, equity, and inclusion policies over a candidateâs performance or abilities to fill a role in a company, educational institution, or political office. Woke ideologies routinely ignore facts - biological facts - there are two genders, facts about Godâs blueprint for marriage, The term is divisive, polarizing - even among Christians.Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
Please donât just tie how you think about this into your political affiliation.
Weâre going to have a bit of a history lesson today.
What is it?Although Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in June of 2021, it was celebrated long before that. The holiday commemorates the freeing of slaves in Galveston, TX two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
History of the holiday
Emancipation Proclamation - Executive Order January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union âshall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.â So it only addressed those who were enslaved in the confederate states. The E.P. freed approximately 500,000 of the estimated 3.9 million slaves in the U.S. 13th Amendment - Passed by the Senate on 4/8/1864Passed by House of Reps. 1/31/1865General Gordon Granger General Order 3 freeing slaves in Galveston and
Celebrate FreedomIt is the only federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. There is no âEmancipation Proclamation Dayâ, â13th Amendment Dayâ or âEnd of Civil War Dayâ. Many of Israelâs festivals and celebrations had connections to the Lord freeing them from slavery in Egypt.
Exodus 13:3-7 So Moses said to the people, âThis is a day to remember foreverâthe day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the Lord has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand. (Remember, eat no food containing yeast.) 4 On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib,[a] you have been set free. 5 You must celebrate this event in this month each year after the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites,...
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In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD talk through the second and third Articles of Faith.
Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here.
What Mormons Believe about Sin:
LDS:âWe believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adamâs transgression.â
At first glance this seems much more fair than the Christian take. But as we dig deeper we see that this LDS concept creates a pattern of judgment and works based behavior/religion
AC: We believe God created mankind in His own image. At the beginning of human history, however, man chose to disobey the sovereign God and so brought sin onto the earth. All people everywhere have since been born into this sinful nature and are subject to Godâs righteous judgment: death and eternal separation from Himself. (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Jer. 17:9; John 3:18; Eph. 2:1-3).What Mormons Believe about Salvation:
LDS:âWe believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.â
AC: We believe Godâs plan from the beginning of time was to be in relationship with all people. Since sin makes that relationship impossible for everyone, God established a way to credit righteousness. He accepts Jesus Christâs death on the cross as a payment for the sin of humanity. Those who repent of their sin and believe in Godâs work are forgiven and restored to relationship with God. This is salvation, and it is Godâs work from beginning to end, so that we are saved purely by grace. (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; John 3:16-17; Rom. 3:24-26; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:1; 1 John 5:11-13; John 1:12).Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you canât take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are Godâs masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Today weâre studying Acts 2:1-13, the passage that essentially describes the birth of the Christian church. It begins to answer an important question: What is the purpose of baptism with the Holy Spirit?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
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Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Todayâs lesson is exciting, because thereâs something for everyone:
Those who are into this topicPentecostals, charismaticsThose who are freaked out by this topicChristians from more chill religious backgroundsNon-denoms, mainlineThose who are new to ChristianityNot sure what weâre even talking aboutStart with this: âbaptism with the HSâ from a pentecostal perspectiveThe concept gained particular prominence during the early 20th-century Pentecostal revival, beginning with the Azusa Street Revival in 1906. It emphasized a powerful, personal experience of God's presence and the manifestation of spiritual gifts.The Assemblies of God is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world, founded in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.Foursquare Church - Founded in 1923 by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson in Los Angeles, California.In the mid-20th century, this emphasis spread beyond Pentecostal denominations to the broader Charismatic movement which embraced similar experiences of the Holy Spirit.The Jesus Movement in the 60âs and 70âs, along with Calvary Chapel. The Vineyard Movement began in the late 1970s and was founded by John Wimber. The first Vineyard church was officially established in 1982 in Anaheim, California.Catholic charismatic movementHillsong, Bethel Church, etc.In these environments youâll hear about âbaptism with the HSâThereâs one main evidence: speaking in tonguesSo it becomes a huge focus in these churchesOften becomes the main thingItâll freak you out if youâve never seen it beforeBut what does the Bible say about it?Thatâs what weâll answer today: What is the purpose of baptism with the Holy Spirit?
We donât believe things based on how weird or normal they seemWe look to God and his Word in all we do (and believe)First of all, âbaptism with the HSâ is in the Bible, not just made up by the pentecostals and charismatics
The term was coined by Jesus! Acts 1:5 (NLT) âJohn baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.âThis is why the disciples went back to JerusalemPracticed disciplines of connection, prayer, Bible studyWaited on God with great expectationBut not exactly sure what it would look likeBaptism with the HS was a biblical concept way before it was a pentecostal thingThe real question is what is the purpose? Thatâs what our text will answer todayBecause the Pentecostal movement traces its roots back to Acts ch... -
This is a story of how God restored the things that Mormonism stole.
ParentingMarriageCommunityRelationship with GodConstantly trying to fit into a box of someone elseâs making--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Today we continue in Chapter 1 in our Acts study, and weâll cover just a few verses as we answer this question: Whatâs the best way to wait on God?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
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Whatâs the best way to wait on God?
Thatâs what weâll see the disciples doing in the textLast week Jesus got the disciples all riled upHe told them he would send the HS to empower themHe told them to wait in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49)But he didnât tell them how long it would takeThe angels caught them staring into heaven while Jesus ascendedHave you ever been there? Waiting for God to act?
Romance - when will I finally find the âOneâ - ?Provision - in financial struggles or with career opportunitiesDeliverance - from addiction youâve tried to kickHealing - in a relational conflict Vindication - you were falsely accused or misunderstoodWisdom - esp for new believers who just want to know Bible moreAnxiety - when will you take this away?Weâve all been there. Today as we open the Bible weâre going to get a few practical, actionable tips to answer the question: Whatâs the best way to wait on God? Weâre all doing it; we might as well do it right!
So letâs get to itâŠ.
Acts 1:12-13aActs 1:12-13 (NLT) "12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying."
Went to the upstairs roomPossibly the upper room from the last supperMay have been like headquarters in early daysMay have been the âhome of Mary, the mother of John Markâ that Peter visited after jailbreak (12:12)the Mount of Olivesie, Jesus ascended to heaven from Mount of OlivesMakes sense, in light of this OT prophecy:Zechariah 14:2-4 (NLT) "2 I will gather all the nations to fight against JerusalemâŠ. 3 Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of JerusalemâŠ."a place of judgment for nations when Jesus returns remember, this was part of the âkerygmaâ (early message = Jesus + faith + Spirit + return)Weâll see this in Peterâs first sermon in ch 2Has now become the place of blessing for nationsHeâll give them a chance to respond to kerygmaâBlessing on all nationsâ (Gen 12)returned to JerusalemSimple obedienceLuke 24:49 (NLT) 49 âAnd now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.âThey had great expectation, but little understandingThis is where we are when we wait on GodWhat do you do in this case? First answer:Obey what you knowDo the next... -
Today we continue our study of Acts, covering Acts 1:6-11. Hereâs the question weâll answer as we look at the text: Does God favor one nation over another?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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This is an important question in todayâs world:
Issue of immigrationChristian nations vs. Muslim nations, etc.It was a question on the minds of the disciples in Acts 1Jesus had just spent 3 yrs with themAlmost exclusively did ministry among IsraelitesMatthew 15:21-24 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, âHave mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.â 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. âTell her to go away,â they said. âShe is bothering us with all her begging.â 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, âI was sent only to help Godâs lost sheepâthe people of Israel.âNote three things:Jesus was silent!?Disciples wanted him to send her awayJesus was sent to help only IsraelJesus ends up healing the daughterBut it was the exception, not the ruleSeems nationalistic, right?!The point: disciples thought God favored IsraelVery nationalistic in their ideologyThe âChosen onesâDeuteronomy 7:6 (NLT) For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.Seems like American Christians todayWe are the new chosen onesWe have the only true GodWe have a better ideologyWe are Godâs favoritesBut what does the Bible say about this?Letâs warm up with a history lesson on Israel:
Theocracy First King - SaulUnited Monarchy (c. 1000â930 BCE)King David (c. 1010â970 BCE) : David united the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the capital.King Solomon (c. 970â930 BCE) : Solomon, David's son, built the First Temple in Jerusalem. After his death, the kingdom split into two.Divided Monarchy (c. 930â722 BCE for Israel, c. 930â586 BCE for Judah)Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom) : Fell to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE.Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom) : Continued until it fell to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE.Assyrian Rule (c. 722â605 BCE)- The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of many Israelites.Babylonian Rule (c. 605â539 BCE)- The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE, initiating the Babylonian Captivity.Persian Rule (c. 539â332 BCE)- Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BCE and allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple (Second Temple... -
In this bonus episode, Bo and KD continue their discussion on Mormonism and women. They explore the cultural aspects of Mormonism as it relates to women, including the recitation of the Young Women's theme, the concept of exaltation, and the pressure on women to find a worthy husband. They also discuss the emphasis on modesty and the challenges of dressing in a way that is garment-appropriate. The conversation highlights the control and judgment that can arise from these cultural expectations.
Takeaways:
The pressure to find a worthy husband and the fear of not being able to achieve exaltation can create anxiety and control in Mormon women.The emphasis on modesty and the requirement to wear garments can lead to judgment and policing of women's clothing choices. In Mormonism, women are expected to prioritize having children, and infertility can be a source of judgment and unsolicited advice.Leaving the Mormon church can be particularly difficult for women, as it is seen as breaking up the eternal family.It is important to prioritize God above all else and recognize that being part of God's family is more important than the Mormon concept of an eternal family.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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Today we start a new series on the Book of Acts. Weâll cover the first five verses and answer the question: How should we act on the message of Jesus?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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A lot of people view Christianity as merely an ideology or a set of beliefs.
I just need intellectual assent to the right ideas, believe the right thingsI go to church, read the Bible (occasionally) to learn these ideasThis is how a recent article struck me: Why I am now a ChristianAyaan Hirsi AliGrew up Muslim in KenyaâThe most striking quality of the Muslim Brotherhood was their ability to transform me and my fellow teenagers from passive believers into activists, almost overnight. We didnât just say things or pray for things: we did things. As girls we donned the burka and swore off Western fashion and make-up. The boys cultivated their facial hair to the greatest extent possible.âThen became an atheistâYou can see why, to someone who had been through such a religious schooling, atheism seemed so appealing. Bertrand Russell offered a simple, zero-cost escape from an unbearable life of self-denial and harassment of other people.âEventually became a Christian. But why?Because only Christianity has âan elaborate set of ideas and institutions designed to safeguard human life, freedom and dignityâŠ.âThis is true, but is this all there is?For many âChristians,â yesItâs a better ideology than atheism, IslamBut itâs more than ideology - it should cause us to act.
Acts 1:1-2Acts 1:1-2 (NLT) "In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit."
In my first bookActs is Part 2 of the Luke-Acts volume(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) Luke-Acts being originally one work in two volumes, which sometime during the last part of the first century or very early in the second began to circulate as two separate works(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) The Acts of the Apostles was originally written as the second part of a two-volume work, and its inseparable relation to Luke's gospel must be kept in mind if we are to understand the work.Luke 1:1-4 (NLT) 1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.So the author was obviously Luke (the doctor)Colossians 4:14... -
In this episode Bryan, Bo, and KD discuss the Mormon perspective on the fall of Adam and Eve and how it shapes their view of women. They contrast this with the biblical view that emphasizes the equality and value of both men and women as image bearers of God. The conversation also touches on the Mormon belief in becoming gods and the role of women in Mormonism.
Mormonism has a different interpretation of the fall and the role of women compared to biblical Christianity.The biblical view emphasizes the equality and value of both men and women as image bearers of God.Toxic masculinity and controlling behavior from husbands and a desire for control and subversion from wives are the result of the curse.Jesus is the solution to this hostility, as he crushed Satan's head and overcame sin and death.In biblical Christianity, there is no difference between men and women at the foot of the cross, and all believers have access to God through Jesus.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Today weâll answer the question, âWhat does God really think about women?â Culture often says biblical Christianity demeans, diminishes women - but is that true? For some churches, it is.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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The biblical answer is clear: God loves women and from the beginning has worked to bless them. John 10:10
John 10:10 (NLT) The thiefâs purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.This reflects Godâs heart for humanity in Gen 1-2. Weâll see that today.But look at how the thief (Satan) is working against this plan - and heâs also been doing that from the beginning! Weâll see that today in Gen 3. But a lot of people think that the Bible lowers and denigrates women. This is what you would expect from an ancient document, reflecting ancient societal norms. For example:Ancient Sumerian proverb (circa 2100 BC): "Woman is a pitfall, a hole, a ditch," "Woman is a sharp iron dagger that cuts a man's throat." Plato in "Timaeus" (circa 360 BC): "And if a man lived well... and according to his appointed lot... they will make him a man again in his next incarnation... but if he lived a cowardly and unrighteous life... they make him a woman."Aristotle in "Politics" (circa 330 BC): "The male is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled."Weâre going to see today that from the opening chapter of the Bible, God starts with the opposite statement. Thatâs incredible if you think about it. Godâs purpose from the beginning was to give women a rich and satisfying life. The word for this is âblessingâ, and weâre going to break it into two partsâŠEquality
Godâs first blessing was equality: he created women and men in Godâs image, making them equal in dignity and worth.
Many people mistakenly believe the Bible teaches that women are less valuable than men.Toxic masculinity example?Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, âLet us make human beings in our image, to be like us....â So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.What âImago Deiâ means (Pursuit L3): This means we are like God in certain ways, such as mentally (we have the capacity to think and create), relationally (we were designed to be in relationship with others) and spiritually (thereâs a part of us that lives forever). Imago Dei is also a reference to humanityâs responsibility to âreignâ and represent God to the rest of creation.That applies to all of us: male and female. But not animals. We are different from the rest of creation. Imago Dei sets us apart. People matter to God - men and women alike.In fact, over and over the Bible elevates women (shocking for ancient literature): Women heroes: Esther, Deborah, Naomi, Rahab, Hannah,... -
In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD explore the question that skeptics and scoffers love to use to stump Christians: If God is good, why does evil exist? At first blush this paradox seems impossible to answer. But take a second look at the Bible and youâll not just make sense of this difficult question, youâll find an answer that can change your eternity.
Takeaways:
Mormonism and Christianity have different understandings of God, Satan, and the nature of evil.Evil is not just external, but also resides within each person.Evil exists because people exist. Sin is what broke the world, and God is being patient with people to give them a chance to repent.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Skeptics and scoffers love to stump Christians with this question: if God is good, why does evil exist?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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Philosophers have framed the problem like this:
If God is able to prevent evil, but not willing to do so, he is evil himself.If God is willing to prevent evil, but not able, he is impotent.At first blush this paradox seems impossible to answer. But take a second look at the Bible and youâll not just make sense of this difficult question⊠youâll find an answer that can change your eternity.
Weâre going to find todayâs answer in 2 Peter chapter 3, and weâll get to that by the end of the lesson (I promise). But letâs frame this whole question with this verse:
2 Peter 3:3 (NLT) Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.
A âscofferâ asks the question without really wanting to know the answer. Theyâve already made up their mind, and they simply want to disprove.A genuine seeker is different. They ask the question in good faith, and have a heart thatâs willing to submit to God. I hope this is the attitude you have as you approach the question.So letâs start with the first part of the question: God is good - this much we know for sure! From The Pursuit, Lesson 1:
Jesus shows us the truth: God is for you, not against you. Through his life and teachings, Jesus shocked the religious world with his attitude toward the lost and irreligious. He invited lowly fishermen and despised tax-collectors â not religious experts â to be in his inner circle. And then he went around rubbing shoulders with drunkards, healing the demon-possessed, and touching the untouchables. Jesus didnât avoid the broken and the lost, he sought them out. Hereâs a perfect example:Matthew 8:2-3 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus and knelt before him. âLord,â the man said, âif you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.â Jesus reached out and touched him. âI am willing,â he said. âBe healed!â And instantly the leprosy disappeared.The leper knew that Jesus had the ability to heal â he just didnât know if he had the willingness to do it. For most people, itâs easier to believe that God is powerful than to believe that he is good. But hereâs the truth: he is both!And consider how Jesus healed the leper: he touched him. That was unthinkable in Jesusâ day.Now to the second part of the question: why does evil exist? This will take some explaining. But consider this: God does eradicate some evil.
Genesis 6:5-8 (NLT) The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke -
In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD talk about how the Mormon church claims to have prophets who speak authoritatively for God. But is that really a thing anymore? If not, how do we hear from God? This podcast explores the answer to that question. They discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, the concept of worthiness in Mormonism, and the differences between capital P prophets and lowercase p prophets. They emphasize that every believer now has the Holy Spirit and that the Bible is God's authoritative Word. They also talk about the closed canon and the importance of testing everything against God's Word.
Takeaways:
There are two different types of prophets: a capital âPâ prophet who speaks authoritatively for God, and a lowercase âpâ prophet who speaks what God has already spoken. The canon of Scripture is closed, meaning that God is not going to speak authoritatively through prophets anymore.The Bible is God's authoritative word and does not need to be supplemented with new revelation from prophets.The gift of prophecy in the local church is about reminding people of what God has already spoken, not bringing new revelation.Believers should test everything against God's Word and hold on to what is good.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Some churches claim to have prophets who speak authoritatively for God. But is that really a thing anymore? If not, how do we hear from God?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Does God Still Speak Through Prophets?
Letâs start with a passage that seems to answer the question:
Ephesians 4:11 (NLT) Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
Seems clear, right? Prophets are still a thing.So the churches that claim to have prophets and apostles are the most biblical churches? Not so fast. Letâs look into thisâŠProphets in the OT
Prophets in the OT were not mere fortune-tellers but messengers chosen by God to guide, comfort, and ultimately call people back to God.
Exodus 3:9-10 (NLT) âLook! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.âEzekiel 2:3-5 (NLT) âSon of man,â he said, âI am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, âThis is what the Sovereign LORD says!â And whether they listen or refuse to listenâfor remember, they are rebelsâat least they will know they have had a prophet among them.Hosea 1:2 (NLT) When the LORD first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, âGo and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the LORD and worshiping other gods.âJonah 1:1-2 (NLT) The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: âGet up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.âProphets in the NT
In the NT the Holy Spirit was given to every believer, and this caused prophecy to take on a whole new meaning and purpose.
Acts 2:17-18 (NLT) âIn the last days,â God says, âI will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servantsâmen and women alikeâand they will prophesy.(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Whereas the Spirit especially designated and empowered the prophets and other leaders of Israel under the Old Covenant, God promises that all his people will be possessed by the Spirit in the last days.(Pillar New Testament Commentary) The expectation from 2:17-18 is that all believers under the New Covenant would 'prophesy' (prophÄteusousin), and so share to some extent in the prophetic role (cf. 19:6). However, it is clear that some -
In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD explore the differences between the Bible and the Book of Mormon, focusing on textual and historical evidence. They discuss how the Book of Mormon lacks archaeological evidence and contains anachronisms, while the Bible has extensive evidence supporting its accuracy and reliability. They emphasize that the Bible tells one unified story, written by multiple authors over 1500 years, yet remaining consistent. They also address the reliability of Bible translations, explaining that translations are accurate and reliable, and the Joseph Smith Translation cannot be considered a true translation. They conclude by highlighting the power and inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God.
Takeaways:
Mormons believe the Bible is the word of God, but it is not infallible and has errors.The Bible is ranked below the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price in Mormon canon.Christians believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible, meaning that divine inspiration extends to the very words themselves and all parts of the Bible.The Book of Mormon lacks archaeological evidence and contains anachronisms, while the Bible has extensive evidence supporting its accuracy and reliability.The Bible tells one unified story, written by multiple authors over 1500 years, yet remaining consistent.Translations of the Bible are accurate and reliable, and the Joseph Smith Translation cannot be considered a true translation.The Bible is the Word of God and can be trusted.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Why do so many churches and Christians make such a big deal of the Bible? Isnât it just an out-dated, irrelevant piece of ancient literature? Shouldnât we keep it on the shelf and use more modern books to teach us how to live? These are the questions weâll explore today.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
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Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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before we examine the Bible, letâs start with some fun trivia about all those other books on the shelfâŠ
10 notable best-selling books of all time:
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss - 10.5 millionThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - 20 millionThe Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 29 millionTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - 40 millionThe Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - 43 millionPurpose Driven Life by Rick Warren - 50 millionThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis - over 85 millionHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling - 120 millionA Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Over 200 million Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes - Over 500 millionTop three best-selling books of all time:
The Quran - Estimated 800 million copies sold and distributed.Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung - Over 900 million copies sold.The Bible - Estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed.So, back to the question weâll unbox today:
Q. Is the Bible Just Another Book?
Think about how all of those other books were written:
All of those other books were the product of one or more clever mindsThey all followed a similar process:Come up with the conceptCreate a storyline, characters, etc.Do some research if needed for accuracy Write and re-writeMy favorite book on the topic: âOn Writing Wellâ by William ZinsserâSimplify, simplify.ââThereâs no minimum length for a sentence thatâs acceptable in the eyes of God.ââWriters must constantly ask: what am I trying to say? Surprisingly often they donât know.â"Ultimately the product any writer has to sell is not the subject being written about, but who he or she is."But this is what separates the Bible from every other book: it is not the product of one personâs ideas or creativity. Nobody had to dream up the storyline or characters, and no one had to read âOn Writing Wellâ to turn out the best chapters and verses. The Bible, Christians believe, is unique because it alone was inspired by God. Hereâs how Paul explained it to Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
See Where Did We Get... -
In this conversation, Bryan, Bo and KD discuss the question of whether there is only one true church, specifically focusing on the Mormon Church. They explore the concept of a testimony in Mormonism and how it differs from the Christian understanding of a testimony. They also discuss the idea of the church as an organization, denomination, or building, and explain that the biblical definition of the church is the assembly of called out believers in Jesus. They conclude that while there may not be one true church in the sense of a specific institution or denomination, there is a capital C church that includes all true believers in Jesus throughout history.
Takeaways:
Mormons believe that the Mormon Church is the one true church, and this belief is ingrained from a young age.The biblical definition of the church is the assembly of called out believers in Jesus, and it is not limited to a specific organization, denomination, or building.A testimony in Mormonism is a memorized statement that focuses on the prophet, the church, and sometimes the family, rather than on Jesus.While Mormonism as an institution is not part of the one true church, individuals within the Mormon church can still have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.Core doctrines such as belief in the Bible, the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, salvation by faith, and life after death are important in determining if a church is part of the one true church.--
The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Notes
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Several religions claim to be the one true church or the exclusive path to heaven. But what does the Bible say? Is there only one true church? And if not, do all roads lead to heaven? These are the questions weâll explore today.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Q. Is there only one true church?
Definitions
Letâs start by defining terms. Before we answer the question about whether or not there is one true church, we need to make sure we understand what the âchurchâ is and what it isnât.
The church is not a building. You might say, âIâll meet you at the church.â or âOur menâs group meets at the church.â But the building itself is not the church. The church isnât an organization.The church isnât a denomination. Ex: Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God
Southern Baptist Convention (SBC): The largest Baptist denomination in the United StatesAmerican Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA): with a more moderate theological stance compared to the SBC.Conservative Baptist Association of America (CBAA)National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA): One of the oldest and largest African-American Baptist denominations in the United States, known for its emphasis on social justice and missions.National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (NBCA) Baptist Union of Great Britain Canadian Baptists of Western Canada Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) National Baptist Convention of Nigeria (NBCN)General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC)
Estimating the exact number of Christian denominations is challenging due to various factors, including differing criteria for what constitutes a denomination and the existence of many small, independent churches. However, scholars and religious experts often cite figures ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 Christian denominations worldwide!!From Sys Theo, Lesson 10:
The church is neither a building nor an organization. It is a people, the community of all those who stand in a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Ekklesia - assembly of the called out ones - called out by the proclamation of the gospel to gather around Christ.John 10:9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
So, back to our question: Is there only one true church?
Answer:
NO â in the sense that thereâs only one institution/denomination that gets it right
YES â in the âCâ sense of the global community of true believers in the basic Bible message
John 17:20-21 (NLT) âI am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you...
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Almost every world religion offers a pathway to heaven through good works and personal efforts. Some even include a list of sacraments: Holy rituals by which a person can merit salvation. But Christianity is different. According to the Bible, thereâs only one way to know if youâre good enough for God, and it has nothing to do with what you can do.
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the âeasy buttonâ for making disciples â whether youâre looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Before we look at what the Bible says, letâs do a quick survey of a few popular world religionsâŠ
Hinduism: Hinduism does not have a singular concept of salvation but rather multiple paths (yogas) that lead to spiritual liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). These paths include devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and selfless action (karma yoga), among others. Salvation is achieved when an individual realizes their true self (atman) as one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). (Liberation depends on YOU.)
Buddhism: Salvation in Buddhism is the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth, achieved through the elimination of desire and ignorance. In Buddhism, the goal is to attain enlightenment (nirvana) by following the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes principles such as right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. (Nirvana depends on YOU.)
Islam: In Islam, the plan of salvation involves belief in the oneness of God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad. Muslims believe in living a righteous life according to the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad). Salvation is achieved through faith, repentance, and good deeds, with the ultimate reward being entry into paradise. Salvation in Islam is not guaranteed solely by faith or deeds but is ultimately dependent on the mercy and judgment of Allah. Muslims strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah and to follow the teachings of Islam in the hope of attaining salvation in the afterlife. (Paradise depends on YOU.)
(Note: similarity with Mormonism. âSaved by grace after all we can do.â) - Donât include this in sermon!
TRANS: So what does Christianity teach? To find that answer we need to look at one more world religion: Judaism. Jesus was Jewish. Christianity came out of Judaism. Understanding the link between those two religions, and specifically the key difference between them, will give us the insight we need to answer our question today. Letâs start with the words of Jesus from his famous Sermon on the Mount:
PerfectionMatthew 5:17 (NLT) âDonât misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.â
When Jesus talks about âthe law and the prophetsâ heâs referring to Judaism. Hereâs Judaism in a nutshell:
God chose Abraham and made him some promises (Gen 12)God gave the... - Laat meer zien
