Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Mormons: Christians??? I'm going with no on this one
The latest batch of Mormons stopped by my front porch the other day. They switch these guys out every 6 months around here, so I get fresh set of friends every 7 months or so.
By this time, I pretty much know the drill. The Mormon Jesus is special because he submitted to a separate god - Heavenly Father. His worthiness is based on his obedience not his inherent worth. Both of these gods have bodies. The Holy Spirit, another God must not have a body. Some day, since we have been given Jesus' stepping stool of obedience, we'll be able to work our way into worthy god status. So, what's my point?
Here's how it played out:
After establishing that sin is a violation of the law which is a reflection of God's character, I started to build the foundation for how Mormon salvation is based on works. I totally ignored the fact that Mormons deny the Biblical teachings of Jesus on eternal hell. Using a Bible-Is-True (presuppositional) approach, I referenced the factual existence of hell in my breakdown.
Biblical Truth that contradicts Mormon doctrine:
1. One sin is worth eternal suffering in hell because it is a rejection of God's character.
2. God's character is of incredible, eternal value that a sinless human could only substitute himself for one other sinless. Human worth is equal to another human worth.
3. Jesus paid for millions of sins in the space of 6 hours because his worth is God-worth. Jesus is infinitely more worthy than humans because he is uncreated, eternal God. Not, created, eternal human-became-god. Jesus' obedience did not make him more worthy. It showcased his inherent pre-existing worth.
4. This discussion forced the Mormon guy who knew his stuff to admit that his Jesus is of equal value to him and that the thing that made Jesus better was his obedience.
5. The Mormons told me that their works count because Jesus makes them righteous.
6. The crux of the entire discussion ended when I got my point across - the knowledgeable Mormon got upset because I asserted that his righteousness was worthless and permeated with humanistic motives. Why? The Mormon is depending on his works plus Jesus' works.
7. To the Mormon, the self-righteous man is the Biblical pharisee. Unfortunately, the self-righteous man is the Mormon.
The true Christian knows that he is a total jerk and that ONLY Jesus' works count for righteousness. God's love for the true Christian originates within Himself. God knows that the true Christian is a dirty, ugly sinner. He loves and justifies that dirty, rotten sinner based only on Himself and His work through the 2nd person of the Godhead - Jesus Christ.
Pray for Steven and Cori because these two dudes are depending on their own righteous works, albeit done within the context of Jesus' works. It is a slick deception which is difficult to pinpoint.
By this time, I pretty much know the drill. The Mormon Jesus is special because he submitted to a separate god - Heavenly Father. His worthiness is based on his obedience not his inherent worth. Both of these gods have bodies. The Holy Spirit, another God must not have a body. Some day, since we have been given Jesus' stepping stool of obedience, we'll be able to work our way into worthy god status. So, what's my point?
Here's how it played out:
After establishing that sin is a violation of the law which is a reflection of God's character, I started to build the foundation for how Mormon salvation is based on works. I totally ignored the fact that Mormons deny the Biblical teachings of Jesus on eternal hell. Using a Bible-Is-True (presuppositional) approach, I referenced the factual existence of hell in my breakdown.
Biblical Truth that contradicts Mormon doctrine:
1. One sin is worth eternal suffering in hell because it is a rejection of God's character.
2. God's character is of incredible, eternal value that a sinless human could only substitute himself for one other sinless. Human worth is equal to another human worth.
3. Jesus paid for millions of sins in the space of 6 hours because his worth is God-worth. Jesus is infinitely more worthy than humans because he is uncreated, eternal God. Not, created, eternal human-became-god. Jesus' obedience did not make him more worthy. It showcased his inherent pre-existing worth.
4. This discussion forced the Mormon guy who knew his stuff to admit that his Jesus is of equal value to him and that the thing that made Jesus better was his obedience.
5. The Mormons told me that their works count because Jesus makes them righteous.
6. The crux of the entire discussion ended when I got my point across - the knowledgeable Mormon got upset because I asserted that his righteousness was worthless and permeated with humanistic motives. Why? The Mormon is depending on his works plus Jesus' works.
7. To the Mormon, the self-righteous man is the Biblical pharisee. Unfortunately, the self-righteous man is the Mormon.
The true Christian knows that he is a total jerk and that ONLY Jesus' works count for righteousness. God's love for the true Christian originates within Himself. God knows that the true Christian is a dirty, ugly sinner. He loves and justifies that dirty, rotten sinner based only on Himself and His work through the 2nd person of the Godhead - Jesus Christ.
Pray for Steven and Cori because these two dudes are depending on their own righteous works, albeit done within the context of Jesus' works. It is a slick deception which is difficult to pinpoint.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
What Does Missional Look Like in My Life?
Missional: Reaching the unchurched by integrating into their culture through relationships and building on commonalities.
Missional People choose their housing, work, past-times based on the unchurched that they know God is calling them to reach.
Missional Churches structure their discipleship, outreach, preaching, worship, seating, facilities, and fellowship in such a way as to welcome and teach the unchurched, without compromising on the doctrines and holiness of God and Jesus Christ.
Your Missional Life: Everyone has a different looking missional lifestyle because God calls us to unique sections of the population. God opens up relationships with families and individuals for you that I may never encounter. God will give me friendships and relationships that are probably different than yours. That is why missional living is realistic - because your gifts, talents and callings uniquely qualify you to integrate and reach the unchurched who God has prepared for you to minister to.
The frustrating thing about missional ministry is that it can't be put into a step-by-step witnessing guide. And, it has nothing to do with church-growth programs. Instead, it is a lifestyle change. A paradigm change in which you evaluate your abilities and begin praying for God to give you your segment of the unchurched population to strategically infiltrate. As God opens up avenues for relationships, you adjust your interests and life-choices so as to position yourself to be able to build those relationships.
Missional Living looks different for each Christian. Missional living is essentially being in your target culture but not being of it.
Missional People choose their housing, work, past-times based on the unchurched that they know God is calling them to reach.
Missional Churches structure their discipleship, outreach, preaching, worship, seating, facilities, and fellowship in such a way as to welcome and teach the unchurched, without compromising on the doctrines and holiness of God and Jesus Christ.
Your Missional Life: Everyone has a different looking missional lifestyle because God calls us to unique sections of the population. God opens up relationships with families and individuals for you that I may never encounter. God will give me friendships and relationships that are probably different than yours. That is why missional living is realistic - because your gifts, talents and callings uniquely qualify you to integrate and reach the unchurched who God has prepared for you to minister to.
The frustrating thing about missional ministry is that it can't be put into a step-by-step witnessing guide. And, it has nothing to do with church-growth programs. Instead, it is a lifestyle change. A paradigm change in which you evaluate your abilities and begin praying for God to give you your segment of the unchurched population to strategically infiltrate. As God opens up avenues for relationships, you adjust your interests and life-choices so as to position yourself to be able to build those relationships.
Missional Living looks different for each Christian. Missional living is essentially being in your target culture but not being of it.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Church Hours are Prime Neighboring Hours
To avoid spreading a cold virus, I took my kids strolling during church service this morning. It was a refreshing time to reach unchurched neighbors. How do you find pagans? Just go walking from 11:00 to 12:00 on Sunday morning. We had a great time greeting neighbors and complimenting gardeners. If you are a pastor, try this: Switch the service to 12:00 to 1:00 and send the entire church out prayer walking in small groups.
POSITIVE EFFECT: You'll see some of the relational conflicts and issues dissolve in your midst. Unify through outreach! True Christian fellowship is not found over potluck, rather it is found on the battlefield.
POSITIVE EFFECT: You'll see some of the relational conflicts and issues dissolve in your midst. Unify through outreach! True Christian fellowship is not found over potluck, rather it is found on the battlefield.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Holley Church - Involved in Community Relationships
I spotted this public school reader board the other day and... a picture is worth a thousand words!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Easter Outreach: The Last Adam
The Last Adam DVD brings backgound from the Old Testament which contextualizes the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This DVD is appropriate for unchurched as well as churched unbelievers. I just picked up ten discs for $6.99 each from Answers In Genesis. This week, the DVD is on sale and is accompanied by a small evangelistic booklet. This sale won't last, so you might pick up 10 or 20 to keep in your vehicle or to hand out around the neighborhood.
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