Unveiling Mormonism

In this conversation we discuss the topic of spiritual gifts, specifically focusing on the gift of tongues. We explore the differences between the Mormon and Christian perspectives on spiritual gifts and how they are practiced. We also highlight the importance of aligning spiritual experiences with God's Word and the potential dangers of relying solely on feelings. Overall, we encourage listeners to seek a biblical understanding of spiritual gifts and to prioritize love and the edification of the body of Christ.Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS: “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.”AC: We believe in one true universal church, comprised of all who genuinely acknowledge the message of the gospel of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. This church, we believe, has many valid local expressions and denominations. God through the Holy Spirit equips every believer with spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. Mature believers recognize this and participate in God’s work alongside other followers of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 2:19-22; Phil. 1:1; Acts 2:42; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).Takeaways:Mormons view the gift of tongues as the ability to quickly learn a language for missionary work.Mormons believe in a wide range of spiritual gifts, but they are more focused on the authority of their leaders.There is a spectrum of beliefs among Christians regarding spiritual gifts, ranging from cessationism to pentecostal practices.Patriarchal blessings play a significant role in Mormonism, serving as personal scripture and recorded blessings that individuals are expected to live up to.A biblical understanding of spiritual gifts emphasizes the importance of love and the edification of the body of Christ.Relying solely on feelings can be misleading, and it is crucial to prioritize God's Word and the giver of the gifts over the gifts themselves.Check out this LDS.org link for more on the Mormon view.--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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now

Susan Malo grew up in Idaho, which she describes as an extension of Utah in terms of Mormonism. She had very limited exposure to non-Mormons, with only two non-Mormon friends in her childhood. Susan's family and community were deeply rooted in the Mormon faith, and she felt safe and connected in that environment. However, as she grew older, she began to question her beliefs and explore other perspectives. Susan's two older brothers left the Mormon Church, which had a significant impact on her understanding of her own eternal destiny. Susan's journey from Mormonism to Christianity was marked by questioning, doubt, and a search for truth. She found support and guidance from mentors and resources like Faith After Mormonism. Susan's husband played a significant role in helping her navigate her doubts and discover the true Jesus of the Bible. She emphasizes the importance of prayer, seeking out Bible-based churches, and not giving up on the journey. Susan's story is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit and the transformative nature of encountering the Triune God.--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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Notes

In this episode, Bryan and Tracy interview their own young adult children on growing up in Utah as non-LDS! --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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --

Mormons believe in one Prophet and 12 Apostles, and they think they've got 'em. And the priesthood is their thing to pass along to boys as young as 12 years old! But what does the Bible say?--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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS:“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”AC: We believe the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired, authoritative, and infallible in its original manuscripts. It is, therefore, the only complete and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-2; John 17:17; Romans 3:4; John 20:30-31; Matt. 24:35).LDS:“We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.”AC: We believe in one true universal church, comprised of all who genuinely acknowledge the message of the gospel of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. This church, we believe, has many valid local expressions and denominations. God through the Holy Spirit equips every believer with spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. Mature believers recognize this and participate in God’s work alongside other followers of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 2:19-22; Phil. 1:1; Acts 2:42; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).No need for apostlesActs 1 (NLT) 21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”Judas was replaced not because he died, but because he betrayed Jesus. When James died in chapter 12, the church did not replace him.Rev 4 (NLT) 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.Rev 21:(NLT) 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.(IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition) Jesus had made clear the continuity between the twelve tribes in the Old Testament and the first *apostles in the New Testament by his initial numbering of those apostles.Eph 2 (NLT) 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) In 1Co 3:11 Paul calls Christ himself the foundation. Here, however, the apostles and prophets constitute the foundation as those who were closely associated with Christ in the establishment of the church. They were the witnesses of his resurrection appearances and the preachers of the good news. Filled with and guided by the Spirit, they had a unique role in establishing the church.

In today's episode, Bryan, Bo and KD talk through the fourth Article of Faith.Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS:“We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”AC: We believe that Scripture affirms two ordinances in the church: water baptism and communion. Mature believers participate in both ordinances. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:35-39; Rom. 6:1-5; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).--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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

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:“We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.”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 God’s 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:“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”AC: We believe God’s 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 Christ’s death on the cross as a payment for the sin of humanity. Those who repent of their sin and believe in God’s work are forgiven and restored to relationship with God. This is salvation, and it is God’s 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 can’t 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 God’s 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.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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

This is a story of how God restored the things that Mormonism stole. ParentingMarriageCommunityRelationship with GodConstantly trying to fit into a box of someone else’s 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.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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

In 1842 Joseph Smith published 13 articles of faith for his new Mormon church. In this episode we talk about the first article, which is all about God. How does it compare to biblical Christianity?Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS:“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”This sounds trinitarianLDS:Father has a body of flesh and bones, D&C 130:22.I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory, JS—H 1:17.ordained in … the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods, D&C 121:32.AC: We believe in a sovereign, triune God. By His power He spoke the world into existence. God alone is self-determined, self-governed, and self-sufficient. He is eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each possesses all the attributes of deity. All are equal in power and glory. (Rom. 1:18-20; John 1:18; 1 Cor. 2:16; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; Isa. 46:10).AC: We believe Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many signs and wonders, died on a cross, and rose from the dead in a glorified body. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father where He continually makes intercession for His people. At the appointed time He will come again to earth to consummate God’s plan in salvation history. (Matt. 1:20-23; John 1:1,2; Rom. 3:24, 25; Rom. 8:34; Phil 2:5-10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 7:25).LDS:Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father, Alma 11:38.called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first, D&C 93:14.AC: We believe in the Holy Spirit’s effective role in God’s plan for His Kingdom. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit no one can participate in Kingdom Life. The Spirit’s first (and necessary) work is in conversion: to enlighten sinners and awaken them to their need for a Savior. At the point of salvation the Holy Spirit immediately indwells believers and begins empowering them to live to please God. The Spirit also gives them a new identity, assuring them of their proper standing with God. (John 14:16,17,26; 16:7-15; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 1:13-14).LDS: my Spirit shall be in your hearts, D&C 84:88.Holy Ghost … is a personage of Spirit, D&C 130:22.--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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --NotesMentioned in this episode:Donate Now

Today we continue our study of Acts, covering Acts 1:6-11. Here’s the question we’ll answer as we look at the text: Does God favor one nation over another?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re 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.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --This is an important question in today’s 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, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”Note 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 “Chosen ones”Deuteronomy 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 God’s favoritesBut what does the Bible say about this?Let’s warm up with a history lesson on Israel:Theocracy First King - SaulUnited Monarchy (c. 1000–930 BCE)King David (c. 1010–970 BCE) : David united the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the capital.King Solomon (c. 970–930 BCE) : Solomon, David's son, built the First Temple in Jerusalem. After his death, the kingdom split into two.Divided Monarchy (c. 930–722 BCE for Israel, c. 930–586 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. 722–605 BCE)- The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of many Israelites.Babylonian Rule (c. 605–539 BCE)- The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE, initiating the Babylonian Captivity.Persian Rule (c. 539–332 BCE)- Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BCE and allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple (Second Temple period).Greek Rule (c. 332–167 BCE)- Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire, including Israel, in 332 BCE. After his death, the region was controlled by the Ptolemies and then the Seleucids.Maccabean/Hasmonean Period (167–63 BCE) : The Maccabees revolted against Seleucid rule (part of the fragmentation of Alexander’s empire), leading to the establishment of an independent Jewish kingdom (the Hasmonean dynasty) in 142 BCE.The period saw the expansion of Jewish territory, increased influence of Jewish culture, and the emergence of significant religious sects such as the Pharisees and Sadducees. The legacy of the Hasmoneans is still remembered, particularly through the celebration of Hanukkah.Roman Rule (63 BCE–330 CE)- The Roman general Pompey captured Jerusalem in 63 BCE. Herodian Dynasty (37 BCE–4 BCE) : Herod the Great ruled as a Roman client king.Jesus’ life, death, resurrectionIn 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple following a Jewish revolt.Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE) : A significant but ultimately unsuccessful Jewish rebellion against Roman rule.Byzantine Rule (330–636 CE)- The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) controlled the region until the early Islamic conquests.Islamic Caliphates (636–1099 CE)Rashidun Caliphate (636–661 CE) Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 CE) Abbasid Caliphate (750–969 CE) Fatimid Caliphate (969–1099 CE) Crusader Period (1099–1291 CE)- Crusaders established the Kingdom of Jerusalem, controlling the area intermittently until 1291 CE.Mamluk Sultanate (1291–1517 CE)- The Mamluks, based in Egypt, controlled the region following the Crusaders.Ottoman Empire (1517–1917 CE)- The Ottomans conquered the Mamluks in 1517 and ruled the region until World War I.British Mandate (1917–1948 CE)- After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine.State of Israel (1948–Present)- Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, and has since been a sovereign nation. The region has seen various conflicts and peace processes involving neighboring countries and entities.Acts 1:6Acts 1:6 (NLT) 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”has the time come… free Israel and restore our kingdomThere was a payoff that Israelites historically had in their minds, Israel-centricCan’t blame them; It was even articulated by an angel to Mary:Luke 1:31-33 (NLT) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”And understood by the prophet Anna:Luke 2:38 (NLT) She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.Disciples were thinking of all of this in nationalistic and political terms(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) The question the disciples asked reflects the embers of a once blazing hope for a political theocracy in which they would be leaders (cf. Mk 9:33-34; 10:35-41; Lk 22:24). Now the embers are fanned by Jesus' talk of the coming Holy Spirit. In Jewish expectations, the restoration of Israel's fortunes would be marked by the revived activity of God's Spirit, which had been withheld since the last of the prophets.Longing for the return of the glory days of King David and Solomon(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Through the witness of Jesus' apostles, 'the kingdom' would be restored to Israel, but not in nationalistic or political terms, nor immediately in the full and final sense outlined in biblical prophecy (cf. 3:19-26).Acts 1:7-8Acts 1:7-8 (NLT) 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”not for you to knowThe disciples weren’t wrong about the big idea (God’s kingdom would come), they were wrong in many of the detailsNext week: there are some things that are not for us to know, at least not yet. Can you handle that? End times - so many people want to know! YT is blowing up with videos(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Christians have to live with the tension of knowing that the work of the gospel is central to God's eschatological plan, but never being able to calculate the exact date of the End.Sickness - why won’t you heal this person?Marriage - why haven’t you brought me “the one”Ex: my friend who was obsessed with that, until he realized he needed to “get his house in order” and leave the rest to GodEx: my daughter who saw her friends dating (and failing) has learned to trust God with those detailsEx: Adam was put to sleep and woke up to Eve!Sometimes we’re like the kids in the backseat, pestering God with our questions. Sometimes it’s simply not for us to know. We need to trust his plan and his timing.But you will receive powerGk “dunamis”, our word for dynamite!Watch for this in the chapters ahead: power!Power to do miracles, for sureBut even more importantly, power to speak out…you will be my witnessesFirst, the apostles were eyewitnesses(Pillar New Testament Commentary) As 'eyewitnesses' (Lk. 1:2; cf. Acts 1:3a), they guarantee the historicity of the major events in Jesus' life, and as those uniquely instructed by him (Lk. 24:44-8; Acts 1:3b-5), they pass on Jesus' own understanding of his person and work.This is important, and it’s why we don’t need prophets/apostles in that sense todaySee Does God Still Speak Through ProphetsSecond, this is a calling on every ChristianAnd one of the main roles of the HS in our lives Being “baptized” = all in for JesusI grew up in a charismatic churchTaught that “baptism with the HS” was all about speaking in tonguesWe’ll see why later in this seriesBut many pentecostals miss the main thing:The Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for the Kingdom of GodIt happened at the beginning of Jesus’ ministryLuke 4:14-15 (NLT) 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.The disciples already saw Jesus “tell people about him” by the power of the SpiritNow it was their turnin Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earthThis is the outline of the book of ActsThey’re starting in Jerusalem (Acts 1-7)Then they’ll move to Judea and Samaria (Ch 8-12)Then to the ends of the earthPaul’s Journeys (Ch 13-21)Paul’s Trials on his way to Rome (Ch 22-28)The book will end on a cliffhanger:Acts 28:30-31 (NLT) 30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.Notice the reverse symmetry with the gospel of LukeJesus started in Galilee of the GentilesMoved his way through Samaria and JudeaEnded up in Jerusalem for his trial and deathAs we saw last week:The gospel of Luke was about seeking Jesus and learning the truth about his life, death, and resurrection. In Luke’s sequel (Acts) the focus changes to sharing Jesus, specifically the message of his kingdom.But here’s the point, and the answer to our question: Does God favor one nation over another?Answer: NO! The shocker will be (spoiler alert):The Kingdom of God was not just about Israel; it’s an invitation that must go out “to the ends of the earth”Not the disciples’ nationalist and political agenda!Isaiah 43:8-9 (NLT) 8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 Gather the nations together! Assemble the peoples of the world!Isaiah 43:10 (NLT) “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God—there never has been, and there never will be.Isaiah 49:6 (NLT) He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”God did not choose Israel for Israel’s sakeHe chose them to be a light to the nationsOne more thing: notice “you will be”Not, “you must be” like a commandIt’s more of a statement of inevitability; a prediction; a promiseGod’s Word will go out, his Kingdom will be establishedThe only question: will you be a part of this movement?Acts 1:9-11Acts 1:9-11 (NLT) 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”he was taken upThe Luke account of this was a cliffhanger; in Acts it’s a turning pointJesus had to leave so they could take the batonNow it was their turn to bring the message to the worldTransition to the ministry of the SpiritJesus wouldn’t visit them “from time to time” to teach themNow that would be the HS’s job, a continuous presence“Men of Galilee,”Interesting that they called them thatA reminder of where Jesus first invited them to follow him: on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (of the Gentiles!?)Luke 5:10 (NLT) “From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”Q. But what KIND of people?History of GalileeThe Assyrians deported many of the native Israelites and brought in people from other parts of their empire, which increased the Gentile presence in Galilee. (2 Kings 15:29, 17:24-27)Following Alexander the Great's conquests, Hellenistic culture spread throughout the Near East, including Galilee. This influence further contributed to the region's mixed population.By Jesus’ day it was a crossroads of trade and culture, which allowed the message of Jesus to spread more easily to both Jews and Gentiles.The point: Galilee was NOT just about IsraelIsaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever…. but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.why are you standing here staring into heaven?Hilarious!Reminds me of so many modern ChristiansLove to worship God, go to conferences, study eschatologyNever go beyond “staring into heaven”someday he will returnBookends: Christ’s ascension and his return(Pillar New Testament Commentary) In effect, the introduction lays down 'the eschatological framework within which the Christian story is to unfold'. The church lives between Jesus' exaltation into heaven and his return and its life is determined by these boundary markers.In between: we need to get to workHe’s on the throne in heaven, resurrected, aliveHe’s still overseeing the whole project And he’s coming back when time is upCloseBut this picture gives us our answer to the question we started with: Does God favor one nation over another?Answer: NoThe Kingdom of God is not about national boundariesNot about earthly kingdoms that come and goThe Kingdom of God is already established in heaven. It's permanent, and Jesus is on the throne. No nation is favored; every nation is invited.Revelation 7:9-10 (NLT) 9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”In every generation, as Christians, our job is to invite people. Every nation, not just the ones we’re most familiar with. Why are you standing there? Where is your Jerusalem? (neighborhood, community)Where is your Judea/Samaria? (multisite, keep growing)Where is your “ends of the earth”? (missions)

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.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now