Unveiling Mormonism

 In this episode, Bryan and Bo discuss the concept of priesthood in Mormonism. They explore the Mormon belief in the restoration of the church and the priesthood through Joseph Smith. They discuss the biblical perspective on priesthood, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate high priest and mediator. They explore the idea of a royal priesthood, and the role of leadership and authority in the church. They highlight the toxicity of priesthood authority in Mormonism and contrast it with the biblical concept of authority. The conversation also dives into the two orders of the priesthood, the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, and the significance of Jesus as the ultimate high priest. Takeaways:The Mormon belief in the restoration of the priesthood through Joseph Smith is a central aspect of their faith.The biblical perspective on priesthood emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate high priest and mediator between God and humanity.New Testament Christianity did not have priests or temples, as Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system and became the final mediator.Leadership and authority exist in the church, but Mormonism takes the concept of authority to a toxic level, elevating it to a priesthood authority that only certain individuals possess.The Aaronic priesthood originated with Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the Levites. The Melchizedek priesthood is a more obscure reference in Genesis, but the book of Hebrews explains that Jesus is the ultimate high priest in the order of Melchizedek.The worthiness aspect of priesthood in Mormonism can lead to guilt, shame, and public humiliation for those who are deemed unworthy. However, the Bible teaches that salvation is not based on good works or priesthood authority, but on God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.--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

Todd shares his personal history with Mormonism and his journey of questioning and seeking to understand Jesus. He discusses the differences between the Mormon Jesus and the biblical Jesus, as well as the challenges he faced in leaving Mormonism. Todd emphasizes the importance of seeking truth and experiencing the transformation that comes from knowing the real Jesus. He offers advice for those still entangled in Mormonism and encourages them to take off their Mormon backpack and embrace the grace and truth found in biblical Christianity.Takeaways:Questioning and seeking to understand Jesus is a natural part of the spiritual journey.There is a stark contrast between the Mormon Jesus and the Biblical Jesus.Leaving Mormonism can be challenging, but seeking truth and experiencing the transformation that comes from knowing the real Jesus is worth it.It is important to give grace to others and embrace the grace and truth found in biblical Christianity.--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 --

Jesus is the most controversial figure in human history. Everyone has an opinion about him, for better or worse. Today we look at the sham trial of Jesus, and all of the irony it contains. The trial of Jesus shows us how people in every generation can get Jesus wrong. Both the religious and irreligious can misjudge the Judge of all. --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 --Q. How has the world misjudged Jesus?Famous atheists (irreligious) who did it:Bertrand Russell (Philosopher and Mathematician): "Historically, it is quite doubtful whether Christ ever existed at all, and if He did, we do not know anything about Him."Christopher Hitchens (Author and Journalist): "The teachings of Jesus are not the Sermon on the Mount, where he behaves in an exalted and wise manner. It's the idea of the prodigal son, where he says that if you're really, really sorry, if you're genuinely sorry, if you really ask for forgiveness, you can be forgiven. It's a horrible idea."Richard Dawkins (Biologist and Author): "The alternative to the God hypothesis is not the hypothesis that Jesus was God incarnate. It is the hypothesis that Jesus was a zealot, executed for sedition, whose followers perpetuated his cult by deifying him." from Dawkins' book "The God Delusion," in which he argues against the existence of a personal god and criticizes religious beliefs, including those related to Jesus.The God Hypothesis: the idea that there exists a supernatural creator who is responsible for the universe and everything in it. Dawkins argues that this hypothesis is not supported by evidence and should be rejected.Irony: Jesus is the Judge!John 5:22-23 (NLT) …the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.Today we’ll see Jesus on trial. Can you imagine it? The Judge of all, the Creator, in court being judged by his creations!? We’ll see that misjudging Jesus is nothing new. But when it happened 2000 years ago for the first time, it was not a group of atheists making such offensive statements. It was the religious elite themselves. Let’s get to the text…Mark 14:53-54 (NLT) They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious lawThis was the Sanhedrin, the “influencers” in Jesus’ dayThe Sanhedrin was a Jewish council that existed during the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It was made up of 71 members and served as the highest religious and legal authority among the Jews in ancient Israel. The Sanhedrin was responsible for interpreting Jewish law, settling disputes, and making decisions on religious and legal matters. It played a significant role in the governance of the Jewish people and the preservation of Jewish traditions and customs.Peter followed him at a distance The disciples were supposed to be testifying FOR Jesus: Mark 13:9 (NLT) “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.”But Peter is following at a distance. (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Peter has forsaken a discipleship of costly following (8:34) for one of safe observation.Peter had even more reason to hide on the fringe.  He had cut off the servant to the high priest’s ear.  Now, as they came to the home of the high priest, the risk of the servant reporting what Peter had done to him was real. Jesus’ healing of the servant’s ear was not only merciful to the servant, it was merciful to Peter as now there would be no evidence against him. As much as we’re disappointed in Peter’s cowardice to deny Jesus, it took courage for him to even be here. We set ourselves up for failure when we follow him at a distance.  We need to be in close, intimate relationship with him to experience his power in our lives.  Are you following Jesus at a distance? Do people know you’re a follower?  Is there evidence in your life?  Mark 14:55-59 (NLT) Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!The TrialThe religious leaders had constantly accused Jesus of breaking the law. The irony is that they broke the law in nearly every detail of their sham trial. Mark 14:55-59(Pillar New Testament Commentary) According to the Mishnah, twenty-three members of the Sanhedrin were necessary to judge capital cases, with reasons for acquittal preceding reasons for conviction. In capital cases, a verdict of guilty required a second sitting the following day. Both sittings had to take place during daytime, and neither on the eve of Sabbath or a festival (m. Sanh. 4.1). Witnesses were to be warned against rumor and hearsay (m. Sanh. 4.5). A charge of blasphemy could not be sustained unless the accused cursed God's name itself, in which case the punishment prescribed was death by stoning, with the corpse then hung from a tree (m. Sanh. 7.5).Compare this to the dirt that is dug up on political leaders running for office.  It’s so easy to find foolish decisions, double talk, and even illegal activity for most, if not all, of our political leaders.False accusation: ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’”Jesus had said he would destroy “this temple”.  He didn’t say, ”this temple made with human hands”.  He was talking about his body. Morgan on their accusation: “This is the most diabolical form of untruth, because it is an untruth in which there is an element of truth. We remember Tennyson’s words: ‘A lie that is all a lie, may be met and fought outright; But a lie that is partly the truth, is a harder matter to fight.’” Have you ever been accused of something that wasn’t true?  Did you have anybody stick by your side and say, “That’s a lie!”  or “That’s inaccurate!” None of the disciples defend Jesus.  They’ve all abandoned him.  We know that Peter and another “unnamed” disciple enter the courtyard of the high priest, but there is no indication that either of them gave testimony to support Jesus, and at least in the case of Peter, completely denied they even knew him.  Prophecy to David fulfilled: 2 Samuel 7:12-14 (NLT) For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son….(Pillar New Testament Commentary) According to 2 Sam 7:12-14, David's son would build a temple to God's name. This son receives God's promise, "'I will be his father, and he will be my son.'" The builder of God's house, in other words, will be God's Son. In a way truer than his accusers could have imagined, Jesus fulfills 2 Sam 7, for he will presently confess himself before the high priest as God's Son, and his resurrected body will replace the earthly temple.But for all of their desire to catch Jesus in sin and find real claims against him…But they couldn’t find any.The perfection of Jesus is essential to the gospel. Without perfection, his sacrifice isn’t enough. The truth about Jesus is simple: he lived a perfect, sinless life.Hebrews 7:26-28 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.Mark 14:60-61 (NLT) Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”But Jesus was silent and made no reply.Jesus remaining silent is a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.Jesus could have mounted an impressive defense - all of the miracles he had performed, the many people he had healed, lives changed.  Even demons had testified to his deity and he could have forced them to do it again. Jesus knew what needed to happen.  He had settled it in his mind earlier this night in the garden when he prayed, “Not my will, but thy will be done.”  “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”(Pillar New Testament Commentary) In the original Gk. the wording is put in the form of a statement with a question implied ("'You are the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?'"). The "you" is emphatic, and "the Blessed One," a Jewish circumlocution for God's name, means none other than "God's Son." The effect is to put a full Christological confession into the mouth of the high priest! In vv. 56 and 59 Mark noted that false witnesses could not agree against Jesus; now, in the question of the high priest, his arch-prosecutor confesses his name! How ironic that in the Gospel of Mark the two most complete Christological confessions from humans occur in the mouths of those responsible for Jesus' death: the high priest in 14:61, and the centurion at the cross in 15:39!“It was a tacit confession that Christ had been proved innocent up till then. The high priest would not have needed to draw something out of the accused one if there had been sufficient material against him elsewhere. The trial had been a dead failure up to that point, and he knew it, and was red with rage. Now he attempts to bully the prisoner that he may extract some declaration from him which may save all further trouble of witnesses, and end the matter.” (Spurgeon)Mark 14:62 (NLT) Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”Jesus said, “I AM.” (someone finally makes the right judgment!)Jesus himself finally makes the right judgment about his identity. He’s not just the Messiah, he’s the Son of God.Pillar: The testimony that the Sanhedrin seeks against Jesus is in the end not provided by the false witnesses but by Jesus himself in the claim to be God's Son. One of the common themes in Mark’s gospel up to this point has been Jesus’ attempt to veil that he is the Messiah.  Not only would his claim of being the Messiah escalate the tensions with the religious leaders, as we see it so clearly does here, people had so many misconceptions about what the Messiah was supposed to do.  Would they have listened to his teachings about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, forgiving their enemies, etc. if he had proclaimed directly, “I am the Messiah.”?  (Pillar New Testament Commentary) In order truly to understand the meaning of his person something has been missing. The missing element has been the necessity of his suffering. Only in the light of suffering can Jesus openly divulge his identity as God's Son. At the trial the veil is finally removed.The High Priest must have thought he hit the jackpot.  Failed accusation after failed accusation hadn’t produced evidence to be able to condemn Jesus.  Now, with one simple straightforward question, the High Priest has all he needs to accuse Jesus of blasphemy.  It wasn’t blasphemy of course, because Jesus is the Messiah.  He is the Son of Man.  This claim that Jesus would be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand also represented a place of judgment.  The religious leaders thought they were judging Jesus, but this statement speaks of the time when Jesus will be judging them at the right hand of the father. How the trial ends:Mark 14:63-64 (NLT) Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”(Pillar New Testament Commentary) It was the claim to be God's Son (v. 62), not Messiah, that sealed Jesus' fate before the Sanhedrin. The charge of blasphemy is powerful, if indirect, proof of Jesus' claim to be the Son of God.Above all, it is the high priest, not Jesus, who blasphemes, because Jesus is God's Son. The section ends with mockery and abuse – both signs of judgment:Mark 14:65 (NLT) Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.“Prophesy to us,” they jeered.(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Interestingly, the one specific mockery reported is the taunt for Jesus to "'Prophesy!'" Since the high priestly clan were Sadducees who denied the existence of angels and spirits (Acts 23:6), it is easy to imagine their desire to discredit anyone like Jesus who was believed to possess the spirit of prophecy.And the guards slapped himWe talked about how Jesus bore our shame a couple of weeks ago.  How shameful to be spit upon.  He took the brutal beating - the beating we deserved.  The torture he endured culminated on the cross, but it began before it. Mockery and abuse – both signs of judgment. Can you imagine it? The Judge of all, the Creator, in court being judged by his creations!?Close:Back to the question we started with:Q. How has the world misjudged Jesus?There are countless ways to do it, whether you’re coming from a religious lens or an irreligious lens.Jesus is who he says he is: fully God, perfectly good, and savior of the world. This is what the Bible affirms, and he will judge those who deny it.John 5:22-23 (NLT) …the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.Acts 10:42 (NLT) And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.

Paul, a former Mormon, shares his journey as a Jack Mormon and his eventual encounter with the Jesus of the Bible. He discusses his struggles with doubts, questions about Mormon teachings, and the challenges of being a non-believer in a devout Mormon family. Paul also explores the concept of sealing and eternal families in Mormonism and how it affected his own family dynamics. Ultimately, he shares how his encounter with Jesus transformed his life and brought him a deeper understanding of grace and love.Takeaways:Questioning and seeking answers is a natural part of faith journeys.The concept of sealing and eternal families can be a source of confusion and conflict for Mormons.Encountering the Jesus of the Bible can bring a deeper understanding of grace and love.Leaving a religious community can be challenging, but finding a supportive community and focusing on the teachings of Jesus can bring transformation and peace.--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

Today's bonus conversation discusses the recent purchase of the Kirtland Temple by the LDS Church and explores the history and significance of the temple. The purpose and design of the Kirtland Temple are examined, along with the departure of the Saints from Kirtland. The conversation also touches on the splintering of Mormonism and the purchase of the temple by the RLDS Church. The episode concludes with final thoughts on the Kirtland Temple and why – for Christians – it's no longer necessary.--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 --Takeaways:The Kirtland Temple, the first temple of the LDS Church, was recently purchased by the LDS Church for $190 million.The Kirtland Temple holds great significance for Mormons as it is a holy building where Joseph Smith received multiple revelations and experienced spiritual manifestations.The Kirtland Temple was a preparatory temple and differed from modern Mormon temples in terms of its design and rituals.The RLDS Church, now known as the Community of Christ, purchased the Kirtland Temple in 1880 and held ownership until the recent purchase by the LDS Church.The purchase of the Kirtland Temple by the LDS Church signifies the restoration of a historic and sacred site for Mormons.

James and Jolene share their personal history with Mormonism and their journey of questioning and doubting their faith. They discuss the challenges they faced as they discovered historical discrepancies and began to explore alternative beliefs. James shares his experience of seeking truth in the Bible and having a mountaintop experience where he surrendered his life to Jesus. Jolene talks about the pain and struggle she went through as her husband chose Jesus over their previous beliefs. Ultimately, both James and Jolene found their faith in Jesus and became Bible-believing Christians. Click on this link to check out Jolene’s book with their whole story:Into God's Arms Takeaways:Questioning and seeking evidence is essential in the search for truth.Mormonism and biblical Christianity have significant doctrinal differences.The Bible is a reliable and trustworthy source of truth.Transformation and joy can be found in embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ.--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 Into God's Arms: A Woman and Her Family Come Out of Mormonism and Find Jesus!--Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

Today we’re looking at the famous story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. It’ll give us some insight into our question for the day: How should you pray in your hour of need?--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 --Today we’re looking at the famous story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He’s moments away from his betrayal and death, and he knows it. His actions – and by contrast his disciples’ actions – give us some insight into our question for the day:Q. How should you pray in your hour of need?Maybe this is exactly what some of you need to hear today. You’re in an hour of need…With your emotions: fighting anxiety, depressionIn your marriageLooking for a spouseWith your financesPersonal example:Let’s go to the text…Mark 14:32-34 (NLT) They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”“Stay here and keep watch with me”Jesus brought the three disciples with him for a reason: “Stay here and keep watch with me” in view of his distress and grief. He didn’t want them to pray WITH him (to have a prayer meeting): “Sit here while I go pray.” He wanted them to pray FOR him and be available to him (“keep watch with me”) while he was going through his anguished conversation with the Father.Jesus just wanted a wing man. Can you relate? Personal story: But here’s the most interesting part:“he became deeply troubled and distressed” and “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death”“The two verbs translated ‘deeply distressed and troubled’ together ‘describe an extremely acute emotion, a compound of bewilderment, fear, uncertainty and anxiety, nowhere else portrayed in such vivid terms as here.’ (EBC)Why so much angst? It goes against what we’ve come to expect from Jesus: measured, confident, at peace. Personal story: my angst re: panic attack, felt so weak. Jesus experienced this?Here’s what was happening: the picture of Jesus at Gethsemane shows us the human side of Christ. “Gethsemane reveals the humanity of Jesus with astonishing fidelity. He is shown to be ‘anything but above temptation. So far from sailing serenely through his trials like some superior being unconcerned with this world, he is almost dead with distress.’” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)Remember hypostatic union?The Council of Chalcedon, held in 451 AD, affirmed the doctrine of the hypostatic union, declaring that Jesus Christ is "perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body." This formulation reconciled the seemingly paradoxical aspects of Jesus being both fully divine and fully human.The council also condemned several heresies, including Nestorianism, which emphasized the distinction between the divine and human natures of Christ to the point of suggesting they were two separate persons. The Chalcedonian Definition, the statement of faith produced by the council, rejected this view and affirmed the unity of Christ's person.Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.And here’s why it was crushing: not because Jesus was afraid to die, but because he would have to absorb the wrath of God for our sake. God wouldn’t cancel his wrath against humanity, he would spend it on Jesus.(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Not his own mortality, but the specter of identifying with sinners so fully as to become the object of God's wrath against sin – it is this that overwhelms Jesus' soul "'to the point of death'" (v. 34).Let’s read on to hear his actual prayer:      Mark 14:35-36 (NLT) He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”“If it were possible” – maybe there’s another way, an “out”, a pathway that avoids sufferingHave you ever prayed this way? Are you praying this way now?With your anxiety, depressionIn your marriageLooking for a spouseWith your financesAbraham and Isaac - he had the knife raised… and then God provided an “out”Genesis 22:9-14 (NLT) When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”(Pillar New Testament Commentary) That is a prayer for God not to strike the shepherd (14:27). Is it possible for Jesus to fulfill God's will in all ways but this one, or in some other way? Perhaps like Isaac the sacrifice can be averted even though the arm of Abraham is raised for the dagger's plunge. The plea of Jesus suggests that he is genuinely tempted to forsake the role of the suffering servant.So is that a promise? Will God provide for me? Will he answer my prayer?Or consider a second example: The famine in Egypt - God used Joseph to deliver the Israelites to GoshenGenesis 47:2-6 (NLT) Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” They replied, “We, your servants, are shepherds, just like our ancestors. We have come to live here in Egypt for a while, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.”Pharaoh granted their request, and they avoided suffering. Was there another way God could forgive the sins of human beings? Apparently not. A price had to be paid. God could not simply wipe the slate clean by an act of his choice, because that would violate his justice and holiness. “Everything is possible for you…Please take this cup of suffering away from me.” With one exception: it is not possible for God to act in a way contrary to his nature. It is not possible for God to NOT be holy or just. Thus, in a real sense, it was not possible for God to take the cup of suffering from Jesus, if he was to accomplish redemption.Sometimes our wants don’t line up with God’s will, and it’s not always a sin thing. Not always sin to want something else, but always a sin to consciously reject God’s will.Jesus never sinned, yet he’s expressing a real desire here that doesn’t line up with the Father’s will. In the most human moment in Jesus’ life – in the Garden of Gethsemane – he says the thing that’s hardest for a human to say: “not my will, but yours be done.” This is the essence of godly prayer. Express your heart to a personal God. Then submit to his will no matter what. That’s a dirty word these days: “submission”. “The cup is the same one Jesus referred to in 10:38-39 - the cup of the wrath of God. In the OT it is regularly used as a metaphor of punishment and judgment. Here it obviously refers to Jesus’ death. Jesus’ desire was for the removal of the cup. But he willingly placed his will in submission to his Father’s will.” (EBC)(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Gethsemane… presents us with a uniquely human interplay between the heart of the Son and the will of the Father. Jesus' prayer is not the result of calm absorption into an all-encompassing divine presence, but an intense struggle with the frightful reality of God's will and what it means fully to submit to it.“Abba, Father” - look at the personal language. “Daddy”Do you pray this way? Informal, pleadingStory: Kenzie’s first stitches, looking at me with pleading eyes: “Daddy, how could you let this happen?”Romans 8:15 (NLT) So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”We can be raw with God! HonestConsider the Psalms…But watch how Paul finishes the thought:Romans 8:17 (NLT) And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.“Everything is possible” for God, but that doesn’t mean he’ll always lead us down a pathway that avoids suffering.But look at how hard that is for us: Mark 14:37-38 (NLT) Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”Observations: This all occurs at a very late hour. Sleep is understandable given the hour, the stress of the day, etc. Yet they had an assignment, which they could have fulfilled.“The verbs ‘watch’ and ‘pray’ are both imperatives…. The conquest of temptation can only come through these two actions. The spirit (a reference to the human spirit) might be willing to do what is right, but the human body is weak.” (EBC)Mark 14:39-40 (NLT) Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.Interesting: the same prayer as before. Let’s spell it out: ““Everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”Mark 14:41-42 (NLT) When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”NIV: “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come.”The words “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest.” are either ironic (Sleep then, if that’s what is so important to you) or a question (Are you still sleeping and resting?). The latter seems better in view of the situation. (EBC)(Pillar New Testament Commentary) The third time Jesus finds the disciples sleeping he retorts, "'Enough!'" (v. 41). This translation is simply a guess at the meaning of the original apechei, which seems to be an utterance of exasperation, perhaps "'What's the use?'"Look at the incredible contrast: Jesus is in anguish; his disciples are snoring! And then the climax: “The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”“Up, let’s be going”This is the resolve that flows out of godly prayer - let’s do this. God, I’m submitted to you no matter what happens. Your will, not mine. “‘Let’s be going’ cannot be intended to suggest flight, for the Lord had always reserved himself for this ‘hour’ and had now finally embraced the Divine Will concerning it. Jesus did not go to flee from Judas but to meet him.” (EBC)Close:Q. How should you pray in your hour of need?Be honest, vulnerable - share you heart w a personal GodBe willing to submit to his will, even if it means sufferingThen move forward, trusting his will to be done.

In this conversation, Bryan, Ross, Bo and KD discuss the misinterpretation of Mormon doctrine into the Bible. They explore passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:39-42, 1 Peter 3:19, and James 2:17-18, which Mormons use to justify their beliefs. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the language, context, and author's intent when interpreting biblical passages. They debunk the Mormon interpretations and emphasize the biblical teachings of salvation by grace through faith, while exploring the role of works in Mormonism and comparing it to the Christian perspective. The episode dives into the interpretation of James 2:14-26 and the relationship between faith and works. It concludes with a personal testimony of experiencing newness in Christ.Takeaways:Misreading Mormon doctrine into the Bible can lead to a distorted understanding of biblical passages.Understanding the language, context, and author's intent is crucial for accurate interpretation of the Bible.Mormon interpretations of passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:39-42, 1 Peter 3:19, and James 2:17-18 are not supported by the larger context of the New Testament.The biblical teachings emphasize salvation by grace through faith, not by works or ordinances. Mormonism places a strong emphasis on works as evidence of faith and as a means of salvation.In contrast, Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and good works are the result of genuine faith.James 2:14-26 is often misunderstood, but it emphasizes that true faith will produce good works as evidence of its genuineness.Accepting Jesus and experiencing newness in Him brings a transformation in motivation and a reliance on the Holy Spirit.--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 conversation, Bryan, Bo, KD, and Ross discuss the misinterpretation of certain Bible passages by Mormons. They focus on three specific passages: Ezekiel 37, Isaiah 29, and John 10. The hosts explain how Mormons often read their own beliefs into these passages, claiming that they prophesy the coming of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the gospel. However, they demonstrate that these interpretations fail to consider the language, context, and author's intent of the original texts. By examining these passages more closely, they debunk the Mormon misinterpretations and provide a more accurate understanding of the biblical message. Takeaways:Mormons often misinterpret certain Bible passages to support their beliefs, particularly regarding the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the gospel.These misinterpretations fail to consider the language, context, and author's intent of the original texts.By examining the passages more closely, it becomes clear that they do not prophesy the coming of the Book of Mormon or the restoration of the gospel.It is important to read the Bible in context and be aware of proof texting, which can lead to misinterpretations. Focus on the broader story and Jesus when studying the Bible.Beware of proof texting and misreading Mormonism into the Bible.Mormon cultural folklore can perpetuate misinterpretations.Understanding language, context, and author intent is crucial for Bible study.--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 --

The New Testament tells us the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the spread of Christianity. This overview of its message will help you understand the New Testament.--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 --The New Testament tells us the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It then describes the spread of Christianity. It ends looking forward to Jesus’ return and his future reign. In order to help you understand the New Testament, we've put together this overview of its message, and how the message relates to the books of the New Testament.Jesus came to earth to fulfill God’s promises.As we learned in the last episode, in the Old Testament, God had made a promise to a man named Abraham: the promise that God would save the entire world from sin and its bitter effects. Sin alienates people from God and calls for his just condemnation. Sin brings death and trouble into the world. Yet when the Old Testament ended, God had not finished this part of the promise. He hadn’t yet rescued and redeemed the world. That’s what Jesus’ coming was all about. He came as the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, as well as many other promises in the Old Testament. The very first verse in the New Testament is rooted in the fact that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise.Matthew 1:1 (NLT) This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham. The coming of Jesus fulfills the story of the Old Testament. That’s why, as Christians, it is so important to read the Old Testament, because it tells us everything God was doing until the coming of Jesus. It also provides a context to understand the death of Jesus and his resurrection. Jesus died and rose again to save people from their sins.Jesus came to this earth to die on the cross for our sins. He did a lot of other important things, but Jesus’ most important action was to die in our place, on the cross, for our sins, so that we could be rescued. This is the emphasis of the Gospels, the four books that appear first in the New Testament. The Gospels are accounts of Jesus’ life. The first, Matthew, was written to tell Jewish people how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Matthew presents Jesus as an authoritative teacher, including five large blocks of Jesus’ messages. The second, Mark, provides a vivid, dramatic overview of Jesus’ life. He emphasizes what Jesus did more than what he said, pointing to his identity as the suffering Son of God who offers himself as a sacrifice for sins. Luke traveled with the apostle Paul. His gospel stresses that Jesus is the Savior for all people, including the lowly and marginalized. Jesus brings the promise of rescue to all ethnic groups.  Like Matthew, John was an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry. His is the most theological of the four Gospels. He points to Jesus as the eternal Son of God, the self-revelation of God the Father in human flesh. While each of the gospels reveals aspects of who Jesus is, they all reach a climax by giving extended attention to his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. This focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection is maintained throughout the New Testament. It contains many letters written by apostles like James, John, Peter and Paul to individuals and churches, in part to explain how Jesus is our Savior, and reinforcing his death and resurrection.Paul wrote many of these books with this same message. For example, the book of Romans gives us perhaps the most basic explanation of Jesus’ role in God’s plan of salvation, including an understanding of sin, justification, and new life. For example:Romans 5:1 (NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.This verse explains how Jesus’ death on a cross connects to our lives.  When we believe (put our faith in) him, we receive forgiveness for our sins. The connection with God that humanity lost in the Garden of Eden was restored through Jesus Christ. We’re forgiven of  our sins and we receive eternal life. That’s a really important theme, not just in the New Testament, but through the whole Bible. For example, Paul also wrote Galatians, in response to threats by false teachers, stressing that we are made right with God by faith in Jesus alone, not by obedience to religious laws or by religious rituals. His letter to the Ephesians covers many topics, but centers on God’s eternal purpose and grace. He explains how Christ has reconciled all creation with God, and how Christ has united people from all ethnic groups with himself and into his church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul strongly reprimands the church for problems in their conduct, and includes a strong section about the resurrection of Jesus and what it means to believers.No one knows who wrote the book of Hebrews, but it helps to make the connection very clear between the Old Testament and the saving work of Jesus. Jesus is the substance of all Old Testament laws and rituals, so he is the one who fully reveals and mediates God’s grace.Jesus commissioned his followers to make disciples. Before Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father (where he is right now) he gave us an important command. After he saved us and rescued us, he then commissioned us and sent us out. These words apply to us as much as the first hearers. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”The rest of the New Testament explains how Christians did this, how they went out into the world and told their friends - and strangers even - about the good news of Jesus Christ and his salvation for them. Much of this is recorded in the Book of Acts. It was written by the same Luke who wrote one of the Gospels. Acts captures the story of how Jesus worked in his church through the Holy Spirit, leading his people to fulfill his commission. It describes how the church grew numerically and expanded across the Roman world. The first half focuses on Peter’s role, while the second half follows the work of Paul. Acts helps us understand how you and I can go out into the world and tell people about Jesus.Earlier, we saw how the letters of the apostles reinforce the saving work of Jesus on the cross and his wonderful resurrection. They also help those who become his disciples to live as followers of Jesus in ways that honor God.Paul wrote many New Testament letters, which are called the “Pauline Epistles.” He wrote several to churches. 2 Corinthians is his second letter to the Christians in Corinth. He recounts the troubles he has faced in his ministry and expresses his joy in their response to his first letter. He then defends his authority as an apostle of Jesus and confirms the disciples in their faith. Paul wrote Philippians to thank the church for a gift they had sent him. He urges them to stand firm in the face of persecution, to rejoice in every situation, and to live as citizens of the heavenly kingdom. Paul wrote to the Colossians to refute false teachings about Jesus. Jesus, he says, is the very fullness of God, the Creator, and the head of the church. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in him. Paul also wants them to know who they are in Christ, and how they should accordingly live.Paul wrote four individual letters, including two to his long-time coworker Timothy. 1 Timothy gives him instructions about how to lead the church with sound teaching and godly example. In 2 Timothy, Paul again offers guidance in ministry, knowing that his life will soon be over. He focuses on Timothy’s own life and character, and encourages him to be steadfast and to prepare others for ministry. Paul wrote Titus to another coworker. He had left Titus on Crete to help the new believers there, so he sent him advice for how to organize the churches and help the believers pursue godliness. He wrote Philemon to a friend, about one of his slaves who had run away. This slave met Paul in Rome and came to faith in Jesus. Paul interceded for him with his master.The central theme of following Jesus as a disciple is also central in the “General Epistles” - those written by other apostles apart from Paul. The letter of James, written by the brother of Jesus, tells Christians that genuine faith will result in a life of good works, including faithfulness in trials, listening to God’s word, and avoiding favoritism and prejudice. The apostle Peter wrote two New Testament letters. In 1 Peter, he seeks to encourage believers who are persecuted or suffering, instructing them to look to Jesus for hope, and to remain faithful and to live a God-honoring life. In 2 Peter, he warns about trouble that will arise within the church, such as false teachers.The apostle John wrote three letters. 1 John is the longest. It addresses a false teaching that claimed God would never become flesh, because flesh is bad. John offers us assurance of salvation based on Jesus’ work. It also warns how Christians who stray from the truth can also easily stray from their obedience to God. 2 John and 3 John are very short letters dealing with specific people and issues that John was familiar with. The last General Epistle is Jude, the brother of Jesus. He writes to encourage believers to stand up for the faith, and to warn them about false teachers who sought to undermine their obedience.In these New Testament books, we see that through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, as God’s people, we can be changed. We can be mature disciples of Jesus. And we learn that together with God’s people, we can change the world. We can make disciples for Jesus. The New Testament shows us that God’s church is not perfect. Christians are not perfect by any means. But under the lordship of Jesus Christ, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can transform the world and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ. Now let’s look at the final part of the story of the New Testament…The end of history is already written, and God wins. After explaining what happened with Christians in the first century, and giving us a lot of ideas about how to live lives of faith, of honoring God and helping others, the Bible looks to the future. It tells us how Jesus will return one day. And when he returns, God will deal with sin and death forever, to eternally restore his relationship with his people. This theme appears frequently in the New Testament. For example, in 1 Thessalonians, Paul expands on the future coming of Jesus. In 2 Thessalonians, he exhorts believers to stand firm in their faith until Jesus comes back.But God’s future for his creation is most vividly expressed in the Book of Revelation. This book is mainly a record of the apostle John’s visions of events that are to happen in the future, surrounding the return of Jesus. Using “apocalyptic” language, full of symbols and images, it warns of the final showdown between God and Satan, which is ultimately won by Jesus when he comes. His appearance will usher in an eternity of blessedness. Revelation explains that God and Jesus are on the throne, and it describes what God’s future plans for his people look like.Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT) “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”God’s future for us is depicted as paradise. For those who believe in Jesus, it says that we will be connected to God - and to God’s people - for all eternity. We will live lives of deep meaning and purpose as we worship God. This future God is calling us toward is the hope-filled end of the New Testament. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, it’s not just some fairy-tale future. It is your assurance.  The TakeawayI hope you will read the New Testament. As you read it, I hope that you will get to know Jesus Christ, and get to know God’s great plan for you, for the whole universe, and for his church.