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Baby Jesus couldn’t tell us anything about his birth, because he was fully baby. But grown-up Jesus can. In this episode we'll look at three reasons Jesus came into the world... in his own words.
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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.
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05 Baby Jesus (Christmas Eve)
Title: Three reasons Jesus came into the world (in his own words)
Intro: Kids and ChristmasI’m not sure if kids really write letters to Santa anymore. You can probably just tweet at him or send him your wishlist on Instagram. But I did come across a couple actual letters from kids to Santa that I wanted to share with you:
Dear Santa,You did not bring me anything good last year.You did not bring me anything good the year before that.This is your last chance.Signed, MadisonDear Santa,There are three little kids who live at our house.There is Jeffrey; he is 2.There is Ashley; she is 4.And there is Norman; he is 7.Jeffrey is good some of the time.Ashley is good some of the time.But Norman is good all of the time.I am Norman.Kids love Christmas. Do you know who was the first kid at Christmas?
Jesus! (Did you ever think about that?)Tonight we’re finishing our Christmas series
The Story of Christmas from People Who Were Actually ThereThe innkeeper: make roomThe shepherds: The wise men:King Herod:Today: Baby JesusThe most important person who was actually there is… Jesus.
We don’t have his viewpoint as a babyBecause he was fully baby, so he doesn’t rememberHow many of you remember when you were a baby?Some people claim to remember their birth, but that’s bogus:We have "infantile amnesia," the inability to recall events from the first few years of life. Memory formation, particularly episodic memory (the ability to recall specific events), begins to function more reliably around the age of 3–4.My earliest memory is about 5 Sunday morning, brother’s face bit by a German ShepherdSo, baby Jesus couldn’t tell us much about his birthBut grown-up Jesus canAt Christmas we tend to think of Jesus as a baby, but Jesus didn’t come to just be a baby, He came because He’s Immanuel, “God with us” Today: three reasons Jesus came into the world (in his own words)John 3:16 (NLT) 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son….”
Jesus came as the ultimate demonstration of God’s lovePrinciple: the gift you give is a demonstration of your loveNot everyone understands this (me, AJ)“This is how _____ showed his love: he gave me ______”God understands this principle, that’s why he gave his one and only sonUltimate... -
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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.
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IntroIn our penultimate lesson of our Christmas seriesThe story of Christmas from people who were actually thereThe inn keeper - making room for JesusThe shepherds - loners and outcasts invited into the storyThe magi - pagan astrologers used by GodToday: King HerodBut, as always, let’s start with a question:
Q. Whose Kingdom Are You Building?
Think about it: everyone’s building someone’s kingdomA successful friend of mine wants to start his own businessHe’s made a lot of money for the owner of his companyDawned on him: why doesn’t he start his own!!Today’s point isn’t to inspire a new generation of entrepreneursIt’s to call your attention to this fact:Everyone’s working for someone’s kingdom
Either God’s or yoursToday as we meet King Herod we’ll find a ruler desperate to protect his kingdom at all costs, even opposing God’s eternal plan.
NOTE: The Bible mentions several rulers named Herod, each playing a distinct role in different contexts. The Herods were a dynasty of Edomite rulers under Roman control, and they feature prominently in the New Testament:
1st Gen: Herod the Great: Ruler at Jesus' birth. (Matthew 2:16-18)2nd Gen:Herod Archelaus: Feared by Joseph. (Matthew 2:22)Herod Antipas: Executed John the Baptist, mocked Jesus. (Mark 6:14-29, Luke 23:7-12)Herod Philip I: First husband of Herodias. (Mark 6:17)Herod Philip II: Tetrarch of northeastern territories. (Matthew 16:13)3rd Gen: Herod Agrippa I: Executed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter. (Acts 12:1-4)4th Gen: Herod Agrippa II: Heard Paul’s defense. (Acts 25:13–26:32)Herod the Great = clear bad guy in the storyDriven by self-interest (building his own kingdom) made some terrible decisions
It’s easy to see sin in someone else’s life, isn’t it?
But when we look in the mirror, we’re often blind…
Truth is: We are Herod - we all tend to do this, act out of destructive self-interest:
Sinful HabitsAddiction that destroys you and your relationshipsOr Even Good things:Careers: pushing hard at any cost (often families)Finances: building wealth without asking “what for?”Relationships: burning bridges Influence: Gaining followers but losing friendsBlinded by self-interest: Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos (see “The Dropout” podcast) once celebrated as a groundbreaking entrepreneur who promised to revolutionize the medical industry with her blood-testing technology. obsessed with maintaining her -
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Some modern day religions claim to be Christians...but are they really? Go through this series with a small group or mentor, and let's take a closer look at some religions that may actually be cultish.
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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 [email protected].
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In this series: The Big Three Christian Cults (disclaimer #2)
Mormonism (17 million)Jehovah’s Witnesses (8 million)Seventh Day Adventists (22 million) - Is it or is it not a cult? Debated for 70 years
What is a Cult?A Clear Explanation of the Term "Cult"Define "cult" in a religious context:
Groups that claim to be Christian but deviate significantly from core biblical doctrine.Disclaimer: Not every person who is in these groups aligns with everything we are going to coverHow do cults start?
“Many cults begin with a charismatic leader or group claiming special revelation or insight that goes beyond or distorts the Bible. They often address unmet spiritual or emotional needs, offering certainty in confusing times or claiming to restore ‘lost truths.’ Over time, they develop exclusive doctrines, emphasize obedience to their authority, and create a sense of dependency by isolating followers from outside perspectives. The common thread is a departure from the core gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, replacing it with human authority, works-based salvation, or extra-biblical teachings.”Second Great Awakening, burnt over district, restorationismCane ridge revival 1801Back to basic ChristianityEnd Times fervor1844If not careful we see this happening on YouTube today.
Signs You’re in a Cult (Allen Asks)Explain that any deviation from these essentials leads to a distorted or false version of Christianity.
So what are some of the essentials?
Distortion of Scripture & Sound DoctrineSufficiency of Scripture (Sola Scriptura): The group uses its own interpretation of the Bible or an altered version of Scripture to fit its teachings.The authority and sufficiency of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17).Extra-biblical writings or revelations are often elevated to the same level as, or higher than, the Bible.Example: Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation and Mormonism’s Book of Mormon.
Deity of ChristThe group teaches a view of the deity of Christ that diverges from the traditional Christian view of Jesus being fully human and fully divine
Salvation by WorksThe group teaches that salvation is earned through strict adherence to their specific rules, laws, or practices.Grace and faith in Christ alone are downplayed or... -
Bryan, Bo and KD talk about the multiple accounts of the First Vision and the article in the Gospel Topics series.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Find the article here.
The First Vision is one of the most pivotal events in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), regarded as the moment when Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, received a divine visitation from God the Father and Jesus Christ. This vision, which Smith claimed to have experienced in 1820 in the woods near his home in Palmyra, New York, is foundational to LDS theology, marking the beginning of the Restoration of the gospel and the establishment of the LDS Church. As such, the account of this vision is central to the faith of millions of Latter-day Saints.
In an effort to address the complexities surrounding the multiple accounts of the First Vision, the LDS Church published an article titled "The First Vision Accounts" in its Gospel Topics series. The article is part of the Church's broader effort to engage with historical scholarship, acknowledging that there are discrepancies between the various accounts Joseph Smith gave of his vision over the years. While the article seeks to harmonize these differences and present the vision as a consistent and inspired event, a closer critical examination reveals several concerns, particularly regarding its treatment of historical context, the inconsistencies between accounts, and the theological implications of these discrepancies.
1. Acknowledging Multiple AccountsThe article begins by acknowledging that Joseph Smith gave several accounts of the First Vision over the years, each with varying details. This is a notable step in the Church's public engagement with historical criticism, as it is an issue that has long been raised by scholars and critics alike. The article lists the key versions of the First Vision: the 1832 account, the 1835 account (given to a man named Joshua, later written down by a scribe), the 1838 account (which is the version published in the History of the Church), and later retellings in the 1840s.
The acknowledgment of multiple accounts is an important admission, especially given that some critics have argued that the differing versions undermine the credibility of Joseph Smith’s vision. The article explains that these differences are not contradictions, but rather reflections of Joseph Smith's evolving understanding of the experience, the audience he was addressing, and his desire to emphasize certain aspects of the vision depending on the context.
While this approach offers a plausible defense for the differing accounts, the article could be seen as somewhat dismissive of the deeper implications of these discrepancies. A more robust engagement with the question of why Joseph Smith's retellings varied so widely, both in terms of content and theological emphasis, would provide a more...
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In response to Jesus, the Wise Men gave him generous gifts while holding nothing back. Join us this week as we discover who these wise men really were!
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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.
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I think there are 2 kinds of ppl who come to church around Christmas
Ppl who are very familiar w/all Christmas stories in BiblePpl whose experience of Christmas has been a lot more secularThe kind of thing you get in stores / at schoolIn the popular Christmas movies that we rewatch every yearThis series is for everyone, but especially for those who feel far from GodBecause the people who were actually there on the first ChristmasWere not the people anyone would have expectedLast week we saw the surprising inclusion of the shepherds in the Christmas storyThey were loners and losers, on the outside of societyYet God broke his 400-year silence and declared the Good New first to them!Today: another shockerThe story of the “wise men” or “magi” Maybe you thought it was normal, naturalThey’ve always been a part of the Christmas storyBut actually, it makes no sense in its worldly contextToday we’ll answer two questions:Who were the magi, and why are they in the Christmas story? What were their three famous gifts all about?Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT) 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
First of all, a few trivial facts:Only mentioned in MatthewNever says there were three of them (We three Kings…)Most likely not kings (astrologers is a better translation, as we’ll see)In Jerusalem because that’s where they would have expected to find a king(IVP Bible Background Commentary: NT, Second Edition) The Magi had come to Jerusalem because that was where they expected to find any Judean king—but Herod had apparently not had any new sons lately.Probably alludes to Nu 24:17: "A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."Bigger question: who were the Magi?Likely pagan Zoroastrian priests or scholars from Persia, skilled in astrology and prophecy.Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest continuously practiced religions, originating in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) around 1200–1000 BCE. One of the world's first monotheistic or dualistic religions.Dualism: A cosmic battle between good and evil, with human beings playing a central role.Moral principles: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds as the path to righteousness.Today primarily found in Iran, India (Parsis), and the global diaspora.Estimated at 100,000–200,000 adherents worldwide.(Here’s where it... -
The LDS church released a gospel topics essay on Masonry... and the eerily suspicious overlap of Masonic rituals and symbols with the Mormon temple. Then they removed it from their Gospel Topics section. Let's talk about that.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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The angels declared the birth of the Savior, and they came first to shepherds – showing that God’s good news is for everyone, especially for nobodies.
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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.
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Today we’re answering this question: Q. Does God Care about Nobodies?
But I want to start with a different question…When you’ve got great news, who’s the first person you tell?Our parents Our siblingsOur closest friendsBack then it was pretty simple, low-keyToday it’s a whole thing…Make fun of gender revealToday we’re going to see how God answered that questionWho was the first person he told about the birth of Jesus?You’d expect priests or prophets or kingsBut that’s not at all who he shared with firstHe went to a bunch of nobodies!?1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT) 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
This is a shocking theme throughout scripture.Abraham - a childless, a nomadic herdsman from a pagan family Moses - a fugitive, living as a shepherd in the wilderness after killing an EgyptianDavid - the youngest of eight brothers and a shepherd boy, overlooked even by his fatherAnd now we’ll see the theme again in the Christmas story…Luke 2:8 (NLT) 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
You know, shepherds are all over the place in the Bible. And so I think we maybe, when we read this, I think we might get the wrong idea about this. Because after all, Abraham was a shepherd. Psalm 23, the most famous Psalm in the Bible says, the Lord is my shepherd. Jesus is called the great shepherd. Pastors are called shepherds. And so I think when we think of the word shepherd, we think of a good thing, right? We think of a positive thing, but the reality is that shepherds were the lowliest people in society. In fact, even in Genesis chapter 46, this is Abraham saying, every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.Here’s the truth about shepherds 2000 years ago:
Shepherds:Responsibilities:Tended sheep, guided them to food and water, and protected them from predators.Dealt with the grime, smells, and dangers of working with livestock.Worked tirelessly in mundane and often thankless tasks.Social Status:Considered lowly and marginalized in... -
In 2013 the Mormon church released a series of four essays on polygamy (they call it "plural marriage") to try to explain away some of the more difficult episodes in their brief history. For many LDS members, the strategy backfired. Bryan and Bo talk about it in this episode.
Find the official gospel topics essays here.
Learn more about Mormonism vs. biblical Christianity at pursueGod.org/mormonism.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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The innkeeper missed an opportunity to welcome the Savior - not because he was unwilling, but because he was unaware. What about YOU?
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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.
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Intro
New Series starting today! The Christmas Story from People Who Were Actually ThereThe Innkeeper (today)The ShepherdsThe Wise MenKing HerodBaby Jesus on Christmas EveEvery week we’ll be digging deep on stuff you didn’t know
But I just want to take a few moments to ask you, Q. Are you making room for Jesus in your life?Maybe you think it’s hard to be focused at Christmas, after all there are:Projects to finish at work, budgets to set for next year, proposals to submit before the end of the year.Family vacations to plan, parties to throw, presents to buy, and kids’ schedules to keep up with. In fact, life can get so busy in December that it’s pretty easy to push Christ out of Christmas.We can spend so much time focusing on all the stuff around Christmas that we fail to make room for Jesus.But here’s what’s amazing, the same thing happened on the very first Christmas.Let me show you what I mean:Luke 2:1, 4-5 (NLT) 1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire…. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
Describe craziness of censusConnect to the busyness of travel during the holidaysCheck out these stats from AAANearly 80 Million Americans Expected to Travel over Thanksgiving (new record)72 million by car6 million by air2 million by “other” (joke)Can you imagine the stress of Joseph and Mary? She was VERY pregnant, worst time to travelLuke 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
(ESV) because there was no place for them in the inn.This, of course, refers to the famous point in the Christmas story where Mary and Joseph were shooed away by an uncaring, busy, and inattentive innkeeper. As a result, they were forced to find a barn or cave which is where baby Jesus was born.Although this is how the story is typically told, the real story of the first Christmas might have actually been a bit different.The word “inn” is a tricky word to translate.It can refer to a hotel as in the traditional understanding of the story.Or, it can refer to a finished guest room in a home. For example, the same word -
Mormons believe in the doctrine of "exaltation"- that worthy Mormons can become gods of their own planets some day. They believe God was once like us, and we can someday become like him. Let's unpack that heresy.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].
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Welcome back to the podcast! Cultures create an environment for faith or disbelief, so today we'll be looking at the question: is your culture keeping you from God?
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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.
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Q. Is Your Culture Keeping You from God?
Last week (ch 16) we looked at households of faithparents create an environment for faith or disbeliefGenerational blessings and cursesThe greatest generational blessing: salvationToday: we zoom out from the household to the culture at largeHere’s the thing: Cultures also create an environment for faith or disbeliefCountries, regions, citiesAlso religions, churches, faith traditionsToday we’ll look at 3 different culturesAs Paul continues his second missionary journeyAnd shares the Good News in 3 different townsTwo of these cultures kept people from GodFirst: Religious culture in ThessalonicaShocking to think that a religious culture can keep you from God!But that can definitely happenLegalismFalse religionSecond: Popular (secular) culture in AthensRemember, the gospel was just now going out to GentilesToday we see it reach Greece for the first timeAthens was home to some of history's greatest philosophers:Socrates (469–399 BC)Plato (427–347 BC)Plato founds the Academy in Athens (c. 387 BCE), the first institution dedicated to philosophy and scientific study. Aristotle (384–322 BC)Cicero (106–43 BC): Roman statesman, orator, philosopher, and writer. A pivotal figure in transmission of Greek philosophy to the Roman world. The Academy was closed by Emperor Justinian in 529 AD, marking the symbolic end of Athens as a center of ancient philosophy.The point: Athens was the center of pop culture by time of ActsAnd would be for a long timeAmerica is even influenced by thisOpposite ends of the spectrumPause and think about the culture that most influences YOUIs it religious culture?Or is it popular cultureAnd is this culture building your faith or destroying it? Let’s get to the textThessalonians: Religious Culture
Acts 17:1-4 (NLT) 1 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.
Trying to reach Jews firstNotice: women mentioned... -
The LDS Gospel Topics Essays claim that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham "by the gift and power of God". But upon further review, it seems something sketchy might have been afoot.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
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Welcome back to the podcast! In today's episode, we'll be talking about family curses...and blessings! Are they still a thing? Listen to find out!
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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 [email protected].
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Q. Are Family Curses (and Blessings) Real?
Super scary verse in the OT (Second Commandment):Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT) 4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. Generational curses? Need to cast out demons? “Bondage Breaker” bookNo! This is more about learned behaviorThird and fourth generationsYou may have met these people!Influence extends to grandkids and great grandchildrenPrinciple: parenting matters!You will pass on more than you thinkFamily idols (even today)AlcoholismPride, selfishnessMaterialism (wealth)But don’t miss the next verseExodus 20:6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.God wants to bless your family!A thousand generations vs. 3 or 4But look at the recipient of thisThose who love me and obey my commandsThe greatest generational blessing: salvationHouseholds where grandparents, parents, kids are all followersNothing better than thisVery few families have itWe’re going to see this in action in 3 families in Acts 16 today…Acts 16: (NLT) 1 Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek.
This is Paul’s second missionary journey First time we meet Timothy. This guy becomes Paul’s protege. Jewish momGreek dad2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT) 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.Notice: no mention of fatherDad was likely not a Gentile follower of GodIf he was, he would have had Timothy circumcisedOne more hint about Timothy’s upbringing…2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT) 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.Taught by mother and grandmother!The point: if you want to pass on your faith, teach your kids the Bible early and oftenNext passage:
Acts 16:13-14 (NLT) 13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the...
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Welcome to the podcast! This week, we're looking at some "fan mail" and we'll be answering the question: is the completion of the Bible the end of Spiritual gifts?
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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 [email protected].
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1 Corinthians 13 is often called the “Love Chapter” due to its powerful emphasis on the necessity of love for the Christian life. However, this passage has also been the subject of considerable debate, particularly surrounding the meaning of the term "the perfect" in verse 10 and how it relates to the continuation or cessation of spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy.
Some argue that “the perfect” refers to the completion of the New Testament canon, and therefore, the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, such as tongues, prophecy, and knowledge, ceased once Scripture was completed. This cessationist view suggests that now that we have the Bible, we no longer need these gifts because Scripture is sufficient for our spiritual direction and maturity.
This article will explore the context of 1 Corinthians 13 and challenge the interpretation that “the perfect” refers to the completed New Testament, showing instead that Paul is pointing to something far greater and still future—the return of Christ and the full revelation of God’s kingdom.
Q. Where did this interpretation come from in the first place?The interpretation that “the perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to the completion of the New Testament and that spiritual gifts like tongues, prophecy, and knowledge have ceased, primarily stems from the Cessationist theological perspective. This view emerged from a particular way of reading the New Testament and was later developed within certain branches of Protestantism.
Here’s an overview of how this interpretation evolved:
1. Early Church to the ReformationIn the early church, there was no clear consensus that spiritual gifts had ceased after the apostolic age. The early Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, referenced the continued operation of spiritual gifts, including prophecy and tongues, in their writings. However, as Christianity became institutionalized and the church grew more organized, miraculous manifestations of the Spirit seemed to become less common, leading some to believe that these gifts were no longer needed.
During the Reformation (16th century), Protestant reformers like John Calvin began to articulate a view that extraordinary spiritual gifts were no longer active. Calvin, in particular, believed that miracles and certain gifts, such as tongues and prophecy, were given for the foundational period of the church and had ceased after the apostolic age. He argued that the purpose of these gifts was to authenticate the apostles' ministry as they spread the gospel and that once the canon of Scripture was completed, they were no longer necessary. This line of reasoning laid a foundation for later Cessationist views.
2. Post-Reformation DevelopmentThe...
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The LDS Church's "Gospel Topics Essays" released in 2013. These essays were written by Mormon experts in an attempt to explain away some of the difficult questions coming against the Church. In today's episode we explore the essay titled "Are Mormons Christians?"
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Notes
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Welcome back to the podcast! Today's world is full of conflicting thoughts, ideas, and problems. In this episode, we'll be answering the question: should serious Christians ever compromise?
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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.
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Q. Should Serious Christians Ever Compromise?
Might seem like a weird questionMaybe you know Christians who never compromiseDraw hard lines everywhere on everything. Totally unbendingEx: Halloween Ex: TattoosThe Fundamental Law of Legalism: Drawing a hard line in gray areas weakens the hard lines we draw in the black and white.So we have to be smart about compromise!Parents: could win the battle but lose the warOur strategy: don’t make a big deal of these gray areas (even though we still drew boundaries) – so our kids would take us seriously when we drew the line on serious issuesA strange paradox: Biblical Christians draw hard lines in some areasAnd then they turn around and compromise in other areasToday: We’ll see the first time the church wrestled with thisIt was such a big question, they gathered in JerusalemFirst church councilEverybody was there! Peter, Paul, Barnabas, etc.To answer: When do we fight vs when do we compromise?I want to start at the end: where they landedIn the words of Paul, later, to the church at CorinthIt’s a great summary, and it shows you this is a thingCompromise, that is, for serious ChristiansCause Pauls was serious, unbendingYet look at where he landed on this ?1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (NLT) 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ…. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
Hypocrite? No way! Jesus-centered vs. rule-centeredJust wanted to point people to JesusTherefore willing to compromiseHeart issuePointed Jews to Jesus by using the law of MosesPointed Gentiles to Jesus without using the law of MosesAll along obeyed the higher law “of Christ”Ie, not free to do whatever we want (antinomianism)compromising on the Lordship of ChristLast week: Acts 14, Paul’s first missionary journey
Proclaimed the gospelContextualized the gospel for GentilesMade disciples and commissioned them to make disciplesReturned to home base, AntiochNow we have a blended church, and with that came questions…
Acts 15:1-2 (NLT) 1 While Paul and...
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In today's episode Pastor Bryan answers a listener's question about people who have never heard the gospel.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
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Welcome back to the podcast! Today we’re going to spend some time studying Paul’s first missionary journey, answering the question: What are the marks of a Biblical missionary?
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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.
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Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
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Today we’re going to spend some time studying Paul’s first missionary journey. Tracing his travels through Acts, we can break his travels into three parts:
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14): Paul, along with Barnabas, traveled through Cyprus and parts of modern-day Turkey, including cities like Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22): This journey began after a disagreement with Barnabas. Paul traveled through regions of Asia Minor and then to Europe, including cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:17): Paul revisited many of the places he had previously established churches, such as Galatia and Ephesus, and continued his ministry in Macedonia and Greece.Today we’ll answer this question: Q. What Are the Marks of a Biblical Missionary?
Today we’ll identify Three Marks.First: What is a missionary?Defn: A “sent one” who goes to a different culture to share the good news about Jesus.“Missio” means to be sent. Implication: sent on God’s mission. In the case of Paul & Barnabas: sent by the Holy Spirit, but through the local church (13:1-3)Comes from Great Commission:Matthew 28:19 (NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Why does this question matter?Not all missionary efforts are biblical!Our church: do these missionaries actually make disciples? Think of it like an investment…Goal: make moneyIf it didn’t make money, would you keep investing? At some point, NO!Back to biblical missions:Goal: make disciplesIf it didn’t make disciples, would you keep investing?Example: missionaries in SpainLiving like they were retiredNo fruit, no disciple-makingOur church: evaluating our investmentsIndividually, tooSo let’s get to the text, the first-ever Christian mission
To discover Three Marks of Biblical MissionariesThree things that were true back thenThey’re still true todayMark 1: Biblical missionaries proclaim the gospel. (14:1-7)
Easy to forget this and make the focus “doing good” for societySome famous missionaries and their humanitarian impact: John Eliot (1604–1690)Known as the "Apostle to the Indians," Eliot was an English Puritan missionary who focused on converting Native Americans in New England.Eliot advocated for the rights of Native Americans, often opposing -
Welcome back to the podcast, men! We’re going to take a break from our Stormproof series this week to talk about the upcoming election and answer the question: should a Christian vote for the lesser of two evils?
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The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.
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I’ve had multiple people in my congregation sending me videos from different influencers and pundits. Several of them are criticizing the church for not being more vocal about who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election. Is the church’s role to tell you who to vote for or teach you how to think biblically so that you can vote in a way that honors God? I would answer that it is the latter.
They cite that many pastors are encouraging people to sit this election out because there isn’t a godly candidate. Is that the right approach?
Is there a godly candidate?If you feel that you are trying to vote for the lesser of two evils and you’re not sure if you should vote at all, consider framing it by voting for who would do the most good. Is voting for the lesser of two evils a valid strategy?
Jeremiah 29:1-9 These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,[a] 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
I’m going to sit out because there isn’t a Godly candidate. The Israelites were in a pagan country and were told to pray for the peace of the city, plant crops. They were told to be engaged in the community. God didn’t tell them to disengage because they had ungodly leadership. If you were waiting to vote for a godly candidate how long would you have to wait? When is the last time you could say with confidence we have had a godly candidate? We have church leaders that we think are godly, only to find out they have -
In this episode Pastor Bryan does a deep dive on the historical context in which Mormonism was born.
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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.
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The Cane Ridge Revival of 1801 (Smith was born in 1805) was one of the most significant events of the Second Great Awakening, attracting thousands of people to the rural meeting grounds near Cane Ridge, Kentucky. Often described as America’s first "camp meeting," it became a powerful symbol of the evangelical fervor and transformative social energy characteristic of the revivalist movement. Organized by Presbyterian minister Barton W. Stone, the Cane Ridge Revival ultimately became a catalyst for the Restoration Movement and helped shape the trajectory of American evangelical Christianity in the 19th century.
Key Aspects of the Cane Ridge RevivalThe Setting and Attendance:
Cane Ridge was a small frontier settlement with a simple log church, yet the revival attracted an astonishing 10,000–20,000 people over the course of several days in August 1801. This was unprecedented for the time, especially in such a remote area. Attendees came from multiple states and diverse denominations, including Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists, drawn by word-of-mouth and the promise of a powerful religious experience.
Camp Meeting Format:
The revival used the camp meeting format, which would become a hallmark of the Second Great Awakening. People set up tents and stayed on the grounds for days, worshiping and participating in continuous services. Multiple preachers spoke simultaneously from different locations, allowing crowds to move from one sermon to another and creating an immersive, 24/7 environment of worship, singing, and prayer.
Emotional and Physical Reactions:
Attendees reported a wide range of intense physical and emotional responses to the preaching, which were often seen as signs of divine presence. People fainted, trembled, shouted, spoke in tongues, and even went into "fits." Some fell into trances, while others cried out in repentance or sang with ecstatic fervor. These manifestations were controversial but contributed to the atmosphere of awe and fervor, as many saw them as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s power.
Emphasis on Personal Conversion:
The revival centered on personal conversion experiences and repentance, stressing a direct relationship with God that didn’t depend on church tradition or hierarchy. The Cane Ridge preachers, including Stone, called people to experience a "new birth" and a deep personal commitment to Christ. This call for individual faith resonated strongly with the democratic and egalitarian ideals of the early American frontier, where settlers sought new spiritual freedoms along with their new... - Показать больше
