A Cornucopia of Concepts

This is HOTM and I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion. and our show tonight is titled “A Cornucopia of Concepts for your Consideration.”

Let’s begin with a word of prayer.

Show 24: A Cornucopia of Concepts

April 10th, 2018

PRAYER

For those of you who support us through finances and prayers and sharing the ministry with others, I want to take a minute and tell you that we have several things in development that are going to really get to the Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. of everything we have been addressing on the shows. One has to do with Mormonism – and it is something that has NEVER been done before that has some legs – and one has to do with Christianity in a MAJOR way. So in addition to the weekly new shows, the archived shows, two weekly live streamed verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. services on Sundays, over a thousand archived services, six books (most of which you can get for free) and some amazing songs, films and full albums – We need you – our fans – help to see these other projects through to fruition.

I know that in this day EVERYONE is asking for money and support. We stand by our guns that we would appreciate your financial support IF you have some to spare, IF you are not on a limited fixed income (meaning your old and retired) and IF the LORD moves you to help. Only then. But IF you cannot assist us with hard earned funds you can assist us in something far more powerful – Your prayers. So we would openly ask that if you do appreciate us and our efforts and information in your life, PLEASE PRAY FOR US – PRAY FOR ME and THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN presenting and creating this information. Ask the Living God, on our behalf, to sustain us so we can continue forward in doing what we do. Our stance has always been where God guides GOD provides and our real prayer is that GOD would guide – nothing more. So we covet your time and the sacrifice of your lips to our GOD on our behalf – it is far more effective and long-lasting than anything else our supporters can do. We know this and have lived it, since 1997. PLEASE PARTNER WITH US IN PRAYER.

Scriptural Interpretation Tools

Over the years I have occasionally been asked how I interpret the Scripture (BY THE SPIRIT) to get my understanding. I borrow from a medieval approach using tools they recognized even back then in addition to recognizing the context of the time the book was written, the purpose of the text, the author of the text, and the language nuances of the text. The tools I employ help me to understand scripture include a
• LITERAL VIEW – the literal interpretation of the events of the story for historical purposes with no underlying meaning.
• TYPOLOGICAL VIEW – connecting the events of the Old Testament with the New Testament; in particular drawing allegorical connections between the events of Christ's life with the stories of the Old Testament and then drawing connections between the early church (pre 70AD) with the individual life of every reader.
• TROPOLOGICAL VIEW – which might be seen as the moral says how one should act in the present, (the "moral of the story is . . . ")
• ANAGOGICAL VIEW – deals with the future events of Christian history, heaven, hell, the last judgment in the life of the individual. (Thank you Christopher)

These methods of scriptural interpretations are all used to present views that are subjectively understood and received, meaning the Spirit working on the soul of the hearer can, may, and might lead them to understand the information differently than another hearer. And this is acceptable as we are all in different places in terms of intellect, experience, attitude, and maturity. Rarely do ANY of these interpretation tools stand alone relative to scripture.

Example: The Story of the Brass Serpent

For example, the story of the brass serpent in the Old Testament. The people were being stung by fiery flying serpents. And Numbers 21:9 says:

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

I would teach this passage (and the surrounding elements of the story) using these interpretive tools in the following way:
• LITERALLY – that Moses literally fashioned a brass figure in the shape of a serpent and literally held it up for the people to see.
• TYPOLOGICALLY – that this is a type for the Christ

Understanding Willful Suffering

who would be lifted up above the world for all men to see and look to.

• TROPOLOGICALLY – and the moral of the story is for all people to look to Him who was lifted up above the world and live – to be healed of the sting of deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.; that the way is simple – to just look upon Him, and to not only live, but to escape death.
• ANAGOGICALLY – that any who refuse to look to him (perhaps out of pride or because the way is too easy) will experience death to at least part of themselves after this life.

I would then trust that all who hear the teaching would understand by the spirit how it applies to their life.

Temporal Desires vs. Eternal Significance

There has been some talk about my teaching on suffering last week. I thought I would follow it up with some more clarification. Let me start it out this way:

What is not only the price but the cost for obtaining the things in this world that we might desire?

• Of acquiring skills
• Fame and popularity
• Riches and material wealth
• Financial security and fiscal certainty, of
• Notoriety, knowledge, power?

And then what eternal significance do these things have – if any?

(Beat) I am personally convinced that what I desire in my flesh here and now (and sometimes at any cost) is wholly vapid, and my Spirit tells me that they are like a handful of peanuts at the circus, like plastic trinkets from a Cracker-Jack box, like trying to catch and hold vapors in my hands.

Lessons from Hebrews on Faith and Suffering

In Hebrews 11, the hall of Fame chapter on faith in the New Testament, the author walks through Old Testament history pointing out men and women who chose, by faith, to build on a future with God in the heavenly hereafter rather than on the now in their lives. All of the people referenced are inspiring but at verse 24 the writer speaks of Moses and says:

Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (which is a way of saying that he refused to establish his identity in the things of the earth, and he adds) 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (that last line is tough in the King James – “for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” A clearer way to say this might be, “for he respected the reward that came with his choice) And the writer continues and says in light of this) 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured (persisted), as seeing him who is invisible (looking to and fearing the invisible God and His ways over the tangible wrath of the King of Egypt).

In this example of Moses, we have a type which is fulfilled in total through the life and death of Christ who too, forsook all of Egypt (all the carnival peanuts, and trinkets and vapors of this life) in exchange for the world to come.

After giving more examples of people who refused the rewards of the earthly carnival, chapter 12 opens with this:

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore (as a result of all these types I have just given you) seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses (or examples), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame (in other words looking with contempt upon the shame that it brought to him personally, which means fully embracing the shame that came with it), and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Last week we discussed the characteristics of those who will not only have admittance into the City God has prepared for them, but into the Holy Heavenly Temple itself – and we summarized them as experiencing suffering, as seeking for truth, and operating by love. The subject of willful suffering is what is being addressed here – first in the life of Moses, then in the life of Christ, and finally in the

The Concept of Suffering in Christianity

The lives of all who actually follow their King to Golgotha. As chapter twelve of Hebrews continues, the writer now speaks directly to this suffering and describes it as being the chastening of the Lord. So, as with many things in the faith, we see “the suffering of the Christian” coming forth from two directions – self-imposed suffering (like that of Moses and Jesus who both CHOSE it over the other options this life gives) and then from the hand of God – which he describes as, “the chastening of God.”

It’s an interesting and intrinsic part of a walk with God – enduring the chastening of the Lord – something nobody really enjoys. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, asking:

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children and says, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receives. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they (the fathers of our flesh) verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he (God) for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, instead it's grievous: nevertheless, afterward, it yields “the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Life with God and Its Price

The point? The destination God has for His children – life with Him – comes with a price. In Moses's life, the writer of Hebrews puts it this way, saying that he – “Chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” with those pleasures being described as his thriving in Egypt as the Son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

In the model of His Son, the point is made clear throughout scripture winding up with Him even wondering if He could escape what His father had for Him – the bitter cup – and with His father saying, “No.”

We are not doing this by our flesh, by our will, by force. It is by the Spirit that we are all equipped, as the flesh will bear no lasting fruit. Titus 2:11-14 says it perfectly:

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

We love and receive all people. We realize that through His Son God has, is, and will reconcile all of His creations to Him. And we know of His love for all – everyone – all the time.

But at the same time, if someone is driven from the heart to be His Son or Daughter, an actual joint-heir with Christ, who will not only inhabit heaven but the city of God and have access to the Holy of Holies, they will suffer -turning from the heart from all that is in this world and submitting to His chastisements – which He bestows upon all of those who are His.

On the Nature of Jesus

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Many people use this teaching of Jesus to prove that He is God.

I want to talk about it for a minute – just to converse a little more on the topic.

In the box to the left, we are speaking about Jesus of Nazareth, who all the references in the Book of Acts refer to as “the Man – the Man” Not the God, not God with us, not Jesus God or God Jesus – the man, Jesus of Nazareth.” This is the one who was born of a woman. Who learned OBEDIENCE through the things he suffered, who was TEMPTED (remembering that God cannot be tempted) who suffered physical pain and bled and died. THE MAN.

Got that in your heads?

Now, HE was not eternal. Do you get this?

The Spirit of God in Jesus

His flesh was created, and therefore His Soul (for the mind, will, and emotion of the MAN Jesus was learning, was tempted, and was subject to his own desires – and they all came into being when He was created – not before.)

What existed BEFORE that allowed Jesus to say, “I am from above, you are from beneath, I came down from heaven, you came from the dust?” What was it about Him that caused Him to ask His father to restore His former glory that He had with the father?

The Spirit that was in His body of flesh. That spirit was God. More specifically – and this is important – it was the Spirit of God’s Words! See, God’s words are eternal, they are living, they are life, they are fire, they are truth, they create and cause all things to happen, they animate, they direct, they express only truth and light, and coming from God they are God Himself.

And His Words were made flesh (MADE FLESH) in the MAN JESUS, and in this way God made His ONLY HUMAN SON – who experienced all that we experience as a human – but Had GOD HIMSELF as the Father of His Spirit, in His DNA, and as the living driving force within Him. I am convinced that the Man Jesus born of a woman in Judea is God-Man and BEGAN His man existence at birth and having overcome all things on our behalf reigns as God-Man over all things.

He is an extension of God Himself, in Human form, and I resist the idea that He was a second “God form” separate from the One God in a pre-incarnate state – nor was the Holy Spirit a separate God form then or now. To explain the I AM verse then:

The Word Before Abraham

God said these words to Moses AFTER Abraham was. The Word of God was before Abraham.

Jesus was the promised Seed OF Abraham. He (the man who was speaking to the Jews) could not have been before Abraham!

The Word of God was before Abraham. Jesus was NOT I Am – the self-existent One – He was begotten by the Holy Spirit and Mary. The Word of God in Him was certainly the I AM. The Man Jesus with beard and blood was NOT before Abraham. The Spirit within Him (the Word of God) was before Abraham, was uncreated, was equal with God, and was God Himself! This was the Spirit of God within Him which told Him all things.

Just some thoughts for seekers to consider in their search to KNOW the true and living God AND HIS SON who He has sent.

Reflections on Hell and the Afterlife

Finally, a word about another way to talk with people today about the afterlife. We have the unfortunate habit of still talking to people about hell. In my estimation and as a result of what scripture says about hell once Jesus has come, this is most unfortunate.

But on the other hand, I think it is equally unfortunate to believe that nothing matters anymore and that God is going to treat all people the same after this life with the child rapist being on an equal footing with the kind humble loving follower of Jesus. What do we say to the fact that some people choose to live pretty horrible, selfish, mean evil lives? I say that the “Chances are they’re gonna have a disappointing resurrection.”

In the traditional Christian tradition people have said and say, “They’re going to hell,” and things like, “I don’t want to go to hell,” or “I think they went to hell.” Hell is certainly a biblical reality but in the context of biblical fulfillmentThe belief that all biblical prophecy was fulfilled by 70 A.D., freeing us to live in spiritual liberty today. it is over – in my estimation so is spiritual death. All because of the victory Jesus Christ has had over all things and in His wrapping up the age completely.

The Kingdom of God

Since the fulfillment of all things we are now in place, and have been since 70 AD, the age of the Kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future. is firmly in place and in this Kingdom, which is entirely spiritual, God has had the complete victory over Satan, hell, death, and sin (through His Son) leaving all people to now reap what they have sown while living the gift of mortal life here on earth.

Now, the Bible makes it clear that all people will be resurrected – some to life eternal and others to damnation – and it is in and through these respective resurrections that God allows human beings to experience their eternal state. These are “the many mansions” Jesus went to prepare in His Father’s

The Resurrected Body

From scripture, we know the following:

• All of us will reap what we sow.
• Those who sow to the spirit will reap to the Spirit.
• Those who sow to the flesh will reap to the flesh.
• That it is our just God who bestows “upon all” their eternal resurrected bodies.
• That there are different types, even “better” resurrections, than others.
• And that since everything but the growth of His spiritual Kingdom has been fulfilled, what remains in the balance is the question of who will receive what (type) of resurrected body after this life.

I propose that some bodies will be equipped with an ability to abide in the very presence of God (again, in His city and even in His temple), and others will only bear the capacity to dwell outside the city gates of heaven, as it were, from where His light and love emanate. The difference between the resurrected bodies all are given is not capriciously decided upon by God but is solely a matter of a person reaping what they have sown to in their mortal life – so again, sow to the flesh, reap nothing in your eternal spiritual body; sow to the spirit reap mightily to your spiritual body. Simple as that. And all the result of Christ.

Key Factors in Resurrection

So, there appear to be four key factors at work in the resurrection of all people.

First, because of Jesus Christ, all men will be resurrected. Second, God will give to all people their resurrected body according to His will and ways. Third, the Holy Spirit moves, calls, directs all to sow to the Spirit and things of God – those who have been regenerated having the capacity to listen and follow better than those who don’t, hence the value of knowing Christ here in this life.

And fourth, all people will reap to what and where they have sown in their lives. Those who sow to the flesh will reap nothing based off this because the Kingdom of Heaven is not material or carnal, and those who have sown to the Spirit (which are things of real love and light) will reap to the Spirit after this life and in the realms beyond. So, instead of telling people they are “going to hell,” I am convinced that the more appropriate term would be, “I really wonder about your resurrection.” Remembering that all of us are solely responsible for what type it will be in the end.

And with all of this, let’s open up our phone lines and see if anyone is out there who wants to talk.

The Benefit of Sin

Point One

I have to correct myself tonight. Repent, as it were. I have approached some things unwisely of late and only really realized it the other day. I thank many of you for your insights which have contributed to my renewed views. Firstly, I have to say that I think that there is a difference between how we are to think and see the Christian walk ourselves – in our subjective mind – and how we convey these views to the outside world.

I personally see our fallen nature, or our sin nature, as beneficial to me and the world around me. Let me explain this personal view – and we will call this "The BENEFIT of Sin in our Lives." There was once a group of people called antinomians who suggested that the more sin they had in their lives the more that Christ’s death would be honored – which was a rejected view way back in the day. However, there is something to the idea that sin plays a beneficial role in the human experience – whether people are believers or not.

Let me explain by first talking about sin in the life of unbelievers and believers.

Unbelievers experience a troubled conscience, guilt, shame, dissonance to self, unrest, problems, disappointment, and embarrassment. Believers, on the other hand, experience brokenness, humility, contrition, dissonance to God, lack of peace, pleading with God for strength, hating of flesh, and an indicator of their walk.

Acceptance and Lifestyle

ACCEPTANCE
RESULT: LIFESTYLE OF FAILURES
• Broken marriages / relationships
• Criminal history
• Imprisonment
• Loss of job security
• Detox and rehab
• Loss of friends

Now, this model is something I personally believe with all my heart and I use it to keep my eyes on the Lord as my flesh is so strong within me at times. But it is my personal insight.

Re-evaluating Beliefs

SO THERE’S THAT . . . But here is where the I was wrong part comes in of which I have changed my mind and turned from. Recently, I thought it important to say that homosexuality is a sin. And my justification of it was the public imposition of the above model that I imposed upon you the viewer. I was wrong to do this. And I will never again even respond to the question, “Is homosexuality (or this or that), a sin.” Never again. I was wrong to do it in the first place and I am sorry. But here’s why.

The correct response to such questions is: “Are you justified before God by faith in the blood of Christ or not?” That is it. “Shawn, is being gay a sin?” My response from this point forward, “Are you justified before God through faith on His Son.” Why?

Justification Through Faith

If the response is, no I’m not, then the follow-up conversation is why that is and what they might need to hear in order to be. Remember, God saved the world while sinners – so the status of sin is irrelevant to unbelievers. What IS relevant is, “Have you received Jesus?”

If the response is, “Yes, I have been saved by God’s grace through faith on His Son.” Then the response is always, “You have the Holy Spirit and your walk is between you and Him. All things are lawful but not all things are profitable – its up to you and Him.”

If they say, “but I am asking this question relative to someone else who’s gay?” And my response is, again? Are they saved by the blood of Christ or not? And the whole cycle is repeated – if they are not, focus on that, and if they are, its up to them whether homosexuality is sinful or not.” Get it.

The principle I missed was that it is NOT our job as Christians to stop “sin” among unbelievers. Our job is to share the solution to sin. And even moreso, it is not our job to judge sin in the heart and lives of believers – they have a relationship with God through Christ and we are to trust that He has them firmly in His grasp. In this way, we are freed from judgement – and therefore free to love without ANY obstacles. I missed this idea of late. I am sorry to all of you. I have changed – Praise God.