Heart of the Matter 2.0: For Those Who Have Lost Hope – Part II

Hey – Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. 2.0 here and our show tonight is titled:

Let’s begin with a Word of Prayer.

Show 14 “For those who have lost hope – part II”
January 30th, 2018

We are TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM WHAT WE ARE CALLING THE SHOWDOWN right here at the CAMPUS church studios with none other than Dr. James White and myself. There has been some kickback to the term, showdown. And I want to address this.

Almost everything I do and say has a purpose. And often it is a play on words to illustrate a concept. The title, Showdown has it automatic meaning right? A gunfight, a confrontation, the ultimate battle. In a sense this is what I meant because what this meeting, in part, represents (in my mind) is the “traditional” meeting face to face with the inevitable “future of the faith.” So “showdown” is quite appropriate in this sense. But I also used the term to mean something VERY different from the traditional sense – in this way we can see that words and their meanings from yesteryear do not always mean the same thing in a modern context. And there is a lesson in that alone. But we call Heart of the Matter a show. “When is the show. What time is the show?” People will ask. Because it is a show, I often assume the role of a showman, and I say and do things to entertain and push the envelope. Show”DOWN” is purposeful in this meeting with Dr. James and I because we are taking “the show” element out or down of what Heart can sometimes be and we are going to speak completely from the heart – no showmanship – a show down.

So, try not to let the marketing and promotion of the event get to you. That element of our ministry is rarely what it seems – which is why it is so fun – at least for us.

Upcoming Event Details

February 13th from 8-11 PM – Dr. James White and myself. If you want to get a seat here in the church studio get here EARLY. Otherwise, tune in at hotm.tv for the live stream.

A Guide to Space Travel

I want you to imagine for a minute that you have never done anything in your life and that everything has sort of lined up for you to have the funds, health and time to both chart and take a ten-year long journey into space. Your transportation can take you out as far as time will allow and your purpose is to compile “a guide to space travel” from the trip. It will not be a cushy trip. Instead it will be one that is pretty close to backpacking. You will go it alone and you will be subject to all the good and bad such a journey would entail. Ten full years of space travel but only a month to prepare.

Let’s also suppose that you are introduced to a simple man who has not only traveled in a similar fashion but he, due to his love for space, wants to help chart the best routes possible, the best places to see and experience, and some of the things and places to be wary of. He has done this because he LOVES and ADORES space travel. Period. His interests are due to an adoration to space and the traveling through it not anything else in heaven or earth. He is a space travel purist. Would and could the simple man's insights be of benefit to you and your future travels?

Now, news gets out that you are going to take the trip and before you know it you are being bombarded by people who are out to position “their special interest” as vital and important to what you are going to do. There are travel and tourism groups that want your ear, thousands of space food companies, film producers, book writers who all want to support you so you will in turn, endorse them and their products. In other words, all of these people and purposes want to sway and color the way you spend your time on your journey. They want you to be concerned with their wishes and desires which will take time and attention away from the purpose of your journey in the first place. You also discover that people who love Mars try and promote Mars.

Exploring Simple Christian Truths

Over all other places – telling you to spend more time there than anywhere else. Same with fans of the Sun, Beetlejuice, Jupiter, and Pluto – you name it, there’s a special interest group for it. The rewards are great if you take them up on their offers and join their team – a much more comfortable trip. So, you have a decision to make – be true and keep your focus pure on space travel or buy into their special interest and views, and let them become your agenda as a means to have more comfort.

It almost goes without saying that due to time and an inability to sort through all the special interests, your best resource to prepare for your trip as it was intended will be to appeal to the person who has gone before you and can, due to his experience, help you avoid the perils of such a trip while giving you some great general advice on exploring space alone. Got all of that?

Well, here on Heart of the Matter, I trust that there are people who are driven to take an exploratory trip into their search for the Christian God too. And there are simple men and women who have gone before you that have no ambition but the love of God to communicate with you. Nobody can live the trip for you, neither can anyone perfectly interpret what you will see and experience, but there are those who can help you along the way.

Pursuing Honest Christian Exploration

Why listen to them? Because like the experienced simple space traveler in the example, they have had one ambition in mind through their travels – to honestly understand Christian truths. Period. Not what men claim to be true or best. Not special interest religions. Not endorsements of a denom or people who appeal to what has traditionally been done. Not for money. Not fame or power. These types cannot be bought nor can they be dissuaded by alienation, criticism, or hate. They have traveled the space of Christianity with one ambition – a desire to know God in spirit and in truth.

If you are interested in honest applicable contextual Christianity and hope to avoid the pitfalls and promotional BS of special interest groups (meaning denominations, 'ists' and 'isms', and doctrinal disputations) they are there to try and help. How to tell the simple men and women from all others – they don’t care about the minutia, the rules, the demands of others. They love. They allow you to be who you are in Him. They allow you to believe as you wish and love you along the way. And they have the power of God to accept all others in His Name. They know the journey is yours and are unconditionally there to love and support you along the way.

Distinction Between Traditions and Principles

Alright, going back to last week, tonight I am going to lead you to what might be seen as some deeper exploration and observances. Admittedly, these are going to receive even greater resistance from the lovers of Religion out there. Last week we called out show: “For those who have lost hope” and talked about ways and reasons to continue to live the faith today in the face of the fact that everything in the Bible is over and complete materially.

On the left side of the board, we put all the things that believers ought to be dead to and on the right side of the board, we listed all the spiritual principles that continue to reign over the lives and hearts of people of God. It looked like this:

Completed Biblical Policies and/or Practices
Eternal Biblical Principles

Keeping genealogies
Spiritual Regeneration

Circumcisions
The beatitudes subjectively subscribed

Water Baptisms
Sermon on the Mount Principles

Laying on of hands
Humility

Casting out demons/Satan
Kindness

Binding things through prayer
Peacemaking

Tithes
Forgiveness

Healing attempts
Longsuffering

Corporate prayer
Trusting in God in all things

Organizational development
Constant communication with God

Offices in the Church
Selflessness

Gender differentiations
Love to all, all the time

Public tongues
Spirit mind over fleshly mind

Apostles
Proper application of parables

Threat of hell, second comingChrist’s return, fulfilled in 70 A.D., ending the old covenant—not the world., end of world
Taking up our personal metonymical crosses

Separation from the World
Bearing our personal burdens

Excommunication
Involvement with other peoples as Christ

Worthiness for Physical Salvation
Personal development toward Christ

Diversity of Gifts
Suffering the deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. of flesh

Old Testament Repentance models
Generosity

Religious restrictions of every kind
Living the joyful life by the Spirit

Religious authority of every kind
Personal faith

Religious judgments of every kind
Faith by hearing

All things Jew and all things Gentile
Planting and watering the Word

Affiliations with the Nation of Israel

The Great Commission (as it is presently defined)

Now, some of you bocked at the thought that some of these are…

The Unnecessary Needs of Religion

Over. But remember, if or since Jesus has had the victory, everything is fulfilled in terms of all that they were doing materially in preparation for His coming.

We had a caller last week who tried to inject the need for Catholicism, for example. Aside from all the obvious foolishness of such a claim, this idea that he shared has been in the heads of people since Catholicism took hold – that there is a need for religion to have authority, buildings, rites and the like. Just remember, central to these beliefs is the idea that Jesus is coming back. Take that away and the whole house of cards crumbles. So there is no need to debate anything about religion until a person accepts right eschatologyStudy of “last things”—TGNN teaches all biblical eschatology was fulfilled in 70 A.D. More. Once they do, the rest of it becomes silly, at best.

Moving Beyond Milk to Strong Meat

Now the writer of Hebrews touched on the body moving on in chapter six of the epistle.

In chapter five, he wrote:

Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

And then recall what he says next (which is found in the first verse of chapter 6).

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.

What does that line mean, “Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works?” What we have to first realize is that there is (or was) a foundation laid that was a foundation “of repentance from dead works.” In other words, repenting for not complying with dead works was once a thing. The writer of Hebrews here says, don’t relay that foundation.

Understanding Dead Works

My question to you is this:

In this age, when Jesus has had the victory over sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. and death and the grave…

In this age when God has written His laws upon our minds and hearts…

In this age when the material church has been shaken to the dust and we are all part of His spiritual kingdom…

Where the Spirit reigns through fruits of the Spirit – which is love…

What can we suppose are dead works that Christians today are constantly repenting of failing to do, participate in, accomplish?

Let that sink into your soul – and as a means to help it sink I am going to repeat this:

In this age, when Jesus has had the victory over sin and death and the grave…

In this age when God has written His laws upon our minds and hearts…

In this age when the material church has been shaken to the dust and we are all part of His spiritual kingdom…

Where the Spirit reigns through fruits of the Spirit – which is love…

What can we suppose are dead works that Christians today are constantly repenting of failing to do, participate in, accomplish?

Now look back at the board. I would suggest that repenting over a failure to participate in the left side is what this means.

If you're a Mormon, it’s, “I need to repent for not doing my genealogy, or attending the temple, or whatever.”

For a Catholic, it’s, “I need to repent for not going to confession, or mass, or for failing to say the Rosary.”

For a far-right Evangelical, it might be, “I need to repent for failing to vote Republican, or for not blowing up that abortion clinic, or for not setting the homosexual next door straight.”

Listen closely. This is gonna sting some of you if you are getting me tonight – It might mean to stop repenting for not saying your prayers at night, for failing to fast, pay your tithes, or anything else you believe must be done to be right with God. Those are dead works.

Stop laying the foundation of repentance from dead works, the writer says…

And move onto perfection – if God is willing in your life.

Now I want to move us even further along to an understanding of perfection in this age of fulfillment. This is going to get radical.

Doctrinal Positions and Faith

For some and cause great consternation for them – but I love ya and just cling to where you feel safe, okay.

Let's go to our board again.

In addition to what is over in terms of Practices and Policies and what remains in terms of Spiritual Principles, I would also suggest that the following doctrinal positions also fade from the list of things vital to the faith.

Completed Biblical Policies and/or Practices
Eternal Biblical Principles
Ended Debates over Theological Demands

Keeping genealogies
On creation and the periods demanded
Circumcisions
Stances on the fall
Water Baptisms
Spiritual Regeneration
On the flood
Laying on of hands
The beatitudes subjectively subscribed
On the ark and animals
Casting out demons/Satan
Sermon on the Mount Principles
On the Law
Binding things through prayer
Humility
On Marriage
Tithes
Kindness
On the Nation of Israel
Healing attempts
Peacemaking
On the Make up of God
Corporate prayer
Forgiveness
On the make up of Jesus and Holy Spirit
Organizational development
Longsuffering
On the Virgin Mary
Offices in the Church
Trusting in God in all things
On Apostles authority
Gender differentiations
Constant communication with God
On debates over authority, doctrine, and practice
Public tongues
Selflessness
On Resurrection
Apostles
Love to all, all the time
On heaven and hell
Threat of hell, second coming, end of world
Spirit mind over fleshly mind
On Calvinism, Arminianism, whatever
Separation from the World
Proper application of parables

Personal Faith and Its Expression

Excommunication
Taking up our personal metonymical crosses

IN FACT, and to take it all the way out, it seems to me, that in this age, the only real questions a human MIGHT have (MIGHT HAVE) for others is . . .

Worthiness for Physical Salvation
Bearing our personal burdens
• Are they a person of faith, and
Diversity of Gifts
Involvement with other peoples as Christ
• Are they a professed Christian.
Old Testament Repentance models
Personal development toward Christ

Religious restrictions of every kind
Suffering the death of flesh

Religious authority of every kind
Generosity

Religious judgements of every kind
Living the joyful life by the Spirit

So let me go to a new board to explain.

All things Jew and all things Gentile
Personal faith

Affiliations with the Nation of Israel
Faith by hearing

Views on Faith

The Great Commission (as it is presently defined)
Planting and watering the Word

From how I see it, Christians will be most effective and true in their faith and walk if we all start seeing the World like this:

Those who are not of faith

• Our view is IF led by the Spirit, to share Jesus with them in love.

Those who are of Faith

• Our view is we rejoice in their recognition of God in their lives as this is moving toward Him.

And those who profess faith in Jesus Christ

• Our view is since Jesus has had the victory, and since there are an abundance of differing views about Him and how to follow Him, ANY AND ALL WHO PROFESS FAITH IN HIM are received as believers. (Cath, Morms, Baptist, Meth . . .
  If He is received we rejoice, and if He is rejected we love them AS THEY ARE and trust in God’s handling of them. Additionally, we don’t KNOW if the God they are following and worshipping is Jesus. So, if led of the Spirit we share Jesus, we trust God is leading them, and we love along the way as people of faith. If they are seekers, they will draw in closer to God and His Son through knowledge. Again – any and all who profess faith in Jesus Christ are part of the family. With THESE we engage in truth and love as brothers and sisters.

WE CANNOT TELL WHO IS GENUINE EXCEPT BY THEIR LOVE.

Those who are God’s Son’s and Daughters

In and through this prescribed approach we accomplish a number of things as followers of Christ in an age when He has had the victory over sin, death, the grave and material religionA fulfilled system of temples, rituals, and laws—replaced by direct spiritual relationship..

First, we will be known by our love for all in His name and cause – across the board.

Second, we will step back from policing the world and will begin to operate from a position that God is in charge because Jesus has had the victory.

Third, we will open our arms to people of faith (instead of offending them by dogma and demands) which will allow them to hear and see far more effectively that our previous approaches, and

Fourth, we will allow the walls of sectarianism and denominationalism to fall which will bring more light into the situation that the approaches of the past and thereby helping more people to know Christ by faith.

One final note:

In this approach, there will always and forever more be those few who will zealously pull back to the former approach, and they will continue to divide (which for some reason makes them personally feel good about themselves) and they will continue to point fingers at EVERYONE who does NOT conform to how they see the world.

Critique of Religious Zealotry

to the last box. These zealots presently (and in the past) have pointed accusatory fingers of heresy, evil and a waiting hell to

• MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ACCEPT JESUS BY FAITH
• AT ALMOST ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A FAITH IN GOD, and
• AND ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE NO FAITH AT ALL.

The Consequences of Misguided Preaching

This is one ugly, heinous, anarchonistic way to reach people with the Fantastic Finished Work . . . of Jesus Christ.

Engagement and Discussion

Let’s open up the phone lines:

801 957-

Remember, James White here with us Tuesday, February 13th 2018 8-11PM. Watch streaming or shop up in person.