Introduction
Welcome Heart of the Matter Live call-in show. Phone number is 801 973-tv20 (8820) Email: Heart@tv20.tv. Rebroadcast every Tuesday morning at 11:00 am. We are blessed to offer streaming video of all our shows at: www.bornagainmormon.com Start with a prayer.
Before I came to do this show here in Utah, I knew I was going to face some heat. Personally attacked for views. Family treated differently for my views. I would expose myself to well-founded reprisals for the man I was before committing myself to the LORD. Because the show is growing, the attacks upon me have increased. Accusations are flying – most of them are true. I’ve never painted myself as anything but a sinner to this audience. I was a sinner anyway you looked at it.
I want you to know that it was my sinfulness that led me to the Lord. He gave me new life. He led me to the point where I now stand. My work and ministry has never been to those who consider themselves the elect of the LDS Church. It has always been to the sinners incapable of measuring up. I’ve been where you are, and I’ve been saved from it by Jesus Christ. I want the same for you. Now, let’s get on with the show . . . .
Observations from LDS Sacrament Meetings
Past week attended some LDS sacrament meetings. Easter Sunday. I listened intently to some very nice talks. With the exception of a few Doctrine and Covenant quotes and testimonies of Joseph Smith, I doubt many a Christian would have taken exception to the content of any of the talks I heard. They covered the essentials. But a Christian would have been able to tell that something was definitely off, missing, or unfinished.
Differences in Speaking About Jesus
There are some very subtle but interesting differences that exist when Latter-day Saints and Christians speak about Jesus. The LDS tend to speak of Him in terms of the “possibilities” he offers – “I’m so thankful for the Savior and His atoning sacrifice that gives each of us the opportunity to return and live with our Heavenly Father again.” OR “I am so grateful for my elder brother Jesus Christ who set the perfect example, making it possible for
Understanding Jesus in Christian and LDS Beliefs
Rarely are things said about Jesus applied to the LDS life in the perfect tense, or as a completed action. It’s always “His atoning sacrifice allows me . . .” “His perfect example makes it possible . . .” “His obedience gives me the opportunity . . .” Instead of a Savior who simply provides opportunities, Christians typically speak of the Lord Jesus as having accomplished all the work for them already. As Him literally being the day in and day out sovereign Lord of their lives. “He took me from sin and gave me new life.” “He saved me from an eternity in hell. I praise His name!” “He opened my eyes and made me see.” “He healed me, loves me, and guides my everyday.” “I worship Him in spirit and in truth.” “I adore Him and need Him in all that I do.” “He is the way, the truth, and the life.” “He is the First and the Last.” “He is The Great I Am.” “He is God incarnate.”
The Question of Salvation
I remain unsure, when it comes to salvation, whether odd or misguided beliefs in Jesus will affect it. I’m unsure that if a person who believes that Jesus is a “created being” that such a belief will put the uninformed in jeopardy of God’s wrath or not. But what I do know is Jesus said, “You MUST be born-again.” And if you’re not, you will NOT see the kingdom of heaven. Period. Over the past 9 or so years I started to weigh all this stuff out. I had to ask myself this question: “When it comes to Jesus, what beliefs will lead a person to being born-again and what beliefs will lead away from it?” One belief that fortifies spiritual regeneration is the biblical teaching that Jesus was God in the flesh.
Importance of the Shema
The Babylonian Talmud stretches out to approximately 1500 pages. Most scholars of Hebrew agree that the central passage of all those verses is Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – The Great Shema. It is the watchword of the Jewish faith. It is one of the most foundational texts of both Jesus and Judaism. The text from the Law of Moses contains only six words: Shema yisrael adonai eloheynu adonai echad. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” The Shema literally means, “Hear!” The Shema is so important that the first line of the Mishnah asks: “From what time in the evening may the Shema be recited?” The Shema was recited by priests in the temple. It is said that from birth this phrase is whispered in a Jewish child’s ear by its parents and on the deathbed, the Shema is repeated. From childhood to death, the Jews have the
The Oneness of God
Shema on their lips. Why? Because it declares the oneness of God. When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment, he quoted the Shema, and extended it by including Leviticus 19:18. The Shema is not a prayer but a statement of faith and it was offered in response to the polytheistic nations surrounding Israel. Polytheism is any type of faith-based belief in more than one God.
“Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One.” This is a foundational tenant of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – That there is only One God. One. When God commanded Moses to go before Pharoh, Moses asked what he should tell Pharoh the name of God was. Exodus 3:14 “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, “I AM” hath sent me unto you.
Biblical Affirmations
Who is this I AM? John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto (Jesus), Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus was not “a God.” He was not a “trainee God” who needed to come to earth and gain a body. He was not the literal offspring of a Father God who has a body with armpits, a scrotum, and a set of lungs. Nor was He part of an eternal regression of God’s. “And the Word was GOD.” And in verse 14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” Isaiah 7:14 … and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us.)
Jesus and the Father
John 10:30 I and my Father are one. John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me. “Hear, O Latter-day Saints, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.”
Mark 10:18 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except one, God. In my opinion, all the claims of being a Christian are mute if a person does not realize that Jesus was, is, and forever will be, God. And all attempts at being reborn through faith on Him are at best hindered so long as Jesus as thought of as an elder brother, a creation of God, or as a being that is in training to rule over His own universes some day.
