Claims of the Good News

Live from Salt Lake City, Utah, this is heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. where we do all we can to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host.

Show 9 484 Jesus Christ Part IV
March 1st 2016
Our prayer tonight will be offered by…

And with that, how about a moment from the WORD?

(Run FROM THE WORD HERE PLEASE)

Faith versus Fear

One of the great, the most amazing claims of the Good News is that Jesus came and saved the world while it was yet in sin… that he did the work, He lived the perfect life, and all believers have to do is receive this by faith. Isn’t that a wonderful piece of news? Ostensibly it is supposed to free those who trust in the message from fear, sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace., and deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.. Ostensibly. Interestingly enough, we know – both from Jesus and His apostles – that fear stands in opposition to the FAITH. Fear stands in opposition to LOVE.

Paul said in 2nd Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. And John said in 1st John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Religion and Induced Fear

Interestingly enough there are a number of ways and means that religion and religious people keep believers in this antithesis to faith (which is fear):

Some use GOD on others, saying:
God is angry.
Holy Spirit will abandon you.

Others use the BIBLE and say:
Must BETTER read it.
It must be lived exactly.
It should be memorized.
And they use it to beat each other.

CHURCH
Better join us, attend, serve, support, behave.

BELIEFS
Better believe exactly right or you’re in trouble.
Better believe as “we” or “I” believe or you are in trouble.
Better concur with how the majority believe or you aren’t saved.

Obsolete Practices

1 We have the Holy Spirit.
2 God has written His laws on our hearts.
3 These things bring fear.
4 Fear is in opposition to faith and Love.
5 These things are obsolete!

1 We have the Holy Spirit.
2 God has written His laws on our hearts.
3 These things bring fear.
4 Fear is in opposition to faith and Love.
5 These things are obsolete!

If you do this you are in trouble.
If you do this you’re not a Christian.
This sin is permissible but these sins are not.

AUTHORITY
Don’t respect his (or my) authority, you’re fighting God.
Don’t do what I say, you’re fighting God.
Fear if you are fighting God.

HELL
Hell is forever and there is no getting out.
Don’t believe as we do, you’re going to hell.
Don’t live as we live, you’re going to hell.
Don’t read this version of the Bible you’re in danger of hell.
All of these things kill faith and kill love.
Don’t attend our type of church you’re going to hell.
THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS!
Commit this sin you’re going to hell.

Christ's Two Births and Regeneration

So we see that using God, Bible, Hell. Etc…

Alright let me open up tonight with a brief EMAIL from Chris in San Antonio. It says:

From: Chris

“Shawn, I have to admit, I cringed when you said that Jesus had to be redeemed. I am willing to hear what you have to say on the matter, but my first reaction is that since he was w/o sin, I can’t imagine how in the world he would ever need redemption. I am a preterist, but I don’t see how those issues are necessarily related.”

May God continue to bless your ministry.

REALLY great comment and a great reason to cringe, Chris.

Last week we talked about Christ, and we said that since He was a Man, and “men need to be born-again” (in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven,) was asked, “was He?” If He was, when and where was Christ “born from above?” Understanding this is hugely important to our understanding more about His make-up and nature (as Lord and Savior) but also about regeneration in general.

Interpretations of Spiritual Regeneration

Now, remember the idea behind the terms, “re”-generation, “re”-birth, born “AGAIN.” Most in the faith maintain that there is no reason for Jesus to have been spiritually regenerated since He was God in the flesh from the start. Others maintain that He was born from above at His water baptism, when the Holy Spirit fell as a dove upon Him and God spoke saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” I think we can at His birth He was the Son of God. I think we can say that at His water baptism with the decent of the Holy Spirit he was anointed for the ministry and God announced that He was indeed His beloved Son and that He was well pleased with Him. I maintain that both of these positions have merit but neither of them are complete in and of themselves regarding the total regeneration of Jesus.

Complexity can be a frightening situation and so as a means to get through or past it most of us accept simplified explanations as a means to save time and simultaneously feel secure. But we are talking about the very eternal God having His Word take on flesh, become a human being, and then after living by every word which proceeded from the mouth of God, suffered an incomprehensible death in the flesh He inhabited, rose up over the grave after three days death, and then as the man Jesus of Nazareth entered into heaven AFTER living life on earth! This was unheard of happening before and it’s not a subject that can be simplified or fully explained by our measly minds.

Jesus' Two Covenant Worlds

To the question then, “Was the Man Jesus born again? and there is a biblical precedence that says, “yes, He was,” and that it occurred at His resurrection. Don Preston says there is an important biblical concept relative to the “two births” of Jesus and that they relate to two Covenant Worlds.

Jesus was born twice – physically, then spiritually. Both births were “into” specific Covenant Worlds – the first into the Covenant World of the Jew, and the Second into the Covenant World of Heaven. He was not born into a second covenant world of gentiles that exists here on earth. Again, the first birth was into the covenant world of the Jews and the second was the covenant world that exists in heaven.

According to Matthew and Luke Jesus was most assuredly born in the flesh of the virgin Mary. But there were certain limitations inherent in his first birth and these limitations were foundational to His being the promised Messiah. The uniqueness of his first birth to the Jews needs to be placed in the biblical framework.

Remember, remember, remember, Jesus was born into the Old Covenant world of Judah (not even Israel, but the Old Covenant world of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. Judah was not “Israel.”) In other words, in the first century, when Jesus was born, Israel did not have a “covenant world.” Israel had been divorced by God and had been not only been put out of the covenantal relationship with Him but had been put out of the Promised Land in the 8th century BC. So all but Judah and Benjamin had been scattered before Jesus was born and began His ministry in Judea.

Of course He was "born of a woman, born under the law" (Galatians. 4:4).

Jesus' Ministry Focus

and He appeared “in the last daysThe final years of the old covenant age—fulfilled in the first century, not future end times. of that Old Mosaic World”, right? He did not minister to the Gentiles but was sent only “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" – who AGAIN, and at the time of His birth were only Benjamin and Judah (Matthew 15:24). Of course, the first chapter of the Gospel of John tells us that “He came into his own (and His own was literally the tribe of Judah). He didn’t even seem to have traveled outside of “the land of Judah” with a few minor exceptions.

We often overlook this very limited application or exposure of Jesus “first birth.” But we cannot lose sight of the fact that Jesus, as Romans 15:8 says, "was a minister of the circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” During his personal, earthly, “physical ministry” Jesus sent his disciples on different "limited commissions" emphatically instructing them, “Do not go along a road of the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans, but journey rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you journey, proclaim, and say the “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Constraints of Jesus' First Birth

Jesus instructed His disciples to avoid roads “leading to a Gentile city” and to stay out of Samaritan cities and direct their travels instead to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” who are scattered among and swallowed up of the Gentiles. “Salvation,” Jesus said in John 4:22, "is of the Jews" meaning that salvation to the world could only come when Israel's Messiah had fulfilled "all the law and the prophets," and when “His own rejected Him.” Therefore, Jesus' first birth was limited in regard to the world into which he was born; the Old Covenant World of Judah.

Got all that? Having been born into the Old Covenant world of Judah there was a “restriction” so to speak in Jesus' work as the Messiah. Listen carefully – according to Zechariah 6:12-13 the promised Messiah was to be “a king and a priest on his throne.” But Hebrews 7:14 tells us that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. LISTEN – this means Jesus could never be a “physical, on-earth, in the flesh, on an earthly throne priest (as what is foretold by Zechariah and the Psalms because), as the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 8:5)

"if He were on earth He should not be a priest, seeing there are priests that offer gifts according to the law."

In other words, Jesus' earthly ministry which was an extension of His first birth prohibited Him from fulfilling the prophecies of the priestly function of the Messiah (as Zechariah promised) because his fleshly birth placed him outside the sanction of that Old Covenant in regard to priesthood! This fact has “profound implications for the millennial or futuritst view” which insists that Jesus came to be a king, (thus a priest) on earth – and if not then then certainly in the future!

Implications of Old Covenant Restrictions

Again, Israel's law forbade the Messiah from being a priest because the Messiah was of the tribe of Judah (Isaiah. 11:1). How futurists believe Jesus would have been king on earth, (and will yet be one when He returns) under the Old Covenant system) had he not been rejected is beyond me. This is clearly false (in the light of Hebrews 8:5). Jesus could never be a priest on earth which means physically in any way and if He could not be a priest then He could never be a king on earth either! However, Christ's Priesthood and Kingship were once and for all "revealed" in power and glory at his coming at the end of the Old World age in A.D. 70

When this was completed we would see a result of it in a “New Jerusalem,” (which included the completed and perfected New Temple) which would come down from “a new heaven” onto “a new spiritually regenerated earth,” and, as Revelation 21:1-4 says, “the cry would go forth, "the tabernacle of God is with man.” So the first physical birth of Jesus definitely had limiting factors in regard to his Messianic mission. It seems undoubtable that Jesus was not recognized by His own. John says that He came unto His own but His own "knew him not." Several times Jesus warned his audience, (even the demons!), not to make him known! Why do we suppose that was? Because there

Aspects of the Messiah's Work

There were two aspects of the work of Messiah, one hidden and one that would be revealed when He came in His glory.

Bible scholar Edersheim says that “even among the Jews! there was an expectation of 'a temporary obscuration of the Messiah.'” How widely this obscuration went is unknown. But what we do know is that the Jews thought they knew Jesus when in truth they did not know him at all. They also thought they knew exactly what was to be done by their promised Messiah, but in fact, did not understand God’s plan at all.

This reality is driven home in Luke 24 when the two disciples walked on the Road to Emmaus and were talking to each other after Jesus' death. Thinking that Jesus had failed and not recognizing the resurrected Lord, the two men said to him, "We thought it was He that was to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). They had absolutely no idea that He had.

Listen – like the modern dispensationalists and futurists of our day, who claim that the cross somehow STOPPED the plan for Christ to reign on earth as a King and Priest, and therefore claim that He needs to return for these things to be accomplished – these Jews missed the purpose of the Cross and His death too.

Jesus' Ministry and Prophecies

NT Wright and other scholars recognize that while what Jesus did was not what the Jews expected, nonetheless, what he did was exactly what God planned. Wright says, speaking of Paul’s and his message, is, "One of the central tensions in Paul’s thought, giving it again and again, its creative edge, is the clash between the fact that God always intended what has in fact happened, and the fact that not even the most devout Israelite had dreamed that it would happen like this."

Another commentator called, Kee, commenting on Acts 3:19, says, "Neither the Jewish nor the Roman leaders were aware of the divine plan and its cosmic consequences that their humanly despicable plot to destroy Jesus would achieve."

Jesus' humble physical birth and ministry fulfilled the "hidden" aspect of the Messianic prophecies. Remember what Isaiah said? He said that the Messiah would not “break a bruised reed nor extinguish a smoking flax” (Isaiah 42:1-4). These are pictures of total humility, gentility, and not the images of glorification or conquering might! Jesus' first birth then, by purpose and prophecy, placed certain limitations on the Man. (Says Dale, “Just as our first birth places limitations on us.”)

The Heavenly Reign of Jesus

Stay with me now –

These limitations were the first step that would lead inexorably to the full revelation of the Messiah. And this full revelation was completed when Jesus could reign as a King and a Priest from and in heaven – where everything is and has been based ever since.

The idea of a futuristic return and reign of Him is not only against all the evidence in scripture which His own apostles taught was to happen in their day and age, but it is clearly against the fact that for Him to reign on earth as a physical King and Priest it was against the physical Law – which He came to fulfill, and replace with a new way, a new heaven, a new earth, and a New Jerusalem.

1. Fulfilling the law and the prophets.
2. After living by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God.
3. After suffering for sin – actually becoming sin for us
4. Healing us by His stripes,
5. And after offering His sinless life up for the sins of the world

Jesus the human being was regenerated, reborn, transformed from earth Man to heavenly King and Priest. He was "born-again" into a realm/sphere where he could fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies that futurists believe He will return to a physical earth to live out in the flesh. Again, at his resurrection Jesus was into that heavenly “realm or sphere,” – now listen . . .

His second birth or regeneration no more enables Him to become an earthly King on this physical earth any more than His physical birth did for Him to reign in heaven. He had to regenerate prior to reigning in the heavens. The only way for Him to reign here on earth is for Him to denigrate or degenerate.

Listen to how some of the apostles, post ascension of Christ, spoke of this Kingdom over which He reigns.

Paul said in 2nd Timothy 4:18 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for

The Resurrection of Jesus

And Peter added in 2nd Peter 1:10-11
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now, to put a cap on all of this, and to give you what you’ve been waiting for, in Acts 13:27 Paul preached about Jesus and his resurrection. In that resurrection, the apostle said,

"God hath fulfilled this for us their children, in that he has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my Son, This day I have begotten You.’"

Take note that the Father, speaking of the Son's resurrection says, "This Day’ I have begotten you." The resurrection of Jesus was his second birth! He was begotten by God at His resurrection!

Jesus' Birth and Resurrection

In Romans 1:3-4 Paul contrasts these "births" of Jesus, saying,

“He was "born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

He was first the Son of God in flesh, born of the seed of David and then He was “declared to the Son of God WITH POWER, according to the spiritual of Holiness BY . . . BY . . . BY THE RESURRECTION from the dead. As the Son of God with Power He is now able to reign over the spiritual Kingdom as King and Priest from heaven. We know from Hebrews that it was when Christ entered into the Heavens that He became our great High priest.

Again, couldn’t be one here – wrong tribe – but I that Kingdom certainly could and would, causing the writer of Hebrews to say:

Hebrews 5:5 – Priesthood of Christ

Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, “Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” So again, in the day that God said unto Jesus, “thou art my Son, today I have begotten you,” Jesus was made a high priest. When was that day?

Again, Paul is quoted in Acts, speaking of Jesus resurrection as saying:

"God hath fulfilled this for us their children, in that he has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my Son, This day I have begotten You.’"

So, what are we to make of all of this and how does it (or how should it affect our views on how all this applies to us today?

Jesus is our model and example, the firstfruits, etc. As such the LDS claim that He came and first did what all humans who seek to follow Him would do. The implication of this, in LDS circles, is that all people accept Jesus here, do their best to follow Him, repent when they have sinned, and hope like hell that God will redeem and exalt them after this life.

I remember reading in Hugh B. Brown’s biography that Brown passed by the late J. Reuben Clarkes house when Clarke was ready to pass. Brown reported that J Reuben Clarke was just weeping and weeping on the front porch and Brown asked him what was wrong. Clarke, through tears, just wept and wept and said, “I just hope I’ve done enough to make it.” This was an LDS man who had done more than probably 99% of other LDS people past or present!

But the unfortunate thing remains not with the LDS alone. There are believers out there who, because they can prove from the Bible that Jesus Himself was regenerated at His resurrection that the same holds true for all of us. And they go so far as to suggest that there is no such thing as spiritual rebirth here on earth for human beings. That this is a misnomer. Their support for this claim is the fact that if or when someone is TRULY regenerated or reborn, they would NOT sin. Therefore true regeneration only occurs at the resurrection of the person because it is only at this moment that a person is, well, genuinely REGENERATED.

If you think about it the implications of this, especially in the face of most Evangelical teachings about rebirth, they are enormous. And if taken wrong all of us Christians may just find ourselves standing our porches like J Reuben Clarke, weeping and wondering if we too have done enough to merit entrance into

The Kingdom of God and Christ

Are people born-again/regenerated here? I think we need to flesh this out – and so I am going to appeal to the white board once again.

ADAM (DEATH)
Adam’s “death” was gradual
JESUS (THE WAY, TRUTH and LIFE)
Jesus life was ever present

The Process of Death and Life

MAN (Eternal Life)
Our “living” is gradual

First Death
(spiritual, the day he died God moved out)
His natural birth into this world

First Life
When we are given the Holy Spirit internally (the day God moves in)

Continued Death
(of his soul – mind, will, and emotion) over the course of his life.
His perfectly lived life “according to every word that proceeded from the mouth of God.”

Continued Life
(as we learn to walk by the Spirit and not the flesh)
Eternal death (of his body)
His Resurrection (firstfruit of the grave) (flesh the veil) (His total Regeneration)

Final Result: Eternal Life

Eternal Life
in the resurrected bodies received for life lived as Christians here.

DEATH

The Way, Truth and Life

LIFE

Let’s open up the phone lines: (801) SPOT?

EMAILS

From: Joshua Russell
Subject: Life_changed
Message Body:
Hey man, I just want to thank you and your ministry so much! You all have been such a blessing to my wife and I. I have been watching for several years now; and have had my eyes open to so much about my former 'faith'. My wife actually turned me onto the show. I was born, raised, and baptized in an LDS family and we went faithfully until my parents divorced. Afterwards I continued to attend with my grandma and other relatives. The journey has been pretty long and supremely frustrating for my wife and I. until 5 years ago I truly and honestly believed Mormons were Christian. It took quite some time for myself to truly come to understand the doctrinal differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormonism; and I want to thank you so much for helping a lost soul to come to know God for who He is! It took me some time, however I finally gave myself to God last March!

While I'm still a work in progress I want you to know (I'm sure you get this a lot) that your ministry does mean so much to people, and does change lives!

From: Linda
Subject: DNA & Book of Mormon
Message Body:
Question: DNA is coming out now January 13, 2016 "DNA new evidence" for North America Indians showing link to Jew's. But did not the church originally teach that it was the South American Indians that were the ones that migrated north? Are they not now trying to change their story? Can you send me an answer to this. Thank You.

This is an enquiry email via http://www.campuschurch.tv/ from:
Matt Crain adaldan@hotmail.com
U guys were going after evangelists institutions essentially saying that there were not any decent churches out there. Well I think u should take a look at Dr. Arnold Murray and Shepherd's Chapel. He teaches verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. they don't beg for money. His videos are usually an hour long reading and translation using Strong's Concordance as a reference. Spends five secs at the end giving donation info n that's it on asking for money. I find him to be a good teacher is like to know what u think. His videos brought me out of the false raptureA misinterpreted concept—biblical “rapture” language was fulfilled in 70 A.D., not a future escape event. More doctrine and I believe his work and ministry to be the only "large church" that's actually inspired and true. Any insight u have would be appreciated.

Matt, I consulted my friend Matt Slicks cite CARM.org and this is what he says:

by Matt Slick
Arnold Murray is the "pastor" of a church called the Shepherd's Chapel which is based in Gravette, Ark, with over 200 television stations carrying his ministry. Mr. Murray presents himself as a Christian scholar, calls himself "Dr.", and says that he is an ex-marine who served in the Korean War where he was wounded. Unfortunately, proof of his doctorate degree is not available. He also refuses to provide any documentation regarding his scholastic achievements. In fact, getting any information on Mr. Murray is very difficult. He is rather private about his personal history and has refused to provide much biographical information about himself. Also, it isn't necessary to have a doctorate to be a good teacher of the Word of God. But since he refers to himself as "Dr.", it would be nice to verify his credentials. No such verification has manifested from him. Mr. Murray stated that when he was young he attended many different churches and that he has incorporated some of the teachings of these different churches into his current theology. Again, these different churches are not mentioned anywhere on his website. Were any of them non-Christian cults? What is their denominational affiliation? We want to know because we want to find

Examination of Arnold Murray's Teachings

Mr. Murray—or Pastor Murray as his followers call him—teaches a brand of theology that has many problems. Mr. Murray denies the doctrine of the Trinity, denies the existence of Hell and the rapture, and states that Eve had sexual relations with the devil and that this union produced Cain. When watching his television show, it becomes quickly evident that he is a bit condescending to those whom he claims are misled, something that seems to have rubbed off on his followers. He justifies this approach by stating that he was in the Marines and learned how to "teach his troops" with discipline. It seems his approach is lacking the humility and grace of the Holy Spirit which is demonstrated in this brief audio clip where Murray threatens someone with a 9mm handgun. In addition, it seems that he has made a false prophecy as is documented by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, a secular religious analysis organization.

Mr. Arnold Murray also frequently refers to the Christian identity movement, which teaches that the British and, therefore, the Americans and Canadians are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites, the 10 lost tribes. Jews in Israel are really descended from Cain who was the result of sexual intercourse between Eve and Satan. Murray also teaches that all people had a pre-existence in spirit bodies before they were born here on earth. Mr. Murray supports his off-base theological positions by interpreting verses in light of his preconceived ideas, sometimes stripping Biblical verses of their context. He also selectively appeals to the Strong's concordance, cites what Greek and Hebrew words mean, and weaves his theological positions into the text. In reality, all he has done is justify his ideas through his unsound interpretive techniques. I recommend that you stay far away from this man and the Shepherd's Chapel.

Additionally, it will be easy to stay away from Dr. Mr. Brother Murray as he is dead.

Evaluating Teachings vs. Personal Beliefs

All this being said, I would suggest that if Dr. Murray preached Jesus then failures aside he must bring good things to the table. So take the good and leave the not so good. Test all things, right. I say this because if we can stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the other things people believe and call them brothers, I think we can stand side by side with Murray and let God work out the details.

Church Practices Across Cultures

Hi Shawn. I'm Jimmy from Brisbane, Australia. Long time listener. A few weeks ago you spoke of how someone in the early Mormon church had everybody's donations printed out so everyone could read it. This might be new news to you but this has been going on for decades and is the norm in my parents' Samoan Presbyterian church. There are 4 major social groups in the church, Men's group, Women's, Choir, youth & Sunday school. What they do is at the end of every service, the treasurer will stand before the congregation & read out what people contributed to their groups. Some people (like I was) are involved in more than one group. When I was 17, I was in the Sunday school group, so in class the teacher would pass the plate & you'd have to tell your teacher the amount you're putting in, teacher records it, gives it to treasurer. Then before church, in the foyer, there are representatives from each of the other groups (except youth group) sitting at tables and you would have to report to the groups you're involved in and make donations to each group. Because I was 17 going on to 18, I was also encouraged to join the men's group. And I was also in the choir.

So I (or my parents on my behalf) would make my donations to each of my groups as well as my sisters' groups & their own groups. All these records are given to the treasurer to read out before the end of the service. Another thing is when the treasurer is making his way up every adult in the congregation is pulling out their own notepads to jot down what other people are donating!

It's unbelievable! Now there is no minimum amount to give, but at the end of the year, there are prizes given to the person who donated the most from each group and also prizes to those who haven’t missed a week of donations. This

The Culture of Giving in Church

Creates a competitive attitude in the giving & people are frowned upon if they donate less than $20 to their groups or don't donate at all. Families skip church every time they can't afford to donate money because people start talking when you don't donate. People go as high as $100 to each group every week. I can't speak for others, but my parents prided themselves on being able to give more than most people. They would also say things like 'oh Jimmy didn't give this week & last week, or Timmy only donated $15 today.'

I used to say to them as a young boy, this is wrong. To which they would just remind me that I'm young & I'd understand it when I'm older. To make things worse, about 3 years ago, they stopped passing the donation plate at church. Now you get an envelope, put your name on it & give that to the treasurer as well to be read before the end of the service. There is also a fortnightly donation called 'ALOFA' (translated – LOVE); this donation is for the pastor, and also gets read out. This donation is what everybody goes all out for. The more you give, the more you love the pastor. People donate 200+ dollars every fortnight! It's sickening! The whole system makes me sick! This isn't just going on at my parent's church; it's every Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS). There are about 20 in Brisbane alone.

The Role of Pastors

When I was young, I said to my parents, Jesus is the good Shepherd who feeds his sheep… why is it that at our church it seems like the sheep are feeding the Shepherd?

I got a beating for that question, haha because the pastors in this religion are treated like kings. Every family at my parent's church is on a low – mid income. My parents who haven’t worked for 20 years struggle to make ends meet. The Australian govt is very generous in that they give A LOT of financial support to families. My parents had us at an old age, so it was hard for any workplaces to take them because of their age. But they still managed to put on a beautiful lunch for the pastor every Sunday that I would have to deliver to the pastor's house after church & when I'd get there, I'd have to wait because there were 8-9 other families there before me taking beautiful dishes for the pastor to enjoy lol. On my way back home, I would stop by the shop and get a loaf of bread so we could have toast for lunch. The pastor was getting fed by the church members every day. Now he never forces anything on people, it's all free will (which is what my friends who still attend the church say), but they don't realize that the system of the church has created this culture in which everyone is competing against each other & there is a lot of guilt & condemnation when you can't compete with other families in terms of what you donate & the foods you feed the pastor, etc.

I saw this struggle from a very young age and always questioned the methods the church used. I praise God that I have been released from the chains of religion. I used to Bible bash the members of my family & old church, but it never resulted in anything productive. Now when we speak, I just ask them questions that get them to think for themselves like, is hell eternal? Where does the Bible speak of the end of the world? Etc. I find this opens them up & they go to God directly.

Personal Reflections and Discoveries

Just one question, your series on Has Jesus Returned taught me how many mistranslations there are in the Bible. Esp the word world/earth. This led me to question the flood & then ultimately led me back to Genesis (specifically the creation account). I have recently discovered covenant creation (through teachings of Mike Miano) & it makes so much sense to me. Would just like to know what your thoughts are on covenant creation if you have any.

Thanks for everything you do, Shawn! Praise God!

NO NAME

Shawn, I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to tell you thank you for what you do and for opening my eyes and starting me on a path to finding our Lord and Savior. God bless,
Travis

From: Johnathan and Jessica W.

Subject: Leaving LDS Church needing exit letter HELP

Message Body:

Hi Shawn,

Thank you for all you

Faith Transitions and Witnessing

do my wife and I are truly blessed from your show. We have come to know Jesus through your show and wish roo leave the lds church. However we are having difficulty as our Bishop doesn't know what we need for an exit letter and is refusing to help get our names off church role. We now believe that Jesus is the only way to be saved not by the lds church. Can you please help us.

Your brother and Sister in Christ

John and Jessica West.

Challenges in Witnessing at Work

From: Robert Jordan McDaniel

Subject: Witnessing to LDS @ work

Message Body:

First & foremost I really love your show! I've watched several of your youtube videos and I plan to start tuning in to your weekly show! I have a huge heart for Mormons and I want to see them come to know the true gospel and the Jesus of the bible that saves us by his grace alone.

I work with an LDS lady at my work. She is an extremely nice and sweet lady and I want to be able to witness to her…however, I only know her at work and that is the only place I see her (she, to my knowledge, does not have a facebook account). It is difficult to have a spiritual conversation because we are both afternoon teachers at a daycare (there are a lot of kids and they require all the attention).

What is the best way to go about witnessing to her? How do I bring it up? What are the best questions to ask for a short conversation (max 2 minutes).

In Christ Alone,

Jordan

Seeking Resources and Inspiration

From: Lynn

Subject:

Message Body:

I was wondering how to get transcripts from the shows? I am in the middle of 2010 and would like them. Shawn had said on an episode that they were available online but i dont see them anywhere. Also his daughter sings the scriptures and they are beautiful. How woild i get these? Is there an album?

Thanks so much to you all! I have watched the shows pretty muxh thru to 2010 since august 2015 and in oct i ledt the church and gave my heart to thw Lord and was saved! God bless you all. This show saved my life and my salvation!

In a conversation with an atheist a few years ago, I asked him to prove that music exists. We see can see transcriptions of melody and rhythm, we can discern the effects of vibrations within a medium, but music exists only in the perception of those who both hear and respond to it. For someone whose soul is not attuned to it, all that exists is unintelligible noise.

I've also been fascinated by the idea of string theory, which resonates (as it were) with the ideas you discussed in the February 23 program. On this construction, God is a musician, and the universe is a song of his composition, the Fall was the introduction of dissonance (sin and death), and Jesus's ministry is to bring all things back into harmony.

God bless,

Will Grigg