Sunday, June 29, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 28

Urgency of trusting Christ
  • Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (2 Corinthians 5:11).
  • God ... reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
  • Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Nathan Clark George in Concert - Sunday June 29th


It's no secret I'm a huge fan of this guy (see my previous post). He plays his music for God's glory and not his own. His lyrics are Christ-honoring and rich in Biblical truth about our Lord. NCG also writes arrangements for great hymns like "Not what my hands have done".

I found out a few minutes ago, that George will be doing a free concert at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS tomorrow (Sunday) at 5 pm.

Click here for more info: http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/86/NathanClarkGeorgeconcertflyer.pdf

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 27

Count the cost thoughtfully. Be prepared to follow Christ even to death.
  • Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:24-25).
  • If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it; lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish"? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26-33).
  • Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to "set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law"; and "a man’s enemies will be those of his own household." He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me (Matthew 10:34-38).
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Friday, June 27, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 26

Count the cost thoughtfully. Take up your cross.

Jesus repeatedly stated that the cost of following Him involves a willingness to sacrifice all.
  • Come, take up the cross, and follow Me (Mark 10:21).
  • Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul (Mark 8:34-37)?
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 25

What does God demand of sinners? Trust Him as Lord and Savior.
  • Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
  • if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Exclusivity of Christ


On Monday, Aimee and I saw a piece on ABC News and have been nauseated ever since. Here is the online article version:

Religious Americans: My Faith Isn't the Only Way

The subtitle says it all: "Religious Americans embrace many paths to eternal life _ even if their denominations don't" Here is an excerpt from the article (emphasis mine) ...

Among the more startling numbers in the survey, conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

"The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep," said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion.

This is an eye-opening and tragic reminder that Truth is found not in surveys but in the timeless pages of the Word of God!

As I have shared before here, John Piper does a great job of bringing the light of Scripture to bear on this heresy that denies the exclusivity of Christ. Piper answers--biblically--these three questions:
  1. Will anyone experience eternal consious torment under God's wrath?
  2. Is the work of Christ the necessary means provided by God for eternal salvation?
  3. Is it necessary for people to hear of Christ in order to be eternally saved?
The clear answer to each of these questions is YES!

I'll close with my favorite scene from Trains, Planes and Automobiles. It perfectly illustrates the heart of American "Religion" right now.



If you're not following the Jesus clearly revealed in the Bible, ... YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!!!
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)"

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:21-23)"
I hope to follow up with the specific passages dealing with these crucial questions in later posts.

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 24

What does God demand of sinners? Follow Jesus.
  • If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23).
  • No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).
  • If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (John 12:26).
  • You are My friends if you do whatever I command you (John 15:14).
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Joseph - A Type of Christ

Let me ask you a question?

Do you own a MacArthur study Bible? You should. I was given one years ago, and I can't think of a more memorable gift (well besides the two left basketball shoes my brother-in-law gave for a birthday present! True story!)

But I digress. Why am I talking about the MacArthur study Bible (at least until October)? Because each year I love it more and more! I keep finding things in it!

This week I came across this list of parallels of the life of Joseph to Christ.

Joseph—A Type of Christ
(Read the life of Joseph in Genesis in the verse on the left, then see how it parallels that of our Lord in the New Testament passage)

Our Pastor has been preaching through the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) for nearly a year now. He loves this character so much he did his doctoral dissertation on his life. This last week was sadly the last installment. It is easy to see why he loves to study Joseph so much! With all the similarities to Christ, the book of Genesis shows us how Joseph closely parallels the life of the most compelling and desirable Person ever to walk the earth, Jesus of Nazareth!

*MacArthur, J. J. 1997, c1997. The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) . Word Pub.: Nashville*

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 23

What does God demand of sinners? God calls sinners to repentance.
  • [Turn] to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
  • Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. (Ezekiel 14:6).
  • Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin (Ezekiel 18:30).
  • Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD (Isaiah 55:7).
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 22

What does God demand of sinners? Repentance is a heart-turning in Faith, and not an external action or work.
  • For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Sunday, June 22, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 21

What does God demand of sinners? God calls sinners to repentance.
  • I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!” (Acts 17:30)
  • Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out (Ezekiel 18:32).
  • God ... commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).
  • Repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance (Acts 26:20). That verse speaks of meritorious works, but it indicates that the inevitable fruit of true repentance is a changed life (cf. Matthew 3:7-8)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 20

Who is Christ and why did He come? Because of His imputed righteousness, He freely justifies all who trust in Him.
  • [We are] justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
  • Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
  • Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (Romans 5:9)
  • A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16)
  • Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (John 5:24)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Friday, June 20, 2008

Roundup 2 Roundup

Last week, a friend shared a link to this site. It features a short clip. Do you have 30 seconds to watch?



It also featured a longer clip that tells the story of their ministry. Do you have 3 minutes to watch?



Please take some time and read about Roundup2Roundup and pray about how the Lord might use you to get involved in this local ministry, helping to feed those who desperately need it. Man's greatest need is the Gospel, as we have been seeing this month in this blog, but the Gospel should change our lives to the point that we seek to help those who can't help us back!

Read about R2R's upcoming fundraisers (including a car wash in Olathe on July 26th), and other simple ways you can get involved!

Faith without works is dead! (James 2:17)

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 19

Who is Christ and why did He come? His righteousness is imputed to those who trust Him.
  • You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us ... righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)
  • ...That we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness ... God imputes righteousness apart from works (Romans 4:5-6)
  • Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith (Philippians 3:8-9)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 18

Who is Christ and why did He come? He rose triumphantly from the dead.
  • [Christ] was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4)
  • [He] was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification (Romans 4:25)
  • I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

A Call for Discernment - Justin Peters

I recently came across a very neat ministry, that of Justin Peters.

This Mississippi evangelist has done some great work in exposing the heretical views of the Word of Faith (aka Health/Wealth/Prosperity) movement.

Every Christian who seeks discernment in what they listen to, ought to take notice. As a young man suffering from cerebral palsy, he was shattered to learn firsthand that Benny Hinn is a fake. But the LORD used that disappointment and pain for His glory. Peters went on to the ministry and later did his Master's dissertation on the life and ministry of Benny Hinn.

My purpose in putting this out here is to shine some light on some of these false teachers.

Here is a link to Peter's website, which offers some good information including a demo of his seminar entitled "A Call for Discernment".

Justin Peters Ministries

Here are some shorter videos of that address given at Southwestern Theological Seminary.

A Call for Discernment - Justin Peters part 1



A Call for Discernment - Justin Peters part 2



A Call for Discernment - Justin Peters part 3



A Call for Discernment - Justin Peters part 4



Finally, I wanted to point out this fascinating documentary on Benny Hinn, which features Justin Peters.

CBC: The Fifth Estate - Do You Believe in Miracles?

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 17

Who is Christ and why did He come? He died on the cross to provide a way of salvation for sinners.
  • He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24, NASB)
  • It pleased the Father ... by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 16

Who is Christ and why did He come? He shed His own blood as an atonement for sin.
  • In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7)
  • [He] loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Monday, June 16, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 15

Who is Christ and why did He come? The sinless one became a sacrifice for our sin.
  • He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • [He] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 14

Who is Christ and why did He come? He is utterly pure and sinless.
  • [He] was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15)
  • He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:22-23)
  • He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 13

Who is Christ and why did He come? He became man.
  • Being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6-7)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Friday, June 13, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 12

Who is Christ and why did He come? He is LORD of all.
  • He is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14)
  • God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
  • He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 11

Who is Christ and why did He come? He is eternally God.
  • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3)
  • The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
  • In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 10

Mankind is sinful. Sinners are therefore in a helpless state.
  • It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27)
  • There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. (Luke 12:2-3)
  • God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16)
  • The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 9

Mankind is sinful. Sinners cannot change their own sin nature.
  • Though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me,” says the Lord GOD. (Jeremiah 2:22)
  • Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23)
  • The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Monday, June 9, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 8

Mankind is sinful. Sinners can do nothing to earn salvation.
  • We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
  • By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight (Romans 3:20)
  • A man is not justified by the works of the law ... for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Sunday, June 8, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 7

Mankind is sinful. Sin makes the sinner worthy of death.
  • The soul who sins shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4)
  • Sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:15)
  • For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 6

Mankind is sinful. All have sinned.

  • all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
  • As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Friday, June 6, 2008

Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut today - June 6th


I'm not getting paid to advertise for Krispy Kreme donuts. I just love to eat them!

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 5

Mankind is sinful. Sin makes true peace impossible for unbelievers.
  • The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:20-21)
  • Woe to those who devise iniquity (Micah 2:1)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 4

Mankind is sinful. Sin is a violation of God's law.
  • Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4, KJV)
  • All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. (1 John 5:17)
  • I would not have known sin except through the law.(Romans 7:7)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

Please take a few minutes to read Daryl Wingerd's book review of Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge.

A Critical Review of John Eldredge's Wild at Heart

Wingerd does a terrific job of warning of the 3 major (and they are major) problems of the WILDLY popular book.

The three major problems with Wild at Heart are summarized in this paragraph: "First, Eldredge mishandles Scripture badly. Second, the central theme of the book is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Third, Eldredge conveys a low, humanistic, and even heretical view of God."

Tim Challies also does a review of the book here:

Challies Review

Finally, "rumor has it" that several hundred copies of Wild at Heart were inadvertently released with a rejected design for the cover. Here is a closer look ...

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 3

God is Holy, therefore sinners cannot stand before Him.
  • The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (Psalm 1:5)
  • The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. (Psalm 5:5)
  • Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 2

God is Holy, therefore God hates sin.
  • You shall not bow down to [false gods] nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, (Exodus 20:5)
  • For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. (Psalm 5:4)
  • God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalm 7:11)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Monday, June 2, 2008

The Gospel in 28 Days - Day 1

God is Holy, therefore His law demands perfect holiness.
  • For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves ... You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. (Leviticus 11:44-45)
  • He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not [merely overlook] your transgressions nor your sins. (Joshua 24:19)
  • No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God (1 Samuel 2:2)
  • The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup. (Psalm 11:4-7)
  • Be holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)
  • Without [holiness] no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)
Outline from Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Real Life Downtown: Kansas City


Just wanted to get the word out about a neat business luncheon that takes place every month downtown.

This month the luncheon takes place at the Hereford House and features Bill Zimmer, Board Chairman, Real Estate Charitable Foundation and Honorary Director, St. Luke's Hospital - Kansas City.

Short notice, I know, but you can register here! Or get on an email list to hear about future events!

Also, I've had the opportunity of meeting the pastor of New Life Ministries, Troy Campbell, who has started a church plant downtown! NLM is one of the sponsors of this monthly business luncheon, so this would be a good way to meet Pastor Troy and hear about his exciting new ministry!

Resources on Mormonism

The doorbell rings. It's these guys. What do you do? Slam the door? Make up an excuse, then close the door?

Or do you recognize this opportunity to share the Gospel with someone who has come to your doorstep, eager to talk about religion?

If you have spent any time in Spring Hill, KS in the last month you have likely seen Clay and Jared. These young "missionaries", dressed in white shirts/ties/backpacks (similar to the picture above), have been riding their bikes through my town seeking to proselytize converts for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Inevitably, they came calling to the Bonhams. I was pulling into the drive when I saw them roll up and begin to talk with my wife in the yard with the kids. We talked a while about weather and yard work and Napoleon Dynamite (one of them grew up in a town nearby where this "cult classic" film was made). BTW, did you know you can rent Uncle Rico's van?!? Resisting the temptation to share quotes from the movie, I arranged a meeting for the following week to discuss their "faith".

For this first meeting I decided to do my best to listen in order to develop a relationship within which I hope to share the Gospel. I asked many questions as they went through their script, to clarify things that didn't make sense (which was a lot). I also tried to point out many of the differences between the way they define words such as "gospel", "atonement", and how their works salvation differed from the Bible. We exchanged resources and plan to meet again next week.

In the meantime, I've come across a wealth of information that I will share here. Before I do so, I feel it is important to point out that Mormons are not Christians, despite their desire to be considered so. They are wonderful human beings. These young men were very courteous and respectful. They repeatedly offered to help however they could, with lawn work or anything else I needed. I do not doubt that they sincerely live very moral lives. But they are not Christians.

They believe Christ is a created spirit-brother of Satan, born of the physical sexual union of "Heavenly Father" (who has a physical body in Mormon theology) with Mary. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the pre-existent Son of God (the one and only God by the way), who created the Heavens and the Earth!

In one of my favorite sermons of all time, How Can We Witness if We don't know What the Gospel is?, John MacArthur touches on the distance between Christianity and Mormonism. He tells of an encounter he had with leaders of the LDS. Here is an except from the transcript of that sermon (emphasis mine):

"They said, 'We want to affirm salvation by grace alone. We want to affirm salvation by faith. We want to affirm salvation is in Christ.' ... I said, 'I want to ask you three questions,' at the end of the day and in a gracious way."

"I said, 'Tell me about your God.' And they gave me a God who didn’t have three persons. They’re Unitarian, so I said, 'Well, whatever it is we want to talk about regarding grace, faith and Christ, let’s just get it straight, we have a different God.'"

"And I said, 'Tell me your Christology.' And they said, 'Jesus is created by God. He’s a high order of created beings.' I said, 'Now let’s make this clear, we have a different Christ. And if anybody comes and preaches a different Christ he’s cursed.'"

"Then I said, 'If I wanted to get to the highest heaven, what would I need to do?' They said you would need to join the Mormon Church, you would need to evidence certain obediences, you would need to be baptized with a certain kind of spirit-endowed baptism in the system. I said, 'Then let me get this clear, we have a different Gospel. Apart from those, we agree.'"

On Thursday night, Aimee brought the kids home as I was wrapping up the conversation with the "elders". Sophia (7) was really wanting to tell them that Jesus is NOT Satan's brother! I love that even a seven-year-old can discern such heresy!

Here are some resources I found on Mormonism.


I hope this has been helpful. I would love to hear your experiences and any resources you have come across in your dealings with Mormons!

If you are led to reach out to Mormons:
  • Read up on Mormonism and be prepared for how they tend to operate during visits.
  • Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with them!
  • Treat them with respect for they are people just like us, with families and feelings and strongly held beliefs
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, who is the only One that can transform their hearts. I made many mistakes Thursday, but this one was the worst one!
What will you do when they come calling at your house?

About Me

Here is my testimony: mike