Sharing Strategies with Latter-day Saints

Transcription

1 Sharing Strategies with Latter-day Saints Rock 2 Contrast becomes an obstacle when we are unable to make quick and clear distinctions between the LDS and biblical gospels. Clearing Rocks from the Road to Redemption Chris The above diagram depicts one of the common obstacles, or Rocks that biblical Christians and Latterday Saints (LDS) may encounter when attempting to share or defend their respective faiths. The below diagram represents the ideal sharing scenario all Rocks have been cleared from the road to redemption. In other words, the only thing standing between LDS and being forgiven of ALL their sins is faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ ALONE to freely secure their salvation. Note that the road to redemption is NOT on level ground, but is an uphill climb. This is because many LDS face the threat of incredible loss (e.g. family, friends, social status, financial security, etc.) when contemplating leaving the LDS Church for a relationship with the Jesus Christ of the Bible. SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.1

2 Contrast Brings Clarity 1. Our beliefs are essentially the same or Our beliefs may differ, but the differences aren t all that significant these are typical statements among an increasing number of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and biblical Christians. And even if significant differences ARE recognized, most biblical Christians simply lack the ability to quickly and clearly articulate them. Thus, we are in need of some userfriendly tools to tackle these problems. What s on Your Mind? 2. What are some examples of contrast brings clarity in everyday life? a. Try finding a small, non-visible wet spot on carpet when your hands and fingers are damp. 3. When might a quick and clear contrast of the LDS and biblical gospels be particularly useful? a. Hint: The flight time between the Idaho Falls, ID and Salt Lake City, UT airports is about 45 minutes. 4. What does Galatians 1:6-9 have to say about the importance of contrast brings clarity? 5. How does Galatians 1:8-9 guard against perversion of the Gospel on the basis of so-called divine authority or revelation? a. Note that the focus is on the preachers/teachers of a false gospel. 6. How does Galatians 5:1-4 guard against the notion that it is the false preachers/teachers only who are culpable and condemned? a. Many LDS and biblical Christians (particularly those with LDS friends and loved ones) argue that IF anyone is to blame it is the principal deceivers only (i.e. LDS Church leaders) and NOT the Latter-day Saints who were deceived by them. SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.2

3 The Ladder Illustration 7. OUR WORK & THE LDS GOSPEL OF SALVATION a. Joseph Fielding Smith, 10 th LDS Prophet & President (Doctrines of Salvation, 1954, 1:123). The Savior does not save anybody from his individual sins only on condition of his repentance. So the effect of Adam s transgression was to place all of us in the pit with him. Then the Savior comes along, not subject to that pit, and lowers the ladder. He comes down into the pit and makes it possible for us to use the ladder to escape. The pit may represent the pit of sin that results from breaking God s commandments. Each wrung on the ladder may represent the various commandments that LDS are required to keep (through faith in the Savior and the process of repentance) to be saved. The Savior is not subject to that pit because Jesus NEVER sinned by breaking any of God s commandments. There are three levels of LDS salvation (lowest to highest) they are the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial kingdoms. The celestial kingdom is the only dwelling place of Heavenly Father and returning to Him is the goal of every faithful LDS. Climbing to the top of the ladder may represent keeping ALL of God s commandments and so be saved in the celestial kingdom. SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.3

4 8. CHRIST S WORK & THE BIBLICAL GOSPEL OF SALVATION a. Contrasting Illustration #1 The Savior comes along, not subject to that pit, and reaches down into the pit and pulls us completely out. (Jesus does this for everyone who trusts in Him alone to save them.) b. Contrasting Illustration #2 The Savior comes along, not subject to that pit, and lowers the ladder. He comes down into the pit, and puts us on His shoulders. He then fireman-carries us up every wrung of the ladder and completely out of the pit. (Jesus does this for everyone who trusts in Him alone to save them.) c. Note that in the two illustrations above Jesus does 100 percent of the work to get us completely up and out. Jesus merely makes it possible for us in the case of the LDS gospel. d. What is it about Jesus NOT being subject to that pit that makes the biblical gospel especially encouraging in Contrasting Illustration #2? Key Questions for LDS 1. If one of these gospels is true, what must the other one be? 2. If either gospel could be true, which one would you choose? SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.4

5 Strategy Tips 9. LDS OBJECTION a. Objection: LDS aren t required to keep ALL of God s commandments to reach the top of the ladder (i.e. the celestial kingdom). If we try our best and repent with sincere hearts, Jesus will make up the difference on the ladder or pick up the slack. b. Response: Proceed to the LDS Light Bulb Illustration below. The Light Bulb Illustration 10. OUR WORK AND THE LDS GOSPEL OF SALVATION a. Joseph Fielding Smith, 10 th LDS Prophet & President (Answers to Gospel Questions, 1979, 3:27). We light our buildings with electric power. Suppose we have prepared all things by which light is obtained, except in one point. We have the proper connections with the source of power, the wiring is perfect, the switches are all in place, but we fail to place a light globe in the socket. Or perhaps there is a disconnected switch. Result? We get no light. In other words all of the laws pertaining to the obtaining of electric light must be observed. So in the celestial kingdom, we must be worthy in every point, or we fail to receive the blessing. The kingdom of God must exist in absolute unity. Every law must be obeyed, and no member of the Church can have a place there unless he is in full accord. every law SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.5

6 Is there more than one electrician in The Light Bulb Illustration? What is Jesus role? The notion that Jesus picks up the slack for sincerely repentant LDS in either The Ladder or Light Bulb Illustrations is NOT what is taught. Key Questions for LDS 1. Must all of the laws be observed to get light? 2. Must LDS be worthy in every point and obey every law to enter the celestial kingdom? 3. Is there a kingdom for LDS who keep all BUT ONE of God s laws? 11. CHRIST S WORK AND THE BIBLICAL GOSPEL OF SALVATION a. Contrasting Illustration With Jesus as our sole Electrician we are guaranteed to get light. He will perfectly assemble all things by which light is obtained just as He perfectly kept ALL of God s laws. (Jesus does this for those who trust in Him alone to do their electrical work He is the Light of the world. ) Key Questions for LDS 1. If one of these gospels is true, what must the other one be? 2. If either gospel could be true, which one would you choose? SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.6

7 The Kingdom Illustration 12. OUR WORK AND THE LDS GOSPEL OF SALVATION a. Joseph Fielding Smith, 10 th LDS Prophet & President (Doctrines of Salvation, 1955, 2:12). Salvation will come to all who enter the terrestrial kingdom. They will receive a higher grade of salvation than will those in the telestial kingdom. Salvation will come also to those who enter the celestial kingdom. That will be a still higher grade of salvation. Celestial Kingdom (THE FATHER & SON DWELL) Terrestrial Kingdom (ONLY THE SON VISITS) Telestial Kingdom (NO FATHER OR SON) Note the primary distinctions between the kingdoms of salvation. Understand it is NOT until the resurrection that we are consigned to our respective kingdoms, and once consigned we CANNOT change our kingdom residence. Review the relationship of the LDS Ladder and Light Bulb Illustrations to the three-kingdom Illustration. (Note, especially, being worthy in every point in The Light Bulb Illustration.) Key Questions for LDS 1. What did those in higher kingdoms DO that those in lower kingdoms DID NOT? 2. Why are those in lower kingdoms eternally separated from their Heavenly Father? SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.7

8 13. CHRIST S WORK AND THE BIBLICAL GOSPEL OF SALVATION Heaven the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2-3) (THE FATHER & SON DWELL) a. Contrasting Illustration There is only one kingdom of salvation (not three) and ALL believers will dwell for eternity there WITH the Father and Son. This is because the Father sent the Son to do ALL of the work for our salvation. (Therefore, heaven is an absolutely free gift for those who trust in Jesus Christ alone to save them.) b. Review the relationship of the biblical Ladder and Light Bulb Illustrations to the single-kingdom Illustration. Key Questions for LDS 1. If one of these gospels is true, what must the other one be? 2. If either gospel could be true, which one would you choose? 3. How important is it to receive the true gospel and NOT a false one (see Galatians 1:6-9)? Strategy Tips 14. LDS OBJECTION #1 a. Objection: LDS aren t required to keep ALL of God s commandments to enter the celestial kingdom. If we try our best and repent with sincere hearts, Jesus will pick up the slack so that we can return to our Heavenly Father. b. Response: Refer to the LDS Light Bulb Illustration above. SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.8

9 15. LDS OBJECTION #2 a. Objection: It wouldn t be fair for God to reward the celestial kingdom to those who are NOT worthy of it. b. Response: Refer to Jesus parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. How might this parable be used to answer the above LDS objection? 16. LDS OBJECTION #3 a. Objection: It wouldn t be just of God to reward the celestial kingdom to those who are NOT worthy of it mercy cannot rob justice. b. Response: The Son met ALL of the Father s requirements for justice on our behalf mercy has NOT robbed justice (see the below diagram). Resurrection Perfection Propitiation The Son is our PERFECTION Jesus kept ALL of God s commands on our behalf, thereby satisfying the Father s requirement for righteous perfection (see 2 Cor. 5:21). The Son is our PROPITIATION or ATONEMENT Jesus suffered ALL of God s wrath on our behalf, thereby satisfying the Father s requirement of death for sin (see Col. 2:13-14). The Son is our RESURRECTION Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf, thereby securing our home in heaven WITH Him and the Father (see Jn. 14:2-3). SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.9

10 Key Questions for LDS 1. If Christ has kept ALL of God s commands for us, what need is there for more than one kingdom of heaven? 2. If Christ was punished for ALL of our sins, why would separation from our Heavenly Father be at all necessary? 17. LDS OBJECTION #4 a. Objection: A reward not earned won t be appreciated. If your Father gave you a Ferrari when you turned 16 you would NEVER appreciate it like you would if you worked long and hard to pay for it yourself. b. Response: Refer to Jesus parable of the moneylender in Luke 7: How might this parable be used to answer the above LDS objection? 18. LDS OBJECTION #5 a. Objection: Leaving all of the work to Jesus is in reality a license to sin for us. Any gospel that promotes sin can t be true. b. Response: This commits the straw man fallacy abusing God s grace does NOT necessarily falsify the biblical gospel of grace. How else might you respond to this LDS objection? 19. LDS OBJECTION #6 a. Objection: Murderers, rapists, adulterers, and thieves aren t forgiven if they ONLY believe in Jesus faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:17)! b. Response: Refer to Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 22:39-43 and Galatians 5: How might these passages be used to answer the above LDS objection? SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.10

11 20. LDS OBJECTION #7 a. Objection: If Jesus kept ALL of God s commands for us, why are we even here? What is our purpose, if not to prove ourselves worthy to return to our Heavenly Father? How might this LDS objection be answered? 21. LDS OBJECTION #8 a. Objection: Anyone who lived a life unworthy of the celestial kingdom would feel unimaginably ashamed to dwell there. It would be like hell for them in the Father s heaven. How might this LDS objection be answered? SHARE THE SON MINISTRIES (208) mike.ghiglia@gmail.com Oct R2.11