Sermon Notes:
1. If you change the identity of Jesus who died on the cross or what Jesus did by dying on the cross, you distort the gospel.
Mormonism and Islam are two faiths, similar in many ways:
a. They both involve angels in their “new revelations” of God.
b. They both teach about a Jesus.
c. They both accept the Bible as from God.
d. They both teach that God tried to communicate clearly in the Bible, but man over time corrupted His message.
e. They both teach that God had to re-do His message through another prophet.
f. They both teach that this time it can’t be corrupted.
g. The god of Islam and the god of Mormonism is a god learning how to accurately communicate and preserve his message over time.
What’s the difference between the God of the Bible and Mormonism?
2. They have a different foundation.
3. They teach a different theology of God.
a. The God of the Bible doesn’t learn because He already knows everything. (Psalm 147:5; 139:1-4; 1 John 3:20; 2 Peter 3:8)
b. The God of the Bible says there are no other gods but Him. (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 43:10-11; 44:6,8
4. Mormon theology teaches a different Jesus who hung on the cross. (Colossians 2:9; Luke 2:10-11; John 1:3,14)
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Galatians 1:1-9. The Apostle Paul says that if a person or an angel comes and gives another gospel, they are to be accursed. The faith of Islam and Mormonism angelically falls into this category. How are these religions similar? Can you think of anything else you can add to Pastor Frank’s list that he gave on Sunday?
2. What do you think Paul means when he says people are “distorting” or “perverting” the Gospel of Christ?
3. What do you think a person would have to do to distort/pervert the Gospel of Jesus? How do you think people are doing this today?
4. What do you think are the main differences between Mormonism and Christian theology in regards to God the Father and the person of Jesus? Would you say these are big or little differences?
5. What does Luke 2:10-11; John 1:1-3, 14 & Colossians 1:15-20 say who Jesus is?
6. Remember Pastor Frank’s quote: “If you change the identity of Jesus who died on the cross or what Jesus did by dying on the cross … you distort the Gospel.” How do you think the Mormon faith does this?
7. After Sunday’s message, do you feel better equipped in sharing the Gospel of Jesus with a Mormon and explaining the difference in our beliefs? Why or why not?
8. Given the chance to witness to a Mormon, what would you share about the true Jesus that would show them the peace and assurance of heaven that only comes through Him?
Prayer:
Close your group with prayer asking God to help us truly understand the Gospel and that we handle it accurately in sharing it with our Mormon friends.
Taking it Home:
Continue reading and studying the book of Galatians slowly word by word. Memorize Galatians 2:20.