Is The Bible The Only Authority That Christians Need To Obey?

Is the Bible. The only authority that Christians need to obey.

That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with pastor Adrian Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question.

At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 course you can also email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com. First up, today we have a good news story to share with you more than 30 years ago, a World War II hero took his six-year-old grandson into a basement room filled with awards and showed the boy his most prized possession.

Freedom isn't free. The man said as his grandson held a metal on a blue ribbon which turned out to be the highest honor. The US gives military personnel. That boy is John Irwin who is now a Christian filmmaker he made the 2018 hit movie.

I can only imagine about the life of Bart Millard from the band Mercy me over the past few years John has been researching and putting together his grandfather story. The book beyond valor, was released last week, and John hopes to make a movie about his grandfather's adventures in the next few years.

It was so cool when you hear about kids who learn about some family history something that their parents or grandparents dad or uncle or aunt. And they're able to just go out you know I would never know that I never believed that yeah well also.

What a cool way to honor his his grandfather and me to be able to tell his story you think about all of the amazing things that have been done in history and and you know that the lives that are our own fathers and grandfathers have lived, and sometimes the stories don't get told and I think it really is a wonderful thing that he's doing that well and John is such great storytellers well for folks that didn't see. I can only imagine just a very powerful film with a great course redemptive Christian message. I'm guessing this will be very similar. Let's get to our first question of the day a drill. This one comes from Cassidy, who posted on her Facebook page she says. What did Jesus mean when he told Nicodemus that he had to be born again. Nicodemus even seemed confused and I don't understand Jesus answer about the wind and the spirit is this just a figure of speech to describe some profound experience in your life. Thank you for that question, Cassidy know some years ago I remember seeing a bumper sticker that read instead of being born again. Why can't we all just grow up out the funny though sometimes that phrase is used pejoratively is in it. You know people will say things like, oh, she's one of those born-again types of those born again evangelicals something interesting about the case. Nicodemus is that he's a religious man and when were told at the beginning of John chapter 3 that he's a leader, a ruler of the Jews being religious isn't enough and were not born right with God.

We need something something supernatural to happen in our lives will be lost and Jesus says to Nicodemus, this man probably thought he was pretty good ruler of the Jews among the Pharisees and this is very strict religious sect among the Jews, Jesus says to him you must be born again and let me say the same thing to you listening, you must be born again.

It's not enough that you're a quote unquote good person. It's not enough that your your religious even very religious.

You need God's Holy Spirit to come and give you life to transform your heart and this is why Jesus says, unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot see the kingdom of God. Verse five the long-ago God had promised his people that he was gonna wash away all of their sins go to a passage like Ezekiel chapter 36 versus 25 to 26.

I think this is kind of what the background of Jesus's words here tend to Nicodemus in John chapter 3. There, in Ezekiel 36 we read. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness is and from all your idols I will cleanse you I will give you this is a promise from God. I will give you a new heart while I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. Now the same way you can perceive the effects of the wind without seeing them. You could feel the breeze on your body or you can hear the rustling the leaves are see the rest of the leaves. This new birth, this mysterious nesting all of my children's birth. You know it is a spectacular thing will the new birth isn't something that you can stand and watch. It's done within by the Holy Spirit, God accomplishes it in baptism and I think this is part of what Jesus might be getting at Cassidy when we talked about being born of water and the Spirit baptism is a sign of that new birth, the washing away of all of our sins and so essentially what Jesus is doing here to this man who was religious, who thought he was, you know, this spiritual leader Jesus telling him she need to have your sins washed away you're not good in and of yourself.

You need to be born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And that's something that we all need it. It's a free gift that God gives to his son, Jesus Christ, and apart from it as Jesus does very clearly. We will not see you will not see the kingdom of God and does this go against what we hear in our culture today and people just sort of assume that everyone is born good that you know were all sort of on the same or different paths leading to the same place leading to God, leaving bleeding to Nirvana, leading to eternal bliss. Jesus is no actually, we are born in sin, we need the new birth. We need the work of the Holy Spirit. And that's something that God gives us through Jesus Christ and by the power of the spirit. So that's what he was highlighting Cassidy for Nicodemus there in that passage of Scripture John chapter 3. Thanks for that Israel. This is core Christianity and here's an email question that came in from Luke. He said some fellow believers and I were debating whether or not there are different levels of sin, I hold the belief that there aren't levels of said sin may have different earthly consequences. But in God's eyes. Sin is sin. For example, first John 315 says that anyone who hates his brother and his heart is a murderer. In Matthew 527 and 28 says whoever lust after woman in his heart has committed adultery. I believe that these are two examples backing up the statement that all sin is equal in God's eyes. What are your thoughts you believe that Scripture backed up the statement that there are different levels of sin.

Yeah, great question. I remember for many years. I just sort of assumes that all sins are equal.

Because all sins essentially condemn us and made like you like you say and you bring up that section of the sermon on the mount of first John chapter 3 you know if you have hatred in your heart you. You already murdered.

If you have lust in your heart you already committed adultery well. While all sin condemns us. Not all sins are equal. Some sins in and of themselves, and even by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than other sins, some sins are more heinous in God's eyes because of who is committing them. Also, you think about is the person who's doing this, someone who doesn't know better. Is this you know someone in spiritual authority who just by their very action there leading other people astray and then they know better. You know that they know God's word. They know God is said and yet they're still acting in this way and this is precisely why James and James chapter 3 verse one gives the warning that he gives he says is let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment. God will some of us more more accountable and frankly that's a verse that I read with fear and trembling. I mean as a pastor and end with this radio program teaching and talking about the word of God and pray for me and pray for your pastor and pray for anybody who talks about God's word and teaches God's word because it's a sobering thing working to receive a stricter judgment. Jesus said, and so there are occasions instances where some sins are more heinous just because of the person who's committing them. Just think of Jesus's words to Pilate in John chapter 19 verse 11 Jesus said to Pilate, you would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin in the Old Testament in places like the book of Ezekiel in Ezekiel chapter 8 God shows the prophet a series of visions, where he exposes the sin of the house of Israel and in the visions that he gives Ezekiel this sins keep getting worse and worse. It's almost as if they're building on top of each other and God is is just highlighting the fact that this is just this is absolutely horrible. So there are two things I think that we have to realize when it comes to thinking about sin one and you and you brought this up and you're right all sin does deserve God's wrath. God's curse. We have a tendency to minimize sins to downplay them if they go but that's not that bad and usually with the sins that we minimize are the ones that we personally struggle with in a week. We over emphasize and point out the sins of other people, the ones that we typically don't have a hard time with and then will minimize the ones that we struggle with what God doesn't minimize sin in all sin deserves God's wrath and curse, but at the same time, there are some sins that are more heinous in God's eyes that bring about greater judgment.

Yes, look at someone lustfully is to commit adultery but to follow through with the act is more grievous and as you said in your question has more terrible consequences, and so so while all sin condemns us. There are some sins that do bring about greater judgment and if it's the same sin they were committing over and over again without repentance. If it's a person spiritual authority was committing this sin knows better but there's still doing if it's following through with the active sin not just that's conceiving it in your mind and your heart you looking at someone lustfully but will going all the way that those sins have greater consequences in their more heinous. All sin condemns us, which is why we need Jesus. Which is why we need the gospel I think is another one of the things is highlighted in these especially the verses that you brought up a menu. Think of Jesus. The sermon on the Mount everyone who's there when you hear Jesus preach, you realize I need a Savior. I need help. Jesus wasn't the kind of preacher who preached the word of God and people left feeling like I don't have any problems.

I sound like I'm pretty good. A lot of preachers today might make you feel that way. But Jesus would point out the sin in our hearts so that we would cling to him. No Israel in Matthew 18 where and when Jesus says, anyone who causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble it be better for them to have a large millstone hung around her neck and be drowned in the sea is he talking about people who mislead children or is he talking about spiritual leaders who, let's say mislead the flock and because people believe the fate I'm a friend that he can apply to both its someone in a position of power in a position of authority who is causing one of the little ones and he says one little ones who believes in me to stumble and weep, and we've seen this all around us habit we win when a pastor in particular goes astray, it has a devastating effect on on the church, it creates a lot of wounds, yet at the same time, there is hope and and that's what the gospel gives us this hope and so we turn to Jesus. We hope in him and we cling to him to keep us from all sent your listing the core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez. I'm Bill Meyer and as we all know the Christian life is not without its challenges.

We have a great resource that will help you respond to those challenges with confidence really build the Christian life is not without talking about absolutely you're totally right.

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And today we have a resource that shines the light of Christ into whatever darkness you might be experiencing right now.

It's called Christ and calamity by Harold St. fail in our own resident theologian Michael Horton called this book a jam and I would have to agree. I've been encouraged as I've read through it. I plan to give it out regularly so they can manage of this offer by heading over to core Christianity.com/offers no it is such a great comfort to know that Jesus walks with us through the twists and turns of life and you can reserve your copy of this book today for a donation of any amount just head over to core Christianity.com/offers.

You can also call us at 833-843-2673 or help getting any one of our offers that 833. The core you know Bill can I just piggyback on something you said they know what it what a joy and a privilege it is to know that Jesus walks with us and is with us who are suffering.

I've lately been just meditating on that promise in Hebrews chapter 13 verse five what God says I will never leave you nor forsake you and assist promise that the author of the Hebrews is making to believers is making to you. If you are in Christ and here you ask yourself the question will where has God said because he's quoting something there. Where has God said I will never leave you nor forsake you will.

If you're a student of the Bible you know that there at least two places in the Old Testament to Moses in the book of Deuteronomy and to Joshua in Joshua chapter 1 beginning in verse three it says this every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you. Just as I promised to Moses from the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.

Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. And boy just let this sink in the same promise that God made to Moses and that he made to Joshua. He makes to you in Jesus.

I meant something that all of us need to constantly remember, especially during difficult times like right now with the help of George and let's go to another question that came in. This one is from Taylor, who posted on our twitter account.

She says is the Bible. The only authority the Christians need to obey. Yet, this is a really good question because some people think, so long as I have my Bible. I'm good. I can follow Jesus. He can guide me. I don't really need a church or you know, some man-made institution. I have God's word.

Now the problem is the Bible itself says that there are other authorities that we should submit to and obey. Now that doesn't mean that those other authorities are equal with Scripture just means that God recognizes these other authorities in our lives that are meant to help guide us and help us be good citizens in the world and whatnot and it means we have to recognize their authority that they're not on par with Scripture, but they are these legitimate authorities and so for example you have the authority of earthly rulers. Peter talked about this in first Peter two verses 13 through 17. Listen to what he said be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors. I sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good for this is the will of God, that by doing good. You should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people live is people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God honor everyone love the brotherhood, fear God. Honor the emperor seems pretty clear to me. Paul another apostle in Romans chapter 13 verses one through seven said this, let every person be subject to governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that existed been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but too bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority and do what is good and you will receive his approval, or he is God's servant for your good.

But if you do wrong, be afraid, or he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience for because of this you also pay taxes is a verse that probably a lot of people don't like that of the gutsy ones life verse there for. Because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God attending to this very thing. Hey to all what is owed to them taxes doing taxes are owed revenue to whom revenue is owed respect to whom respect is owed honor to whom honor is owed.

She's absolutely clear there. There's one authority that is outlined in Scripture that's legitimate that God has instituted this sort of civil government, but which is not perfect. We know that sometimes earthly rulers fail. I think we all recognize that and on occasions in instances were earthly rulers. Call us to do something that would be sin will that's when we go with the higher authority. That's when we follow God's word instead of what they said but when they're calling us to do things that maybe aren't sin obey the speed limit so I may not agree with the speed limit that kind of thing but I can still submit to them and honor to Christ in respect to them up again. I might disagree with them but obeying God's word and obeying these other authorities looks like being faithful, demonstrating love, long-suffering, and so there's another authority that were told about it in Scripture also told about the authority of the church, church leaders, elders, in particular, Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17 says this obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning for that would be of no advantage to you. Have a question for you who are your leaders that you submit to your spiritual leaders who are the ones who are keeping watch over your soul. You have anyone in your life like that. I don't know Taylor. This is why you are asking the question of doing anything besides the Bible, but I feel like there are many Christians who struggle with this who assume as I said at the beginning of this question that I don't need anything besides the Bible that that's really ultimately all I need, but the Bible makes it clear that no God intends for us to be in churches in local churches where the Bible is being proclaimed and taught and were reading the scriptures together in a community to grow in a deeper understanding of the words that you have that you have a church family.

Yet, as I said so many Christians neglected and so I want to encourage you listening right now if you don't have that prey and seek a church family where you can be encouraged where the word of God is faithfully taught and where you can say yes I know that there are people who are watching over my soul, caring for me is spiritual authority that is not on par with Scripture per se. They have a a ministerial authority. My only authority is the pastor of the church is to be a minister of the gospel and to teach God's word. It's God's word binds our consciences is not my own ideas are my own rules that I invent no II point people to Jesus and the word of God and we all meet people in our lives that are doing that for us, pointing us to Jesus into God's word. You have that.

I hope that you do. Taylor thanks so much for your question a great one. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder that core Christianity is supported by listeners just like you so you feel God calling you to maybe make a contribution of this broadcast. We would really appreciate that you can find out more@corechristianity.com/radio and I'm glad you brought that up in a week. We really do appreciate the support that we received for this program and want to get the word out core Christianity is so important for us to understand to dig into God's word and another way that you can benefit from this program.

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We have time for one last question before we go in this ones from the cold, who posted on her Instagram page. She says I'm struggling with knowing how to share the gospel with my unsaved family and friends because I'm also seeing that my heart is hard toward situations. I've been through with some of them I truly hate this and I don't want to have this hardness in my heart. How can I share the gospel with them. When I have such a hard hard toward them but spray first for Nicole father lift Nicole up to you.

I thank you Lord. She she know she needs to end and that she desires to share your love with her family and with her friends. Yet what we know that people heard us that we want to build walls admit at times it can be very difficult to share your love with people who have hurt us. So I pray that you would soften your heart and that you would give her the words to say to share your truth with them.

Would you be with Nicole, I ask in Jesus name, amen Nicholas.

We all need is an ETA a softened heart. I don't know what kind of experiences you're referring to, but when someone has hurt us. This I said it's natural for us to want to build up walls to harden our hearts. Scripture calls us to forgive those who sinned against us.

Barnett not too long ago did a study when they discovered that one in four Christians has someone in their life who they say they cannot forgive. One in four Christians. Maybe you feel that way, here's what's always help me with forgiveness focus more on your offenses and how God has been merciful to you than on the sin of your brother or sister, and I think we start to think about God's mercy to us despite the fact that we failed over and over and over again and yet God in his kindness continues to draw us to himself to lavish his love upon us when we realize that when we rest in that place that we begin to begin to realize I need to forgive even even the people who sinned against me in in horrible ways. Ephesians chapter 431 and 32 says let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave Nicole. Jesus forgave you and lavished his love, and he calls us to have soft hearts towards those who sin against us to extend forgiveness to them as well. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33, the court when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together