Are the Bad Things That Happen In This Life A Part of God’s Will?

Are the bad things that happen in this life a part of God's will. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition 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 and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first step today we have a good news story to share with you when a young woman in Texas learned that her dad's small business was struggling during the covert pandemic. She made a heartwarming plea on Twitter asking people to help Giselle Avila's tweeted this, I wouldn't normally do this but my dad's taco truck business is struggling. He only sold six dollars today if you could retweet this. I'd appreciate you so much.

Well Giselle Tweed worked and by Sunday night. A week ago that post had produced around 2000 retweets when her dad arrived at his food truck at 8 AM the next morning there was already a line of customers waiting for them. In fact, business was so busy the food truck had to close down twice, once to restock and again when they were completely sold out. He even recruited his daughter to help with the orders. Will that that story warms my heart. Especially because I think you know taco trucks everywhere need to be supported and I'm happy to invest in that. So I think our families could support a taco truck just just yet. I think that you're right.

Honestly, I think I could probably do it on my own bill at a meeting.

Let's get to our first question of the day and John emailed us and said this, we recently moved for a job opportunity were now in a smaller community with not as many churches, local church that belongs to our denomination is more contemporary, which is uncomfortable for our family.

Although we acknowledge this is a preference and not an essential. We visited a small church from another denomination. We felt very at home in their traditional worship and classic hymns, but there are certain theological doctrines we can't embrace which would prevent us from becoming members. There were struggling to decide whether we should go to a church where we don't feel as comfortable or the one that we can agree with. Theologically, do you have any advice for us had Jan I love these questions because there are so practical and I think many of us, we wrestle with the same question as we try to decide which church to go to. I remember when I first moved from San Diego. I was living at the time in high school affect come to the Lord to another area of Southern California having to find a church and calling all the churches in the area trying to get what did they believe what is the worship style like and visiting them in a difficult decision. I member as a young man but ended up doing was just going to two different churches, which I also wouldn't recommend right now, but that was what I did back then. So I think that this is really important. I would say you know that the priority has to be on the doctrine. What is it that is being taught in the church that's more important than the worship style. I think about acts chapter 2 on the I love going back to this passage when were talking about this issue where the early church is described as chapter 2, verse 42 they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers and all came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles and all who believed were together and had all things in common. Now the focus. There is just that first part of the text they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching John we all have to ask ourselves is the church that I'm in devoted to the teaching of the apostles be think about what what the apostle Paul said, I cannot type purpose not to know anything except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I placated Jesus before you II delivered to you as a first importance what I also received, and that he gives the gospel in first Corinthians chapter 15 the apostles with their focused on is Jesus Christ and him crucified. Is the work of Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and to sanctify us, and let me ask you is the church that you are in focused on that to that of the apostles were focused on and that of the early church devoted themselves to that message and the worship was handed down by Jesus and the apostles of the fellowship. The breaking of the bread that's probably a reference thereto. The Lord's supper the prayers in their gathering together as God's people to have communion and to hear doctrine. The truth of God's word, and so I would say John that has to be the focus now.

A lot of times I get it. We focus primarily on those things that are more circumstantial to worship in the style of the music. What kind of programs do they have is that too early of the service. I don't want to go to that when I'm in a go to this services later. And that's more comfortable for me.

The first question we have to ask is the focus on the apostles teaching and I'm not saying that the other church unit with the classic hymnody and in the more traditional style that you're used to that they're not doing that. I don't know what the doctrinal differences are to be quite honest with you, that you're referring to, but I would just say man, even if it's a little bit uncomfortable with the worship style is different if there preaching the true gospel and in their doing that faithfully, and their faithful to worship the Lord as Jesus instituted we think about these ordinances that he gave baptism and the Lord's supper.

The worship style that's that's more of a circumstance of worship that really does not get to the heart of what what worship is acid with our personal preferences and so I would say so long as those elements of worship were there in the gospel is faithfully taught. Commit yourself to a church where sound doctrine is to be upheld and where you can be nourished by the truth every Sunday when you gather together and with the people God as you grow together throughout the week so hope that encourages you John federal we chose our church because they have a taco truck out yet that's right. Now that's the best of both worlds. You know, give me like the sound doctrine and the kindness to tacos after so that like men were almost at the new Jerusalem.

That's the salsa. This is Gore Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to another question. Claire posted this on her Facebook page she says if God exists, does that mean we have to assume that everything that happens is what he wants to happen. Now I'll play that coming.

That's a really good question and and I'm I wonder what is behind that question. I want to be sensitive to this because I know that there are a lot of people who they experience a pretty pretty difficult things horrible things in life and they wrestle with.

Where was God was that God's will mean that it just seems so cruel and and so I know that this is a very sensitive topic and I don't know as I said why why you're asking her what what's going on in your life but I want to encourage you know there are there are two ways. Typically that we distinguish between the will of God.

And this comes from the Old Testament passage Deuteronomy chapter 29 verse 29 is the secret things belong to the Lord our God with the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Historically, many Christians have differentiated between what we called it the secret will of God.

The will of God's decree what he decreed from eternity past and the precept of will of God.

The revealed will of God, which is really summarized in God's law.

How God wants us to live in that law summarizing in what Jesus said, you know that we love God perfectly and we love our neighbor as ourselves and one since we know clear that everything that happens is happening, not outside of God's sovereign control or oversight, but that it happens as a part of his sovereign decree.

The psalmist said in Psalm 115 verse three. Our God is in the heavens. He does all that he pleases. Paul said in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 11 in him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. All things according to the counsel of his will that would be. I think referring to that that will of decree, the fact that God on his throne sovereignly decreed everything whatsoever comes to pass. Now does that mean we have to assume that God delights in all the things that take place in the sense that maybe you might be think you mean I think of Ezekiel chapter 18 verse 23 were the Lord said, have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live or Peter second Peter chapter 3 verse nine the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance is absolutely sovereign, but he doesn't will everything and in the same exact way me think about the evil and terrible things that happens the God permits to take place that they're there happening, not outside of God's decree. Nothing can happen outside of God's decree and yet we would want to say that the Lord delights in those things that his law that he's revealed to us is good law what he calls us to live by. And I think that's what we have and that we cling to as we cling to what God is revealed to us to mean to you Claire in his word about God's will, so that when fate evil takes place in the world today while it's in line with what God has decreed from eternity past, God does not delight in it because God is not cool. And God is not himself evil and there's a mystery here in terms of how this all works but at the center of the mystery is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. I just read from acts chapter 2 of you if you just turn a little bit later in acts chapter 4 I think this is the passage really where we get to see this so clearly it's in acts chapter 4 verse 27 this is the prayer and listen with that the disciples were praying they said. For truly, in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel to do what ever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place while you mean those horrible things that took place there at the crucifixion of Jesus, you know that the the spineless nests of Pontius Pilate, the murder of the Jews and the Romans at sin somehow had all been decreed. It was a part of God's plan will yes but at the same time they're responsible they're guilty for their sin, and they're the ones actually were active in sin is not God was active God has allowed this and they're going to be held accountable and yet somehow mysteriously in God's sovereign decree what God is doing is orchestrating the redemption of humanity through these horrible events through the sin of people and I think also of that beautiful passage in Genesis chapter 50 verse 20 where Joseph tells his brother say you meant what you did to me you meant it for evil.

They sold him into slavery.

They abandoned him for dead. But God meant it for good.

What what wicked people do and mean.

For evil.

Somehow God in his grace and his providence and his power is able to use it for good. And that's precisely what the Lord's promise each of us. Romans chapter 8, Paul said that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. So one since we need to rest in this mystery, knowing that God is good God is not cool but also that God is all-powerful, that whatever happens whatsoever comes to pass, happens in line with his sovereign decree and get he's orchestrating all things for the good of his children for our good for your good, clear God bless you Israel. Isn't it true that sometimes we won't even see that good until eternity. For example something so evil happens, child abuse, we can't really find any redemptive reason for that is just pure evil. We may never see a positive that comes out of that during this lifetime, but but I'm guessing you would say that in eternity, we will understand God's purposes in bill I'm really glad you brought that up, and I think it's really important for us when we encounter people who are suffering over thinking of our own suffering that we don't just try to give this sort of easy answer. Well, you know like this is why that happened. You know it must be for your good. That kind of the thing that's very cool way to respond.

You're right.

The fact of the matter is that there are horrific things that happen sinful things that happen which we send, but were also sinned against. In these horrible ways and we have to be so careful that we don't just try to give people these answers and say oh well you know it.

Everything should be fine to me. This is all the work together for your good. No, we don't always know how God in his sovereign decree is orchestrating these things are why God has allowed these things and we lament we can cry out to the Lord and say why with grief even with anger. I mean that's what the psalmist is over and over again throughout the book of Psalms and so we can be honest with God and say God I have no idea why this happened.

I have no idea why this happened and I can't see any good none at all, but I'm in a cling to the fact that you have promise that you are good that you are good and that you are able to take even the darkest things and somehow somehow work them together and so I'm clinging to your promise. God help me. And you're right.

Sometimes, you know, we won't ever see why it was that God allowed such and such to take place. But we cling to him by faith and we hold fast to what he has revealed in his word about who he is and that he's good and that he loves us and that he cares for us. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and what to tell you about an excellent resource that were offering today and cut the ties in with some of the things we've been talking about. Yeah, I mean to me. Especially coming off of a question like that and I know that many of you have had that same question, and maybe still you know your your wrestling with this wealth we have a resource over core, Christianity.com called is God great and good minutes of Bible study that really deals with this issue of the problem of evil me.

How can we say that God is good. We look around us at the world today and there's a lot of pain hurt evil sin. We look at the things that have happened to us in our own lives and were wrestling with how to make sense of them. While the Bible says they caught is great and good and so if you've ever had that question or you know someone who has that question, get a hold of this resource over core, Christianity.com or/offers.

It's yours for a donation of any amount is called is God great and good.

It really will help you understand how we can trust God with all of our hearts and our minds and our strength and you can call us for that resource at 833-843-2673 to get that offer any one of our offers again that number is 833. The core let's go to another question I drill this was an email that came in from Silas.

Silas says how do you understand Revelation 18 verses 11 through 13. I've seen this section of Scripture floating around and people saying that it teaches that the Bible is against slavery because it associates the end of slavery. With the fall of Babylon. Does this passage condemn slavery and if so how do you make sense of the Bible, allowing for slavery in the Old Testament yeah well Silas thank you for that question. I just opened up to Revelation 18 here and this what it says beginning in verse 11. The merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, as you mentioned there. There morning for Babylon. Since no one buys their cargo anymore cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen and purple cloth silk scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented woods all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood bronze, iron, and marble cinnamon spice incense murder, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses and chariots and slaves, that is, human souls and evaluate Abby, I read that and it almost sends shivers down my spine. What this is talking about here in the context is the people that are morning because these goods are no longer coming from Babylon, and here I think I want to be primarily made the primary reference being probably the Roman Empire and its fall and while I think this highlights the terror the horror of slavery of trafficking human souls people.

I think part of that is is a condemnation of slavery. Certainly a condemnation of Babylon here, but the whole of Scripture we just think about the fact that we are made in God's image and as image bearers. We are due dignity of a well which we are made in the image of God. We ought to be respected.

Life should be cherished. We cannot objectify another person made in God's image and and that be pleasing to the Lord that I think a lot of times, and we think about slavery and the slavery of the Bible, our minds immediately go to the start of American slave trade as horrific as that was in a Exodus chapter 21 verse 16 says whoever steals a man and sells them. Anyone found in possession of him shall be put to death. There was this sort of institution of slavery there under the old covenant, certainly under the Greco-Roman Empire menu. Think about what Paul says to the Ephesians that that the household consisted of your family, your children, but also your your slaves, your to Lloyd that the servants the slaves in the household and yet there was something distinct about Israel under the old covenant about the church in the New Testament that I think ultimately led to the abolition of slavery. Despite the fact that there were many Christians throughout the history of the church that appeal to the Scriptures in order to justify the objectification of people making them slaves, enslaving them know in Exodus chapter 23 verse nine God told his people. You shall not oppress the sojourner. You know the heart of the sojourner for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt, the people of God. The people under the old covenant people.

Today we know in one sense, the horror of slavery. The people then coming out of Egypt. They had been enslaved to the Egyptians that the story of redemption. The story Scripture is the story of being called out of slavery. So to use the Bible to justify slavery or to say it's okay for me to objectify another person on the basis of their race or something like that is to twist the scriptures to your own destruction. That's absolutely horrible and we have to grip to take the Bible as a whole and see the fact that God is the one who delivered his people from slavery and called them to be gracious and merciful kind to the sojourners to the aliens to the outsiders because they knew what it was like to be enslaved that we also remember that is, especially the days of the Old Testament, and that is the New Testament. This is in a historical context in the ancient near East.

Slavery was a very real thing.

And yet Israel had these commands. These laws I think that treated people better than the way in which the pagan nations around Israel treated them and all of that was rooted. I believe in the doctrine of the Amato day. The fact that we recognize that people are made in God's image, and I would just say Silas God is never intended for man to enslave man for us to objectify one another we rule over the creation we don't sinfully wickedly rule over each other and so you do have these concessions there in the Old Testament, but ultimately I think I think it's the teaching of Scripture, the teaching of the Amato day of what we see, ultimately, in Jesus Christ, being brought into Christ the Fellowship of the church that gives us the tools for abolishing slavery for recognizing that it's objectively wrong to treat someone with dishonor with disrespect on the basis of their race of their ethnicity there made in God's image work fellow image bearers and so I think I think that we have to take all of the Scripture together understanding the concessions that were made because of human sin and then recognizing the fact that God in the new creation intends for us to be one united in love and that that new creation is already breaking in. Right now we can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Bible upholds the dignity of humanity that we of all people should be those who fight for things like the abolition of slavery or who fight for things like the protection of the unborn.

Why, because of what God has said about human life. You're listening to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and we have time for one more question. Carolina posted this on her Instagram page. What does Hebrews 1222 main did that church have a vision of heaven or something every church. When we gather together, believe it or not, is given a vision of heaven were meetings with the other. The Hebrews essay think we gather for worship. Here's what's happening were coming to Hebrews 1222 Mount Zion to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem to innumerable angels in festal gathering to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in habitant to God, the judge of all into the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant into the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. But we have to recover today brothers and sisters in our worship. This view of the meeting of heaven and earth, we come together to hear God's word preached to receive bread and wine in the Lord's supper to to experience baptism.

These kinds of things that Jesus gave to us. It's as if heaven and earth are meeting or hearing God speak to us from heaven were joining all creation. The angels even the believers who have gone into the presence of the Lord, around the throne of God right now were joining them to worship the Lord and you believe that with his happening when you go to church. Hebrews 12 says is happening in most of all for coming before Jesus and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Abel's blood cried out from the ground because Cain had killed him and condemned his brother came the blood of Jesus cries out to accept it cries out a better word than the blood of Abel doesn't cry out father condemning cries out father. 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 book 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