How Should My Family Choose a New Church?

How can I wisely choose the church without feeling like I'm shopping for a new car that's is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel 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 court, that's 1-833-843-2673 course you can always email us at questions at core, Christianity.com or you can post your question on our Facebook or Instagram or twitter accounts. Those Estonians really love their basketball. The Estonian basketball Association celebrated the sports 100th anniversary by breaking a Guinness world record with the help of players at 71 courts across Estonia players at 71 outdoor courts in the country broke a Guinness record on Saturday by sinking a total of 114,000 free throw shots in eight hours, surpassing their original goal of 100,000 shots players in the event included Estonian professional basketball players did know there were such a thing and officials, including Prime Minister Yuri Matas, the Prime Minister sink 10 free throws in one minute is not of the record.

Wow. Pretty amazing. Yeah coming together to play basketball. Have there been any Estonian players in the NBA. I'm trying to think I'd don't know. I don't know. Are you big NBA fan. Now I'm not a big NBA fan but I've been given the Estonians interest in this, I may travel over there and see if I can three throws with good luck with that.

I mean, I like football. I grew up playing football, basketball. I did pick up games but my ankles don't work very well for basketball.

I feel like so you know I had. I stuck to you know reading books in pastoral ministry that you and you probably will get a world record for that in one of these are first question of the day, Gabe emailed us from South Africa from Cape Town and he says I have many good Christian friends who say the mark of the beast is an actual physical mark on your body. My view is that it simply a figurative way of speaking about the devil's ownership much like being sealed with the spirit refers to our security and belonging to Jesus. I try to explain my view to a friend recently, and her angry response was well. I believe what the Bible says. I wanted to retort well.

So to why how can I lovingly present a balanced biblical view on this matter and I will that's great. I mean we all want to believe what the Bible says don't we. And that's what everyone says is well in the Christian say that Jehovah's Witnesses say that Mormons say that we believe the Bible but at the end of the day.

There are all sorts of different interpretations on the Bible and some of them are true enough, there's not true.

And so we have to dig in deeper to the Scriptures is not enough to say I believe the pilots take it at face value. Well, you have to be careful there and one of the one of the important things Gabe that we have to recognize is that different books of the Bible you know different genres in these different genres to be interpreted different. You don't read.

For example, at a children's story in the same way that you would read a history book or a math book you you you understand if you're getting something different there, and so unique that you have to understand your friend has to understand it, the book of Revelation was written in a particular genre and that genre is apocalyptic visionary prophecy that what we find with that particular genre is that often you have symbolism and numbers. For example, can be used to symbolically think of earlier in the book of Revelation talks about seven golden lampstands and were told that those referred to the seven churches that John was addressing in Jesus is depicted in the book of Revelation is the Lamb standing, as though he had been slain was Jesus of a literal land in heaven. I think the Bible at face value on interpreted literally what you know you have to understand what's happening there in the book of Revelation is apocalyptic visionary prophecy. So John is getting the symbols these images that are meant to teach us something about God, about the world about the church about ourselves the passage are referring to is in Revelation 13 and really I think with the rise of the left behind series and and a lot of discussion about end times in the last 30 years the mark of the beast is been the talk of a lot of Christians for for some time. This is what John says. And in Revelation chapter 13 speaking about the second beast began in verse 15, as this was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also, it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or on the four head so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark that is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

This calls for wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man and his number is 666 even right here John says look this this calls for wisdom.

We want to be careful as we approach this text we interpreted the correct way.

Throughout the book of Revelation. You have these these symbols numbers are often used symbolically and I think what John is doing here and in you.

I think already understand sound like this is what you understand this to be as well. Gabe, if he's revealing to us how the evil one Satan attempts to replicate to counterfeit what God himself does for his children. So one of the things we see throughout the book of Revelation is that God puts his seal on his children on their foreheads. Even Revelation chapter 7 verse three says this do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads and I heard the number of the seal.

The hundred and 44,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel, just a couple chapters later Revelation chapter 9 verse four they were told not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on therefore has Revelation chapter 14 verse one then I looked, and behold on Mount Zion stood the Lamb and with him 144,000 who had his name and his father's name written on therefore heads she was all the way through the end of the book of Revelation. Revelation chapter 22 verse four.

They will see his face and his name will be on therefore heads to get what what John is doing here throughout the book of Revelation. He said the people of God are marked by God's name is seal on therefore heads. They belong to him while they're in reveille Revelation 13 when he talks about the mark of the beast.

It's almost as if the evil one is trying to mimic God in putting his seal. The number of man 666 on his followers. And so it really is this picture of ownership. I do know that we have the states is literal and attached to the people get on therefore has no John says in first John that the spirit of the antichrist is already at work in the world today. So the question for each of us is who do you belong to argue sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Do you have faith in Jesus Christ. Do you belong to him or are you under the spirit of the antichrist are you taking captive by him and and that's essentially what you have there. In Revelation chapter 13 is the children of the evil one marked by him sealed by him because they have entrusted in Christ, and so gave that I would take and that I would say just one more thing, you know, in terms of engaging your friend, do it with humility.

With love, you want to approach it humbly and say look different books of the Bible have to be interpreted according to their genre and what we have here is visionary prophecy. And so as we approach the text of the book of Revelation we have to keep that in mind and let that help us guide us as we interpret these difficult passages. God bless you. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez's. If you have a question for us. You can call us at 833-843-2673. That's 833. The core my name is Don I live in Arkansas I'm studying the book of John and if you can explain John's thought it would be great. Thank you.

Hey John, thanks for your your call. John six.

Will one of the first things we need to understand your again. This is the context this comes on the heels of the feeding of the 5000.

This is great crowd that gathers around Jesus after he had done that that miracle and what they want is they want more bread. They want another mailing they've seen Jesus multiply the loaves they know he's this miraculous wonderworker and so you have this crowd that gathers around Jesus were told in verse 22 on the next day the crowd that remain on the other side of the sea saw that there'd only been one both their and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples it gone away alone so they go and they follow him. In the late they find him and they want more bread.

And Jesus says to them. I am the bread of life and it's in that passage in John six Reese yet to eat my flesh and drink my blood, and the crowds are shocked the people are are there turned out that they that they want what is he talking about the religious leaders there that day. I have a serious issue with this eat my flesh and drink my blood. And so Jesus responds to them to go back a few verses and in verse 41 the Jews grumbled about them because he said I am the bread that came down from heaven and they said is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know how does he now say I have come down from heaven. Jesus answered them, do not grumble among yourselves.

No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up on the last date is written in the prophets, and they will all be taught by God. Everyone who is heard and learned from the father comes to me. Kind of a jab there to the religious leaders you think would be must've not heard and learned from the father and that's the background to verse 65 and verse 65 again he said this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my father.

Here's the big take away here. What Jesus is teaching us is that apart from Christ. Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, we would have never turned to God. It really is a kind of a shocking thing and sometimes it's a difficult truth for us to accept because we hear it all around us and in society and even in the church distorted view of mankind that basically were good Disney maybe a little bit of help from God. Maybe add a little bit of religion to my life but I but decent person. I'm spiritual but most people today would would call themselves spiritual spiritual but not religious. I'm sure you've heard that, according to the Bible apart from Christ. Apart from the work of regeneration.

The new birth, our hearts are like stones. Paul said in in the book of Ephesians Ephesians 2 we are dead were dead in our trespasses in sins. And so if organic come to God.

It has to be that the father is drawing us by the grace of the Holy Spirit to his son, Jesus, and if he didn't do that we would be completely lost. One of the truth it's been highlighted here. John is God's absolute sovereignty in salvation and our need of the work of the Holy Spirit to come to him. Now I know what you might be thinking in and what you might be thinking as you listen to this. What what if I am not drawn what if I'm not one of the ones who's given to Jesus by the father will. Here's what I would say to you in on that same passage in John chapter 6 in verse 37. Listen to what our Lord said all that the father gives to me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out for what a promise for you right now if you go to Jesus.

He will not cast you out. You have a bunch of baggage, a lot of sin failures go to him turned to him by faith he won't cast you out in the amazing thing is when you do that you recognize that you can only do that because of the grace of God and because of the work of the father drawn you to his son by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don, thanks for your question. Great response Israel. Thank you. You are listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and we have an awesome offer for you today.

In fact, we are offering the very book that helped launch this show yet were excited today to share the book that was a big catalyst for the show. Dr. Michael Horton's core Christianity and over the years we've heard from many Christians who shared their struggle to see how the Bible is relevant for the 21st century core Christianity focuses on the essential Christian beliefs and shows why they matter for our lives today. Basically, this puppy can help you as study who God is and what he's done for you to bless you and your relationship with the Lord so they can advantage of this offer and head over to core Christianity.com/offers or give us a call at 833. The core tanks so much for listening and go request your copy today would love to get the book into your hands. We know it will be very very helpful. Here's the phone number again it's 833-843-2670 3833, the court will schedule another question. This one comes from Terry who posted on our website at core, Christianity.com and she says I recently moved and I'm looking for a new church. I really don't like the term church shopping because our family in Christ isn't something we buy for ourselves. But I also wonder if I don't reflect the idea when I compare the different churches I visit.

I like this one's preaching that one's music that one location or the people in the other one.

How can I wisely choose a church without feeling like I'm shopping for a new car had Terry. They said that questioning all the things you just mentioned are really important. Preaching music, the location, the people right do you do feel welcome. There is this a place where you're going to be able to build Christian community have relationships that are can encourage you in your walk with the Lord all that is is really important, but some of those things are going to be more important than others and so I think we want to make sure that the priorities are in the right place first and foremost, what is the church teaching does the church preach the Bible to me a little bit further here. Does it preach the cross. You know I'm constantly amazed when I think about the apostle Paul. He talks about his ministry and the rest of the Corinthians is the night a purpose to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified about Paul. With all of his wisdom with all of his learning with the revelations he had received the visions he had had me is the guy who had a vision of Jesus get knocked off of his horse and yet, what's the focus of his ministry is not miraculous gifts. It's not the things he learned in Torah school.

The focus of his ministry is Jesus Christ and him crucified. What's the message that your hearing every week. I've been in churches that were biblical in a sense to you know they gave a good history lesson in the lecture explaining the Bible but that didn't do as good of a job fixing my eyes on Jesus and his work for me above all else when you're determining where to go to church. Ask yourself is Jesus Christ work for me being bill boarded by the preaching or is the focus on me on. You know how I can be a better person in it is not that those things are bad is not that you know practical wisdom in terms of how to live as a Christian of wheat we need that, but the focus of the ministry has to be the cross of Jesus Christ and the gospel. His work for us and so I think that's the main thing. Music is important. Like I said, but I think even there you know you want to make sure that you're more interested in the words that are being some that in in the two N. or the band. The goal of music and worship, so that the word of Christ would dwell in us richly. Music is is just another one of the mechanisms that God uses to get his word into our hearts to get the faith into our hearts so is Christ being proclaimed is the truth being heralded know from the Scriptures.

That's the main thing the other stuff limit is important. I do encourage people to try to find a church, it's close by because I think just practically speaking, it's in a help you engage with the life of the community more you get to know people and that's important.

It's not just gathering together to receive God's gifts on Sunday. That's key we have to have that what God calls us to God calls to worship every week to receive his gifts, but we should be growing in our faith day by day together with other believers.

Napoli Huber said in Hebrews 3 let's let's encourage each other, day by day. While it is called today less were hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. And so a church that focuses on Jesus on his gospel that brings together sinners from all different stripes into this family. This community of faith where we can grow together, not just on a Sunday morning with throughout the week even in our relationships as we get to know each other and get to know Christ better through our relationships with each other and that's what you want to look for but prioritize God's word prioritize the gospel and then ask yourself you where's that at where my can it be nourished by the truth of the gospel and grounded in those truths securely. That's where you want to be and so sister II hope that that that helps you as you think about this decision and maybe villages can want to pray really quickly for for Terry and asked the Lord to guide her father.

We know how difficult it is to move to a new place and to have to look for a new church. What is best if we we've left the church that we were really plugged into, and I pray for Terry that you would guide her and you help her to find just the perfect place where she's going to be able to hear your word to be nourished by your grace by the gospel of your son Jesus and and grow in our relationship with other believers.

There were she can be an encouragement and where she is to be encouraged to guide her Lord, we pray in Jesus name, amen. I meant Terry, thanks so much for your question. Would you present you will find great church you can get plugged into really certain this is core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and Adm. Here's the question that came in from Daniel through our email he says recently, I've been struggling with some doubts about the Bible, particularly with the historicity of Noah's Ark the Bible paints this event as an event that happened in real space time history of what we do when it seems like modern science says this is been proven false. Is our faith in vain. If Noah's Ark didn't actually happen. You know what I think bill we should raise money, take get an expedition together to find the ER because I know that a few of these have have you know a couple of you that happened, but I don't know that they come up with anything yet so so maybe that's he has enough Daniel, you're right. I mean that this can be a struggle for believers and the Bible does talk about the flood. Noah's Ark of the Bible's metaphor for us as history. This is just like a nice story for us to, you know glean some spiritual truths from or supply them, and that is the case we are to glean all sorts of things from the story, but it actually happened. According to the Bible, it actually happened according to Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew chapter 24 verses 37 through 39 for as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the son of man Peter also he references the flood and the time of know in first and second Peter actually ties a line of analogy between the flood there in our baptisms today. I'm solicitous of a theological point, they can be made when we think about Noah's flood the judgment through salvation through judgment will that's a baptism is that they were baptized into Jesus Christ and to his death and resurrection were saved through the judgment that was on him, he entered into the floodwaters of death so that we might rise again with him through those waters is reunited to Jesus Christ and Daniel regarding the fact that you know you hear people say things like, well, you know this is been scientifically proved false. I don't know that that's the case in one of the really interesting things that we have documented historical evidence of is not just what the Bible says about the flood, but you have this sort of universal flood myth that you see from all different cultures around the world. This idea of a global flood that seems to be a part of of every sort of civilization, and it's actually kind of a unique thing. I think something that points to the fact that this was actually an event that happened this actually took place. It corroborates together with what the Bible says and supports essentially the narrative that we have in Scripture and what Jesus himself tells us our faith. Daniel is rooted in history.

That's what makes it so powerful, so unique, this is just get up a few myths that we that we have that week but like I said try to glean spiritual stories were know it's rooted in history from the flood to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and this is why the gospel is more than just how I feel or in a should believe this because it'll it'll make you a better person. That kind of thing that we embrace this, we believe it because it's true because it's rooted in reality. And this is precisely what the apostle Paul said related to the resurrection in first Corinthians chapter 15 is that look for I delivered to you as a first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas and then to the 12 and then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep or died. He still posting there. He saying look at our faith in Jesus Christ our faith in God's word is rooted in his defense that actually happened.

Jesus actually died and rose again from the dead, and that same Jesus talks about the flood of Noah as if it actually happened because it actually happened. And as I said brother that's corroborated by the various cultures of the world around the world that recognize that this happened. And because these things happened. We can have confidence that we believe in is true, and rest in God's word and in the promise of salvation that he gives to us in his seven 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 for or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33 core 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