What Does it Mean To Be Pro-Life?

Isn't it hypocritical of pro-life Christians to care about unborn babies but not care about the mistreatment of other people. 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 April Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you.

In fact, you can call right now with your question for pastor, a drill, here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com later. Let's go ahead, I'm sorry.

Oh, Bill. Sorry to cut you off there I would. I was just going to say you know I was thinking about the questions that we get a date.

Years ago when we were first planting our church. I was leading a Bible study and it was a good group of people in my living room and I was talking we were talking about one of these deeper doctrines of the Christian faith.

You know, kind of going back and forth and there was a woman there who had been visiting our Bible study ended up becoming a member of the church, but she was new to the Christian faith and in the middle of this sort of deep theological discussion.

She raised her hand and she asked the question why are some of the words in my Bible read and we kind of all smiled and and you know explain well you know some some Bibles are red letter Bibles that make the words of Jesus read and Ben went up. It reminded me of how, really, every question is a good question. Were all in different places in our walk with the Lord. Some people have been walking with Jesus for five minutes. Other people for 50 years. But there there are so many questions that we have been so I just wanted to encourage those listening give us a call with your question. Doesn't matter how long you've known the Lord and in walking with Jesus. We want to hear from you as a great reminder for all of us that were all in different places on our spiritual journey and there is no dumb questions. There's no pen questions and you know what we also encourage people who are exploring Christianity or maybe have doubts about Christianity. Maybe you consider yourself an atheist or an agnostic and you just happen to stumble across this radio station today. We encourage you to call as well with your questions about the faith because the man that's one of our goals is to clarify the gospel. The core truths of Christianity for you and let's go to go to Laura who is calling him from Downers Grove, Illinois hi Laura, welcome to core Christianity claim God. Mark 120 Jesus repealed the demons and told them to say who he was. I was wondering why he did that. Laura, thank you for your question. A really good question because this is the only time in Mark's gospel that Jesus tells people hate keep it on the down low, you know, don't tell anybody that I've healed you and this is what some scholars refer to as the messianic secret. It seems like throughout his ministry, Jesus over and over again was trying to keep his identity a secret.

He was telling will hate don't go and spread disinformation for the demons were saying we know who you are, the holy one of God the son of God. Jesus would silence them. Now why would Jesus do that if he's TV trying to reveal his identity. The people there well I think that there is a really simple answer and it's that Jesus knew the people he knew the crowds. I didn't want them to come and try to make him king right there and then Jesus had another plan. Ultimately, Laura, his plan was to go to the cross. That's where he was going to be lifted up and enthroned. If you will. He was going to wear a crown of thorns to the people were wanting a king who would deliver them from Roman occupation who would give them power political power conquering their enemies. Jesus came to conquer sin and Satan. And so one of the reasons why I think over and over again in Jesus's earthly ministry he was he was silencing the devils is because he was headed to the cross and he did need the crowd stick to get in the way of that. And so Laura, thank you so much for that for that question. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Here's the phone number to call if you'd like to connect. It's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. By the way, there are a variety of ways to listen to our program and whether you listen to our podcast or you check us out on YouTube or on the radio.

The time to call is 11:30 AM Pacific 130 Central 230 Eastern time. Some stations air this program on a delayed basis of that's the time that you want to connect with us, let's go to Jean from St. Louis, Missouri with Jean welcome to core Christianity look like Jean thank you so much. Yeah, thank you for that question will one. What does it mean to be saved. The word throughout the Bible, sometimes and in the Old Testament and in particular just referred to temporal salvation. In other words, God save me from my enemies save me from these circumstances. Deliver me from those who were trying to harm you see this over and over again in the Psalms.

In particular, but when we oftentimes throw that word around in the Christian church and are you saved have you been saved were for Cooper referring to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul talks about this in the book of Ephesians and it and so it's really important for us to understand that typically the New Testament when that word saved is use that's that's what it's pointing to listen to what Paul said in Ephesians 2, you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind, but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So what does it mean to be saved. It means to be united to Jesus Christ by faith in, and what does that look like well it's a personal relationship with Jesus. We lay hold of Jesus by faith were filled with the Holy Spirit and we begin to walk with Jesus day by day, and he's transforming us sanctifying us by his grace and actually Paul in just a little bit after that. And in Ephesians chapter 2 goes on to talk about this he says again verse eight for by grace you have been saved through faith and this not of your own doing, it is the gift of God not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. And so Jean, we are saved solely by the grace of Jesus Christ by grace through faith and having been saved. What does it look like now that were saved but we walk with the Lord and were saved unto good works to serve him to follow him to to obey his his word, and so Jean is that we were thinking in terms of your question you what is it, what does it look like is that we are getting it exactly what happened that you quoted, but a lot of people and they don't receive that to heart and you let me just say Jean.

I praise the Lord that that word is buried in your heart and we want to see that for the people that we love all around us and thank you so much for your question sister.

This is core Christianity. We would love to hear from you. Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Danny who is calling in from Topeka, Kansas. Danny, thanks for connecting with us your core Christianity Danny hi everyone thought it there is a double standard that are that spelled right. They will be open but yet out there having services and started playing in the late letter that man is like his plan dammit man you strip liberty to place explain that this is something that's very near and dear to my heart as a pastor and I can say you know and as a minister that our churches really wrestled with these with these very questions so she throughout 2020. You know for for a few months many churches were just kind of doing the online thing and then over time, where I met here in California and we were. We were told he can do outdoor services are we even had a driving service. I preached on the top of the Jeep, which was pretty exciting and also terrifying. One of the big questions is why does it seem like you know some places are allowed to open but churches aren't being allowed to open it and I get the frustration I really do, brother. This is this is been a strain for many, many churches I think the question that we'd ask is you know, can we be faithful to God and obey governing authorities, which is what were called to do in places like Romans 13 or also first Peter chapter 2 verse 13. Listen to what Peter said be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme or governors is sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. So this is called repeatedly in the New Testament did to submit to governing authorities insofar as they're not calling us to sin and in you brought up that text and in the book of acts. I think that's a really good passage to consider as well. But look, there are certain things that we might disagree with. There are certain things that that might put extra strain on us but if were not been called to sin, and if were still able to worship which you not I'm here in California and we been having outdoor services.

There's nothing that says in Scripture. If you're going to worship the Lord. You need to worship inside a building that the wonderful thing is we get to continue to worship Jesus and up. Be faithful to him and to be faithful to his word, and so I don't know that there's there's a contradiction there.

Yes there there's a challenge and it's really hard and and I sympathize with you brother but I think were called. I know were called here called I'm called as followers of Jesus to be faithful to the word in all respects and at times there are things that were to be asked to do bite bite governing authority don't contradict Scripture, but maybe we don't really appreciate or agree with those laws. With those regulations, whatever they are. That doesn't mean it's okay for us to disobey them and so that's that's the approach that I've taken it and as I've said, we've been able to continue worshiping the Lord faithfully and ended and it's been a wonderful thing and so thank you Danny for for your question and our prayer is that the Lord will continue to work in you and your church brother. It certainly is a delicate balance during this time coronavirus how to churches respond, especially in some states where the authorities have really made it tough to worship. That's right, Phil. This is core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and we have something special we want to offer you, especially if you are a new listener. It's called our core kit.

Yes, we are excited about this. If you're if you're curious and you want to learn more about core Christianity. The core kit is basically an introduction to all of the best resources that we have here at core Christianity are just a handful of then we've gathered together in one place at a one of the things that you receive. If you sign up to get this core kit is a DVD called finding yourself in God's story for teachings, lectures given by Nancy Guthrie who is a Bible teacher, and Dr. Michael Horton, Prof. of theology at really practical stuff, helping you to to see how you fit into the story of God, really. The Scripture is God's story and he's central to the story but he's invited us to be a part of the story as well and he brings us in through his son Jesus and so get all this resource. The core kit and bill how do they get a hold of this.

All you have to do is go to core Christianity.com/kit to sign up.

That's core Christianity.com/kit you can also call us at 833-843-2673 for getting help on any one of our offers again that numbers 833. The core not one of the ways you can connect with us and ask your question is by leaving a voicemail or going to our website and recording a voicemail.

Here's a call that came in from one of our listeners yesterday year old registered nurse and entering why have any right to tell a woman what she can do with her body. I don't believe in abortion something I would.

She might write to my beliefs on data people sell micro people dying in the nursing home every day that are being mistreated, not where you should possibly go to the help that your car like a car like for everybody that that last part right. There is truly another pro-life you are pro-life. Everybody in the Christian church historically has been an and called by Jesus to be compassionate to defenders of those who are vulnerable of those who are in need of those who suffer and and I would just say that right now. One of the most vulnerable places to be in the United States is the womb is not about telling someone else what they can or can't do with their body. It's about telling others what they can and can't do to another person's body, and you know that I think that's that. That really gets to the heart of the matter.

There are two individuals, we would say to persons that are that need to be taken into account here.

I remember it.

I have four children and I remember when when our our first was born are about to be born with the first week we got to hear his heartbeat going to the hospital and listening to the heartbeat. I'll never forget that that that was the moment I realize while this is this is a real human life, not my son is in my wife's womb, and I would just is this real me out. Like I said I'll never forget that. I knew that this was another person.

I didn't just know because II had the Seo feelings I knew. Also because of what the word of God says.

The psalmist says in Psalm 139 verses 13 and 14 for you formed my inward parts you needed me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well. I think of it in the Gospels. There's that scene where Mary and Elizabeth meet up and do you remember what happened when when Elizabeth sees Mary and and the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps is from Luke chapter 1 I listen listen to what it says in Luke chapter 1 beginning in verse 39.

In those days. Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to the town of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth and when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb and why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me for behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears. The baby in my womb leapt for joy.

I just think that this is so amazing that the youngest person we might say to ever recognize the presence of Jesus Christ was this baby in the womb, John the Baptist there leaping for joy. We might say when Elizabeth, here's the greeting of Mary. The Bible treats children in the womb as real persons and so that that's that's the question. Is this a real person. The answer is just as much as the Bible teaches that the more we learn about bio biology. The more we realize that this is the case as well. But this is a human life. And so it has nothing to do with trying to to force people to do one thing or another to their own bodies. It it's all about protecting another person's life yet, and that's what God calls us to not just for the unborn, but for all those who are vulnerable because God cares about life because were made in the image of God were told in Genesis chapter 1 and so we as as Christians value life and believe that it should be brick protected and defended. Thank you for that question. I'm so glad you mentioned that story about Elizabeth and Mary because every time I pray that at Christmastime to my kids. We discussed that whole issue of wow John the Baptist recognized Jesus even when he was in the womb. I know how incredible and that's only by the grace of the Holy Spirit right but at just it just says so much. You know like it, and frankly I think oftentimes we we downplay the significant work that God is doing in our children, even our young children. The spirit of God is at work in our children and we shouldn't minimize that it and so it really is a beautiful picture there. Bill your listening to core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez. If you have a question. Here is the number you can call it's 1-833-843-2673. That's 833. The core let's go to Opal from St. Louis, Missouri hi Opal, welcome to core Christianity Opal, welcome to the to the program. What's your question about every morning before I have Brad and it rained and I take it is for my mind, body and soul for my family and friends and I want to know am I bringing damnation on myself and taken communion bail so much better.

Been doing it for a year and I feel so much better since I've been doing it Opal thank you for your question. Referring to the passage we're looking at yesterday in first Corinthians chapter 11 where the apostle Paul talked about examining ourselves and discerning the Lord's body whenever it is that we take the Lord's supper and I can tell sister that your desire is just to have communion with Jesus to draw near to Jesus every morning to be in his presence, and I think that that's a wonderful thing. But you need understand that the Lord's supper. Communion is something that should be done in the context of the church with the rest of the body of Christ, so that they are also experiencing that grace, because ultimately it comes to us from the Lord and that's something that the apostle Paul says in first Corinthians 10 and 11. He makes it clear that this really is something that that should be taking place in the context of the worship service in the context of the church. Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 10 verse 17 because there is one bread, we who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread that is we altogether when were gathered together. We also see this and in the book of acts in acts chapter 2, verse 42 talks about the early disciples devoting themselves to the apostles teaching to the breaking of the bread to the fellowship, to the prayers and so this is something that's to be done in the context of the local church, not on our own now.

Again, I understand that that your desire is is to draw near to Jesus and to be in his presence and my encouragement to you would be one make sure you're in a good church where you are taking the Lord's supper communion frequently, but day by day.

What I would say is open up the word read the word pray for your friends and for your family. That's what you can do for them and that that's ultimately what's going to be the most beneficial for them not taken communion on their behalf.

Praying for them and studying the word of God so that you can encourage them with the word of God and so that that's how I would respond to.

I do think it is so important for assert there are many believers who I think are confused about this issue and particularly suited the Lord's supper is more of an individual thing. Just me by myself with Jesus. It's great to have me by myself with Jesus time opening up the word and praying with the Lord's supper is a community event. It's the church gathering together and that's where we do it sister. This is core Christianity, we have time for one more call this is Sheila from Des Moines, Iowa. Sheila welcome the core Christianity. I can hear you Sheila what your question will will will know you never know what I were running out of time here, but I think your question you should you should should you seek a mate or just wait on the Lord to see what he doesn't let me just say this one you're being single doesn't make you insufficient before got I just I just say that really quickly, because I know there are a lot of people who are single who feel like they're there missing something. They're not truly human yet because Evan founding of that kind with a will.

That's not the case, but at the end of the day were freed up to pursue marriage, you're free to pursue marriage so long as the person is in the Lord. That's what Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 7 so I would say if you want to be married and find someone who's in the Lord date that person and ultimately marriage is a picture of the gospel of the mercy of Jesus to us his bride. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together