My Friend Says They're Suicidal. What Should I Do?

My friend just told me their suicidal what should I do. 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 Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

Our phone lines are open right now and you can call us in the next 25 minutes or so with your question. At 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us on our YouTube channel and you can email us with your question at questions@corechristianity.com well. Today we have an international call that came in actually one of the ways our international listeners can leave messages by going to our website. Clicking on the little microphone icon leaving a message there. This one came in for Michael in Dublin, Ireland hi Michael country said that the church services nonessential so my old short steakhouse for the last year, I see the church's golden oak soul going outside short service outside which I'm happy to see I find myself very discouraged that my church is not taking this approach I feel like I'm let down by my pastor devices appreciate the ministry hey Michael really has been a difficult time for many, many churches tonight. I too am glad to hear that. It sounds like some churches out there in Dublin are doing whatever they can to gather together and worship the Lord while also trying to be respectful to governing authorities.

The II think there has to be a balance.

First and foremost and were called to obey God and God does call us to gather together for worship on the Lord's day.

I think of that text in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 24 and 25. The author, the Hebrew said, let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Earlier in the book of Hebrews the author to the Hebrews talked about how weak we have to really exhort each other, day by day. While it is called today less were hardened by the deceitfulness of sin at the fact of the matter is if you're Christian you need fellowship with the body of Christ, we have to have this info gathering together is something that is essential and yet at the same time we want to do it and in a way that is safe and wise.

I know for our church for many months we were meeting outside and and I'm sure it and I live in Southern California so it really worked out for us but I know other other places. You know it's been really challenging to figure out how we going to be faithful to the Lord. Honor the Lord and also make sure that were taking good care of our people. A couple of things brother one. I would say you want to approach your pastor on this with humility. I think it's it's fair to express your concerns to your pastor, you know there have been times Michael in the history of the church where faithful members of the church faithful lady help to keep pastors really in check help to keep them faithful in line with the teaching of the word of God, and I think lovingly going to your pastor and saying hey you know we we desperately want to gather together God calls us together. Hebrews chapter 10, to gather together it out. Having these kinds of conversations.

Paul said to Timothy in first Timothy chapter 5 verses one through three. I think this is some good guidance here as you think about this conversation do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father. So go to your your pastor and encourage him don't don't go with rebuke, but go with humility and and expressing. I think what is something that's on your heart and it's really important and it ultimately it's the desire to be faithful to what God calls us to in his word and there are times where Christians did disobey governing authorities, in particular when they were being asked to do things that were contrary to God's Word and God's law, you think about that passage and in acts chapter 4 for example, where the disciples are, you know, cast into prison for preaching Jesus there stirring things up and in the Council basically says don't speak to anyone else. And in the name of Jesus anymore. And the disciples respond with a look. It's more important for us to obey God. God's law trumps your your law, your rules, your regulations, and so we want to be faithful to the Lord and we also want to be wise and humble and it sounds to me like your your approaching this the right way. I would say sit down with your pastor break. Pray for your pastor but sit down with your pastor have this conversation maybe maybe just need some extra help in terms of getting something can the ball rolling for an outdoor service or something like that and so encourage, encourage your pastor, but yes, it really is so important for us to gather together as the people of God, especially in difficult times, like the ones that were living in. And so thank you for your question and may the Lord bless you and give you wisdom brother.

This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We love hearing from our international listeners. So if you tune in somewhere overseas. By all means send us an email or go to our website and record your message right there by clicking that little microphone icon. Let's go to Benjamin who was calling from Wichita, Kansas.

Benjamin what your question for pastor.

Israel, yeah. So I believe that God loves those created and wants to say but I have trouble with Romans nine.

It seems like God has created some people as vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. I'm wondering how predestinated some people for donation is compatible with without first Timothy two horses that God wills that all should be saved and I'm wondering how to how to properly interpret the Scripture.

Yeah, excellent question, now that word predestination it's required prorated still in its use throughout the New Testament. I differently sexy, just about a handful of times to refer to individuals. Paul says in Romans eight we've been predestined to be conformed into the image of of Jesus Christ. Also, the events in the book of acts. For example, you know, it talks about.

Essentially, God predestined for ordaining the things it took place surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and you also have this idea of God's sovereign choice of nations you think of the nation of Israel. This is recorded all over the place in the Old Testament, and even individuals in here. It seems to me in Romans chapter 9 this passage that you brought up that Paul is talking about individual election is talking about God's sovereign choice and it is you know I think a jarring thing. When we first encounter this passage of Scripture because what were trying to squared away with a few fed beef other text we find in places like first Timothy to where it says that God desires all people to be saved and so I did we decide to take these passages at face value.

We know that God is good. We know that he loves the whole world. We know what you know what what you have there in first Timothy to know there are a few different ways of interpreting a first Timothy two where Paul talks about praying for all people. He goes on to basically define what he means by all people there. He says kings and all those who are in authority in high positions because God desires all people to be so some people have have taken that to mean just look at the context it seems like Paul is talking about God's desire for all kinds of people to be saved. Different kinds of people doesn't matter who they are even even government officials were persecuting the church you think of Saul of Tarsus, for example, an individual who is persecuting the church but who Jesus called to himself. But what we get in Romans chapter 9 is a very clear picture of the fact that salvation is all of grace to start reading in verse six it says, but it is not as though the word of God has failed in here in the context of Romans nine Paul is talking about the fact that it know it seems like God's word is felt as Jesus came he preach the gospel and in his own people rejected him. It seemed like the promises of God are not being fulfilled as a policy know it's not as though the word of God is failed for not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but through Isaac shall your offspring be named. This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God but the children of the promise are counted as offspring for this is what the promise said about this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son and not only so, but also when Rebecca has conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls. She was told the older will serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated what shall we say then Paul says is there injustice on God's part and Benjamin. It sounds to me like you know that's that's were wrestling with. If we read this seed of God's sovereign election were prone to say, will guys that doesn't seem fair.

Lord, you know, how can you get to pick and Paul anticipates this. He says okay is there injustice on God's part. By no means by no means, for he says to Moses, I will have compassion on whom I have compassion so that it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy and then he goes on to say in verse 19 he will say, then why does he still find fault who can resist his will and the response the divine response is but who are you, oh man to answer back to God. C. Paul makes it absolutely clear here that God when it comes to salvation is absolutely sovereign. There's there's a mystery here because we know that you know humans are responsible responsible for the decisions that we make were called to believe in Jesus Christ. We know what the Scripture says, and yet at the same time.

Faith is a gift. Paul says this in Ephesians chapter 2, and so I don't think Benjamin that there's any contradiction, I think that we have to look at these passages in their context. I think that we can affirm that God desires all people to be saved in in in one sense railing, certainly thinking about what Paul said there in first Timothy to we can affirm that God loves the whole world. John 316 but we also have to affirm the clear teaching of Scripture on this issue as well. That is, that God is absolutely sovereign when it comes to salvation what they should do is humble us and cause us to say Lord was anything in me that caused your grace to come to me. I I turned my back on you time and time again, and yet you still pursued me and drew me to yourself. Praise your holy name to this doctrine should do it should lead us to worship and actually that's what happens later in Romans here in this section 9 to 11 Paul ends with this great doxology praising God for his mercy. While we should wake up every day thinking club for his incorruptible mercy on us is not just an amazing promise. This is yes Bill, we should. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Let's go to Bill from Southern Illinois bill watcher question for pastor.

Israel I was a great help and he was speaking on the baptism Holy Spirit, which made me think about the concert was critical about like your opinion on ill wind of the baptism Holy Spirit happen. How does it happen as a manifesto.

I will most importantly, I know there's some denominations that believe that you can't be filled Holy Spirit. Unless you have evidence of speaking in Scripture. I know that a lot.

Yes, I'm glad that you know that's a lie brother because it is.

It's not the case that in less you speak in tongues. You're not baptized in the Holy Spirit and there are groups that do teach that and it really leads to spiritual abuse of a people trying to sort of you know, fabricate fabricator create these these miraculous phenomena when when it is not really happening there. And so we have to be really careful that we understand what the baptism of the Holy Spirit is now where does that language come from it comes from Jesus in the Gospels. It also comes from the book of acts in acts chapters 1 and two.

Jesus said prior to his ascension. Your to be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now what he was referring to their in acts chapter 1 was the day of Pentecost. Now what happened on Pentecost. Marie acts chapter 2 beginning in verse one. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting and divided tongues as of fire appeared to them, and rested on each one of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. And so this is a miracle. On the day of Pentecost prophesied way back in Joel chapter 2, the prophet Joel foresaw this day that was coming and all Christians bill are baptized in and by the Holy Spirit.

Paul said in first Corinthians chapter 12 verse 13 by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. You can even say I can even say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Again, Paul says that in first Corinthians, so you can't be a Christian, confess Christ as Lord without the Holy Spirit we are filled and sealed with the Holy Spirit we are called to be continually filled with the spirit that's another thing that you see in the Bible in places like Ephesians 5, but I would say that that there's something distinct. Other were called to be filled with the spirit, but all Christians are baptized in the Spirit, and then called subsequently to walk in the spirit to be filled with the spirit through prayer, through the word of Christ dwelling richly in our hearts that's that's really how it happens a lot of times I think we we sort of make this out to be more than it needs to be. It's as were meditating on Scripture growing in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ through his word that we are being more and more filled with the spirit by the spirit controlled by the spirits to couple of other things there when you think about the day of Pentecost and what was going on. This was really a picture of new creation week recently softened Mrs. we talk all about the gift of tongues in these miracles, but what was happening there on Pentecost is new creation. The breath of life, as it were breathing in on the church suddenly there came from heaven, the sound like a mighty rushing wind now that word wind there.

It's the same word that's used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament Way back in Genesis chapter 2 verse seven where God breathed into mankind the breath of life. This is it's almost as if God is breathing on to mankind. Once again, this is new creation. It's also a picture of of God's new temple dwelling here on earth you think about fire as a sign of God's presence throughout the Old Testament the fire that burned there in the tabernacle it's it's one of the things were meant to gather from this you have these tongues of fire over the disciples. It's as if God is saying this is my new temple and we are of course Bill according to the Bible, the temple of the Holy Spirit, God lives in us.

That's another thing that God wants us to see here in this passage of Scripture and what were called to proclaim the excellencies of Christ.

That's ultimately what the disciples did there on the day of Pentecost there, filled with the Holy Spirit. They begin to speak with new tongues and what are they, what are they speaking there declaring the mighty works of God. Essentially, it's an opportunity for them to get to share the gospel. These miracles, like the gift of tongues in in the first century church. They were an end and of themselves they were always meant to lead people to Christ, so that people might embrace Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and so everyone who is a Christian is baptized in the Holy Spirit. They've experienced that new birth that new life that's pictured here in acts chapter 2. They are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit lives in them and were all called to share the excellencies of Jesus with the people around us now. Are there subsequent feelings of the Holy Spirit throughout the Christian life. Yes, and how to live those happened while they happen, the context of Christian community growing in our understanding of God's word, studying the Scriptures singing to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs as the apostle Paul says, and so I think the Bible is really clear on this, and so that that's I would approach this whole question of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in a trust that was encouraging for you brother thanks are colonists. Bill, thanks so much for taking the time to call. Great question. This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez and today we have a very special free resource for you that a drill created himself is called seeing Jesus after looking for a short read Mitch just four chapters, but something that's devotional and is going to help you better understand the ministry of Jesus Christ while he was here on earth and and who he is, for us today it it's about getting to know Jesus better seeing Jesus get a hold of this resource. It's free for you. All you have to do is go to our website.

Core, Christianity.com/Jesus. You can also call us for this resource or any one of our resources at this number 833-843-2673. That's 833 the court let's go to an email we received from Emily and she says hi pastor Gabriel.

Recently a friend of mine shared that they been having suicidal thoughts, I was taken aback and wasn't sure how to respond. What should I say to my friend why I think that the first thing that you need to do. Emily is is listen. Certainly, I mean don't don't brush that under the rug. You want to take this very, very seriously and ask questions begin to have a dialogue with your friend even specific questions can be really helpful. You know like me to something you've thought about before. You know, have you thought about how you're going to do it. Those kinds of things and a lot of times when when people have an encounter like this work where somebody says something like this to.

I think we freeze.

We don't know what to say were afraid of even bringing it up, we just try to avoid it, but that's actually the least helpful thing you can do what you really need to do is begin having this conversation that can be helpful as this individual is able to share what's going on and is they really feel cared for. A lot of people feel so lonely like they have no one that they can go to or no one who really takes interest in them or their lives and so what you're doing is you're taking interest or saying hey what's going on and if you really believe that someone is going to attempt suicide. You need to get immediate help, maybe even driving them to the hospital. There are some some suicide hotlines also that you can call or encourage them to call you need you need professional help. There is a lot of hopelessness right now in the world and so often I think that's that's one of the causes units as people think about their life and they feel hopeless. There's this this is dark and gloom. A lot of it can be depression.

Also, clinical depression, but one thing that that I think is really important for us to understand and to be able to communicate and maybe you feel you know you listening whenever you feel that that hopelessness with Jesus. There is always hope. He's the risen Savior and I don't know what you're going through, specifically in your life that makes you feel hope hopeless. I do know that sometimes you know when we look within to ourselves, we can feel hopeless. We look around us and our circumstances, the suffering that we see around us in the world. We can feel hopeless. We can even feel like God doesn't love us because of our failures because of the way our our lives have gone but let me just say to you with Jesus. There is always hope and God does love you and here's how you know that he loves you how he showed you his love for you. We show you his love for you sending Jesus is what John says and in first John chapter 4 verse nine he says in this the love of God was made manifest among us that God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him.

God loves you so much that he sent his son Jesus into the world that through Jesus, you might live. By the way, we ought we should also mention to you Emily if you want to pass along this number to your friend. There is a national suicide prevention lifeline number and he or she can call that 800-273-8255.

If anyone is listening today who is feeling severely depressed, or maybe like taking her own life. Please to reach out for some help at that number again. It's the national suicide prevention lifeline 800-273-8255. We also have a resource here at core Christianity. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression. It's eight things you should know. I'm sorry nine things you should know about depression.

You can find out that through our website at core, Christianity.com just look under resources. Let's go to Christine calling in from Toledo, Ohio, Christine, what is your question for pastor.

Israel is a lot I my question is in regards to sharing the gospel. I know as followers of Christ that were called to do is to tell others the good news that is Jesus, and to make disciples. So my my question kinda is with my concern is who and when should should we remember to do this.

I feel like with family with strangers.

I interact with every day.

My heart aches for anyone who may not know Jesus and may may not know the truth of who he is. So when when should we and when shouldn't me and will Christine. I know that a lot of believers lately feel crushed by this sort of burden. I just have to share the gospel with everybody that I meet.

You know the person that I'm sitting by at the bus stop on the airplane, or wherever I met like if I don't get this out. I feel this intense guilt that I have talked to believers like that and I used to feel that way too. I think I think we should always have the prayerful intention of being able to share Christ with the people around us not just with how we live our lives with our words. You sometimes hear people say preach the gospel and if necessary use words well you have to his words to share the message of the gospel, but we want our words and the way that we live to match up. And so I would say Christine pray for the people around you. The people that God is brought into your life friends, family members who have relationships with, and pray that the Lord opens the door for you to be able to share the message of the gospel with them and look for opportunities in and you might be surprised as you as you pray those prayers to see how the Lord answers those prayers and begins to open doors for you to share.

I would think, pray, and then share thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and 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