Should People with Mental Illness Serve in the Church?

Should people with mental illness serve in the church. 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 answered your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you with your question you can call us in the next 25 minutes or so. Here's the phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on her Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us on YouTube and you can email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Charlotte in Peoria, Illinois, Charlotte what your question for Pastor Israel want to get it question.

Can I please read through the Bible. What please it's very important to question I want to know. I believe that you is going to be having me and then a meeting. I can almost to the Bible okay you have a verse in mind you are thinking of 27 three. I cannot read it to you real quick. Okay real quick.

Okay key which betrayed Christ when he realized Christ was can and can't make it back 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders saying I send IB trade, but nobody cared and cast down the money in the temple and departed and went out and felt Charlotte will thank you, one for your question. You know the question is this person going to be in heaven is always a really difficult question to answer now throughout church history. I think the majority of people if have said you know Judas is is probably not going to be with us in heaven. And that's also my view and I want to address that passage you brought up in Matthew 27 but one of the reasons are couple of the reasons why Christians have believe this really because of the words of Jesus himself in in the chapter right before what you read them in Matthew chapter 26 that when Jesus is is in the context is a sort of Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus telling his disciples that he's going to be betrayed. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him. Verse 24 of Matthew 26 but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed, it would have been better for that man if he had not been born a statement like that from Jesus seems to indicate that that that actually Judas is in in a really bad condition. Hear me when he betrays the Lord.

He's turning from Christ turning from the gospel. You also have Jesus's words Charlotte and his high priestly prayer in John chapter 17 beginning in verse 11. Jesus is praying anything and I am no longer in the world but they are in the world. Speaking of his disciples, and I am coming to you. Holy father keep them in your name which you have given me, that they may be one even as we are one. While I was with them. I kept them in your name which you have given me I have guarded them and not lost. One of them except the son of destruction, that the scripture might be fulfilled in their the son of destruction of the son of perdition, is a reference to Judas and so than what we make of Matthew 27 where it says that you know he he came forward and he quote unquote repented he changed his mind. That kind of thing we have to really understand it in its context. It seems to me Charlotte like Judas was really remorseful. He had this this sense of guilt, but also this hopelessness.

He really wasn't clinging to Christ in the gospel. Turning from his said I think you just realized what I've done is is wrong what I've done is terrible and he's loaded down by the sense of guilt but but not the sense of hope that we receive in the gospel there great theologians will talk about this throughout church history, especially comparing Judas with Peter, because both of them denied the Lord there in his in his greatest hour of need your member Peter denied Jesus three times and yet Peter is restored and Judas never was. It seems like Peter generally repented turn to the Lord, but Judas was just filled with this sort of remorse and there's a difference between remorse, Charlotte and repentance and it is really important for us to understand that and so my view is that Judas was not safe that he's not going to be in heaven that while he was remorseful because of what he had done. He never clung to the gospel. By faith he never turned to Jesus with with hope as Peter did, and that's what differentiates him from Peter, thanks for your question. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez's let's go to James in oh stage Beach, Missouri James, I say the name of your town right hey were here. James yes it Beach that Osage Beach was there. Yes, all right: okay Mike what my question today is I read two passages of Scripture this morning, one in Romans 12 are talked about, do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may discern the will of God and then the second passage without first John or John was talking about do not love the world or the things in the world. And if anyone loves all of the fathers on in them.

Then he goes on in the 17 work talks about that the world will pass away with everything in it and but those who do the will of God will buy forever. Now my question is what is the what what what are what is the will of God and pertaining to both Paul and John's message yeah I think the question in window in the New Testament talks about the world you know that the word world cosmos in the New Testament is often used in in different ways, so we have to take note of that week we can just interpret the word world in the same way in each and every passage. For example, Jesus, you know it or John chapter 3 verse 60 were talks about God the father sending Jesus into the world for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have it eternal life. And then John the same guy who wrote the gospel of John writes in first John 215. As you quoted do not love the world and so is there a contradiction there no button in one sense, you know like there in John chapter 3, it's talking about the fact that God loved sinful humanity sent his son into the world to redeem us in first John two seems to be talking about this sort of system of the world in bondage to Satan you know that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life is.

John goes on to talk about it elsewhere in the book of first John and then in Romans chapter 12 I think there's a similarity between those two passages that you brought up Romans 12 to in first John 215 where the world is being depicted as the system of belief doctrine. If you will.

That's contrary to God and the grace of the Holy Spirit and we do see that in the world today, you just turn on the news and it's it's it's all over the place and were called not to be shaped by that. Don't be conformed to this world to this age, this present evil age that's passing away, but be conformed to God and to his grace into the promise of the gospel. The promise of a new age that the age to come. It's breaking in already. Through God's word and spirit. And so I would say that's that's the best way to understand if you're if you're thinking of the world there not be conformed to the world, not loving the world. It's were being called not to live for this world. In particular, the sinful desires the pride of life, those kinds of things that John goes on to speak about. As I said elsewhere in first John does that help clear it up for you James and I would always want to the world you world as people on the world correct.

That's right yeah and that's basically what the difference was I mean Paul was talking about. Do not be conformed to the system and then John says do not love the system and then it goes on the site talks about the will of God, not what is the will. God different than them or anything else not passage are you talking about in in first John chapter 2 bulk but because he's also the first in Oaks and the will got discern and test the will of God, which is good, acceptable and perfect. And Jeff and then John talked about those who know those who do as well.

God will live forever yes yes so first will back in Romans chapter 12 verse two again. He goes on to say, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God. That is what is good and acceptable and perfect.

What will here, in particular, I think in and Paul has really similar language. I believe it's in Ephesians chapter 5 where God's will, refers to what he's revealed to us what he calls us to.

I think the same thing in the book of first John, so were called not to be shaped by this world.

The system of this world, but by what God has revealed to us in his word. That's what needs to shape us by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and so as we are growing in our understanding of God's word and what God is revealed to us through his law and ultimately to the gospel.

That's what's forming us as believers and that's what's renewing our minds so that we might live in this present evil age in this world and be lights for the Lord and so thank you again for your question brother hope that clears it up and appreciate you digging in the Scriptures. Thanks James appreciate you listening to core Christianity and your commitment to God's truth that is really wonderful. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. If you have been helped by an answer you heard Oncor, Christianity, and you want to share a previous episode with a friend or family member you can actually send them a video of our episodes from our YouTube channel. Be sure to click the subscribe button while you're there you can follow along. For extra videos from us here at core Christianity let's go to Orlando in Fort Smith Arkansas Orlando what your question for pastor Adrian Bayer land.

I can hear you what your question brother will like that. I have never am having trouble hearing you Orlando and you can what was your question okay what I be able to get here a little one to call us back when you're at a better coverage area and we can get your question from you. Let's go to Al in San Diego hi welcome to core Christianity. I am a relatively new believer and I will try to figure out what exactly to what God said legibly about anyways, deliberating right now the weather is to be a Presbyterian or a Lutheran what you think the different traditions are you how important AL appreciate your question to to come across another brother in San Diego and I'm also grateful to hear that the Lord has brought you to himself that your new believer. I pray that you continue to grow and I dig into the Scriptures SOL limit me to be real quick here that the primary difference between them historically between Presbyterians and Lutherans has been on questions related to the Lord's supper. I would say that's a big one in the presence of Jesus in the Lord's supper that that's that's gonna be key that was one of the big things. It was sort of led to a split between Luther and other reformers during the time of the Reformation was an understanding of the Lord's supper and so and those things are important. Let me just say you know this program. This broadcast is all about core Christianity the fundamentals of the Christian faith and what I will say Allison you historically, Lutherans and Presbyterians. You know that they've agreed on those things you think about the Nicene Creed or the apostles Creed is the fundamentals of the gospel and so that's something to celebrate that we praise God for. But that doesn't mean that there aren't other really important questions that we need to explore and I pray that the Lord gives you wisdom as you continue to explore these questions and and that would be one of the big differences between those two branches of Christianity.

If you will thank you well appreciate that question.

This is core Christianity and by the way, we know that we have some listeners.

Maybe you or maybe someone you love who is struggling with depression and if that's the case, we want to tell you about a resource that we have available to you on our website. Yeah a really important resource. Nine things everyone should know about depression. It's yours. When you sign up for our weekly newsletter to free resource for you. There are a lot of people who struggled with reading a statistic just the other day Bill, I think it's something like one in five people who who struggles with some kind of a mental illness and then 125 with a real serious sort of mental illness are often very serious depression and I'm sure you know the statistics as well Bill, it's so important that we have a good understanding in these areas so that we can encourage each other and for ourselves.

Also just absolutely crucial to get a hold of this resource. Nine things everyone should know about depression. All you have to do is go to our website. Core, Christianity.com/offers to get that particular resource or you can call us for that, or any one of our resources at this number 833 the core that's 833-843-2673 Wallace go to a voicemail that we received yesterday from Stacy in Austin, Texas.

Mental illness is well controlled by their medication become a leader in the church. I've known people who work fine. Working in the church.

While there mental illness was out of control and once they decided to do something about it and that something wasn't Bible study, but medication. These people were invited to leave. I think this is very unfair, but I wanted to know what the Bible says about it. If it says anything and what your opinion is. Thank you. I look forward to hearing your answer by a Stacy thank you so much for for that very thoughtful question. My my view on this. I mean II would agree. I think that is unfair. Can someone who has mental illness be qualified for ministry think that the answer is yes. Sin disqualifies an individual from ministry sickness or mental illness does not necessarily. But this is an area where where you have to exercise. Individuals need exercise a great degree of wisdom. It's especially important to have support accountability. If you have a mental illness and to recognize that the church work, especially the call to the pastorate is a burden that could make things worse. If you're not careful. If you don't have that kind of accountability and if you're not taking the proper medications and so I think I think doesn't need to be something that keeps someone from the ministry necessarily, but that you need exercise wisdom. Hearing me to say this other than this other thing you God uses us even with our weaknesses.

Think back to Exodus chapter 4 when God was calling Moses to speak on his behalf, and Moses was saying EL Lord I'm not the best guy for you to choose. I have these these issues.

He says oh my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the pastor's into spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue and you remember Stacy what the Lord said to Moses in response who has made man's mouth who makes the mute or deaf, or seeing, or blind, is it not I the Lord God says I'm still going to use you. Despite the fact that you have this this weakness.

This infirmity, God uses us even with our weaknesses. Think of the apostle Paul in second Corinthians chapter 12 we talked about boasting in his weaknesses in the areas of his life with her was needed because it was there precisely with the power of God by the grace of the Holy Spirit was shining through, where Jesus was being glorified, and there have been people Stacy throughout the history of the church. I think Bev battled with things like depression and and other mental illnesses, but who have been used mightily by the Lord. Sometimes people will appeal to Charles Spurgeon.

He was this great Baptist preacher in a led many people to the Lord, but also struggled with with this sense of gloom with the sense of depression. There a lot of people think that he really had the sort of clinical depression and and and yet he he was used mightily by the Lord and so again the sin is what disqualifies an individual from ministry not sickness or mental illness.

But we have to exercise wisdom here and we have to know going into the ministry. In particular, you know what it is that were taken on because there are particular challenges associated especially with the pastorate that can add extra burden and foot may not be the wisest thing for someone who's really really wrestling with some of these things to do, but that that that doesn't mean that that's necessarily true. And so you have to use wisdom you have to seek the Lord, there needs to be accountability and and that's my answer to your question so thank you for giving us a call.

Stacy God bless Stacy I'm not sure what this individual is struggling with that. We mentioned that depression resource if that individual that you are no in the church has as a struggle with depression. Here again, was that wonderful resource we have nine things you need to know about depression and you can find that by going to core Christianity.com/resources let's go back to Orlando who was calling from Fort Smith, Arkansas Orlando. We had a little trouble with your phone line before the go ahead with your question for pastor. Israel okay I was just curious. I went to a guy that I really like that was public of Oklahoma, and he brought up something I learned more about what clarity on it or he mentioned that Jehovah in the Old Testament is Jesus in the New Testament, and I have always understood the double father and son but he said that the father's name that Jesus laying would be exalted above all my will appeal to non-and he states that Jesus is Jehovah, or both being I am in the father's supper that I was going to just give your take on my thank you for that question love this question. I have had this similar discussion with people.

When I went to get a conversation with Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, a really you know excited about the name Jehovah and concern that the that the covenant name of God is been taken out of the Bible are translated as Lord. I oftentimes José will actually in the New Testament. Many of the passages that applied to Jehovah God in the Old Testament are applied to Jesus in the New Testament of Jesus is Jehovah Jehovah Orlando is the covenant name of God in the Old Testament it it it really focuses on God's personal relationship with his people is steadfast covenant love for them as he's revealed himself to his people as as Jehovah as the Lord God Almighty and we go to the New Testament, oftentimes Jesus, as I said was referred to as Jehovah. So one of the places that all go is for example in Hebrews chapter 1 where the author to the Hebrews is talking about the supremacy of Jesus Christ.

And he quotes from Psalm 102, but he applies it to Jesus. Some one from someone at you and then Hebrews chapter 1 verse 10 it says and you Lord is he speaking of Jesus here laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain, they will wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up like a garment. They will be changed, but you are the same and your years will have no end what so amazing about that is if you go to the Old Testament. Psalm 102 the Lord there is Yahweh, Jehovah, the covenant God for the author. The Hebrews had no problem saying that Jesus is Jehovah, but I think that covenant name can be applied to all the members of the Trinity set up to gets its that's Jesus but it's not can't be applied to the father I think that you see both in the Old Testament is, I wouldn't draw maybe a sharp of the distinction is it sounds like this this other brother is making but I do think that we can say with with full confidence that the New Testament when it talks about Jesus when one work beetle being presented with the identity of of our Lord Jesus Christ is no problem applying those passages of Scripture. The Old Testament were talking about Jehovah God, the covenant God of Israel to Jesus. Jesus is Jehovah so thank you for your question brother hope that clears it up for you. Good question thank you so much for Orlando fora for your question. Appreciate that Wallace go to one quick email question that came in from Julia. She says how involved should the church be in political issues. Is it important that the church leaders address these issues or support or reject certain bills and petitions or endorse political leaders. Yeah. So as as a pastor as a minister of the gospel. I am an ambassador of Jesus Christ and his kingdom.

That's that's the focused and so were pooper proclaiming the kingdom of God.

I get really uneasy when pastors begin to focus a lot on politics and you note beginning to endorse a particular candidate or pressure their members to know we could get in line with this, you know, maybe particular legislation that kind of thing that doesn't mean that there aren't things out there that we should completely reject on the basis of what God's word says and so we do preach and apply the word of God to everything to every aspect of life, but our our our job as ministers of the gospel is not to to lead people into our own political persuasions. It's to lead people into the kingdom of God.

That's where our primary citizen ship rest of the apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 3, and so I think we should encourage people to be involved to be engaged with that the things are going on around them. In particular, for the good of their neighbor.

Those who are in need while focusing on the gospel in the proclamation of the gospel in the world today. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

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