Is America a Christian Nation

Is it accurate to refer to America as a Christian nation that is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity.

While happy Independence Day to you on Bill Meyer along with pastor Gabriel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We actually recorded this program a little bit earlier so Israel can get his barbecue started to make room for that you could call us 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 and you can email us at questions@corechristianity.com when you cooking up.

They try to break up with Connie Asad on or what what what you got going there mobile.

Actually, today it is try to downright kindness that I I do love that as well. I typically I go and see what's on sale whatever is on sale. That's what I did. I go for.

I got you know one of those old just Weber grills that this would around charcoal grill.

Pretty basic, but I just love the charcoal grill man. I feel like you can beat it. So that's were looking forward to write you a list. You know I'm probably gonna let my wife to the cooking but play burgers simple.

I wouldn't want you to cook anything for me. I know so much, you are a list go to our phones. We have a call from Ken in St. Louis, Missouri hi Ken, what's your question for pastor atrial doing well yeah electrical.

Now you can. Anyway, my question is. I just want to say I respect and honor what you guys are doing on the air and tried to enlighten people in an better knowledge about God's word.

I question is, however, is I listen to various pastors and preachers throughout the brotherhood. My question is why do they often can to ignore key scriptures in the Bible about obeying the gospel.

I asked what are the Gospel of Philip obeying his word, yes.

But apostle Paul for the first 2015 143.

Know your fate.

But if gospel of Christ died bearing was rose again. How do we reenact that gospel. He fell at the moment. 6326. We are buried with him in baptism we become a new creature so often when I listen to these preachers they will they will give great lessons in the right to the point of it you're not say you need to right now. Ask him your heart, which I admire that's good or are the sinners prayer or just believe on the Lord, but they ignore why they ignore key scriptures as acts 238, when Peter says repent and what be baptized. What, for the remission of hands that you may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and the only thing on the air you're getting to get the Holy Spirit before you even baptized. Galatians 327, said our 222.7 yeah, although the been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. Jesus said that you let me you will keep my commandments.

What he say he said in Mark 1616. He said he that believe that is what excepting in my heart.

No heat and is baptized shall be saved. So these are key scriptures. They tend to ignore. Why do they ignore these pictures and not on in their lessons and wherever they may be speaking again man I appreciated that, is that string of Bible verses. I know you had all those memorized, or if you just have a list in front of you, but kudos to you brother and and all very important passages of Scripture and I tend to agree with you that we especially with regard to things like baptism, tend to minimize the significance of baptism in the church today.

There are a lot of churches where it's asserted this thing that you that you do in order to show forth your faith, but it is not really that important, but you do you mean when you read that the Scriptures in Romans six, Galatians 3, the great commission that Jesus gave to the church, you know, going all the world and make disciples doing what baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.

And low I am with you always, even to the end of the age now. I think in this discussion.

As were talking about obedience in the gospel. It really is helpful to clarify our terminology. First, you referenced first Corinthians chapter 15, where Paul gives a very clear description of what the gospel is and you'll note in that chapter and in those verses beginning in verse one. The gospel is not something that we do.

The gospel is something that has been accomplished by God, not by me, not by you. God is the one who accomplished the gospel by sending his son into the world to live, to suffer to die and to rise again from the dead, that is the gospel that we preach. Paul says this is is what was delivered to me this is what I delivered to you. It's of chief importance that Jesus Christ died and rose again for our sins. And so the gospel we have to we have to be real clear about this is the proclamation of God's victory over sin and death. That's why it's good news if the gospel was here is a list of things for you to do that. It wouldn't be that great of news because the fact of the matter is, when it comes to obedience to God's law, you and I fall short, and we will for our entire Christian life even filled with the Holy Spirit and striving to live lives of holiness, day by day we sin against God and thought, word, and indeed, and if were looking to ourselves for confidence or not you have very much as of the gospel is secure. It sure it's what God has done for us in Christ.

But you do have language of obeying the gospel.

At times I'm thinking of second Thessalonians chapter 1 verse eight where it talks about the wicked. Those who reject the gospel of God, who do not obey the gospel of God and the question is what does it mean to obey the gospel of God, I think, quite simply, if the gospel is what God has done for us in Christ, then it's a reference to receiving that by faith embracing it, trusting in what Christ has done for us, and in fact Jesus in John chapter 6 verse 29 is asked by the crowd. You know what we need to do to do the works of God in Jesus's response is this is the work of God, that you believe in me believe half faith trust now in light of that, in light of our rights are our new identity in Jesus Christ by faith in him through baptism than this is what Paul is getting at another text. You mentioned Romans chapter 6 we are called to walk in newness of life, not as a way of doing the gospel or fulfilling the gospel as it's been done but is an implication of our new identity in Christ as as as as those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and day by day growing into the likeness of Jesus Christ by that same spirit that sometimes we distinguish and I think it's really helpful to distinguish between the imperatives and the indicative's in Scripture. The imperatives are those commands that we find throughout the Bible, even in the New Testament the indicative's are those truth is that art art are true of us and typically and in the Bible. Ice machines were thinking about this conversation in particular those imperatives are rooted in the indicative realities of the gospel. Let me give you an example from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Ephesians, chapter 5, verse one.

Paul says therefore be imitators of God. Now there's an imperative.

There's a command imitate God, but now note the indicative this. This is rooted in in another truth be imitators of God, as beloved children of her tears. Here's who you are. Here's who I am in Christ we are the beloved children of God and as such, we are called to imitate God to follow him walk in love is Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God and can. The reason it's so important that we make this distinction is because there are a lot of Christians out there who are trying to do the gospel and be the gospel and earn God's love earn salvation and they think if I'm doing good, God is pleased with me and if I'm not will maybe I've lost my salvation. Maybe II haven't fully fulfilled the gospel I'm in big trouble.

That kind of a thing. But typically when you have these commands is imperatives in the New Testament there rooted in what God is already done. And so we first and foremost after rest in and receive God's gracious work for us. That is the gospel described in first grade. In chapter 15 and from that place live as the new creations that we are as the baptized as the redeemed as the beloved children of God. Hey Ken, thanks for your call. I hope you have a wonderful day and great barbecue. God bless. Thanks, I was a great explanation of a drill and also want to mention one of our great core questions. It's available on our website it so what the what's the difference between justification and sanctification which really gets into some of these issues of how we grow in Christ and what is it mean after we have trusted in Christ, where we go from there. What's the difference between justification and sanctification. You can find that by going to core Christianity.com/questions and by the way, you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com questions at core, Christianity.com here's one from one of our listeners may Mike.

He says I've always been told that America is a Christian nation built on Judeo-Christian teachings, but I recently heard a pastor say that America isn't a Christian nation, and that we shouldn't refer to it like that. What do you think yeah I've I've heard both as well. And what an important question around this time of the year and one that many people are bringing up in and wondering about and has Christianity had an impact and influence on this country. In particular, I think what I think we have to say will yes absolutely. And in many ways it has not enough of an impact I think but but does that mean that we are a Christian nation, and this is where I think again we have to distinguish distinguish and be very clear with regard to the language that were using under the old covenant in the Old Testament Israel was a quote unquote Christian nation, that is, that was God's nation to which he was working in the world and I think a lot of times people today, sort of look at those passages in the Old Testament, and they where they want to sort of carry those over into our present reality. Our present existence in St. now on earth.

We need to strive to be like Israel was under the old covenant or we are. Maybe people go you even that far. I think that this kind of a crazy claimant but that exhibit was that we are a Christian nation just like Israel under the old covenant. Well that is a bad application of the Old Testament, and certainly of the misapplication of the, the, the covenants that we see in Scripture one were no longer living under the old covenant we are living under the new covenant. One of the things I I just said recently on another broadcast is that one of the things it's unique about the new covenant and distinct about it is that that the church on earth is it made up of one nation. There isn't one Christian nation, and so it in. That's is what I know, America is not the Christian nation or Christian nation really the only Christian nation that we see in Scripture now under the new covenant is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ over which he reigns as King. That is the kingdom of God on earth today, and it has outposts embassies in every nation of the world and you and I are ambassadors of that kingdom citizens of heaven. As Paul says in Philippians chapter 3. Note what Peter said in second Peter fume in first Peter chapter 2 verse nine, he's writing to believers, Jews and Gentiles alike, and he says you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation of people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now there Peter is quoting from the book of Exodus. In Exodus chapter 19 verse six words that were directed to Israel, where God says is what I'm in a make you a holy nation, a royal priesthood, this kingdom well, now they're applied those words to the church on earth today brothers and sisters, we are on earth, through faith in Jesus Christ, the temple of the living God, the holy nation of the Lord called to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now that doesn't mean we can't be grateful.

As I've said before, for the many blessings that God has given and and does give to people and in this nation. In particular, and the other nations of the world. We are called in first Timothy chapter 2, to pray for you, no earthly rulers, whether they're Christians or not, that we might live peaceably as a church to serve the Lord and in many ways. You know they're there have been freedoms that we've enjoyed here that other country. Certainly I don't have the church doesn't have another places of the world, and I got to give thanks to the Lord for that, and praise him for that but are King is Jesus and the holy nation that were a part of is the church and the only holy nation on earth today is that body of believers around the throne of God brought together through the blood of Jesus. That's our heavenly citizenship that we haven't and we praise God for that above all else. Thank you for your question. A man thinks in her room. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and by the way, if you are a parent or grandparent. We have a brand-new free resource want to tell you about Bill. I have four children and one more on the way here and I'm amazed by some of the questions about God that I get from my children. If your parent you know that you're not always the teacher in your household that we learn a lot from our kids as well, and we created new core guide resources or to gets into some of this seven things children teach us. One of the things actually that that I'm so struck by in reading the New Testament is how often children understood the things of the Lord more than even adults. When Jesus was cleansing the temple in the New Testament. You know the Pharisees and the scribes they were getting all upset because the people were crying out hosanna to the son of David and get but the children they understood it. Children recognized Jesus.

Jesus said at the end of Matthew chapter 11. No father, I thank you Lord of heaven and earth. You've hidden these things from the wise and the prudent. That is, that the message that he was bringing you minute from the religious leaders and you've revealed your message.

Your gospel to the babes, the children get this resource. Seven things children teach us a wonderful resource and bills and give you more information on it. It's absolutely free and all you have to do is head over the core, Christianity.com/offers to download seven things children teach us again. Core, Christianity.com/offers to look for the great resource.

You can also call us for that, or any of our resources at 833 the core by the way, you can also leave us your question via voicemail 24 hours a day, or go to our website. Look for the little microphone icon on the radio page.

Click on that and recorded question that way. Here's an email or voicemail that came in from Jeff in Florida. My question is about the power of Babel.

Where does it appear in the Bible and what I might learn from it is a great what did God do it. Why and what is it me. Thank you. I yes the Tower of Babel found in Genesis chapter 11 was probably this great big ziggurat that ziggurats were the sort of temple towers all throughout ancient Mesopotamia, where people would gather to worship their gods their deities. It was sort of like ascending into the heavens. As you climb the star in the ancient world, something you may not know is that people are sort of had this assumption that the higher you were in elevation. The closer you were to God and that's why often times in the Bible, even in in the holy Scriptures you have worship taking place on the tops of mountains. Think about Moses going up Mount Sinai or even under the new covenant. Hebrews chapter 12 says, and we gather together for worship were going up to the heavenly mount Zion. It's this picture of an ascent up into the presence of God. And so if, in the ancient world, people thought that to be higher up was to be closer to God well with the people of Babel were trying to do was to reach heaven on the basis of their own strength their own ability their own righteousness, even if you will. Genesis chapter 11. The whole earth had one language in the same words as people migrated from the east they found a plane in the land of Shinar and settled there and they said to one another, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly and they had brick for stone vitamin for mortar and they said, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth, and the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of man had built up verse five.

There is actually that the central point in the passage of Scripture there in Genesis 11 one through nine. God's condescension is coming down to see the Tower of Babel talk about that just just a second.

What are they trying to do well in verse four makes it clear they say let's build a tower. The city, with its top in the heavens there trying to reach God for divine status.

If you will, by their own wisdom through technology through the science of the day if you will end the purposes their own pride so that we might make make a name for ourselves and so that we may not be scattered abroad throughout the whole world. Now this was in direct disobedience to God. What ways we know this is because back in Genesis chapter 9 in verse seven God said to Moses and to his children, be fruitful and multiply increased greatly on the earth and multiply in another words, mankind was the spread out throughout the whole earth. The people of Babel say no. We don't want to do it God's way working to build a tower factor to reach heaven on our own in our own strength with our own wisdom, and in the fact of the matter is that it is one of the big things we learn from this is there are many people who are trying to do this today, both inside the church and outside the church outside the church is the idea that working out working to reach the heavens if you will, through science and technology that as we advance were going to grow more and more as it is human beings and maybe even one day conquer things like death. There are number of writers, even atheist writers who have suggested this in recent days, but it doesn't work because the the bricks with which we build are made of mud and we can't reach the heavens. In that way within the church. I think a lot of times people try to build with their own good works. They think I'm going to stack my good works up higher and higher number to build a stairway into the heavens and that to his futile because our bricks as well are made of mud and they have cracks in them and we quickly realize that we don't have enough to reach the heavens and so God has to come down and that's precisely what he did in verse five, Genesis 11. He came down in judgment to judge the people very confused their languages. He confounded their efforts and he sent them out throughout the whole world, and they spread out, which was the very thing that they were hoping wouldn't happen.

We can also say that God is come down in other ways he's come down in his son Jesus. We couldn't reach the heavens, but God came down from heaven, the second person of the holy Trinity, Jesus, the eternal son of God, so that in him we might be brought to heaven.

We have been by faith in him seated in the heavenly places.

Paul says, and so I was sorry to go longer as I just recently.

Not too long ago preached on Genesis chapter 11.

There so much for us to learn but one of the big things is we can build our way up to heaven heaven came down to us in Jesus. And we are brought up raised up with him by faith I meant great discussion there.

Israel, thank you.

This is core Christianity and let's go to a voicemail received from one of our listeners named Gladys I Think about nondenominational Christian what are the name of that book in the Bible in the church.

Christianity does not, in general about yeah there are a number of books, sometimes called the apocryphal books or the deuterocanonical books that are in the Catholic Bibles for example Orthodox, that is, Eastern Orthodox Bibles, but which are not in Protestant Bibles in the books like Toby Judith, the wisdom of Solomon that the Maccabees there's there's there's a number of them and typically there describing that period of time between Malachi. The last minor prophet in the Old Testament and the the time of the New Testament we sometimes referred to in Protestant circles is the sort of silent years but we don't embrace those books as a part of the canon because they're not quoted as canonical in the New Testament, and also because the Jews the hubris to treat them as canonical and so those are those of the books of the Apocrypha of the Apocrypha and we don't accept those us inspired by God thanks for? 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.

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