If God Doesn't Need the World, Why Did He Make It?

If God doesn't need the world. Why did he make it in the first place. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity why there, this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez welcomed the program.

This is where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day and we would love to hear from you. You can call us right now with your question. At 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 will be taking your calls for the next 25 minutes or so. So jump on the phone right now.

Again, it's 833. The core let's go to a voicemail we received from one of our listeners. This is Steve calling in from California. Yes, my first question is I was born Catholic. I will talk to block myself in the name of the father son and Holy Spirit before I prayed. Why don't Christians do that if there is significant making the final to cross the other question I have is why is there not body on a Christian cross that you go to a Christian church, but there are in the Catholic churches thank you Steve, thank you for giving us a call.

I love talking about the cross. When I was in college I read this wonderful book written by John Stott called the cross of Christ I would actually recommend that book for Christians because it just highlights the fact that the cross is central to the Christian faith you you you cannot have a cross lists Christianity. The sad reality is, I think that there are many church that do have a crustless Christiana's are not talking about setting up a cross in our church and talking about the preaching of the cross what God is done for us in Jesus Christ and in this is what was central to the message of the apostles Paul writing to the Corinthians in first Corinthians chapter 1 verse 18 said the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved is the power of God in any goes on to tell the Corinthians. When I came to brothers is a chapter 2 I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom, for I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. That is the message of the cross is central to the apostolic preaching and it should be central in our preaching today and that's the way in which we get the cross across. If you will the point across and so I think that's really important to Steve that there are other traditions that that is sort of cropped up in the history of the church like making the sign of the cross and I think one of the reasons why a lot of Protestants don't do that just because you don't have you know a clear command in Scripture to do that. There are some Protestant traditions that do still make the sign of the cross and thinking of maybe some Lutheran tradition. Some Anglican traditions, but really for the most part I think sometimes it's associated with may be superstition. You know them in my just going through the motions and I deferred for many Christians, that is the case you know when they make the sign of the cross are for many Roman Catholics, even you know just the sort of I my blessing myself and print protecting myself from evil spirits that kind of thing the main thing that we need is the message of the cross, permeating our hearts and minds that the message of the gospel.

So that's where we should focus. I would say and then with regard to having you know a statue of Jesus or of a cross hanging in the church with Christ on it.

I would just go to the second commandment of of the Decalogue you not to make images of God not to worship those images and you have the ancient Christians.

The earliest Christians didn't have images of God and so that's another one of the reasons why why Protestants and especially proxy reformers. Men like John Calvin that they rejected this idea of making images of got rooted in the 10 Commandments and so that's to the second part of your question, but I appreciate your questions it. And again, here's here's what we can all agree on what we all should agree on. And that's the centrality of the cross, not just as is this symbol but is the message of the gospel.

Thanks for giving us a call.

Thanks so much for your question Stephen, thanks for that great explanation, Israel. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

If you have a question for us about the Bible or the Christian life. You can call us right now. 833-843-2673 that's a 33. The core let's go to Viola in St. Louis, Missouri Ella what your question for Pastor Israel, good afternoon. Thank you for taking my call. I've been alerted before, and I consider myself child of God/Christian been wanting to think about it to my attention yesterday that we are no longer and I say whale in on the computer that because all this in a come short of the glory of God� About it later. In some Scriptures came in and you know I'm not going to be fan on the center saved by grace on their family child of God, you know, a Christian because even got I called you, even you say what I called you friends and any Romans 816 is it that the spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, so I'm not going go around and say no I'm just as soon as I could. Not only my second excuse what you know the things that I do. I want to be live above that nothing above people not say that I'm better than anyone, but that now I've been changed and want to feel okay. Thank you yeah yeah I'm very glad you asked this question sister and and thank you for bringing it up because I think this is a really important one for us to cover, how should we passion, we view ourselves as Christians as those who are born again, this is still been appropriate to call ourselves sinners, and in some sense and I think that it is not so that we can make an excuse for our sins, but just the recognition of the fact that we still even as those who are born again to have what we call indwelling sin. And this is why the apostle Paul in first Timothy chapter 1 verse 15 could refer to himself as the chief of sinners there. There has been this theology floating around in the church is a sort of idea of sinless perfectionism that as Christians here on earth this side of heaven we can get to a point where we were so sanctified that we just don't sin anymore, but the reality is sister.

Each of us sins every day against God and against his law in thought in word and indeed that's why we can only be justified by God's free grace because none of us are perfect and Jon, I think the apostle speaks to your very question. In first John chapter 1 he says look verse eight if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us now to get stick to your concern and I will you want to make excuses for our sins. Listen to what he says and in the beginning of chapter 2 my little children, I'm writing these things to you so that you may not sin.

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and so build this side of heaven as were being sanctified day by day by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

We are still going to experience indwelling sin and its effects. And so in that in that regard, it's okay to refer to ourselves as sinners still saved by grace, Martin Luther, that the great Protestant reformer.

He said you know were simultaneously at the same time.

Just because we've been justified by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ and yet still sinners, we can say with Paul in first Timothy one verse 15 I am the chief of sinners, and so we want to make sure that we don't deceive ourselves and others into thinking that the Christian life. If you're really a Christian. You're to be just without sin. No, that's not the reality at all were daily repenting of our sins and saved by the grace of God, thank you for your question below. Thanks so much for being a regular listener here core Christianity. We really do appreciate you.

Let us know if you a question about the Bible or the Christian life on the ways to do that is to send us an email at questions@corechristianity.com course you can call us and leave a voicemail anytime 24 hours a day at 833. The core not one of the things that we want to tell you about today is we have a special new Bible study. This is one that a drill actually wrote himself, and it's on one of his favorite books, the book of Galatians from the New Testament.

Yes it's it's our study on the book of Galatians is a 10 week study.

You know were just talking about this idea of sinless perfectionism and the fact that we are as Christians going up going to battle with the flesh every day of our lives. This is a real battle meant Paul actually talks about that battle in the book of Galatians, you know this so much practical information in this book written by the apostle Paul very important for us as Christians to understand the distinctions that he makes in the book of Galatians and of the distinction between faith and works. The law in the gospel and so get a hold of this resource. It's a 10 week Bible study can go through on your own or with a group of friends adjusted to be encouraged and to encourage one another to get a hold of this resource. It's yours for donation of $20 or more. You can find it by going to core Christianity.com/studies that's core Christianity.com/studies look for the new Bible study on the book of Galatians and of course you can always call us for that, or any one of our resources at 833-843-2673 et seq. 33. The core voicemail we receive this from one of our younger listeners. Her name is Hannah will hey Hannah, that's a wonderful question and thank you so much for giving us a call with that question the very simple answer is God made the world and everything in it including you for his glory because he's good because he's abundant in glory God that didn't have to make the world it wasn't as if God needed the world God the holy Trinity existed middle from eternity past and in perfect communion. And yet, out of an abundance of his goodness and glory. He chose decided to make the world and everything in it to display his glory and his greatness. There are a few passages of Scripture. Actually, that I think you know what we could point to it. To demonstrate this. There's one Hannah in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is an Old Testament book.

Isaiah was a prophet and God spoke to him and one one occasion in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 43 when God was speaking about his people and restoring his people who have sinned against him.

He says, but now thus says the Lord. He who created you owe Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel, fear not, I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name. You are mine and then if you go down just a few verses Hannah to verse six God. God says I will say to the north give up and to the south. Do not withhold bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth. God is restoring his people and he says everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made to God made his people.

God made you Hannah for his glory so that he might display his goodness.

His love in and through the created world and in and through you another wonderful passage and it shows that Jesus is central to this this creation of the world for his glory is in the book of Colossians in Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 the apostle Paul speaking of Jesus said he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and then Paul says this. All things were created for him. That is, for his glory, and so everything was made for the glory of God. God is displaying his greatness through the created world and through his people through humanity made in his image, and so thank you so much Hannah for giving us a call and may God fill you with his spirit and help you every day know him better and better so that in your own life, you might glorify God and enjoy him. God bless love hearing from our younger listeners. It's cool.

I know some of them are listening with their moms and is and what a great way to learn more about God's word and how he wants us to follow him. So thanks Hannah for that. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Janet in St. Louis, Missouri Janet, what's your question hey Janet are you there general. Oh hey Janet, thanks for your call. What's your question sister want to tell you that I love you guys. Great job for the Lord's work in the kingdom of God. I am making and bleeding every day Guardian. I am so cool right now you can bail what you're doing for the people back and I want continue to contribute. God give me In the ministry well for all that you doing we love you so much being carriage given hey Janet, well, God bless you sister. You know how much your words mean to me and I'm I'm sure to bill as well and may the Lord bless you richly, and encourage you in your faith every day. Thanks for for being a regular listener.

God bless. While Jenna, thank you.

In fact, the Janet we would love to send you a copy of our book core Christianity. If you hang on the line for second will up with that in the mail to you and thank you for being a regular listener we we appreciate you so much. Let us know if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. You can call us at 833. The core go to Kerry in Millington, Tennessee carry what you're question for Pastor Israel picture every day during my daily land a three day three night in the heart and are King County, in your gonna die. I agree with that statement. I don't think that he died a much right again and again and that clarification yeah very very straightforward question. Carrie and I would agree with you that Jonah did not die while he was in the belly of the whale. By the way, there was this this news article several months ago.

I think it is a couple months ago now rug. I actually got swallowed by a whale at an I saw that but I just thought see it still happens. Even today, but Jonah did not die. In fact, when you look at the book of Jonah in Jonah chapter 2 says that Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish saying I called out to the Lord out of my distress and he answered me out of the belly of Shea Ohl. I cried and you heard my voice no shale goal is in the picture of the grave death and so Jonah as he sprang to the Lord. He's saying it's as if I'm in the grave. I'm in the belly of the whale I'm in the depths, and in Shea Ohl, oftentimes the psalmist will also speak in this way.

It is is a is a lamentation crying out to God. But Jonah you know he's in the belly of the wealth this picture of death. This type of death, but he didn't actually die and then get resurrected. You know when he was spat upon on the shore of Nineveh know he was he was alive and praying to the Lord seeking the Lord and God heard his prayers and and brought him where he didn't want to cook it and left them there. Nineveh and Jonah preached and there was a great revival that took place.

So I agree with you and and I think the Scriptures clear about that. Thank you for your question and I do remember that new story about the guy who was well watch out swimming in the ocean, you know. That is why I don't go too far out there bill I don't want to have as Jonah experiences. This is core Christianity let's go to roll in New York City hi role what you're question for Pastor Israel hello hello Raul how are you doing good just arrived at going and so bear with me. My question is is it improper to God the money so I can get an apartment. Hey, thank you for that question. A very practical question.

You know, related to one of the one of the things that we should pray for and is it okay to say Lord I need some money to pay my bills. That kind of thing to say yes it is proper to pray for that.

So it's not improper in I get this in particular from the words of Jesus himself when he was teaching his disciples. Role how to pray. He said praying this way our father in heaven hollow would be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. That petition there right there in the center. Give us this day our daily bread. Jesus indicated that God does care about you know that the provision in our lives and that we ought to seek God for that provision for our daily bread for a place to live for his provision so that we might have the means to live event to serve him. Now you know. Can this be taken too far. Absolutely. And I think that there are a lot of people who seek God and pray to God you know for him to make them rich and to bless them and all sorts of ways to give them money and and and so on and so forth so that they can just be you know, happy, at least, and in their minds but but the reality is, were called first and foremost to satirize on the Lord to seek him above all else, the psalmist said in Psalm 73 whom have I in heaven but you and on earth. There is nothing I desire besides you are focus needs to be the Lord, but God also does care about our our day-to-day needs and so role II think it is important that you do pray and say God help me provide for me so that I can live and serve you and take care of the people around me and and Ron. I'm imagining that this is a need that you have right now is that accurate yet will look let me just take a moment to pray for you is that all right coming later. Thank you. Let me pray for you. Father, we lift roll up to you right now and God, thank you that you care about the details of our lives, Lord, that Jesus taught us to pray. Give us this day our daily bread, father, that you care about the needs that we have not just the spiritual needs, but also the physical needs, Lord, and so are our friend role has a physical need. Here and we ask God that you would open the doors for him to find employment that he needs, or just the resources wherever those resources are Lord, that you would open the doors for him to have enough to be able to live and to serve you. Above all else to draw near to you, God, what you reveal yourself to him in this and be with him and God just as you care about the physical needs. We know that you you also sent your son into the world of art for our greatest needs for our spiritual needs for the forgiveness of our sins and so I prefer for my friend role that he would know that to the forgiveness that grace and your love for us in your son Jesus asked his things in his name. Amen, amen. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

We received an email that actually, ties in with Rose question.

It's from Lori and she says I've a question about Philippians 419. I've heard that verse being used as a promise that God will meet all of our physical needs.

If we have enough faith in him. Does God actually promise that somewhere in the Bible in second Corinthians chapter 11 Paul talks about his sufferings and how he experienced lack of food, water and clothing and I don't understand why God allowed that this is this is a great question so Philippians chapter 4 verse 19. My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus to our God and father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

This is Paul's encouragement to the people of Philippi. Then of course policies writing his letters from laces like jail and and and you know you reference.

Second Corinthians were he talked about that the times were he was without a place to stay or food to eat and yet still, Paul was able to say God gave me contentment and everything and so I think what we can be comforted by his one. Generally, the words of our Lord Jesus.

He says seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

So often were upset not because we don't have what we need we do in fact so often oftentimes have the things that we need the clothes on our back food for today. We get upset because God hasn't given us more and a pulse.

As you know we should be content with with food and clothing in it wouldn't bring anything into this world were knocking to be able to take anything out of it and so I think you know that as Christians we we really have to have this firm conviction that God cares about us and about our needs and that he will provide for our needs and I think we really need to work hard to distinguishing the difference between what it is that we need frankly and what it is that we just want and would prefer and think that God owes to us. We have to be very very careful with that because it does seem throughout Scripture, both in in the will from the words of Jesus and also from from the apostle Paul in that passage in Philippians chapter 4 that God does, that God does provide for us and I don't know about you, brothers and sisters but II look back at my own life and I can say amen you know that there been difficult times, but it's amazing to see how the Lord comes through for his people. Providing for them that daily bread that he calls us to ask for and so you you need to know, God cares about that God feeds us with that daily bread from heaven, if you will put even more than that he sent his son, the true bread of life so that we might have eternal life, and that's what we cling to more than anything else.

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