Should Christians Flee from Progressive States?

Should Christians get out of liberal states and cities test is one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity will 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. Would love to hear from you as our phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 90 can also post your question on her Facebook, Instagram or twitter account. You can watch a drill live on our YouTube channel right now in the studio and you can messages that way and you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today. Here's a voicemail from one of our callers named Adam told reconciliation was mean? Thank you for answering yes thank you for that question answers sometimes on on this broadcast of distinguished between forgiveness, which were always called to his Christians were called to forgive those who sin against us, whether or not they repent. Jesus, as we need to forgive from the heart and and really from the forgiveness that we've received from the Lord, but we don't always have the opportunity to reconcile that we should pursue reconciliation. But whereas forgiveness is of the week and just we can just do. We can forgive another person, even if they they have asked for forgiveness from our heart. We can forgive out reconciliation requires the other person to recognize that they've sinned to to seek to bring peace again to the relationship, it can't be one-sided. And so, because it requires two parties need actively engaged in resolving the conflict is not always possible to reconcile.

You might want to reconcile with someone who has sinned against you, or maybe you've done something wrong. But if the other person is unwilling well you have to extend forgiveness and grace and mercy. But maybe there isn't that opportunity for reconciliation, but that is something that we should seek, especially within the church and within the body of Christ to think of what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5 pieces of your offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift you if you know somebody has something against you. You've done something to hurt them to harm them, go to them be reconciled pursue that peace that we have in Jesus Christ you be it be a forgiving person extending that forgiveness as well and so yeah, thank you for that question. Hope that helps you to understand the distinction that we draw there and are really important just in terms of the practical life of the church in our relationships to one another. So God bless you. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez would love to hear from you.

If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life Christian doctrine or theology or even how your faith intersects with today's culture. Here's a voicemail we received from one of our listeners are named Saul what will it work every day. Your question. A lot of early last year, Pastor telling their members are telling people that they should tell you that he let the people hearing God and church are the ones that are preserving old judgment. My question about that Bill about that live in California.

I just want to get your really bothered statement then either really great brothers in the Lord.

Thank you so appreciate your question, especially if someone is loose also bothered by my the statements that I've heard from people who one time were in California preaching the gospel and then left and and now are trying to get other people to leave this state and maybe other other states as well.

Where the politics don't line up with what they what they believe, sometimes even buying people's consciences saying look if you're Christian is really what you what you need to do that. The argument as I've heard, it is basically at what we need a way to retreat when needed me to start a trip strategic tactical retreat out of more progressive states where Christianity doesn't have the influence that we would like it to have politically, culturally and go to places where to live it safer for us. Maybe where there's a little bit more acceptance of Christian values and and build something there, strong, and then fight from from a better position if you will either all sorts of problems with this idea and I look up.

I'm not saying if you're Christian living California thinking hey I I can just afford more somewhere else and I feel like God is calling me somewhere else totally fine that right were free your free in Christ died for go somewhere where you know there's a solid Bible teaching gospel proclaiming church, but you're responsible for your family week we have freedom but are we obligated to leave states where were maybe we don't agree with with the politics as much. Certainly not in it, and frankly I just think that there is there's a lot of issues with this one I think that there's a fundamental misunderstanding of the way in which the kingdom of God advances that there is too much of the of the linking together the advancement of God's kingdom. The strength of God's kingdom in a particular area and cultural influence. II ask you to think of you know we go to the book of Revelation revelations chapters 2 and three. You have Jesus's letters to their expectations to these various churches in Asia minor and with so interesting is is some of these churches are located in these these terrible please me. Think of it is addressed to the Ephesians in Revelation chapter 2 verses one through seven in Ephesus was this place of great idolatry and that the Temple of Artemis there where people would would come from around the world to see this this great pagan monument. It was it was just rife with all sorts of wickedness and yet Jesus never says to the, the, the effusions hate you guys need to find a better place to go somewhere where where you know your Christian values are going to be accepted a little bit more and where you can be more engaging for the gospel that that's not it at all. Actually is his rebuke to the Ephesian church in Revelation chapter 2 is you guys have lost your first love. You actually aren't evangelizing like you once were. I think also of that the church of Pergamum didn't die. Revelation chapter 2 verses 12 and 12 and following verse 13 Jesus said to them, I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is how we get any worse than that, here's the city were you guys let me that that's basically where Satan has set up his kingdom and his throne is right there in your you're right next door to Satan's throne but does Jesus say to the church at Pergamum but you guys need to go somewhere else. You guys should find a better place to do ministry where what you know where your Christian values are to be accepted a little bit more know because the strength of the church.

The advancement of the gospel is not tied to our cultural influence to the power that we have in fact the only bit that did two churches it don't receive anything any any negative critique from Jesus in Revelation 2 and three that the church in Smyrna and in the church in Philadelphia there described as poor persecuted and powerless and yet they were the churches that were faithful as they continued to proclaim the gospel where God had them and so look wherever you are one love the people there in in your city here at the love everything about the city. We can lament the evil things around us, and that's in a be a reality.

Whether were in a progressive or conservative state does not assume that just because we live in it in a more quote unquote conservative state that the values are Christian debt, the kingdom of God.

There is stronger. That's a lie. This is is is this false understanding here and what you think it really bothers me about this this whole thing is I think it minimizes this idea that we need to go to me to flee from progressive states where it seems like Christianity has has lost and go go other places were to be more acceptance. I think it minimizes the power of God's word and spirit.

It's the word of God through the proclamation of the gospel that that transforms lives that that causes the dead to live. You think of Ezekiel chapter 37 that's what we have. We should have great confidence wherever we are, that God is able to work and that he is working through his word and spirit of the culture around us might be falling apart and in different ways and again that's that's everywhere frankly but what we have is the word of God in the spirit of God is so a number of things. As I said it really frustrate me about this this idea were free.

As Christians took to come and go as we please and we should make decisions wisely biblical wisdom, but to bind people's consciences and say, look, this place is just so so messed up. We should get out of there just seems the opposite of anything that you see in in Scripture.

Certainly, Jesus didn't tell the church in Pergamum to to find a new location in the Ephesian church to to go somewhere else know were called to proclaim the gospel wherever we are and we can do that with confidence knowing that the word of God is able to to do amazing things to to transform the hearts of people and to bless society and so that's that's my take. Appreciate your your question there brother. Glad to hear that you're serving the Lord and walking with Jesus in California. I love California love my neighbors here and I want to see the gospel continue to advance in this community. Bless great counsel and thanks for that federal case you're not aware, Israel actually leads the church as a pastor of a church in San Diego California so he's very familiar with what's going on in that state right now and appreciate that so much. This is core Christianity and if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Our phone lines are open right now. 833-843-2673. That's 833 the core and speaking of living the Christian life and doing it effectively. We actually have a brand-new Bible study on the book of Philippians. Yeah, I mean a wonderful New Testament epistle, I had the privilege of working with another guy on this Bible study at the little really bless you flip his neck to the first book of the Bible that I preach through. As a minister the gospel. I love the expectations throughout the book of Philippians. I love the fact that really gets to the heart of the Christian life and what God calls us to as his people's if you want to go through the book of Philippians on your own or maybe with that with a group of people in your church is a wonderful resource love for you to get your hands on it and it's yours for a donation of $20 or more. This is such an excellent study and it really helps us to rejoice in all the blessings that we have in Christ to pick up your copy of our new Philippians Bible study just head over to core Christianity.com/new study that's core Christianity.com/new study.

You can also call us for that, or any one of our resources at 833-843-2673 let's go back to the phones Romans on the line from St. Louis, Missouri, Roman what your question for pastor atrial call last week and the "Bennett you. I've only been there three years and told me that the evil spirits in the church wants to directly save them.

They hadn't seen about paper and so my question is are you do you believe that that is true that there all evil spirits in the church and and then he also one of them gave me a script of Hebrew oilmen want to refer to and I read the Scripture and I don't see what it is anything to do with spirit so you can help me with that I appreciated past bless you brother. Question is, can there be evil spirits demonic influence within churches in the simple answer to that question is yes, in fact it's really interesting when Jesus was on the scene right before his death it. If you recall, he goes to Jerusalem and he drives people out of the temple be flipping over tables and in he's casting out the money changers is interesting because it in the Gospels that word that's used for his casting out that the the money changers and the hypocrites they are in the temples. The same word that's used in other parts of the gospel to describe when Jesus would perform an exorcism. It's as if he's performing an exorcism on the temple if you will, why will beat because it was filled with religious hypocrisy, corruption, greed. There was demonic influence. There in the one who cleanses the church who reforms the church from that kind of influences Jesus by his life, death, resurrection from the dead, but but the reality is you even today churches that depart from the pure preaching of the word of God. The gospel churches that embrace fault false teaching are under are under the influence of the spirit of the anti-Christian. Paul actually John talked about this in first John chapter 4 now the good news is if you belong to Jesus.

If you are in Christ by faith. Well, you've overcome the evil one. First John chapter 4 verse four says little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. As I think I think the further we go Roland from that the word of God from being faithful to what the Scriptures teach us the more susceptible we are to the deceptions of Satan.

The apostle Paul told Timothy that in the latter days.

Many would depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons. The key is know the word of God and worship God according to his word and follow Christ and what he says and and if that's what's happening. Maybe if you going to a faithful church that does that then then I can't tell you yeah I don't know what what these individuals are saying or what I mean, obviously it you know when you get into people thing I think I saw an evil spirit of the church. That's their their personal expense.

What I do know is Satan is at work everywhere with the word of God is not faithfully taught with the word of God is fatefully taught. He's driven out and so be in a place where God's word is fatefully taught my friend got bless I meant payroll of thanks so much for your call and for listing the core Christianity.

We appreciate having you as one of her listeners go to Russell, who's in Kansas City, Missouri Russell, what's your question for pastor atrial. Roughly there Mary.

Hey, I can hear you now, all right. I appreciate your show around that is a leader of a children's church in his church and he has a member of the congregation that is practicing same-sex relationship and she wants to take over the children's church and he's a really difficult time with convincing the congregation and the pastor that this was wrong thing to do if you can believe that you gonna help me help him a Russell, thank you for that question on it. It sounds to me just to be totally frank with you like, it's probably time for your friend to find a new church at it if if one limb… This is be clear with regard to what the Bible says about practicing homosexuality, giving it it's a sin. Paul talks about this in Romans chapter 1, we can read about this you note 1st Corinthian chapter 6 pulses. The grant is such were some of you up prior to your conversion to Christ.

You used to be these things in any included in that list. You know the homosexuals people who are in a homosexual relationship. Again, lesbian relationships, but but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were you were cleansed, you're no longer that you're a child of the true and the living God is. This is just the thought of fundamental basics if you will, of what the gospel does and so if if you're in a church that really has set that aside that doesn't believe that that that says that you know what this is not a big deal. People can do whatever they want live however they want, and be be a leading ministries of the church well there. There's a huge problem. Obviously, that there is there's a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel and its implications what God calls us to. When it comes to following Jesus.

So I would save if that's where your friends, churches that your friend needs to find a church that is going to be faithful to the word of God and and get plugged in there and I think that's that's that's a simple discipline out that the challenge I was or maybe your friend has all sorts of immuno relationships they are in and is been there for her for many many years. But in the day right.

We have to ask ourselves the question is, is the word of God been fatefully taught here and I get to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, or is this something else.

Is this an affinity group in a cultural community that bits rallying around whether it's you know conservative ideology or progressive ideology, whatever it is right.

If it's not focused on the gospel and what the gospel does there's a problem and we find a church that is focused on the gospel and following Christ. And so Russell pray for your friend and encourage your friends to to find us a solid church and maybe help them to find a solid church in his area. Your listener core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a note, we are going to continue taking your calls today were to be recording a second episode of core Christianity.

So if you have a question for pastor atrial about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine or theology, by all means jump on the phone in the next half hour or so and let us know. Here's the number 1-833-843-2673.

That's 833.

The core let's go to an email that came in from one of our listeners.

This is from Gary he says is Jesus the only one with a resurrection body in heaven. That's a great question Gary not II think of an essay.

Yes, I mean a glorified body so Christ rose again and Paul in first Corinthians chapter 15 calls in the firstfruits of the resurrection is a really wonderful image there that he gives to us. We are you to follow the resurrection harvest. If you will, because we have faith in Jesus Christ as were united to him were part of the. The one resurrection harvest. If you will.

But Jesus is the firstfruits. The first one.

If you will, to be resurrected and because he rose again from the dead. This is part of NATO pulse train of thought in first Corinthians 15.

We too can have the confidence that we are going to rise bodily. It just goes to show you how how central the resurrection is to the Christian faith. Too many people think you know that that that that the promise that God gives to us. As you know we accept Jesus into our heart and then we get to go to heaven when we die and float around on clouds you know playing harps in in this you know eternal heavenly kingdom if you will, but it but it's not bodily, physical, well look prior to the second coming.

Prior to the final resurrection of all of all people in the restoration of all things. We are going to be in heaven with the Lord in the spirit. But at the resurrection, because Christ rose working to rise to in this world is good to be renewed, restored, and were to be on a new heavens and it it it and a new earth in a new heavens and to be awesome. It's in a be it's to be wonderful. That's the hope that we have as as Christians and Christ is, is the one who brought that hope to us, and we look to him as the firstfruits of the resurrection. Thanks for the question. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez we have time for one more call. Let's go to Debbie who is arms horrible go to Daniel, who's in San Diego, Daniel, what's your question for pastor. Israel cynically in the larger catechism of the what's next are standards on difference between justification and sanctification to use the language of infused grace. Now my understanding is certainly a righteousness of Christ is imputed to us were only counted prices for the righteousness of Christ. Spent understanding of sanctification is that wall we are enabled by the Spirit, crucified the flesh.

Paul talks about this in his letter to the Romans, Galatians chapter 5 he talks about the living to the spirit crucifying what is earthly in you are fleshly and you pregnant on 517 old is gone, the new has come all throughout Scripture, but help me understand what the standards mean by this and how this connects to our understanding of justification and thanked the cage down because my understanding is that Christ is the one who sanctifies us a deal. Thank you for for that question just heard from any of our listeners may not be familiar with with what it is that you're talking this were done about that. The doctrine of justification, we know when were counted righteous in Christ solely because of what Christ has done for us, the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of his righteousness, and then also sanctification that process of of renewal of growth and holiness that happens throughout the Christian life and out. Nobody comes to justification. What we thought were not justified on the basis of something infused into us, please. These moral qualities. This this righteousness that is inherent in us.

Paul says in Romans chapter 4 that that God justifies the ungodly, the sinner, so there's nothing in us that causes God to justifies it is purely something we received by faith in Jesus Christ.

The language of of infusion which would never want to use when when talking about justification we we use the language of imputation is his gift of righteousness, the language of infusion though people is that you know that that's helpful. I do know or comfy with other that's not very helpful but were talking about sanctification, and in particular, I think what's being emphasized here. Daniel is is this process of inward renewal and that inward renewal pray it. It's a work of God, still a bit that's taking place over time that's happening by the grace of the Holy Spirit in our lives to using the means of grace that God is given to us by something called an ultimatum that God is going to accomplish in us through his son Jesus and by the grace of the Spirit.

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