Can Studying Theology and the Bible Ever Be Vain?

In studying theology in the Bible, ever be in vain. That is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity why 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. We'd love to hear from you, and you can call us right now 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 account. You can watch a drill right now on YouTube on our YouTube channel and sent him a message in question.

That way the course, you can always email us your questions at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners.

This is from Troy Christianity a little coworker that devotional all the time.

My coworker and I had one embrace I will explain what I am just read it cover to cover. I'm sure you understand, but we will make sure that we understand the new believer coming into am grateful their Lord and Savior.

Where would you start reading the Bible really understand what the Lord God in salvation is all about his lack so much. Thank you Troy.

I love that question and I may the Lord bless you as you continue to have these conversations really really is an important question because I've talked to people and you know they saw him try to learn about God and so they get a Bible and they open up to the book of Leviticus and they think there's nothing here for me it's is not not really understand how much you have become context is really important and I love Trojan which you said there also.

We need the help of the Holy Spirit, but we sometimes call illumination. The spirit of God illuminating our minds, our hearts so that we might receive the word of God by faith. Embrace it and so it does require the work of the Holy Spirit, but I would say what what I typically recommend when I'm talking to someone who is newer to Christianity. Maybe I has never read the Bible for us to go to the gospel of John. There couple reasons for for this one thing, the Gospels and in general it would be a good place to start to think about the life of Christ and what he did for us.

I mean I mean that's central to what it is were trying to communicate want people to know Jesus tempted to understand about the cross but the reason I pick John is because John in particular asked these probing questions to the reader with the goal of getting you as you're reading it to believe you have this apologetic.

If you will. This this defense of Christ what he's done the signs that he's doing throughout his ministry to demonstrate that he is the Christ the son of the living God.

In fact, that the very end of the gospel of John in chapter 20 verse 30 we read Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. It's almost like like John is is expecting you know an individual who doesn't know much about the Christian faith to pick up his book and read anything. Look, I'm I'm writing these things up with these miracles in this order. In this way. In this way so that you might believe in Jesus and and so I think there that these calls to faith throughout the gospel of John, that are probing and encouraging and I and I hope that as you encourage this friend this coworker to dig into the Scriptures that you also be there to to talk throughout you and I often will say you guys are reading things. If you have questions, let's talk about it just is a great opportunity to go deeper in the word and to see God work in an individual's life and so gospel of John.

I would say start their thanks so much for your question. For we also have a great Bible studies actually Bible reading plan that you can find at our website. If you go to core Christianity.com just look for that beginner Bible reading plan that will be really hopeful to. Let's go to voicemail that we received from one of our listeners earlier this week I received listing your also also just wait to jump into that fairly new believer, so come with some friends. My job not focus on you to be focused on being more focused word must face understanding of the Scripture much in my mind I feel like your friend is your job while you're building your relationship with Christ same time knowing me not focus on one thing if it's bad, to separate yourself while you study were to grow you share this program continue to be a blessing to others. Hey man, God bless love to hear that you're digging into the Scriptures and let me just say so. I became a Christian when I was in high school and prior to that I was kind of a knucklehead you know like I was I was you know a problem child and so have not not crazy but I just was not a Christian I definitely was not walking with Jesus. When I first began walking with the Lord first drew me to himself. There was this sort of. Where I was I was digging into the word of going to see your excited about the Bible right and and as a result of that a lot of my friends that you didn't want to hang out with me anymore. They would sort of joke, you know like there's the others Bible boys. He's changed all all all religious and and whatnot so you might find that as you dig into the Scriptures. Some people just are not interested in in spending as much time with you and I think that it's up you know there are seasons like for me at that at that time is a newer Christian.

I think it was it was the right move to to really my life had been radically changed by the Lord and all of a sudden I'm excited about the things of God. Going to church, reading the Bible and so because might my passions sorted sort of shifted. I just didn't spend as much time with my friend now one of the things is, I sort of look back on that time is a comment I wish I would've done a better job engaging with them still. During that during that process. If you will being a better witness and I think if you're able to do that good and pray that the Lord would give you opportunities. It's it's so important, I think it this stage that you get grounded in your faith that you surround yourself with people who were going encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

But the other thing I'll say is as you're studying the Bible. It should lead you to be someone who is engaged with people loving people mean it is the second greatest commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. So this, the study of Scripture should never cause just go off in a corner and neglect the people around us that it should give us a bigger heart of compassion for the people around us and so I would just say it in this time dig into the word let the word shape you your mind your thoughts and as God gives you opportunity to continue to cultivate these relationships with friends, Christians and and non-Christian alike, I get in so far as you're able to be a godly influence in their lives. I would say I would say pursue that route 11 verse are a couple verses that I wanted to read for you are in Philippians chapter 1 is Paul's prayer for the Philippians in verse nice is my prayer is that your love may abound more and more Slifer for the church and love for for even those outside of the church at that love would abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God, that you want to pursue love for God for his people for the world that is born out of a understanding of God's word knowledge and discernment so that you would have the discernment to approve what is good and and and righteous and honor the Lord in all that you do and may God bless you is as you pursue that and I stoked to hear that you can that John Bible study and prayer blesses you exit the question great counsel. Thanks for that. Hey girl you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. If you are a regular listener when let you know that we don't play commercials on this program. We don't receive money from a particular church or denomination. We count on people just like you to make gifts to keep us on the air in one of the ways you can do that is by joining our inner core. This is a group of people that have just made the decision to support this ministry on a monthly basis and we are so thankful for them.

Yet we are super encouraged by the work that you guys do in supporting us and in helping us in this ministry, both by your prayers and your monthly gifts.

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Core, Christianity.com/inner core to find out how to join that special group of people go back to the phones. Dana is on the line from Jacksonville Texas Dana what your question for pastor. Israel thank you so much for taking my call. Always been a confusing point to me that we are taught that once we get to heaven we will recognize our family members and our loved ones and I just I don't believe that for a split second I believe that we have recognizable traits while were here on earth we have here are our voice, our bodies are cooking the way we entertain people, all of that. But once we get to heaven. Our core purpose will be to praise God and to maybe see everyone is a beautiful soul but not to sit around and go, I remember you're not yet. Dana hey thanks for that question yet. How could you forget mom's lasagna in heaven at a is what I would say one so so when we die believers. Those who trust in Christ when we die. Our souls are immediately made perfect in holiness. Our bodies go down to the ground right at me that you know in the grave, but that's not their final resting place.

We are waiting for those bodies are waiting for what the Bible calls the resurrection of the dead insults our spirits is what we call the intermediate state. Our spirits are in the presence of God around the throne of God, together with all the saints who have gone before us. Those who trusted in Jesus. You can read about this in places like Hebrews chapter 12.

There's a great picture painted there of the worship it's happening in heaven with the saints, gathered around the throne of God.

She is also the book of Revelation.

By the way, and and were there in the presence of the Lord conscious worshiping God it as you say were not can have our bodies and so the question is how we recognize each other. I'm not sure I do think actually work were going to recognize people even there in the intermediate state. Not sure what that's going to be like or how are you have that knowledge I think is probably to be something is given to us by God. But then we are to be resurrected are our bodies are going to be resurrected are our souls are to be reunited to our bodies glorified.

If you will, in the new creation the new heavens and the new earth.

And I think some of the things were going to do their due include things like eating and fellow shipping with each other and continuing to worship God and honor God and in all that we do. You know that I think of Jesus's own words in Matthew chapter 8 verse 11, he says.

I tell you, many will come from East and West and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven here it's in the context of sort of that rebuking the false religious leaders, but one of the points he makes is as you know, in the kingdom of heaven were to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob arrived at which which I take in order to recognize them were to be in the presence of the patriarchs and and the saints, and the Angels even and were to be rejoicing in God's goodness in his love in his gospel.

The main thing is not to be our relationships as as you note, it's not can it be you know mom's spaghetti or pasta or whatever it's can it be the gospel in God's glory and were to be together enjoying those realities and feasting. You know around the table of the Lord, if you will.

Thanks Dana for your question.

Great explanation on what's going to take place in our glorification. So thank you for that federal this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We welcome your questions about the Bible, the Christian life, theology, doctrine, even how to live as a Christian in today's culture and some of the things that were interacting with on a daily basis. We love to hear from you.

Our phone lines are open for the next nine minutes or so you can call us. Here's the phone number it's 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 the core where the question to our YouTube channel. April this is from Eduardo, and he is referring to a passage from Galatians where he says, what does Paul mean by these words for through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. That is from the book of Galatians chapter 2 verse 19 and in a not the center of the book of Galatians is the doctrine of justification.

There were a group of Christians in Galatia who embrace the gospel and unity of the apostle Paul's preaching and Paul left and all of a sudden there were new teachers who came to town that were teaching something different than what the apostles Paul had taught to them.

It was different with regard to the doctrine of justification and will essential what they were saying is if you want to be justified.

If you really want to be a part of the church you need to embrace some of these old covenant practices.

You know, things like circumcision, that some of the ceremonial type rules and regulations. Some of the dietary laws are so Paul is really arguing against these and look what we in this is what is getting out there and in verse 19 were word dead to the law that that doesn't have any any power over us anymore. Not under it anymore because were in Christ under grace now. I think a great passage parallel passage that you could go to Eduardo to help you understand what he's getting at here is found in the book of Romans. In Romans chapter 7 and I'm just going to read that the first part of Romans chapter 7 he says in Romans do you not know, brothers, for I'm speaking to those of you who know the law that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives for a married woman is bound by the law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulterous if she lives with another man while her husband is alive but if her husband dies, she is free from the law and if she marries another man. She is not an adulterous. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another.

To him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit to God. How did we die to the lighthouse at the word dead to the law now will it's because were united to Jesus Christ, the curse of the law fell upon him, and when he died. It's as if we died, as it were. We are dead to the law but alive to God in Jesus Christ now and that's precisely what the apostle Paul is going to go on to say in verse 20 I have been crucified. This is again Galatians chapter 2 verse 20 I have been crucified with Christ is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Friends can you say that the life that I live right now. I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I hope that you can. I hope that you believe that that you know that and that you know that you in Christ are dead to the law. The law is no longer over you to condemn you.

You've been freed by Jesus through the gospel so that you might honor God with your life obeying him really wonderful news. Thank you for that question, Eduardo and are we thankful we don't have to live by those laws. In Leviticus, because no man who blow man a lot of my favorite foods right we just recrossed right off the list. You know, forget that shrimp yeah when taco you more. All you shrimp it with the red lobster so this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder, we would love to have you consider joining our inner core group of people who support this program on a monthly basis and you can learn more about joining and record some of the nice benefits that go along with that, by going to our website which is core Christianity.com/inner core. By the way, you can also send us an email if you have a question for pastor. Israel would love to hear from your email address is questions at core, Christianity.com, and Jimmy says this. I'm a man living alone in his later years and I'm tempted by lust.

I keep going back to the sin asking for forgiveness and then sending again. It grieves my assurance. I've prayed about it, but to no avail.

I need to hear from other men of faith how they overcame it and are they just lying to themselves. Hey Jimmy, well, first let me just pray for you brother, gracious father in heaven lifting me up to you and ask Lord, that you would grant him strength since of your presence, a sense of your forgiveness, but that also Lord, as you say in your word by your spirit you would put to death those things in him and those sins Lord that he wrestles with that he knows don't honor you that grief you that hurt his own conscience. Lord, would you please do the work that only you can do. We know that it's not not something that we can do in our own strength. We know that our hearts are deceitful and that we need your grace your help.

Ultimately, the work of your Holy Spirit's would you do that work in Jimmy's life and would you encourage him today. I pray in Jesus name, amen. It really is so important that we understand that brother because I think and what will Paul says in, and what I was alluding to.

There is in Romans six through eight where he talks about the fact that it's only by the spirit that we mortify is a old word that means to put to death that we mortify the sinful deeds of the body that we put to death those things in us that we know are dishonoring to the Lord and in their two things I think in that section of the book of Romans.

I encourage you to just did camp out there as as you seek the Lord and as you as you want to grow in the serrated to just meditate on Romans chapters 6 through eight, two things to highlight their the second thing which is what I just mentioned, which is only by the spirit so you cast yourself upon the mercy of God, and you recognize that God in my own strength I don't have what it takes. I need your help. I need your spirit to work in me took to to eradicate these things out of my life, but the first thing there in Romans chapter 6. Especially Paul emphasizes is the fact that you in Jesus. Even if you struggle you struggle you got this battle. In Jesus you have a new identity through the gospel. Your you're not the old you anymore you been washed.

You've been cleansed. You have been forgiven and I think for a lot of people that's that's really key because it Leno. They have struggle and they think and I'm worthless this is hopeless. I'm never get any better in this review themselves through that lens that very negative lens as opposed to viewing themselves in Christ as one who is alive from the dead. Again, Paul says in Romans chapter 6 beginning in verse one, what shall we say then are we to continue in sin that grace may abound by no means was because God is gracious, does that mean that we should just let it do send you a note. Pulses that your misunderstanding if you think that's what I'm that's I'm saying says, how can we who died to sin still live in it. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we need to might walk in newness of life for if we have been united with him in a death like his, shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. And we know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we should no longer be enslaved to sin for one who is died has been set free from sin, and he goes on to say in verse 12.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body to make you obey its passions do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness present yourselves to God as those who been brought from death to life in your members to God as instruments for righteousness, for sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under the law but under grace. That seems to be a theme in today's broadcast is and it is his idea of not being under the law anymore that in Jesus Christ we have died to the law and we have died to sin. Paul says they are in Romans chapter 6 so that we might walk in newness of life itself. What I want what I want to share with you Jimmy is that you belong to Jesus Christ. If you confess your sins if you united to him by faith.

You're dead to sin, you have this new relationship with God and with the law, you're no longer under the law so that you might walk in newness of life. Embrace that new identity by faith in Jesus Christ and then leaning on the Holy Spirit to put to death the sin that still indwells you. May God bless you and be with you and thank you so much for that call brother Douglas. 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. 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