What Kind of Influence Do Satan and Demons Have on Society?

This new episode of core Christianity was recorded what kind of influence to Satan and demons have on society. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity will hi, I'm Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez. This is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

You can call us with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 always post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Jennifer who is calling in from Texas. Jennifer what your question for pastor atrial memory Old Testament and out okay Pharaoh and pretty clear effect. There will and I'm just wondering God hate to him.

Did they talk to me. I don't know how and I think the bottom line is I'm struggling to hear God and I want to know how to hear things like he spoke very clear to Moses in the Old Testament.

I love this question.

Jennifer Yami is reading to the Old Testament, and even eat overlooking places like in the book of acts to see how God speaks so clearly in certain instances, I'm just talking to two people. It seems as though we wonder you know is there something defective about my relationship with God.

I have not heard God speak to me like he spoke with Moses note. First, with regard to the first party or question it it it does seem to me and I think that this is made clear throughout the book of Exodus and also in in the book of Deuteronomy on the goddess is speaking to Moses audibly.

I'm even going back to Exodus chapter 3 that the vision that he has of the burning bush, Moses that I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned and when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see God called to him out of the bush.

Moses. Moses, we heard the voice of the Lord, and in fact in Exodus chapter 33 with a guarded tent of meeting in verse 11 it says. Thus, the Lord used to speak to Moses face-to-face as a man speaks to his friend. While Kim can you imagine that this is something there, something very intimate here something very special, but also something unique. This is not how we Moses is the mediator of of the.

The old covenant if you will. Yes is very specific role in the history of redemption so you got this the sort of unique relationship to the Lord, the special relationship to the Lord is this is this profit if you will, then one thing that's often times emphasized in the scenes is that in the end, of the people of God didn't see the Lord. I'm not there Isaac. They couldn't but they did hear his voice speaking from the mountain read this and in Deuteronomy chapter 4 as well assist this picture of the fact God was a God who could not be seen, but he actually spoke to his people, which was the opposite of what you had in the pagan nations you know they would make these idols. These graven images you could see them you could carry them around.

You set them up on your nightstand, but they never spoke they were silent, and so the true God of the Bible is the God who speaks but your question is why isn't he speaking to me or is he speaking to me. If he isn't speaking to me as as he spoke to Moses and the answer is different. God is speaking to you.

He speaking to us first and foremost through his word and through his son Jesus. And this is this is what we should expect and it's exactly what the author to the Hebrews said at the very beginning of the book of Hebrews. If you have a Bible, maybe you could even open up there in Hebrews chapter 1, I think that this is really helpful. It really gets to you know that that second part of your question thinking about how God spoke to Moses and the prophets in the Old Testament versus how he speaks to you and me today. Hebrews 1 verse one long ago that many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom he also created the world in which right now, today, God is speaking to humanity to mankind, primarily through his son Jesus and the proclamation of the gospel and the proclamation of the Bible with the word of God teaches.

It's our job to listen. I think so often for somebody.

People are not things about you Jennifer, but I think personally is a window guy just isn't speaking doesn't care about me. The problem is not that God is not speaking. The problem is that we don't really know where to listen. God speaks to us first in creation enters the world around us, revealing his glory in a look at the stars at night and he is overwhelmed with the sense of of man, I'm small there something greater than me out there.

It's what the psalmist said in Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day unto day utters speech.

In other words, the whole world around you through the whole world around you.

Jennifer God is speaking to you, but God is speaking and even more clear word through his son Jesus through his special revelation in Scripture. And that's were called to go and to pray and to say Lord, open my mind, my heart, my ears, by the grace of your Holy Spirit to hear your voice speaking to me in the Scriptures, and in fact this is exactly what we see in the book of Hebrews even later in Hebrews chapter 3 writing to this this group of of Christians the author the Hebrew says.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion and the other Hebrews imagines as is writing them. This this this exhortation the sermon if you will, is there hearing it that God is speaking to them through it is today if you hear his voice and so we should have that expectation. Every time we open the Bible every time we sit in church to hear the word of God faithfully proclaimed, God is speaking to us. He speaking to you through his word to the world around you through the providential circumstances of your life. We just need to listen and so may God bless you and fill you with his spirit make it to attuned to his voice as he guides you in his word. I bless Jennifer, thanks so much for calling and digging into God's word and for being a regular listener to core Christianity. We really do appreciate you.

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It's a monthly donation of $25 or more and it really mean that we feel that we are partnering together with you to get the word on the are partnering with us and so were working side-by-side for the fate of the gospel that something that that I just and mom fills my heart with joy at a tumbling really went. When I think about it and so if you've been blessed by this broadcast encouraged in your walk with the Lord, and you want to partner with us. Consider joining the inner core is a set is a $25 monthly donation and will send you as a thank you for joining the book core Christianity, which is a just a really helpful introduction to the core doctrines of the Christian faith. And so, once again, thank you for for your support and for your encouragement and love being able to work side-by-side with you to get the word out. You can learn more about joining the inner core by going to our website. Core, Christianity.com/inner core and would love to send you that book by Dr. Michael Horton core Christianity, which is great for personal study or maybe going through as a group, or even in the Sunday school class so check that out. Core, Christianity.com/inner core. Let's go to Terry calling in from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Terry, what's your question for Pastor Israel to about where many preachers women pastors on the first regular reporting chapter talks about it.

And while we have had many discussions over the amount you're not clear on it and that you can answer that from our really would appreciate it. God bless you and thank you hey Terry, thank you for your encouragement, brother. I am grateful for for your words and that your frequent listener, so a couple of things. One, my view as a as a pastor myself as a minister the gospel and as someone who teaches the Bible's is that the office of elder pastor is reserved in the New Testament specifically for men for men were called to that office were qualified were men of character who have a degree of competency obvious in the Scriptures. First Timothy three says they need to be able to teach and so you know that if the question is cool it according to Scripture, should according to Scripture woman hold that office. Specifically, else and Mike, my view is knowing. Then again, I would go to places like first Timothy three Titus one were talks about the qualifications for elders and in other other statements from the apostle Paul, in particular in the pastoral epistles now, does that mean that this is that we know one of those issues that strikes at the core of the Christian faith. That is, you know somebody different you know from me on this. Would that mean that they're not a Christian that they're not a believer but no, certainly not. I think I think that there there obviously rimming.

There are a number of churches where where people take a different view and I would say that they you know art are deniers of the gospel that they don't truly have a relationship with Jesus I can think that's not what I read in the Scriptures now understand them and so that's that's my take brother and appreciate your your question may the Lord bless you your listing to core Christianity with pastor Averill Sanchez. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. You can always email us here is her email address its questions at core, Christianity.com. You can leave us a voicemail 24 hours a day at 833-843-2673. That's 833.

The core Chuck calling in from Missouri.

Chuck, what's your question for Israel. My question is, I've talked to a number of people and I personally don't see the Angels have wings stated in the Scriptures.

Now her from interpreting the headwinds but they were also heavenly creatures, but they were necessarily a considered Angel as Angel means messenger. If I understand correctly so I shifted into that. I Chuck, thank you for that question yeah why don't they look like the Angels you see in medieval art, you know the little babies with the with the wings. That kind of thing. No, now I would say that that those beings that are described in places like Isaiah chapter 6 that the the seraphim there that those are angelic beings, part of the angelic hosts and that those you Angels do indeed have wings read in Isaiah 61 in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim each had six wings with two he covered his face with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to the other and said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory, and so that that's the one text that that I would go to. I do think you know it's really easy to get caught up and in need of what these creatures look like with these angels look like really, we should focus on what the Bible says that they do. And of course the word angel does mean messenger they are sent out on on behalf really first and foremost of of the people of God. This is what the author the Hebrews says in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14 are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation, and so in other places in the Scriptures you know a Angels are sometimes depicted as these these guardians of the people got to see this throughout the book of Genesis you think of the Angels, who basically rescued lot out of Sodom I think of what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 18 verse 10 about the little ones whose Angels always see the face of the father in heaven. And so that there these these created beings the spiritual beings that minister to care for the people of God, help to protect help to guard the people of God, and in so far as they do that we give thanks to the Lord for them to mean that the kingdom of of God includes Angels a lot of times people don't think about this, but we think about the kingdom of God ultimately is the new creation and where in the new creation new creation worshiping the Lord were to be doing that, together with all the angels of heaven who who belong to the Lord and so I thank you for your question Chuck appreciate that and may the Lord bless you.

This is core Christianity with pastor Averill Sanchez's would love to hear from you if you got some questions about the Bible, the Christian life theology or doctrine.

Here's an email question that came in Israel.

This is from one of her listeners named Carolyn she says why does Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11 verses 12 to 14 while reading. It appeared out of character for Jesus. Yeah, really, really a good question and so yet me looking at Mark chapter 11 you have first, the triumphal entry Jesus coming into Jerusalem. People greeting him. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David hosanna in the highest. He entered Jerusalem went into the temple and when he had looked around everything as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the 12 and then you have this scene of the cursing the fig tree on the following day when they came from Bethany. He was hungry, and seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf. He went to see if he could find anything on it. We came to it, he found nothing but leaves for it was not the season for figs and he said to it. May no one ever eat fruit from you again. And his disciples heard it now look the way we understand this is is just immediately right after this it is in this helps a student to make sense of the cursing the fig tree you have the cleansing of the temple where Jesus goes in and he basically cleans house you know you is overturning the tables with the money changers and and driving people out there they made the temple into this den of robbers and then the lesson from the fig tree is is touched on again in verse 20. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots and Peter remembered and said to him, Rabbi, look, the fig tree that you cursed has withered and Jesus answered them, have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and be thrown into the sea and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will come to pass.

It will be done for him know again what's interesting here is that you have this sort of cursing of the fig tree on that's happening in the context of the cleansing of the temple in this judgment that's threatened against really Israel that it be in their unrepentant sin, their unbelief known in their rejection of the Messiah, the religious leaders is so that that sort of discussion about the fig tree bookends the cleansing of the temple which helps us make sense of the fig tree affected the fig tree. Sometimes it is thought of as as a symbol if you will, for the nation itself and end here you see this just the sort of fruitless in this there's there's no fruit on the tree and you remember what John the Baptist said it that the very beginning of his ministry right now the ax is laid to the root of the tree bear fruits. In keeping with repentance such as picture of the judgment coming against the nation for their rejection of the Messiah for their rejection of Christ in and so that's I think the best way to understand the certainly in the context of Mark chapter 11, it was just a sort of random Jesus hungry, not happy that there's no fruit on the tree so he curses it in an East having a bad day know there's something deeper here and it has to do with Israel's rejection of the Messiah. Thank you, right?

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Here's the phone number to call 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673. There's a voicemail from one of her listeners named Yasmine and monograph all I and not only am I yeah is me… Thank you for that question. I don't know that I would say that one of them describes Jesus is who he is, more accurately than another coming with what you have in the Gospels are these different vantage points if you will, on the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and what they communicate to us about Jesus is true that the gospel writers do have the purpose behind their writing that there may be trying to set Jesus up, as does the true King of Israel is that that is the one who came in fulfillment of all the prophecies of the of the Old Testament as the, the, the Lord himself as as a guiding of John 11 in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God's other. Each of them giving us this this different perspective, if you will, or vantage point on the ministry of Christ but what they say and reveal to us about Christ is is true and so and so far as they reveal him to us as the Son of Man prophesied way back in. In the book of Daniel in Daniel chapter 7 or as that the true IM you know you think of that the words of Jesus in John chapter 8 verse 58, before Abraham was, I am there recording for us accurately things about Jesus, about his identity and so I would save you if you want to know Jesus read all the Gospels. I happen to really love the gospel of John, and I love that the perspective it's given there there something I just think so sweet about John's Gospel and that it's really written with this apologetic focus, wanting to get you to believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God for the believing you might have life in his name, but really all the Gospels are are giving us this this wonderful image of our Lord, are our Savior Christ. And so I would say read read all of them and meditate upon them and receive them as God's truth for you as you think about Jesus and growing in your relationship with him and so That that's that's what I would say about about which of the Gospels. I think best that depicts Jesus rest. They all do so yet they're all doing great ways and it's so interesting.

Delete read some of the differences that based on the other backgrounds and their purpose in writing those books, so thanks for that intro.

This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder, you can join our inner core that special group of people who support this ministry on a regular basis by going to core Christianity.com/inner core.

Would love to send you a copy of the book core Christianity by Dr. Michael Horton, our founder, so check that out on our website. Core, Christianity.com go to voicemail that came in from one of our listeners. This is Joseph. My question is on double a little bit and related like how much of an impact that will have on our society has been routed out it's very easy to look at things from a simple perspective better, but daily in that we struggle with how do we determine what the differences between actors.

Satan origin*nature and give love Michelle (yeah, it really is easy, just as it is to blame the devil for anything that we do wrong is no man, I was just tempted by by the evil one when in reality so often were just tempered by our own sinful desires is what James talks about with regard to the. The influence of the devil has on society today. I think about what John says in first John chapter 5 verse 19 we know that we are from God in the whole world lies in the power of the evil one it is. So there's there's a sense in which the world in which we currently live right now is under this sway of the evil one that the power of the evil one, and this is the reality while at the same time, Christ has definitively defeated Satan and his evil once his minions on the cross and think about what we read in Colossians and Colossians chapter 2 in particular verse 13 and you were dead in your trespasses and the on circumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him and so we think of the evil one right even though even though there's just this deception that's that's taking place right now. We think of the evil one. We have to think of them as as a defeated foe as a foe that is disarmed as a monster that doesn't have any teeth.

Why, because God removed them through the crucifixion of his son and the resurrection from the dead.

Jesus has conquered death, sin and Satan. So we know where the victory lies and that should give us a great degree of confidence. I think as Christians living in the world where the evil one is still at work going about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour some as Peter said, we know that the evil one cannot touch us and that's that's what John, you know, says in again in first John chapter 5 and so with regard to you how you differentiate between something that is just a temptation that rises up from within you or a genuine neo-temptation from the evil one spiritual warfare that kind of thing is sometimes it's it's it's impossible to tell. I think we are called always to be vigilant and to be prayerful to put on the armor of God, as Paul says in Ephesians 6 and praying at all times with supplication in the Spirit. This is what were called to because the fact of the matter is, is that there are enemies without and there's the enemy within you know our own sinful inclinations that that oftentimes lead us astray.

And so I would just say rather than trying to figure out you know what was that the evil one was that just my own lustful desires that kind of thing fixing our eyes on Christ and staying vigilant, watchful in the face of temptation. We know the temptations are are real and they're going to come to all of us. It's not our job to try to focus on them.

Work were focusing on Christ who delivers us from temptation even as he taught us to pray and so prayed like Jesus taught you father in heaven. Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. God bless. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to 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.

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