Can a Parachurch Ministry Be My Church?

Parachurch ministry be my church just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity wider ideal Mira Loma, Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question. A lot of our social media sites course you can always email us your question at questions@corechristianity.com and first up-to-date federal we have an email question for you. This one comes from Hector and he says is all sin equal in God's eyes.

Like for example a white lie versus murder are those equal to thank you for that question. The first thing I think we need to do is define what sin is sin is not just making a mistake that the best definition version. I think his sin is any want of conformity to or transgression of God's law that is citizen. We when we not fail to conform our lives to what God is called us to positively God calls you to love your neighbor instead you just are sort of neutral you don't positively love your neighbor and so is failing to conform to God's law or just when we transgress the law of God that is break one of God's holy commandments. Now all sin deserves God's wrath and curse and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God but your question specifically is that does that mean that every sin is the same in God's eyes.

I think the answer to that is no.

There are some sins that are worse than others.

Simpsons is in and of themselves, or by reason of of you know being repeated over and over again I think are more heinous in God's eyes, even even we consider who it is that's committing the sin I think and make it more heinous. So for example if it's if it's a person in authority. A religious leader.

Specifically, I think that that makes the sin all the more heinous you think of what what Jesus said to the religious leaders. These are going to receive greater condemnation.

Why, because state they have a higher level of accountability they should know the truth and you know how it is that that God calls them to live in, and they reject that. And so as a result, we might say that in one since there sin is greater and there are a number of passages. I think that make this clear. One text of Scripture that that I go to. Usually when this question is asking is also an equal or some sins worse than others think of what what God says in Ezekiel chapter 8 where Ezekiel has this vision of these these abominations that are taking place among the people of God. We read in verse seven he brought me to the entrance of the court and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall beside me, Son of Man dig in the wall.

So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance and he said to me go in and see all of the vile abominations that they are committing here. So I went and I saw in there engraved on the wall all around was every form of creeping thing and loathsome beasts and all the idols of the house of Israel and before them stood 70 men of the elders of the house of Israel with Jaz Anaya, the son of Schaefer and standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up and he said to me, Son of Man, have you seen with the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures, for they say, the Lord does not see us. The Lord has forsaken the land and he also said to me you will see still greater abominations that they commit in in his or just gets worse and worse and worse and so we have here is a clear picture of the fact that some sins are indeed more heinous in the eyes of God than others. That doesn't excuse our other sins you know that the ones that are less heinous that the white lie. You might say, but that but the reality is that there are some sins are worse than others, and so all sin calls us to to humble ourselves to repent. At the turn but we can differentiate it in in terms of some sins being worse than others. Thank you Hector for your question. Thanks so much for your question for listening to core Christianity by the way, we have a special group of people we want to say thank you to today we call them our inner core and we have a special virtual meeting coming up for all inner core members. Yeah, I'm pretty excited about this virtual meeting and being able to meet with with many of our inner core members and for those of you who don't know what the inner core is it's it's the group that supports us with their monthly donation of $25 or more to support this book, but partners together with us to get the word of the gospel out through the airwaves, encouraging people, men and women, children, even with the broadcast and so if you're if you're interested in joining the inner core. Would love to have you partner with us and in will send you if you partner with us a copy of Dr. Michael Horton's book, core, Christianity, and as as Bill is saying we also want to invite you to join us for a live virtual meeting that's good to be happening with the core team and other inner core members on April 13 at 8 PM Eastern time, 5 PM Pacific where you'll have an opportunity to ask me questions about that the Christian faith or even learn more about the core Christianity organization and so if you're already a member of the inner core.

Please be on the lookout for the invitation in your email and if you're not shut that down inner core is that group of people is a federal said, who support us, and that virtual meeting on April 13 at 5 PM Pacific 8 PM Eastern time. You can learn more by going to core Christianity.com/inner core will our phone lines are open right now. If you have a question for a drill about the Bible or the Christian life. Here's the phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 taking calls for the next 15 minutes or so, so hop on your phone right now again were open to any question at all about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine theology, you name it. 833. The core is the number let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners. This one is from Steve.

We'll California. I'm trying to decide which church I should start typing to we don't really have established local Christian church here.

I'm in Northern California in the Bay Area. Things have not gone back to him person work at the but I'm still trying to decide which church should I a become a member of the height of money to man. I was thinking of core Christianity because I do listen to your program every day and I love it but it doesn't seem like that church.

It's more a question and answer which I like but I was wondering if you consider core Christianity to be church and one in the eyes of God hiring to the inner core be acceptable. Steve, thank you for that question for you kindness for for your support and no I do not consider core Christianity to be a church where an organization wants to come alongside of local churches and pastors.

I'm I'm a pastor myself of a local church preaching the gospel seeking to care for the flock of God in the context of the local church and we all need to be if you're if you're professing Christian we need to be in churches you need to be in a church. Stephen I'm sorry to hear that things have not opened up where where you're at, you need to be in a church and in in the other party or question which is a really good question.

You know how do I know which church to become a member of what we identify true churches by what we sometimes referred to as the marks of the church. The church is where ever the word of God is being faithfully proclaimed. It's there that the spirit of God is working you know at quota quote church and have a building they can get all dressed up in and come together on a Sunday morning, but if the word of God is not being proclaimed, will God is not speaking there because God speaks through his word, and so fundamentally it. It's the word of God that creates and sustains the church and some of the first thing you need to look for in looking for a good church is a place where that the Scriptures are valued where the word of God has priority where they're not getting together just a you know tell tell stories in and talk about, you know, ways to help the community. The ways to help the community very important. A good thing but week we come together on Sunday as the people of God to hear God speak to us from heaven, and he does so through his word and by the power of the Holy Spirit, and so you want to find a place with with the word is central and where Jesus Christ is central through the preaching of the word the gospel you have your Jesus being preached into your heart.

Week in and week out through faithful pastors and ministers. I long for that for for you and for all of those who listen to this broadcast because you and we love answering your questions every day about the Christian faith but but that is as I said this is not I mean this is not the church as you need a community of of believers around you in the flesh who can encourage you walk alongside of you who can know you and hold you accountable under the ministry of the word, and so you, the faithful preaching of the word of God worship in line with what Jesus is called us to in his word discipline that is care for the body fellowship into those of the things you're gonna want to look for another doesn't mean you can't support us another way Sito becoming a member of the inner court would love that. But I would say you know in terms of supporting the ministry of the gospel you really want to prioritize that the local church you're part of and so I pray for you Steve that God would literally come in quite literally open up the doors in your in your neighborhood and that the Lord would guide you, your family, to the right place where where his word is is exalted where he is exalted through faithful teaching, I would say contribute to to the needs thereunto that the advancement of the gospel there, but you have to limit your your gifts to just the local church.

You can give to all sorts of things as well and and so appreciate your support and I just love that you listen every day. God bless you brother.

I feel for Steve because of so many churches during the covert situation had shut down or just went online only, and I know you guys at your church in San Diego had to be very creative for a while on how you worship on Sundays we did. I mean for a while and everything was try to fidget early on. A couple years back there. There was the opportunity to do driving you know worship services to which you rented a big parking lot. Out here in San Diego and I preached from the top of a lifted Jeep in the middle of a parking lot and it was pretty awesome was also pretty terrifying because it was probably like it if Ellicott 10 foot drop off some of them can't be running around up there yet to just stay still but yeah I mean we want to get the word out. However we can.

And so I know for for many ministries. This is been a challenge, but grateful for those who are who are really striving to to continue honoring the Lord by gathering together. I meant this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Chris calling in from Illinois. Chris, what's your question for a drill life. You hey Chris, thank you for that question very common question and I don't know if if you're the me I imagine maybe something your your wrestling with for yourself. I know it's something that I really wrestled with is a newer believer to say Akash I've experienced the grace of God in my life I've believed in Jesus of extent of the five of them felt his presence in my life.

What if I mess this up. What if II do something that causes God to abandon me. My firm conviction as I've studied the Scriptures is that Jesus does not forsake his own by that. If you have given yourself to the Lord and you you know Jesus by faith you've received him for the forgiveness of your sins that God himself. Chris is going to be the one who keeps you and sustains you know that doesn't mean that we we won't have struggles in the Christian life, and indeed we do, and that there might not even be seasons where you know maybe because of sin some grievous sin. It feels like like God isn't there anymore, but I think the promise that we have from Jesus himself to his people. I will never leave you or forsake you know there are some people Chris who I think are deceived to that me to. Maybe they they prayed a prayer and they said I accepted Jesus into my heart and you know maybe bag went to church or been in church for a long time and and but but but there's there's a difference between sort of being around Christianity and having the of vital faith in Jesus Christ, so that there are people I think.

Who can deceive themselves. So that's that's a different issue but I would say for those who truly belong to the Lord. Those who have been born of the spirit that they cannot and will not lose their salvation but that God himself is the one who is going to keep them in I think of what Paul said in Romans chapter 8 verse 29 for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and those whom he predestined he also called and those whom he called he also justified those whom he justified he also glorified God is the one who justifies.

He's the one who glorifies he's the one who calls and predestines. He does the work because the work is in his hands. We can rest.

So the question for each of us is have I truly believed in Jesus have I received him for the forgiveness for the forgiveness of my sins, and if we have if we believe in him than than you know what what the Scripture said what John says in his first letter is we can know that we have eternal life. God bless you Chris, I meant this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We've got telephone lines open right now. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life.

Here's the phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 will be taking calls for the extra 56 minutes or so, so hop on the phone right now let's go to Russell in Missouri Russell what your question for a drill, Canaan 50 through 58. Bailey on 1554 you're looking for an explanation of those verses Russell – regular current is 1554 I thank you. Yes, the first printing 15 are really coming here in the context of a discussion about the resurrection of the dead, and it seems like in Corinth. This this city work. Paul is writing to their work. There was confusion among amongst the Christians there on the doctrine of the resurrection. And Paul says beginning in verse 50. I tell you this, brothers, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. He's talking about the last day, the resurrection of the dead. This transfer of transformation.

It's going to take place. Verse 53 for this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and when the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death where is your victory. Oh death where is your sting.

Right now we live in these perishable bodies if you will. Russell affected by sin, and sins entrance into the world because sin entered the world. Death came through sin. Paul says this very clearly. Elsewhere in Romans chapter 5 verses 12 and following it. So isn't what we've inheritance incorruption guilt even and through that comes death. Now, Jesus Christ the son of God came to earth, assumed humanity, so that in that humanity he might live suffer and die for our sins and in dying conquered death for us.

He rose again from the dead. Christianity answers the problem that the problem of man's greatest need. The problem of sin and mortality in people are looking to do to figure out you. How can we live longer there. Even some people you know and in Silicon Valley there they're talking about. You will taste it to try to make us immortal is also the money that's being invested. Even now in unit trying to extend the human lifespan for as long as possible, trying to conquer the problem of death and in people thinking as we look forward to science and medicine technology maybe maybe will be able to conquer the problem of death. The reality is it's not about looking for the answer to the problem of death is not is not looking forward.

Looking back to the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the one who conquered death, so that in him we have the hope that these mortal perishable bodies might put on immortality is really quite amazing is what Paul is talking about.

There is the glorification of our bodies. The resurrection of the dead. This this act that God accomplishes through that the power of the Holy Spirit so that we might dwell with him in perfect purity and peace and in immortality.

And that's what Paul is getting out there in first Corinthians chapter 15.

And that's the hope that each of us has united to Jesus Christ by faith amend this core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder when you are invited to join that special group of people we call our inner core.

They are regular supporters of this ministry and we have an event special event coming up on inner core virtual meeting which will be on April 13 at 5 PM Pacific 8 PM Eastern. If you are already an inner core member. Make a note of that and if you join inner core. In March we will invite you send you a personal invitation to that, and a copy of Dr. Michael Horton's book core Christianity so check that out@corechristianity.com/inner core. Let's go to Mary who is calling in from Omaha, Nebraska Murray, what your question for pastor. Israel wait for so we have been horrified by the killing any aggressiveness that has been going on in the Ukraine and I was wondering why do we as Christians not vocalized so much distress in horror about the murder that goes on with the abortions here in the United States. Here at home and I can't quite figure out why some death seems to be of greater significance than others that you help me will you write. Mary doesn't make any sense at all. Does it and I think that our hearts should break when we think about the things that happened here at home as well. The Army we see it on the TV screen abroad in Ukraine, the suffering, then what heart should break about that too should pray for God's mercy for peace for the salvation of world leaders seen those who are engaging these in these conflicts, but we should also pray for for things to change here that God would bring about repentance that God would bring about healing me think about them in the Old Testament how the Scripture says, the blood, especially the blood of the innocent stains the ground and and grievous. Riley leads to. I think the righteous anger of the Lord. And so I think there's a lot of repenting and crying out to the Lord that that we need to do as well. Now of course I say all that recognizing that there there may be some listening right now who innovates don't like talking about this because maybe and thereby the thing about their past and things that they've done may be having having an abortion. They just so difficult for them as they as I think about maybe they become Christian since then and and so it's just a hard thing to talk about is this something that we lament and we say God have have mercy bring about change, bring about repentance.

We cry out for the lives of the innocent and those who are helpless but we also know that there is the hope of the gospel that the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cleanse wash away our guilty bloodstained hands and that he brings us to himself forgiving our sins and causing us to enter into his house of mercy and grace. And so there is hope but but that that hope does come through confession and receiving the grace of God and and that there really is no answer to, you know what why why why are we outraged about one in and not the other lead is no rational answer eyes I think I think we do. Sometimes we just like to hide or conceal that the things that we know were were guilty of the things that are happening here in a kind of in our own backyard and in unit get upset about things are happening elsewhere, but the reality is both should upset us and cause us to grieve and cause us to cry out to the Lord and so may God bless you as you cry out to the Lord, and may God bring healing both in in Europe right now.

With everything going on in here at home in the United States as well. A man in order. All I was thinking about the fact that I've heard ultrasounds described as a window into the womb. And you mentioned things done in secret.

I think a lot of that were talking about here we see those images about Ukraine every day on our television and on and on the Internet and they do grievous, but so much done in secret here so many dark and terrible things done in secret, that need to be brought to the light of day. Yeah, that's right. And maybe that's one of the reasons why you know it's sort of minified I don't have to see an image I don't have to think about it and maybe that'll make it easier and I note with friends who have worked in the pro-life movement.

You talk about the importance of ultrasounds and and you know what being able to see an image of your child can do as as an individual is thinking about this and so brothers and sisters, we pray for God's mercy, to be poured out and and even on those who are inking about maybe that kind of decision maybe or near thinking about that for yourself. God loves you and he loves her child and so may the Lord be with you and bless thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and 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