Should My Sin Keep Me from Taking the Lord’s Supper?

Should my sin keep me from taking the Lord's supper. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity why we pray that you have a wonderful weekend on 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.

You can call us right now with your question is our phone number it's 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673, as always, you can post your question on one of our social media sites you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today. Here's a voicemail we received from one of our callers over the weekend. Hello, no question, John 31st. I have overcome the world. We may have great tribulation, but I have overcome the world.

I don't understand and like Jesus is referring to. There with all the relations that we continually have so I appreciate your understanding about you by Kay Simone thank you for that question. Now this comes at the end or towards the end of Jesus's upper room discourse and in this section of the Bible, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. He's about to leave and they're worried that you meet. Look at verses or chapters 14 and 15. You can tell that there's some concern there because their Lord, their master is going away and then they don't know where he's going and so he's he's providing comfort for them in this discourse. In particular, promising them the gift of the Holy Spirit saying I'm leaving with the spirit of God is coming to send the spirit of not to leave you as orphans and then you get to verse 32. Then he says behold, the hour is coming. Indeed, it has come when you will be scattered each to his own home and will leave me alone, yet I am not alone, for the father is with me. I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart I have overcome the world.

Doesn't that just at an important word for us today. In Jesus you can have peace. Yes you may and will experience tribulation in life and in the world. Christianity does not promise us that were not going to have difficult times that were not going to face tribulation effect is the opposite of times in the gospel. Jesus is you will be persecuted for my namesake, but you can have a piece in the midst of those trials and tribulations that peace is found in Jesus, who has overcome the world.

Now, how is it that Jesus overcame the world that word over overcome. It's it's about word that John really likes to use both in his Gospels. Both of his gospel in his his letters and also in the book of Revelation and the strange thing is you we think about overcoming and being victorious is is this a triumphant victory. The mystery in John's writings is that Jesus overcame the world through his suffering and death.

What is that mean it means that what he what he was actually doing is accomplishing the forgiveness of our sins. And that's what Jesus came to do. First and foremost to put away our sins once and for all and the good news for us is that Jesus is the one who is who is overcome that through him we have forgiveness of sins, and we have peace even in the midst of a world where there's tribulation and actually in Jesus. You and I also are over comers. This is the theme that we see in the book of Revelation, but it's also something that John makes it very clear in first John chapter 5 verse four he says everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that is overcome the world. Our faith, who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God and so we participate. If you are a part of that victory that Jesus has one for us and by faith we are victorious in him. And so that's what Jesus is getting at their Simone thank you for that for that question and for giving us a call MM greater explanation there. Israel, thank you so much for that. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines are open. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life, doctrine and theology. Or maybe you have some doubts about the Christian faith. Maybe you belong to another religion and you're wondering what's all this Christianity stuff really all about. I'm not sure I buy were happy to talk to you as well. Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Frank in Abilene, Kansas Frank what is your question for Pastor Israel failed when Jesus was talking to the disciples and how you pry off the garden had all a bit on so long to get billable rates and lead us patient. Now I'll think and why would Jesus, God rubbed in flash me telling disciples the praying to God not leading us into temptation when the book of James states that God doesn't tempt any man, so the count of the court little Alice a contradiction, but it's a play on words there. How would you make sense of the aptly why would God be printed. The father in Santa Fe will lead us not into temptation that the computer they Frank, thanks for that question yes is the pure bringing together two passages in the New Testament. Of course Jesus's instruction on prayer there from Matthew chapter 6 where he says very clearly in verse 13 that we are to pray saying lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Or we could say the evil one from Satan. Well, when you think about Jesus's words there and then you turn to James in James chapter 1 verse 13 Jim said very clearly. Let no one say when he is tempted I am being tempted by God for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then, when it is conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown brings forth death. There are a couple of ways of thinking about this. First, it's clear, I think, according to the New Testament were thinking about temptation that would that work can be temptation. It could be trial by their different ways to translate that word and typically the context is is what helps us to determine how to understand a word.

God does not tempt anyone to send. He's not.

He's not putting stumbling blocks if you will, before us trying to get us to sin or or something like that.

But God is sovereign and in control of all things in here you Jesus. I think in Matthew chapter 6 is teaching us to pray in such a way that one.

We recognize that and realize ultimately that it's the Lord's hand in our lives that keeps us from harm and even from trial and so were going to the Lord, humbly submitting ourselves to him as the sovereign king, the ruler of all things, not not saying God I I know you're trying to get me to sin here that kind of thing, though, in fact, just the opposite, and we were praying for growth and grace for sanctification to be made holy.

That's the will of God for us. What Paul tells the Thessalonians. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus, your sanctification, so we know that that's God's will for us and we can pray.

Accordingly, we can pray confidently God deliver me from the evil one.

Don't lead me into temptation or into that that trial the hour of trial, if you will but strengthen my heart fortify me. I know that you're in control of all things, and so there really is an attitude and in the Lord's prayer of submission of humility, of recognizing that God is the one who is in control of all things in God is the one who gives every good gift, even down to our daily bread than the food that we need to survive that comes from the Lord.

And so that's what Jesus is emphasizing. I don't think that there's any contradiction, because as I said, I think there are different ways to understand that word temptation.

You see that played out throughout the New Testament this the same word can have a broad semantic range.

We say, meaning you know it can be understood in different ways. Or we could translate it even in different ways depending upon the context in what's being emphasized in the context and so thank you for that question Frank and forgive us a call.

They Frank, thanks so much for being a regular listener to core Christianity and for searching God's word and we always appreciate that when her listeners are acting like Marines and really looking at God's word closely. This is core Christianity and we have a very unique resource that we want to offer you today at something in particular that if you're a parent you will enjoy yeah Bill, we have a new offer that combines some of our best questions and answers that we've got here on the show related to faith and family man think it's fair to say the kids asked some of the. The best questions biblical questions theological questions and if were honest were not always ready to answer those questions as as parents we need understand that our families can be and should be training grounds for for growing together in the faith especially think of that the next generation. So whether you're a parent or grandparent, an uncle and aunt, or sibling.

We can help each other face the difficult questions that involve our faith and families. That's why the core Christianity team is created a new resource on faith and family, and it's available on our website for a gift of any amount. This collection includes questions and answers from the show articles and bonus materials about marriage, parenting, sexuality and dating relationships that answer kids questions and how to care for aging parents core Christianity exists to help answer tough questions about the Bible and the Christian faith. When you get these important resources you support us to continue to produce and broadcast the show so we want to encourage you to get a hold of this resource and thank you for your support. It is such a solid resource would like to get that in your hands again for a donation of any amount you can find by going to core Christianity.com/family again. Core, Christianity.com/family look for the faith and family collection. Let's go to a voicemail that came in from one of our listeners.

This is Marilyn. My question to you is and take communion, will and will be condemned creature that already in a calm, you take holy Communion, your soul will be damned if this fellow if you can answer this for me I would appreciate it thank you and God bless you all a Marilyn that you know it really is important that we examine ourselves as we come to holy Communion. I think often times in the church people have is just a low view of worship of what takes place when were gathered together of the sacraments of God's grace, baptism and the Lord's supper. We so to treat them as these empty signs that that's the main thing that really matters is my personal faith and relationship with Jesus will yes those things are important, but these are signs tokens of God's love his goodwill, his grace in his gospel for his people.

Think about it like a gift. Think of. Think of baptism and the Lord supper like a gift that God gives to his people. When you love somebody, and in their giving you a gift unit you want to you want to be respectful. He want to receive that gift with joy with in this case with faith with with hope, with true worship and oftentimes I think that we don't so I'm I die. I think I want to start there by saying that, and there is a warning associated with taking the Lord's supper in a way that is faithless you know not not not addressing the issues in our lives that we should be just a coming in a sacrilegious manner without faith going through the motions, not believing it. If an individual does that.

Yeah, there is there is serious spiritual danger, even physical danger.

Paul seems to say in first Corinthians chapter 11 listener what he said there is he's writing to the church in Corinth and a group of people that were struggling with this.

He says in verse 27 whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself then and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup for anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died if we judge ourselves truly would not be judged when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world and so there is a serious peril associated with worship and in particular with taking the Lord's supper if were coming in a way that is sacrilegious if were if were clinging to our sins, shaking our fist at God and showing up in worship and just I'm in a do this that doesn't matter.

You know that I I am living in this way, or whatnot just 30 going to the module that that friends is dangerous and there is a warning in Scripture associated with the will. Paul tells acquaintances why many of you are weak and sick and some of even dicing God's judgment is falling on the church because of how you're treating worship and in particular how you're treating the Lord's supper.

Jesus's body and blood by faith. And so, so there is a serious warning there. What I also want to say is the Lord's supper is for sinners, repentant sinners, that is if if you struggle with something during the week or even that day is your get your preparing to go to church and you're grieving your single board man. I've I failed again.

I keep struggling with the same thing over and over again. I just I just God forgive me meant the Lord's supper is for you it's it's it's not for people.

I think were under the discipline of the church and who are not believing in her clinging to their sin and shaking their fist at God. And yet, coming sort of haphazardly to the table going through the motions.

Note that that's that's dangerous it is for you if you're broken and weak and struggling, and you can say with Paul in in first Corinthians chapter 7 men things I want to do. I don't do things I don't want to do. I find myself doing those things.

Wretched man that I am help the Lord's supper is a help to you. It's God's grace.

It's his love. It's his goodwill extended to us in these concrete ways through the signs. These gifts Jesus gives to the church and so I would say you eat, even if you send her your struggling with some sandwich are looking to the Lord in faith, clinging to his mercy. You need to go to the table and receive the mercy of the Lord. That's for you. There, God bless a man. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines will be open for another 70 minutes or so. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life or how your Christian faith intersects with what's happening in our culture today. We'd love to hear from you. Here's the number 833 the core, you might want to make a note of that for future reference 833-843-2673 let's go to Kenneth calling in from Kansas City, Missouri Kenneth, what's your question for a drill year warm starter motor good afternoon Kenneth Bella given us a call at your question will go smooth is will will you marry one good thing that one about things that were good people in my response seems to upset you. A few foot exhibit from what I read of the Bible that I'm not lonely what I'm saying but apparently of those people sometime find a better answer. My answer is will there are no good people all marital and the person I heard of was falsely accused. The skirt remember to battle across so we can't really say what were good people because were not really good people, as is taught which is now I'm understanding offending people all known parameters out maybe a more friendlier true that it's is six yeah that will be be hurt by someone umbilical fender trimmer printer yeah okay well can't I let love you thinking through these things and I and wanting to communicate the gospel in a way that's true, obviously faithful to the word of God but also you know is sensitive not in that the unit we don't want to just stick to what the Scriptures teach, but I think that there are ways that we can communicate the word of God that are abrasive and not helpful right you they think of middle people outside the church really don't have an understanding with the Bible teaches, or just say all you guys are all the you know this, your kind with a will that obviously that approach is probably not can be very helpful. But the reality is, the Bible does teach that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God in and that that's just the reality that in terms of justification.

There are no good people. This is what Romans chapter 3 spells out really clearly support the argument that Paul makes early on in the book of Romans. I'm sure you know this Kenneth Putnam Paul quoting in Romans chapter 3 from the Psalms.

He says none is righteous, no not one. No one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave. They use their tongues to to deceive the venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood, and so on so forth into what Paul is doing. There is, is emphasizing the universal sinfulness of man so that he can platform the grace of God in Jesus Christ is the I think that the approach that you can take the truly helpful and this is this is work for me. In conversations with people is not just you guys are terrible. You know that everyone is sin.

Complaining that you know bad things are happening to you because you're just dissenter Bobby Fleetwood. We don't want to. We wanted do that is not helpful, and in the reality is even the world sinners. People experience terrible suffering in this world and we want to be able to be compassionate and gracious, and speak the truth to those individuals who are going through difficult things in a way that's going to be helpful and I think where I like to focus is yes each and every one of us as have sinned and fallen short of of God's glory. God's love is magnified in that he sent his son into the world, not for a bunch of people who deserved it.

We don't deserve it. And the reason we we suffer in this world.

Recent bad things happen is because sin is a reality death entered the world through sin, and so as we do, we magnify the love of Jesus Christ for sinners. It wasn't anything in you or in me that caused God to send his son into the world not to save us, and what I mean by that is, it wasn't that we were righteous. It wasn't that we are pursuing God is Paul's point. Later in Romans Romans chapter 5, God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and so instead of focusing so much on on you. Nope � people needed to stop complaining because you know were all sinners. That's why bad things happen you to get over it that I think that your you're doing that, but that's how sometimes people can take it we focus on the fact that yes each and every one of us have sinned, fallen short of God's glory because of that, there's this terrible pain-and-suffering in the world that we all experience. And yet, God sent his son into the world for people who did not deserve it.

God loved us and in loving us. He made us lovely to if you will.

And as a result of that we experience peace, salvation, grace, and the beginning of the restoration that God is bringing to this whole world. And so that's the good news since I was say you not going to the good news of the gospel and magnifying the loving grace of Jesus Christ.

As is always what you want to do in those conversations.

God bless great way to have a conversation with a nonbeliever. So thanks for that advice drill. This is core Christianity let's go to Ella from Oklahoma Ella what your question for pastor a drill call client for myself and others that I talked to. Do you explain that Bible which I client three time seem like a fairytale where God is all-powerful, all good I might come from her dance are at the different truly a mate or Satan got a complete faithful believer. I just Adapt and not liking Ella thank you for your encouragement and for your question. How do we know you know that it is a disease just sort of tall tales, fairytales, things that we like to to to look at to give us hope and to make us feel good about ourselves or give us the hope that maybe one day after we die were to be in heaven floating around and in peace with our loved ones. That kind of thing that that's not what Christianity is. Christianity is not a fairytale to give people you know hope for the afterlife. That kind of thing it does give us true hope for the afterlife in the life of the world to come, as we often say, but that hope is rooted in reality not in tall tales, not in myths or fairytales, but in what God is actually done and accomplished in history and we have the eyewitness testimony. Ella of the apostles themselves read first John chapter 1 we know John's is it that which we have seen that which we have heard that that we've looked upon which our hands have handled, concerning the word of life. Jesus what we saw him.

We we touched him. We know that this is true, these same men who made those claims. Ella, many of them were willing to die for these claims was if they thought it was the fairytale they thought they were just making it up or if they knew they were just making it up.

You know to try to get power in and persuade the masses if they knew was all fake. Would they really have been willing to lose everything. Social status resources their own lives for a message that they knew wasn't true, but the reality is, it is true they did see in this is this is what Peter says in second Peter chapter 1 verse 16 we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his Majesty so we have the testimony of the apostles and we have the prophetic word God's holy word Scripture confirmed for us so that we can embrace this not just as above is a bunch of fairytales but as the very truth of God for us that grounds us in a world that's full of trials and tribulations. As Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 15. If Jesus didn't really rise from the dead men were of all people. The most to be pitied. What we doing with all this religion stuff, but in fact Jesus did rise from the dead in Ella because Jesus rose you can know it's true. 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 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