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May 12, 2022 6:30 am
Episode 965 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions.
Questions in this Episode
1. Is the “age of accountability” a biblical doctrine?
2. How do you know the voice of the Holy Spirit versus another voice? Is it a gut feeling?
3. Will we remember our non-believing loved ones in heaven?
4. Is it a big deal if we have an incorrect understanding of the trinity?
5. Is the judgment of the sheep and goats based on works?
Today’s OfferBible Study – The Parables of King Jesus
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ResourcesCore Question – How Does Jesus Work Today?
I know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to me that's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity high on Bill Meyer along with pastor Gabriel 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. Our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes or so, here's the number 833 the court that 833-843-2673 are also welcome to post your question on one of our social media sites you can watch a drill live in the studio right now on our YouTube channel and you can message us through YouTube course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first step today. Here's a voicemail from one of our listeners in Minneapolis. Hi my name is Mark I appreciate your so very much. I was wondering if you would mind addressing the concept of the age of accountability that many people seem to talk about is this a biblical doctrine.
Thank you. My view brother is that there isn't clear text in Scripture that you can go to that it says hey there's there's a cut off, you know, age is an age of accountability.
I don't think that that's something that you find in the Bible. Specifically, now a couple of things that I just want to address here one.
I think sometimes it work were thinking it will. Can a child really understand the gospel at a young age and I want to say yeah I mean that the truth of the gospel comes through the grace of the Holy Spirit and one of the things it's so amazing reading in the gospel specifically is how often it was children, little children who understood the truth about Jesus, even while the religious leaders, the scribes and the Pharisees didn't I think of Jesus's own prayer at the end of Matthew chapter 11 where he said thank you father Lord of of heaven and earth. You've hidden these things gospel truth from the wise and understanding and revealed them to the babes to the little children.
Even so, from this was was right in your sight. I think a lot of times we we overlook the fact that our children really can understand the gospel from a young age. By the grace of the Holy Spirit. The gospel is for children and so I think that's that's one thing that I want.
However, I also think of.
Later in the gospel of Matthew where Jesus is is you know, turning over tables in the temple and the children are crying out hosanna to the son of David for member.
The religious leaders there saying hey. Make them be quiet. Don't you see what they're doing. Jesus responds by by basically quoting the Psalm singing out of the mouth of babes in nursing infants. God has ordained praise and so we don't want overlook the fact that God can work in the children among us, and so often he does granting an understanding of the gospel but but I will say this, we are held accountable for what we know and to whom much is given much is required. I think of Jesus's words in the Gospel of Luke in Luke chapter 12 and in the context of being ready for for his coming and being prepared. Jesus gives us a series of teachings and he says they're in Luke chapter 12 in verse 47 that servant who knew his master's will, but did not get ready, or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will received will receive a light beating everyone to whom much was given of him much will be required and from him, to whom they entrusted much they will demand more and so there is this principle that we do see in the Bible that that you know those who are in the know are held to a higher standard.
I think even of what James says in James chapter 3 verse one let not many of you become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment. Why will because you you say you know you should know better. And so, so there is this relationship between knowledge, information, and in accountability, but as far as laid out what Bible verses. As you know, there's this age of accountability, and here's how old it is. It's five years old seven euro years old. Whatnot, you're not gonna find that so thank you for that question.
Hopefully that's helpful to you and may the Lord bless you.
You're listening to your core. Christianity would love to hear from you. If you have a question for pastor a drill about the Bible, the Christian life.
Maybe you got some doubts about the Christian faith. Maybe you're from another faith in you want to know more about Christianity were welcome to receive your call as well. Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. By the way, we are really excited to tell you about a brand-new Bible study that we have to offer to you today. Thanks, Bill. We have a new Bible study called the parables of King Jesus really is fascinating to think that Jesus spent so much time on his ministry unit teaching and in parables. This study helps explain what they are and how Jesus uses the stories are not lessons about economic principles. Tips for living civic lessons or marital advice there about the promised profit priest and king was come, bringing forth his eternal kingdom. The parables tell us something about the king's kingdom and they tell us something about us his people is if you want to understand how to you to unpack these these parables that Jesus gave the parables of King Jesus.
Go get a hold of a copy of this resource over core, Christianity.com for a donation of $20 or more. By the way, all of our Bible studies are set up so you can study them individually or use them in a small group or Sunday school class setting. And if you want to get some for your group or Sunday school class. We have a bulk discount available for this to check out by going to court, Christianity.com/studies well, let's go back to the telephone and we actually have a voicemail from one of our listeners a question about the Holy Spirit from Joseph L. Holy Spirit versus another voice, like when he File. For example, that you're supposed to do this without any serve the voice of the Holy Ghost start. What exactly thank you Jackson question how me. How do we how do we discern between when when the spirit is is leading us.
Speaking to us and what is just our our our feelings or emotions the. The first text I think that I would go to is first John chapter 4 because John speaks about this this very thing and he says in verse one beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world by this you know the spirit of God. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already said, look, there's there's a very clear answer for you. How can I know that it's the spirit of God that speaking to me well every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is from God not know what does that mean the spirit of God testifies to Jesus both his person is are a right understanding of who Jesus is and his work.
He has come for what purpose did he come to a will to to make the payment that that we needed for for our sins to redeem us to save mankind. Those who trust in him and so this is really important. We don't want to separate the work of the Holy Spirit, the voice of the Holy Spirit from the ministry of Jesus the spirit of God is fixing our eyes on the son of God, and I think that so key for us to understand is that this diversity is what what's being said about Jesus here. I think that's that's key.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit illumines Scripture for us, never contradicts Scripture and so is is this sense that we have something that's in line with in accord with the word of God, mean the Scripture makes us very clear. Second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 all Scripture is given by inspiration. It's God breathed in in first Peter chapter 1 I believe it's verse 21 Peter talked about how you know no prophecy came from from the will of man, but holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Another which we have God's word here inspired by the Holy Spirit and of the spirit of God is is speaking to us.
It's it. He is illuminating the word of God for us. I'm never contradicting the word of God. So a new individual say I really feel like the Lord is leading me in this way, but it's contrary to what the Bible teaches will then you know that's not the spirit of God leading you may be that that's your own feelings. Maybe that's you know that that the spirits were supposed to test the spirit of the antichrist to try to lead the people of God. A stream that that's really important I think to understand this in the spirit illumines and never contradicts Scripture and the lesson will says in John chapter 16 Jesus talks about the fact that the spirit of God is coming to convict the world of sin, righteousness of an end of judgment, and in that quantities is that of sin, because they do not believe in me and again that ties the work of the Holy Spirit directly to Jesus's person and and what he's accomplished and so that the simple answer is what is the spirit saying about Jesus. That's how we know that the spirit of God is is speaking to us and leading us and guiding us, drawing us closer to Christ not further away from Christ. In line with the teachings of God's word. Thank you for that. I think very important question.
Great question. And actually Gary from Oklahoma has a similar question Gary what's your question for Pastor Israel.
Now how do you know God's voice in your own yeah yeah very similar Gary to the to the question I just answered their men again were called to test the spirits. Jesus himself said my sheep hear my voice, and they follow me and I give them eternal life. One of the things that it especially during the time of the Protestant Reformation. Some of the reformers would talk about is the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit. That is the voice of God is self authenticating. I have little kids right when I'm speaking to my to my children I can have that authoritative dad voice and they know what I mean when I'm when I'm using that voice will in a similar way when when Christ is speaking to us by the power of the Holy Spirit through the word Jesus says my sheep hear my voice. The voice of God doesn't need any outside outside confirmation it's it's again it's self authenticating. XOXO I think I the week we have that we have that internal testimony of the Holy Spirit, and it should be right in line with what were saying in in Scripture because as I said it's never connect me know God is never to contradict himself anything to say one thing in his word and then tell you as an individual. Something else that contradicts his word and that's why it's important for us as Christians thinking about you know being led by the Lord. Hearing the voice of the spirit speaking to us so important for us so important for you to know the Scriptures to study them to understand them to be shaped by them because otherwise were not can I have the discernment that we need in order to say hey this is this is God's guidance in my life for this is just something else you know my own service my own feelings or or even the deceptions that come through false teaching through the evil one.
In so knowing the word of God is key. Gary for being able to discern those voices and and that's what I would encourage you in my asking this is a follow-up, Pedro.
Let's say in our church. We have a friend and they are convinced that there are hearing a message from God or from the Holy Spirit that seems to be contrary to what his word says what's the best way to approach them yeah yeah coming up but Bennett and I'm sure Mina we've we've all experienced something like two people come to you in the say of God is is really speaking to me here and and sometimes maybe it's in line with God's word. We do say oh you know. Okay, maybe providentially, God is leading you in this way, but sometimes it's totally contrary to the word of God, and I think that's really want to go back to the Scriptures and wanted one open up the word of God, and in humility can't come alongside of this brother sister and say look, no, actually, God is not leading you in this way, oftentimes I think this is one of the ways we try to avoid obeying God over avoid obeying his word is we just we say, well, you know, I know it says that in the Bible, but I prayed about it and I really feel like God has given me a piece about this thing, and in reality what were doing their is shutting our ears to what God has already sent God is Artie spoken very clearly in his words, when you go back to the Scriptures and what you can do in a situation like that bill we all should do is is take take a brother sister to the word wherefore that issue.
Whatever the issue is it is addressed clearly and pray that the Lord would open their hearts to receive that word that God is already given effort for that particular situation. And so, yet we requires a lot of wisdom, some great counsel. Thanks for that. This is a core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We would love to get your questions about the Bible or the Christian life doctrine or theology or how your Christian walk intersects with what's happening in our culture today which can be a challenge at times our phone lines will be open for the next eight minutes or so you can call us at this number 833-843-2673. That's 833.
The core let's go to Spencer in Fort Smith Arkansas Spencer what your question for Pastor Israel. The question is Revelation 21 verses four and five of two different things on it in the church and trying to figure out which one is the Scripture.
It has to do with loved ones who don't make it to heaven and that is after I get up there and then entered in his passengers. Julie one church friend told me he will mentor them, but it will bother us less muscle time than others in the church who told me the Lord will cause us to not remember those who didn't make it in there in the flames of my question is how can we enjoy heaven still knowing some loved ones are the flames and everything will yeah Spencer an excellent question. Actually somebody die. I just got a text this last week from from remembering in my church who was attending a funeral for a family member uses the big question. People were wondering. People were asking there afterwords is is will we will remember each other when were in the presence of the Lord. How can a new note just do it to your question. You know when were there in the presence of the Lord. How can we not have sorrow, thinking of our loved ones who aren't there with us of the text you're referring to the very end of the Bible, Revelation chapter 21 minutes want to read verse three it says I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.
He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away as he got is in a wipe away our tears. In heaven, but he's gonna wipe away our memories.
I I think that were still that I have memories recollection working to be able to identify each other in in heaven, and especially in the new creation as well. After the resurrection of the dead Jesus of the kingdom of heaven is like me. People come in.
Sitting down and feasting with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob them if if we didn't recognize one another in heaven that I don't think he would've been able to say that as of the question is will how can I how can I actually be without morning in heaven when you know there are there people that I loved throughout my life who aren't in the presence of the Lord who rejected the gospel and that meet the answer that I would give is, is this somehow. It's not that I think God is in a wipe away our memories, but somehow those sorrows are going to be eclipsed by the glory and love of God does not. It is not that we don't have any recollection or memory but some somehow are going to be so overwhelmed with the glory of God with the presence of the triune God there in heaven that were not going to be mourning anymore now that that it how that's going to happen to them is it's tough to even imagine that Reitman because we think of the pain of of loss on the part of it is recognizing that God is far greater than we could ever imagine.
And, in our capacities for experiencing and embracing him are going to be enlarged. If you will in heaven, so that we are going to be overwhelmed with his glory, and I think because of that word were knocking more anymore. There's nothing to be any more sorrow and that's how to approach this was. That's that's what I would say brother. Thank you for for that question. God bless you your listing to core Christianity, just a reminder we have this great new Bible study would like to offer you today.
It's called the parables of King Jesus nemesis really digs into the purpose of the parables and what Jesus is trying to communicate to all of us through those stories and you can find out more by going to core Christianity.com/studies again. Core, Christianity.com/studies and look for the parables of King Jesus. Let's go to Andrew calling in from St. Charles, Missouri, and for what your question for Pastor Israel a friend who did not believe in the Trinity as the Bible present that he believed that the father son and Holy Spirit are just different manifestation of God, but not that there are three distinct people so are persons rather so my question is, is actually a big deal and he doesn't. And to think that it that big of a deal that we can fill consider each other brothers in Christ.
I want to believe that but I also feel I get a pretty big deal, and I just wanted your take on that. Well yes it is a very big deal because it gets to the very heart of the Christian faith and were talking here about core Christianity, the identity of male who is God, we talk about God were talking about two different gods really if if an individual says I don't believe in the doctrine of the Holt of the holy Trinity. I reject God, one in essence three undivided persons, father, son and Holy Spirit with the church is confessed for 2000 years based on the teachings of Scripture, and that this really strikes at the vitals of what we believe and again it it it misunderstands the identity of Jesus. This is this is a me that we opened up that the broadcast looking at first John chapter 4 where John encourages his readers to test the spirits test the spirits related to know who you say Jesus is who is Jesus well the position that your friend takes to me seems to be mentioned that the heresy known as emotionalism. This this idea that the father is the sun the same person that the this the son is the Holy Spirit are just different sort of manifestations of the one guy different masks that the one God wears over time and this is a misunderstanding of who Jesus is and because of that it it it is a very serious thing. You couldn't, we wouldn't refer to someone who embrace that view rejected the doctrine of the holy Trinity as a brother or sister in Christ is what I would say you know opening up the Scriptures reasoning together looking at the passages that if that is that you know been appealed to for for hundreds of years.
Thousands of years to respond to that specific heresy would be really important. I think just the scene of Jesus's baptism when Jesus is baptized and as he's being baptized is the voice of the father from heaven. This is my beloved son right of this differentiation there and then you also have the presence of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus. The three persons of the holy Trinity, or even John chapter 1 verse one in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. That is equal with the father. The word, the eternal Word and son of the father was there in the beginning with God. With the father and the Word was God is equal with God is the doctrine of the Trinity and the word became flesh. John chapter 1 verse 14 and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, and so brother and I love just love to stop in and pray right now for this friend of yours because this is such an important thing, pray for you as well Andrew, that God give you wisdom and insight as you continue to have these conversations father we pray for Andrew and we ask Lord that you would be with him. We know, ultimately, Lord, that we need the help of your Holy Spirit. The illumination of your Holy Spirit to understand your word and understand who you are and I I pray God that you would be with Andrew that you give them insight into your word that you would bless the conversations that he has at this individual that you would allow them to reason together through the Scriptures and this this individual would come to see the truth of your word and to receive you for who you are as you revealed to us in Scripture one God in three persons, father, son and Holy Spirit equal in power and glory Lord, would you please open this individual's heart. Would you be with with Andrew as well as he has his conversations. We pray in Jesus name, amen and amen Andrew, thanks so much for your call. Let's go to Jill from Omaha, Nebraska Joe, we just got about a minute left, what your question for atrial about how do we know when we are talking about scriptures that talk about the first coming of Christ, and second coming of Christ, like the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. No. If you are truly saved and part of the bride of Christ.
You know you can't lose your salvation, but the sheep and the goats thing seems to be, according to works. Thank you for that and I and I agree with the first thing you say if you truly saved if United Christ, you can't lose your salvation, but then there in Matthew 25, with the sheep go judgment.
It seems like you know that the king is he's is he's separating the sheep from the go. He says you know I was.
I was hungry and you fed me.
I was I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink will does that mean that were saved by our works know.
I think these are just the characteristics of those who are truly sheep. Those who belong to the Lord.
Those who love him.
And so this is not so much saying this our saying how are saved, it's giving us a picture of the evidences of true faith of a true relationship with Christ. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.
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