Does Paul Define the Gospel Differently than Jesus?

This will define the gospel differently than Jesus is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi, I'm 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.

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You can also post your question on one of our social media sites you can watch atrial live in the studio right now on YouTube and you can send us a question through our YouTube channel course you can always email us at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Brian who is calling in from St. Louis, Missouri Brian what your question for pastor atrial or I think a lot of people don't realize, earlier comment on about 6 to 12. A lot of people don't realize that sometimes what we are asleep at night have drained that to redistribute the same time. I bet these happened to me before because you know the enemy exactly like people who are Christian in the west way to describe the body were actually in the end, to the point that become paralyzed physically in the best way I found to break free from that issue. Start calling all my and had will actually wake you up and I just want to ask Patrick scripturally possible that she heard of this. This kind of thing in and I do think we are in a spiritual battle. I do think that the evil one can at times influence our dreams, and I think Mina will want to speculate too much and sometimes it can just be a nightmare because of what we ate that night for dinner but II don't want to minimize the fact that there really is a spiritual battle with the evil one can can influence. I think even even our dreams. At times I think what what's important for us to remember as followers of Jesus Christ Brian is that the one who is in us is greater then the evil one who is in the world that we already have victory over Satan and his demons through the blood of Jesus Christ. And so for for the believer. Satan's bark is a lot worse than his bite. He's been defanged. If you will buy the cross of Jesus Christ and so while he can.

He can pester us and tempt us in and so on and so forth. Really doesn't have power over our souls were in the hands of God, and I was quoting there from first John chapter 4 verse four little children, you are from God and have overcome them. He speaking here John about the spirit of the antichrist, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world and then at the end of first John and first John chapter 5 verse 18 we read we know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. So for for believers who are wrestling with this and really I think that there can be a fear, sometimes you know that that Christians have think young man I'd I don't want to experience that spiritual attack. It just is just creepy. When we when we hear about those kinds of things will just rest and the fact that you are secure in the arms of Jesus that the blood of Jesus Christ covers you and that you belong to him and so I think I think you know the key there is an Indian Brian you you mention prayer even if you're not using your mouth the prayer praying in your mind. Prayer is key in the spiritual battle. Paul says this in Ephesians chapter 6 and so we are praying against the evil one and praying for the presence and the peace of the Lord. And so I think you did the right thing. Thanks for reaching out to us.

We also have a great resource that's related to this topic. It's called cam the devil read my mind. You can find that at our website by going to core Christianity.com/free downloads again. Core, Christianity.com/free downloads look for can the devil read my mind sees me go back to the phones. Mary is on the line from St. Louis, Missouri Mary what your question for atrial bearing and I understand that we all suffer. We had inherited sin, but I was wondering about no animals in particular, our toy poodle has had some unfortunate medical issues. He has suffered greatly enhance been such a joy to us in our mind. He's never done anything wrong and animals bring us so much joy and companionship and comfort and why no animals have to suffer so much in this world. Mary, I'm sorry to hear about that situation. I pray that the Lord comforts your family and is with you. I mean, I think that the simple answer is we live in a world that's ravaged by the effects of sin. When sin entered the world, death entered the world and corruption in the entire creation has been affected by this mean Paul talks about this in the book of Romans that the whole creation is longing for the revealing of the sons of God for that final restoration.

The new creation, because sin and death have have touched everything under under the under the sun if you will. And so that's why we suffer.

That's why there's death. That's why no animals suffer as well. When we see these things and it grieves us as as you know, the those made in the image of God, and I think it causes us to long for that new creation that Jesus promised to all those who put their trust in him and so you know is you're going through this trial. This difficulty right realizing just the pain and the effects of sin, but clinging to the promise that you have in Jesus Christ and the hope of restoration of all things. It's ultimately secured by his resurrection from the dead, and a lot of times we we we don't realize the the importance of the resurrection, the bodily resurrection of Jesus for our hope for our salvation were not just talking about a spiritual renewal of all things were talking about a physical restoration of the creation and in Jesus's resurrection from the dead is is the ultimate sign of that really God is in a restore even our bodies broken and ravaged by the effects of sin and that the entire creation is can undergo this this kind of glorification if you will, on the final day of the last at the last moment when when God restores all things, and I pray that the Lord gives you comfort as you set your eyes on that and brings healing to your family and enter your pet as well. Thanks for giving us a call. Mary, thanks so much for your call. We do feel for you and your situation.

Those of us who are dog lovers can understand how you how you feel right now. This is core Christianity and our phone lines are open.

If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine theology. Maybe you have some doubts about the Christian faith. Maybe you consider yourself to be an atheist or agnostic. They were open to your questions as well. Here's the phone number it's 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 jump on the phone right now because only be taking calls for the next 15 minutes or so at 833. The core works on the tell you about a new Bible study that we are releasing it's actually written by Israel, along with his co-author, Josh Maloney yeah I know this a 10 week Bible study on the book of Hebrews and I know a lot of people have been interested in you growing deeper in their understanding of the New Testament. In particular, this book because there are a lot of questions that we get on this broadcast about the book of Hebrews are some chapters in in the book of Hebrews that have been a concern to Christians for some time I think of Hebrews chapter 6 Hebrews chapter 10 as well work symptom.

As you'll read those passages.

Those chapters and they will do these passages teach that I can lose my salvation that I can fall out of God's grace is one of the things we do in the studies we we unpack these difficult passages that we go through the entire book highlighting how the focus of the book of Hebrews is how Christ is better. He's better than all things and and right now my producers is coming to hand me a copy of the that the 10 weeks it actually looks great too. So if you're looking on watch on YouTube.

You can see that this this study looks wonderful. So I hope you get a hold of this resource again at the 10 week study on the book of Hebrews. Yours for a gift of $15 or more over core, Christianity.com is really a fantastic study and when you purchase any resource from us.

You support us in doing the work that creates more resources and Bible studies that help Christians everywhere answer those tough questions that they have about a variety of critical topics dealing with the Christian faith, and you can get a copy of the Hebrews Bible study is a real said for donation of $15 or more by going to core Christianity.com/studies again. Core, Christianity.com/studies look for the new Bible study on the book of Hebrews we do receive voicemails here at the core and you can call us anytime 24 hours a day and leave your question on our voicemail system is one that came in from one of our listeners named Mark Cole defines his gospel in first Corinthians 15 I'm curious how you would say Jesus defines the gospel. Do you think it's the same wording that Paul uses or or how would you handle really appreciate the show.

Thank you. Excellent question, and there've been people who have said, you know, Paul preached a different gospel then Jesus and then the other apostles you note, Paul focuses so much on grace and the free forgiveness of sins. We don't think Jesus talks and that way some confusion about this, but I would say no. Were talking about the exact same gospel. You have a gospel of Paul that that's different. In essence from the gospel that was proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ is going around in his in his earthly ministry of proclaiming the message of the kingdom, the gospel of the kingdom. The good news of the reign of God and ultimately of how God is going to put away our sins through the blood of Christ is the one thing that we can say about Jesus and that this is really important because you hear a lot of people today talking about how you and I am living the gospel I'm living that incarnational life following Jesus will know Jesus is the only one who could say I live the gospel because Jesus is the gospel in his life, death and resurrection from the dead, and so so in that sense right there.

Is there something unique there. Jesus.

It is very life is very ministry has perfect obedience. His atoning sacrifice. That's the gospel that's the good news, but establishes ultimately that the new creation the kingdom of God and its Paul and the rest of the apostles would take up that message and proclaim that good news and so you reference first Corinthians chapter 15, where Paul says in verse one. I would remind you, brothers of the gospel I preached to you, which you received in which you stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

There is theirs that the the kernel of the gospel. This is the in of the message of first importance that Paul says and it's that message that Jesus lived a minute.

I've been reading I mentioned yesterday through the gospel of Matthew with my kids and and over and over again Jesus saying to his disciples.

The Son of Man is is about to go up to Jerusalem and be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, and I can be put to death. But then he's gonna rise from the dead on the third day and so there is no there is no difference if you will, and it in in terms of the message that's being proclaimed.

It's one gospel accomplished by Jesus proclaimed by the apostles and were called to uphold that message and and to live in light of it, and to share with others as well.

God bless thanks for that explanation and real good stuff this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

We still are taking calls.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Here's the number it's 833. The core 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Vera who's calling in from Missouri girl what your question for pastor Gabriel hello hello hello dear good to to speak with you Vera, what's your question to my attention in the last couple weeks and I don't know why haven't note that before but I certainly preacher where I go to church once in a while they started their maybe they been doing it, but they I hear them say after they knew the Lord Lord's name in God's name in about five minute prayer. So many time with in your name. I think note you pray in Jesus name yes your you're absolutely right were were called to pray in Jesus name yeah it can, it can be who you're talking about. You were praying to God coming to the holy Trinity to the father, were called to approach God in prayer through the mediation of Jesus Christ our great high priest, and that's what we pray in the name of Jesus, not just like signing off our prayers.

In Jesus name for for no reason. Note were were coming to the father in the grace of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ and this is what gives us boldness to approach God in prayer and so you know I think you know many people to serve assume when I when I say in your name I'm I mean, in Jesus's name.

I guess it's good for us to be specific. To be clear, this is how we've been taught to pray and and for one it's it's it's a wonderful reminder for all of us that we don't come before the the father in our own righteousness in our own purity, but we we have confidence that God hears our prayers that we can call upon him as father because we have Jesus as our great high priest and you know just talking about the Bible study that were offering right now on the book of Hebrews and over and over again. That's one of the things it's highlighted in the book of Hebrews is that that confidence of access that we have two God in prayer through our high priest, Jesus, and just just speaking to to you listening right now you know you go to God in prayer but you struggle to to really believe that he hears you, that he that he wants to answer your prayers and you think you will. The reason I struggle with this is because I know how much I fall short. And so it strips you of your confidence even of faith. When you approach God in prayer. This is why it's so important that we pray in Jesus name and that we understand what that means that I can come before you boldly that the the veil to the holy of holies has been torn into through the sacrificial death of Jesus. My great high priest. Now I have access to hundred percent access to the Father in prayer. But I'm coming in the name of Jesus my great high priest and and because I'm coming in the name of Jesus I can pray with confidence and so we we really need to make sure. I think it will you know when were praying we know that were approaching God in this way and I think praying and in Jesus name, the note, making sure that were articulating that helps to remind us of then reminds those who are listening to us as well. Thank you for your question Vera.

God bless you and will follow-up to that a drill I know there's been criticism. When Christians let's say are invited to give an invocation at some kind of public event and they say in Jesus name and then either blasted for you know being no narrowminded and that are not including other faith sent and yet if they are Christian, do not include Jesus name or to make the prayer some kind of nebulous thing doesn't seem to be consistent with their faith, especially if they were asked as a Christian to come and pray. Yeah there might be not too long ago I got to go and lead the prayers and vacation for this event is great big event. I think it was like the plumbers and pipe cleaners of America or something like that. I was asked to do this and it was just a wonderful opportunity to pray for their their opening sort of that conference. Or whatnot, and I basically based most of my prayer off of acts 17 and in the words of the apostle Paul there talking about this this this great God, who is made all things before whom each one of us matter what you believe they were all get out the stand before him, but but knowing that God is gracious toward sinners who call upon him, through Christ, and we have the privilege I would say of approaching God through Jesus. And so we would never want to set that aside to to please other people, or did not, you know, step on toes if you will know I mean this is a great privilege that we have and so I think that we want to we want to embrace it even more praying in front of others, with the hope that they would understand this is this is what it looks like to approach God in prayer and that same bold access that that Christians have. I can have to through Jesus and so I guess an opportunity really is an opportunity to get to share about Christ and and the faith that we have. So when you are so specific in your prayer in front of the plumbers that they want to flush you or wow bill that was that was quick.

Good. No bait. They didn't. It was when great, so try to hear this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, we do receive emails here and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com here's one from Hannah and she says I'm a listener from the Philippines when I think about all the sins I've committed in the past. It makes me feel anxious all the time and I'm thinking that death seems to be a better alternative to find rest. Is it sinful to want to die and to be with Jesus. Hannah, I will buy would want you to experience the rest that you can have now. Right now, through the forgiveness of your sins in Christ means sounds to me like you like you feel like the sins that you committed even a long time ago are are still weighing you down that that feeling of anxiety and so your restless and just then just longing to to escape that well. I believe that right now through the truth of the gospel and the promise that you have in God's word that you can experience rest in Christ. Now, you know, work, work in a struggle and working to look back at our lives at times and think man I wish I would've done things differently there. I'm so ashamed of this this thing that I've done, but Christ is able to forgive and he does forgive when we go to him and and again I said you know you based on the promise of God's word. First John chapter 1 verse nine if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us. My little children, I'm I'm writing these things to you. John said, so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Hannah, you have an advocate in heaven with the heavenly father.

Jesus, the righteous one lived a perfectly righteous life in your place, who obeyed the law of God perfectly and then suffered the penalty of the law for our sins for your sins so that you wouldn't have to carry them around anymore but so that they might be drowned. If you will, the ocean of holy baptism by faith, and so embrace that great promise that God is given to you and rest not in how you feel bad and I think so often we look to our feelings and insides don't feel any better. I don't feel any different. Don't rest in your feelings were talking about confession and the forgiveness of sin, rest, and what God has promised in his word hold fast to that and he said we can take him at his word. He said if you confess your sins, I am faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness. And so if you confess your sins.

And I believe that you have it coming. It sounds to me like this is this is something that you long for the then instead of doubting God's word doubting God's promise. Rest assured that you have been forgiven and that the Lord is is with you, and you can trust.

As I said in his word, and so so embrace that piece and and may the Lord grant that to you by the grace of his Holy Spirit.

This is core Christianity, we have time for one more question. This is an email from Christina and she says I'm struggling to understand predestination. I'm worried about it since I first heard about it in high school youth group I struggle with OCD and one of my intrusive themes is regarding my faith and questioning if I'm truly saved, so I have lots of questions and doubts which makes reading the Bible hard because the more I read, the more doubts I have.

I'm worried this means I'm not predestined to be saved. Can you help me all Christina well what I would say to you is don't focus on you know you trying to trying to figure out you know what has God decreed from all eternity.

We don't understand and can't fully comprehend the decrees of God. But what we can do is cling to his word again going back to the promises that we have in in Scripture and God calls us not to try to to peer into his eternal decrees if you will, but to take him at his word and to set our eyes on Jesus Christ and so often when when you have that language in the New Testament of predestination. It's tethered together with Christ and being in Christ. Paul says in in Ephesians chapter 1 verse three Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ was blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. I would say are you in Christ you believe in Jesus are you clinging to the cross. If you are will then take God at his word. You belong to him in love. Christ, he predestined us from from from eternity past and ends with a focus on Jesus and on his promise. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

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