What Does It Mean That We Can Do All Things Through Christ?

What is new but we can do all things through Christ is 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.

Our phone lines are open right now and you can call us for the next 25 minutes or so with your question here is the phone number. Jot this down. It's 833, the court, 833 the court which is 833-843-2673. You can also post your question on one of our social media sites course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com and enter before we get to our calls. Today I want to follow up on something we discussed yesterday, one of our listeners asked when it's appropriate to rebuke someone and in your response you cautioned about being careful not to use the world's methods when responding to those who might differ with us.

Let's say on the political or cultural issues prickly maybe on social media which has to have a lot. We received a lot of positive feedback on what you said so far listeners who missed yesterday's program which might discuss summarizing that will one of my concerns is nothing they should be be a concern that every pastor has in order the ways in which the world is shaping the people in my church, and yet we oftentimes think about you know that the sexual ethic of the world, or even just some of the and opened the obvious iniquities that are out there creeping into the church but is best for churches that have amino conservative theology that would mean we we hold fast to the teaching of the Bible. We believe the Bible is God's word about one of the one of the issues that I see one of my concerns that the ways of the world in terms of how the world communicates with you know in and when I think of you in the world here kind of loosely to refer to non-Christians, non-Christians, who are not in in the church, not a part of the church.

There the world in terms of the world system and what we see around us today often times is people fighting you know just from mudslinging and in communication, tearing each other down painting your your opponent. Whether it's your political opponent or innocently thinks differently on and on some issue than you do.

I'm the worst possible light.

So, lack of charity and it is almost just just really cutting the other side down. I think we have to be careful that we don't employ those same methods in communication that the ways of the world in terms of communicating to creep into the church and irony right is often times you know were like what we have to be like to speak in these strong ways to combat the world and I think you know what I said yesterday on the broadcast as if were using the weapons of the world. The tools of the world to try to advance God's kingdom.

Quote unquote then then when it is not happen. We've already failed from the get-go, and so we have to be so careful brothers and sisters that were characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in all of our communication and I think this is one of the ways Bill I think you see this as well that we can shine brightly as lights in the world for Jesus today because we live in a time where where the way in which people communicate, especially with those with whom they disagree is oftentimes very uncharitable, very unhelpful, very you know just just a mudslinging and so being characterized by something different. As the body of Christ as the church is one of the ways I think that we testify to the grace of God and his work in our lives and that we set ourselves apart from the world and so we gotta be. I think to be cautious here. It's a really great Council and hopefully something that the all of us can apply in all of our communications room or dealing with somebody that maybe we we differ with this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and would love to hear from you.

If you have a car question about the Bible or the Christian life, theology, doctrine, you name it we are open to it.

Here's the number 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also leave a voicemail for us anytime 24 hours a day. Here's a voicemail received from one of our listeners named Jim to say, Pastor Israel quite so much for your service to the kingdom of Christ.

I appreciate your program so much what I was wanting to see if you could share your thoughts on the continuation list sensationalist debate what you think about it. Why, maybe bring some clarity to it seems to be a lot of confusion depending on who you're talking to. Thanks very much appreciate your ministry and look forward to hearing what you have to say Jim first.

Thank you for your encouragement and let me define some of these terms, especially far listeners who aren't familiar with this debate but I am in some ways you know if you're in church and you been in church for a while you've at least been exposed to this because the continuation's cessation's debate has to do with our all the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in places like first Corinthians 12 through 14 still ordinary in the life of the church today. Just like the gift of prophecy the gift of tongues.

Should we be pursuing those gifts as Christians in the body of Christ today, and seeking to have these manifestations of the Holy Spirit in our local churches in our local assemblies. The continuation's side says yes.

We don't believe that there is anything in Scripture that prohibits this. On the contrary, you have these calls to seek an end desire prophecy in places like first Corinthians 14.

Where is the secessionists side would say well you know God can and does still do miraculous things in the world today, but ordinarily he's not giving those gifts does it.

Those are gifts that ceased shortly after the time of the apostles. They served a particular purpose and a and so it's not you know for us as Christians to date up to pursue those gifts specifically like they did in the days of the apostle Paul. Now where do I land.

I really wrestled through this question.

To be honest with you in my life. You know what I was under a newer believer.

I went to churches that were more open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you will to use that language where you know there was an emphasis on the gift of prophecy in the gifts of tongues and interpretation, and I am in.

I was wrestling through Scripture and and also you know what what churches were doing what my own church was doing and it's in its practice as time is gone by. I think I might have landed more on the cessation's side and I'll give you do some reasons for that. First, it seems to me like in the New Testament. These miraculous gifts and the primary purpose was for the confirmation of the gospel. If you will.

And there are number of passages that they bring this out one that I will go to oftentimes is in Hebrews chapter 2, where the author the Hebrews is encouraging this church. This group of Christians to hold fast to the gospel. Listen to what he says beginning in verse one.

Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it for since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution. How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation, it was declared at first by the Lord and it was attested to by those who heard while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will and so some of these miraculous gifts. What what was going on here. Well God is bearing witness to the word of the gospel it's it's almost like this. This stamp given from heaven saying this is the true messages we see throughout the preaching in the book of acts where God is bearing witness with these miraculous signs gifts like the gift of tongues, then certainly when you look at the Gospels you think of Jesus's miracles again. There there there to confirm who he is and what he's doing others that seen in in Mark chapter 2 of you. If you remember where Jesus heals a paralytic was was let down you know through the roof of the house and the first thing Jesus says is son, your sins are forgiven and the religious leaders were there, you know, they begin to scoff and think to themselves, and who is this guy think he is forgiving sins and Jesus and what was more difficult to say, your sins are forgiven, or to say rise, take up your bed and walk, but so that you might know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins I say to you, and he says to the paralytic rise, take up your bed and and and walk so this miracle is confirming the authority of Christ to forgive sins it's confirming the gospel as I think that that's that's what these signs and wonders primarily what were doing there at that time that that's not to say that God can't work in miraculous ways.

Today he's free to do whatever he wants and we all can share stories about you know, but an instance where the Lord healed, healed us or a loved one unit to prayer, but often times, and ordinarily God uses means means like the preaching of his word, and so I think we need to focus is not on trying to experience some miraculous move of the Holy Spirit. We need to go back to the word holy Scripture and in be grounded in what Christ is said to us what God has spoken to us definitively in his son Jesus, not sexy. What what the author the Hebrews says in Hebrews chapter 1, and so this isn't you know one of those differences within the church that that should cause us to sail that person is not a Christian, or they must not really believe in Jesus. What were thinking about Scripture were thinking about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, the role of miracles in the history of redemption and and there can be differences here and so we want to exercise charity with each other which is ultimately that the that the main sign of the spirit in the life of the believer. It's love. That's what the apostle Paul says in first Corinthians 13.

So let's have that for each other and and and and and pursue that with all of our hearts, that the Lord would manifest the fruit of his Holy Spirit in each of our lives. Thank you for that question Jim, just a follow-up for you. It really does seem like there are certain churches, certain denominations and certain Christians that tend to really be focusing on the emotional experience of their faith and I'm not saying that emotions are invalid. Certainly they are God can use them in powerful ways.

But when we seek out emotion above, let's say God's word seems like there's a real danger. There absolutely there is and you know II think for a lot of people. Date they tie faith together with feeling primarily so it's not it's not rooted in something objective like something that took place in history the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ but but in how we feel.

You know when we get up in the morning drive him and I really feel the presence of God and in the issue. There is were not always have those feelings are our faith is not rooted in how we feel, or in what we feel, or in an emotional experience, those things come and go. And so if that's what's what's anchoring your faith journey to be tossed to and fro by the waves of life are faith needs to be anchored in the word of God and his promises to us in what Christ is done objectively in history so that no matter what happens.

And no matter how we feel we can rest on the solid rock that is the gospel and that's where we place our faith is so well said this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and we are excited to tell you about a new resource that we are offering today. We think will be really helpful in your Christian walk. Yet it's a great little booklet called tough questions answered. It's only about 50 pages long and it will help you to answer some of the difficult questions that people are asking. With regard to faith science, culture, questions like doesn't science make religion unnecessary questions about the exclusivity of the gospel. Jesus being the only way isn't Christianity just a bunch of fairytales you know at how do we address that question when our friends ask it or what about the Bible's view of sexuality and gender. There are many people who are saying today will to just outdated so archaic, so restrictive, we answer all of these questions and many more. So if you or your friends, family members are looking for answers to these questions. Pick up this booklet for a donation of any amount, give what you can over it.

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This is such a great resource. Would love to get in your hands. You can find it by going to core Christianity.com/offers every time we mention a daily offer that's where it's located. Core, Christianity.com/offers and look for tough questions answered course you can always call us for any one of our resources.

Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 833-843-2673. Our phone lines are open right now. If you have a question for Israel about the Bible or the Christian life are free to give us a call. You can always email us as well and our email addresses questions at core, Christianity.com there's an email from one of our listeners named Jordan and Jordan says I have a question about Philippians 413 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. It seems that verse is often used for self-help purposes, or is quoted before Christian athletes play a game. Why is that what does Paul mean when he says we can do all things, because obviously we can't do lots of things in life or we fail of them. So what are your thoughts on this verse. Yeah, you're right. I think it a lot of people take this verse out of context and it it becomes a sort of self-help. I mean I've seen and I've seen on T-shirts at the gym right like like I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me is got a big buff guy squatting you know a thousand pounds you know but need I was exiling because you yeah that was it.

They they use you as the model for that bill.

I wondered yet but that it's it's not about you accomplishing all your life goals and Jesus being your cheerleader and giving you the strength to do that no man this is this is that the issue is so often I thinking in life.

People think about Jesus is asserted me of the supporting actor to their story just there to sort of cheer you along and make you great and that's what God does.

He's he's up there cheering for you and helping you.

And if he doesn't, then this is why people have this idea about God and then went with things don't go their way. Oftentimes that they abandon faith of this it will well let me know.

Jesus let me down.

He he didn't help me do all things. Like he promised as it annoys it so important for us to understand the context of the context here actually has to do with suffering and contentment and being able to persevere through the difficulties of life through the strength that Jesus gives us by the grace of his spirit. Paul says in in Philippians chapter 4 verse 10 just just remember here the wider context of the book flipping since Paul is writing from prison so he's he's not out you know on a beach somewhere and just enjoying life is he's in prison.

He says I rejoice in the Lord greatly, but now, at length, you have revived your concern for me.

You were in deep concern for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I'm speaking of being in need. I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger abundance and need I can do all things through him who strengthens me. And so another words pulsing in the midst of my suffering another those times where there's plenty and there's times where there's not where I'm hungry where I lack where I'm in prison.

But I've learned to be content.

How do I do it you know what what's what's the source of my strength.

It's Jesus is the grace of his Holy Spirit, and so this isn't about you know me just going in accomplishing my goals. The goals that I set for myself and God coming alongside of me and saying you can do it you can do it know this is about following Jesus and even when it's difficult because brothers and sisters.

Let's be honest taking up our crosses and following Jesus isn't easy you know it involves the mortification of our sins, putting them to death.

Putting others in the needs of others before our own. We struggle with this is sinful human beings and as sinful human beings, even in Christ we experience. Wanted times. Their times are we. For we feel very blessed and we have a lot in there. Other times, where as Paul says here were brought low, and yet in the midst of all of it. We can cling to the promises of God and find strength from draw strength from Christ himself, and in that sense we can do all things through him. Jesus who strengthens us and so brothers and sisters. Let's cling to him whether were in a place of plenty or a place of want, whether we feel like God is exalting us for the time being her and in the moment that were in bring the slow that we would cling to Jesus during that season. Well said thank you for that Israel. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Let's go back to the phones areata is on the line from Palm Springs, California. Areata what your question for Israel. In a really cool way to start debacle conversations between night and I that the other day at my head and I were talking about what happening would be like, and we're wondering if we will be able to recognize each other when we got there you hope so right when the beach is terrible if you're in heaven. My wife often teased I that will limit is also say how awesome that you and her husband are having these these conversations about the wording you know, my wife and I will get in these conversations as well. One of the things she said is you know in heaven.

I don't care. You know what kind of mansion you're in, you have to live with me. Still, that's what she tells me so that the funny thing is we don't know a lot in terms of you know what heaven is going to be like how it's going to look exactly. We know that the saints right now are in the presence of the Lord around his throne together with the Angels worshiping him and we also know that heaven is in our final destination were looking forward to the new creation, a new world that's restored by God through Christ and through what is accomplished for us so we have the hope of not only heaven but the resurrection of our bodies in the life of the world to come.

And I do believe that we will know each other there in a Jesus talks about people sitting down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the in the kingdom of heaven, presumably date they recognize who these patriarchs are. It's not just like our our memories have been erased. No organ it were to recognize each other and working to be filled with perfect love, by the grace of the Holy Spirit will be perfected in holiness, so that our relationships with each other are going to be perfect as well but in terms of you know what exactly that's going to look like there in heaven and then and then after in in the new creation. It's just to be better than anything we could ever imagine that that the pictures that are painted for us of of heaven, or of the kingdom of God in the Bible include feasting festivity warship joy you think about a wedding feast or in of the greatest birthday party you've ever been to just celebration. That's what heaven is going to be and that's we get to look forward to and that that celebration we enter into through Christ because he has put away our sins once and for all. He's the one who restores our relationships, making us holy and giving us the hope of heaven and of the new creation so grateful to hear about those conversations that you're having a hope he has continued to talk about the word of God together and encourage each other. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder we have that great resource available for you today called tough questions answered 50 page booklet that really gets into some great topics about the science and faith sexuality different religions a whole lot more and you can get that for donation of any amount by going to core Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers. We do have a YouTube channel and you can watch a drill live on YouTube every day at 11:30 AM Pacific time. Here's a question for one of our YouTube viewers from Paula. She says how do you get integrated into a new church when joining at a later age. I'm 59 and single and I want to be in community at my new church in hey Paula, I know that that can be so difficult, so the first thing I want to do is pray for you that the Lord would give you just open doors of fellowship there at the new church gracious God in heaven. Thank you for Paula thank you for her desire to be plugged in to Christian community and Lord, would you give all of us that that desire. We know that you didn't create us to be alone that you united us to your church through Jesus your son by faith in holy baptism and that were called to grow together in the body of Christ. And so, would you help our sister Paula, would you be with her and would you give her opportunities for fellowship and and growing in grace through the community there at her new church. Bless her there and continue to sanctify her in her in her walk with you.

We asked these things in Jesus name, amen it II know that it can be difficult, especially in her depending on the demographic of of the church symptoms as we know we can go to church and we feel like there's not a lot of people at my same in my same stage of life, or who are in my my unit is in the same place that I managed to be hard to connect. I was a one being committed to worshiping there certainly being there on Sunday.

Finding ways that you can get plugged in in in serving, oftentimes even even small things like reading at your church or helping with the offering. Whatever it is can be ways that you get to know others and build those relationships by serving alongside of them.

If your church offers things like community groups or you know, fun, fellowship times, those kinds of things, church barbecues or is it you know invest in those things and then go in and be a part and don't feel bad if if right away it doesn't feel like you're you know you're making that all of these relationships and and things aren't clicking immediately takes time. It takes time. I think it takes presence and commitment and prayer and and my prayer for you is that as you continue there then in trusting that this is a church is faithfully preaching the gospel and people are being encouraged to love one another there in the community that as you continue there you'll be folded in and valued, and you'll feel yourself value because God has gifted you, Paula, in ways that he hasn't gifted other people in the church there and so you are an integral part of the body of Christ and may God help you to see that and encourage you as you use the gifts that he's given to for their good fabulous.

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