How Should Christians Respond to Celebrity Conversions like Shia LaBeouf, Kanye West, and Eminem?

How should Christians respond to celebrity conversions like Shiloh bath Kanye West and Eminem. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hire 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. Would love to hear from you and our phone lines are open right now.

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Here's a voicemail that came in from one of our listeners yesterday will now how well will I go out all will couple questions there and I think both of them are actually you know right at the centers for some of the Jeopardy you did bring up the other text in jewel in the Pentecost outpouring of the Spirit. First is Paul saying that women just can't wear jewelry, no jewelry.

If you're a woman there might be some husbands out there that wish that was the case, but I don't believe that that's what Paul is getting a specifically I think he's talking about not drawing attention to ourselves in the context of of worship specifically but also by the more general sort of broad principle here just in terms of modest apparel and not not you know being not focusing on ourselves so much and in tapping the center of everything and so he does say first Timothy chapter 2 verse nine. Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire with what is proper for women who profess godliness with good works and then took to the second part of your question. You know, women in ministry. He goes on to say in verse 11. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, and so there specifically is this text what you find later.

You know, just in in chapter 3 with regard to the qualifications for elders. Also in Titus chapter 1 it seems to me like at least in terms of the office of Minister the elders of the church at that. That's an officer office reserve specifically for men were called and qualified on. That doesn't mean that that women can't teach another context. Were talking about the worship service and that the ministry of the word. I think I think that there's a real clear prescription given to us in Scripture.

Now, with regard to the passage you bring up in jewel to where God promises to pour out his Spirit on all flesh. This this promise of the new covenant men and women of that's true. Each of us are filled as as believers in Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit we been sealed by the Holy Spirit. We have gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. Whether you're a man or a woman, so that's a thing that we celebrate that we rejoice in that that highlights the fact that each of us play an integral part within the body of Christ. Men and women gifted by the Lord called as prophets, priests and kings through our union with Jesus Christ and so we don't we don't minimize that at all but were talking about the specific offices in the church like the office of elder. I think that there's something more specific that's being spoken of their and it seems to be reserved for for called and qualified men in the church and so appreciate your question sister and may the Lord bless you your listing to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez would love to hear from you if you got a question about doctrine or theology, maybe a Bible passage that's confusing to you, or maybe how your Christian walk intersects with what's going on in today's culture. Would love to hear from you. Here's the number 833, the court will be taking calls for the next 20 minutes or so 833-843-2673 let's go to Kathy in St. Louis, Missouri Kathy what your question for atrial before we got married we were both married to other people, so we didn't alter its relationship to lower Mary going to church and asked for forgiveness. I we are considered committing adultery every day in our marriage.

Just not sure about that.

Hey Kathy, thank you for that question will you your married now and and because you're married now.

I think you know you're called to be with your husband that your that you're with now mean it. It sounds to me like the circumstances of your coming together were were not right and you recognize that and that's part of the reason why this weighs heavily upon you. But does that mean that your are forever cursed that you can actually repent but no it doesn't. I think that you can and must repent, and I think part of that looks like living faithfully to now with with your husband. I think you know it's good that you're going to church maybe this is something that you bring up there with the leadership of the church that can help you guys as well. Through this and and and working through it encouraging you now in your walk with the Lord and in your relationship with each other but but the question again would be like you do recognize that what happened prior to was seen of you confess that to the Lord and repented of it and if you have, I believe that there is indeed forgiveness for you and that now you're called to press forward and to walk in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord faithful to your husband in in the unit of the light of the body of Christ in the context of Christian community and and and being being open and transparent about those things as well and so Kathy does that answer your question.

Thank you so much. All you let me pray for you right now. Kathy and I I'm grateful to hear that your in church and I just I just yell at lead. Let's pray for for Kathy father. Each of us, who we think back to decisions that we've made and things that we've done what we can see us in times we've we've rebelled against you and and often times, Lord. Those those sinful decisions we still feel a great sense of shame and pain because of it.

We see what how what we've done has has led to pain and hurt in the lives of others as well. This is my sister Kathy comes to you as we all come to you, Lord, saying, Jesus Christ, son of God have mercy upon me, a sinner and we confess our sins to you and we ask for your help. I pray that you would give us. I pray that you would give her a sense of your forgiveness a sense of your love. I pray that you would would give her the feeling of your spirit so that she would now walk in a manner every day that is pleasing to you honoring to you, faithful to her husband that they would be faithful to each other and that where they can ask for forgiveness for things that they've done in the past and and and seek to pursue healing that they would that they would do that were in that you would give them wisdom in that. Bless them now. I pray and I bless him, Lord, and in the church that thereat as well that they would grow together and that they would grow in their relationship with you. In Jesus name amen Kathy, thanks so much for your call. We appreciate you and thanks for being a regular listener to core Christianity tough situation.

Hydro yeah I mean I'm life is messy. Sin is a mess. There are and there aren't easy answers. Clear-cut answers a lot of times we know that the Bible does speak about an unpardonable sin, but I don't think that that's what what were talking about here. Amen. Even when there are no adulterous affairs in me. Just you name things like that. We can still experience the forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ. When we come to him in repentance asking for his mercy.

That doesn't mean that there are consequences to our sins, but we won't be condemned by our sins because of the forgiveness of Christ. I meant this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. By the way, one of the calls. One of the questions we often get on this program is how can I be sure I'm a Christian. That's the whole issue of assurance of salvation. We actually have a free resource on that topic. We like to make available to you today.

Yeah, this is something that I know many believers struggle with and so we want to offer this free resource for you. It's called nine ways to know you are really a Christian, yet it's hard to walk with the Lord to pursue him to pursue good works in the Christian life. When we are always questioning whether or not were saved. You think it is.

Was God really love me. Has he really embraced me as a part of his family again.

I know many Christians struggle with this and so that's why we created this resource and I you can access it over it.

Core, Christianity.com/offers to download nine ways to know you are really a Christian and trusted to be helpful to you.

And remember, it's absolutely free. Would love to get that in your hands so check it out. Core, Christianity.com/offers. While we do receive voicemails here at core Christianity.

You can leave us your voicemail question 24 hours a day, and here's one came in.

Actually, this is an email question that came in from one of our listeners and our email address. By the way is questions at core, Christianity.com this email is from one of our listeners named Aaron he says hey Pastor Israel.

I'm not sure if you've seen recent news stories about how celebrities like Shiloh above Kanye West and Eminem have become Christians.

Some of them Catholics. I'm just wondering how we should respond when we hear news like this. Some folks are skeptical, as if it's all marketing and PR. Some are really excited about what are your thoughts yeah I have heard and scenes of ashes and some videos online and interview with Shiloh buff and and I know that this is something that people get really excited about.

Of course my skepticism when one sinner repents heaven rejoices there's a party in heaven the angels are rejoicing and so any time someone comes to faith in Jesus Christ.

I think it is a cause for celebration, but here's where we want to be careful. I think as believers in a sing these things in the media on the news on YouTube.

Whatever. Too often I think that we can be a risk. Specters of persons in God's think about what James said in James chapter 2 beginning in verse one, my brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in.

And if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and you say, sit here in a good place while you say to the poor man you stand over there, or sit down at my feet have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts. Listen, my beloved brothers has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he is promised to those who love him, but you dishonored the poor man are not the rich, the ones who oppress you the one to drag you into court, are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called seat. James is very clear.

He says look at it. If a celebrity if you will walks into the church and you give this celebrity all of the attention say a man you get to sit in and you know that the front pew you're just the guest of honor that kind of thing and then a poor person walks in and you say you sit here at my feet are there outside and you pay them no attention. What were doing is, is sinful and I wonder if sometimes you know we can we can see these things and we get we get really excited. We can demonstrate this sort of partiality that the Bible speaks against God has chosen brothers and sisters.

The foolish of the world to shame the wise, the other passage that I think I think this is helpful here as we think about this is what Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 1 verse 26. Consider your calling brothers not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, so G Paul, thanks for that, but not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world. Even the things that are not to bring to nothing things that are so that no human being might boast in the presence of God and because of him. You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, of righteousness and sanctification and redemption so that as it is written, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord is we might be impressed when celebrities walk into the church we might think all man. You know so awesome God is not impressed by any of us, so we have to be careful that we don't show partiality.

Don't look also Visio. They don't look to celebrities who were converted yesterday or last week as spiritual guides right that they don't need to be teaching about God in Scripture, we ought to pray for these individuals, if indeed if they've come to pray for them that the Lord would do a work in their lives that the Lord would continue to sanctify them that God would get them plugged into solid churches where the gospel is faithfully taught but brothers and sisters, consider your calling God's chosen the foolish of the world the week to display his glory, to display his goodness, and so we praise God for anyone who comes into the church but we ought not to be respecter's of persons. Thanks for that email Aaron S some great counsel and I love the fact that you encouraged us to pray for those celebrities when they do make a profession of faith and that God would surround them with a strong believer. So with the good pastor was somebody who can really speak into their lives and help them to grow in their their new walk with Christ. So thanks for that. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines are open and working actually continue taking calls for the next 40 minutes or so to record a second episode of core Christianity today won't be live on the air after this life program and will keep recording so if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. You can feel free to call us 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Mark who is calling in from Kansas. Mark what your question prayed real. The what is an unforgivable yeah Mark will thank you for for following up on that.

So I'm just in Matthew chapter 12 answering the the previous questions sexy Debbie bright.

Here is where we see this language of an on unforgivable sin and it's what Jesus called the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit only really read this text because you know a lot of people here that the little boy have I committed that's in the something very specific here that's going on. We read in verse 22 demon possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus and he healed them to the man spoke and saw the people were amazed and said, can this be the son of David and what is this, the Messiah, but when the Pharisees heard it, they said it is only by be eligible, the prince of demons that this man casts out demons not knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand and if I cast out demons by be eligible, by whom do your sons cast them out, therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons in the kingdom of God has come upon you.

How can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you Mark is the answer to your question.

Jesus is therefore I tell you every sin and blasphemy will will be forgiven. People but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven, and whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come in. The reason is because they were saying, Jesus has an unclean spirit.

What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, what is this unforgivable sin will hear it.

It's can committed are on the verge of being committed by these religious leaders. The priests of the day.

People who should know better. And as they're seeing Jesus's mighty miracles and hearing the gospel. What are they doing their hardening their heart and unbelief over and over again effect are so stubborn and unbelieving that there even attributing the miracles of Jesus to Satan. And so there is this this blindness. This rejection of the gospel, not just ignorance but a fool on Jesus, your demon possessed kind of a thing. And Jesus is warning them here. Sleep if you continue in this you die in your sin in your in your in your sin, because you're not believing in me and so the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the rejection of the gospel beat the attributing of the works of Christ to Satan it's not. It's not something that believers do markets not something that we you know you just you send as a Christian you think all man. I've I messed up again.

I struggle with this and every single day. Maybe I've I've sinned away the grace of God, maybe have committed that the blasphemy the Holy Spirit. No people who commit this don't care that they commit and and that's with these religious leaders were were doing. They were rejecting Jesus and his gospel. If we come to Christ believing in him asking for his mercy.

There's mercy there's there's hope for those who call on the name of the Lord. But if we reject him week week. We've heard the gospel we been seeing right evidence of bug change lives in of people around us who have been changed by the Lord and yet we sail. That's just silly. That's dumb. We reject all of it. Jesus, I don't believe in him. He was just some sort of ancient wizard whatever will look if you live believing that in continuing to reject that the conviction of the Holy Spirit during a dangerous place, spiritually speaking, there's no hope for forgiveness.

If you die in that state. And that's part of the warning that Jesus was giving to the Pharisees there Mark, thank you for your question. Great explanation of Mark, thanks so much for a for calling and we appreciate that.

That really ties in with the resource were offering. Today we have a lot of people calling and saying how I committed the unpardonable sin I think a drill really clarified that, but would love to encourage you to get this great resource about assurance of salvation. You can go to our website.

Core, Christianity.com/offers and look for nine ways to know you are really a Christian again nine ways to know you're really a Christian by going to core Christianity.com/offers go to Robert calling in from Iowa. Robert what your question prayed real time. Thank you for taking my call. My question is in Matthew 1236 it says that for every idle word men speak they will give an account of it on the day of judgment is that pertain only to unbelievers or does not include believers as well.

That also includes believers Robert so all of us are going to stand before the Lord on the day of judgment and there is going to be a detailed accounting. It's something that's that's pictured actually at the end of the book of Revelation. In Revelation chapter 20 beginning in verse 11 then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it.

From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and the books were opened.

And another book was opened, which is the book of life and the dead were judged by what was written in it by writ was written in the books, according to what they had done in the sea gave up the dead who were in it, death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them and they were judged, each one of them according to what they had done the final judgment does include everybody. You see this clearly in places like acts chapter 17 verse 31 second Corinthians chapter 5 verse 10 Romans chapter 14 verses 10 through 12 will just go to that text really quick to to highlight this Romans chapter 14 beginning in verse 10. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or you what you despise your brother, for we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God, so that each of us will give an account of himself to God and in their Robin this is Paul writing to the Romans.

These are believers, even including himself in this and so the big question that many times people have is boy if if I'm a stand before God have to give an account for everything that I've done. How can I have any confidence on the day of judgment will the answer brothers and sisters. Is that because we've been justified through Jesus Christ. We are accounted as righteous by faith in Jesus Christ.

The work that he's done for us and is why John says in John five. We've already passed from death to life. We will not enter into the judgment, we will not be condemned. 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.

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