Is Revival Something That Can Be Manufactured?

Is revival something that can be manufactured just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi this is 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. Would love to hear from you. Here's our phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 will be taking your calls for the next 25 minutes or so to jump on the phone right now. You can also post your question on one of our social media sites and of course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Brandon in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Brandon thanks so much for joining us what your question for Israel Israel to another follow-up question about the baptism topic, whether or not rebaptized. So you talk about Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses.

My parents church won't rebaptized people were baptized into the Roman Catholic Church and I don't believe that those documents would be legitimate because Catholicism is not Christianity. So would like to know your thoughts on that you bring that question and with regard to this one. Specifically, there are differences among Protestant churches. There are some pricing churches would would say no. We believe that these individuals are baptized in the Roman Catholic Church need to be truly Baptist as we don't consider the Roman Catholic Church to be a true church and so we we reject Roman Catholic baptisms.

I don't I don't hold to that view. In particular, I think because we have it in terms at least of our doctrine of God. Doctrine of the holy Trinity. There's there's there's there's unity. I guess you say it in that sense at least were on the same page there and so I think that's that's a really important distinction to make, whereas Unitarians are Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons reject the doctrine of the holy Trinity. So when they say we baptize you in the name of the father and of the son of the Holy Spirit. They don't mean what the Bible says. When Jesus instituted baptism in Matthew chapter 28 and he said go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the signing of the Holy Spirit right here. If your Jehovah's Witness you think the sun is a created being a creature and so in those churches quote unquote because they're not true church is right, and individuals being baptized into the name of a creature, there is no no real understanding of who God is, whereas you would say that the traditions that maybe we differ with an and that we would have serious problems made with regard to so teleology the doctrine of salvation and yet still hold to proper doctrine of God. A proper understanding of the holy Trinity, though those baptisms insofar as they are administered in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit with the intent of being deaf is it there still legitimate because their legitimacy does not rest upon the perfection of the church, but the words of institution. The word of God Jan and it proper understanding of who God is and so that's why there's been there's been a distinction some debate as as I said among Protestants. Now one thing that all Ada's. There was a controversy. Brandon in the church which you might be familiar with, called the Donatist controversy early on and it had to do with the fact that you know their work. They were Christians who had abandoned the faith they were they were lapsed.

If you will underwrite a time of persecution. They turned away from the Lord denied the Lord some of them even even pastors and so there was a big question about while those those pastors who baptized people and then later turned out to be apostates. They denied the Lord.

Were there baptisms legitimate. Did they really performed by me to the people that were baptized by those by those pastors need to go in and get rebaptized because this person walked away from the faith and and what the church that was no because the power of baptism, the efficacy of baptism if you will, is dependent on on God's word and spirit are not on the holiness of the minister or even the holiness of the church if you will, but on God and his promises.

And so that's that's why we we draw distinction there.

Thank you for listening and thankful that question.

This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez. We'd love to hear from you. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life, doctrine and theology. Maybe you have some doubts about the Christian faith. Maybe you practice a different religion or you consider yourself to be an atheist or agnostic and you have some doubts what they were open to hearing from you as well. Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to one of our listeners from Ireland is Bill Michael. I'm just really encouraged to show this EVERY day without fail. As I was frustrated some of the Scriptures today specifically Ephesians 14 10 to even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.we should be holy and blameless before him, and low. This is called just before the foundation of the world. What is the Lord so long for the elect be called or just take John when he was born to Holy Spirit was and when and when he was born. So I explained to maybe greatly appreciate all your will continue to be faced towards cause and discuss Michael.

Well, thank you for reaching out to us all the way from Ireland and may the Lord bless you and all our listeners out there. What it what it would an interesting question him and I don't think I've ever been asked this question before we hear about God selecting purposes in Ephesians chapter 1, the God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world and there are instances of the spirit of God be at work in individuals even even babies. What you think of John the Baptist in the womb.

But why does it take so many years and times are some people to come to faith chosen by the Lord, you know they they go to all this hardship in life and sin, rejecting God and then they come to the Lord later on why whitest got Terry when I just zap them. You know there and the woman, and there there Christians and it's done with that we don't fully understand the purposes of God. But one thing that I think I can say with clarity is that God is working even in those times we think that is not where where it seems as if he's absent. We know that in his providence. He's he's causing all things to work together in some sense I think one of the things it's highlighted there is God's long-suffering his patients. You know that he puts up with us even though we continue to rebel against him. And then there comes a point where the light of the gospel breaks through and we see the truth of who Jesus is and what he's done for us and and were reminded of the fact that God loves sinners and that despite the fact that we weren't honoring the Lord are walking with the Lord. He showed us his mercy. So I think that's one thing that that God can teach us, but certainly there are probably hundreds of different things that the Lord is doing during that time in his providence and so we want to trust him.

One story that I think beautifully illustrates this is the story of Joseph thinking about the fact that God is working in our lives. Even in those times where it seems like he's absent the dark seasons of life if you will remember all the things that happened to Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers there in Potiphar's household and were told in Genesis chapter 39 verse four Joseph found favor in part in his sight. Part of her site and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and then what happens.

Will Potiphar's wife lies about him and he's cast into prison but even there in prison. The Lord is with him. Verse 21 of Genesis 39 the Lord was with Joseph and showed him, steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison and the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison you keep getting positions of of of oversight there in the prison in Potiphar's house. God is working to what end will later remember when when when Joseph gets delivered and he rises to prominence and power in Egypt. What happens in in Genesis chapter 41 he's told verse 40 you shall be over my house and all my people shall order themselves as you command one of the things and I was preaching to Genesis that that just struck me so beautifully. And in this story is how God was preparing him along the way.

Even through those dark seasons those difficult times refill I got it abandoned him to be an overseer if you will over Egypt through Potiphar's house to the prison.

As I think of the Lord is working in our lives throughout our lives. I know that he is for his glory and our good and so we trust him again. Michael thank you for that question.

May the Lord bless you. While said this is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez and we got some great Bible studies here at the core and we want to tell you about one of our newest ones today which actually was written by a drill yeah it's a Bible study on the book of Philippians. Paul's letter to the Christians were dwelling in Philippi.

We get into some some important doctrines in this book, like the doctrine of justification, we we talk about what motivates the Christian life.

Why we should have joy as believers and so we want to encourage you in these very important doctrines. We hope that if you're in note looking for Bible study and do some friends at church or even to something that your your wanting to have a more guided study in your own personal devotions that you would consider using this resource again it's it's a 10 week study and essay can go through it in. In short amount of time but we know that it also be really really edifying to you to get a hold of this resource I were giving out for donation of $20 or more and appreciate all of your support. This is such an excellent Bible study really focuses on how to enjoy and rejoice in all the blessings we have in Christ. Some essential truths that all of us need to have so thanks Andrew for writing this and if you'd like a copy of this. Just go to core Christianity.com/new study that's core Christianity.com/new study and look for the Philippians Bible study. Let's go to Eric in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Eric what your question for Israel hi well 14. Explain what boat art mean manifest by good and the works of a man's hand come back to him explain the fruits of the mouth follow, but that is in the outcomes back to them works of his hand. I'd be happy to.

So were thinking about the wisdom literature. Proverbs chapter let me just read that verse for those who are not familiar with verse 14 from the fruit of his mouth. A man is satisfied with good and the work of a man's hand comes back to him in the wisdom literature.

In particular, in the book of Proverbs you have these these general statements which are which are true. In essence, I think you're what, what wisdom is telling us is that you reap what you sow both in and what we speak and by what we do the work that we do if you will write rotten speech, if you will fruit turns back upon us negatively and embed it. We've seen this with the way in which we use our speech, brother, time and time again we use our speech to tear down as opposed to buildup all that that has negative consequences.

Whereas when we use our speech in a way that is honoring to the Lord and edifying and builds up others whether there are positive results. Positive fruits that come from thence is the same with what we do with our hands. Remember what Paul told the church in Galatia.

In Galatians chapter 6 really important verse. I think versus six through nine.

What the one who is taught the word share. All good things with the one who teaches. He says do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up hope.

And so this is the general principle that we see in in the wisdom literature, but also throughout the Bible. As we noted there in Galatians chapter 6, you reap what you sow, both with with the words that you speak and the things that you do with your hands and so this is something a principle that I think we should all be aware of and and guided by our lives and were encouraged through it to use our speech in a manner that is honoring to the Lord and to use our hands in a manner that it are pleasing to the Lord serving each other in the body of Christ. Thank you for your question. This is core Christianity. Thank you so much for joining us.

If you have a question for Israel about the Bible or the Christian life. Here's the phone number to call its 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 we do receive eat voicemails here at the corn you can call us 24 hours a day and leave your voicemail with any question you might happen is a voicemail that came in earlier from one of our Listeners Named Mike Archer Rd., Bible. Is there a part one or comparable or in regard to that happening or that solely upon.or or deliver. I have been saying that I paddle the past year about where we would be at state what would be having to be Don and they are scripturally related, especially the one on that block the highways and byways, but I don't know if I should express this with our editorial staff and I want help with it long faster thank you very much.

I know your show yeah well thank you. The question I think I think that revival genuine revival of religion. People you know coming into an understanding of what the gospel is is is important something that we ought to pray for. As believers we should pray pray for that for ourselves first and foremost, that the Lord would renew us day by day by his grace and fill us with his Holy Spirit so that we would walk in a manner pleasing to him, but also for our church and for communities that the spirit of God would come and draw us all closer to Christ. Now you've seen.

I've seen examples of me to people churches say were going to have a revival on this date a big tent revival that kind of a thing but but the reality is we can't we can't force the Holy Spirit to do anything. We don't get to determine by our own sort of you know what were were were crafting together this special revival service. It's going to bring bring about this powerful change know what were dependent upon the Lord and his spirit. Now here's what I think that we can do and it's imperative for all of us to do in all of our church at all times, and that's to be focused on the pure teaching of God's word because true revivals of religion only come through faithful Bible teaching so it's not something you need just a bunch of people together and you have this wild experience of revival that's disconnected from or separated from the preaching of the word of God. No true spiritual life. You know when when when the dry bones if you will, are animated brought back to life.

It's through the prophesying the preaching of God's word. This is why Paul in Romans chapter 10 verse 17 could say that faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ as ideas. I look let's pray for revival and let's gather together and seek the face of the Lord, but the primary component that needs to be there is the pure preaching of the gospel, the faithful teaching of God's word. If you don't have that people might have emotional experiences and and so on and so forth. But it's not genuine revival because genuine revival comes when the word of God is proclaimed when the spirit of God works together with the word to renew our hearts and our minds and bring us closer together as is a body of Christ closer to Christ. And so that has to be the focus and all that we do and all that that your church does is they think about praying for revival banking good counsel.

Thanks and thanks Mike for your voicemail. You can leave us a voicemail. If you have a question for Israel. Call us anytime at 833.

The core let's go to Candace who is in pair Ridge Arkansas Candace what your question for pastor. Israel 19-year-old has grown up in church and he has recently declared that he is agnostic, leaning toward and eight wow and he prayed having opinions and he is in a household full of other children and he is openly telling them that they only reason that they believe there's a God it because that's all they've been introduced to.

So my question for you is how would we approach this is parent because he still is living under our roof, and the Bible tell us that's for me. My house we will serve the Lord and then how do we approach that topic with our younger children will Candace the first thing I want to do is pray for you and pray for your son and invite all those who are listening to pray for Candace's son who is just in need of the grace of God in hand to come back ultimately to the truth of Scripture.

Father, we lift Candace's son up to you right now what I don't know what what the influences are in his life that the things that he feels like he's he's learned that have now brought him away from believing in in the Christian faith towards agnosticism. But I asked dear God on that through this process of questioning that. Actually, his faith in you and your son would be strengthened, Lord, that is he as he thinks about these things Lord that he would see how bankrupt the philosophies and religions of of the world are, how they don't provide for us. What you provide for us in the gospel and they're not rooted in the reality of what you've done what you've accomplished in history.

Would you be at work in this young man meant and for the other children there and in the home.

Lord I pray that somehow through the circumstances. Everyone's faith would be strengthened and that they would be drawn closer to you and that you give Candace wisdom Lord, and the right words to speak to her son asked these things in Jesus name Amen amen I do think Candace you have – as of the question of who is influencing who so that if if he is very abrasive. It's easy. Seems like he's trying to in one sense minnow poison the well and and lead your other children away from Jesus. I think that I think that you can say look, we are weak we love you were given you a place to live.

Right now, but this is not okay doesn't mean we can have conversations about this.

We want to encourage those conversations and it's okay to have questions but we will not permit. I will not permit you to teach things to your siblings that are drawing them away from Jesus because that's not okay that's not what we are teaching them and so in so long as certain so far as your your in this home and your your living here. We don't want that were not can allow and I think that's okay to say I think that something that you should say now again it's not that you want to crush the conversation because I think oftentimes you know people have real questions and they're looking for good answers to those questions and so I would say no compiling those questions. What is it Candace that your son that he thinks he's come to learn that has led him away from the faith and maybe you know so can I can I follow-up with you here it did. Has he expressed you. What specifically it is it's it's brought them into this agnosticism or not it can't be. That guy can't improve things happen randomly yeah well when Anna and I got to try think that we should we should dig where you where you can dig and maybe ask some questions.

Some of the resources I hope to stay on the line because we love to get you some resources that maybe you could say would you be willing to read through this with me and this could be a conversation for us.

There are some wonderful books on miracle in CS Lewis's book miracles, his book mere Christianity there other really great apologetics books that sort of unpacks the evidences for the Christian faith for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Other books that are to focus on that the different presuppositions that we all have when we come to the table, but when it comes to at least the Christian faith.

I would say no there there a lot of things that we can we can look to and say this is more than just a fairytale, something that we we've embraced because it makes us feel good about ourselves. In fact, for the early apostles and followers of Jesus, that the gospel wasn't something that made them feel good about themselves.

Most of them were put to death for the claim that Jesus rose from the dead, and he knew the people that visit, we saw him with our own eyes is maybe a question you could ask your your 19-year-old your son is look.

Why would these people who preached the gospel during the world upside down in the first century and claimed to see Jesus right. Why would they be willing to lose everything family, friends, finances, homes, even their own lives.

If they knew it was a lie. If they know they were just making it up hopefully to gain power. Note at some point they would've said hey by the way, look, we were just joking. You know that no no that I and so there there so many things that we can we can point to the end of the day though Candace it truly is a work of the Holy Spirit. So I was a continue to pray for him and encourage him and I think if you do need to take a stand and say look this is this is not a Kernighan permit this fine and and and pray that even through that the Lord would soften his heart because you don't want that. The negative influence if he is if he is not willing to to respect you always in the house. You don't want that to continue. And you don't have to put up with that and so please do stay on the line and and will send you some resources we think are helpful and I just pray that the Lord blesses you and guides you in this decision and softened your son's heart as well in order. All I was thinking about it. I'm sure that Candace is not alone.

I'm, I'm guessing there are a lot of parents with teenage kids right now who are going through something very similar part of the issue is that our culture and, often times the public schools are really challenging kids in a way that they cannot respond to the maybe they don't really know what they believe or why they believe it. And that just it really behooves us as moms and dads and certainly as church leaders to prepare our young people for that. That philosophical assault that they're going to experience throughout their life. Yeah, I mean, that's one of the reasons why we do the things that we do bill on this broadcast is because we want to help equip people to answer the questions that that they did and that they have about the Christian faith, and it just shows how close to home. It really is and so keep Candace in your prayers.

Keep her family in your prayers.

May the Lord working there.

Bring the light of the gospel through. 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