Does God Withhold Blessing from Us If We Sin?

Does God withhold blessing us if we sin. That is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answered your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. Would love to hear from you. Here's our phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 if you get our voicemail.

Feel free to leave a message and will review that later in the day and also you can post your question on one of our social media sites or email us anytime with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com burst up today let's go to Deb, who is calling in from Missouri. Deb what your question for Pastor Israel. Yet they go along with the lady that called in about her husband and herself being baptized leaving that church and going to another church and and they were required and requested to be rebaptized and when you are sharing with them.

You singled out the Mormon and the Jewish if it was one of those that yes they should be rebaptized. I understand the Jewish using them as using that as an example. I understand that but I was wondering what you know about Mormon that if they were Mormon that they need to be rebaptized.

Yeah Deb thank you for thank you for that question. Can I just follow up really briefly. Are you part of the LDS church. No I am not that I know I have friends who are I know a lot of the history of the Mormon church. So I just was questioning what you know about their baptism and their belief behind baptism and the sacrament itself and how they they do it. Yeah, thank you, thank you. Some for for that question I've had several Mormon friends close friends throughout my ministry who were just yummy wonderful we would have conversations. As you can imagine about Mormon theology, Mormon doctrine of God Mormon doctrine of the sacraments, and so on a previous broadcast. Someone called in and they were being told by the church that they were trying to join that they needed to be baptized again they'd arty been baptizing was in a Baptist Church or something like that. So there wonder, what do we do do we need to go through this again and I said no you've already been baptized.

Now, had you been baptized in in in a group like the Mormon church to church with them or Mormon church and I would see you do need to be baptized again and the reason for that is, is that even though the Mormon church baptizes in the name of the father and of the son of the Holy Spirit in terms of Mormon theology, doctrine of God, who they profess Jesus to be the father to be the Holy Spirit to be is very different from what the church has said for 2000 years, and I would say it's very different from what the Bible teaches. So this is one of my concerns personally with with Mormonism is still use a lot of the same words that the Christian church uses like grace, like salvation, like baptism in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit. It's the way in which they define those words and phrases that make them problematic in Mormonism baptism. This is more of a covenant that an individual makes with God. The symbolic covenant also will pledge very much so to follow God and to obey his commandments.

It's it's it's it's something that you're doing as an individual while in the Bible. Baptism is not so much, primarily in action of man, something that we do. It's God's word and promises washing over us. Now we we respond to that we experience the grace of God through holy baptism we do pursue the Lord and seek to walk in holiness and impurity but but but I would say that they get things upside down, at least in terms or backwards in terms of, you know the focus. The focus in Mormonism's baptism is is is pledge that you're making to God to follow him. In Christianity, with the church as always it knows this is this is first and foremost, God speaking to his people. God acting through the minister and extending his gospel promises objectively to believers and to their children, even in so the big difference there. But I would say that that the bigger difference in why would encourage anyone who'd been baptized in the Mormon church to pursue it.

I think a sound church. A biblical church and beat and be truly baptized according to Scripture, and that church is because the Mormon church despite using a lot of the same terminology of the Christian faith redefines it and that's what makes it so confusing and I will mean I'll just be honest percent and I think it's I think it's flat out deceptive in many ways was interesting is you do when Mormonism started. They very much started with this sort of vision of look all the churches out there are apostates there are no more true churches. The gospel has been lost, needs to be recovered. There also subissues with this by the way, but that but that was the idea and they listen to set themselves against all the Christian churches now years later. It's interesting to me because I feel like they've they've really changed the Mormon churches change or the LDS of change their tactic.

Now it's not so much. Everybody else is apostate and it's just sort of Christians like you are that you know we talk about grace in the heavenly father in Jesus and and so on and so forth. It is Osama's been a PR shift really in in recent days, but nevertheless there are deep theological issues that make the Mormon church, not a true church and so if someone was baptized in the Mormon church. They weren't truly baptized according to Scripture, and they need to find a true church where the gospel is faithfully preached were Christ as he reveals himself and his word is proclaimed and where they can receive the means of grace and the promises of the gospel truly, that's not to say that that the Mormon church doesn't do good things in the world and that Mormons are bad people are simply the know… It just doctrinally, theologically, there are serious serious issues and so Deb thank you for for that question, and in May the Lord bless you. Just a follow-up based on Deb's question, and real.

Can you just briefly talk about how the Mormon church views Jesus yeah well lately they have any sort of interesting right thumb and many many ways. You know you talk to Mormon.

They talk about Jesus of Jesus is the Savior.

It's through his atoning work that we experience forgiveness.

There's an emphasis in Mormonism on on the atonement of Christ, having taken place in the garden of Gethsemane to have interesting focus on the garden of Gethsemane. There, but there's also sorts of just strange things like it.

In one sense they would they would say that Jesus is the literal assignment we talk about you know that the Jesus been the eternal son of God under the substance in which state they view that in a very creaturely way.

Jesus being the literal son of heavenly father and a sibling of Lucifer. If you will, a brother of status are all sorts of strange things frankly go in the Lutheran things that the Mormon church will will lead with you know is there doing evangelism is there talking to people they don't they don't think they did try to sound very Christian if you will, and again will use the use, but the jargon but when you really start to dig beneath the surface and look at their their theological statements, doctrines, things that they've said over the years, you realize could. There's a lot of strange things here that are not in line with what the church is set for 2000 years and and some of those things are indeed related to Jesus and in here's the thing, and I am going long on this but brothers and sisters. The apostle Paul said that even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. I'm concerned for you. He wrote to the Corinthians in second Corinthians that if somebody comes along and preaches another Jesus, you might receive that other Jesus that other spirit. There are people who preach a different Jesus. And I think the Mormon churches is a group that does that.

And so we need to be discerning and Anna and I think it's so wide, so good for us to spend time on a question like that and Deb if you would hang on the line for second would love to send you a copy of our book core Christianity by Dr. Michael Horton, which will help explain some of those core doctrines of the Christian faith is you're talking to your Mormons for friends this to be a great opportunity to meet help them discern what's true and what's not. Go back to the phone to record Christianity. Lynn is on the line from Sioux City Iowa and Lynn what your question for pastor. Israel I'm calling think I have a question regarding the previous talk about being a church member and talked about the elders I'm having to watch over the souls of those in the church and I'm trying to understand what that actually means to watch over there. Still, what they really possible for because I believe there's a lot of overreach and congregations of what set Elder Tapley actually love this question.

Lynn, thank you so the language of watching over souls comes from Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17 obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning for that would be of no advantage to you now so so elders insofar as their their overseeing watching over the souls of people are sometimes referred to as bishops in the New Testament and and so specifically there. I think the focus is on watching out for doctrinal error that meet moral issues that creep into compromise. It creeps into the life of the church we read the letters that Jesus wrote to the churches in the book of Revelation churches in Asia minor.

Revelation chapters 2 and three and it's clear that there also to things that threaten the church compromise with the culture compromise with sin. Compromise doctrinally as Osa job of elders to be vigilant and watch out for the people who have been entrusted to them making sure that they're caring for them that are not being led astray into heresy into false teaching part of the way they do that is by teaching sound doctrine by by caring for them visiting them. I think a great passage of Scripture to go to is Ezekiel 34 were God is rebuking the false shepherds in Israel and he highlights all the things that they're not doing and in highlighting the things that they're not doing it's really it's really interesting because these are the 20 other think they should have been doing so Ezekiel 34.

The word Lord came to me, son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel prophesy and say to them, even to the shepherds thus says the Lord God shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves should not shepherds feed the sheep that what we do elders feed the sheep with sound doctrine with the gospel with good theology should not you have been feeding the sheep you eat the fat you clothe yourselves with the will you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep of the week you have not strengthened the sick, you have not healed the injured you have not bound up the straight you have not brought back the lost. You have not sought and with force and harshness. You have ruled them good good elders are not harsh and forceful and you note, you don't mean a ruling with a heavy hand if you will, their their loving their caring their servants there trying to instill sound doctrine. The people that they're shepherding when when somebody goes astray, they pursue them. You have been in church for five weeks in a with what's just want to check in. Is everything okay with your family. The those kinds of things and so and so that that's were called to an info as elders in the church overseeing the church, keeping watch over the souls of the people who are entrusted to us. I think I think that's at the heart of it is ministering the word of God and pursuing those who are in need but Lynn there are instances of overreach are our job as elders is ministerial meeting were ministering, but I would say the word of God were not making new rules and bindings people's consciences by those rules and and trying to control or micromanage their lives. I think that's a real problem in some churches and so maybe Lynn can I go back to really quickly. Do you have that you thinking of something specific the specific of the specific example that concerns you.

With regard to elders watching over the souls of people on it like not being read on.

It's almost like the authority of the church when in reality I think God wants us to question things to know whether it good or bad and the other side of it is on that one.

Well, members of one body else are common good. I think were all on the same IP stated the ground level at the foot of the cross on the same position before Christ, that we all need to work together for the common good of church reaching out you now to share Christ with others, and I'm just kind that balance you know how sometimes the rules are made because just so much rule and then John like I said, you know, sometimes those rules are not rules that are outlined in Scripture. So the question is what we will. We should be encouraging the church to walk in his is in the truth of God's word in his law ensuing encouraging each other in that holding each other to that not creating other loop other rules and as I said, binding people's consciences with those man-made rules that were inventing for them. So when that's happening. I think there's a serious concern is we have to ask ourselves is, is what the church is calling me to something that outlined in Scripture. Is it just something that they've invented and if it's something that they've invented and then there's some some serious issues there. With regard to Christian liberty liberty of conscience and in and I would say you know that there's some serious questions need to be asked of the leadership in that church. We always want to approach me.

We have questions in in our church want one approach that with humility, but that doesn't mean the questions are bad and so if if asking questions or thinking differently is an issue and you feel like. Anytime you do you get rebuked and that the hammer comes in I think again that's that's a concern.

I think we want to be able to humbly talk about things talk about decisions. Hopefully your elders can paint a picture for you know why were moving in this direction. Why were doing this, here's the biblical rationale and they're bringing people along in that and sometimes you and other people in the church or to say what you know we don't like that.

I feel this way where I think this would be better and okay I understand that I get that were growing together and as you said, wanting to wanting to labor side-by-side for the faith of the gospel in and so may the Lord help us all to let me help you do that in your church and if there are significant questions need to be asked. I pray that the Lord gives you grace and wisdom and humility. As you process questions that he also gives the leadership in your church a listening ear and humility and wisdom in in these things, and so appreciate your question so much and just thank you for giving us a call. We appreciate you.

This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We have a huge problem in our culture with depression.

So many people, including a lot of teenagers right now struggling with depression and sometimes even with suicidal ideation. We actually have a new resource that we have created for the issue of depression would like to offer that to you today been one of the unique things about Christianity is that in Jesus Christ we have a Lord and Savior who wept me think about the gospel's right Scripture describes him as a man of sorrows stricken with grief. The Bible addresses depression. It gives examples of others who have suffered like us to gives us build the language to talk about our troubles throughout the Psalms. For example, in true and comforting answers to our hard questions truly made this free resource three biblical ways to fight depression in this resource we guide you through biblical patterns for how to think and address depression in our lives, how to think about our feelings, our bodies why depression tends be prayed away and how God wants us to bring our depression and sorrows to him. He's not afraid brothers and sisters of our tears actually promises to wipe them all away one day and so give a loved one who wants to learn practical ways to fight depression in in their lives or if this something speaks to you. Get a hold of this resource, a core, Christianity.com. This is such an important resource is a lot of confusion about the depression and even maybe some Christian views on depression that aren't accurate biblically and would like to get this in your hands. Go to core Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers and look for this new resource nine or three biblical ways to fight depression can also call us for that ready one of our resources at 833. The core 833. The core let's go to voicemail that came in from one of our listeners. This is Brandon.

You might let hiding and were actually active, but they being blocked at him trying to walk with Brandon Dennison canceling our blessings in a real since the answer is yes.

The sin our sins. I don't think and can unjustified us or remove us from the gracious grip of God. We do grieve the Holy Spirit. And if you are Christian and your living with your girlfriend right now and you guys are sexually active. You are grieving the Holy Spirit you are sending and you need to repent and if you don't. If you continue to do that you will reap what you sow.

I'm in is what is what the apostle Paul says in Galatians. Don't be deceived on God is not mocked.

We can't continue to live in openly sinful ways and just expect that everything will be fine know where were sitting in a grievous way and and as Paul said to the Corinthian's in this and in particular, you know, fornication is is it's a sin against our own bodies, so you don't want to see your your conscience now. Now does that mean that your forever cut off from the blessings of God know because you can turn to the Lord and say, God, I'm I'm I am sending and I don't play games anymore. I don't I don't want to presume upon your grace is.

Is it like Paul said to the Romans usually continue in sin that grace may abound know way. How can we who have died to sin, live any longer in it. And so you need to live into your identity as a Christian as a baptized follower of Jesus, and you present yourself to God as one who is alive from the dead, and your body and the instruments of your body as instruments for righteousness in the service of God and so brother I just want to I me I don't know if you're talking about yourself but but assuming you were. I just want to exhort you in love and say don't waste any time. Don't don't don't are single all changes later know like right now make a change and and repent. Because if if you don't mean that this is this is communicating the wrong thing to your girlfriend.

Certainly a disk dishonoring the Lord sitting against the Lord but but your you're not in your relationship going to experience blessing because your your walking in sin, and so on. May God give you grace. The grace to to repent and to be faithful to what Jesus is called to do and just know that the gospel is big enough that the blood of Christ is sufficient for you, and that when you turn to him him he washes away your sin and cause you to walk in a manner that is pleasing to you and so may God give you the help and the grace that you need and as you walk in the light.

May he grant you his blessing some great counsel. Thank you for that Israel. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. You are always welcome to email us. Here's our email addresses questions at core, Christianity.com you can also call leave us a voicemail 24 hours today at 833. The core Betty called in and she has this question, she says. The Bible says we are led by the Holy Spirit.

So then why are we led to different interpretations like baptism or communion. Why doesn't he lead us in the 1 True Way buddy God is not the author of confusion and so God is not leading cheat by Jesus or the Holy Spirit is not leading people to come to different interpretations. I will Jesus and of the Holy Spirit led me to be a Baptist and he led me on this other person to be a presbyter not know, I think, again, God is not the author of of confusion, we come to these different interpretations not because the spirit is is leading or misleading us, we come to different interpretations because our own minds are still darkened by sin and were were struggling to understand different points of Scripture know when it comes to the most fundamental things ending the core tenets of the Christian faith, the doctrine of the gospel. The doctrine of God. I think I think there needs to be enemies. We oftentimes talk about core Christianity. The things we can all agree on might be presbyterian or Baptist or Pentecostal bullet when you get these things right justification by faith alone.

The doctrine of the holy Trinity music. These are the things that we focus on the end in a real sense, give us a kind of unity. True unity as the one church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet at the same time we have so many differences so we pray that more and more, we would be let into the truth that we would grow and God will continue to sanctify us, but were all in different places in different stages and so I think that's why you have the division to still exist. Also, if you chapter 5 look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is and do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the spirit addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ admitting one another out of reverence for Christ. That's what we long for growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ worshiping him that we have differences in is important for us to talk about those. Let's focus on the core tenants that we agree on godless.

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