Is It Normal For Christians To Worry About Eternity?

Will we have work or vocations in heaven. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with pastor Pedro Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673 and you can always email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com now. During these challenging times in our country we been doing our best to share some positive stories with you and with millions of Americans laid off or working limited hours right now paying the bills is becoming a real problem, but the town of Gardner, Kansas, is stepping in to help their citizens.

The town owns its own utilities and they currently have a surplus so Mayor Steve Felty and the city Council voted to cover every residence electric bill for last month including rebates for small businesses. The mayor calls it sort of a public dividend. The city says it spent around $800,000 covering everybody's electric bill is not cooling that's so cool and I love these everyday encouragements that you give us the bill. For many this is important for us to remember. You know that that there are good things happening all around us and that God is still at work and so what a great story appreciate you sharing that you bet let's get to our first question of the day. This one comes from Ed and he emailed us and he said my question is about Paul teaching on praying in the spirit as far as I can tell it's not praying in tongues. They are a gift and not everyone has the same gifts so can you explain what praying in the spirit is and better yet how to do it.

I feel like I'm missing something here or I misunderstanding the text. Can you help me understand this way to pray. Paul said it was necessary to overcome the attacks of the evil one. If I understand him correctly and thank you so much for your question. Well the verse that you referring to is Ephesians chapter 6 verse 18 Paul said, praying at all times in the spirit with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints is not only praying for yourself but also praying for other believers.

And you also have this language in Jude 120 through 21 but you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith in praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life, and so you know you made a really good point there and I agree with you 100% Ed but this. This isn't praying in tongues, because as Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 12. Not everyone has the same gift. And so it wouldn't make any sense that only some people could pray in the Spirit and others could not.

I think what this is referring to is praying according to God's word and will so that our prayers are aligned with what God is called for us and for the people around us. You know I think about Jesus and when he taught his disciples to pray you're familiar with the Lord's prayer. I presume well before he gave them that prayer. They asked him teach us how to pray, he gave them some general instruction on prayer with with a couple of warnings just read you what he said in Matthew chapter 6 verses five through eighth is when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners that they may be seen by others. Truly I say to you they have received their reward. When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him that I like to say that there are really two big dangerous with prayer that Jesus I think highlights here. One is hypocrisy praying not for the Lord or to the Lord really for others so that they'll hear us that the bill think were holy and that was one of the problems with the religious leaders in Jesus's day hypocritical prayers, but the other danger is superstition in prayer is the heaping up empty phrases like the Gentiles, Jesus, that the religious leaders are hypocritical, but when you look at the Gentile world there very superstitious. They just sort of repeat the same things over and over. They assume that their prayers are to be heard because that they're using these words kinda like magic words, you know, if I say these things the right way. This sort of incantation then maybe I'm good. Move God to act on my behalf and in Jesus is. That's what prayer is all about.

No work to pray as Paul said in the spirit according to God's will and I think the spirit there is in reference to the Holy Spirit and everyone who believes in Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit you're filled with the Holy Spirit at if you're united to Jesus Christ as of prayer in the spirit means praying according to God's word and will. If I think that's one of the reasons why it's so important for us to know the Scriptures. Just one more thing know especially that text that I referenced in Jude and Jude 120 through 21. We talked about building yourself up in your most holy faith. At the very beginning of Jude's letter.

He says the people he is ready to do chapter 1 verse three beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints know he's talking about the fate that he's referring to this doctrine. This apostolic doctrine that was handed down by the apostles to the churches is the message of the gospel. I think what's important for us in our prayers is that we understand the fundamentals of the faith that when we approach God approaching got it. As I said, according to his word and according to his will. That's what it means to pray in the spirit. Ed, thank you so much for your question and would love to get your question you can call us anytime, 833-843-2673. That's 833.core and you can also record a question through our website. If you go to court, Christianity.com/radio there's a little microphone there on the page. You can just press that and record a question 24 hours a day, so would love to hear from you it or let's go to our first call the day my name is Sam I'm from Arnold Missouri.

I listen you guys every day. Just wanted thank you for the jobs you guys do have a question. I have a friend who is a Mormon. Another friend who's a Jehovah's Witness and I know that they believe some things that Ron contrary to the Bible. I'm just wondering how I can use their own literature their own material to proclaim the true gospel of Christ. Thank hey Sam, thank you so much for that question and I'm encouraged by the fact that you wanted to share your faith, the faith with your friends who are Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. And you're right a minute. What I found an empty speaking with Jehovah's Witnesses are Mormons often time still appeal to their own translations because those translations have been changed and so for example with the Jehovah's Witnesses you you go to place like John 11, which very clearly teaches that Jesus is God in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God on the Jehovah's Witness translation of the Bible is called the New World translation they add a word there.

And the word was a God, and it really is blasphemous that it's changing Scripture and the meaning of Scripture for the same thing with Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 were posted by Jesus.

All things were created well in the New World translation the add a word there as well.

They add the word other by Jesus, all other things were created as if to suggest that he himself was created and then he created everything else that's again not with the Scriptures teaches know the Bible says so I think one of the things you can do. Sam is highlight some of those changes that have taken place. One of the other things it's it's pretty neat.

Is there are places in the New World translation where I think that they haven't changed it yet and that we can point to those passages. I like to go to Psalm 102 and read some wanted to you know and and throughout someone at you in the New World translation. It talks about Jehovah God and how he's created all things and then you go to Hebrews chapter 1 the author to the Hebrews says that Psalm 102 is referring to Jesus and I have asked that question a Sony Jehovah's Witness and read some wanted to in the New World translation with them in a fillets could. Hebrews 1. Okay, who is the author the Hebrews say someone or two is about and I've never gotten a good answer, so I think that there are ways that you can use their Scriptures and show them that there there been these changes, but that despite that the Bible really clearly teaches that Jesus is God, the Savior, and that's where you want to focus when you're when you're talking with Jehovah's Witnesses when you're talking with Mormons want to focus on the fact that Jesus is salvation. That's the gospel when it's a by our works by our righteousness point them continually to Jesus who he was and what he has done for us and I had a really good friend who was a Mormon.

He died just a couple of years ago I met a because we were doing some evangelism at a park here in San Diego and he sort of overheard a conversation I was having with an atheist man and he came up to me afterwards and he said you not I like to chat with you week struck up this relationship and he loved studying. He wanted to talk about the Bible we we were digging in and it was so interesting because he really wanted to be viewed as a Christian and I would talk to my friend.

His name was Gail and I would say Gail there are things that the Mormon church believes that are not in line with the teachings of the Bible we would go back and forth, back and forth and you know you you look at the history of Mormonism. Sam you think of all the things that have transpired in a gene of the Mormon church did not even permit Blacks into the priesthood until 1978 talking to Gail about this. It seems as if, you know, as a society changes the Mormon church changes right along with that, I mean you think of the fact that initially Mormons used to practice polygamy in the fast laws begin the change in his that was more viewed with contempt and society that changed even just as early as last year the Mormon church changed its practice with regard to its LGBT policy and baptizing that the children of same-sex couples and so there's there's a lot of history there with some of these calls that I think you can point to and say look, there's a real problem here, but we can be just another one with the Jehovah's Witnesses.

You know there's a house here in San Diego where I live called the Beth sorry my house where leaders among the Jehovah's Witnesses prophesied that in the 1920s the patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were going to be resurrected and live in that house and it's it's literally a couple miles from where I live you can go and see it today.

Will that never happened.

So I think that there are things you can point to in their history and as well as in their theology that highlights the fact that there are some real problems with Mormon church with the Jehovah's Witness watchtower organization. Rather, at the end of the day. Prayer is so key here. We just were talking about praying in the spirit it's the Lord who opens hearts so as your opening the Scriptures with your friends.

Make sure that you're also praying for them.

Praying that the Lord would open their eyes to see the beauty of Jesus and the word of God and to see where it is that maybe they've been taken captive into this false teaching that is not in line with what the Bible says no Sam we appreciate so much your desire to share the truth with your friends and we know that God will help you with that through his Holy Spirit because you are indeed seeking the truth and you're porting them to the truth of his word. So thanks so much for your efforts there. Your listing to core Christianity. I'm Bill Meyer with pastor Adm. Sanchez and Indra we have a special offer which is really key for all the parents and grandparents who are listening today Bill today were really excited to share a helpful resource on core, Christianity.com, especially for parents is called five ways to help your kids keep the faith. It's free when you sign up for a weekly newsletter. We often hear from parents asking for advice on how to help their children grow in the Christian faith. This resource includes practical, down-to-earth ways to help your kids keep the faith this week but don't miss this one had a record Christianity.com/offers to download it. You can also call us anytime for that resource at 833-843-2673 for that author or any of her offers no bill. Our oldest is eight years old. I know that you have teenagers and were looking forward to that day I what's it been like for you as you as a father wanting to instill the faith in your teenage kids just so you're looking forward to having teenagers. Andrew only had about 10 years. I wanted to be careful with how I worded that it is an adventure every day is an adventure. One of the things we try to do throughout the years is to have family meals together and it's so key because in our culture right now. So few families are actually sitting down at the dinner table. You'll find when your kids get become older middle school and high school there so many different activities and things with friends that pulled him away, but we try to make that a priority in our home and at the dinner table. We will often read from Christian books, we will often they will discuss like right now reading a book on the 10 Commandments and how to apply the 10 Commandments to our life on a daily basis so I think that's one thing that all parents can do.

They can really make family meals a priority and then the intentional during those mils because there are so many things that are pulling our kids away from the faith and we know that, unfortunately, a large percentage of Christian kids who go to off to a secular college or university are leaving the faith. By the time they graduate. And that's a real tragedy, so preparing our kids right now when they're young and helping our kids develop a strong Christian worldview if they simply can share Bible stories, but don't understand, just the basics of theology and doctrine and Christian worldview, there going to be as sheep among wolves when they go off to that state University so encouraged to hear that you're doing those things bill me as a pastor you know I'm always encouraging the people in our church and say look at God's given you a job with your children to me in your ear making little disciples that home. They wonder you know whether all these problems when we never talk to our kids about the Lord and pray with our children to read books with our children about Jesus.

You know those kinds of things. I think it's wonderful that your that you doing that bill want to encourage everyone to do those kinds of things that the partnership has to be a partnership between the local church and the Christian family in a matter so critical. Let's go to an email that came in a drill, this one from Steven and it's a good question. He says, is it normal for a Christian to worry about their eternity. I believe in Christ death for my sins. But honestly, I still worry and therefore I question my salvation.

Hey Steven, you know, in one sense I think it is normal and I am in a tell you what, I'd rather talk with someone who is trembling, wondering if their Savior not in someone who assumes there say because I said a prayer when they were 11 and lives for themselves and hasn't thought about their salvation.

Since that moment there is no more important question than do I know Jesus. Or put another way, does Jesus know me, know Jesus again assayed the false teachers on the day of judgment. I never knew you depart from me, you workers of lawlessness board know in the Bible is special. It doesn't mean just to know cognitively but it speaks of intimacy.

Jesus, he says to the false teachers. You and I never had. Personal relationship do you have a personal relationship with Jesus you believe in him by believe what I just mean a firm he existed.

I mean, are you personally trusting in him for the forgiveness of your sins.

If you are Steven and you don't need to worry, John said in first John chapter 5 verses 13 and 14. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

This is the confidence that we have toward him that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us assurance of salvation is not of the essence of faith.

What I mean by that is that you can be a true believer and still question but questioning doesn't mean that is necessarily a good thing. I think that the Lord intends for us to be confident in what he's done in the gospel on our behalf it because we believe were united to Jesus we have eternal life. We can rest in that life that God is given to us and so I mean I get it in and there was a long period of time in my own life. This is a new Christian, and then for a period of time where I I wrestled with this very same question wondering I am I really saved you know, typically I think that those kinds of questions.

A lot of times they do to assist the they cause us to be afraid they can paralyze us in fearful weed we don't serve the Lord we don't seek the Lord like we should, and I think that's what Satan wants.

He wants us to be paralyzed with fear. While instead embrace the promise of the gospel. Steven, you believe your saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Now go and serve him and love him and live for him while what a great challenge for all of us.

Let's go to a Facebook post that came in here at core Christianity and by the way, you can go to our Facebook page or Instagram page and post your question anytime. Brenda has a fascinating question, will we have work or vocations in heaven like United there's some indication of this, maybe you know you look at the text of Scripture like the parable of the talents to his master said to him. Matthew 25, 23, well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little, I will set you over much enter into the joy of your master mean, I know that this is the parables. We gotta be careful. You know how we pool our theology from the parables but there there seems to be some indication of what were going to have responsibilities in heaven may first read this chapter 6 verse three Paul said do not know that we are to judge angels how much more than matters pertaining to this life there in that context is rebuking the Corinthians. So I think that when were in heaven in the presence of the Lord were to be wholly busy. Hopefully not WHOLLY but HOLY busy wholly busy working to be busy with the things of the Lord serving him in pure joy and fellowship and worship exactly what that's going to look like I'm not entirely sure but I know it's going to be greater than anything we could ever imagine. And that's what we have to look forward to Brenda thank you so much for your question. That's a fascinating one. Let's go to another call that came in.I'm from Iowa. My question is about the classroom in the Holy Spirit. I was wondering if you could touch on the fact of what that it entails. I had a voice in my head that was accusing me of blasphemy and haven't really talked to anybody that has a solid answer for me if he could touch upon that. Thank you very much. It's hey Todd, thank you for your question and I hope I can give you that solid answer that you're looking for right now. The first I just want to pray for you heavenly father II think you for Todd.

I thank you for his question. And Lord, we know that it times the accuser will come against us and try to convince us that we send in some way that that you'll never forgive us Lord I pray that you would help Todd to know your great love your great mercy to experience it. Even now, Lord Jesus, as we think about this text of Scripture together from Matthew chapter 12 father be with Todd and encourage him in Jesus name, amen. Let me just read the passage of Scripture you're referring to Matthew 1222 through 31 that a demon oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus and Jesus healed him that the man spoke and saw and all the people were amazed and said, can this be the son of David when the Pharisees heard it, they said it is only by Beelzebub the prince of the demons that this man cast out demons knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, 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. 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 than the kingdom of God is come upon you. How can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man and 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 every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven.

People with the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven.

I know why this first trouble. So many of us as Christians right mean we we think to ourselves. You hear about this one sin this unpardonable sin you think to yourself, what have I done that at some point in my life. You know you have a sensitive conscience and in maybe you did something you send in someone you knew you weren't supposed to do that and you still did it, and then you go to this pathogen. You think oh man, it's hopeless for me and you're devastated not talk to so many believers Todd who have felt that way will look in the context of Matthew 12.

The question is who is Jesus see the son of David to see that the king that were waiting for the religious leaders who saw the miracles of Jesus who heard the gospel. Who knew better turned away from the gospel in unbelief and instead of saying Jesus is the king you know what they said he's the devil. Their hearts were filled with hatred, with sin they don't believe in, not only do they not believe as religious leaders. With all this responsibility they blaspheme against Jesus and against the Holy Spirit by attributing the works in the miracles of Jesus to Satan. I think that what this sin is.

Is this sort of blatant, obstinate unbelief. It's when you know the truth but over and over and over again you rejected and you reject Jesus and you go as far as to say he's like the devil, the person who commits this sin doesn't care that they commit the sin.

So Todd, if you're worried about it. I would say brother you don't have to worry all manner of sin will be forgiven and that's the positive side. In this text, you know, Jesus says, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, people, and I think we often miss that. That's the good news. The only unpardonable sin is rejecting Jesus. But when we go to Jesus. No matter what we've done, no matter how much we fail, even if it's the same sin over and over can go to board, have mercy upon me, a sinner. The blood of Jesus Christ washes away parsing and that's good news. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33, the court when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together