Transcript

American Family Radio explores the Bible with Burt Harper and Alex McFarland

>> Jeff Chamblee: The Bible. It's the word of God, sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: There is one of the events in Jesus life when he is headed somewhere to do good. But on the way, this woman comes up and touches, they say, the hem of his garment. Others, if you read it to say a tassel that was hanging. And, Jesus takes time to ask her and gets her attention when he says, who touched me? And the apostles say, everybody's touching you. And he said, yeah, but there's somebody that's touched me in faith. And it was that woman. Where in the world did that tassel come from? Well, we want to talk about that today. This, this is Burt Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland. And as we dig into the Book of Numbers, someone, Alex, they said you were on today's issues. And the issue came up that we were in the book of Numbers. And, it was Steve Jordahl. I'll just tell you who it was. He said, how do you handle numbers? And I said, well, what you do, you've got several chapters that you teach, you teach, you teach. But then all of a sudden there's this gigantic teaching that comes straight up and then teach, teach, and then you have another issue that comes up. And I said, it's kind of like waves coming. But, you learn from all of it, but from some of these events and numbers, we learn a lot. One of the things I think you better learn, you need to do it God's way and not complain. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Amen. Well, it's good to be with you.

Alex Ward: Remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them now

And you know, in numbers, and we're, we're kind of wrapping up numbers 15, you know, we went over yesterday some of the protocols for atoning, ah, for sin and offerings. And, frankly it was very convicting, you know, about like in 30 and 31, what, are called presumptuous sins, or people, you know, doing something that they know they ought not do, in other words, willful sin. And we talked about how, like in Psalm 19, which is one of my favorite psalms, you know, keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins. But, for one thing, I want to bring out something good about, 32 through 36, and that's really due process. Now, in this little segment of Scripture, someone is stoned for a sin that they committed. And that sounds pretty harsh to our modern ears, but really, in, like, verse 34, the children of Israel were in the wilderness, and there's a man breaking the Sabbath, and he was, verse 34 put in Ward, or in other words, held, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And, Bert, we have that in not only Western law, but especially in America, we have the idea of due process, not vigilante justice. But someone might be held with or without bond, but they get a fair trial. Now, in verse 36, again, this particular person, according to the Scripture, was executed for the sin and the crime he committed. But, really, again, here it is from the Torah that we get the idea of objective justice, fair justice, and due process.

>> Bert Harper: We really do. And again, here, we find out Moses going, the Lord. Moses didn't know exactly what to do, so he goes to the Lord. I. I think we get that in this, too, is exactly. Alex. When we don't know what to do, we go to the Lord. Now, how do you do it? Today, you turn into his Word and you say, and you confess your sin, known sin, and ask God to look deeply in your heart, and if there would be any wrong way, that he would identify it, and we would get that right. But we find answers. We still go to the Lord. We do not act upon our own prayers presumptuously and angrily. We try to find God's will in following him. So, again, that is a great process. Now, verse 37 introduces this that I was talking about earlier. The Lord spoke to Moses saying, speak to the children of Israel. Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations. And put a blue thread on the tassels of the corners, and you shall have the tassel and that you may look upon it. And now here is the key. And remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them now. Alex, again, reminders are helpful. some things that, you know, make them helpful for you. Each morning when I get up and I look in the mirror, yeah, I have to do that. And it reminds me that I'm reporting in for duty, you know? And every time I put on my shoes, I'm mindful of the gospel of peace that I'm to share as I walk through life. So listen, if you don't have a tassel to remind you, and so you can remember all that the Lord has done, what he's asked you to do in order to do them, that you have markers, and these markers will Help you to remind you that this is what I should do. And so here it is. That remember all the commandments of the Lord. And to do them. That you may not follow the harlotry of which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined. And that you may remember. There it is again. And to do all my commandments and be holy for your God. Now, Alex, again, we, need to be reminded. And is that one reason we have accountability with individuals and small groups and worship in church? sometimes people may go to church and the pastor may not have anything new that they hadn't heard before. But if it's something that you have heard before, it should be a what a reminder of this that I should do in following the Lord. God was doing that well for them, wasn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. You know what I have always loved? There's a hymn in the hymn book. I love to tell the story. And there's a line, it says, I love to tell the story. Tis lovely to repeat. Which seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet. And I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And I love. In verse 40 of Numbers 15, the word remember. Because there's also a word, at least in the King James, the word rehearse. Moses rehearsed for the children of Israel all that the Lord had done. And in Acts it says the disciples rehearsed or re repeated. If I could coin that word. And listen. That's why, it's important to read the Word over and over, hear the teaching over and over, and just ingrain it into our mind. Because, I'll say this, I'll throw it back to you. one of my professors in graduate school who's a quite renowned theologian, J.P. morland, M O R E L A N D. Great, great writer, great Christian thinker. He believes that the more you hide God's word in your heart and you internalize the scripture, he actually thinks it raises your IQ points because he says probably more of your synapses and neurons in your brain are firing the more you build your mindset on truth, which is God's word. And, But anyway, the people were told to remember. And like you said, the. The. The tassels around the borders of the. The Levites garments, that was what somebody, wanted to touch when they saw Jesus. They thought, if I could. That's faith. If I could just touch the hem of his garment. I know I would be healed. And that goes all the way back to the clothing of the Levitical priesthood, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: Really does.

Alex: The Holy Spirit will bring things to your remembrance when you need it

Now, Alex, again, he was talking about remembering, as pastor I, still every so often a, senior adult caring. But as pastor I would visit quite, quite often and I would be asked to do devotional there and preach and sing. And they would always have singing. And it was amazing how many of the senior adults that could not remember necessarily how to get to the room where it was when they would start singing those old hymns, how they would come to their memory. And one of my favorite stories told by Dr. Dobson was, was when his mother was in one of these care facilities and again, senility, had run its course, dementia had come in and she couldn't remember. Dr. Dobson didn't even said sometimes she didn't know who I was, but said when they would start singing and she had an alto voice, she would start singing that hymn and she would sing it not just the melody, she would sing it, the alto notes that she knew. And that is the power of, I would say, truth and music. Anytime you can combine those things. Truth, the word of God. That's why hymns and songs taken straight out of the word of God and pull it, put it to a melody, put it to a tune that you can remember. It stays in your brain. And so, you know, remember these songs. Remember, that's one of the things we do every time the last two segments we bring in with a song. And most of the songs that Brent chooses, man, it brings back a memory in my brain when I sang it as a kid or sing it or sing it today, or heard it the first time. And so I just remember that's. What's the Lord's Supper about? That you might remember the Lord's death and remembrance of me. Exactly. So the.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Hang on to those memories that are awesome. And God, God can use those things. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and you know, we've often heard, you know, the Holy Spirit will bring things to your remembrance. And that is true. I mean that I, I can testify the Holy Spirit will bring stuff to your remembrance when you need it. But the thing is, it has to have been, shall we say, programmed in first for the Holy Spirit to call it up to your remembrance. I think we have to imbibe it in the first place. And that's why we're saying read the Bible. And Bert, this is going to sound a little strange maybe, I remember as a brand new believer starting to read the word And I didn't even know what it meant, but I just thought, you know, God's going to help me. and I remember as a, as a young believer reading things like Ezekiel, and I didn't understand it, I really didn't, but I thought, I'm going to read it. And then one day I came across Psalm 119, verse 18 that says, Open my eyes, Lord, that I may behold wonderful things from your word. And I would pray that. And I would say, lord, I'm going to open your word, so please open my understanding. And, do you know, I came across first John 2:27, that said, the Spirit, the Spirit that indwells you remains and will teach you all things. And so I do think that we can confidently, and I'm really elaborating, I guess, pretty far on numbers 15, 40 and 41, that you may remember and do all my commandments and be holy unto your God. If the Bible seems challenging to some, for one, get yourself a good, you know, modern translation. And we talk about that quite a bit. But if you pray and you want to understand God's word, I truly believe he'll teach it to you. The Spirit of God will grow your understanding of His Word.

>> Bert Harper: The best teacher that you have as a believer is the Holy Spirit. it's not your pastor. It's not burden, Alex, you know, not even Dr. David, Jeremiah, if you allow the Holy Spirit of God to help you, that doesn't mean that those teachers do not have their place. We do have that place. They have their place in my life. But yet the Holy Spirit of God will bring these.

Alex: God reminds them of who he is and what he's done

Before we go on in the next, segment, we'll start with chapter 16. I want to read verse 41 in the last 40 seconds and talk about it. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I, am the Lord your God who. What does God do in verse 41? He reminds them of who he is and what he's done, Alex. Those two things, who he is and what he has done. Those things need to be embedded in our hearts and our lives. Review your salvation experience, review your call and look at that and thank God for what he has done. Well, we're going to be back right after this break, and we're going to jump into chapter 16. And I have to tell you, it happens again, they start complaining. They never quit. We'll be back with more right after this break.

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>> Alex McFarland: Give me a David. Amen. Facing our giants with confidence. What a great song.

Bert says Old Testament book of numbers lends itself to teaching and application

We are, morphing into numbers. Chapter 16. And this is exploring the word. So glad that you're listening. And you know, Bert, to God be the glory. When you think about, you know, books of the Bible that really lend themselves to teaching and application. You know, maybe you don't immediately think of the Old Testament book of numbers, but there's so much rich content here. And I'm glad we're doing this, Bert. I'm glad you had this, this idea.

>> Bert Harper: Well, I am too. Again, it kind and the best illustration I can get and I think it does, it comes in waves. In other words, there's some calmness. They're taking the senses, they're doing all that. They're doing the numbers and they giving that. But then all of a sudd gigantic teaching comes in or experience and what you learn from God, then it kind of settles back. Well that's interesting. But then it will happen again. So understand, that's numbers for you. And in chapter 16 I just got this to say. They murmur, did they learn their lesson? No. They murmur, do they learn their lesson? No. They keep on murmuring. They were consistent, Alex. They were consistent.

>> Alex McFarland: Sadly so. well, let me read to verse, you know, over back in numbers, chapter 14, Moses asked the question, numbers 1441. Why do you transgress the commandment of the Lord? It shall not prosper. Now here's the thing. You know how names mean things in the Bible and we're going to read about the, the Korah. it says now Korah, the son of Ishar and the name Korah. K O R A H. It means baldness. And you know what Bert? I looked that up. Baldness, and this is no slight on those who may have lost their hair. I'm talking about Bible times. But at Least in Bible times, baldness meant shame or judgment. And this is not just natural hair loss, but, it was people that specifically pulled out their hair or. Or purposely shave their head, like, as a ritual. And here, the sons of Korah are going to lead the verse 2. They rose up before Moses with certain of the Children of Israel, 250 princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown. So these people had, gotten kind of a tribunal together, influential people, handpicked. And we're going to, you know, have a rebellion against Moses. But the name itself implies judgment, and, boy, are they going to get judged. and I'll. I'll throw it to you. but the. The rebellion of Korah and Dothan, judgment's going to come, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. Now, I think these are mentioned because they're the leaders, and you'll hear them. Now, what's going to happen. The, ah, Korah, Dathan, Abiram. And then on o N. The son of Paphleth, they were sons of Reuben. Now, the first three, they're going to be mentioned, and, man, they're going to pay the price. It seems like the last and on. And you'll find out. He's not mentioned again, too much. we don't know. He may have learned his lesson and dropped out of the complaint committee. But let me just say this. It started somewhere. When you have a rebellion like this, it started with probably one whispering it to another and them saying, you know, that's right. And then they say, you know who I think else we can get? So finally, they got this 250 group, and here's what they did. They gathered together. This is verse three, against Moses and Erin, and said to them, you take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy. You're not the only ones, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

Alex: Moses falls down when he hears accusation from Levites

Now, Alex, I want to ask you a question. I'm going to throw it back to you. I know I kept it real short and read that, but I want to throw it back to you. It is. Let me see. Who raised Moses up himself? Or did God have something to do with it?

>> Alex McFarland: he was God's man. And I want to tell you, this is really. Well, it's evil accusation, but it's just so sarcastic almost, you know, And I've heard this when there have been church splits and there have been, you know, and I'm not Saying that ministers and Christian leaders shouldn't be accountable. Obviously they should. and. And people, especially in the church, you know, one person doesn't just unilaterally make decisions. But Moses was God's man on God's mission. And this is almost like when Eliab is accusing David in 1st Samuel 17. What do you think you're doing coming down here to see the battle? first of all, they say you take too much upon you. Now, that doesn't mean, hey, I'm concerned. You're working too hard. It wasn't that. It was. You know, why do you think you have the right to lead us? And all the congregation are holy, boy. That wasn't true. Every one of them. And the Lord is among them. Why, do you lift yourself up above the congregation of the Lord? Well, it says in verse four, when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. You know what? That right there shows that he's a godly leader. Because, you know, I was reading this, and I was. You're thinking Moses might just lash out in anger, but the first thing Moses does, he falls down. And I think he's. There might be a little bit of anger, but I think that he's broken, not only for probably the stress of leadership he's under, but also, I think his heart is very grieved for the continual cycles of rebellion that come out of this group.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, the Bible says be angry and sin not so. But what is his first reaction? His first reaction is fall before God. The anger is there. So what is my anger going to lead me to? Is it going to lead me to, you know, rail upon people, to lash out at people, or does it cause me first? Oh, say, God, I'm coming to you first. And you either get affirmed in your anger and saying, yeah, that was wrong, and God can direct you, or God has told Bert Harper before, hey, Bert, your anger may be misplaced. You better hold back. You know what they were saying? you may have brought some of that on yourself, but not here. These people are completely out of line. And he spoke to Karah and all his company saying, tomorrow morning, the Lord will show who is his and who is holy and will cause him, to come near to him. That one whom he chooses he will cause to come near to him that do this. And he tells them what to do. The censers, the bowls, Korah, bring them to it. And, so here's the old idea. He tells them what to do. I think he got that from the Lord as it fell on his face. And, so they do this small thing. But I believe verse 9 and 10 tells you not only I think this was, the thing they were bringing open, but I think there was an ulterior motive. Let me read this verse, nine and ten, Alex. See, if you think a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord. Here it is. And to stand before the congregation to serve them. Okay, you Levites, what you have, kohath at, you're to be bringing the articles of the temple. Now, here's what it is. When you travel, and that he has brought you near to himself, you and all your brethren. And it says, and the sons of Levi with you. Here it is. And are you seeking the priesthood also? M. Okay. Alex, I was reading Psalm, and it says, usually when you hear somebody bring a complaint that is illegitimate, there's usually one that they're willing to verbalize, and then that is hidden. That's even deeper.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: They're not satisfied with their slot that God has placed them in, and they want something bigger. Do you catch that?

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. It. Well, it's about power. You know, it's been said that all church disputes will be about power or money or both, and will involve the quoting of scripture. You know, and let me say this. you know, we've all sat under great pastors, and, you know, you've been a pastor, and I have, too. And, you know, I will say this. The people that are in leadership for Jesus, that are probably used sometimes to the most fruitful degree, are not people that really sought leadership. And many of the people that least need to be in leadership are the people that lust after it and crave it. Have you seen that bird, M. Alex.

>> Bert Harper: Over and over and over again. And, I'll give you. I. I'm not. I'm. This is my story. Okay?

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: When God called me to preach, I didn't want to. I, My people think I'm Southern now. You should have heard me before Jan. And the Lord got a hold of me to help me with my speech. And so then, you know, I was shy, didn't want to do things. But God called me m. And I said, how can I be this leader? I was this.

John Maxwell says the price of leadership is servanthood

I would say I was a reluctant leader. And when, after pastoring for, you know, 40 years, come, to AFR. And here I am, I'm going to be under Tim Wildmon. At that time, Jim Stanley and others, you know, I'm going to be down the rung, and the question was, how are you going to do that after being the pastor and the buck stopping with you? And I found out those that are reluctant leaders like that, they don't have problems as much coming under submission as to others, you know, but those that want this power, and I didn't think about it at that time about this, but those that want power, listen, can I tell you, if they want that leadership, they don't know what they're asking for. In one way, you know, I'm telling you.

>> Alex McFarland: I mean, because really, And that's why I love the book, developing the Leader within youn by John Maxwell. Yes, that's a really good book. It's probably been around 25 years, but it's a great book. But really, John Maxwell basically says, you know, the. The price of leadership is servanthood. And in what. And I want to get back to number 16, but I love Mark 10:44, where Jesus said, he who would be greatest among you will be the servant of all. And. And you're right, to crave after leadership. You know, be careful because really, it. It will take everything you've got and then some. but what's so interesting here, Moses, I love it. You know, in verse five, Moses says, okay, all right, Korah and your. You know, your. Your mob. tomorrow we are going to find out who's godly. You, say you're godly and that I've usurped leadership. Okay, now take the censors and the fire. Verse 10. do you seek the priesthood also? Here's the thing. Being under the authority of the word of God, and yes, being under the authority of a man of God, that's not what a lot of people. That's a tough pill for some people to swallow. And you know what? In. In all of the traveling and preaching that the Lord has allowed me to do, and I feel so privileged. Oh, my goodness, Bert. Every time I've traveled to a church to maybe do a revival or a Bible conference, and it's. It's been a lot, and I love it. but I. I pray. And generally, Bert, when I'll go to some church, I'll walk around the building and pray, and I. I realize what an honor it is, and I'm unworthy of it, but to get to go to somebody's church and open the scriptures.

>> Bert Harper: It'S an honor and a responsibility.

>> Alex McFarland: It is. But I will Tell you, I've had people come up to me and they'll say, you know, I don't think the Bible, you know, this or that part is out of date or whatever. And I'm always very polite, but I'll say, listen, God's word is now and forever. And it doesn't matter what culture thinks or doesn't think or what's politically correct. The word of God is the word of God, and it doesn't change. But here's the thing. It goes on in Moses, you know, prays. And Moses says, look, if you seek after the priesthood, go through some of these rituals. But verse 15, Moses was very wroth or very angry and said unto the Lord, do not respect their offering. and I haven't taken any of their livestock or anything like that. but here's the thing. Korah gathered all the congregation against them under the door of the tabernacle. This is verse 19. And so it's a standoff. I mean, this is like a standoff in a Western or something. But the Lord says to Moses and Erin, separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces and said, o God, the God of the spirits of all flesh. The God of, the spirits of all flesh shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with the congregation? Verse 22, Moses and Erin are praying, please don't consume everybody because of the sin of Korah and these few people. But what's going to happen in 23 and following Bert, this is very dramatic judgment, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And here they are consumed. It makes you think of, was it Aaron's sons that went in with, you know, false fire, bad fire. And here they are consumed. Nadab and Abihu, that's who it is. And, so here it is. They're consumed, but the censers fall down. They're consumed. And, the two guys, Dathan and Abiram, are not there. But guess what happens to them and their family when they're standing at their tents. The earth opens up and swallows them up and their families. Alex? Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: And I'm going to say, and you correct me if I'm wrong here, really.

>> Bert Harper: Hell opens up and swallows when you read it. That's what you think of Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, that, you know, verse 28, Moses said, hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own mind. In other words, you accuse me of, you know, just seeking to control and lead. Moses said, look, God called me. I didn't do this in my own mind. But, the earth opens up her mouth and swallows them in their houses. And all the men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods, now be careful who you get behind.

>> Bert Harper: You better believe it. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: But, hey, this is exploring the word.

In the next segment after this brief break, we'll take your phone calls

In the next segment after this brief break, we're going to take your phone calls and so you've got time to call in, and we want to hear your question. The number 888-589-8840. Give us a call with your question.

>> Bert Harper: If we lose this cultural war, we're.

>> Alex McFarland: Going to have a hedonistic, humanistic society.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Discover the story of the culture warrior Don Wildmon and how he went head to head with Hollywood playboy, the homosexual agenda, and the Disney empire. The movement Don started paved the way for Christians to boldly stand for truth and righteousness in a hostile culture. Watch culture warrior today for free visit CultureWarrior movie the Rubble, and the wreckage.

>> Alex McFarland: I'd forgotten, who I was. You reached out for my hand.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Bert and Alex here with you. It is time for questions. And that number is 888-589-8840. If you have a Bible question, you just heard the promotion for fishbowl. Then you heard that voice that you heard quoting that verse was jj, Jasper. And JJ is going to be there with us. This is our theme is going to be be courageous. Be courageous in your family life, in your preaching. Be courageous. And sometimes you have to do that through difficulty. And that's what JJ is going to share. Jan and I is going to share that. So, we had someone, a deacon today, come and say, is there room for my pastor and his wife? And I said, yes. He said, well, I'm going to go and and register them right now because they said they were ready to go. So get that in@repairingthefoundations.net and, make sure that your pastor and his wife want to go. Or if you're a pastor and his wife and you can do it on your own, register@repairingthefoundations.net well, Alex, you ready to go to the phones?

>> Alex McFarland: Let's do it. The number is 888-589-8840. You'll get through, and we'll do our best to answer your Bible questions.

Karen from Texas calls Jon to share her thoughts on Texas flooding

>> Bert Harper: Let us hear from you, Karen from Texas. Karen, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, guys. I've been on hold long Enough that I've gotten really emotional. But I love you guys. I love you.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Karen, let me just tell you, Alex and, I. We've been pray. I don't know what. Texas is just so big, you can be miles away. But a lot of prayers is going out for, for Texas and those people that, have gone through what they're through. But anyway, go ahead with your question, Karen.

>> Caroline: Well, I just love you guys, and I have always have a thousand questions. I can't always get to my pH. And I told him I'd be quick on this, but, it just pierced my heart today because y' all talked about it yesterday, and we're in numbers and. And Alex, my son's name is Ty. He went to your camp in 2018, and.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, praise God.

>> Caroline: I don't know. Oh, he's an awesome man of God. I just. I wish he could. I don't know how you do it, but if you have counselors at your camp or something. But he is going through numbers right now, and he's doing it without y'. All.

>> Bert Harper: Hey, he has the who spirit, Karen. He has a better teacher than Nui. He has the Holy Spirit of God. Go ahead.

>> Caroline: he absolutely has the Holy Spirit. But I just wanted. And I didn't even think about this, but being in Texas, but it pierced my heart yesterday. I've had this question asked me in this last couple weeks that, you know, why? Why? Why? And this is not even related to the Texas tragedy, but other people at church ask me why. You know, my husband has dementia or why cancer, and I'm 66 years old, guys. O. Okay. But when I was a teenager, I heard the words that our God is so good. And I'm sorry. I had time to think while I was on hold. he is so good.

>> Alex McFarland: And.

>> Caroline: And I was. That question was answered me as a teenager that the same way I can let my son go to the cross and. And when in. I'm calling you guys because when Moses fell on his face and what you're talking about numbers and. And, yes. How great that was. But I'm not so sure that in today's. And especially now, talking about Texas, that you said that now today, that Moses didn't just fall on his face and say, why? Why, God? Why? What was his cry to the Lord? Because he might have been saying, why, God? Why did you bring me here? I didn't want this life.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Karen, matter of fact, he did say, why. Why have you given me to lead these people? Sometimes the Question why. We, know, but a lot of times we don't know why. And Alex, have you learned to live with unanswered whys?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, it. It takes a humility and a maturity that only the Lord can really give us. We don't have it in and of ourselves. And I want to say thank you for the call and blessings to you. By the way, I've got an article that, like, as we speak, is being posted on townhall.com. it was a great honor, Bert. I read an article for the Fourth of July, and it was on townhall.com and then the Texas floods happened, and they, asked for another article on why. So, Bert, I prayed about it. I wrote an article on why doesn't God prevent bad things from happening? And it's probably today, or at least before the night is over, if you go to townhall.com and it's a great honor to put an article that I think is kind of pastoral. But I, will say this. There's going to be stuff in this life that we don't know the answer why, but we. We do know the who and the what and God ultimately. And this is in Genesis, chapter 50. This is in Romans 8:28. Ultimately, ultimately, today's pain will be tomorrow's triumph. God will bring something good out of it. And, Bert, I think about, a beloved figure in Christendom, Joni eareckson. Why, at 17 years old in a diving accident, was she paralyzed from the neck down? But for 58 years, she has been an ambassador, and millions and millions have heard the gospel through her life. And I know it's not easy, but, Bert, we have to submit our lives to Jesus, don't we?

>> Bert Harper: We trust him. Listen, this is the bottom line. I go Back to John 6. I know a quote it all the time when Jesus said, are you also going to go away? And Peter said, to whom would we go? You have the words of life. I just want to tell you, science will not do it for you. Education will not do it for you. The economy won't do it for you. even health won't do it, as important as that is.

Gene: I raise and pray three sons. Listen, only Christ. To whom else would we go

And Alex and I were talking about that earlier, before the program began. Listen, only Christ. He is the one. To whom else would we go? And listen, I may not understand what he's doing, but I trust him, what he is doing. I raise and pray three sons. sometimes I wouldn't let them do certain things, and they'd say, why? And there was a Catch in my spirit, especially most of the time with mothers, how that catch more so than fathers. And we couldn't exactly say this is the reason. One, two, three. But later on they could understand why we're those kind of children as well. Alex. So thank you. Karen. Let's go to Ohio and talk to Gene. Gene, thank you for calling.

Alex: I was reading Acts chapter 8 and it made me question baptism

>> Terry: Hi, Burton. Alex. I was reading Acts chapter 8, and it made me question something about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. And in that chapter it says samaria received the word of God. They were prayed for to receive the Holy Spirit. Then I think they were baptized and then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. I always thought that as soon as you're saved, you receive the Holy Spirit. So could you explain that?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex. Does have anything to do with authentication? It's that, that's that period of time transition. But it also has to do with the apostle Paul and, having hands and having authority. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. you know, we've said this a time or two and I really, I don't know how to say it any other way than the Book of Acts is kind of a transitional time, ah, that, you know, Peter preaches at Pentecost. And you're right that they laid hands on and imparted the Holy Spirit as. And there were apostles, you know, still some of the apostles were living, and the authentication of who was an authentic apostle and who was speaking for God. And Bert, let me just say I truly do believe that when a person is converted, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell you and seal you. And you know, there's a number of scriptures that we, ah, reference in, in light of this, like Ephesians chapter four, and well, a lot of Ephesians four and of course, you know, First Corinthians 12:13, that we are baptized into one body, and First Corinthians 12:13, we were all made to drink of one Spirit. And Burt, I think that the Holy Spirit has fuller, freer control in some lives than others. Some people are very much letting the Holy Spirit lead. And I think some Christians probably resist the Holy Spirit, but I really actually think the, the leading conviction, conversion and indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the same for all believers.

>> Bert Harper: It is. I agree with you. Now what you can do, you can quench the Holy Spirit or you can grieve the Holy Spirit by quenching the Holy Spirit. You're cutting him off and you was talking about having more room. He'll take you. Listen he comes into your life, but you need to let him have every area of your life. I think it was, D.L. moody and May, have been Oswald Chambers. Someone said he needs to give. You need to give him the key to every room in your life, especially that room that you put the junk in. You know, most folks have a junk drawer. They may even have a junk, you know, closet or even a room. No, God wants every key. Don't quench and then do not grieve the Holy Spirit by letting sin. Man, we talked about it yesterday. Keeping a short list. Don't grieve the Holy Spirit, because that cuts the working of the Holy Spirit off in your life. And so, Gene, hope that answers that.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, Bert.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: I gotta tell you one of my favorite quotes, because I love D.L. moody. One time, D.L. moody was preaching somewhere, and some minister said, who does DL Moody think he is? DL Moody doesn't have a monopoly on God. But somebody said, but God has a monopoly on D.L.

>> Bert Harper: Moody. Amen. I love that one as well. One of the first books I ever read was the biography of D.L. moody. And I want to tell you, nothing thrills my soul anymore. That's agree.

One of you said the bride will be the highlight of the event

Let's go to Tennessee. Tom, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, thank you. Can you hear me okay?

>> Bert Harper: Yes, go right ahead, sir.

>> Caroline: several weeks ago, I don't know when. And I was going to try to reach back to you a long time ago. you were talking about how the church is God of Christ, and one day we're going to get married to him at the marriage feast of the Lamb, I suppose. And I believe one of you said the bride will be the highlight of the event. And is that true that you said that?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, man, Alex, you got a better memory than me, you know that?

>> Alex McFarland: and I couldn't hear that. The bride would be the highlight of the event. Is that what he said? That we said?

>> Caroline: Yeah. If you said that, would you stay with that or would you want to correct that?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I don't. To be honest, I don't recall. I truly think the highlight of it all is going to be to see Jesus. You know, Christ is the bridegroom.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Well, here it may have been this. Okay. Those of us that have conducted weddings, the groom is always there waiting on that. And when the bride makes her appearance and makes that, it just is a. I wouldn't say it's the highlight, but it is a time when everybody looks to see, so our eyes are on Jesus. But when this great reunion happens, the Bride of Christ. With all my heart. It's going to be something. I think we'll have eyes for both. Alex. That's. That may have been something. I don't know. I, could have said something like that, Tom. But I agree. Jesus and seeing him is. It is far better than anything else. But it is also great to be a part of the bride when Jesus and those of us that have seen this, to see the eyes of the groom when he sees his bride. that may be the biggest title I've noticed. People say, man, I want to watch the groom. Why? Because I can see the groom immediately when he sees the bride the first time. So, anyway, may have been something like that, Tom. but I appreciate that. That's a good comment. That should say, yes, Jesus is the highlight.

Let's go to Terry in Mississippi with an Esther related question

Let's go to Terry in Mississippi. Terry, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, good afternoon, brothers. Thank you so much for what y' all do every day.

>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you, Terry, for listening and calling.

>> Caroline: Before I get to my question, I got one question for brother Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Caroline: What breed is your precious little Esther?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, thank you for asking an Esther question. I'm looking at her right now. She's just a scrappy little dog from the dog pound. She's kind of. Kind of white, kind of beige, some breed of terrier.

>> Caroline: And, you know, I love carriers.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Hey, listen, I want to get your contact info because. Brent, listen, for asking an Esther related question, I'm going to send you a book. God bless you. But for those that know me, you know I love my little dog, Esther. Love Esther.

>> Caroline: I know you do, and I've always wondered.

Brian: I wonder if there will be tears in heaven after natural death

Okay, so I'll get to my question. I know in Revelation 21, it says that when the new heaven comes down, there'll be no more tears, no more, all that. But I can't seem to find anywhere where it says, if I were to die a natural death today, are there no tears in the heaven I'm going to do.

>> Alex McFarland: You know what? Hey, I got to speak to this. There was a great minister many years ago named John Rice, and he wrote a book, and it was based on a sermon called Tears in Heaven, because it says that he will wipe away every tear. but John Rice said, well, presumably, maybe at some initial moment, momentarily, maybe there are tears in heaven. How so? Well, tears of loved ones that aren't there. Tears of thinking about what we could have done that we maybe didn't do. Bert, I don't know. Heaven's going to be joy. Heaven's going to be wonderful. But I tell you what we can do is we can live so that when we do leave this world and face the Lord, maybe we step into his presence with no regret. First, John 2. 28. We want to meet him unashamed.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Listen to what Revelation 21:4 says. And God will wipe away every tear. Sounds like there will be tears, but he's going to wipe them away so that. Listen, we'll have that understanding. Listen, Terry. Thank you, Brian. Will, Steve, Gary, we could not get to your calls today. We would have loved to. We had some good, great questions. But tomorrow, guess what tomorrow is. What is it tomorrow, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: It's going to be fire away Friday. All questions, all the hour. Hey, we'll do our best to get everybody in tomorrow. Friday is always a big day, and tomorrow shall be no exception.

>> Bert Harper: That's right. Our record is about 20 questions. we're gone.

>> Alex McFarland: Maybe too fast.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, we're going too fast. But we'll try to get as many questions in tomorrow and answer them. so tell someone about exploring the Word, but more importantly, tell them about Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Bert Harper: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.