American Family Radio takes your Bible questions next hour
>> Alex McFarland: The Bible, it's the word of God.
>> Bert Harper: 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.
>> Alex McFarland: Next hour as we study God's word.
>> Bert Harper: And take your Bible questions.
Bert says 2nd Timothy 3:16 presupposes Christian parenting
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That's a very well known verse. It's 2nd Timothy 3:16. Kind of almost reminds me of John 3:16. But the word of God is profitable. Well, welcome to the show. This is Exploring the Word where we read through and study diligently the Word of God. And Bert, you know, every book is special. All of the Bible is God's holy word. But I am really loving first and second Timothy because it's just very inspiring and frankly it's very quotable, isn't it? I mean so many of these verses, they just are like memories, woven into your heart. But very quotable.
>> Bert Harper: They are. But another thing that gets me, it's very personable because of Paul's and Timothy's relationship. you catch that passion and compassion put in together. And we're starting in verse 13 and 14 and they're, and what happens verse 13? Now you could go back several verses, but 13 by itself sets up what he's going to say, especially for the rest of the time, all the way through chapter four, verse eight. But I want to look at the contrast 13 and 14. And look at this, Alex. He says, Paul says to Timothy, now I'm leaving out the conjunction, but so I'm going to say this. Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse. And really it means from bad to worse. That's the real translation, deceiving and being deceived. But it's for you, continuing the things which you have learned and been assured of knowing from whom you have learned them. And then it goes on to tell them how to learn the Holy Scriptures. And then it comes to verse 16 that you just quoted and it sets it up to this is it Timothy. This is what you've got to depend on. Continue in these things. Even when things go bad and they get worse and worse, what do you do? You continue in the things that you've learned and from whom you have learned them. When he says that from whom you have learned them. Go back. It was his, grandmother Lois, his mother Eunice had taught him the Holy Scriptures. And, and now the Apostle Paul has come alongside Timothy and just made these holy scriptures, not only know them, but to come alive and to live by them and to teach others. Alex, I just look at that verse 13 and 14. Guess what? That's not just good from, from Paul to Timothy, that's good from God to us today. What do we to do? We're to continue in the things that God has taught us, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. And you know, I've got to say, given the world in which we live. Bert, verse 15, I think is a little bit poignant. Paul says that from a child you have known the holy Scriptures. There's a lot of children nowadays that are brought up and from childhood they have not been taught the holy Scriptures. Bert, I think we could make a good case that, that this presupposes. In other words, this assumes that the parents and the grownups in the life of every child will teach them the holy Scriptures. And that's the ideal scenario. A Christian family in a Christian community, in a Christian church, a Christian context and life. That's the ideal, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And again, it's the parent's responsibility. Now what happens? The church should come alongside and do it and help the parents and do it with them. And it's the, that's what the support is, and that's why God put it together in such a way. But notice this, that what they're able to do make you wise, especially in the area of salvation. Now, that's the first thing you need to get right. You need to get right with God.
Bert says if you don't know Jesus Christ, you're not saved
Now, there's a lot of other things we talk about the biblical worldview here on this program quite often, Alex. But I want to just tell you, if you, if you don't know Jesus Christ as savior, but you have a biblical worldview that, that, you know, killing babies and that man, that sin, that transgenderism. The agenda is wrong. Our identity is male and female. But if you're not right with God in salvation, all this wisdom you have, Alex, it helps you maybe make some decisions that are right, but it doesn't get you right for eternity, does it?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I mean, it's not what you know, but who you know. And you have to know Jesus. And frankly, just the accumulation of truth and knowledge without a response to it just only adds to, your condemnation. Do you remember Oliver B. Green?
>> Bert Harper: Oh, man, yes.
>> Alex McFarland: Folks, you ought to go online and familiarize yourself with the late Oliver B. Green. I mean, he's probably been passed away 50 years. He wrote a whole bunch of books. Some, I'm sure some people listening have some Oliver Green books. But he said this, and I've shared, it a time or two, but he said it would be a terrible thing to go to hell. From America, where there's a church on every street, there's a Bible in almost every hotel room, there's such a witness of the gospel. I mean, and I think about all of the people in our society, the. That have been just steeped in a Christian culture and never responded to it. And so, you know, the scripture known from a child to make you. I love. Verse 15, wise unto salvation. In other words, an experience that you have met Jesus and you've opened your heart. And of course, I think every show, or virtually every show, we encourage people to make sure of that. But, this chapter, Bert, I think this is such an important chapter. It starts out, perilous times will come in the last days. Evil men will wax worse and worse. Deceiving. And being deceived is not something that the deceivers are. They themselves deceived. And I think about people in our culture that, you know, they might be college professors. And I'm not disparaging education. I've given much of my adult life to Christian higher education. But, Bert, there are professors in secular classrooms deceiving young minds. And according to 2nd Timothy 3, they themselves are deceived.
>> Bert Harper: They are. They believe the lie. That's exactly what. And that's what. Satan, he's the prince of liars. He lied there in the garden. He continues to do that today, to lead astray. And so this whole idea, notice, which is through faith in Jesus Christ. Okay, who is your faith in? What is your faith in? we're saved by grace through faith. It activates God's grace into our lives, and it's in Christ Jesus. I love these terms. Through faith in Christ Jesus. Alex. So there's no other name. There's no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, the life. No one can come to the Father but through by me. And this is it. This is Christ Jesus. That's the reason, as Alex said on just about every program, we urge you that are listening to get right with God and do it now. Because, listen, just because you're a church member, just because you've been baptized, just because you've been dedicated, just because you attend church doesn't make you a believer. I don't know who the first preacher was that I Ever heard say this, you can have an apartment over a garage, a car garage, but that doesn't make you an automobile.
>> Alex McFarland: Do you know who originated who? To the best of my knowledge, because I love. I love quotes.
>> Bert Harper: I love him too, man.
>> Alex McFarland: and he was, you know, on the sawdust trail during the age of the automobile was Billy Sunday.
>> Bert Harper: Okay.
>> Alex McFarland: And as far as I'm aware, he's the guy. Billy Sunday. And you ought to familiarize yourself with him as well. Boy, what an amazing person. That really was a precursor to Billy Graham. But he said, going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you an automobile.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. well, this is true. So those of you who are listening, come to Christ. Do not turn him away. And you need to do it now. there's some words that ought to get your attention when you're reading the Bible. The word now. N O W. Watch that word. When you see. Now, pay attention. And when, you see the word able, pay, attention. What God is able to do. All these words ought to draw you in. And here it does draw you in the conjunction when it says in 14. But to continue in these things. And then when it gets down here and it talks about how do you do that? You continue in the scriptures that you have known from a holy child. Again, Lois and Eunice, and now Paul, and they have instructed them. And then he gets to verse 16.
Alex: Bert says Christians often reject God's revelation
Alex, now, all scripture, let me see. I want to ask you this in Hebrew and in Greek. What does all mean?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, to quote the late, great Dr. Paul Fink, and if any of you went to Liberty university from the 70s to the early 2000s, you had Dr. Fink, he said, all means all. That's all. All means. And you know, oftentimes when we'll give an invitation, an altar call, we sing the song I Surrender All. It doesn't say, I surrender some, and it doesn't here in second Timothy 3:16. It doesn't say, most scripture is given by God much. No, all scripture. And so, Bert, I honestly believe, if you're going to claim to know the Son of God, then you ought to acknowledge, believe and follow the word of God. I really. I shudder to think of those people, especially theological liberals, that say, oh, Matthew 5, 7, the Sermon on the Mount. That's good. Oh, the. The meek and lowly Jesus. But then they'll ignore, you know, repent or you will perish. there is no other way unto salvation. Only through Jesus. Acts 4:12. And, of course, the myriad of scripture that talks about gender, morals, marriage, human sexuality. I gotta say this, and I know we're going forward and backward, but look at. How does your, translation render verse 15, the scriptures which are able to make the wise unto salvation. That's the King James. What you got, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: Very similar. It says, to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
>> Alex McFarland: Do you know what the original language. I wasn't going to share this, but I will share it because here's the thing I've had people say. Well, you know, Christians are naive or ignorant. I mean, they believe the Bible, a lost world fancies itself so sophisticated, and yet they very often reject God. And, you know, of course, the Bible says in Revelation 3:17, you say, I'm rich and wealthy and have need of nothing, but you do not realize that you were wretched, naked, poor, blind. Okay? In the Greek, it says, make you wise unto salvation. The word in the Greek is the word sophisticated. Now, I know that we wouldn't say, oh, I'm very sophisticated, because that might sound arrogant or something like that, but it means intelligent and prepared. And the wisest, smartest thing you could ever do is accept Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: You.
>> Alex McFarland: In fact, the most foolish, unsophisticated thing you could ever do is to reject God's, revelation. But when it says the scriptures that make you wise unto salvation, that wisdom, that embrace of God's truth and that yieldedness to the Savior, that is true sophistication.
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And the Bible talks about, especially in the book of Psalms, about the fool. The fool has said there is no God. you know, the whole idea is that if you're wise, that's the whole idea. If you're sophisticated, if you're going to be prepared, you know God and he is real. And listen, if you miss out on this relationship, notice what it says. It says, make you wise unto salvation. That is the first thing you do. Make sure you know Christ is Savior. If you don't right now, ask him. Say, lord, I'm lost. I need you ask. I want you to come into my life. We're going to be back in just a moment. We're going to look at 16 and 17 of this chapter. You don't want to m. Miss it. I want you to picture this. Her name is Kayla. She is 17, alone, terrified and pregnant, sitting in a clinic, tears blurring, thinking abortion is her only option until she was offered a free ultrasound, paid for by a hero just like you. The moment Kayla heard her baby's Heartbeat. The decision was made. And today her little baby boy Gabriel is thriving because her preborn walked with Kayla every step of the way. Now multiply that by 38,000. That's how many babies preborn has helped save just this year. How many mothers preborn has come alongside with practical and spiritual resources to make motherhood possible? But here's the most important thing you will hear today. Their goal is to save 70,000 by the end of the year. And they can't do it without us. Every $28 provides the ultrasound. The moment everything changes, will you be the reason the next Kayla chooses life? The reason Gabriel fulfills his destiny? To donate, dial £250 and say the key word baby. That's £250, baby. Or donate securely@preborn.com afr that's preborn.com afr.
>> Alex McFarland: I know the only reason I can stand here unashamed.
>> Caroline: It's not because I'm worthy. It's all because of mercy.
>> Bert Harper: There's no way that I could earn it.
>> Caroline: Praise God, my debt is paid.
>> Bert Harper: It's not because I'm worthy. It's all because of mercy. That song says it for everybody. listen, that question that was started by Evangelism Explosion. If you were to die and you were to stand before God right now and he asks you, why should I let you into my heaven? What would your answer be? It is because of Jesus Christ and my relationship with him. It's not because I've earned it. It's not because I deserve it. It's mercy. Alex. Hallelujah. What a savior, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.
Norm Geisler used to challenge people through the Gospel of John
You know, we always talk about people getting saved. And, you know, the great apologist Norm Geisler is. He had what he called the Gospel of John challenge. And he used to challenge people, say, God, if you are real, please show me. And then read the gospel of John three times. And Norm said, in like 50 years, he had two kind of people, some people who scoffed and said, no, I'm not going to do that. But then many, many people, they prayed, God, if you are real, show me. And he, he said, usually by about one time, through the Gospel of John, they would open their heart to Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Ah, so the word of God is powerful. It really is. By the way, we're in two Timothy, chapter three, and we've kind of spent a right long time on it, but it's just so rich.
From verse 16, doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness
so let me show, if I could, from verse 16, some words, doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness well, first of all, doctrine, these are the, the truth statements of Christianity. And doctrine is vitally important. You know, I've, I've had people say to me, well, doctrine divides people. Hey, if you were going into the pharmacy, let's say your doctor had given you a prescription. You don't just pull any bottle off of the shelf. You got to have the right prescription for the right condition, for the right outcome. Right? Well, doctrine matters. And, Christian doctrine. These are biblical truth claims. Jesus is the son of God. That's either true or false. Jesus rose from the dead. That's either true or false. And of course it's true, Bert. Doctrine matters because we're talking about the eternal destination of, of our soul.
>> Bert Harper: We really are. And the reason it is this, all these words profitable, to reprove, correct and instruct is because the word of God is God breathed. the amplified version, new international version, they'll use the word inspiration because that's what it means. God breathed, God gave it. Now, it was a divine and dynamic way to do it that these men who would write the scriptures in the Old Testament and the New Testament that we have in the Holy Scriptures today, it. They kept their personalities, but at the same time inspired by the Holy Spirit to write what was needed. it is, it is. It is dynamic. It is divine. It is beyond description of how awesome the Bible is that we have today. And because of this, God breathed, it's profitable for that teaching, that correct teaching. Now, this is so important because what he's been talking before, Alex, are, false teachers. He's talked about those that deceive and are being deceived. Why? Because they did not heed the Holy Scriptures. If they did, they moved them around to fit their idea of what they wanted. But so it's profitable for the teaching. And when that happens, it reproves you, man. It says, you are wrong. You don't need to go this way. Correction, you. It comes to the point of changing. This is where you need to go. And instruction in righteousness is. This is what you need to continue to do. So it. When you read verse 16, it takes care of the Christian walk and life. Alex, the teachings of scriptures turn you, turn you right and keep you going in the right direction. If you'll go with the Holy Scriptures, that is the power of the Scriptures through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in each one of us. So I would say Timothy was given, was given by Paul, this prescription. You're talking about, the drugstore prescription. For the Christian life.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. okay. Doctrine, that's truth claims, reproof, and that's really conviction. The word of God will convict you. Correction. That means to straighten you out. I love instruction in righteousness. Fascinating word here. It's a combination of two words. and it really means the upbringing of a child. So we get our word, pediatrics from this same word. We also get another word, pedagogy. Now, some of you that have ever taken, you know, high level keyboard or piano lessons or organ, you, you've heard the term keyboard pedagogy. It means the, the scales and the things you practice to get up to speed. And there's a lot of examples of pedagogy, but the preparation for learning and maturity and ultimately mastery and that thing, instruction in righteousness. Okay, if you're born again, you're a child of God, you're also a disciple. We need this pedagogy in the scriptures. And Bert, you and I have said it, without the word of God, I mean, you'll never really mature. The Bible is to the Christian what nutrition is to the athlete and exercise, instruction in righteousness. And, that's why, you know, we're not just up on a pedestal preaching. This is where we are in our own heart. I know, I know you and your 16 years almost. I know you are so committed to God's word. And Lord knows I want to be as well. Because it is the strength for the disciples journey.
>> Bert Harper: It is in its instruction in righteousness. Guess what? And it completes that in verse 17. remember, these original scriptures didn't have the verses numbers by them they were added. And that was good because it helps us to identify and keep together. So we could study together. But just read this together. 16 and 17 together without the break. All scripture is given or God breathed by God and is profitable for doctrine and all the things you said, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that, in other words, the purpose for it, that the man of God, the person, may. And this is the word for that follower of Christ may be. And I know it says King James, perfect. The word is complete. He's given it to us. Complete, thoroughly equipped for what? Every good work, you get your salvation first, Alex. And then good works follow. Something about. In Ephesians, Paul said we were created for good works. And here he, when he's writing his last letter that he wrote, guess what? He brings up those good works again that we're equipped for. The Malik's.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. and by the way I've got.
Alex: Verse 2 says man of God may be perfect or mature
I got the King James. It says, the man of God may be perfect, or like you say, mature, complete, man, masculine pronoun. It's ah. In the Greek. It's really o, n, e, 1. That one may be mature. So it's men and women, boys and girls. It's people, you know, a saved person may be perfect. Thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And the word furnished means prepared, equipped.
>> Bert Harper: Now, notice that. Thoroughly. Don't leave off that, you know. I guess it's an advert. If I. If I know my English right, thoroughly. That's the idea that, you know.
>> Alex McFarland: Not partially.
>> Bert Harper: Not partially. We don't. We don't get it. No. When the Holy Spirit comes in, he comes in in his totality. Now watch you when he comes in. You need to open up every area of your life to him, to let him take control. I heard a story about D.L. moody, and he's one of the great heroes of the past. And, these ladies were praying for him, and they prayed. Let m. They always called him Mr. Moody. you know, that's what he went by, because I think he held onto him being a layman, Alex, you know what I mean? I'm a shoe salesman that preaches the gospel. But they'd pray for Mr. Moody that every room in his heart would be given over to Jesus Christ. And I love that picture because a lot of times in our homes, we invite folks in, but we have may, maybe, possibly, maybe a closet, maybe somewhere. Oh, man, we gotta. We gotta discard some stuff, and we're not ready to get it up. It could be in the attic or basement, but we don't invite people to go in there. It's not straight enough. Well, listen, we need to have our life so cleansed by the Holy Spirit of God and the word of God that God is welcomed into every area, every room of our life. And to be Lord to Alex thoroughly, not partially, as you said.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, his son wrote a biography of him. It's really, really good. and anyway, it's the life of D.L. moody, and I forget the exact title. And I've shared this before, too, but, And you're right, Moody is one of the heroes of the faith. But he was going to go to Scotland, and somebody went over there to, you know, kind of advance and spread the word, and somebody kind of skeptically said, D.L. moody. does he, He doesn't have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit. And somebody said, no, but the Holy Spirit has a Monopoly on DL Moody.
>> Bert Harper: I love that.
>> Alex McFarland: That's great. Yeah. And you know, you don't ever say, well, I'm discipled enough. You know, I'm, I'm Christ like enough. No, we want to grow, we want, we want to always be as long as we are alive. Onward, upward, thoroughly prepared, equipped, furnished unto all good works. So then it segues into chapter four. In other words, like in light of all this, I charge thee therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. This is such a great prologue to the charge and the challenge that's about to come. And Bert, I've been in a few ordination services and I know you have too. This is just what a verse is. Verse 2. I'm going to ask you to read it.
>> Bert Harper: Preach the word, Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering in teaching.
>> Alex McFarland: I mean this is you know, the multi part assignment of every minister. And really if you're in leadership of any sort in God's work, preach the word. In other words, proclaim and be ready in season, out of season. Because listen, it's always gospel season, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex. Let me tell, I'm using this verse. My mind couldn't help but go there when I was a young preacher many years ago, and I would be invited to go from church to church. I wasn't pastoring one church. And so I had one sermon down really, really well, you know. And when you start, after you get one down, you say, okay, I'm going to use this. And so one Sunday I was off and I was at my home church there. And of course that's for cell phones. And after time I got there, someone said, there's someone warning you on the phone at the church office. So I go back there and the first thing I hear was this voice saying, preach the word, Be ready in season and out of season. And it was my pastor, that had been my pastor, Lowell Johnson. And some way other that Sunday morning he had had an accident and he wasn't going to be able to preach. And so he called me up saying, burk, I need you over here is about 30 miles away. So you, he said if you'll leave now, you can go. But so I went and I'd already preached my sermon, Alex. So I was on the way over there, but I had studied my Sunday school lesson. How about that? And in my brain I went through my Sunday school lesson and thinking. And I gave it an outline. I'm an outline guy. If I get an outline, I can. I can kind of, maneuver through with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Bert says people turning away from truth is pandemic of our times
So I walk in, and the song leader just got through, and he said, well, our preacher has finally arrived. So I walk through the back door and to the pulpit and started preaching. But the word that. That Pastor Lord Johnson said to me on that phone, preach the Word. And then he said, be instant in season and out of season. You got to be ready, don't you?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you do. You really do. And, you know, the word Jesus said in John, chapter four, the fields don't say, you know, several, three, four more months. And then the harvest. Look up. The fields right now are white under harvest and instant in season and out of season. Because, you know, it's always. It's always gospel season. There are always people that need Christ. And, so that's a great verse there, verse two of chapter four. that we are to correct and call, out sin. And really not only, we are to rebuke sin, we're to reverse sin and, promote righteousness. Exhort. That means encourage with all long suffering. In other words, patiently and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. but after their own lust shall heap to themselves teachers having itching ears, and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. In other words, the 21st century. You know, Bert, when we hear about, you know, people turning away from truth and believing that which is false, that's the real pandemic of our times, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Notice what Paul does here, Alex. I want you to comment on it. he'll talk about false teachers, and then he'll give the truth of the word of God. And here he gives the truth and the value of the word of God, and then he turns to false teachers. This is always. It was true then, and you said I would say it's compounded. The 21st century. It's always been there. all you have to do is read, the seven letters in the book of Revelation. you need to read what. What they were doing in Colossae in the church at Colossians, about some things. And so there's always been this. But it is. It is greater, and it's compounded in our day. But notice what he does. He goes, that. He says, now, here's. Here's what you do, Timothy, but because there's going to come a time when they won't hear this even in what those that are supposedly wanting it, but it doesn't fit their narrative. Alex. Now, I'm going to stop there and throw it to you. If it with some people who say, well, we're believers and it doesn't fit their narrative of their thoughts and their doctrine and not necessarily the doctrine of Christ, they'll dismiss it and they'll try to find someone else that agrees with him. It's like the man who is, he's sick and the doctor's already given the proper diagnosis, but he wants to ignore it, so he starts searching for another doctor in order to agree with him. Although it's going to kill him.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: Don't want to go there, do you?
>> Alex McFarland: No, you don't. Folks, we're going to give the number because we'll take calls, your bible questions, your calls, 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. After this brief break, we look forward to hearing from you. So call us, get in the queue and we'll take your questions.
>> Bert Harper: Because of listeners like you, PreBorn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies. Your $28 to sponsor one ultrasound doubled a baby's chance at life. Your tax deductible gift saves lives. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate, go to preborn.com afr you're.
>> Alex McFarland: Your promises never fail. I've got stories I live to dance.
>> Bert Harper: Again.
>> Alex McFarland: You're worthy, God, you're worthy of.
Alex and bird welcome back to Exploring the Word
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and bird here. So glad that you. You're listening. This is part of the program. We love it. We open up the phones, we take calls and questions. And if you've got a bible question, hey, maybe if you're a first time caller, you've never called before, we'd love to hear from you today. The number 888-589-8840. And by the way, Bert, I will be doing the Hamilton Corner tonight. We've got a very special show tonight on the Hamilton Corner. I'm subbing for, for Abe and that's going to be 6 to 7 Eastern Time and 5 to 6, Central Time and so forth. So tune into the Hamilton Corner later this afternoon.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, you've been on the phone on the radio all day today. You helped with today's issues and then, you're doing this and you'll do that. And we prerecorded a program. What are you doing in your spare time, man?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, actually, I'm writing up a synopsis for the COVID Next summer, I'm going to be at the COVID and, so pray for me because I'm a little behind. You know, they ask you to teach a book of the Bible, and so I'm, kind of working on my outline for that that I need to turn in for their, book. Their. Their promotional catalog they're going to put out.
>> Bert Harper: Well, amen, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: A busy day. Praise God.
>> Bert Harper: Amen, brother. You're. You're a blessing to so many people. We appreciate you.
Are we supposed to be celebrating Old Testament holidays as Christian believers
Well, let's go to the phone lines, and that number we do have, lines that are open is 888-589-888-8589, 8840. First we want to go to Ohio and talk to Carrie. Carrie, thank you for calling.
>> Caroline: Hello. Thank you. so my. My oldest son is 27, and he recently, he and his wife had their first child. and so it's really gotten him thinking about reevaluating the holidays that we. We celebrate. And, he approached me recently about wanting to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, which is Monday, I believe. And, he said that he would rather celebrate what he considers God's holidays than what are the world's holidays. And so my question is, are we supposed to be celebrating the Old Testament holidays as Christian believers?
>> Bert Harper: I, hate to be, you know, picky, but celebrating or teaching or learning, the reason I would say celebrate is a cautious word, would. Because Jesus Christ has fulfilled all those. But you can study those and see how Christ has done that. Alex, do you catch my, thoughts on the word celebrating?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah. it's interesting. You know, romans, 14, verse 5, says, One person esteems one day, another, another person esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Yeah, I think it's very interesting. and many people think Christ is going to return during the Feast of Trumpets. But, you know, let me just say this, Bert. There's been, in recent years, I would say over the last decade, kind of a fascination with what they call the Hebraic elements of Christianity. And I've heard people say, oh, well, you know, all this thing about words and doctrine and truth claims, that's very Hellenistic. And see, Christianity was Hellenized and Greek philosophy. But we're going to get back to the real. The real true gospel, the Hebraic elements. Okay? The gospel is that the son of God died on the cross, paid our sin debt, rose from the dead. And we are saved by faith in Jesus. That's First Corinthians 15, 3, 5, John 6:40, Philippians 2 John 3:16, Acts 16, 31, 1 John 5:13. So, Bert, I'm all for thoroughly learning, about the nation of Israel, the Jewish people, but anytime, you know, somebody says, because by the way, Christianity has celebrated not only Easter, but Christmas since within probably 30 years after the completion of the New Testament. And so, at any rate, if it's for historical research and learning, wonderful. But if it's adding to the Gospel and the implication that there's a part of Christianity that's been actively suppressed over the centuries, that's just not so.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me suggest something and Alex, I want you to comment. Jews for Jesus. we had them my last full time pastorate. We had them there and they were able to fill in that and use it and show Jesus so much. And I think you look on their website and you'll find some help there that I think helps you to do that without trying to, you know, go back to the, Okay, we're going to live in the Old Testament, you know, that's what I've observed. I don't know if you've observed that or thought that or not.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, and also, you know, if people say we're going to observe the Jewish feasts, I'm like, really? So you're going to Jerusalem? I mean, you know, it's just in this age, it's just not really possible to observe them as they would have done in Old Testament times.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Terry, we hope that helps and, hope you can talk with your son, but refer him to that and see Jesus for Jesus. See if that finds any help there to balance this out. Let's go to Mary in Indiana. Mary, thank you for calling.
My question is about forgiveness. I, uh, the way I read it is
>> Alex McFarland: Well, hello.
>> Caroline: My question is about forgiveness. It's my understanding that at least two things have to exist. And correct me if I'm wrong, that's why I'm asking. I, the way I read it is you have to go to the person you or, or God that you have offended and ask for forgiveness. And the other thing you have to do is quit doing whatever it was you were doing.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. Okay, listen, if, if you have offended someone and you don't know it, and I want to tell you, pastors and speakers like Alex and myself, we could do it and not even know we've done it by, you know, our, you know, some illustrations we give, and sometimes they're not As I wasn't as sensitive. I'm not a real, quote, sensitive kind of guy, Alex, when it comes to that. And, you know, and people's come to me and I try to make it right, but, yeah, you. You do need to go to them at sometimes, though, if it's one that, where anger is involved, may have somebody, you need to have somebody with you. Wouldn't you agree?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. You know, Matthew 18 has a lot to say about that. And, you know, to privately talk to somebody, you know, I think the more potentially volatile it is, the more you probably need somebody with you, an extra set of eyes and ears. But, let me just say it's always good to forgive. I've had people say. In fact, we've had callers on the show say, you know, I'll forgive, but I can't forget. Well, pray about that. The other thing is, people say, well, why should I forgive them? They haven't even asked my forgiveness. with the help of the Holy Spirit, I think it's good to try to move on. Now, I know sometimes, and every case is different, there's restitution and things that need to be made, but if it's just the minor irritations of life, life's too short. And I just think we've got to let it go and be very selective about the battles we pick.
Mary: Forgiveness is really for our benefit, more so than the person
>> Bert Harper: Let me ask you this. I'm, full of questions today, Alex. Who is the forgiveness really for? honestly, some people that I know, the people that you know, I needed to. That, you know, I forgive. They were living their life. And I've seen people that was waiting for their forgiveness, and they were miserable waiting. The forgiveness, many times is not all the time. Is the benefit of the person who forgives. Yeah, we're the ones that get the. You don't want let bitterness, because forgiveness that stays with you, it will develop into bitterness, which is a cancer, a spiritual cancer. And someone said it's like drinking poison, expecting someone else to die. And, and so listen, forgiveness, Mary, is really for our benefit, more so than the person, that forgiveness for.
>> Alex McFarland: So, Alex, Richard Nixon, and I like when there's great quotes. I like to try to find where they originated. But as far as I know, this originated Richard Nixon, former President Nixon, who said that holding a grudge, bitterness, gall in the system, holding anger in is a poison that dissolves the container that's holding it in. In other words, ourselves.
>> Bert Harper: You know, it really is, So listen out there, those of you that are followers of Christ, be quick to forgive. Here's what I've tried to do. When somebody has wronged me, I go through the process, and sometimes it's a process of forgiveness that if they do come to me and they say, I want. I want you to forgive me, I can already say, brother, I did that days or years before, and I've been able to do that. And they said what? Said, yeah, man, it was. And it's a. Live a life of forgiveness. Thank you, Mary.
Alex: I have a question about will there be animals in heaven
Let's go to John in West Virginia. John, thank you for calling.
>> Caroline: Yeah, I have a quick question about will there be animals in heaven? Since God originally created them and he saved them on the ark and they'll be in the millennium, so I kind of, lean toward they will be. But I just wanted your opinion.
>> Bert Harper: Hey, listen, we know horses are going to be there, but talks about the lions and the lambs sounds like, And also, it's kind of like, quote, paradise restored. Alex. Okay.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: And, they sure were a lot of animals there.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Oh, I think so. I mean, Jesus comes back on a horse, the lion will lay down with the lamb, and the nursing infant will safely play next to the adder's den. So that's four kinds of animals. And, you know, you read Revelation 21:21 and following, and it's talking about the. The holy city, and it says that the nations will be there and there'll be no night. And, there shall be no. By no means shall anything enter it that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie. So I, I do. Bert, I'm with you. I think it's Eden restored, and I think absolutely there'll be animals there.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. John, I just want to know that that is a wonderful thing. I can just see it. you know, sometimes I haven't overcome some of my childhood. My imagination is still pretty good. And when I read about that and hear about heaven, our, animals are always there. So that's in my mind as well as biblically. Thank you so much.
Alex: I had a question about so called progressive Christianity
Let's go to Ohio and talk to Bill. Bill, thank you for calling today.
>> Caroline: Thanks for taking my call. I had a question about, so called progressive Christianity, just kind of as a warning to folks who may not have not be aware of that. Or could y' all discuss that a little bit? I know there's some good books written by, solid Bible teachers who refute that, but could you explain a little bit what generally what that is?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Bill, thank you, Alex. in our day, when you hear the word progressive, lights ought to go off anyway, should it not? In our day that we're that way. It's used.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, you know, Jude, verse three. We don't say Jude chapter one, verse three, because there's only one chapter in Jude. But Jude three says that we are to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered. And the faith once delivered means it doesn't have to be revived or revised or deconstructed. Progressive Christianity is kind of a blanket term for those that want to liberalize, and really declassify a lot of sins. You know, Bert, 75 years ago they called it modernism. You know, in the time of Spurgeon, they called it the downgrade controversy. But, let me say, as Abe Hamilton says, progressive is really regressive. Look, sin is still sin. And let me just say First Corinthians 6, all, all homosexual activity is a sin in the eyes of God. Gender is binary. There are males and females. There is no third non binary gender. There just isn't. And salvation is through the new birth faith in Christ alone. Universalism is false. The God of Islam is not the God of the Bible. Ah, Jesus himself said, anyone else is a thief and a liar. So, Bert, progressive, you can't improve on perfection. And the gospel is perfect. It needs no help and improvement from modern secularists, does it?
>> Bert Harper: It does not. Thank you, Bill.
Alex asks prayer request for Jeremy as he works in the workplace
We're going to try to get this last question in. Jeremy, we don't have a lot of time. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Caroline: Hey, I don't think we got much time for my question, but I'd like to, ah, have you guys do a prayer request for me.
>> Bert Harper: Okay? Go right ahead, Jeremy. We'll do it.
>> Caroline: We'll listen, friends and co workers that don't know Jesus, if you guys could pray for them, I'd really appreciate it.
>> Bert Harper: Okay? Hey, listen, there's a lot of those out there, co workers. And it's dark and difficult. Where does the light shine brightest, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: In the darkest places.
>> Bert Harper: So there to see our good works and glorify the Father. So where does those good works really come in? Work through forged neighborhood schools, man. Let Jesus shine. And Jeremy, listen, we're going to, we're going to pray for you, Father. I pray you'd, be with Jeremy as he works in the workplace, that those co workers would see Christ in him. And I pray, Father, they would do what Peter talked about. They'd come to him and ask him about the faith that he, that he demonstrates and shows and Father that he would be ready to give them an answer with meekness and fear, knowing the glory of God would be seen. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen. It's been good to be with you today, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, folks, tomorrow we're going to wrap up second Timothy. I hope you'll join us. And, again in an hour from now, I'll be on the Hamilton corner. If you are able to listen, we'd be very pleased that you would do it and Bert would take people this. Please let folks know about AFR American Family association. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. That's our prayer. And that's exactly what Jeremy was saying. Let your light so shine before men. We'll see you tomorrow.
>> 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.
