The Best Of Exploring The Word: It's Fire Away Friday!

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions next hour

>> Alex McFarland: The Bible. It's the word of God, sharper than.

>> Bert Harper: Any two edged sword.

>> Alex McFarland: This sacred book is living and active.

>> Bert Harper: 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 and take your Bible questions.

Exploring the Word takes your questions on Fireway Friday

>> Bert Harper: Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: The great Charles Spurgeon, over 100 years ago, he was an amazing pastor and great Christian leader. But he said every Christian is to be a missionary. Now listen to this. Spurgeon said every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter in a state of disobedience. Welcome to the program. This is Exploring the word. Alex McFarland, Burt Harper. And today is a day, a special day. We're going to take questions and we know a number of you have sent questions. We always love to hear from you and they get kind of backed up and sometimes it takes us a couple of weeks or more to get to the questions. But what Bert and I will do today, we're going to do our best to go through the course correspondence that you all have graciously sent in. And Bert, I love that, don't you? Because it does equip us to do what we're called to do, to be representatives of the gospel.

>> Bert Harper: It does. And we're living in a media society where you have many ways of communication. And so one of those is wordfr.net and then they send you at Alex, they send you questions as well. And, and so we take time, try to answer them. Some very few, we answer individually because of the content, but most of them, we feel like other people would like to hear their response. So we save those for radio. So we are going to start, and this is Fireway Friday. And the fire comes from, the wordfr.net and Alex is, all of his correspondence.

Is it a sin to tell others that homosexuality is a sin?

So let's go to the first question. And this is a millennial that listens to exploring the Word. And of course, because of the issues of the day of homosexuality, he, believes this person believes that homosexuality is a sin. But he has some questions and we want to go over these as quickly and as thoroughly as we can. Is it a sin to tell others that homosexuality is a sin? Is this judging? And if not, how do you respond when they cut you off and say that you are judgmental and sinning when you tell them that homosexuality is a sin? And, I guess you could. It's like a dog chasing his tail if they'll never come to that place or running around a tree. But the Bible makes it Plain that homosexuality is a sin. it just is. And Paul writes, it's a forgivable sin because in Corinthians he says, and he talks about homosexuality and such were some of you. And so God delivers from the sin of homosexuality. Now, Alex, if a person does say, no, you're sinning because you're judging. there are some folks that just say, man, if you make a decision, if anything you say is against the lifestyle that I live, you're judging. How do we handle that?

>> Alex McFarland: Wow. Well, you know, I do think about 2 Timothy 3:12, where it says, everyone who would live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. And those of us who stand with what the word of God says. And yes, let me say the word of God is unequivocally clear that homosexuality is a sin. Also, heterosexual promiscuity is a sin. So sex is expressed in the eyes of God legitimately only in one context, and that is a marriage between a man and a woman. One man, one woman for one lifetime. So homosexual activity is a sin. I mean, the Bible is clear on that. And you know, bert, in Romans 1:24,25, it says regarding people who, do this, gay men, lesbian women. Therefore God gave them over in the lust of their hearts to impurity, so their bodies would be dishonored. Now, listen. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. Bert, when we share what the Bible says, and the Bible is explicitly clear condemning homosexuality, we're not being judgmental. We might be relating what God has adjudicated on this subject, but we're not saying in and of ourselves, we're judging you because we're all just fallen sinners. but we are saying what God says. And as the creator and savior of the world, he most certainly is qualified to pass assessment over the behavior of all people, isn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He is. And he wasn't condemning, as this person says, was he condemning just a certain group sin? All sin separates us from God. Now, let's just make that plain. In that sense, all sin is the same, but some sin has greater consequences than others. And then secondly, some sin is more unnatural than other sins. The homosexual sin is completely unnatural. That's what the Bible talks about. Not only does it desecrate God's purpose, but it also desecrates God's natural order that he put in, when he created the world, male and female, he created them. So is it a worse sin? I don't say it's a worse sin, but it has greater consequences, and it is further from that which is natural. And so, Alex, it is something that we're having to deal with, millennials especially having to deal with it, because so many of them have been brought up in a school system and entertainment system that says, no, it's fine. It's good. Transgenderism is good, but God's word stands forever. And so let's make it known. And let me just say to this person who wrote, I would say to them, God's word is God's word. And when you share it, try to share it in love and say, I'm trying to help you from a destructive choice and give you a better choice. That is the truth. And they may not like it, but you share in love. And then sometimes you have to walk away.

>> Alex McFarland: And I want to be clear that while the Bible does say that homosexuality is a sin, and yes, the word of God is explicitly, inarguably clear on this point. Some people will say, well, you know, what about those who don't believe the Bible? Throughout world history, And I've just finished a book on this. Throughout world history, certainly throughout 2000 years of Western civilization, and certainly throughout the last thousand years of European civilization and 400 years of life here in the Americas, 242 years of the USA. My point, throughout history, just morally, people have condemned homosexual activity. Because, yes, the Bible says in Genesis 1:27 28, God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created them male and female. And God said, be fruitful and multiply. So in the Bible, you've got male and female, and you've got procreation, which homosexuals can't do. But, Bert, even prior to the word of God, you've got just common sense, moral awareness. That's why it's called natural law. Everybody knows male and female complement each other and go together. Not male. Male. Not female. Female. But, we do need to pray because, Bert, I will say this, and I know we've got other questions. The way the world and the cultures today seem so bent on fighting God and fighting reality, I really do think it's going to take a Holy Spirit revival to turn this world back to what is good, true, and scriptural.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I agree. Let me just add one thing. The word of God is the word of God, whether someone believes it or not. If they say, well, that's just the Bible, and I would say, yes, it is, and it stands forever. And sometimes, yes, give them the other information that you just Gave them, Alex, that through time in history it has done that and been that way. But the Bible is truth, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: And whether they believe it or not, it is true. True. So don't be afraid to use the word of God in love to share truth. And so we hope that gives you an answer. I know you got some questions as well, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, yeah, let's go to some of these questions and in fact I'm going to go to maybe the hardest one first. And by the way, again, you know, Bert gave the info word W o r d wordfr.net you can send questions in.

How do we respond to groups who use the Bible to legitimize unbiblical teachings

but I got this one. The Mormon church claims that Amos3.7 validates their system of modern day prophets. The Muslims used Deuteronomy 18, 15, 18 plus Deuteronomy 33 and 34 and Song of Solomon 5, 16 to say that the Bible predicts the coming of Muhammad. How do we respond to the groups who use the Bible to legitimize unbiblical teachings? and you know, we could parse out both of these. Amos 3. 7 says God will do nothing, but first he reveals it to his prophets. And Deuteronomy talks about that prophet that would come, which I believe Jesus is that prophet. But Bert, in a general sense, I mean the Mormons and the Islamic world, they're not the only ones that try to use the Bible to validate unbiblical teachings. So regardless, in a general sense, what do we say to those who use God's word to try to set forth a different message than God's message?

>> Bert Harper: Let me just share. This is a biblical principle on studying the word of God. You go to that which is clear to understand that which may be less clear. Now when it talks about the prophet, there's no doubt, I mean it is biblical and gymnastics to get that to say someone besides Jesus Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: In Amos 3:7 it is completely erroneous to think that he did not speak of Amos and the prophets, that he was telling the forthcoming of the Lord. So they got to do all kinds of scriptural gymnastics to try to get that, to do that. But here's the principle. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. And you go to the Greek and you translate that. That is clearly what it says in the Greek. It is the definite articles. It's not an indefinite position. It's the way, the truth, the life. And no one is absolutely no one other than Jesus Christ comes to the Father but by me, he is the only way. And that is clear. John 3:16, clear. So you start that which is just plain clear to go to that which may be less clear. And Alex, that's a principle of Bible study that those that want to justify a way of living, concerning, like homosexuality that we just discussed or other religions, they have to do, you know, all these gymnastics to try to prove their point. And it falls flat in the in if you do it, if you interpret it correctly, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, amen. Amen. You know, Jesus in John 10 warned about others that would be a thief and a robber. Different savior, different message. But you know what? we don't use this word too much. I remember when I first became a Christian, you heard this word more. Chuck Colson talked a lot about it. The word cult and a cult. generally there are some characteristics of a cult, but there's pressure to join, pressure to remain. there's different revelation other than the revelation of God in the Bible. But one of the things that all cults do is they distort who Jesus is and what his work was on the cross. And so I'm not going to use, that label necessarily. Whether or not these groups are cults, I'll leave that to the listeners to decide. But I will say whether it's Islam or the Jehovah's Witness or Scientology or any of these other groups, look, if they give a different Jesus other than the biblical Jesus, who is the virgin born, sinless, son of God, God incarnate, who died on the cross, shed his blood to wash sin away. He rose from the dead. He proves the man and the message, who he was and what he taught. it's a false religion. And let me say this, Bert and I know we've got more questions, but what makes Jesus utterly unique? In all of history, only Jesus rose from the dead.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: There's an empty tomb. Muhammad, lived, died, is dead. Joseph Smith and Brigham, Young, they lived and they died. Charles T. Russell, founder of the Watchtower. He's dead, buried. Jesus Christ is alive and coming again. He is the Savior.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah. And listen to this. They'll use the same vocabulary, but different dictionary. So, you know, you just gotta know that and believe that and know that. Go to the Bible. The Bible speaks. Start which that is clear, and go to that which is unclear. We'll be back with more of your questions here on Exploring the Word on, the American Family Radio Network. Stay tuned for more.

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>> Alex McFarland: Well, thank you for bringing that up. I do like to travel and the good Lord has allowed me to be in a lot of places and I would love to come. If you're planning a revival or a youth conference or you want to do an apologetic seminar and let's get your church and your city equipped to defend the faith. My website is alexmcfarland.com and you can reach me alexmcfarland.Com and you know, one, if you just want to go straight, to, you know, extending an invitation, booking, B o o K I n g [email protected] so you can do it in many ways.

>> Bert Harper: And let me just share with you. Alex is at home on the road now. he is amazing. God's given him gifts and, the gift of preaching and teaching, just gifts and also gifts at being at home on the road. And I appreciate that about you, Alex.

Alex: Many people say they will see each other again in heaven

Well, let's go to these questions that we got. This one [email protected], and it talks. And John says, we love your show. and they talk about the question about the wedding vows. And I love these wedding vows. Until death do us part. Yet almost everybody says in someone's passing, we will see each other again or will be together again. Now, Alex, does that mean that a husband and wife, will be husband and wife in heaven, or is it going to be a different relationship up there?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, praise God. I appreciate this question. And, you know, one thing about the Christian faith that is so wonderful is that Christianity teaches, the value of a person, an individual. And so you will be who you are for all of eternity. And that's why it behooves all of us to, number one, come to Christ and be born again, but also to grow in Christ and to become the best you that you could possibly be. A lot of Eastern religions and different religions say that you disappear into this cosmic pond of nothingness. No, Christianity affirms personhood. But, on the same token, let me say this. We will know each other in heaven. But, Bert, I don't believe that the husband, wife, relationships will be the same in heaven. It will be Even closer, really. First Corinthians 13 talks about we will know as we are known. And the New Testament talks about perfect love casting out fear. So I don't think it's going to be the same family couplings that we had here on Earth, because that was a different thing. I really do think the family. God gave marriage and family and home to prepare our heart for the Gospel.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And we're going to be in heaven. Yeah. And so, you know, I've done a lot of funerals as a pastor and as a minister, and you hear a lot of things at funerals that are not exactly biblical sometimes.

>> Bert Harper: Have you ever. Yes, yes. I've been there, done. Let me share this. Great. I'm interim pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Albany, Mississippi, and we've had several baptisms.

>> Alex McFarland: Great church, by the way.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, we've had several baptisms, and if it's a young boy or young girl sometimes, and the father was instrumental in bringing them to the Lord. the father will baptize that son, and. And here's the neat thing, and I've heard it three or four times, says, now I'm no longer just your father, and you're my son, but we're brothers in Christ. And that is so true. And a husband and wife, when they both know the Lord. They have a double relationship, a husband and wife, but also a, brother and sister in Christ, and the husband and father relationship, the father and children, mother and children relationship in heaven. that is no longer, you know, our citizenship. We have dual citizenship on Earth, but in heaven and in heaven, we'll go back to that eternal relationship of brothers and sisters in Christ. And it's, going to be a great time, so you don't miss anything. I want to just tell you that there's nothing missing in heaven that you have down here except sin and illness and. And brokenness. All that's gone. So it's going to be a great relationship. Well, Alex, I know you have other questions as well.

>> Alex McFarland: yeah, and let me just say this. I know there have been some marriages that are very inspiring. You know, I think about Billy and Ruth Graham that were married, you know, I don't know, more than 60 years and things like that. And it is a great testimony. I was, you know, in Tupelo to preach over at, Harrisburg Baptist, and I met a couple over there that had been married 70 years.

>> Bert Harper: Wow.

>> Alex McFarland: But you know what? In heaven, even the best earthly marriage will pale in comparison to the close love and unbroken, fellowship we'll have in heaven. So the thing about heaven, make sure you're going to be there and make sure your loved ones will as well.

>> Bert Harper: Because the only way is Jesus, isn't it? Only way is Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: Only way is Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Praise God.

Genesis 6:6 says God was sorry he had made man

Let me read a couple of questions here. in Genesis 6:6, a listener says, Genesis 6:6 says, God was sorry he had made man on earth. What are we to make of this? Why did God create man in the first place if he knew that, he would later regret it?

>> Bert Harper: Good question, Alex. Does the sorry there mean or regret? you know, he knew what he was getting, but is it a sorrowful thing? He was sorrowful, not that he regretted making man. Oh, man, I'd made a mistake when I made man, but it was sorrowful that, you know. But he had to create man in order for man to love God. Is man created with a capacity to choose to love him or not? Is it real love when I've not even given the choice?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, I think back to something you said earlier in the program. We take what is very clear, and we approach the things that are unclear by the things that are imminently clear. Malachi 3 6, says, I, the Lord do not change. So you, descendants of Jacob are not destroyed. God doesn't change. Hebrews 13 says, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. And, and yet Exodus 32:14 says the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the judgment, the disaster he had threatened. So let me just say this, and, I love your response, Bert. God does not change, at least in his nature. Who God is is eternal. And the nature of God is eternal. Praise the Lord. Now, we humans, we've been given free will which does enable us to have a relationship with God. we're not puppets, we're not robots. God offers himself to us and we can turn to God or we can reject God. And tragically, many people do. But it's our moral will, our free will that enables us to have a relationship with God. So when it says in Genesis 6:6 that the Lord was grieved, he had made man on earth and his heart was full with pain, I don't think that it means God was caught off guard. It doesn't mean God was surprised. And God says, oh, man, I wish I could go backward and I wouldn't have created. I think what it means is that God was sorrowful for how much the human race had thrust itself into sin rather than enjoying life and blessings by following the Creator.

>> Bert Harper: I would agree. And let me add to that. Jesus wept, at the grave of Lazarus. Did he? You know, he knew that God's emotion, you know, they want to make people want to make God emotion less, but God's not because you can grieve the Holy Spirit. Grieving the Holy Spirit means he's sorrowful, hurting. And so when you hear these words, grieve God or God was sorrowful. Yes, we grieve God when we choose to do that which is contrary to his will. So don't let that throw you off because Jesus Christ expressed that weeping. And the Holy Spirit is grieved. And so God the Father, sorrowful, grieved. And so I think your explanation is fantastic, Alex, and not in oh, man, I wish they hadn't of done that. But, the point of view that, yes, it grieves me that man, when man does not choose that which is the right way. So praise the Lord for that.

Sometimes the hardest people to minister to are our own family members

Good question. Well, Alex, here's another one. And this is coming from a man who says his faith has, reignited in Jesus Christ. And he's trying to share this newfound love of Christ with his mother. And he says, however, she politely changes the subject and moves on every single time. Not trying to be mean or anything. She just won't talk about it. He says, I think it comes from a son that she lost several years ago when he was young, and believes that she thinks a loving God would not allow her son, whom hm, she loved, to suffer so much and then die in disease. that's a pretty difficult situation to break through grief and heartache of someone. And when they look to God as he could have done something and he did not, that's hard to break through sometimes, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. And my heart goes out to you because I know you care about her. Be, encouraged knowing that as much as you care about your mother, the good Lord even cares more and loves her. Step one, I think, is to pray and to get others to pray and to be patient, now to be proactive when you have an opportunity and share the gospel. But you know, Bert, I think very often the people that are the hardest to minister to might be our very own family members. And so pray, pray, pray, yet realize it might be, that God reaches her through someone other than yourself. Now, the other thing I would say is that sometimes we have to, build up for the right time. And I've sat down with a number of people and I'd love your response to this, but some family members and I would say, hey, may we talk? And just, open up your heart, look eyeball to eyeball and say, listen, what we're going to talk about is because I really care about you and I really want you to be in heaven. and could we talk about if you've ever had a time and a place where you opened your heart to Jesus? But those kind of like, lay the cards on the table conversations, I think they've got to be preceded with a lot of prayer and discernment that the Lord would give you the right time, the optimum time to do this.

>> Bert Harper: I agree. A word fitly spoken at the right time, you need to be ready to give an answer, the faith that is in you. That's true when people are asking you questions about homosexuality, creation, future. But it's also be ready to have an answer for those who are asking you about the pain that they've gone through in their life. And, you be praying. Be ready with the word of God, a word of comfort, a word of blessing to them, and the hope. I would concentrate in the hope if this child was young, that means that child probably went to be of the Lord. We don't know the child's age, but at a certain age went to Be of the Lord, and the hope is you can see him again. so remember hope. Hope is a big word in the Christian faith, Alex. And sometimes we get love and grace, and they're great, and they're big, too. But hope is in there with that. That's one of the big three, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. And you know, the thing about it that I've told more than one grieving parent, if you've lost a child and you're sad about that, listen, you can see that child again. Because a. If they were a grown up, maybe they knew the Lord. But even if they were a child, I believe they went straight to be with the Lord. They were under God's grace as a little child. Here's the thing. the answer is not to push God away. If you want to see that child again that you grieve for, turn to Jesus, because Jesus is the doorway to heaven and that loved one is with Christ. So if you want to see them again, the wisest thing you can do is turn fully to Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Fantastic.

Alex McBride: Somebody writes in with questions about whether gambling is sin

Well, Alex, you got any more questions or do we need to start? Just stay here.

>> Alex McFarland: let me go to another one. A listener has written in, and, you know, we've got theological questions, we've got practical questions. I'm going to go to one of the practical questions.

>> Bert Harper: I'm ready.

>> Alex McFarland: I hope I'm only speaking for Alex here, but I'm going to give what I think is, biblical and hopefully wise advice. Somebody writes, is gambling a sin? Would it be a sin for me to buy a lottery ticket? Bert, in the pastorate nearly, three decades, did you ever come across this question?

>> Bert Harper: Many times. Here in Mississippi, years ago, they made it possible to have casinos. And, so it was a big deal. And the legislature, they passed it where they could have it at certain locations on the water and the Indian reservations, and we have them here. And then this past year or two, the lottery came to Mississippi, and it was a big, big deal. And you had Christians on both issues, and they were saying, well, this is not a big enough deal for us to try to, speak to. They felt like it was unclear. Let us say this. I've heard it say, well, you know, the stock market is a gambler. The, farming, and you plant, it's a gamble. There's a difference in that. In gambling, someone always loses. Remember that?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Gambling, there's always a loser. And if you look at the casinos and how well they're lit up and how well they're doing. I think you can figure out who the biggest losers are. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. But there's some m. But in farming, it's not a necessarily a win lose. It can be a win win. Even in the stock market, it can be a win win. Yes, you're taking a chance on loss, but taking a chance is not the same as gambling itself. So distinguish between those two words, I think is important. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, in the late 1990s, my own home state of North Carolina was considering the lottery for the umpteenth time. And it had been voted down. Voted down, voted down. But, the peddlers of greed were unrelenting. And finally the legislature caved in and it passed. And of course, in the aftermath of the lottery coming in and then video slot machine poker type things, you know, there's more people on food stamps. I mean, there's more, alcoholism, there's more violence. I mean, on the coattails of gambling comes a host of other problems. But I did a lot, a lot of research on this because we were, I and a lot of ministers and there was a thing called, the Christian Coalition of North Carolina. We were trying to fight lottery. But here's the thing, and I remember reading a study, it was somebody's PhD dissertation. The house always wins.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, there's always a loser. But the winner are the big corporations that run the gambling at the expense of human lives.

>> Bert Harper: I put gambling considered like alcohol. You take that first drink and you never know for sure if you're going to be the alcoholic or not. Same with gambling. You never know if you're going to get hooked. We're going to be back with more of your questions right after the break. Thank you for listening. 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 exploring the Word on American Family Radio. Connect with Alex and Bert on the Exploring the Word Facebook page. Facebook.com exploringtheword.

>> Alex McFarland: Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That's Romans 12:2. And our mind is renewed as we fill it with scripture and God's word and God's truth. And that's what we're trying to do here on Exploring the word. Alex McFarland here with Bert Harper, and we're answering your questions. And by the way, on, wordfr.net, w o r d wordfr.net, you can email us and send us a question. And on afr.net, the website, you can listen to archived shows and so much great content as we aspire to rise to the challenge of Romans 12 and renew our mind and see life and the world from God's perspective.

We've got more questions from our dear listeners

Well, Bert, we've got more questions from our dear listeners. And what do you have?

>> Bert Harper: Yes, we do. I'd remind you we're not taking phone calls from the telephone, but we're answering questions at Word and Facebook and ones that Alex has received. This one is from Brian, and he says what would be a study help for a daily Bible reading that we would recommend? By the way, he says, I love the show, you guys are great. And he has Bert, Alex, and Jim. So, we appreciate Jim Stanley when he comes in and does as well. But daily Bible reading you would recommend.

Alex: There are several ways to read the Bible chronologically

I want to say this real quickly, and I know you got a specific book. we had another question, and this is the one that's most often asked of me is the chronological books in the Old Testament, Alex, that you could say, could I read through that? I want to just tell you I did that one time, read through chronologically, and then I started reading that. And it really does help get a. For me, for those of you that are, you know, you think that way. I think. I think in time, and then I think geographical, and it really helped me. But it's the start reading in the book of Genesis, then Exodus, and then go to numbers, Joshua, judges, first and second kings, excuse me, first and second Samuel, first and second kings, Ezra and Nehemiah. Those 11 books will take you chronologically through the Old Testament. I found that to be very helpful for me. Now, that's not the only way you should do it, but it helped me to put a, you know, to put everything in a historical context. And I try to think that way. So that's a good way of reading it. And then another one, 1m more. I'd say you, can read the Bible through, but read three psalms a day, you know, possibly three psalms or five psalms a day, and one proverb a day, and you'll be filled with wisdom during certain things. But there's other ways of reading through the Bible, aren't there, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, there are, you know, there have been a number of what are called chronological Bibles. That, put the Bible either in the historical chronology in which the events recorded occurred, and then others, you know, are like a one year study Bible where you would read the Bible through in a year. I know Thomas Nelson and Tyndale both have published chronological Bibles. But let me say two things we've said on the show a time or two. If you read three chapters a day or five on Sunday, you will read the Bible through in a year. But I met a pastor who had trained his congregation. Listen to this. If you will read 12 to 15 pages a day. Now that's not as much as you might think. Don't let this scare you. Read 12 to 15 pages a day. You will read the entire Bible in 90 days. Isn't that three months?

>> Bert Harper: That's amazing. It is.

>> Alex McFarland: So to make a commitment and read the Bible through in a year, and Angie and I have done that twice together and I would, you know, at least once in your life, read the entire Bible cover to cover. But 90 days, now that's doable. You can do anything for 90 days. So, whatever. Whether it's one of these Bibles that's laid out in order like that, or you just take your Bible, but make a commitment to be in the Word of God daily because it will bring you closer and closer and closer to, to Christ.

>> Bert Harper: It will. And there are some great books there. There are some great devotional books that people give. Different denominations has their own daily devotional books that they give. And so there's a neat way to do that and to put some. Not just reading the Scriptures, but read a biblical thought that brings it into context for the daily living. So read the Bible, you will be blessed.

Alex: It doesn't mean that humans become deity, does it

Well, let's go to this question. And, I found this interesting. It says they listen to the radio show every chance they get. But they were referring to John 10:34. And it says they were reading. And notice this. This is from William. And he said, I read over it. He'd read it several times, but he read, and it says this in, John 10:34, Jesus answered them. It is not written in your. Is it not written in your law? I said, you are God's law. If I call them gods to whom the word of God came, and the Scriptures cannot be broken. Do not say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world. You are blaspheming because I said I am the Son of God. But the question was I said you are God's. That's a quote from Psalm 82, 6, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: It is. It is. And it doesn't mean. In no way does it mean that we are deity. It doesn't mean that humans become deity, does it?

>> Bert Harper: I think the context of Psalm 82, 6 and here you make yourself to be God's. In other words, you remember. And I think you can go back to the creation in this, in the garden. And Satan said to them, the day that you eat of this fruit, you will be like God. You catch it. And so that is the whole idea. And Satan himself wanted to lift himself up to be. And so there's this. You got to humble yourselves. And the whole idea. Yes, we make judgments. We're not just instinct animals. We're human beings that make judgments concerning right or wrong and evil and good. But we're not like him. We cannot. We will be likened unto him, his body, one day, but we will never be God.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and I think about this in the context, you know, Jesus was being critical of the Pharisees and they had made themselves authority, but they would not bow to God's authority.

>> Bert Harper: That's exactly right.

>> Alex McFarland: So in a way, I really think he was being sarcastic. I mean, they were behaving as if they were on a throne, but obviously they're not.

>> Bert Harper: It does say some of the expanded versions, you know, that add to. And I don't mean add to try to clarify. It says you make yourselves to be gods. And I believe that is the context of it. Just what you said, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. And you know, it's worth pointing out that by definition, I mean logically, by definition, God is in a category of one. I mean, there couldn't be two. Ultimate, ultimate, eternal. I mean, there is only one God. One God. And so people try to do deify themselves, but it's important to say that humans, while we can be saved. And if you're a born again Christian, you'll get a glorified body in heaven one day. But we don't become God and we don't become angels. We can become redeemed humans and sinners can be, made saints. But we don't ever turn into God, do we?

>> Bert Harper: We do not. Good word. You got a question too, haven't you?

Someone asked where was Jesus after his death but before the resurrection

Another one.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, somebody, emailed me in and said, where was Jesus after his death? On the cross, but before the resurrection. And let me read a scripture as we sort of cue this up. Okay. Jesus died on the cross. It says he yielded up his spirit. And we know three days later he rose from the grave and his tomb is empty. But 1st Peter 3, 18, 20. Christ also died for sins once for all, the just, for the unjust, in order that he might bring us to God, having been put, put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also. Now listen at verse nine of 1 Peter 3, 19. I'm sorry, 1 Peter 3, 19. He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Let me just say this. The Bible doesn't tell us everything Jesus did post calvary, pre resurrection, but for those, three days that he was in the heart of the earth, buried prior to the resurrection. Jesus had some very specific things that he did. And I think for one, he appeared before the Father in heaven, saying, it is finished, the atonement is achieved. He went into the realm of the dead. To the Old Testament believing saints, it was a proclamation of salvation and victory to those that were in, the realm of the dead, the unbelievers. It was a proclamation of, condemnation. But, it was achieving and completing the things that were very necessary for the salvation plan, wasn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It was. And so Jesus on the cross said, it is finished. That finished it as far as his part of what he did, as far as the payment he made. But then the resurrection, he was accepted by the Father and he overcame the two greatest enemies we have, sin and death, because death comes in besides, because of sin. And during that period of time, he went to preach to the saints, you know, the place of departed spirits. Alex. I think it does give us that idea that he did go there and he led captivity captive. Those that were kept, he brought into the presence of God the Father. And so, that is a good question, one that we've answered several times because, I understand why people were wondering about that. And where was Christ during that period of time? And so, great, great question.

2 Peter 2 says that Jesus proclaimed to the realm of the dead

>> Alex McFarland: Let me throw one thing in here that I think is really interesting about this. in 2 Peter 2 it says, if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness and did not spare the ancient world, what shall become of those that reject the Gospel? Okay, the spirit's in prison. What's interesting is Jesus, he, descended into the realm of the dead, these unbelieving spirits in Hades. It says that he proclaimed to the realm of the dead. Now, it's interesting. The word proclamation in Greek is the word caruso. K E R U S S O. The word for proclamation, of the gospel is, eu angelizo. It's interesting. To those spirits in prison, he did not proclaim the eu angolidzzo the gospel. He proclaimed the caruso. I think it was a proclamation. Jesus is victorious. And to the lost world, the unbelievers and the fallen angels, your doom is sure because Christ has paid the price.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah. And that is awesome. That is what has happened.

Question: I'm wondering if I should be addressing Jesus instead of the Father

Here's another question, and it talks about praying. It says, many times I pray to the Father in Jesus name. But I'm wondering if I should be addressing Jesus instead of the Father. they say maybe this is insignificant, but they want to do it correctly. Well, Alex, you and I again, this is a question that you and I get. The Father and I are one. So, I've prayed that way. Dear Jesus, hear my prayer. Heavenly Father, hear my prayer. I've even said, oh, Holy Spirit, do a work in my life. is any of those wrong?

>> Alex McFarland: No, they're all right. Because God is indivisible. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. God is not separated. And so, you know, oftentimes I've done a benediction in church and we might close a service in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Whether you address one member of the Trinity or the entire Trinity, because God is indivisible, either or all are appropriate, it is.

A lot of time is spent on understanding the Trinity

>> Bert Harper: Okay, here's one that we talked about. These last ones are questions that we have quite often. It's about the Trinity, and this one is very specific. Can someone who doesn't believe in the Trinity. Alex, I think that's a good question. A lot of time is understanding the Trinity. So since they can't understand the Trinity, they say we don't believe in the Trinity. But they do believe that God has expressed himself in three different ways. go ahead, brother. I have a hard time with that. because we've got those that listen to us. If you're looking for someone that completely understands the Trinity and can completely illustrate it to you and tell you exactly what it is. Alex, I'd be careful on listening to them about everything else, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and let me say this. We've got to make a distinction between ignorance and unbelief, right? I mean, it's one thing to be uninformed on a topic, and it's another thing to know, about it. And Reject it. Now, with that being said, the good news is the key to getting into heaven is not acing a theology exam. I don't fully understand the Trinity. I definitely believe in the Trinity, because that's how God has revealed himself. I don't understand it. So don't think you have to completely understand or that really the technical word is to apprehend. to fully, fully, fully understand something, you apprehend it. None of us can fully apprehend all there is to know about the Lord and his Word. so I'm less worried about someone who's in a state of being uninformed, but I'm more concerned about someone who does know truth and rejects it.

>> Bert Harper: I agree. I think we'll have spinach the rest of the time. This is from a nine year old. Our mother relates it. And here it is, the nine year old, the parent. He asked, why didn't God just make us all perfect to begin with? When I asked him what he meant by that, he said, with no sin. I explained how sin came into the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the tree of life. But he responded, well, well, why did God even make the tree to begin with?

>> Alex McFarland: Do you know? Children are so perceptive.

>> Bert Harper: Well, you've written a book on this, so I thought, well, I'm going to relate this to Alex. People accuse me of saying, what do you think, Alex? So guess what I'm saying, what do you think, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, God bless you. You know, we did a book called the 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about God. And I was on the road, sat down, face to face with over 300 families. And then we did a video series with the American Family Studios. And, we give God the glory for that. Kids are very, very perceptive. Here's the thing. So we could have a relationship with God. He gave us a choice. And the creation and the tree, it was all the way. It was so that we could know about God and we could choose to love him and experience Jesus in our life. He didn't force us. We had a choice.

>> Bert Harper: Innocence was great, but redemption is even greater. Let me show you. Isn't that right? If you make sure you've been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Alex, it's been a joy to be with you again on this Friday.

>> Alex McFarland: God bless you folks. Go to church on Sunday. Try to take somebody with you. Bring them under the sound of the gospel. Tell everybody about Jesus and we thank you for listening to exploring the word. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Bert Harper: Broadcast do not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Alex McFarland: The American Family association or American Family Radio.

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