American Family Radio explores the Bible with questions from listeners

>> 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: Easter still draws people under the Lord Jesus Christ

>> Bert Harper: Well, happy Easter and we're hoping you're having a great weekend this weekend and that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will lift him up. Man, this is a time when more people go to church than any other time of the year. And, I know people kind of make fun of people. Well, they go on Easter and Christmas. Well, I'm glad they go on Easter and Christmas. And I do want more. But I am glad that Easter still has that strength to draw people under the Lord Jesus Christ. This is Bert Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland, and it's our joy to be with you as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alex, I got one thing to say. The resurrection changed everything.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, absolutely.

Bert says Jesus is our foundation for hope and future

Well, Bert, it's great to be with you and great to talk about this most glorious subject. One of my favorite subjects is the resurrection of Christ. That, yes, there is an empty tomb. And if you ever go to Jerusalem, you can see the words you. He is not here. He is risen. As he said. Bert, our lord has a 100% track record of keeping his promises. And Easter is, well, I'll put it this way. Jesus, because he rose, he is our foundation for hope and a future, isn't He?

>> Bert Harper: He really is. And that hope is so real in our day, when there's a lot of hopelessness in Christ Jesus, he gives hope. And I know refer to this quite a bit over in First Corinthians 13, known as the love chapter. And it is, it's awesome. And it says these three remain faith, hope and love. Right in the middle of, faith and love is what hope. And our hope is in a good position. It stands on those pillars of, of faith and love in Christ Jesus. And it's not a hope, so it is a know so hope that I know that my redeemeth liveth. And that is the whole thrust of Easter. And on this weekend, we just praise God for all that he has done is doing. And Alex, you also said Jesus is a foundation of our hope and future. Not only what he has done is doing, but what he's going to do one day.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. amen.

Bert says Easter and Christmas are two great opportunities to share salvation

Well, and let me say with Easter, you know this, I really think Easter and Christmas These are kind of the two annual opportunities the church has to really share the life changing message of salvation. It is true a lot of folks come to church at Easter that maybe they don't come to church otherwise. So let me just encourage Christians and certainly pastors to, you know, make, make it clear how we can know Jesus. and this is, Bert, they call it the good news, the gospel. And it indeed it is good news. It's great news because people need hope. And when I say hope, and I know you would agree, we're not just talking about some pie in the sky, wishful thinking. No, it is knowledge of true reality and the fact that Jesus Christ, he took our sin, debt and on the cross, the guilt, the punishment for our sins. you know, theologians of old would speak of God's just displeasure, but yes, the punishment for sin that I deserved all of it, it was put on Jesus. And when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. we have a home in heaven. if you're a born again believer, your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. But Bert, I want to tell you, my knowledge of Jesus and my relationship with Christ Jesus, that is my everyday joy. It's not just heaven at some future distant point. No, it's reality right now, this day and every day, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: Are you talking about a friend that stays closer than a brother? I think you know, that's who he is. He is our friend. And, that makes all the difference in the world. He can be your best friend. He's the friend that will not leave you. He'll not forsake you. He's there in the good times and the difficult times. And that is the Lord Jesus, I came that you might have life and that you have it abundantly. Well, Alex, that life is bound up in Christ. And he said, I got to go away. He said, and when I go away, I'm going to send the comforter and he's going to be with you, in you, and you're going to do even greater things. And so, Alex, this is the life that believers can live in Christ Jesus. It's a life filled with real hope. Not a, as you said, not a nebulous hope, not something that you know may happen. And it's not just pie in the sky. By and by it is that, hey, we've got a future and it is in heaven. But eternal life is not talking about what went, what happens when we die, but it. Eternal life is not just a quantity it is a quality, and that quality is bound up in Christ Jesus. And like Philippians 3, 10 says, we have this oak because of the power of the resurrection. The power of the resurrection brings this hope. He overcame our greatest enemy, sin and death. And so he reigns. amen. And he's on the throne, isn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He is on the throne. He is on the throne.

Bert says Christmas and Easter remind him of Jesus' victory over death

You know, Bert, talking about the friend that sticketh closer than a brother, it kind of takes me back. And if you'll indulge me, I got to share something. When I was growing up, mom and dad had this record player, and we didn't have many records, but my sister and I had this one record. We would play it over and over. And, I'm old enough that I remember they were called 45s. It was not a big LP, but a little record. Now, do you remember those?

>> Bert Harper: I do remember them, yes.

>> Alex McFarland: All right. Well, we had this. We only had, like, 1:45, but my sister and I would play it over and over. And it was Tennessee Ernie Ford. And it was this little record, but it had. Actually, it had four songs. There were two on each side. Now, one was called in the Garden, and one was called When They Ring those Golden Bells, and one was called the Old Rugged Cross. But my favorite song, and I was a little kid, I played it endlessly, was Tennessee Ernie Ford singing what a Friend we have in Jesus. And, Bert, it would be many, many years before I really actually understood this and personally experienced it. But I was a little bitty kid, and for some reason, I just loved that song, and I didn't even understand the words, But Caroline and I would play this little record over and over, and, you know, it said, what a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. And, you know, years later, I wanted to learn that song on the guitar. Actually, it's in the key of. Which is, like, a very hard key to play something in on guitar. But I strove and I strove till I learned that thing and played it in church a bunch of times. But, you know, that song made a huge impression on me as a little bitty kid. and I learned, and I hope everybody hearing this knows Jesus is that closest of all friends. You know, the song says, the scripture says, and it is true, he is that faithful friend he shares and alleviates all of our sorrows when we're weak, he makes us strong and Easter is a reminder, folks, this Is reality. I say this. The tomb was left empty so that our life could be made full. And I hope Jesus is your closest of all friends. He is, as we often say, he's as close by as a prayer. And I love Easter. I love Christmas, the birth of Christ, but I love Easter to the resurrection of Christ. Because, see, this is the proof of it all. I mean, Jesus taught. He did the miracles. He fed the 5,000. We know all this. But here's the thing. The fact that Jesus could do what nobody else could do with his own power. He conquered the grave. The unbeatable foe death. The grave sin, judgment. Jesus was victorious over it all. And the Bible makes this promise. When we put our faith in Jesus, we also in Jesus, are victorious over death in the grave.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, brother. You were talking about that Christmas and Easter. And, listen, it's. I remember this. They reading about this. Someone asked Charles Haddon Spurgeon, one of our greatest preachers who've ever lived, to be honest. If you can get ahold of his sermons and read them, you'll see this asking, what's more important, prayer or Bible study? And he looked and he said, you know what's more important? Breathing in or breathing out? you need both. And I would say Christmas and Easter is that way. The Incarnation and the Resurrection, listen, you would not have one. The other would be meaningless. The Incarnation would be meaningless if it were not for the Resurrection. The resurrection would have never happened if it had not been for the Incarnation. So here on this Easter weekend, we are celebrating, this Good Friday, when he went to the cross and became sin for us. The perfect sacrifice, before the sacrifice had to have no spot and no blemish. But they were not the perfect sacrifice. They would have to do it over and over again each year. They'd have to offer that sacrifice and to cover their sins. It's called atonement covering. But when Jesus comes, into our lives, he not only he doesn't cover our sin, he washes them away and he takes care of our sin. He removes them as far as the east is from the west and never holds them against us. Against again. Now he may remind us of them so that we won't repeat the dumb mistakes that, we're prone to. Do you remember that old song, Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the one I love. the Bible calls us sheep. That's not a compliment. Let me share that with you.

>> Alex McFarland: That's true.

>> Bert Harper: They're wandering. They're defenseless. And, so we're that wandering sheep that the good shepherd goes and brings us back into the fold. I praise God for Jesus Christ being that good shepherd. And that goes back to our theme that gives us hope. He is the good shepherd, Alex, and he is the one that goes with us and carries us through those hard times. real quickly, I'm reminded of that dream the guy had, that he was walking on the beach, and it was representing his life. And at the most difficult times of his life, there was only one set of footprints. And, he was asking God, why did you leave me during these hard times? And the Lord says to him, son, you don't understand. That's not your footprints. Those are mine. That's when I was carrying you. And Alex, he's a friend that carries us through the most difficult things that we'd ever go through. Hallelujah. What a savior.

>> Alex McFarland: Praise God. Well said. Well said.

First Corinthians 15 is well known as the resurrection chapter

Well, you know, I want to talk about some things that are unique about this gospel message. And let me read a little bit from First Corinthians, chapter 15. You know, just as like 1 Corinthians 13 is well known as the resurrection chapter. Well, First Corinthians 15 is well known because, M. Paul really defends the resurrection. verse 12 of 1 Corinthians 15. Paul says this. If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection from the dead? But if there be no resurrection, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is vain. And also your faith is vain. And we are found false witnesses of God because we testified that God did raise him up. But if Christ did not rise, the dead rise either. Paul writes, and I love all this, he goes on and on. In verse 19 of 1 Corinthians 15, he says, if Christ isn't risen, and if in this life only we have hope, then we of all men are most miserable. And that's true. Verse 20. But Christ now is risen.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: Present tense verb. Christ is risen.

>> Bert Harper: He is risen indeed. And we pray you know him as, ah, Savior and Lord. He changes lives. He can change your life this very day.

Preborn Network aims to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn clinics

Listen more. We want to talk more about the hope that is in Christ Jesus right now.

>> Bert Harper: The voices in our culture are loud, but truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity, and hope. But I refuse to be silent. And I'm asking you to join me. At, preborn Network clinics, a woman is welcomed with compassion and given a free ultrasound. She sees the life growing inside her, often for the first time. And in that sacred moment, fear gives way to clarity. And she's offered something the abortion industry will never provide. The hope of Jesus Christ. This April, our goal is to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn network clinics, trusting God to bring the increase as we remain faithful to speak. You can help make that possible by sponsoring ultrasounds. Just $28 provides one ultrasound. $140 sponsors five ultrasounds for mothers in crisis. Every dollar helps save babies and share the good news of Jesus Christ. To donate, dial £250 and say the keyword baby. That's £250, baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host

>> Jeff Chamblee: welcome back to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.

Alex: Hope comes in all ages and it comes in different stages

>> Bert Harper: you know, hope is so important, and we're living in a time when so many people seems to be hopeless, and it comes in all ages. I, I've been at the people who were elderly, they were in nursing homes, they were in their home and just not doing what they were able to do. They would talk about what they used to be able to do, but now, they're unable to. And young people who feel like, where is the world going to? it's beyond our thoughts. But I want to tell you, if your hope is in this world, it will fail you. But Alex and I are talking about a different kind of a hope, a hope that is in a person, and that person is Jesus Christ. Alex, when we say our hope is in Christ Jesus, that makes it secure, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Absolutely. Ah, you know, I was on the road speaking, and somebody said, you surely do seem optimistic. And I said, well, you know, I'm not an optimist. I'm a realist. And the real truth is that Jesus Christ is coming back. Jesus Christ rose. And we have the absolute assurance that in Christ our sins are forgiven. If you've put your faith in Jesus, the Bible says that you have everlasting life. Your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. And, you know, I love all these scriptures, like Hebrews 13:5, where the Lord Jesus said he would never leave me or forsake me.

57% of teenagers feel stress, depression and hopelessness, study says

And Bert, I think part of the reason it's important to talk about this is I was just reading a study, just yesterday, the center for Disease Control the cdc, they were writing about how depression is very bad for your health, right? And teenagers, they were saying that 57% of teenagers feel stress, depression and hopelessness. And, Bert, it's interesting because, you know, there was a day when sometimes youth would be reprimanded for being too optimistic. And now it's like, many of our youth, almost six out of 10, have a debilitating pessimism. And let me say this. You know, humans, just hopelessness is tragic. Now, I know I'm not blind to the fact we've got a lot of challenges in this world, but there's nothing faced by humans or America itself that can't be solved. When you turn to the Lord and to everybody listening to this, Bert, oh, my goodness. Jesus Christ not only solves the biggest challenge of all, sin and separation from God, you put your faith in Christ, you are right with God. And it's amazing how the rest of life, when you get right with the Lord, the rest of life will fall into place. You can be at peace with others. Bert, I'll tell you one thing that's beautiful about the risen Jesus. You can be at peace with your self.

>> Bert Harper: Isn't that something that is amazing when you think about that, that we can have this peace that passes all understanding, and it comes through a relationship. Now, here's what people are doing, Alex, and you know it as well. People are looking for real relationships. And a lot of time they try to find it in one thing, in an immoral way. some trying to find a relationship at the bottom of a bottle, as we'd say, you know, trying to find it in a joint, trying to find it by sniffing a substance up their nose. They're trying to find some peace that they can do. And they're having a relationship with alcohol. They're having a relationship with illicit drugs. And here it is. It's in Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone. he is not only our redeemer, the possibility of being your redeemer, he is your regardless. Now, that is true. God has made us. He's the one that. That made us. The design that we have with two eyes and the nose that comes between them, with the nose turned down and not upward. And I know that's, you know, my sense of humor, but, you know, wouldn't it be bad if he had made us with our nose turned upward so when it rained, it'd be bad? Now, I know that's grotesque. But listen, I say that because I want you to know you are designed from God. Those of you who are listening, your design is by God. And you say, well, I don't like it. Listen, I use this quite a few times, but I just like it. Our oldest son, Nathan, loves Star Wars. And one of the most grotesque things about Star wars was the creatures that. That they imagined and what they would look like. They'd go into some, quote, saloon or some bar, and there'd be people there. Three eyes, an eye on top of their head, their noses on either side.

>> Alex McFarland: You know,

>> Bert Harper: If it were left up to chance, that's what you would look like. That's what you would be. But because of God's design, we have symmetrical. We are m. Made. Well. But after that, Alex, is the redemptive nature of God. He wants to redeem us. And people are trying to satisfy the outward part of man by trying all kinds of things. And it does not work from the outside inside. How God made us is to work from the inside out. When our heart is changed, our direction is changed. When our heart and our mind are saturated with the word of God, then our thoughts will be that of purity and that of good. And so people are trying to correct the outside without even changing the inside. That's the reason transgenderism will never, ever be right and never work in your life. M. And so this is the whole idea, Alex. God has made us. He's made us in creation, but he can save us in redemption and become that friend that. That you and I have been talking about in this program that stays closer than a brother that we can depend on. He's there through thick or thin. And again, I know I've said it. I'm going to say it one more time. Hallelujah. What a savior.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, we. We've said this and over the years, you and I working together, and I think we've. I really think the Lord has given us some.

Bert Harper: Once you know Jesus Christ, you have a real purpose

Some thoughts that, we've said a lot of times. We've said this.

>> Bert Harper: We.

>> Alex McFarland: What's internal is eternal. You know, the real you. A lot of people, they try to change things on the outside, but I want to say this. Bert Harper has said it. Well, folks, you are not going to have peace in your soul through alcohol or drugs or illicit behavior or immorality or any of those. Those dead end streets, those avenues that the world, the flesh, and the devil would lure you down because the. The inside of you, that storm, that turbulence that's inside of you, and you're wondering, where is peace? Well, the Bible says in John 14, this is just so beautiful. Jesus said, peace I'll give to you not as the world gives, but the peace that passes all understanding. It's only in the one that the Bible calls the prince of peace. Now, here's the thing. Let me just say this. there was a movie, some months ago, a Barbie movie, Bird. I haven't seen it. I didn't see the Barbie movie, But I did take note of the song. It won an Academy Award for best song of the Year. Pop singer Billie Eilish. And I really don't know anything much about this person, but, the song was titled what Was I Made for? And, Bert, I listened to the lyrics many times. It's actually, I think, a quite beautiful song. But it says, I used to know, but now I'm not sure what was I made for? And it goes on. It says, I don't know how to feel, but I want to try. Someday I might. Someday I might know what was I made for? Birth. The resurrection of Christ says. And I wish we had a megaphone to tell the entire human race. Folks, you were made to know the Lord Jesus. That's what you were made for. That's why no matter what you quest after, you come away feeling empty or less than satisfied. Because just like the song was asking Bert, I think millions of people are asking, what is my life all about? Well, it's in Jesus. there was an old hymn. My hope has found a resting place. Do you remember that song?

>> Bert Harper: I do, I do, yes. It's an old one, but it's a good one.

>> Alex McFarland: Maybe today there's somebody listening. And look, the search is over. You'll come to Jesus. And you will not. I promise you. You will. You will know. This was what my heart was longing for. Because Jesus loves you. He'll forgive you. Your life will begin to make sense. You're going to have assurance, come what may, see whatever tomorrow throws at you, whether it be life or death, you're ready. Because you're in the one who is king of kings and the Lord of all, the Lord Jesus Christ. Bert, the gospel is called good news. and indeed it is, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is good news. As you were talking, I wrote down three words that you really hit on. And it is, once you know Jesus Christ, you have a real purpose. You. You really do. A purpose for living, a purpose for your life that those of you that may be downhearted right now, God has a purpose for you. And in that, you can have peace. Peace that passes all understanding now, we're not talking about the peace that people find in a cemetery. we're not talking a peace that's absent of conflict. It's peace in the midst of the conflicts. Because I just want to tell you, in this world, you're going to have conflicts. You're going to be conflicted on many ways. What bills to pay? where do I go? I. I remember marrying a couple, and both of their parents had divorced and they had remarried, and they had been going, each one of them each Christmas. They had been going to four different places at Christmas to be with their parents and their grandparents and the, you know, the adopted, quote, grandparents. And he said, how can we make eight? They were so conflicted. We're not going to be able to do this. And I was trying to help them during this to. To bring the process, to knowing what they could do and not what others wanted them to do. But. But he can give peace in the midst of the conflict. And he brings hope to our lives. Hope not only for the future, as we've said in this, but hope for right now that he can guide us. Listen, the Bible makes it plain in proverbs, that he will direct our paths. Alex, if I understand what a path is, a path is usually, a. A narrow area going through obstacles. It can be through rocks, it can be through trees, but it's a path. And he can direct us in those paths every once in a while. And, you know, I'm not a big hiker, but there's some paths over here in northeast Mississippi that I, take ever so often at a. Really at one of the state parks here, and you come to a fork, and, when I first went over that path, I didn't know exactly which one to take because the signs were down. But now that I've gone through that path, I can trust it. I know which path to take to. To. To go where I want to go. Well, God will direct your paths to let you know which direction to go when there's conflict, when there's difficulty. If you do not know Jesus Christ as savior today, those of you who are listening, you're missing out on.

Alex: Being a born again Christian is not the absence of all problems

On a great, great adventure that only Christ can direct you. he is the one that can go with you through these difficult, tight places, through those places where you're barely on the edge of a cliff and. And he can guide you around that mountain path that is so difficult and hard. Now, I'm trying to build a picture, Alex, but that is life, you know, life Is not real smooth highway, is it?

>> Alex McFarland: No, not always. I mean, and let me be clear. Being a born again Christian is not the absence of all the problems. In fact, Bert, you know, sometimes, if you really get serious about following the Lord, sometimes, that's where life does get a little bit complicated. Actually. and I've said this, and not trying to be like a cliche, but, coming to Jesus is not the subtraction of all of life's problems, but it is the addition of Christ's presence and his help and his wisdom through all of life's challenges. But let me just say this. At this time in history when, many people feel that they are just out of options, let's revisit what this gospel is here at Easter. For one thing, the Christian worldview. What the Bible says, not the opinion of man, but the word of God. It's a unique presentation of the truth about God. And let me say this, and I think people need to hear. God is not distant or uninterested in your life. No. God profoundly cares about your life. God cares. God is not unreachable, just like, some far away absentee creator. No, Bert, God, if you will turn to Jesus, God is the most present relationship in your life. The Lord Jesus is the most real reality in every hour of every day, really. And Bert, don't you find, like prayer and all day long, you know, feeling the presence of God, being directed by God, communion with God, you know, prayer? I mean, it's like breathing all day long. I mean, it's like if you're awake and conscious, the Lord Jesus is with you. Would you agree?

>> Bert Harper: I agree fully. God is. You can know him now. That's the secret. Listen, God exists. God is real. God's not a figment of imagination. He's not myth. He is a person. He is a knowing person. He's a caring person. Not distant, as you said. And we can know him. Alex, that's because of Jesus Christ. Who he is, what he's done, where he is right now. We can have this relationship with God through Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone. So that's what Alex and I are talking about, the gospel. It really means good news. And it is good news. And I heard about a young man, he had a speech impediment and people was mocking him. But when he found out that God cared for him, even with his, difficulties that he had in life, those things that were not pleasant for him or for others, he found out good news. And when he did it. He went through the Bible camp saying, good news, good news. Alex and I are sharing today on this radio broadcast. As loud as we can be, as clear as we can be, there is good news in Christ Jesus. We pray that you know him as Lord and Savior as he gives you hope.

>>  : The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains. It won't walk the dog, won't pick up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your friends favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app.

Alex: Christian message really is a unique and factual presentation of who God is

>> Jeff Chamblee: Now back to the Bible study. You're listening to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.

>> Alex McFarland: It's about the, cross.

>> Bert Harper: When you have seen him, you have seen the Father. So when you find out who God is, automatically you know, Jesus is that way as well. I and my father are one. So those people who want to talk about God, but they want to leave Jesus on a shelf or less than. And that's been around a long time, Alex. Gnosticism, you know, emanations from God. And, Jesus was less than. Jesus is not less than. According to John, chapter one. Let me see. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God. The Word was with God. The same was in the beginning with God. And in verse 14 of that chapter, it says, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Listen, when you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father. So, Alex, when we was talking about God cares. God's not distant, but he's close as a prayer. he's able to reach him. God is, and you can know him. Is that the same thing about Jesus?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Absolutely. You know, we, mentioned, that the Christian message really is a unique and factual presentation of who God is. It's a unique presentation of who Jesus is. Jesus is not a myth, but he is real. He's actual. He's historical. He's, not just a good role model or a quote, you know, good moral person. No, he's God incarnate. And, let me say this. it wasn't that Jesus was just an example of trying to show the human race how they ought to live. I've had people say that, that, you know, Jesus. Well, Jesus was showing us a better way. Look, I Know, we should love our neighbor, we should be kind, we should, you know, be loving and helpful. But no, Jesus was God coming to pay the sin debt of the human race. He was a messiah, the Lamb that would take away the sin of the world. And it's not just a Christian, is not somebody who's just trying to be like Jesus. No, we have put our faith, our trust in who he is and what he did. Who is He? The Son of God. What did he do? He took my sin debt to Calvary's cross. And, like you mentioned, Charles Spurgeon, who we love, that we know that we are set right with God and we'll go to heaven based on the righteousness of Christ, which becomes our righteousness by having put our faith in him. So, you know, we need to be clear. And I think Easter is a great reminder to revisit and just be very clear on who Christ is, what Christ did, what Christ did to prove his identity and m. Mission the resurrection, and then how we come into a relationship with it. Because, But, from a human perspective, I mean, there's people that we say, well, this was a very. This was a good person. Somebody over here, we say, well, that person was not a good person. Look, the standard isn't my neighbor or who I think is good or bad. We have to come to Christ because, by Jesus, we've all fallen short, you know, And. And so we put our faith in Jesus and Christ, righteousness becomes ours the minute we put our trust in Him.

Alex: Jesus Christ can make us fit for heaven, isn't He

It is absolutely a unique message.

>> Bert Harper: It is. And when you were talking about that, if you've ever gone to the D.C. the tomb of the Unknowns, and watched the changing of the guard. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Yes.

>> Bert Harper: That is one of the most unique, picturesque, beautiful, events I've ever seen. And, after I was there, I started looking. I said, man, could I have been join and be a part of that. And I found out they had to be so and so height. They had to be slim and trim, everything else. And I thought to myself, you know, I just don't measure up. And that would be true. I don't measure up to the qualifications that is needed to. To be the soldier of that walking the guard at the tombs of the unknown. When it comes for us, you and me and everyone who is listening, trying to equip ourselves to be fit for heaven, to be fit to be called the children of God. I just want to say Bert Harper doesn't measure up. I never would, I never will. But unlike the tomb, the Tomb of the Unknowns and the guards who guard that Jesus Christ can come in and make us fit. He's the one that can take away all the shortcomings, all the things, and wash them white as snow and make us fit for heaven. That's who Jesus is. And you know, I know I've said this before, but some things are worth repeating. I laugh when I see a program saying, well, we're going to tell you about the historical Jesus. Like we don't know the historical Jesus. We find the historical Jesus in the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He is historical. He is not a myth. He's a real person. And as you said, not just to be a moral teacher, not just to be a guide. But he's the one that went before us, Alex. He's the one that cleared the way that. That if we could join him and be in him, we could be a part of the way to God the Father. And it's only through Christ. There's no other way. God doesn't have a planned B. he does not have an alternate route to get to the same place. It's only through Christ Jesus. Those words are very plain. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, the life. No one can come to the Father. But by now, Alex, you majored in English. You know English. I did not. that was my most difficult subject. And now here's God using me to speak and write. God does have a sense of humor, I can just tell you that. But I did learn about the Definite Article when it talks about the. It's not a. It's not just any. It is the he is the only way, isn't He?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. The Definite Article speaks with specificity. Jesus is the way.

Bert says people should make sure they have Christ in their heart

Bert, I was just a couple of weeks ago in the Cincinnati airport. It was my privilege to go up there and preach. And, I don't know if I told you this, but I was coming home on a Sunday night. We had been there for three days. And anyway, I go to the airport and I'm checking in, as we all do, and I wasn't eavesdropping, but to my right, the gentleman at the next counter was talking with the lady, the check in person. And my heart went out to him because think about this. And she says, you know, can I see your id? And he gives his id And I overheard the lady say. She said, sir, your name is not on this list. And just almost with increasing panic, I heard the guy. He said, but. But I thought I made the reservation. And she Said, well, sir, you're not on my manifest. And I guess that's the list of the passengers. And she said, sir, the plane is about to leave, and I am so sorry, but you're just not on the list. And the guy was. By now he is in full blown, you know, kind of panic. And I thought about this, though. see, here's the thing. I mean, missing a flight, that's bad enough. And I felt sorry for him. And as I checked in, I looked, I said. I said, hey, man, I hope things work out for you. But imagine, folks, just imagine someday standing before God. And I mean, maybe you were a good person. That's great. Maybe you were even a church member. That's great. But you want to make sure your name is in the Lamb's book of life. Heaven forbid. Matthew 7:24, where the Lord has to look at you and say, I'm sorry, I never knew you look. So today I want to ask you, is your name on the list? And the way your name gets on the list of the saved, the redeemed, born again Christian, saved. The Bible uses many words. You admit that you're a sinner. Lord, I admit I have sinned. And I know that my sin has separated me from you. Then you say, I do believe Jesus is the son of God, as he said when Jesus was nailed to the cross. Lord, I believe you did that for me. And today I'm asking, please save me. I turn from sin to faith in you. The Bible calls that to repent. I'm turning from my sin. Lord, I'm putting my trust in you. Dear Jesus, please wash my sin away and save me now. And Bert, the Bible promises, as you know, and you and Jan have given your life to spreading this message, and Angie and I have, too. But the Bible says if we will call on the name of the Lord, we will be saved. Folks, do not leave this world without making sure that you have Christ in your heart. And, Bert, I know on Easter weekend, many churches will probably sing that great hymn, christ the Lord is risen today. And you know, it says this one of those verses, it's awesome. It says, lives again our glorious king. Whereo death is now thy sting. Once he died our souls to save. Where's the victory, the boasting grave? Christ the Lord is risen today. That's life. Nothing else matters other than having Jesus as our Lord and Savior. And to paraphrase the airport story, to make sure that your name is on the list.

>> Bert Harper: That's exactly right. And when we know, we Know him. And he is Lord of all that is he. You're on his list. I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. I'll not turn away from you. once you've come to Christ. On this Easter weekend, as Alex and I have been sharing, we desire for you to know Him. Alex, believe it or not, I was born on Easter Sunday morning. Yes, I was. I was there. And, born on Easter Sunday. Now, that was in 1952. That's a long time ago. And I've never had my birthday on Easter Sunday. Never. Because how Easter is. That's right. I never have. I will one day. If I keep on living a little longer. There's a day coming up when it'll be, on my birthday. Looking forward to it if the Lord doesn't come back. But as I was born on Easter Sunday, would it not be great for some people to be born again on Easter weekend? Good Friday. Good Friday. The Saturday lay low. In the grave he lay, but on Sunday morning bursting forth. Listen. The rock was not rolled away to let Jesus out. The rock was rolled away to let the disciples in. You remember when Peter and John got there? John got there first and he stood and he observed everything. When Peter came in, he just burst in wide open. You know, he's not here. He is risen.

The Lord Jesus Christ is risen today. Easter is a time to renew commitments

The Lord Jesus Christ is risen today. This is what Easter is all about. you've heard and heard about it. It is real. It's not a make believe story, as Alex said earlier. It's not a myth. It is the reality of who Jesus Christ is, overcoming sin and death. And listen, he's paved the way so that we could join him. How do we join him? By trusting in him. By knowing that we're lost. We cannot save ourselves. There's not enough money. There's not enough times to be baptized. There's not enough churches to join. There's not enough sermons to listen to. It's only through Christ, when we put our faith in him, when we turn away from our way and, and turn to him. That's called repentance in the Bible. But it means turning and agreeing with him And Alex, praying and asking. Lord, I am a sinner. I'm lost. There's nothing that I can do in order to save my soul. But today, knowing who you are, knowing what you did by paying the price on Calvary, overcoming sin and death at the resurrection. I ask you to be Lord of my life now and forever. It's not just fix me for a Few minutes. But it's a life change where we go after him and follow him. Alex, you did that at 21. If I remember right, I did it as a 12 year old boy. There hasn't been a moment in my life when I've regretted that decision to follow Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, let me read something out of Acts chapter 1 at verse 9, Jesus has risen from the dead. And he said to the apostles, you know, you're going to receive power. You're witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea. But it goes on. It says, and while Jesus told them these things, he was taken up and behold, a cloud received him out of their sight. That's called the Ascension. Christ ascended to heaven, Right? But it says two angels stood by, and they said, Acts 1:11. You men of Galilee, why are you gazing up into the heavens, standing here? This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will return and come again in like manner as you have seen him go. And they returned unto Jerusalem from the Mount of Olivet, and they, rejoiced and the church was born. And here we are. Okay, this message in the 21st century. The same Jesus. Yes. The one who rose from the dead. The one who is calling out to you right now, Bert. He is coming again. And Easter, I think, is worthwhile time to say. and I got this question this week. Somebody asked me this very week, do you really believe Jesus is coming back? Absolutely. He's coming back. Be ready. help others get ready. Easter is a time to renew commitments. Thank you, Lord. Lord. We're grateful for our salvation, Lord. We are committed to live for you, Lord. It's a joy to represent you and help others know you burn that empty tomb, that reality of our risen Savior. He's coming again. He's with us every step of the journey. what a life. I had an atheist once ask me, why would you want to be a Christian? I said, why would you not want to be a Christian? I mean, really.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Listen, we get more than we could ever dream or imagine. That's what the Bible says, that he is beyond our greatest knowledge of thinking or desiring. He is the Lord of the. And on this Easter weekend, we're praying that those of you who are listening will just examine yourself to make sure there's been a time in your life where Jesus Christ has become Lord of your life. Alex. We're also asking people to go to church this Sunday. Celebrate the resurrection. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. And we're also praying for pastors that they would preach, Jesus is alive and you can know him. That's good news. Isn't is good news?

>> Alex McFarland: And everybody, thanks for listening. Yes, as Bert said, be in church, and one day we will see you in our Father's kingdom. It's a great reality, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Thank you. And we pray that you would have a great Easter weekend. And may Jesus Christ reign in your life.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Faith, Family, Freedom. American Family Radio, a ministry of the American family.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast do not necessarily reflect those of

>> Bert Harper: the American Family association or American Family Radio.

The Best of Exploring the Word: Easter 2024