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Bert Harper and Alex McFarland discuss the Bible on Exploring the Word
Welcome to Exploring the Word. The Sermon on the Mount. Matthew covers it three chapters and we're in the last chapter. It's chapter seven. And, it, seems like he wraps up, but it does have a great climax. But chapter seven, verse one short verse, but man, is it used in 2026. This is Bert Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland, and it's our joy to be with you on this program each Monday through Friday at this time, where we study the Word of God. We read and study, and we then ask you to call us and ask questions. And we do our best to give biblical command concise answers. Alex, Matthew 7, judge not, that you not be judged. have you heard that any lately?
>> Alex McFarland: Do you know, there was a time when I think the most well known verse in the Bible Maybe was Jon 3:16, for God so love the world. But I think in the last 20 years, Matthew 7:1, although they may not be able to call the reference Judge not, Judge not, that's probably the most ubiquitous Bible verse these days, isn't it? But it's not used, by a secular world quite the way I think the word of God intends it.
>> Bert Harper: No, matter of fact, when you read this, and what you see following, there's got to be some judgment. there is. Here's the difference. We have to judge actions and attitudes, man, that's just got to be done. But judging motives, Alex, that's going further than human beings can. We can speculate, we can think we know those, their reasons for doing what they do. But again, the motives, but God knows their motives, doesn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, he really does. And you know, the very same Bible, you and I did a show maybe two years ago on a dozen places where the Word of God tells us to judge. Now, what the Matthew 7:1. Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you meet or evaluate really, it shall be, measured to you again. Okay, here's the thing. In and of ourselves, it's true, we really don't have the authority to pass judgment. But Almighty God and his perfect holy word most certainly is in a position to pass assessment on all of us. And the, the Word of God tells us to Christians to judge, to evaluate doctrines and claims, to reprove immoral behaviors, in other words, to call it out. So let say what this verse does not mean. In no way does the Matthew 7:1 verse mean that sin is not still sin, immorality is not still wrong and immoral, and, that, people that believe the word of God don't have the authority to call out sin. One last thing. Let me just say this. more than 200 times, 200 times plus is the new Testament. It says that Christ's body of believers is really deputized and endued with power. In Matthew 28, 18, 20, the Great Commission, Christ is about to ascend back to heaven. And he says, all power is given to me. And it's really the word for authority or jurisdiction. And yes, the church of Jesus Christ, we have no message of our own, but we do have the revelation of God. We are most absolutely, most certainly in a position to say what is right, what is wrong, as God has written it down. And let me just say this, because these are the hot, hot potatoes of our lifetime. Abortion is wrong. Homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of God. Transgenderism is wrong, wrong. Now, God loves people. Anybody can be saved. Anybody can turn from sin to Christ. But, bert, this Matthew 7:1 has been, construed, should I say misconstrued, to mean anything goes and sin is no longer sin. no, that's not what you can legitimately do with this passage.
>> Bert Harper: Well, Luke gives a shorter version of the Sermon on the Mount. In, Luke 6, he really goes through this. And listen to this. In Luke 6, 37, 38. although it's shorter, he amplifies on this one. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. Good measure. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, you put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. When you see that and read that, it's just talking about our own selves. He's getting to the point. Judge yourselves. That's the big issue. It's more important for me to make judgment on what I am and who I am than on others. Now, the Pharisees are there, Alex. They're listening. They're hearing this. And the Pharisees, man, they're quick to judge everyone else. You remember the Pharisee and the publican that went down and prayed, Luke 18, Luke 18. Do you remember that? Pharisee, I thank God that I'm not like that guy. Now, that was their attitude. And what Jesus is doing is turning the tables on them to look at themselves, judge themselves first, and he'll get to that plank in the eye, the speck in the eye, later. But this, is so true. And so we've already said that in verse three, in verse four, or how can you say to your brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye when you have the plank. Now, my version doesn't say it, but the Bert Harper version says it. The two before, that you're in your eye and then notice, Hypocrite, first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give that is holy for dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces. Now, Alex, again, verse six seems like, where does that come from? But when you can't make judgments concerning yourself, when you cannot look and take care, you have no judgment in what to do with what God's given you. You catch what I'm saying? So, this passage. Jesus really comes on strong here concerning judgment, doesn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it does. Let me read a related scripture. Because, you know, so often scripture amplifies Scripture. Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted and so overtaken in a fault. Tempted? That's sin.
Galatians 6 says we should acknowledge another man's sin
All right. If we're going to observe a brother that's overtaken in a sin, it says, you which are spiritual. In other words, you which are born again and living a, God honoring as best you can, life straight with. Scripture restores such one. The only way that we could, bear one another's burdens, as Galatians 6 says, acknowledge, another man's, you know, being ensnared in sin, and then help him repent and come back, and doing it with humility, mindful that we could also fall into sin. But if we're obeying God's word and walking with the Lord, you know, God will give us the strength not to. But look, the only way we could recognize false sin, lostness, backsliddenness, is if we have judgment or discernment. And so I guess, you know, Bert, I've been very privileged to do open forum, question and Answer Q and A.
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, but by biblical standards, absolutely
In a lot of places, if there's been any verse that's just been twisted up into a pretzel and misused in the last couple of decades, is this Matthew 7:1 Judge not. Well, you're right, you know, we humans, we have no authority in and of ourselves to judge, but by biblical standards, absolutely.
>> Bert Harper: Dan, as we look at this passage, Jesus comes and he puts it there in verse five. If you're not going to make judgments concerning yourself so you can get that plank out of your eye so you can get that speck, you're making a judgment on that speck. he says you're hypocritical, you're not real. And Alex, cast in this pearl before the swine. There's two, two things that I thought about. One was Jesus before Herod? he said nothing to him. you know, there's some. Why cast truth in front of someone who is that demented is the only word I can use. Also Paul, it was in Acts 13 when he's preaching and the Jews come up and they start arguing with them, with him. And in place of him arguing with them about everything that they were doing, this is where it says he would turn to the Gentiles, you know, and shake the dust off of your feet. There are certain times when you make that judgment and again, not the motives, but you see their actions, you know, their attitudes. Is it demonic? Is it just something that is in their mind or the wrong doctrine? Sometimes we can know, sometimes we can't. But we can say, hey, we don't cast this pearl. God's. God's got us ready to go somewhere else. Paul did, Jesus did as well. So, you got to know when to make that call. And that does cause some judgment, doesn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: It really does. It really does. And that's one of the, one of the reasons, folks, we need a wave of Holy Spirit conviction to fall over this nation. You know, we Christians, and certainly those that are in full time ministry. Listen, Bert, I've known a lot of preachers and that we would sit for hours and hours trying to help somebody if they're seeking Jesus and their heart is open and if somebody wants to know how to be saved and how to come to Christ, hey, you, me, Brent Austin, we would talk with, with a seeking person till the cows come home. But people that just want to legitimize sin and debate against God and really live, contrary and in defiant opposition to God's truth, it's better Just to pray for them and move on. we need some humility and conviction, and really, only the Holy Spirit of God do that work and humble the defiant sinner.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, he continues, verses 7 through 11. again, more so than the other. These. I, think they are built on one another, but sometimes the segue from one to the other is pretty quickly. And here's another one, verse seven. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks, finds. And to him who knocks, it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who his own son asks for bread, gives him a stone, or he asks for a fish, give him a serpent. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, listen to this passage. How much more will your father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him? Alex? ask, seek, and knock. That is the commandment. And you make. You know, you don't want to ask. Commit. You want to make it right. So we need to. We need to know the Lord. Let me ask you this. I said it's hard to make the connection, but I think when you make the right judgment. Okay. That we've talked about in these verses one through six, when you pray, it gives you more wisdom on how to pray. Would you agree?
>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Absolutely. Many people, Jon R. Rice among them, have written about this passage. Ask, seek, knock. And just as an earthly father has a, listening ear, a compassionate heart, how much more so our gracious savior in heaven that will hear and respond. Stay tuned. Exploring the word is coming back. More of Matthew, plus your Bible questions after this.
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>> Alex McFarland: sing Everything I Need Everything I need My father hasn't, My father hasn't and every single time the Lord will provide. That's right, my father hasn't. It's my father.
Alex and Bert say prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert, so honored that you're listening. And we're in Matthew chapter seven, very famously, and I love this portion of, Matthew 7. 11. Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find. Bert, it kind of reminds me whenever I read that just beloved passage, you know, ask, seek, knock, and you will get an answer. Really? I think about James 4. 2, which kind of, as a corollary, says, you have not, because you ask not. And I mean, you just think about it. folks, Luke 18:1. We mentioned Luke 18, the publican and the Pharisee, but it begins in Luke 18:1, that men ought to always pray and not faint or give up. And, you know, it's been said, prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish because it is God who answers our prayers. And so to every Christian, to every family, certainly to every church, the power and the presence and the movement of God that our world so desperately needs. Prayer is one of the two or three keys to seeing God at work.
>> Bert Harper: And you can trust God in his answer. If it's no, it's no. If it's weight, it is weight. And those are answers. The question is, you know, they ask for bread. Do they give him a stone, a fish, give him a serpent. Well, Alex, I want my prayers to be. I'm going to use this word edited by the Holy Spirit. By that, I mean, I may be praying for something that is physical in my life or my family's life, but God in his sovereign knowledge knows that if they got that, it would not be a good thing. It would be the detriment. I trust God to know how to answer and to fit it. You hear that word? Fit it to the need. And he said, if we know how to pray, how much more in verse 11, we then be an evil now, okay, that means we're not God. We can't know it all. We have bad thoughts and we think we're doing right, but we're not doing, right. It says for this, what he says for the Father in Heaven gives good things to those who ask him. So, Alex, he knows when to say, no, not now. He knows when to say, no, not that. Can you trust him?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know God, it's been said, I remember when I was very young, I was at a youth group event, and the, teacher said, God has three answers to prayer, yes, no, or wait for something better. And, you know, that's really true, honestly. And the beautiful thing about praying, especially if you pray for a long, long time about something, first of all, God is working. God is always working. And it might not be immediately evident, but the Lord is at work. But as we pray for something, and, there's this whole thing travail in prayer. It changes us.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: As we grow closer to God, we listen more carefully, and let's remember that our, yes, salvation is that moment that you put your faith in Jesus. But it's very much also a relationship and a journey whereby we grow, closer to the Lord. We grow more in conformity to his plan for our life and, the image and the ways of Jesus. So, honestly, praying, even agonizing in prayer for a long, long time and for something, it's good for us and it matures us and it purifies us. Bert, there have been a few people that, I mean, I begged God for their salvation and eventually, eventually. And a few of these people I've loved and known. It's been years, and they did get saved. But I want to tell you, many long days I've spent praying for certain people to come to Christ. And I've still got people I'm praying for. it's been good because it's, I think, made me grow spiritually and in your prayer life.
Your prayers do not override the will of that person that you're praying for
>> Bert Harper: Okay, when we're praying, let's bring this up, Alex. You're praying for those friends I have as well. Family members I have as well. And you're praying concerning someone else's will. Okay, so your. Your prayers do not override the will of that person that you're praying for. They must. God has no grandchildren. Every person must be born again into the family. But it does say, God, keep on working. Don't give up. Bring people into their lives that would touch their lives, bring them into circumstances that would cause them to evaluate and see. You know, Alex, that's what I've had to learn to pray, you know, because we're dealing with somebody else's, quote, free will. And, but doesn't mean we don't pray. Doesn't mean we, we give up, but we can, we do that continually in prayer.
The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have others do unto you
Well, as you come to verse 12 and it is called the golden rule, chapter seven, the first verse. And this verse quoted quite a bit. Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them. For this is the law and the prophets. I still think this is connected to that judgment. You know, I, think it's running. You've got to look, evaluate yourself. Am I misreading that?
>> Alex McFarland: No, I think you're right.
>> Bert Harper: Even in this, what you're doing, what you do, would you do this for yourself? And so it really is an evaluation on actions toward fellow brothers in Christ, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: absolutely, absolutely. therefore all things, whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them. For this is the law and the prophets. C.S. lewis wrote a book, many years ago called the Abolition of Man. And it's basically a warning that if, Europe and America loses morality, it will really be kind of the death of culture and the death of humanity. But in that book in the appendix, C.S. lewis talks about the Golden Rule, we call it, or this, you know, do unto others as you would have others do unto you. That it's been known and talked about throughout all cultures, throughout history. Ancient cultures, Greeks, Romans, Sumerians, the Arabic cultures, of course the Jewish people. Now we don't live up to it. And I want to say this. The Golden Rule is not the plan of salvation, but it is a pretty good rule for a moral ordered society. It is if we all followed
>> Bert Harper: it and we as believers should model that. Should we? Is that, do you catch what I'm saying?
>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. We should role model that. That's why you know, in the early church during the Roman Empire, there was a lot of persecution. But Christians, when they were asked to carry a Roman's, you know, burden and heavy, whether it be their bags or their, whatever they were carrying, they would quote, go the extra mile. They would. And Christians, even if they were mistreated, were. They didn't answer back, with equal mistreatment, but they would forgive. And it was really what, great writers like the late Dr. Rodney Stark, Pulitzer nominated historian, he called it, the Christian rule of beneficence. As in a benevolent offering. Christians in good, good situations, bad situations, unfair situations, Christians treated each other honestly, respectfully and godly. And it began to really open the Roman Empire to the Gospel.
Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the straight gate and the wide gate
>> Bert Harper: Well, we're getting into the Next section, and you get into the twos and comparisons. Notice this is kind of an overview. Doesn't mean we'll get through today. We'll probably have to come back to this on Monday, because tomorrow is far away. Friday. But it has two ways. That's verses 13 and 14. They're known real well. And then in the next few verses, it's kind of like two trees. A good tree and a bad tree. And then, he finishes up with two builders building on. What are they building upon? So we're looking at this Two ways of life. Two ways. Verses 13 and 14. Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction. And there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life. And there are few who find it. Now, Alex, the broad way, it's according to what it is. It's easier because it says the narrow way. It's difficult. but here it is. Let me set this up, and I'll throw it to you. Satan always shows you something when he tangles it before you, dangles it before you. And he is demonstrating it like it did with Eve. Man, if you'll eat this, you'll be like God. He never shows the end result. Satan is always showing you. Okay, start here. It's a lot easier. Start here. It'll be. It'll be good. But he does not show you the finished product, does he?
>> Alex McFarland: He really doesn't. you know, I've said this many times, and I don't mean to belabor the point, but like, Matthew 7, 13, and 14 talks about the straight gate and the wide gate, the. The narrow road and the broad road. And G.K. chesterton said this. I've quoted it many times, but he said, it's not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting. It's been found difficult and left untried. And I will grant you to live biblically. Not everybody's going to approve of it, to say, look, yeah, there's no savior but Jesus. That's what the Bible says. Jesus Christ. Here's the challenge, folks. Follow Christ, even at the risk of being misunderstood, you know?
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: by the way, this. This scripture very famously was m. Mocked. There's a horrid poem, some of you, that are as old as me, maybe in high school, by William Ernst Henley. you read Invictus?
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: it's a demonic piece of poetry. And it closes. It's Invictus, which, you know, I Actually was sharing the gospel with a man one time, and he said that Invictus was the creed he lived by. And I said, well, I'm gonna be praying for you. There's a verse. It says, it matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul. Well, that's mocking the words of Christ here. Jesus says, verse 13. Enter in at the straight gate. For wide is the gate, broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many there be which go in there at, because straight is the gate, narrow is the way which leads to life. And few there be that find it. Let me say this. Jesus's arms are open wide. And he says, whosoever will may come. But there is no other way to be saved. Only through Jesus. That narrow gate. And if you'll turn to Christ and follow him, put your faith in Jesus to be saved. That's the wisest, best decision you'll ever make.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Notice the word enter. Enter. It means beginning. Jesus is laying out something here as he finishes up this sermon. Are you going to enter that gate that he offers to you? It may be difficult, it may be hard, it may not be popular, but it is the right way. And again, I'm not moving on too fast, but when you put these together, I was just amazed at it. Then you enter. If you've entered into that gate that you're narrow, what kind of fruit are you bearing that moves us into the second part? The tree. The bad tree gives bad fruit. A good tree gives good fruit. And then it finishes with the builders building on sand or rock. What are you building your life on? What's going to be the result? So here, Alex, you've done a great job.
Alex says you have to know Jesus to enter the kingdom of heaven
We want those who are listed. Have you entered this gate? This gate is Jesus. Jesus said, I'm, the way, the truth and the life. No one, absolutely no one, can come to the Father except through me, by me. He is the gate. He is the way you enter and have eternal life. And, there are few that find it. But I want to tell you, there's enough of us that we can recommend it real highly. Can't we, can't we, Hallux?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, 15 through 20 really kind of speaks for itself. Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing. that's why you need to know the Bible, because not, everything that glitters is gold, as the old saying says. there are those that Come in sheep's clothing, but, inwardly they are ravening wolves. Or it really means hungry. Hungry to, exploit and take people down. Talks about the fruits that a tree bears. Of course, as you've well said. Now, verse 21:23. And you and I have taught on this many times. Matthew 7, 21:23. Very sobering. Part of God's word. And this is again the words of Christ. It's in red. Not everyone that says to me, lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. But he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven, many will say to me in that day, the judgment day, lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name and in your name cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? Then Jesus will say unto them, I never knew you depart from me, you that work iniquity. Let's talk about this a little bit. The one who does the will of the Father in heaven. Well, what is the will of the Father? First, Jon tells us to believe in Jesus Christ, whom God the Father has sent. And bert, in verse 22, there are a number of external works that look maybe pretty spiritually impressive. But verse 23, you have to know Jesus. And, folks, you don't want to be there on the day that you meet God, as we all will. And Christ say, I'm sorry I never knew you. you might be religious, you might be moral. Do you know Jesus? That relationship can begin today because he's as close by as a prayer.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. The possibility of Judas Chariot being there and him having done these things, but not knowing him was reality. Make sure you know him. That number. If you have a number. Question. 888-589-8840. We'd love to hear from you today. We're living in a time when truth is under attack. Lies are easy to tell, easy to spread, and easy to believe. But truth, truth is costly. And nowhere is the cost greater than for mothers in crisis. When a woman is told abortion is her only options, silence and lies surround her. But when she walks into a PreBorn Network clinic, she's met with compassion, support, and the truth about the life growing inside her. That moment of truth happens through a free ultrasound, and it's a game changer. When a mother sees her baby and hears that heartbeat, it literally doubles the chance she'll choose life. PreBorn Network clinics are on the front lines, meeting women in their darkest hours, loving them, helping them choose life, and sharing truth. Friend, this is not a time to be silent. It's time for courage, for truth, for life. Just $28 provides one ultrasound and the opportunity for a mother to see her baby. To help her choose truth and life. Donate today, call £250 and say, Baby. That's £250, baby. Or give online at PreBorn AFR. That's preborn.com afr.
>> Alex McFarland: No condition. You lift me up and up again
no matter who surrounds.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. I'm glad he lifts us up and up again. I've been there, needed to be lifted up, and Jesus has come through each and every time.
We take Bible questions toll free, you can call anywhere in America
Well, if you have a Bible question, we'd love to hear it. Today is 888-589=8840 And, we take Bible questions. And so we've got people calling in. Alex, are you ready to go?
>> Alex McFarland: I'm ready to go. By the way, folks, that number toll free, you can call anywhere in America. It's 888-589-8840. We would love to hear from you any and every Bible question. And Bert and I will do our best to give you a good answer.
Matt: I've accepted Jesus as my Savior and I do repent
>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, let's go to Texas and talk to Matt. Matt, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Okay, so, I try to listen to y' all every chance I get. so my question is I believe in Christ. I believe he died and rose three days later. But I've been listening to some different programs and stuff, and I'm kind of confused. So, I've accepted Jesus. but I'm worried that because I have. I do have sin in my life. I mean, I'm not perfect. Is that condemning me to hell just because I have sin and I do repent?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Matt, thank you for calling. Thank you for an important, important question. You have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord he is. There's been a time in your life where you said, God, I can't do it. I'm a sinner. I'm lost. I, need you. I know you died on the cross. You rose again. And I'm asking you to come into my life, forgive me, and be Lord of my life. I'm not saying you've done exactly those words, Matt, but there's. Has there been a time in that life, in your life, where that has transpired?
Oh, yes, sir.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. Okay, Alex, let me see. Let me ask you this question, and you answer. Matt, he says he. He. He ascend. Can you name any. Any human being that's come to Know Christ that has even the only one that I could think about, possibly as a thief on the cross because he trusted Christ. Sin, we're dual natured, aren't we? We have a new nature. But guess what? That old nature, the Bible says crucified, you know, put it to death.
>> Alex McFarland: do you know, I think about Hebrews 12:1 and first of all, I firmly believe, and I don't say this lightly because, you know, we're talking about the souls of people, our own included, I firmly believe the minute a person calls out to Jesus like you have done and Bert has done and Brent and myself, and we say, dear Jesus, I believe you died for me. Lord, please save me. Please forgive my sins, however you phrase it, but you're acknowledging that you're a sinner and you're acknowledging Jesus Christ, the son of God, he died on the cross for me. Dear Lord, please forgive me, save my soul. I firmly believe the minute we do that we are born again. Romans 10:13, calling on the name of the Lord. Jon 6:37, Jon 6:41, Jon 5:13. Okay, now, positionally we are in Christ. We, have passed from death unto life. In other words, on the highway of life, we've changed lanes. We were in this lane called death. Lost, sinful, bound for hell. We took an exit ramp called life. And we're in a different position now. I think what you're grappling with is not lost versus saved, but carnal versus spiritual. Now this is, and even Paul talks about this in Romans 7. But I'm going to share something and Bert, I'm going to throw it to you. In Hebrews, 12, chapter one. Hebrews chapter 12, it says, let us lay aside every weight. And the sin which so easily ensnares us. And the wording there, I looked up the original word there. It's the word, what you. Peristatos, anyway, but it means to get entangled in something. It's almost like imagine you're running and you get your ankles tangled up in some vines and it's gonna throw you down. It doesn't mean you weren't in the race, running, but something ensnared you. And that's why, we, we talk about daily repentance. Maybe sometimes it's gotta be multiple times per day. And I do think, and Bert, I'll throw it back to you. I think every Christian, there are some things that would never, ever, ever be a temptation. But then there are other things that you struggle with, a myriad of things. And so that's why we have to establish habits, what, what Jon Wesley would have called the habits of holiness. And the more habitual you do anything, the more natural it becomes. And if we were in God's word, we're yielding to God's Holy Spirit, we're repenting if we have to repent a dozen times a day, Lord Jesus, take control, Lord, I'm handing the reins to you. it will become more and more natural to say yes to God's Holy Spirit and no to the noise and promptings of the flesh.
>> Bert Harper: Matt, I want to pray for you. Father, I thank you for. Matt, I thank you that he has received you as Savior. And Lord, I pray you would help him in his walk with you, that he would be mindful of sin. And when that happens, an attitude or an action, he would confess it and make it right. And, Father, that he would find a person that, that they could grow together and have accountability together. And Father, I pray that he would grow in you. Thank you for his salvation. And Father, may he just walk in your presence. And may your Holy Spirit just strengthen him and guide him and help him in Jesus name. Amen. Hey, Matt, stay online and if you would, Richard will get you your address. We want to send you, some material. Guys, put him on hold, Brent, and then Richard can do that. Appreciate it so much. So we got him on hold? Yeah, we do.
Alex: God told us to go out in the world and spread the word
So we're going to go to Kentucky and talk to Frank. Frank, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hi, brother. And, I have a. A special complaint. My complaint is I've been in, Kentucky for years, and I haven't even yet. I've been out and about like anyone else has. And, when's the last time someone came up to you, a Christian came up to you and asked you, do you know Jesus as your personal savior? It's been a long time. There's nothing's wrong with that. Because I know Christians are out there somewhere. You can go to. I, go to Walmart or any place. They just walk right past you like you're not even standing there. All right? Not even walking there. So stuff is wrong. I really believe. I'm not saying all pastors are doing this. You get saved in church. But I tell you, those people that get saved, they need to go out and spread the good news. He told us to go out in the world and spread the word. Spread the word of God, be salty, the start of light, and be alive in the world. And Christians are not doing that. That's a real Backup. We helping the devil? We're not doing that.
>> Bert Harper: Well, Frank. We. We. We're witnesses. And, the Bible says that we are to spread. We're. We better be ready to give an answer of the faith that is in us when people ask. And, so, Alex, your witness is strong. God called you in evangelism, not just preaching, but living as well. And we're to be the light of the world, aren't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We are. Yeah. Angie and I saw something kind of neat last night. We had to go to this shopping center, to run an errand. And over in one corner, this church had put up a tent. Do you know it was like a funeral tent, actually. You know, one of those square four posts and a thing. But, in the tent on all four sides, it said, do you need prayer? Question mark. Really big. And, I mean, there was a crowd of people over there. And this church, they were in a parking lot at a busy shopping center, and they had a prayer tent, and people were going over there. And I thought, now, that is innovative. That's. That's pretty good. And individually and as churches think about ways to do what this caller mentioned and be a witness, the Billy Graham ministry has a gospel tract they'll send you called Peace with God. And I got to tell you, Bert, people are hungry. They really, really are. I'll tell you what you could do to be a witness. Tell people to start listening to, exploring the word.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. We're going to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. Frank. Thank you, brother. Let's go back to Texas. Colleen, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
James: God has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment
Hello, everyone. Yeah, I'm in the Book of Jon right now. I have my Bible open. I always read my Bible. I'm a believer. And it says, this is Jesus talking, and it's about life and judgment or through the sun, as he says at, verse Jon, verse 24. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me. Me, his father, Jehovah. God has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but he has passed from death into life. And also at Romans, chapter 6, verse 7 says, for he who has died has been acquitted, from his sins. So God is telling us Here at Romans 6, 7, we have had the ultimate price for our sins, so they have been acquitted by him. And he will give us a new slate in the resurrection when he resurrect us to start all over again and give us a chance.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Colleen, thank you. Go Ahead, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: well, that's beautiful. She mentioned Jon 5. 24 and that, Romans 6, verse 7. He that is dead is acquitted or freed from sin. Ma', am, you, get an A for the day. That's a good call. Wasn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And I love this. I want to read it again. Most assuredly. Jesus is talking about this, and he's sharing it. I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Alex, when does that life begin? It doesn't start at the time of our death. It starts at the point in time of salvation, of receiving Christ, doesn't it? We don't have to wait to enjoy that life and be a part.
>> Alex McFarland: There's an old gospel song, some people might have heard of this singer Dale Riddle. He had a song called Heavens now, and it basically says, you know, we are in. I, realize we're still down here in this fallen world, but we're handling the materials of eternity even already. It's not. It's not okay. Pray the sinner's prayer, and decades from now, we'll die and go to heaven. Yes, that is true if you're a believer. But we're walking with and for Jesus every day now as a believer. Heavens Now.
>> Bert Harper: That verse says, has everlasting life. Not will have, but has it right now. Thank you, Colleen. Let's go to Kansas and talk to James. James, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hey guys, thank you for, sharing your wisdom and, answers directly from God's word.
Alex says if he's going to read Bible, it's from Ignatius
So I was raised Roman Catholic and, have got several cousins that I'm trying to share the truth with. the difference between religion versus relationship. Greg Lori had a great quote this morning on his teaching, but I've got one cousin that says that, if he's going to read the Bible, it's going to be from the Ignatius Study Bible. And many, years ago, about 20, 30 years ago, there was a Protestant, man, from what I understand, left Protestantism and joined the Roman Catholic Church, named, Scott Hahn. And he now is the editor of this Ignatius Study Bible. And so, the Catholics, really esteem, this Scott Hahn. My cousin in particular says, if I'm going to read the Bible, it's going to be the Ignatius Study Bible. What do you know about that? Can you. Is it anywhere close to the NewSong American Standard or the esv? Some of the other Translations that you both have endorsed in the past.
>> Bert Harper: Go ahead, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: It's. It's a version of the Revised standard, the RSV. and Bert, do you remember probably about 20 years ago, there was an ever so slightly updated edition of the Revised Standard Version. let me say, it's not the Scofield Study Bible. It is a study Bible with, like, the catechism in the middle. But, it is the scripture. I mean, believe me, it is the scripture. And if you read that, you will find the gospel in there. you know, I'm actually looking at the list of some of the, people that were the contributors. There are like 17,000 study notes. And while, you know, I'm absolutely a Protestant, believe me, you know, if he says I want to read the Ignatius Study Bible, okay, fair enough. by the way, Ignatius was an early church leader that was really kind of an apologist, a defender of the faith. Give him verses. Give him the Romans Road, Romans 3, 23, Romans 6, 23, Romans 5, 8, Romans 10, 13. so while, you know, if, if somebody had asked me, I might have recommended maybe the Billy Graham Study Bible. But nevertheless, the scripture is in there and the gospel they can find.
>> Bert Harper: Amen, James. Hope that helps and be that witness to those folks. And I'm thankful, that you are studying God's word and it's a part of it. Carolina from Oklahoma. I'm afraid we don't have time to go to you and give you a better, clear ah answer. So tomorrow, Carolina is fire away Friday, if you can. And we'll call back, we'll put you at the front of the line. Hey, like that, Alex, isn't that a
way to do it?
>> Bert Harper: You know, when we can't get to a call?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, just, put a 23 hour pause button on and we'll reconvene on Fireway Friday tomorrow.
>> Bert Harper: We really will. And tomorrow your questions. Answers that we're praying that God would help Alex and myself. Al, for you, the whole hour. But while that's true, we need to do what Frank said and be a witness for Christ. Let your life and let your words the meditation of your heart. May it glorify the Lord. Alex, it's good to be with you. And we're looking forward tomorrow for Fireway Friday. So we're asking you if you would tell someone about Exploring the Word and American Family Radio, but more importantly, tell them about Jesus.
>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this
>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family radio.
Exploring The Word takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
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>> Bert Harper: and take your Bible questions.
Bert Harper and Alex McFarland discuss the Bible on Exploring the Word
Welcome to Exploring the Word. The Sermon on the Mount. Matthew covers it three chapters and we're in the last chapter. It's chapter seven. And, it, seems like he wraps up, but it does have a great climax. But chapter seven, verse one short verse, but man, is it used in 2026. This is Bert Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland, and it's our joy to be with you on this program each Monday through Friday at this time, where we study the Word of God. We read and study, and we then ask you to call us and ask questions. And we do our best to give biblical command concise answers. Alex, Matthew 7, judge not, that you not be judged. have you heard that any lately?
>> Alex McFarland: Do you know, there was a time when I think the most well known verse in the Bible Maybe was Jon 3:16, for God so love the world. But I think in the last 20 years, Matthew 7:1, although they may not be able to call the reference Judge not, Judge not, that's probably the most ubiquitous Bible verse these days, isn't it? But it's not used, by a secular world quite the way I think the word of God intends it.
>> Bert Harper: No, matter of fact, when you read this, and what you see following, there's got to be some judgment. there is. Here's the difference. We have to judge actions and attitudes, man, that's just got to be done. But judging motives, Alex, that's going further than human beings can. We can speculate, we can think we know those, their reasons for doing what they do. But again, the motives, but God knows their motives, doesn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, he really does. And you know, the very same Bible, you and I did a show maybe two years ago on a dozen places where the Word of God tells us to judge. Now, what the Matthew 7:1. Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you meet or evaluate really, it shall be, measured to you again. Okay, here's the thing. In and of ourselves, it's true, we really don't have the authority to pass judgment. But Almighty God and his perfect holy word most certainly is in a position to pass assessment on all of us. And the, the Word of God tells us to Christians to judge, to evaluate doctrines and claims, to reprove immoral behaviors, in other words, to call it out. So let say what this verse does not mean. In no way does the Matthew 7:1 verse mean that sin is not still sin, immorality is not still wrong and immoral, and, that, people that believe the word of God don't have the authority to call out sin. One last thing. Let me just say this. more than 200 times, 200 times plus is the new Testament. It says that Christ's body of believers is really deputized and endued with power. In Matthew 28, 18, 20, the Great Commission, Christ is about to ascend back to heaven. And he says, all power is given to me. And it's really the word for authority or jurisdiction. And yes, the church of Jesus Christ, we have no message of our own, but we do have the revelation of God. We are most absolutely, most certainly in a position to say what is right, what is wrong, as God has written it down. And let me just say this, because these are the hot, hot potatoes of our lifetime. Abortion is wrong. Homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of God. Transgenderism is wrong, wrong. Now, God loves people. Anybody can be saved. Anybody can turn from sin to Christ. But, bert, this Matthew 7:1 has been, construed, should I say misconstrued, to mean anything goes and sin is no longer sin. no, that's not what you can legitimately do with this passage.
>> Bert Harper: Well, Luke gives a shorter version of the Sermon on the Mount. In, Luke 6, he really goes through this. And listen to this. In Luke 6, 37, 38. although it's shorter, he amplifies on this one. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. Good measure. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, you put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. When you see that and read that, it's just talking about our own selves. He's getting to the point. Judge yourselves. That's the big issue. It's more important for me to make judgment on what I am and who I am than on others. Now, the Pharisees are there, Alex. They're listening. They're hearing this. And the Pharisees, man, they're quick to judge everyone else. You remember the Pharisee and the publican that went down and prayed, Luke 18, Luke 18. Do you remember that? Pharisee, I thank God that I'm not like that guy. Now, that was their attitude. And what Jesus is doing is turning the tables on them to look at themselves, judge themselves first, and he'll get to that plank in the eye, the speck in the eye, later. But this, is so true. And so we've already said that in verse three, in verse four, or how can you say to your brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye when you have the plank. Now, my version doesn't say it, but the Bert Harper version says it. The two before, that you're in your eye and then notice, Hypocrite, first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give that is holy for dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces. Now, Alex, again, verse six seems like, where does that come from? But when you can't make judgments concerning yourself, when you cannot look and take care, you have no judgment in what to do with what God's given you. You catch what I'm saying? So, this passage. Jesus really comes on strong here concerning judgment, doesn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it does. Let me read a related scripture. Because, you know, so often scripture amplifies Scripture. Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted and so overtaken in a fault. Tempted? That's sin.
Galatians 6 says we should acknowledge another man's sin
All right. If we're going to observe a brother that's overtaken in a sin, it says, you which are spiritual. In other words, you which are born again and living a, God honoring as best you can, life straight with. Scripture restores such one. The only way that we could, bear one another's burdens, as Galatians 6 says, acknowledge, another man's, you know, being ensnared in sin, and then help him repent and come back, and doing it with humility, mindful that we could also fall into sin. But if we're obeying God's word and walking with the Lord, you know, God will give us the strength not to. But look, the only way we could recognize false sin, lostness, backsliddenness, is if we have judgment or discernment. And so I guess, you know, Bert, I've been very privileged to do open forum, question and Answer Q and A.
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, but by biblical standards, absolutely
In a lot of places, if there's been any verse that's just been twisted up into a pretzel and misused in the last couple of decades, is this Matthew 7:1 Judge not. Well, you're right, you know, we humans, we have no authority in and of ourselves to judge, but by biblical standards, absolutely.
>> Bert Harper: Dan, as we look at this passage, Jesus comes and he puts it there in verse five. If you're not going to make judgments concerning yourself so you can get that plank out of your eye so you can get that speck, you're making a judgment on that speck. he says you're hypocritical, you're not real. And Alex, cast in this pearl before the swine. There's two, two things that I thought about. One was Jesus before Herod? he said nothing to him. you know, there's some. Why cast truth in front of someone who is that demented is the only word I can use. Also Paul, it was in Acts 13 when he's preaching and the Jews come up and they start arguing with them, with him. And in place of him arguing with them about everything that they were doing, this is where it says he would turn to the Gentiles, you know, and shake the dust off of your feet. There are certain times when you make that judgment and again, not the motives, but you see their actions, you know, their attitudes. Is it demonic? Is it just something that is in their mind or the wrong doctrine? Sometimes we can know, sometimes we can't. But we can say, hey, we don't cast this pearl. God's. God's got us ready to go somewhere else. Paul did, Jesus did as well. So, you got to know when to make that call. And that does cause some judgment, doesn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: It really does. It really does. And that's one of the, one of the reasons, folks, we need a wave of Holy Spirit conviction to fall over this nation. You know, we Christians, and certainly those that are in full time ministry. Listen, Bert, I've known a lot of preachers and that we would sit for hours and hours trying to help somebody if they're seeking Jesus and their heart is open and if somebody wants to know how to be saved and how to come to Christ, hey, you, me, Brent Austin, we would talk with, with a seeking person till the cows come home. But people that just want to legitimize sin and debate against God and really live, contrary and in defiant opposition to God's truth, it's better Just to pray for them and move on. we need some humility and conviction, and really, only the Holy Spirit of God do that work and humble the defiant sinner.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, he continues, verses 7 through 11. again, more so than the other. These. I, think they are built on one another, but sometimes the segue from one to the other is pretty quickly. And here's another one, verse seven. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks, finds. And to him who knocks, it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who his own son asks for bread, gives him a stone, or he asks for a fish, give him a serpent. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, listen to this passage. How much more will your father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him? Alex? ask, seek, and knock. That is the commandment. And you make. You know, you don't want to ask. Commit. You want to make it right. So we need to. We need to know the Lord. Let me ask you this. I said it's hard to make the connection, but I think when you make the right judgment. Okay. That we've talked about in these verses one through six, when you pray, it gives you more wisdom on how to pray. Would you agree?
>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Absolutely. Many people, Jon R. Rice among them, have written about this passage. Ask, seek, knock. And just as an earthly father has a, listening ear, a compassionate heart, how much more so our gracious savior in heaven that will hear and respond. Stay tuned. Exploring the word is coming back. More of Matthew, plus your Bible questions after this.
Preborn introduces mothers with unplanned pregnancies to their babies
>> Bert Harper: You've heard a lot about saving babies on this show. That's because it's important to me personally. And let me just be frank with you. We need to save them. That is why we've partnered with PreBorn, the nation's leader, in introducing mothers with unplanned pregnancies to their babies. And once she hears that heartbeat and sees that precious life growing inside of her, she is twice as likely to choose life. Now, that's a miracle. But quite honestly, if we don't save them, who will? Preborn receives no government funding, so their work is completely dependent on us. Preborn has rescued over 280,000 babies. And that's not all. They provide love, support, and counseling for up to two years for free, saving lives and souls. One ultrasound is just $28 or, $140. Helps to rescue five babies. Abortion doesn't stop, so we can't. Together, you and I can save lives. Just call pound two five zero on your cell phone and say the key word baby. That's 250, baby. Or go to preborn.com. that's preborn.com.
>> Alex McFarland: sing Everything I Need Everything I need My father hasn't, My father hasn't and every single time the Lord will provide. That's right, my father hasn't. It's my father.
Alex and Bert say prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert, so honored that you're listening. And we're in Matthew chapter seven, very famously, and I love this portion of, Matthew 7. 11. Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find. Bert, it kind of reminds me whenever I read that just beloved passage, you know, ask, seek, knock, and you will get an answer. Really? I think about James 4. 2, which kind of, as a corollary, says, you have not, because you ask not. And I mean, you just think about it. folks, Luke 18:1. We mentioned Luke 18, the publican and the Pharisee, but it begins in Luke 18:1, that men ought to always pray and not faint or give up. And, you know, it's been said, prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish because it is God who answers our prayers. And so to every Christian, to every family, certainly to every church, the power and the presence and the movement of God that our world so desperately needs. Prayer is one of the two or three keys to seeing God at work.
>> Bert Harper: And you can trust God in his answer. If it's no, it's no. If it's weight, it is weight. And those are answers. The question is, you know, they ask for bread. Do they give him a stone, a fish, give him a serpent. Well, Alex, I want my prayers to be. I'm going to use this word edited by the Holy Spirit. By that, I mean, I may be praying for something that is physical in my life or my family's life, but God in his sovereign knowledge knows that if they got that, it would not be a good thing. It would be the detriment. I trust God to know how to answer and to fit it. You hear that word? Fit it to the need. And he said, if we know how to pray, how much more in verse 11, we then be an evil now, okay, that means we're not God. We can't know it all. We have bad thoughts and we think we're doing right, but we're not doing, right. It says for this, what he says for the Father in Heaven gives good things to those who ask him. So, Alex, he knows when to say, no, not now. He knows when to say, no, not that. Can you trust him?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know God, it's been said, I remember when I was very young, I was at a youth group event, and the, teacher said, God has three answers to prayer, yes, no, or wait for something better. And, you know, that's really true, honestly. And the beautiful thing about praying, especially if you pray for a long, long time about something, first of all, God is working. God is always working. And it might not be immediately evident, but the Lord is at work. But as we pray for something, and, there's this whole thing travail in prayer. It changes us.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: As we grow closer to God, we listen more carefully, and let's remember that our, yes, salvation is that moment that you put your faith in Jesus. But it's very much also a relationship and a journey whereby we grow, closer to the Lord. We grow more in conformity to his plan for our life and, the image and the ways of Jesus. So, honestly, praying, even agonizing in prayer for a long, long time and for something, it's good for us and it matures us and it purifies us. Bert, there have been a few people that, I mean, I begged God for their salvation and eventually, eventually. And a few of these people I've loved and known. It's been years, and they did get saved. But I want to tell you, many long days I've spent praying for certain people to come to Christ. And I've still got people I'm praying for. it's been good because it's, I think, made me grow spiritually and in your prayer life.
Your prayers do not override the will of that person that you're praying for
>> Bert Harper: Okay, when we're praying, let's bring this up, Alex. You're praying for those friends I have as well. Family members I have as well. And you're praying concerning someone else's will. Okay, so your. Your prayers do not override the will of that person that you're praying for. They must. God has no grandchildren. Every person must be born again into the family. But it does say, God, keep on working. Don't give up. Bring people into their lives that would touch their lives, bring them into circumstances that would cause them to evaluate and see. You know, Alex, that's what I've had to learn to pray, you know, because we're dealing with somebody else's, quote, free will. And, but doesn't mean we don't pray. Doesn't mean we, we give up, but we can, we do that continually in prayer.
The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have others do unto you
Well, as you come to verse 12 and it is called the golden rule, chapter seven, the first verse. And this verse quoted quite a bit. Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them. For this is the law and the prophets. I still think this is connected to that judgment. You know, I, think it's running. You've got to look, evaluate yourself. Am I misreading that?
>> Alex McFarland: No, I think you're right.
>> Bert Harper: Even in this, what you're doing, what you do, would you do this for yourself? And so it really is an evaluation on actions toward fellow brothers in Christ, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: absolutely, absolutely. therefore all things, whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them. For this is the law and the prophets. C.S. lewis wrote a book, many years ago called the Abolition of Man. And it's basically a warning that if, Europe and America loses morality, it will really be kind of the death of culture and the death of humanity. But in that book in the appendix, C.S. lewis talks about the Golden Rule, we call it, or this, you know, do unto others as you would have others do unto you. That it's been known and talked about throughout all cultures, throughout history. Ancient cultures, Greeks, Romans, Sumerians, the Arabic cultures, of course the Jewish people. Now we don't live up to it. And I want to say this. The Golden Rule is not the plan of salvation, but it is a pretty good rule for a moral ordered society. It is if we all followed
>> Bert Harper: it and we as believers should model that. Should we? Is that, do you catch what I'm saying?
>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. We should role model that. That's why you know, in the early church during the Roman Empire, there was a lot of persecution. But Christians, when they were asked to carry a Roman's, you know, burden and heavy, whether it be their bags or their, whatever they were carrying, they would quote, go the extra mile. They would. And Christians, even if they were mistreated, were. They didn't answer back, with equal mistreatment, but they would forgive. And it was really what, great writers like the late Dr. Rodney Stark, Pulitzer nominated historian, he called it, the Christian rule of beneficence. As in a benevolent offering. Christians in good, good situations, bad situations, unfair situations, Christians treated each other honestly, respectfully and godly. And it began to really open the Roman Empire to the Gospel.
Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the straight gate and the wide gate
>> Bert Harper: Well, we're getting into the Next section, and you get into the twos and comparisons. Notice this is kind of an overview. Doesn't mean we'll get through today. We'll probably have to come back to this on Monday, because tomorrow is far away. Friday. But it has two ways. That's verses 13 and 14. They're known real well. And then in the next few verses, it's kind of like two trees. A good tree and a bad tree. And then, he finishes up with two builders building on. What are they building upon? So we're looking at this Two ways of life. Two ways. Verses 13 and 14. Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction. And there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life. And there are few who find it. Now, Alex, the broad way, it's according to what it is. It's easier because it says the narrow way. It's difficult. but here it is. Let me set this up, and I'll throw it to you. Satan always shows you something when he tangles it before you, dangles it before you. And he is demonstrating it like it did with Eve. Man, if you'll eat this, you'll be like God. He never shows the end result. Satan is always showing you. Okay, start here. It's a lot easier. Start here. It'll be. It'll be good. But he does not show you the finished product, does he?
>> Alex McFarland: He really doesn't. you know, I've said this many times, and I don't mean to belabor the point, but like, Matthew 7, 13, and 14 talks about the straight gate and the wide gate, the. The narrow road and the broad road. And G.K. chesterton said this. I've quoted it many times, but he said, it's not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting. It's been found difficult and left untried. And I will grant you to live biblically. Not everybody's going to approve of it, to say, look, yeah, there's no savior but Jesus. That's what the Bible says. Jesus Christ. Here's the challenge, folks. Follow Christ, even at the risk of being misunderstood, you know?
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: by the way, this. This scripture very famously was m. Mocked. There's a horrid poem, some of you, that are as old as me, maybe in high school, by William Ernst Henley. you read Invictus?
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: it's a demonic piece of poetry. And it closes. It's Invictus, which, you know, I Actually was sharing the gospel with a man one time, and he said that Invictus was the creed he lived by. And I said, well, I'm gonna be praying for you. There's a verse. It says, it matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul. Well, that's mocking the words of Christ here. Jesus says, verse 13. Enter in at the straight gate. For wide is the gate, broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many there be which go in there at, because straight is the gate, narrow is the way which leads to life. And few there be that find it. Let me say this. Jesus's arms are open wide. And he says, whosoever will may come. But there is no other way to be saved. Only through Jesus. That narrow gate. And if you'll turn to Christ and follow him, put your faith in Jesus to be saved. That's the wisest, best decision you'll ever make.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Notice the word enter. Enter. It means beginning. Jesus is laying out something here as he finishes up this sermon. Are you going to enter that gate that he offers to you? It may be difficult, it may be hard, it may not be popular, but it is the right way. And again, I'm not moving on too fast, but when you put these together, I was just amazed at it. Then you enter. If you've entered into that gate that you're narrow, what kind of fruit are you bearing that moves us into the second part? The tree. The bad tree gives bad fruit. A good tree gives good fruit. And then it finishes with the builders building on sand or rock. What are you building your life on? What's going to be the result? So here, Alex, you've done a great job.
Alex says you have to know Jesus to enter the kingdom of heaven
We want those who are listed. Have you entered this gate? This gate is Jesus. Jesus said, I'm, the way, the truth and the life. No one, absolutely no one, can come to the Father except through me, by me. He is the gate. He is the way you enter and have eternal life. And, there are few that find it. But I want to tell you, there's enough of us that we can recommend it real highly. Can't we, can't we, Hallux?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, 15 through 20 really kind of speaks for itself. Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing. that's why you need to know the Bible, because not, everything that glitters is gold, as the old saying says. there are those that Come in sheep's clothing, but, inwardly they are ravening wolves. Or it really means hungry. Hungry to, exploit and take people down. Talks about the fruits that a tree bears. Of course, as you've well said. Now, verse 21:23. And you and I have taught on this many times. Matthew 7, 21:23. Very sobering. Part of God's word. And this is again the words of Christ. It's in red. Not everyone that says to me, lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. But he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven, many will say to me in that day, the judgment day, lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name and in your name cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? Then Jesus will say unto them, I never knew you depart from me, you that work iniquity. Let's talk about this a little bit. The one who does the will of the Father in heaven. Well, what is the will of the Father? First, Jon tells us to believe in Jesus Christ, whom God the Father has sent. And bert, in verse 22, there are a number of external works that look maybe pretty spiritually impressive. But verse 23, you have to know Jesus. And, folks, you don't want to be there on the day that you meet God, as we all will. And Christ say, I'm sorry I never knew you. you might be religious, you might be moral. Do you know Jesus? That relationship can begin today because he's as close by as a prayer.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. The possibility of Judas Chariot being there and him having done these things, but not knowing him was reality. Make sure you know him. That number. If you have a number. Question. 888-589-8840. We'd love to hear from you today. We're living in a time when truth is under attack. Lies are easy to tell, easy to spread, and easy to believe. But truth, truth is costly. And nowhere is the cost greater than for mothers in crisis. When a woman is told abortion is her only options, silence and lies surround her. But when she walks into a PreBorn Network clinic, she's met with compassion, support, and the truth about the life growing inside her. That moment of truth happens through a free ultrasound, and it's a game changer. When a mother sees her baby and hears that heartbeat, it literally doubles the chance she'll choose life. PreBorn Network clinics are on the front lines, meeting women in their darkest hours, loving them, helping them choose life, and sharing truth. Friend, this is not a time to be silent. It's time for courage, for truth, for life. Just $28 provides one ultrasound and the opportunity for a mother to see her baby. To help her choose truth and life. Donate today, call £250 and say, Baby. That's £250, baby. Or give online at PreBorn AFR. That's preborn.com afr.
>> Alex McFarland: No condition. You lift me up and up again
no matter who surrounds.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. I'm glad he lifts us up and up again. I've been there, needed to be lifted up, and Jesus has come through each and every time.
We take Bible questions toll free, you can call anywhere in America
Well, if you have a Bible question, we'd love to hear it. Today is 888-589=8840 And, we take Bible questions. And so we've got people calling in. Alex, are you ready to go?
>> Alex McFarland: I'm ready to go. By the way, folks, that number toll free, you can call anywhere in America. It's 888-589-8840. We would love to hear from you any and every Bible question. And Bert and I will do our best to give you a good answer.
Matt: I've accepted Jesus as my Savior and I do repent
>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, let's go to Texas and talk to Matt. Matt, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Okay, so, I try to listen to y' all every chance I get. so my question is I believe in Christ. I believe he died and rose three days later. But I've been listening to some different programs and stuff, and I'm kind of confused. So, I've accepted Jesus. but I'm worried that because I have. I do have sin in my life. I mean, I'm not perfect. Is that condemning me to hell just because I have sin and I do repent?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Matt, thank you for calling. Thank you for an important, important question. You have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord he is. There's been a time in your life where you said, God, I can't do it. I'm a sinner. I'm lost. I, need you. I know you died on the cross. You rose again. And I'm asking you to come into my life, forgive me, and be Lord of my life. I'm not saying you've done exactly those words, Matt, but there's. Has there been a time in that life, in your life, where that has transpired?
Oh, yes, sir.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. Okay, Alex, let me see. Let me ask you this question, and you answer. Matt, he says he. He. He ascend. Can you name any. Any human being that's come to Know Christ that has even the only one that I could think about, possibly as a thief on the cross because he trusted Christ. Sin, we're dual natured, aren't we? We have a new nature. But guess what? That old nature, the Bible says crucified, you know, put it to death.
>> Alex McFarland: do you know, I think about Hebrews 12:1 and first of all, I firmly believe, and I don't say this lightly because, you know, we're talking about the souls of people, our own included, I firmly believe the minute a person calls out to Jesus like you have done and Bert has done and Brent and myself, and we say, dear Jesus, I believe you died for me. Lord, please save me. Please forgive my sins, however you phrase it, but you're acknowledging that you're a sinner and you're acknowledging Jesus Christ, the son of God, he died on the cross for me. Dear Lord, please forgive me, save my soul. I firmly believe the minute we do that we are born again. Romans 10:13, calling on the name of the Lord. Jon 6:37, Jon 6:41, Jon 5:13. Okay, now, positionally we are in Christ. We, have passed from death unto life. In other words, on the highway of life, we've changed lanes. We were in this lane called death. Lost, sinful, bound for hell. We took an exit ramp called life. And we're in a different position now. I think what you're grappling with is not lost versus saved, but carnal versus spiritual. Now this is, and even Paul talks about this in Romans 7. But I'm going to share something and Bert, I'm going to throw it to you. In Hebrews, 12, chapter one. Hebrews chapter 12, it says, let us lay aside every weight. And the sin which so easily ensnares us. And the wording there, I looked up the original word there. It's the word, what you. Peristatos, anyway, but it means to get entangled in something. It's almost like imagine you're running and you get your ankles tangled up in some vines and it's gonna throw you down. It doesn't mean you weren't in the race, running, but something ensnared you. And that's why, we, we talk about daily repentance. Maybe sometimes it's gotta be multiple times per day. And I do think, and Bert, I'll throw it back to you. I think every Christian, there are some things that would never, ever, ever be a temptation. But then there are other things that you struggle with, a myriad of things. And so that's why we have to establish habits, what, what Jon Wesley would have called the habits of holiness. And the more habitual you do anything, the more natural it becomes. And if we were in God's word, we're yielding to God's Holy Spirit, we're repenting if we have to repent a dozen times a day, Lord Jesus, take control, Lord, I'm handing the reins to you. it will become more and more natural to say yes to God's Holy Spirit and no to the noise and promptings of the flesh.
>> Bert Harper: Matt, I want to pray for you. Father, I thank you for. Matt, I thank you that he has received you as Savior. And Lord, I pray you would help him in his walk with you, that he would be mindful of sin. And when that happens, an attitude or an action, he would confess it and make it right. And, Father, that he would find a person that, that they could grow together and have accountability together. And Father, I pray that he would grow in you. Thank you for his salvation. And Father, may he just walk in your presence. And may your Holy Spirit just strengthen him and guide him and help him in Jesus name. Amen. Hey, Matt, stay online and if you would, Richard will get you your address. We want to send you, some material. Guys, put him on hold, Brent, and then Richard can do that. Appreciate it so much. So we got him on hold? Yeah, we do.
Alex: God told us to go out in the world and spread the word
So we're going to go to Kentucky and talk to Frank. Frank, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hi, brother. And, I have a. A special complaint. My complaint is I've been in, Kentucky for years, and I haven't even yet. I've been out and about like anyone else has. And, when's the last time someone came up to you, a Christian came up to you and asked you, do you know Jesus as your personal savior? It's been a long time. There's nothing's wrong with that. Because I know Christians are out there somewhere. You can go to. I, go to Walmart or any place. They just walk right past you like you're not even standing there. All right? Not even walking there. So stuff is wrong. I really believe. I'm not saying all pastors are doing this. You get saved in church. But I tell you, those people that get saved, they need to go out and spread the good news. He told us to go out in the world and spread the word. Spread the word of God, be salty, the start of light, and be alive in the world. And Christians are not doing that. That's a real Backup. We helping the devil? We're not doing that.
>> Bert Harper: Well, Frank. We. We. We're witnesses. And, the Bible says that we are to spread. We're. We better be ready to give an answer of the faith that is in us when people ask. And, so, Alex, your witness is strong. God called you in evangelism, not just preaching, but living as well. And we're to be the light of the world, aren't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We are. Yeah. Angie and I saw something kind of neat last night. We had to go to this shopping center, to run an errand. And over in one corner, this church had put up a tent. Do you know it was like a funeral tent, actually. You know, one of those square four posts and a thing. But, in the tent on all four sides, it said, do you need prayer? Question mark. Really big. And, I mean, there was a crowd of people over there. And this church, they were in a parking lot at a busy shopping center, and they had a prayer tent, and people were going over there. And I thought, now, that is innovative. That's. That's pretty good. And individually and as churches think about ways to do what this caller mentioned and be a witness, the Billy Graham ministry has a gospel tract they'll send you called Peace with God. And I got to tell you, Bert, people are hungry. They really, really are. I'll tell you what you could do to be a witness. Tell people to start listening to, exploring the word.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. We're going to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. Frank. Thank you, brother. Let's go back to Texas. Colleen, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
James: God has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment
Hello, everyone. Yeah, I'm in the Book of Jon right now. I have my Bible open. I always read my Bible. I'm a believer. And it says, this is Jesus talking, and it's about life and judgment or through the sun, as he says at, verse Jon, verse 24. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me. Me, his father, Jehovah. God has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but he has passed from death into life. And also at Romans, chapter 6, verse 7 says, for he who has died has been acquitted, from his sins. So God is telling us Here at Romans 6, 7, we have had the ultimate price for our sins, so they have been acquitted by him. And he will give us a new slate in the resurrection when he resurrect us to start all over again and give us a chance.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Colleen, thank you. Go Ahead, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: well, that's beautiful. She mentioned Jon 5. 24 and that, Romans 6, verse 7. He that is dead is acquitted or freed from sin. Ma', am, you, get an A for the day. That's a good call. Wasn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And I love this. I want to read it again. Most assuredly. Jesus is talking about this, and he's sharing it. I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Alex, when does that life begin? It doesn't start at the time of our death. It starts at the point in time of salvation, of receiving Christ, doesn't it? We don't have to wait to enjoy that life and be a part.
>> Alex McFarland: There's an old gospel song, some people might have heard of this singer Dale Riddle. He had a song called Heavens now, and it basically says, you know, we are in. I, realize we're still down here in this fallen world, but we're handling the materials of eternity even already. It's not. It's not okay. Pray the sinner's prayer, and decades from now, we'll die and go to heaven. Yes, that is true if you're a believer. But we're walking with and for Jesus every day now as a believer. Heavens Now.
>> Bert Harper: That verse says, has everlasting life. Not will have, but has it right now. Thank you, Colleen. Let's go to Kansas and talk to James. James, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hey guys, thank you for, sharing your wisdom and, answers directly from God's word.
Alex says if he's going to read Bible, it's from Ignatius
So I was raised Roman Catholic and, have got several cousins that I'm trying to share the truth with. the difference between religion versus relationship. Greg Lori had a great quote this morning on his teaching, but I've got one cousin that says that, if he's going to read the Bible, it's going to be from the Ignatius Study Bible. And many, years ago, about 20, 30 years ago, there was a Protestant, man, from what I understand, left Protestantism and joined the Roman Catholic Church, named, Scott Hahn. And he now is the editor of this Ignatius Study Bible. And so, the Catholics, really esteem, this Scott Hahn. My cousin in particular says, if I'm going to read the Bible, it's going to be the Ignatius Study Bible. What do you know about that? Can you. Is it anywhere close to the NewSong American Standard or the esv? Some of the other Translations that you both have endorsed in the past.
>> Bert Harper: Go ahead, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: It's. It's a version of the Revised standard, the RSV. and Bert, do you remember probably about 20 years ago, there was an ever so slightly updated edition of the Revised Standard Version. let me say, it's not the Scofield Study Bible. It is a study Bible with, like, the catechism in the middle. But, it is the scripture. I mean, believe me, it is the scripture. And if you read that, you will find the gospel in there. you know, I'm actually looking at the list of some of the, people that were the contributors. There are like 17,000 study notes. And while, you know, I'm absolutely a Protestant, believe me, you know, if he says I want to read the Ignatius Study Bible, okay, fair enough. by the way, Ignatius was an early church leader that was really kind of an apologist, a defender of the faith. Give him verses. Give him the Romans Road, Romans 3, 23, Romans 6, 23, Romans 5, 8, Romans 10, 13. so while, you know, if, if somebody had asked me, I might have recommended maybe the Billy Graham Study Bible. But nevertheless, the scripture is in there and the gospel they can find.
>> Bert Harper: Amen, James. Hope that helps and be that witness to those folks. And I'm thankful, that you are studying God's word and it's a part of it. Carolina from Oklahoma. I'm afraid we don't have time to go to you and give you a better, clear ah answer. So tomorrow, Carolina is fire away Friday, if you can. And we'll call back, we'll put you at the front of the line. Hey, like that, Alex, isn't that a
way to do it?
>> Bert Harper: You know, when we can't get to a call?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, just, put a 23 hour pause button on and we'll reconvene on Fireway Friday tomorrow.
>> Bert Harper: We really will. And tomorrow your questions. Answers that we're praying that God would help Alex and myself. Al, for you, the whole hour. But while that's true, we need to do what Frank said and be a witness for Christ. Let your life and let your words the meditation of your heart. May it glorify the Lord. Alex, it's good to be with you. And we're looking forward tomorrow for Fireway Friday. So we're asking you if you would tell someone about Exploring the Word and American Family Radio, but more importantly, tell them about Jesus.
>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this
>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family radio.
Chapters:
(00:00) Exploring The Word takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
(00:17) Bert Harper and Alex McFarland discuss the Bible on Exploring the Word
(07:54) Galatians 6 says we should acknowledge another man's sin
(08:59) Matthew 7:1 Judge not, but by biblical standards, absolutely
(14:00) Preborn introduces mothers with unplanned pregnancies to their babies
(15:39) Alex and Bert say prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish
(20:22) Your prayers do not override the will of that person that you're praying for
(21:22) The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have others do unto you
(24:26) Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the straight gate and the wide gate
(29:22) Alex says you have to know Jesus to enter the kingdom of heaven
(34:19) We take Bible questions toll free, you can call anywhere in America
(34:53) Matt: I've accepted Jesus as my Savior and I do repent
(41:02) Alex: God told us to go out in the world and spread the word
(43:49) James: God has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://www.afa.net/afr/
PreBorn
https://www.preborn.com/
C.S. Lewis
https://www.cslewis.com/
Scott Hahn
https://www.scotthahn.com/
Chapters:
(00:00) Exploring The Word takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
(00:17) Bert Harper and Alex McFarland discuss the Bible on Exploring the Word
(07:54) Galatians 6 says we should acknowledge another man's sin
(08:59) Matthew 7:1 Judge not, but by biblical standards, absolutely
(14:00) Preborn introduces mothers with unplanned pregnancies to their babies
(15:39) Alex and Bert say prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish
(20:22) Your prayers do not override the will of that person that you're praying for
(21:22) The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have others do unto you
(24:26) Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the straight gate and the wide gate
(29:22) Alex says you have to know Jesus to enter the kingdom of heaven
(34:19) We take Bible questions toll free, you can call anywhere in America
(34:53) Matt: I've accepted Jesus as my Savior and I do repent
(41:02) Alex: God told us to go out in the world and spread the word
(43:49) James: God has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://www.afa.net/afr/
PreBorn
https://www.preborn.com/
C.S. Lewis
https://www.cslewis.com/
Scott Hahn
https://www.scotthahn.com/
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