Exploring the Word takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
>> 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.
The Bible's filled with interruptions. Have you ever been interrupted
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Bert Harper: Have you ever been interrupted on your way to do something really, really important? The Bible's filled with interruptions. Listen to this one. The Good Samaritan man, he was interrupted by the guy on the side of the road and he helped him. Bartimaeus was needing to be healed and Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified, but he stopped and helped him. And then Simon of Cyrene, he would just come to worship the Lord. But on the way, Jesus was going to the cross, it became heavy and they implored him, get in there and take the cross. And today what we're going to study is a man called Jairus whose daughter is dying. Jesus has agreed to go with him. And on the way, a woman interrupts. Alex, I love these interruptions that you find in the Bible. Something good, you remember that something good is about to happen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Something good is about to happen, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, these, these interruptions are opportunities for God to work. And he really does. And that's why I think we, we always need to be attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit because we read about these wonderful interruptions in the pages of God's Word. But I also think in the steps of our own journey, we see these things where our agenda gets interrupted. But it's not really interruption, it's blessing to see God work in us and through us. And we are in the Gospel of Matthew, everybody, if you want to get a Bible and follow along with us, we would love for you to join. and throughout the last several chapters, we've seen Jesus do miracles of healing, miracles of casting out demons, controlling the elements. And in all these demonstrations of the power of God, it validates Christ's messiahship that he is the Savior, the Son of God, because he had the power to do that. And so, Bert, let's pick up.
Alex: Bert, we're wrapping up Matthew 9. And this is amazing.
And you mentioned, Jairus daughter here. we're wrapping up Matthew 9. Bert, you want to read?
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, I'll start in verse 18. his name is not given here in Matthew, but both Luke and Mark, the Synoptic Gospels, give him that name, Jairus. While he spoke these things to them, Jesus, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him. Found that interesting saying, my daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she'll live. So Jesus arose, followed him, and so did his disciples. And suddenly a woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years came from behind and touched the hem of his garment, that tassel that comes down that the Jewish man wore. For she said to herself, if only I may touch his garment, I shall be made well. But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, be of good cheer, daughter. Your faith has made you well. And the woman was made well from that hour.
Now.
>> Bert Harper: Ah, I'll stop there, Alex. And this is amazing. This woman, I think it was Luke, in telling the story, said she had spent all of her living on, you know, trying to get help. But she had one last hope, and it was Jesus, and she didn't want to interrupt much, so she was trying to do it. I can't. I think inconspicuously. And just touched the hem of his garment. But Jesus didn't let her go with just touching his, his tassel of the garment. He called her out about her faith, did he not?
>> Alex McFarland: He really did. This is such a beautiful thing. And we've often talked about, that great gospel song, Touch the Hem of His Garment. And the best version of all of that is by Sam Cooke. I mean, listen to that. And you'll be shouting hallelujah. But it's three verses here. Matthew 9, 20, 21, 22, and they're on the way. And in verse 23, they get to the official's house. But like you say, this little interlude is so precious. Daughter, take courage. Your faith has made you well. He knew her heart, just like you said, just very inconspicuously. she just wanted to touch the little, tassels, really, that would be around the, cloak of a rabbi. And she said, you know, if I got even that close to touch his garment, I'd be made well. And indeed she was. That is trust. And you know, the Bible says, remember when, Thomas, he said, I won't believe unless. He didn't say, I can't believe. He said, I won't believe unless I see the nail prints in his hands and his feet. And he fell to his knees. And of course, he said, my Lord and my God. Jesus said, blessed are you. You've seen and believe, but blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. And, Bert, you and I have shared the gospel with a lot of people. It's a great honor. And there are a lot of people that say, you know, prove it to me. well, you know, the Bible does say in Isaiah 1:18, Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord. It says in 2nd Peter 1:1621 that we have not followed fables, but this is reality. So God has given us proof. The empty tomb. But, I think he. He greatly honors just childlike faith. For. For anyone who wants to see if this is real, the evidence is compelling. Some people, they say, well, that's not enough evidence, Bert. When we trust God, when we take God at his word, I think the Lord honors that. And this woman had just childlike, innocent faith. We should trust God to that level as well.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Alex : Jesus was late for somebody that had died
I heard a sermon by one of our great heroes that we quite. You, know, we quote quite often. Vance. He heard him preach here in northeast Mississippi. I got to go. And he is preaching on this passage. And he said in desperation, she comes and, Because going about Luke saying she'd spend everything. And she said, I got one more opportunity. One more. Nothing else. Maybe I've heard about him. I've observed. And he asked the question. He said, how many of you, when he was preaching to the congregation, and I was one of them, are you desperate for God to intervene in your life? This woman was desperate. And, I would just say some of you who are listening today, you're desperate and may not know it because you don't know what a day may bring. So today is the day he passed by. This time, he may have never passed by this woman again, but the opportunity was there. And like you said, that simple faith, she did, and she responded. And then it continues in verse 23. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, he said to them, make room for the girl is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the crowd was put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. Now, Matthew's, account of this daughter being raised is shorter than, Mark's or Luke. it says that the mom and dad went in with him, and it tells that he said, arise. He used an Aramaic term.
>> Bert Harper: Get her to rise.
>> Bert Harper: But notice this. it says the flute players, the death had already occurred. so, Alex, again, let me see if there was another time. Jesus was late for somebody that had died. And they said, he's been dead so long, his body's decayed. it stinks. But Being late. He's still on time if it's in his time, isn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: yeah. You know, any middle school, Sunday school class of boys, they're going to love that verse about Lazarus. He stinketh. But no, Jesus is always right on time. And he raised this girl, he raised Lazarus. And he can meet any and every need. He's always right on time. But I love, in verse 28, where they're going, well, he raises the girl from the dead. And this news spread throughout the land. As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him.
>> Bert Harper: Well, Alex, real quick, I know I'm stopping you. I, hate to do that, but I just can't pass this up. And it'd be worse to go back. How long had she had this issue of blood?
>> Alex McFarland: 12 years.
>> Bert Harper: Guess how old this little girl was?
>> Alex McFarland: 12 years old.
>> Bert Harper: 12 years old.
>> Alex McFarland: Isn't that amazing?
>> Bert Harper: I don't think there's anything magical about it or. But it is neat to know here she'd been suffering for 12 years. She'd been living her life now for 12 years. And now dead. And now those desperate years, or 12 years, this woman had, had, had now been restored. I just, I couldn't pass that up. I'm sorry to interrupt you.
>> Alex McFarland: No, no, you're right. And in Mark 5 regarding the woman with the hemorrhaging or the issue of blood. Yeah. I've, I've always. I've kind of smiled when I read Mark 5:26 regarding this woman. It said she had suffered a great deal from many doctors and it's been all her money. the King James says of Mark 5:26, which is a parallel passage. She had suffered many things of many physicians. And there's. Here's a lesson for us in this. Maybe you've tried everything and come up empty handed. And whether it be a physical issue or whether it be an emotional issue or whether it be obviously the foundation of our entire identity. Spiritual issues. And you've tried everything, Bert. There's people, if you go to the bookstores, there are things about horoscopes and fortune telling. And I always pray if I'm in a bookstore and I see all these things that are just darkness, I'll pray. Lord, please deliver people from those books. Yes, you know, folks, I'm telling you, put your faith in Jesus. Put your faith in Jesus. This is what your heart is really needing and searching for. It's not going to be in so many of Satan's. Satan's got a lot of lures. In his tackle box. Doesn't he, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: He does. And he. He knows how to use them. And he's an observer. He's not all knowing, but he's observed. He sends his demons out to attack and again. Kill, steal and destroy. That's exactly. Wants to do, not heal, not help.
Come to Christ. Today's the day. Don't miss it
And so listen, Come to Christ, Alex. that's the whole idea. Jesus Christ is. He is the answer, you know? And, yes, he is the answer for real living. And so those of you who have never trusted Christ, you may be in your truck right now. You may be headed home from school. you may be in your kitchen, wherever you are, and you've really never trusted Jesus Christ as savior. Today's the day. This woman. This is probably the last opportunity she would ever have to come and be healed. And she did. Don't miss it, Alex. That's. That's what we say to people. Well, you don't want to. You don't want to blow it, do you?
>> Alex McFarland: No, you don't. And you'll notice in 26, it says, the news spread throughout the land. Now we're going to get to two blind men. Then later on in Matthew 9, a, man that needs to be delivered from demons. But here's the question. Regardless of the circumstance, verse 28, these two blind men are saying, have mercy on a son of David. When he entered the house, the blind men came up to him. And here's the question Jesus asks, and we need to ponder it in our own heart. Jesus asked these blind men, do you believe that I'm able to do this? Of course he was able. They said, yes, Lord. So he touched their eyes. He said, it shall be done to you according to your faith. And their eyes were opened regarding your situation. All of us cleansing, from sin, getting right with God, restoring relationships, families, marriages, children. Do you believe Jesus is able to do all this? We should believe him, because he certainly can.
>> Bert Harper: Well, we're going to come back and we're going to Continue in Matthew 9. Matter of fact, it's a, chapter of restoration. Life is restored, sight is restored, and speech is restored.
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>> Bert Harper: Lies are easy to tell, easy to
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My father. Father hasn't. And every single time, the Lord will provide. That's right. My father has. It's my father. Yes.
Amen.
Alex and Bert discuss the Gospel of Matthew
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert and Brent Austin during that commercial break. We're just fellowshipping, we're talking about the great things of God and listening to some gospel music. We're having church here today, and we're
>> Bert Harper: not going to take up an offering. Well, that's the only thing lacking. We're going to pray, we're going to sing, preach. Okay, but we're going to praise the Lord, aren't we, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: We are praising the Lord. And folks, I hope today you have the joy of the Lord in your heart because Christ is for you. He's with you. He's as close by as a prayer. We're in Matthew, chapter nine. So Jesus heals these two men that were blind. Their eyes were open, verse 30. And Jesus, this is, the Bible I've got, Jesus sternly warned them, see, that no one knows about this, but they went out and spread the news about him throughout all the land. Bert, we've talked about this. Why would Jesus heal somebody and then say, hey, don't tell anybody. What do you think?
>> Bert Harper: I think the answer is in the Gospel of Jon when it says about three different times he uses this phrase, my hour has not yet come. My hour has not yet come. He's got so many people that are following him, the multitudes. And I think it's expressed. And we'll get to verse 35 and 36 where it says teaching, preaching and healing. Now I know my nature. Oh, man. He could have spent all of his time healing, but he had more some other important businesses to take care of. Alex. Teaching and preaching, and he could not diminish that in order to override and do that, that's my thought, is that. What do you think you got different?
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. I think you're right because, you know, in addition to everything else, he was validating his messiahship. He was presenting the truths about salvation and the kingdom of God, and he was healing people, he was saving souls, he was rebuking the devil. I mean, he had a lot going on. And yet he also had to keep everything on the right timetable because, you know, Galatians talks about the fullness of time. Well, he was going to go to the cross and, you know, if there was this groundswell, of people, you know, demanding him to restore the kingdom of Israel at that moment or whatever, or everything had to be right on schedule. And indeed it was now verse 32, as they were going out. And so much of the Gospels happened as they were going. But a mute demon, possessed man was brought to him. After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. He can now speak. The crowds were amazed and were saying, nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. But the Pharisees were saying, he casts out the demons by the ruler of demons. Now, this is the most irrational, illogical, upside down thinking, but let me just say this, and I'm not going to belabor this point. I know there are mental illnesses, there are chemical imbalances, there are things that cause human bodies, different maladies. But notice one of the, causes of this man's inability to speak, his muteness, it was a demonic possession that he had to be delivered from Bert. One time, I went to visit an individual in a mental hospital. And, we went through about three security, doors, got deep into this building, and I went to visit a person that a family had asked me to go see. And I will tell you, there was such a heaviness over that place and a darkness. And I know there are physical, anomalies, but I do think much of, I'll just put it this way. There are ways that Satan oppresses and even possesses some people. And more and more mental health professionals are acknowledging this. So folks, understand we are in a spiritual battle down here. it is very much light versus dark, truth versus falsehood. It's God versus Satan. It was then, it still is now.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, this is again, a demon, possessed individual. We talked about it in chapter eight, and it was legions. Doesn't say how many this is, but the demon was cast out. So it sounds like it is one demon. And it was Causing issues, demonic influence, Demonic, possession. Two different things there, but still demonic there. It results in physical and emotional mental issues. it does not stand alone without it having the effects that, you know, that comes in a disastrous life. Notice the man they brought him. This man did not come on his own. And this is quite different than what you found in chapter eight, where this legion of these two and no one could control them. And I mean, it was horrible. And so this man seems to be under a demonic, influence possession that caused him, not necessarily to be wild, didn't cause him to touch, be difficult like it did in chapter eight. But he was mute and they brought this individual to him and the demon was cast out and he began to speak. And again, I love this term. The multitudes marveled. Look at the contrast. How would you respond? We've never seen like, anything like this before. Or how did he do that? It couldn't have been God. He, you know, it had to be Satan. Yeah, listen, what you said is erroneous, is crooked thinking to begin with, that Satan demon, demons would cast out demons and so forth. No, they would add to it, would they not?
>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah. I mean, Satan doesn't cast out Satan. Satan only takes more ground and tries to, possess more and more. I mean, some people were praising, some people were murmuring, you know, and we even see that now. Let's be grateful when God works and let's praise God for the blessings that he does in the lives of people.
Jesus was proclaiming the certainty of the coming of the kingdom of God
so Jesus is going through the villages, the cities, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming. This is big verse 35, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. Now, one of the things that makes Jesus very unique, he wasn't just laying down do's and don'ts and rules. He was here to die and pay our sin debt on the cross. But utterly, absolutely unique. The kingdom of God coming and the kingdom and how you can be a part of it, the Messiah and how you can know him. Many scholars, and I've mentioned it so many times, people like Josh McDowell, the great Gary Habermas, Micah Lycona, our colleague and friend Frank Turek. The fact that Jesus was proclaiming the certainty of the coming of the kingdom of God, that is so unique. No other religious figure in all of history, preached something like this. But yes, the kingdom is coming. That's why I'll say this. I'll throw it to you, Bert. Anything we're suffering down here is temporary. You know, I know life can be hard, even godly. People, people walking with the Lord can go through hard things. But Bert, anything down here is temporary. It really is. Because what is coming is permanent and perfect. It's the kingdom of God, and Christ wants you to be a part of it.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Alex: Notice the threefold ministry that Jesus had
Well said. Notice the threefold ministry that Jesus had. And I'm jumping ahead real quickly. The chapter 10. After he. After it is said in Matthew. This is so significant. He puts it up. This is a three fold ministry. Teaching, proclaiming the kingdom and healing. And then after he's done all these in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching, after he's done the healing that he does here, and casting out demons in eight and nine, he brings in. And this is where putting ahead. But I want you to,
It.
>> Bert Harper: It does connect. He calls the twelve disciples and sends them out, which makes them, apostles sent out ones. So, Alex. But first he went about all the cities and villages, big and small. Makes you think of Acts 1:8, you know, go into. Starting here, going here, going here. No one was excluded. He went into their synagogues. He went to the place where, where they would have some consciousness of that. And he would teach and preach those. The gospel of the kingdom and healing every, every sickness and every disease among the people. Now that's what he did. Now notice verse 36. This is the kind of ministry he would have with his threefold ministry. Teaching, preaching and healing. It was with compassion. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion. This word moved. It has the. The idea of, of it being just, really hurting. Pain, swelling up with the inside and coming to emotion when he was moved with compassion. Listen to this. For them, he came. He came for them, did he not, Alex? I. I just.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: This is powerful when you look at it and see, this is why Jesus came. This is why here. Why is he here?
>> Alex McFarland: So he feels this compassion because they were distressed. And, the word is dispirited, like sheep without a shepherd. No direction, no hope, really. Then he said to the disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. You know, here's the thing. yes, Christ had compassion on the multitudes. And they have needs. They need God. They need truth. they need what only Jesus can do in their life. But then when I read 37, 38, Bert, I think about our assignment today in a way. I think this is almost the preamble to the Great Commission.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is.
>> Alex McFarland: There's a plentiful.
>> Bert Harper: It is, it is. And the harvest is there. You don't have to wait. But the laborers, they're few. And now have you ever heard this pray? 10:38. Now what it is, 10:38 comes up on your clock, twice a day, a.m. and p.m. now again, that can be a long day if you stay up a little later. But I know some individuals, they started praying, you know, Matthew 10:38, pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest. So this is just a suggestion for those that are saying, oh, God, we need workers. we need more people in our church to care for the children, for the young people. We need more there, that is helping to go out and, help with the homeless. We need more people to help. Start praying. Matthew 10:38. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Do it twice a day. 10:38 in the morning, 10:38 at night. And if you go to bed before that, you can still do it early. But it causes, it really does. I know individuals, Alex. They started and they took that as a challenge. And guess who God called into the harvest, as laborers?
>> Alex McFarland: them.
>> Bert Harper: Them. That's exact. Right? So I, I, this comes with a warning. You start praying Matthew 10:38, you may be the one that becomes that laborer that God sends into the harvest. So I just pass that on.
They started praying that the challenge was given. They took the challenge
But I seriously, I know them. They started praying that the challenge was given. They took the challenge. Others were called, but they were called as well.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. That is powerful. Well, let's, let's begin to pray that all the more.
Brent McFarland: Jesus gives his disciples authority over many issues
Well, we transition into chapter 10. So Jesus gets his disciples and gives them authority. And do you know what? This is one of the times that, it's been said over 200 times in the NewSong Testament. It talks about the power of Jesus. Ability, power and authority.
Power.
>> Alex McFarland: And he gives them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out, to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Bert, this word, we've talked about it many times. It's the word from which we get the word jurisdiction. You know, a law enforcement officer is over an area, a, ah, jurisdiction. Well, the Church of Jesus Christ, we have the authority to go into all the world and make disciples. That's why, folks, if you, if you find yourself in a place and you can just tell there's not a lot of gospel there. Well, as you go, as you walk, be in prayer, claim this area for Jesus. You Know, Bert, when. When we were over in Israel, we laid hands on that mosque on the Temple Mountain. We prayed for, the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of the Muslims, in the name of Jesus. Now, we don't have authority of our own, but we absolutely have authority by the name of Jesus and by the word of God. One last thing, and then I know we need to move on, but people have often asked me, well, who are you to judge? I might call out a certain sin or an issue. Alex McFarland, who are you to judge? Well, I'm nobody. but. And you're right. In and of ourselves, we really don't have the authority. But let me say, God, in His word, absolutely is in a position to pass assessment of the spiritual condition of every action, every belief, even every person. So God entrusts us with his message that we are to proclaim. But, yes, God absolutely has the authority over beliefs, actions, the universe itself.
>> Bert Harper: amen. And he's. He has the power to what, Give it to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, real quickly, we're going to have to come back to this Monday, and we'll start all over in chapter 10, verse 1. Although we're covering it because we got to talk about this list and there's so much there, we've got to say more. But I want to say this, and then we'll go and give that phone number. It is this notice. He's given them. He's given them power over the unclean spirits to cast them out, the sickness and diseases to be healed. Because he is having to spend so much time doing that. This. They go before him, so when he comes, he can help them understand the message. The Gospel of the kingdom. Jesus did it in order. He knew exactly what to do and when to do it. That number, 888-58988. Give us a call right now. The voices in our culture are loud,
>> Bert Harper: but truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured
>> Bert Harper: to act quickly, before they have time
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so she jumped on the gathering throne, and while she was pushing her way through, someone asked her, what are you trying to do?
To do?
She said, if I could just touch the hem of his garment, I know I'll be made whole. She cried.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, Brent found that for you, brother. Yeah, Brent, thank you.
>> Alex McFarland: She said, if I could just touch the hem of his garment, I know I'd be made whole. That's a great song. Thank you. You, Brent Austin. Hey. The number is 8885-8988-4088-5889-8840. If you've got a Bible question, we'll do our best to give you a good biblical answer. And, Bert, we had a good time, Tuesday with the day of prayer. And we still get prayer requests. You know, you can, email us wordfr.net and post things on our Facebook page, too. But how about we begin in Mississippi, with Joseph.
Joseph asks if God guided us through evolution or if it even happened
Joseph, welcome to Exploring the Word. Thanks for calling.
thanks for, taking my call.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. What you got, Joseph?
So I was asking if. If God, guided us through evolution or if it even happened at all.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, go ahead. this is a great question. It is. It is a question that was asked. Let me just start this and say I was in a class. I'm not going to talk about the university. It wasn't a Christian. It wasn't at Blue Mountain Christian University that I, talk about. But before I got there, I was at a university, and there was a guy saying, okay, I've combined the Bible with evolution. And I looked at him and I thought, how in the world do you do that? And, Alex, is what Joseph is saying. I know a lot of believers that believe that. Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I believed in evolution at one time. I do not at all believe in it now. because evolution, as persons like Charles Darwin put it out there, is really that life came about without the help of God. Now, there are a lot of Christians that believe in something that is called theistic evolution, that Theos there's, there is a God. But maybe evolution was the tool he used, they'll say, to bring life about over, you know, billions of years. the number one reason I don't believe it, Joseph, is because it goes against the Bible's story of our origin. I believe that the Bible tells us that God spoke it into existence. God created everything in six days, rested on the seventh. And I've been in debates, even born again Christians that believe in evolution admit, that you absolutely cannot square up evolution with the text of scripture. Either God and his word is right or Charles Darwin was right. They can't both be right. And the other reasons, though, we don't see evolution happening. For example. I'll just give one example. Evolution, says that the way that all of this diversity, you've got fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, you know, there's so many different human beings. How did it come about? Well, by gene mutation, genetic changes. Well, that still doesn't tell where the genetics and the tissue and the flesh came from. But here's the thing. if you want, let's say you've got fins on a fish, but you need feathers for a bird and fingers on a person, that requires additional genetic coding. And gene mutations never, never add information to the genome. So evolution has never been observed. Now, I know in public school, in my textbooks and the teachers, they said that it's a proof. In fact, it is not. Evolution is a faith position. And Bert, I think it's just much wiser to take God at his word. C.S. lewis said it, you know, if God exists, you can believe every miracle in the Bible. The miracle of creation, the miracle of Christ's incarnation and resurrection. now I believe in science. we're doing this radio show because of electricity and data transmission. But Bert, the these sciences, which, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, forensic pathology, none of the sciences, none of the branches of science need evolution to make discoveries and research happen. Evolution is a philosophy, not, an observable fact.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. There is adaptation, but it's minimal, you know, it's minimal. Adaptation does take place where you live and with animals. Yes, it does. But that's not changing from one species to another. It just has not happened. And you're talking about mutations. Listen, the mutations that, that happen. I was raised on the farm, so I'm not going to give all the specifics, but I saw mutations happen from, one cow to its, to the calf. You know, they had different issues, but we kept that calf long enough and it stayed and it got to adult. And then that calf became a cow, and it. And that cow gave birth to another calf. You know, and guess what? That mutation was corrected in that it did not. It did not pass it on. And so the mutations, there's nowhere where they showed it being passed on to the next generation. it. Usually because of the, as you said, the DNA and how it is. I'm going to use the word protective
>> Alex McFarland: of, you know, the DNA really are the guardrails.
>> Bert Harper: They really are.
>> Alex McFarland: You know, we saw it and I know Richard in Louisiana. We're going to get to you in a second. And I know Brent has some questions too. You know, I've shared this, and it made a big impression on me, Bert. We grew lots of corn on the farm. 100 acres every summer we grew, which to us, that was a lot. And you'd peel back and you'd see, you know, yellow, corn. Yellow corn, yellow corn. And then one out of a thousand, there'd be an ero. It would be just gold. And my dad said that's a recessive gene gene, you know, and by the way, yes, vegetable seeds. That's genetics too. And you know, there's the dominant, which was always yellow corn. And the recessive. Just by the, the role of the genetic dice, you'd see that. But the corn didn't turn into carrots. It.
Joseph: God did not use evolution to create bird
It was the genetic species that it was, you know.
>> Bert Harper: Joseph, thank you.
You.
>> Bert Harper: You ask a question. That bird and Alex, yes, we are, we're passionate about. So thank you for, for that call, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: So, no, God did not use evolution. Richard in Louisiana, thank you for holding.
Michael: If evolution were true, why do we still have monkeys
Welcome to Exploring the word.
Hey, how you doing, guys?
>> Alex McFarland: Good. Good to have you.
Good. Hey, look, so I'm just called in reference to the gentleman that you just spoke to, and I just want to remind him if evolution were true, I've always wanted to know, why do we still have monkeys? Did they not get the memo?
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, Richard. I love man. That's good. Let me give you another one. And it's about compasses. You know, you, my. We've got four grandsons. And, everyone, when we'd get a compass, would try to teach them how to use it at points north. Now, I want to just tell you, since they've been keeping up with it for several, dozens, hundreds years or so, the magnetic pole of the North Pole has gotten weaker. If the Earth were millions, billions years old, that pole, according to how it has, gone down the last hundred years, it would have been so strong, no one would have been able to. No animal, anything, could ever exist because it was so strong pulling down. So, Alex, there's so many reasons why evolution is, like you said, a philosophy. And then I think, no, I think I know why they don't want accountability. Because if God is the creator, there's some accountability there. And man, naturally, man wants to get away from that as much as possible. And when Darwin came along with this thought, they grabbed it not because of scientific knowledge or. But because of philosophy of life. Now I've preached my sermon. I'll turn it back to you, brother. Richard, you, made our day. We still got monkeys.
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. God bless you. God bless you. Micah in Tennessee. Micah, thanks for holding. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Oh, I love your stuff. I love it. I grew up in NewSong Orleans, but then lived in Mississippi for a good while. And anyway, I'm up in Tennessee, man. I just went totally blank when I was gonna. May I read something to you that came to me. It's about two. About a minute read is all it is. If you wouldn't mind.
>> Alex McFarland: I said go for it.
Okay. Way back in the days of old, there was a man that many rejected his ways, called me to fear him because of his ways and what he injected. He traveled to many places, gathered people as he did. He was developing quite a following of which many hid. The man caused quite a stir with those in power because he was a rebel and the man of the hour. The people followed him and treated him as, as a gang. Since there were many of those officials in power worried about this rebel because of his prows, there were left with a choice to rid themselves of this menace. To let one man free and give the rebel his sentence. They were happy to kill the rebel, washing their hands, but to their astonishment, he rose and went to outstretched arms and receiving hands. His followers believe still and are waiting to see him one day and relish in his and his father's amazing love and gifts in heaven. That just came to me one day. I don't even know what I was thinking about or what. And I'm not a poet or writer or anything, but I thank you for letting me share that with you, Micah.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you. Hey, Jesus, you remember what they said about that? He was talking about, you know, he passed it on to us authority. These are the men that turn the world upside down. Alex, I read that. And we see what Jesus did and what all has happened. And it's not by force. You know, we're going to kill you. No, we do it by invitation. The power of the Holy Spirit telling the good news and people responding in faith out of love, not out of fear. What a message we have. Jesus started the gospel of the kingdom. We need to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We do. We do. I'm going to give the number. We have time for, another question or two. It's triple 858-98-8840. Triple 858-9840.
Is cremation okay for a Christian?
Brent, I think you were saying that questions had come in online. Do you have one of those, brother?
I do.
>> Bert Harper: This one came in on Facebook. It's from Charlene. she asked does the Bible speak of about cremation?
>> Alex McFarland: it really doesn't to my knowledge. And I'm assuming a corollary, a part of this question is, is cremation okay for a Christian? Do you know the Bible doesn't mandate a specific method of the disposal of a body? Although of course the traditional, interment or burial has gone on for centuries and centuries. Bert? I was up in, Toronto, Canada speaking, and there are some high rise apartment buildings up there I've just never seen. I mean there are thousands and thousands of apartments. And this pastor was telling me that virtually all the funerals he does are cremations because there's just no cemeteries there. It's just not a place to have the traditional burials. And I know the money and the cost. I'm going to say this, and I say it humbly, and with eager to be corrected if I'm wrong here. I think it's a matter of Christian liberty, really. I don't think the Bible specifies how a person has to be buried, and folks pray about that. In fact, I'm going to be doing a, I'll be officiating a funeral service Saturday for a man that was a devout Christian. But I really think the method of burial is a matter of Christian liberty. What do you think, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. The first time I, and I've used this before, but I'm going to do it real quickly. First time I was confronted with this was, Dr. Richard Henderson. He was a professor of NewSong Testament and Greek at Mid America Seminary up in the Memphis, Tennessee area. And anyway, he was at the church here in Cupola West Jackson Street Baptist Churches interim pastor. And then I followed him and within two weeks he had had a heart attack and died. And we were looking Funeral? No, he was, it was his cremation and the reason was. His reason was missions. Okay? He said, I'd rather get this and have the money that I would have spent on this to go and send people around the world telling them about Jesus. His was financial, but not just saving money, but for a purpose of sharing the gospel. So, Alex, I believe you're exactly right.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, God bless you for caring, about that. And, thank you for that online question.
Adam: What's the difference between working out your salvation and receiving grace
Let's go to Mississippi and, Adam in Mississippi, if you don't mind, somewhat quickly. Time fleets away, my friend.
Yeah, I just wanted to, see what your thoughts were on the scripture that says, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and then in correlation with the scriptures that basically say that we're really not supposed to work for our salvation. What the difference between, working out your salvation with fear and trembling and then receiving grace, and not really working for yourself?
>> Bert Harper: Alex, let me. Yeah, you gotta have something before you work it out. You don't work to get it like a garden. When my dad said work it out, it means, go get everything out. Leave the good there, but get the bad out. Had nothing to do with having a garden. It was having a good garden because he had already planted it and we had it. Alex, is that kind of like our salvation?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. It doesn't say work for your salvation, but in other words, walk it out, live it out, grow in it, experience it, for every person. It starts with faith in Jesus, and then it's that journey of living for Jesus, growing in Jesus and serving him.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. It's been a joy being with all of you today. And tomorrow is Friday. That means fire away Friday questions the whole hour. Alex and I look forward to it. So thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. Tell someone about But Tell Them about Jesus. More importantly,
>> Alex McFarland: the views and opinions expressed
>> Bert Harper: in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect
>> Alex McFarland: those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Exploring the Word takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
>> 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.
The Bible's filled with interruptions. Have you ever been interrupted
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Bert Harper: Have you ever been interrupted on your way to do something really, really important? The Bible's filled with interruptions. Listen to this one. The Good Samaritan man, he was interrupted by the guy on the side of the road and he helped him. Bartimaeus was needing to be healed and Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified, but he stopped and helped him. And then Simon of Cyrene, he would just come to worship the Lord. But on the way, Jesus was going to the cross, it became heavy and they implored him, get in there and take the cross. And today what we're going to study is a man called Jairus whose daughter is dying. Jesus has agreed to go with him. And on the way, a woman interrupts. Alex, I love these interruptions that you find in the Bible. Something good, you remember that something good is about to happen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Something good is about to happen, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, these, these interruptions are opportunities for God to work. And he really does. And that's why I think we, we always need to be attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit because we read about these wonderful interruptions in the pages of God's Word. But I also think in the steps of our own journey, we see these things where our agenda gets interrupted. But it's not really interruption, it's blessing to see God work in us and through us. And we are in the Gospel of Matthew, everybody, if you want to get a Bible and follow along with us, we would love for you to join. and throughout the last several chapters, we've seen Jesus do miracles of healing, miracles of casting out demons, controlling the elements. And in all these demonstrations of the power of God, it validates Christ's messiahship that he is the Savior, the Son of God, because he had the power to do that. And so, Bert, let's pick up.
Alex: Bert, we're wrapping up Matthew 9. And this is amazing.
And you mentioned, Jairus daughter here. we're wrapping up Matthew 9. Bert, you want to read?
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, I'll start in verse 18. his name is not given here in Matthew, but both Luke and Mark, the Synoptic Gospels, give him that name, Jairus. While he spoke these things to them, Jesus, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him. Found that interesting saying, my daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she'll live. So Jesus arose, followed him, and so did his disciples. And suddenly a woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years came from behind and touched the hem of his garment, that tassel that comes down that the Jewish man wore. For she said to herself, if only I may touch his garment, I shall be made well. But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, be of good cheer, daughter. Your faith has made you well. And the woman was made well from that hour.
Now.
>> Bert Harper: Ah, I'll stop there, Alex. And this is amazing. This woman, I think it was Luke, in telling the story, said she had spent all of her living on, you know, trying to get help. But she had one last hope, and it was Jesus, and she didn't want to interrupt much, so she was trying to do it. I can't. I think inconspicuously. And just touched the hem of his garment. But Jesus didn't let her go with just touching his, his tassel of the garment. He called her out about her faith, did he not?
>> Alex McFarland: He really did. This is such a beautiful thing. And we've often talked about, that great gospel song, Touch the Hem of His Garment. And the best version of all of that is by Sam Cooke. I mean, listen to that. And you'll be shouting hallelujah. But it's three verses here. Matthew 9, 20, 21, 22, and they're on the way. And in verse 23, they get to the official's house. But like you say, this little interlude is so precious. Daughter, take courage. Your faith has made you well. He knew her heart, just like you said, just very inconspicuously. she just wanted to touch the little, tassels, really, that would be around the, cloak of a rabbi. And she said, you know, if I got even that close to touch his garment, I'd be made well. And indeed she was. That is trust. And you know, the Bible says, remember when, Thomas, he said, I won't believe unless. He didn't say, I can't believe. He said, I won't believe unless I see the nail prints in his hands and his feet. And he fell to his knees. And of course, he said, my Lord and my God. Jesus said, blessed are you. You've seen and believe, but blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. And, Bert, you and I have shared the gospel with a lot of people. It's a great honor. And there are a lot of people that say, you know, prove it to me. well, you know, the Bible does say in Isaiah 1:18, Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord. It says in 2nd Peter 1:1621 that we have not followed fables, but this is reality. So God has given us proof. The empty tomb. But, I think he. He greatly honors just childlike faith. For. For anyone who wants to see if this is real, the evidence is compelling. Some people, they say, well, that's not enough evidence, Bert. When we trust God, when we take God at his word, I think the Lord honors that. And this woman had just childlike, innocent faith. We should trust God to that level as well.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Alex : Jesus was late for somebody that had died
I heard a sermon by one of our great heroes that we quite. You, know, we quote quite often. Vance. He heard him preach here in northeast Mississippi. I got to go. And he is preaching on this passage. And he said in desperation, she comes and, Because going about Luke saying she'd spend everything. And she said, I got one more opportunity. One more. Nothing else. Maybe I've heard about him. I've observed. And he asked the question. He said, how many of you, when he was preaching to the congregation, and I was one of them, are you desperate for God to intervene in your life? This woman was desperate. And, I would just say some of you who are listening today, you're desperate and may not know it because you don't know what a day may bring. So today is the day he passed by. This time, he may have never passed by this woman again, but the opportunity was there. And like you said, that simple faith, she did, and she responded. And then it continues in verse 23. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, he said to them, make room for the girl is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the crowd was put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. Now, Matthew's, account of this daughter being raised is shorter than, Mark's or Luke. it says that the mom and dad went in with him, and it tells that he said, arise. He used an Aramaic term.
>> Bert Harper: Get her to rise.
>> Bert Harper: But notice this. it says the flute players, the death had already occurred. so, Alex, again, let me see if there was another time. Jesus was late for somebody that had died. And they said, he's been dead so long, his body's decayed. it stinks. But Being late. He's still on time if it's in his time, isn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: yeah. You know, any middle school, Sunday school class of boys, they're going to love that verse about Lazarus. He stinketh. But no, Jesus is always right on time. And he raised this girl, he raised Lazarus. And he can meet any and every need. He's always right on time. But I love, in verse 28, where they're going, well, he raises the girl from the dead. And this news spread throughout the land. As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him.
>> Bert Harper: Well, Alex, real quick, I know I'm stopping you. I, hate to do that, but I just can't pass this up. And it'd be worse to go back. How long had she had this issue of blood?
>> Alex McFarland: 12 years.
>> Bert Harper: Guess how old this little girl was?
>> Alex McFarland: 12 years old.
>> Bert Harper: 12 years old.
>> Alex McFarland: Isn't that amazing?
>> Bert Harper: I don't think there's anything magical about it or. But it is neat to know here she'd been suffering for 12 years. She'd been living her life now for 12 years. And now dead. And now those desperate years, or 12 years, this woman had, had, had now been restored. I just, I couldn't pass that up. I'm sorry to interrupt you.
>> Alex McFarland: No, no, you're right. And in Mark 5 regarding the woman with the hemorrhaging or the issue of blood. Yeah. I've, I've always. I've kind of smiled when I read Mark 5:26 regarding this woman. It said she had suffered a great deal from many doctors and it's been all her money. the King James says of Mark 5:26, which is a parallel passage. She had suffered many things of many physicians. And there's. Here's a lesson for us in this. Maybe you've tried everything and come up empty handed. And whether it be a physical issue or whether it be an emotional issue or whether it be obviously the foundation of our entire identity. Spiritual issues. And you've tried everything, Bert. There's people, if you go to the bookstores, there are things about horoscopes and fortune telling. And I always pray if I'm in a bookstore and I see all these things that are just darkness, I'll pray. Lord, please deliver people from those books. Yes, you know, folks, I'm telling you, put your faith in Jesus. Put your faith in Jesus. This is what your heart is really needing and searching for. It's not going to be in so many of Satan's. Satan's got a lot of lures. In his tackle box. Doesn't he, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: He does. And he. He knows how to use them. And he's an observer. He's not all knowing, but he's observed. He sends his demons out to attack and again. Kill, steal and destroy. That's exactly. Wants to do, not heal, not help.
Come to Christ. Today's the day. Don't miss it
And so listen, Come to Christ, Alex. that's the whole idea. Jesus Christ is. He is the answer, you know? And, yes, he is the answer for real living. And so those of you who have never trusted Christ, you may be in your truck right now. You may be headed home from school. you may be in your kitchen, wherever you are, and you've really never trusted Jesus Christ as savior. Today's the day. This woman. This is probably the last opportunity she would ever have to come and be healed. And she did. Don't miss it, Alex. That's. That's what we say to people. Well, you don't want to. You don't want to blow it, do you?
>> Alex McFarland: No, you don't. And you'll notice in 26, it says, the news spread throughout the land. Now we're going to get to two blind men. Then later on in Matthew 9, a, man that needs to be delivered from demons. But here's the question. Regardless of the circumstance, verse 28, these two blind men are saying, have mercy on a son of David. When he entered the house, the blind men came up to him. And here's the question Jesus asks, and we need to ponder it in our own heart. Jesus asked these blind men, do you believe that I'm able to do this? Of course he was able. They said, yes, Lord. So he touched their eyes. He said, it shall be done to you according to your faith. And their eyes were opened regarding your situation. All of us cleansing, from sin, getting right with God, restoring relationships, families, marriages, children. Do you believe Jesus is able to do all this? We should believe him, because he certainly can.
>> Bert Harper: Well, we're going to come back and we're going to Continue in Matthew 9. Matter of fact, it's a, chapter of restoration. Life is restored, sight is restored, and speech is restored.
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My father. Father hasn't. And every single time, the Lord will provide. That's right. My father has. It's my father. Yes.
Amen.
Alex and Bert discuss the Gospel of Matthew
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert and Brent Austin during that commercial break. We're just fellowshipping, we're talking about the great things of God and listening to some gospel music. We're having church here today, and we're
>> Bert Harper: not going to take up an offering. Well, that's the only thing lacking. We're going to pray, we're going to sing, preach. Okay, but we're going to praise the Lord, aren't we, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: We are praising the Lord. And folks, I hope today you have the joy of the Lord in your heart because Christ is for you. He's with you. He's as close by as a prayer. We're in Matthew, chapter nine. So Jesus heals these two men that were blind. Their eyes were open, verse 30. And Jesus, this is, the Bible I've got, Jesus sternly warned them, see, that no one knows about this, but they went out and spread the news about him throughout all the land. Bert, we've talked about this. Why would Jesus heal somebody and then say, hey, don't tell anybody. What do you think?
>> Bert Harper: I think the answer is in the Gospel of Jon when it says about three different times he uses this phrase, my hour has not yet come. My hour has not yet come. He's got so many people that are following him, the multitudes. And I think it's expressed. And we'll get to verse 35 and 36 where it says teaching, preaching and healing. Now I know my nature. Oh, man. He could have spent all of his time healing, but he had more some other important businesses to take care of. Alex. Teaching and preaching, and he could not diminish that in order to override and do that, that's my thought, is that. What do you think you got different?
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. I think you're right because, you know, in addition to everything else, he was validating his messiahship. He was presenting the truths about salvation and the kingdom of God, and he was healing people, he was saving souls, he was rebuking the devil. I mean, he had a lot going on. And yet he also had to keep everything on the right timetable because, you know, Galatians talks about the fullness of time. Well, he was going to go to the cross and, you know, if there was this groundswell, of people, you know, demanding him to restore the kingdom of Israel at that moment or whatever, or everything had to be right on schedule. And indeed it was now verse 32, as they were going out. And so much of the Gospels happened as they were going. But a mute demon, possessed man was brought to him. After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. He can now speak. The crowds were amazed and were saying, nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. But the Pharisees were saying, he casts out the demons by the ruler of demons. Now, this is the most irrational, illogical, upside down thinking, but let me just say this, and I'm not going to belabor this point. I know there are mental illnesses, there are chemical imbalances, there are things that cause human bodies, different maladies. But notice one of the, causes of this man's inability to speak, his muteness, it was a demonic possession that he had to be delivered from Bert. One time, I went to visit an individual in a mental hospital. And, we went through about three security, doors, got deep into this building, and I went to visit a person that a family had asked me to go see. And I will tell you, there was such a heaviness over that place and a darkness. And I know there are physical, anomalies, but I do think much of, I'll just put it this way. There are ways that Satan oppresses and even possesses some people. And more and more mental health professionals are acknowledging this. So folks, understand we are in a spiritual battle down here. it is very much light versus dark, truth versus falsehood. It's God versus Satan. It was then, it still is now.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, this is again, a demon, possessed individual. We talked about it in chapter eight, and it was legions. Doesn't say how many this is, but the demon was cast out. So it sounds like it is one demon. And it was Causing issues, demonic influence, Demonic, possession. Two different things there, but still demonic there. It results in physical and emotional mental issues. it does not stand alone without it having the effects that, you know, that comes in a disastrous life. Notice the man they brought him. This man did not come on his own. And this is quite different than what you found in chapter eight, where this legion of these two and no one could control them. And I mean, it was horrible. And so this man seems to be under a demonic, influence possession that caused him, not necessarily to be wild, didn't cause him to touch, be difficult like it did in chapter eight. But he was mute and they brought this individual to him and the demon was cast out and he began to speak. And again, I love this term. The multitudes marveled. Look at the contrast. How would you respond? We've never seen like, anything like this before. Or how did he do that? It couldn't have been God. He, you know, it had to be Satan. Yeah, listen, what you said is erroneous, is crooked thinking to begin with, that Satan demon, demons would cast out demons and so forth. No, they would add to it, would they not?
>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah. I mean, Satan doesn't cast out Satan. Satan only takes more ground and tries to, possess more and more. I mean, some people were praising, some people were murmuring, you know, and we even see that now. Let's be grateful when God works and let's praise God for the blessings that he does in the lives of people.
Jesus was proclaiming the certainty of the coming of the kingdom of God
so Jesus is going through the villages, the cities, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming. This is big verse 35, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. Now, one of the things that makes Jesus very unique, he wasn't just laying down do's and don'ts and rules. He was here to die and pay our sin debt on the cross. But utterly, absolutely unique. The kingdom of God coming and the kingdom and how you can be a part of it, the Messiah and how you can know him. Many scholars, and I've mentioned it so many times, people like Josh McDowell, the great Gary Habermas, Micah Lycona, our colleague and friend Frank Turek. The fact that Jesus was proclaiming the certainty of the coming of the kingdom of God, that is so unique. No other religious figure in all of history, preached something like this. But yes, the kingdom is coming. That's why I'll say this. I'll throw it to you, Bert. Anything we're suffering down here is temporary. You know, I know life can be hard, even godly. People, people walking with the Lord can go through hard things. But Bert, anything down here is temporary. It really is. Because what is coming is permanent and perfect. It's the kingdom of God, and Christ wants you to be a part of it.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Alex: Notice the threefold ministry that Jesus had
Well said. Notice the threefold ministry that Jesus had. And I'm jumping ahead real quickly. The chapter 10. After he. After it is said in Matthew. This is so significant. He puts it up. This is a three fold ministry. Teaching, proclaiming the kingdom and healing. And then after he's done all these in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching, after he's done the healing that he does here, and casting out demons in eight and nine, he brings in. And this is where putting ahead. But I want you to,
It.
>> Bert Harper: It does connect. He calls the twelve disciples and sends them out, which makes them, apostles sent out ones. So, Alex. But first he went about all the cities and villages, big and small. Makes you think of Acts 1:8, you know, go into. Starting here, going here, going here. No one was excluded. He went into their synagogues. He went to the place where, where they would have some consciousness of that. And he would teach and preach those. The gospel of the kingdom and healing every, every sickness and every disease among the people. Now that's what he did. Now notice verse 36. This is the kind of ministry he would have with his threefold ministry. Teaching, preaching and healing. It was with compassion. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion. This word moved. It has the. The idea of, of it being just, really hurting. Pain, swelling up with the inside and coming to emotion when he was moved with compassion. Listen to this. For them, he came. He came for them, did he not, Alex? I. I just.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: This is powerful when you look at it and see, this is why Jesus came. This is why here. Why is he here?
>> Alex McFarland: So he feels this compassion because they were distressed. And, the word is dispirited, like sheep without a shepherd. No direction, no hope, really. Then he said to the disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. You know, here's the thing. yes, Christ had compassion on the multitudes. And they have needs. They need God. They need truth. they need what only Jesus can do in their life. But then when I read 37, 38, Bert, I think about our assignment today in a way. I think this is almost the preamble to the Great Commission.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is.
>> Alex McFarland: There's a plentiful.
>> Bert Harper: It is, it is. And the harvest is there. You don't have to wait. But the laborers, they're few. And now have you ever heard this pray? 10:38. Now what it is, 10:38 comes up on your clock, twice a day, a.m. and p.m. now again, that can be a long day if you stay up a little later. But I know some individuals, they started praying, you know, Matthew 10:38, pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest. So this is just a suggestion for those that are saying, oh, God, we need workers. we need more people in our church to care for the children, for the young people. We need more there, that is helping to go out and, help with the homeless. We need more people to help. Start praying. Matthew 10:38. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Do it twice a day. 10:38 in the morning, 10:38 at night. And if you go to bed before that, you can still do it early. But it causes, it really does. I know individuals, Alex. They started and they took that as a challenge. And guess who God called into the harvest, as laborers?
>> Alex McFarland: them.
>> Bert Harper: Them. That's exact. Right? So I, I, this comes with a warning. You start praying Matthew 10:38, you may be the one that becomes that laborer that God sends into the harvest. So I just pass that on.
They started praying that the challenge was given. They took the challenge
But I seriously, I know them. They started praying that the challenge was given. They took the challenge. Others were called, but they were called as well.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. That is powerful. Well, let's, let's begin to pray that all the more.
Brent McFarland: Jesus gives his disciples authority over many issues
Well, we transition into chapter 10. So Jesus gets his disciples and gives them authority. And do you know what? This is one of the times that, it's been said over 200 times in the NewSong Testament. It talks about the power of Jesus. Ability, power and authority.
Power.
>> Alex McFarland: And he gives them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out, to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Bert, this word, we've talked about it many times. It's the word from which we get the word jurisdiction. You know, a law enforcement officer is over an area, a, ah, jurisdiction. Well, the Church of Jesus Christ, we have the authority to go into all the world and make disciples. That's why, folks, if you, if you find yourself in a place and you can just tell there's not a lot of gospel there. Well, as you go, as you walk, be in prayer, claim this area for Jesus. You Know, Bert, when. When we were over in Israel, we laid hands on that mosque on the Temple Mountain. We prayed for, the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of the Muslims, in the name of Jesus. Now, we don't have authority of our own, but we absolutely have authority by the name of Jesus and by the word of God. One last thing, and then I know we need to move on, but people have often asked me, well, who are you to judge? I might call out a certain sin or an issue. Alex McFarland, who are you to judge? Well, I'm nobody. but. And you're right. In and of ourselves, we really don't have the authority. But let me say, God, in His word, absolutely is in a position to pass assessment of the spiritual condition of every action, every belief, even every person. So God entrusts us with his message that we are to proclaim. But, yes, God absolutely has the authority over beliefs, actions, the universe itself.
>> Bert Harper: amen. And he's. He has the power to what, Give it to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, real quickly, we're going to have to come back to this Monday, and we'll start all over in chapter 10, verse 1. Although we're covering it because we got to talk about this list and there's so much there, we've got to say more. But I want to say this, and then we'll go and give that phone number. It is this notice. He's given them. He's given them power over the unclean spirits to cast them out, the sickness and diseases to be healed. Because he is having to spend so much time doing that. This. They go before him, so when he comes, he can help them understand the message. The Gospel of the kingdom. Jesus did it in order. He knew exactly what to do and when to do it. That number, 888-58988. Give us a call right now. The voices in our culture are loud,
>> Bert Harper: but truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured
>> Bert Harper: to act quickly, before they have time
>> Bert Harper: 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
so she jumped on the gathering throne, and while she was pushing her way through, someone asked her, what are you trying to do?
To do?
She said, if I could just touch the hem of his garment, I know I'll be made whole. She cried.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, Brent found that for you, brother. Yeah, Brent, thank you.
>> Alex McFarland: She said, if I could just touch the hem of his garment, I know I'd be made whole. That's a great song. Thank you. You, Brent Austin. Hey. The number is 8885-8988-4088-5889-8840. If you've got a Bible question, we'll do our best to give you a good biblical answer. And, Bert, we had a good time, Tuesday with the day of prayer. And we still get prayer requests. You know, you can, email us wordfr.net and post things on our Facebook page, too. But how about we begin in Mississippi, with Joseph.
Joseph asks if God guided us through evolution or if it even happened
Joseph, welcome to Exploring the Word. Thanks for calling.
thanks for, taking my call.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. What you got, Joseph?
So I was asking if. If God, guided us through evolution or if it even happened at all.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, go ahead. this is a great question. It is. It is a question that was asked. Let me just start this and say I was in a class. I'm not going to talk about the university. It wasn't a Christian. It wasn't at Blue Mountain Christian University that I, talk about. But before I got there, I was at a university, and there was a guy saying, okay, I've combined the Bible with evolution. And I looked at him and I thought, how in the world do you do that? And, Alex, is what Joseph is saying. I know a lot of believers that believe that. Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I believed in evolution at one time. I do not at all believe in it now. because evolution, as persons like Charles Darwin put it out there, is really that life came about without the help of God. Now, there are a lot of Christians that believe in something that is called theistic evolution, that Theos there's, there is a God. But maybe evolution was the tool he used, they'll say, to bring life about over, you know, billions of years. the number one reason I don't believe it, Joseph, is because it goes against the Bible's story of our origin. I believe that the Bible tells us that God spoke it into existence. God created everything in six days, rested on the seventh. And I've been in debates, even born again Christians that believe in evolution admit, that you absolutely cannot square up evolution with the text of scripture. Either God and his word is right or Charles Darwin was right. They can't both be right. And the other reasons, though, we don't see evolution happening. For example. I'll just give one example. Evolution, says that the way that all of this diversity, you've got fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, you know, there's so many different human beings. How did it come about? Well, by gene mutation, genetic changes. Well, that still doesn't tell where the genetics and the tissue and the flesh came from. But here's the thing. if you want, let's say you've got fins on a fish, but you need feathers for a bird and fingers on a person, that requires additional genetic coding. And gene mutations never, never add information to the genome. So evolution has never been observed. Now, I know in public school, in my textbooks and the teachers, they said that it's a proof. In fact, it is not. Evolution is a faith position. And Bert, I think it's just much wiser to take God at his word. C.S. lewis said it, you know, if God exists, you can believe every miracle in the Bible. The miracle of creation, the miracle of Christ's incarnation and resurrection. now I believe in science. we're doing this radio show because of electricity and data transmission. But Bert, the these sciences, which, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, forensic pathology, none of the sciences, none of the branches of science need evolution to make discoveries and research happen. Evolution is a philosophy, not, an observable fact.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. There is adaptation, but it's minimal, you know, it's minimal. Adaptation does take place where you live and with animals. Yes, it does. But that's not changing from one species to another. It just has not happened. And you're talking about mutations. Listen, the mutations that, that happen. I was raised on the farm, so I'm not going to give all the specifics, but I saw mutations happen from, one cow to its, to the calf. You know, they had different issues, but we kept that calf long enough and it stayed and it got to adult. And then that calf became a cow, and it. And that cow gave birth to another calf. You know, and guess what? That mutation was corrected in that it did not. It did not pass it on. And so the mutations, there's nowhere where they showed it being passed on to the next generation. it. Usually because of the, as you said, the DNA and how it is. I'm going to use the word protective
>> Alex McFarland: of, you know, the DNA really are the guardrails.
>> Bert Harper: They really are.
>> Alex McFarland: You know, we saw it and I know Richard in Louisiana. We're going to get to you in a second. And I know Brent has some questions too. You know, I've shared this, and it made a big impression on me, Bert. We grew lots of corn on the farm. 100 acres every summer we grew, which to us, that was a lot. And you'd peel back and you'd see, you know, yellow, corn. Yellow corn, yellow corn. And then one out of a thousand, there'd be an ero. It would be just gold. And my dad said that's a recessive gene gene, you know, and by the way, yes, vegetable seeds. That's genetics too. And you know, there's the dominant, which was always yellow corn. And the recessive. Just by the, the role of the genetic dice, you'd see that. But the corn didn't turn into carrots. It.
Joseph: God did not use evolution to create bird
It was the genetic species that it was, you know.
>> Bert Harper: Joseph, thank you.
You.
>> Bert Harper: You ask a question. That bird and Alex, yes, we are, we're passionate about. So thank you for, for that call, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: So, no, God did not use evolution. Richard in Louisiana, thank you for holding.
Michael: If evolution were true, why do we still have monkeys
Welcome to Exploring the word.
Hey, how you doing, guys?
>> Alex McFarland: Good. Good to have you.
Good. Hey, look, so I'm just called in reference to the gentleman that you just spoke to, and I just want to remind him if evolution were true, I've always wanted to know, why do we still have monkeys? Did they not get the memo?
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, Richard. I love man. That's good. Let me give you another one. And it's about compasses. You know, you, my. We've got four grandsons. And, everyone, when we'd get a compass, would try to teach them how to use it at points north. Now, I want to just tell you, since they've been keeping up with it for several, dozens, hundreds years or so, the magnetic pole of the North Pole has gotten weaker. If the Earth were millions, billions years old, that pole, according to how it has, gone down the last hundred years, it would have been so strong, no one would have been able to. No animal, anything, could ever exist because it was so strong pulling down. So, Alex, there's so many reasons why evolution is, like you said, a philosophy. And then I think, no, I think I know why they don't want accountability. Because if God is the creator, there's some accountability there. And man, naturally, man wants to get away from that as much as possible. And when Darwin came along with this thought, they grabbed it not because of scientific knowledge or. But because of philosophy of life. Now I've preached my sermon. I'll turn it back to you, brother. Richard, you, made our day. We still got monkeys.
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. God bless you. God bless you. Micah in Tennessee. Micah, thanks for holding. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Oh, I love your stuff. I love it. I grew up in NewSong Orleans, but then lived in Mississippi for a good while. And anyway, I'm up in Tennessee, man. I just went totally blank when I was gonna. May I read something to you that came to me. It's about two. About a minute read is all it is. If you wouldn't mind.
>> Alex McFarland: I said go for it.
Okay. Way back in the days of old, there was a man that many rejected his ways, called me to fear him because of his ways and what he injected. He traveled to many places, gathered people as he did. He was developing quite a following of which many hid. The man caused quite a stir with those in power because he was a rebel and the man of the hour. The people followed him and treated him as, as a gang. Since there were many of those officials in power worried about this rebel because of his prows, there were left with a choice to rid themselves of this menace. To let one man free and give the rebel his sentence. They were happy to kill the rebel, washing their hands, but to their astonishment, he rose and went to outstretched arms and receiving hands. His followers believe still and are waiting to see him one day and relish in his and his father's amazing love and gifts in heaven. That just came to me one day. I don't even know what I was thinking about or what. And I'm not a poet or writer or anything, but I thank you for letting me share that with you, Micah.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you. Hey, Jesus, you remember what they said about that? He was talking about, you know, he passed it on to us authority. These are the men that turn the world upside down. Alex, I read that. And we see what Jesus did and what all has happened. And it's not by force. You know, we're going to kill you. No, we do it by invitation. The power of the Holy Spirit telling the good news and people responding in faith out of love, not out of fear. What a message we have. Jesus started the gospel of the kingdom. We need to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We do. We do. I'm going to give the number. We have time for, another question or two. It's triple 858-98-8840. Triple 858-9840.
Is cremation okay for a Christian?
Brent, I think you were saying that questions had come in online. Do you have one of those, brother?
I do.
>> Bert Harper: This one came in on Facebook. It's from Charlene. she asked does the Bible speak of about cremation?
>> Alex McFarland: it really doesn't to my knowledge. And I'm assuming a corollary, a part of this question is, is cremation okay for a Christian? Do you know the Bible doesn't mandate a specific method of the disposal of a body? Although of course the traditional, interment or burial has gone on for centuries and centuries. Bert? I was up in, Toronto, Canada speaking, and there are some high rise apartment buildings up there I've just never seen. I mean there are thousands and thousands of apartments. And this pastor was telling me that virtually all the funerals he does are cremations because there's just no cemeteries there. It's just not a place to have the traditional burials. And I know the money and the cost. I'm going to say this, and I say it humbly, and with eager to be corrected if I'm wrong here. I think it's a matter of Christian liberty, really. I don't think the Bible specifies how a person has to be buried, and folks pray about that. In fact, I'm going to be doing a, I'll be officiating a funeral service Saturday for a man that was a devout Christian. But I really think the method of burial is a matter of Christian liberty. What do you think, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. The first time I, and I've used this before, but I'm going to do it real quickly. First time I was confronted with this was, Dr. Richard Henderson. He was a professor of NewSong Testament and Greek at Mid America Seminary up in the Memphis, Tennessee area. And anyway, he was at the church here in Cupola West Jackson Street Baptist Churches interim pastor. And then I followed him and within two weeks he had had a heart attack and died. And we were looking Funeral? No, he was, it was his cremation and the reason was. His reason was missions. Okay? He said, I'd rather get this and have the money that I would have spent on this to go and send people around the world telling them about Jesus. His was financial, but not just saving money, but for a purpose of sharing the gospel. So, Alex, I believe you're exactly right.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, God bless you for caring, about that. And, thank you for that online question.
Adam: What's the difference between working out your salvation and receiving grace
Let's go to Mississippi and, Adam in Mississippi, if you don't mind, somewhat quickly. Time fleets away, my friend.
Yeah, I just wanted to, see what your thoughts were on the scripture that says, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and then in correlation with the scriptures that basically say that we're really not supposed to work for our salvation. What the difference between, working out your salvation with fear and trembling and then receiving grace, and not really working for yourself?
>> Bert Harper: Alex, let me. Yeah, you gotta have something before you work it out. You don't work to get it like a garden. When my dad said work it out, it means, go get everything out. Leave the good there, but get the bad out. Had nothing to do with having a garden. It was having a good garden because he had already planted it and we had it. Alex, is that kind of like our salvation?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. It doesn't say work for your salvation, but in other words, walk it out, live it out, grow in it, experience it, for every person. It starts with faith in Jesus, and then it's that journey of living for Jesus, growing in Jesus and serving him.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. It's been a joy being with all of you today. And tomorrow is Friday. That means fire away Friday questions the whole hour. Alex and I look forward to it. So thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. Tell someone about But Tell Them about Jesus. More importantly,
>> Alex McFarland: the views and opinions expressed
>> Bert Harper: in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect
>> Alex McFarland: those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Introduction to Divine Interruptions
The Story of Jairus and His Daughter
The Woman with the Issue of Blood
Faith and Healing
Jesus’ Compassion and Joe Dougharty
Practical Application and Reflection
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://afr.net
Preborn
https://preborn.com
Gospel of Matthew
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9&version=NIV
2nd Peter
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201%3A16-21&version=NIV
Isaiah 1:18
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+1%3A18&version=NIV
Vance Havner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Havner
Introduction to Divine Interruptions
The Story of Jairus and His Daughter
The Woman with the Issue of Blood
Faith and Healing
Jesus’ Compassion and Joe Dougharty
Practical Application and Reflection
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://afr.net
Preborn
https://preborn.com
Gospel of Matthew
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9&version=NIV
2nd Peter
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201%3A16-21&version=NIV
Isaiah 1:18
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+1%3A18&version=NIV
Vance Havner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Havner
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