Exploring the Word 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.
Welcome to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. We're so glad you're listening. And I hold in my hand one of the most priceless, precious treasures in world history, the Bible, the word of God. And the Bible contains the NewSong Testament, the first book of which is the Gospel of Matthew. And we're going through Matthew. We're in chapter five. We invite you to turn there and join with us. We're going to continue reading, and we'll take your Bible questions and phone calls later.
Bert Harper: Biblical teaching on mediation speaks to whole industry of mediation
>> Alex McFarland: Bert?
>> Alex McFarland: my Bible has red ink. For those watching online. I'm going to hold it up now. What does red ink, signify in God's word? When the text is in red, what does that mean?
>> Bert Harper: Bert Harper, it means that this is the very word of Jesus Christ. And if, it's in black, it means that the writer of that book was given an introduction. Tell us where it is. But when it's in red, it is Jesus speaking. And, and this is the longest section in the Bible of red ink and known as the Sermon on the Mount. And what a passage it was. And Alex, he goes deep, and he's not, who would expect Jesus to be fearful, but he's not afraid to hit the difficult subjects, is he?
>> Alex McFarland: No, he isn't. And we're going to talk about, well, really in 27 through 30, the severity of sin. and there's a comparison and an idiom, that's really pretty shocking in here. And yesterday we were talking about how, you know, Christ fulfills the law and then, murder in the heart, hating somebody. By the way, there is a brilliant verse. I want to go back to this because in verse 25 of Matthew, chapter 5, and this really speaks almost to the whole, industry of mediation. this is just amazing. And it's been said in a lawsuit, nobody wins. Okay? And Christ had talked about, you know, leave, your gift at the altar. Get right with your brother. Now, verse 25. And I've often thought how brilliant this is. Bert, agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way or in the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison, assuredly, I say you will by no means get out till you've paid every penny. what might this mean, folks? Agree with your adversary quickly, while you're in the way or on the way. This speaks to. Rather than go into court, see if you can get things straight and patch things up. Rather than have a lawsuit, because you get in front of a judge, you just might end up paying a big judgment or even go into jail. And the idea of mediation, and we saw that in the life of Abraham and Lot, you know, eventually Paul and Jon Mark would get straightened out. But. But, Bert, mediation, in fact, one of the toughest jobs you'll ever do, folks, is try to get Christians to get along. And if you want the slings and arrows of sinful men, you just try to get Christians to love other Christians. and I've, done a little bit of that, and it ain't easy. But, Bert, it's always right to try to get along with people and love people and forgive people. And we should be quick forgivers, because someday it's going to be us on the end that we need forgiveness. But mediation and resolution, before having to legal up. That's what verse 25 is speaking to, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And find a point of agreement. You have to find that point of agreement first. You may not agree on the details. Have you noticed what's been taking place? And I doubt if the Iranian leadership is. Is dealing rightly. Okay, I'm laying that aside. Yeah, but they'll announce a big agreement. But they said the details haven't been worked out yet. Details. But be ready. Be ready to do that. and matter of fact, you was talking about this. First Corinthians 6. The church at Corinth, they were taking each other to court. And Paul said, bro, this should not be. Find this point of agreement. Get this mediator. Surely there's somebody in your church that can help you, find a point of agreement rather than taking it to a pagan judge in that case. And so here it is. Find that point. And, it is the best place to end. But you got to start somewhere. And, so you got to want to do that. There are some people. And again, they may be church members, but they're church members that are not born again. Alex, let me share that with you, too. We found that out with Judas Iscariot, didn't we? You know, a devil from the beginning. And there's others, Demas, having loved the present world lot of discussion about that. But there are some people that they just, they're, they're not going to do it, no matter what. No matter what. You try, you do it, but you settle it in your heart, in your mind. Do that in your heart. It may not have a resolution, but it is resolved in your heart that you did what God wanted you to do. That's the bottom line for an individual believer in Christ.
Bert says there is a window of opportunity to get right with others
>> Alex McFarland: You know, before we move on, I want to speak about the word opportunity. And I often think, and folks, look in the, the, you know, life down here, we all, as fallen sinners, can get, you know, abrasive with each other sometimes. Isaiah 55, verse 6 says, Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. There is a window of opportunity to get right with God. There's a window of opportunity to get right with others. And this thing of Matthew 5:25, agree with your adversary while you're in the way.
>> Alex McFarland: look for those opportunities to, resolve and restore and redeem. Bert, I've, I've, known people that when they patch things up, actually the friendship or the relationship is stronger than it was before, Just like with a broken bone. You know, Doc, an orthopedic doctor might tell you what, where a broken bone healed, that tissue is actually stronger than the other bone tissue itself. And so, invariably down here, there's going to be some squabbles and some static, but you know what? Those really, if, if our heart will be open to, it might actually be an opportunity.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, I just thought of this. I think it was 1917, World War I Christmas, when the German forces were against the English forces. Now, what two countries, especially concerning America, what two countries brought more Christmas tradition to America than any other two countries? I, I've investigated this.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, Britain and America.
>> Bert Harper: No, to America. They brought it to America. Germany, Germany and England. They brought it. They brought it. And here they were on Christmas Day. And, this was early on. That word quickly could also be understood early. Do it quickly. Do it early. Don't let, anger and bitterness continue to build up. But they were able to not fire, not fight on Christmas Day, those early days of World War I. And they got out there and exchanged gifts, some chocolates and dirt, different things. And it was an unusual thing, but that's an example of it, even without it being a believers necessarily. Many of them were, as I understand it, on the German side and the English side. And, they had that early. So do it early in the disagreement. Try to Find an agreement early. And that word quickly. I think it. It registers with me a little bit better.
>> Alex McFarland: Do it early. I like that.
>> Alex McFarland: And by the way, isn't it something. You know, pictures have been painted and much has been written about the, the Christmas truce of World War I. Isn't it something that was a momentary peace on the birthday of the Prince of Peace?
>> Bert Harper: It was. And, first time I ever heard about that, I just. Man, I said, that's. That's such a powerful, powerful picture. Lord, do it. Find. Find an agreement early. The.
The Sermon on the Mount deals with the state of the heart
The larger, theme, really, of the Sermon on the Mount here is really dealing with the state of the heart. And 27 through 30, talk about, adultery. you have heard that it was said to those of all, you shall not commit adultery. And of course, that's in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Jesus says, But I said, you. Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Now, I want to get to 29 and 30, but here's the thing. Let me ask a question. Burton, you and I have talked about this. Adam and Eve in the garden, the serpent says, oh, eat the fruit of the tree. What if they had reached and it was too high, and they couldn't quite grasp it, but they're reaching for it, Reaching for it. They're like, you know, the serpent is right. This fruit would be good. We know God said not to eat it, but we want it. What if they were reaching for it hard as they could, but couldn't quite grasp it, though they surely were trying, would there still have been sin in their heart?
>> Bert Harper: It would have started there. It. Good question. Good matter, Alex. It would have been, I call this, If I was preaching a series of sermons on these subjects. Murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love. I would say it matters. Call it matters of the heart, you know, because that's what Jesus. Isn't that what Jesus is doing here, even in this Going to the heart of the matter, as you said earlier? And so, Alex, yes. If you've done it in your heart. Now, just because it is in your heart doesn't mean that you need to follow through. You don't say, okay, well, I'm guilty already. I just need to go ahead and exploit this and entertain. Not just entertainment, but do it now. Alex, there's a difference in entertaining that which is in your heart and completing that. You know, you, want to stop when you have a matter in your heart that is leading you wrong. Check it right there. Pass by. Don't give it, don't entertain it. pull back, Alex. And, Jesus, I think, is warning, people of that, you know. Yeah, it's in the heart, but gotta go back. The Pharisees, listen, they were committing all these sins in the heart, but on the outside, again, they knew, okay, I can't do that. But Jesus was letting those Pharisees and others who were doing that, letting them know, listen, that's a sin as well.
>> Alex McFarland: In verse 29 and 30, it says, and again, these are the words of Christ. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than your whole body to be cast into hell. Now, you read this. You think, my goodness, this is really severe. Yes, that's absolutely how serious sin is. And what we want to do is we want to make sure that the overseer of our heart is God's holy Spirit. And something that will vastly help you is reading God's word. And you know, Bert, a change of heart is going to include a change of priorities and a change of desires and a change of things that you are convinced of. And, the heart yielded to the Holy Spirit. Yes, that can happen. And your life can change as you're thoughts and behaviors change. And the key to that is letting the word of God, guide you and inform how you think and act.
>> Bert Harper: How shall a young man cleanse his ways, taking heed to the word of God? Listen, not just young men, but old men. Not just young men, but young ladies, older ladies. Let the word of God saturate your life so you can stand on on God's word.
Preborn network clinics offer free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
>> Bert Harper: It's been four years since the overturn of Roe, but tragically, abortions have continued to rise. Today, the abortion pill accounts for more than 60% of all abortions. And last year alone, over 1.1 million babies lost their lives. That's why the work of preborn network clinics is more urgent than ever. Every day, mothers facing unplanned pregnancies walk through preborn's doors searching for hope. Instead of pressure and fear, they're met with love. Through a free ultrasound, mothers meet their baby for the very first time.
>> Alex McFarland: It was like the beginning of my healing journey. They do an Ultrasound. And that's, when everything changed. Because when I saw my baby and when I heard her heartbeat, that was it.
>> Bert Harper: Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound $140 helps rescue five babies to donate, dial hashtag250 and say baby. That's hashtag250baby. Or. Or visit preborn.com bertharper that's preborn.com bertharper.
Bert and Alex discuss the importance of missions in today's podcast
>> Bert Harper: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. This is Bird and Alex, and it's so good to be with you. And we're getting right into the word. Didn't have a lot of time to listen to the music because we want to cover some more ground today. And Alex, let me share this, and I've really not thought of that till you were talking about it. The eye and the hand. Guess what? It starts in the heart. It goes to the eye, into the hand. What. What things get us into. Into harm more than anything, what we see. You remember Achan? He saw that goodly Babylonish varmint. varmint, I should say garment.
>> Alex McFarland: No, you got it right.
>> Bert Harper: I said, man, that's a good one.
>> Bert Harper: And guess what he did. He took it with his hand. You got that? But it started where. Not in the eye, not in the hand, but in the heart. The innermost being. Being is what we're talking about. We're talking about your mind, your will, your emotions, what you want. You. You look at that garment and say, man, that's. That'd be awesome. your mind calculates. Okay, I could take that. And then you decide to take it with your will. Yes, I'm going to take it. And so the heart, the eye, the hand, they are connected.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, absolutely. That. That's a great. And whether it be, you know, Achan, that wanting that wedge of gold, or that goodly garment, or King David, you know, in what led to his sin. I mean, it begins in the mind. That's why, you know, let me just say, we don't want to obsess about things. And, you know, whether it be covetousness or envy, you know, I got to say this, and we'll. We'll move on, but, in. In writing books. Listen, I'll just put it this way. we Christians, we need to keep it all about lifting up Jesus. There's authors that have sold way more than you and me, Bert. And. But God's given us the platform we have.
>> Alex McFarland: We just need to rejoice that the gospel is going out there, and there's in any church in any town. I mean, there's the big, big churches, there's the, middle size, and there's small churches. Hey, let's just rejoice that, the gospel is going out. was it DL Moody? He said, if a dog comes through town barking for Jesus, I'm going to be for that dog.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. On, exploring missions, the program that my son Nathan and I do on the weekends, we got an interview coming up. matter of fact, it's this weekend and you can hear it at 12 o', clock, Sunday, Central time, after you get out of church, turn your radio on, you can hear this. But we're talking about a ministry that is, training young, well, men. Not just young men, but men to be pastors in rural churches. Because the small rural churches, but also in towns, there's a severe shortage of pastoral minister, men, that is volunteering and saying, hey, we want to be that part. And that's what they're doing. So, Alex, wherever God has placed you, I agree with you fully. That is where you bloom. That's where you want to grow. That's where you want to serve. And not looking over there. But Paul said, I think it was in Philippi he was talking about. They were talking about some people preaching the gospel. Well, I wonder why they're doing that. I wonder what their motive is. Hey, what we're not. We can't look at their motive. But he said, I praise God. The gospel is being preached. So we praise God. The gospel is being preached in the small and the large and the medium size. let Jesus reign, brother. Isn't that right?
>> Alex McFarland: And let's remember, the local church is God's instrument for world evangelization. I mean, it really is. so it gets into verse 31 of Matthew 5 about the sacredness of marriage. Right on. Furthermore, it has been said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say unto you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit sexual adultery. And whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Alex: Divorce is not God's ideal, but you could get divorced
Now, let's talk about this, because we've had a lot of calls over the years, and I want to, if, if the Holy Spirit would help me, I want to kind of say, two things at once. Number one, divorce is not God's ideal. And people get divorced sometimes for the wrong reasons. But I want to say this with equal emphasis. God loves you. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. And if you look back and you say, you know, I didn't always do everything biblically. Okay, Just say, christ, forgive me, restore me, and moving forward, I want to live for you. what we don't want to do is compromise God's standard. Now, marriage is a covenant. And when one party breaks their marriage vows, that covenant is broken. If, if, if a spouse cheats on another spouse, the covenant is broken. You don't have to get divorced, but you could. But Bert, having been in the pastorate a while, having counseled lots of people, and I know you have too many, many, many people, they walk away from their marriage for non biblical reasons. But I want to say, and while I don't ignore that, and we don't want to twist what scripture says, if you admit, you know what, I, ah, bailed out and I shouldn't have, I want to say, Jesus loves you. Jesus will forgive you and confess, repent and move on in the forgiveness and the knowledge that Christ is not mad at you. he forgives and restores, but at the same time, and I'll throw it to you, Bert. I do think within the church, we need to hold marriage up for the sacred covenantal relationship that God made it to be.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. I want to say three things, and again, there's this subject. Okay. If you want to look at it a little further, Matthew 19, Jesus talks about it again quite a bit. I just wanted to throw that in. The marriage that you are in is the marriage that, that God wants to work. Amen. Those of you that are divorced and, and now you're remarried, that marriage is what God wants to get. Go back, get forgiveness for what you did wrong. Do that, do it quickly. Remember, agree with God quickly. God, I was out of line. But I know I've, I've, I want this marriage to work. And I'm trusting you do that. The second thing that I, I would say concerning this is that God is able to, to bring you into, into line so you can serve Him. Now, it may limit you in areas. Okay. but listen, we're talking about small churches, talking about larger churches. Is pastoring a larger church a greater honor than you pastoring a smaller church? It is not. I want to tell you, when you look at the gifts that God gave men and women, spiritual gifts, when you use your spiritual gift for the glory of God, if it's welcoming, you have the gift of hospitality, and you're a greeter at your church. Listen, I've been around and I've seen it. I'VE seen guys and some women, but most of the guys that I've seen, man, they're greeters at the church, man. I've seen them go out with umbrellas and help people come in. I've seen them open the door and help people, man. They're showing that. I just want to tell you their actions spoke loudly. And so let God use you. Don't. Okay, God can't use me. No, because I'm divorced. God can use you, but get right with God and do it now. And so, Alex, I really believe God can really make, a difference in our lives. The marriage that you're in, let God do a work in your life that God can get the glory even in this.
>> Alex McFarland: I'll say this briefly sometimes. I've, counseled people and they've said, but marriage is so hard. Why is it so hard? It does. Marriage takes work. I mean, really. And it's a commitment. But marriage and family life is one of the greatest avenues for sanctification. I mean, really. And I got, I've said this before, and I mean it with all my heart. When God created the home and marriage, it was genius. Because here's the thing. If, sinners are going to live together under one roof, you're going to have to grow and you're going to have to do it in the strength of the Lord and in the joy of the Lord. But marriage, and family is one of the greatest avenues for spiritual growth. And by that I mean sanctification. Would you agree, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: Man, all the way. Alex, it is. And just draw a triangle. the husband, put him at the base on the left side, the wife at the base on the right side. And the closer each one of them, and put God at the pinnacle of that triangle at the top. And as each one grows in Christ, in sanctification and service, guess what they do? They get closer together. Alex. Following the Lord, it is best in every circumstance. Marriage, singleness, no matter what, grow in the Lord in that marriage. It's taught me a lot. Alex, my wife Jan and I listen, we got a lot of differences. Female, male, so many things. But there's two or three things that man, we agree on 100%. We love Jesus Christ with all of our heart, soul and mind. We love our family, man, our sons, our daughter in laws, our grandchildren. And we desire that our marriage would glorify God. And I want to tell you, with those three things, it has stood us. Well, I just get. That's a testimony, brother. I just want to share it hadn't been easy. What did you say a minute ago? Work. Yeah, it's work. but it's worth it isn't absolutely is.
>> Alex McFarland: It really is. And there's so much more we could say on that.
Bert says how we use words is very much reflective of what's heart
But, I want to go to verse 33, talking about our word. And again, the larger backdrop here is the state of our heart. Again, you have heard it said of those of old. You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say unto you, do not swear at all. Neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool. Nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. I've always loved that. Jerusalem, the city of the great king. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair black or white. But let your yes be yes and your no be no. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. now, this is not just swearing, like saying a curse word. And that in itself is wrong.
>> Alex McFarland: We don't.
>> Alex McFarland: You don't believe in swearing like that, but it means, you know, a vow. Kind of over the top, you know. And we've all heard people say, you know, by golly, this or that. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. And, Bert, I've known some m. Very mature saints of God, and one, of whom deeply shaped my life, Josh McDowell. And, I used to, introduce Josh in front of crowds, and it was great honor, and, you know, I could, you know, ballyhoo it pretty good. Here's the man that wrote evidence that. That demands a verdict. And more than a carpenter, you know, millions of copies in print, you know. And, I love Josh, and. But what. We were backstage at a big event in California one time, and he looked at me and he said, alex, always remember. And whatever he said, you know, I just. Josh McDowell was one of my mentors. He looked at me and he said, alex, let your yes be yes and your no be no.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: I said, yes, sir. And that was a reference to Matthew 5:37. And I've just thought, you know, that's true. And, again, Christ is, telling us about how we use words. Words. Because how we use words is very much reflective of what's going on in our heart.
>> Bert Harper: If you're on the witness stand, you say, I'm going to tell the truth, nothing but the truth. You're making that vow you're swearing to that that's what this is referring to. And if you practice as Alex just said, that Josh McDowell told him, and I agree with him, yes, yes or no and no. Adding these words. Now, what the Pharisees would do, they wouldn't use God because that was too holy. But those words, I'm telling you the truth, by the earth we live on, I'm telling you the truth because we're at his footstool. I'm telling you the truth because we're in Jerusalem. Listen, they were so used to twisting the truth to make it fit into their system that you couldn't hear them say yes and no. Know, you never knew if it was right. He said, adding all this by saying it and making a big deal out of it doesn't add anything. Just live it simply tell the truth, nothing but the truth, the whole truth. And, yes and no. Alex, good word.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Verse, 38. You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a two for tooth. See, Christ is teaching them things they've heard. And very often, a little bit of, conventional wisdom or, you know, popularly believed saying becomes, you know, something more than what God's word says. I've. You know, the Bible says the early bird gets the worm. Well, actually, it doesn't. You know, the Bible says money's the root of all evil. Actually, no, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. but Jesus says, an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Turn the other cheek. That's a saying. if anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go two, we get the saying, go the extra mile. Give to him who asks you and from him who wants to borrow. Do not turn away. Bert. 38, 42. These ideas of showing grace, that would have been, you know, revelatory to these listeners, wouldn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It's revelatory to me. Okay, Somebody that slaps me, guess what I want to do. I don't want to slap them. I want a fist and hit them. You know, somebody that would rob something from me, I'm going to fight to get it back again. What. What is Christ saying here? He said, our, life is more than things. Listen, you don't retaliate. It's not, going at it. They did this to me, so I'M going to get back at them. They took this from me, so I'm going to take something back from them. No, listen. Demonstrate the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ. That doesn't make you, a mat to be wipe your feet on, but it does demonstrate that we have something different in our hearts, that we don't have to retaliate in anger. That number. If you've got a question, triple 8589-8408-8858-9840.
Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
>> Bert Harper: Right now, the voices in our culture are loud. But truth is often silent. And today preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity and hope. But I refuse to be silent, and I'm asking you to join me at ah, 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 and say the key word baby. That's #250 baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host.
Sweet.
>> Alex McFarland: To trust in Jesus, Just to take him at his word. Just to rest upon his promise. Just to know. Thus saith the Lord. Amen.
Alex and Bert invite you to call them with Bible questions
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert, we are so honored that, that you're listening. Hey, I'm going to give the telephone number. If you've got a Bible question, we would love to hear from you. And the number. Listen to this. It's 888-589-8840-888858-98840. And we'll do our best to answer any and all Bible questions. Bert. I've got a pretty big stack of questions from our summer camps and then from the COVID is well, so call in. let me throw something out here, folks. I was on the phone this morning with pastors around the country. I've been doing something for the last few months that I call Revive Us and what we try to do. And Bert, we've been working on this for years, but we just try to get Christians in a town to get together and pray and just lift up Jesus and different denominations, but it's all about Jesus. And we don't charge any money. Listen, no matter where you are, I will come. And, right now we've got, three for next year. And we're by God's grace. We want to put a number more on the books where I'll come. We'll just. All it's about is trying to call our nation to prayer, to spiritual awakening. We, we call it Revive Us. And if you're interested in being a host community or city for one of these events, just go to my website, Alex McFarland.com you can reach out to us. my email is Alex McFarland dot com. But Bert, the more things go. I just saw in the news this morning that, they're putting Islamic foot washing stations in the DFW airport. Now, many of the larger airports, I go in, you know, Dallas and Chicago and most large airports have a chapel and Bert, I was in an airport. I'm not going to say where. And, on a lectern was a Bible, kind of a large family Bible, but sitting on top was a Koran. And, there's all these Islamic prayer rugs. And on these Qur', ans, they had put a post it note, do not remove the Quran. Well, I'll tell you, I set it over on a table, but I'm not going to have a Koran laying on top of God's holy word, the Bible.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Alex, we need a revival. I will come. And we've done this a long time. I know how to help organize churches. We'll get together, we'll link arms, we'll pray. People will get saved. But the main thing is the name of Christ is lifted up. And I just feel like our nation is in such a place. We've got to seek God's face for move of the Holy Spirit.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. Amen.
Patrick calls to discuss issue of divorce and remarriage in churches
Well, we have people who have called in, so let's go to the phone lines and go to Arkansas and it's Patrick. Patrick, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: yes, sir, I was calling about the, issue with divorce and remarriage and wanted to know what your take on a pastor who has been married and then his wife runs off with another guy and he's left. you Know, being divorced and then, your personal experience, that church, you know, basically forces you to resign. And then, you know, basically have, you know, you have a calling. But then there are churches that will basically tell you that you are not qualified based upon being divorced. What is your take?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Patrick, thank you for that. Let me just share with you. I think an individual and I know, I know some just let me. Friends of mine whose wives just walked out. They, left them. Divorce took place. The pastor didn't want it, they did. And the ones I know, they did say go to their church, and they said, we are willing and ready to step down. Some of those churches let them go. I know some that said, no, it wasn't your fault. We're keeping you. I think the pastor is wise. This is just my take, Alex, to be humble himself and say, listen, this agreement is between a church and a man, a pastor. And, we can't be on two different tracks for that. We need to have an agreement. So I think the pastor, if that would happen, humble himself and then if another church would call him, that would be good. If he has to step down. You may have a completely different take on that. Alex, go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: No, I think you're wise on that. And I would with agree, agree on that. You know, whenever we get a question like this, I often mention, Dr. Jon MacArthur who's in heaven, and Dr. Norm Geisler, who's in heaven. And in a way this, and these guys were real, real, real conservative. And in a way, you know, we're talking about what is the real meaning of First Timothy 3, verse 2, that, the husband of one wife and Bert, you know, grown up, in the Bible belt. I always heard preachers say if a man is ever divorced, he couldn't be a pastor. But even Jon MacArthur and Norm Geisler and many, many others would say what it really means is a man completely loyal to the woman he is currently married to. A one woman man, not a polygamist. You know, and again, we have the highest regard for marriage. And, you know, in no way am I taking, divorce nor the pastorate lightly. But, I do think it is conceivable, although, if a church is against this, you best look for other fields of service. But I have known some men. In fact, I'm thinking of a man right now as godly a man as you'd ever meet. And he was a senior pastor and his wife left him, took up with another man, and, you know, myself and a number of other pastors counseled him. And I said, you know, what can you do? He spent years trying to get his marriage restored, but she left. And, I said, I really don't see that you're at fault, because what can you do when one person walks away? So, anyway, and his church ended up keeping him. But, would you agree that 1 Timothy 3:2 probably means absolutely loyal to the woman you're currently married to?
>> Bert Harper: When I first heard that in the King James and other versions, I did not know that. And I, finally took Greek and saw those words, and then saw people like Jon MacArthur and others have that as an issue. I fully agree. But I would go back to say, to try to find that on a church, I think is unwise. I think it's even wrong for them. And, so there needs to be that. Just like when they're calling them, there's got to be a point of agreement, and that's what it says.
>> Bert Harper: Agree.
>> Bert Harper: It's not certainly your adversary, but there needs to be that agreement on that so that there will not be this confusion. So, I hope that helps, Patrick. That's, as best we can do.
First Corinthians chapter 12 talks about spiritual gifts and how to use them
Let's go to Oklahoma. Ursula from Oklahoma. Go right ahead. Ursula, are you there?
Yes, I'm here.
>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead.
Yeah, I have a question. Okay, so my question comes out of First Corinthians, chapter 12, where it talks about, like, the spiritual gifts and stuff. And then I want to know also where it talks about that in ephesians, chapter, four and verses 11 and 12, where it talks about, like, the fivefold ministry. I was kind of wondering, are they. Are those related? And if so, how. And how are we supposed to use those in our walk with God?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Ursula. Thank you, Alex. They are interrelated. They're. They're different. But yet I would say the pastor teacher. Okay, I'm not. That is not necessarily a gift. That is a position. That is a ministry, that God's given you, and you bring your spiritual gift of teaching or encouragement, you know, to that gift. You know, the, pastor, the apostle, the evangelist, prophet. They are positions, aren't they? That. But you bring your. That have spiritual gifts attached to them. Would you say it that way?
>> Alex McFarland: Well said. Well said. And, you know, Ephesians 4, 11, 13. and, Bert, when I had the great privilege of working with the North American mission board, and I was helping not only in apologetics, but with evangelism, we wrote a lot about this and researched it quite a bit. apostles, prophets, Evangelists, pastors and teachers, or some say pastor teachers. And whether you count four, offices or five, I mean, the result is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up until we reach the unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and maturity in Christ. So, you know, regardless of, five fold ministry, fourfold ministry, but it's by the Holy Spirit for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, but ultimately for the exaltation and lifting up of our Savior, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Archela, very much.
Sue says she found porn on her husband's computer after 20 years
Let's go to Michigan. And it's Sue. Sue, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
hi. hopefully I won't cry. I have been married 36 years and, my husband's supposedly a Christian. And he's never shown any love, like emotional love. I just, I was under the impression it was just who he was. And I came home about 20 years into the marriage, after working and found porn on our computer. And when I confronted him, he, basically said, I don't know what the big deal is. And I said, well, you know, I went through some of the scripture and everything else. I said, it's a huge deal. And I gotta tell you, with the lack of love which I've gone through with our marriage, which is hard,
This, when, when I see the porn, it, it like hurts me twice as much. And he argues, argued for five years about how I was the problem because it shouldn't have been a big deal and we, he just won't do it again. Then after five years, I said, I don't think I can be with somebody who thinks that way because I, I don't know what to expect. And I'm, I'm already hurt from all of this. And then he said, well, I, I, yes, yes, it is a big deal. but he's never lost. Nothing's changed.
>> Alex McFarland: First of all, our heart goes out to you. And I want to encourage everybody to please pray for this, marriage in the strongest possible terms. Please, begin to go to marriage counseling. Bert, wouldn't you agree? And by the way, focus on the family. I used to work there. They keep a database of really good Christian counselors and marriage, counselors. Marriage therapists, at the very least, and this, this is very serious. And I know a good, competent Christian marriage counselor will help you all. But, this is not insignificant. I think this is very, Consequential. And. Please. And I'm going to pray that he'll want to invest in his marriage and do Right. But, go to a marriage therapist. Please do that.
>> Bert Harper: Listen, I would say that. Let me share this with you, and, it's not original with me. Divorce is not the first option. It's the last option. And if your husband is willing, to do this and say, I'm laying this pornography down, that is a great, great victory in your heart, regardless. And God can restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten. And I'm praying that he would see this and see that his responsibility is faithfulness to you, even visually, regardless of what that. Because that is a form of fornication. And, Alex, it is really. It's hard. Those things are hard to manage. Pornography is not a harmless sin. It is a severe sin. It really is. And anybody. Men. I'm just going to go ahead and get on my soapbox. If there's any men out there that's listening and you've let pornography become a part of your life, I want to tell you it's displeasing to God. It is a form of. I'm going to go ahead and say it, Alex. I think it's a form of adultery because it is a. It is a physical, relationship. The ones that I know of. So, Father, I pray you'd help Sue. Help her to be strong and courageous. Help her to find that counselor. that would help her and help her husband to make this marriage work. The marriage that she's in is the one that you desire for her to have victory. And we're praying for that and asking for that. In Jesus name, Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: I tell you what. I think we can go to North Carolina and talk to Tessa. Think we can answer this question quickly. Go ahead, Tessa.
Oh, hi, Burton. Alice.
I've.
I've always spoke with Alice. I never had chance to speak with Mr. Burke. So, nice to find you that.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Tessa. Go right ahead.
Alice wanted to know where else I could find some of your debates
But, yeah, so my question is, Alice, I wanted to know where else I could find some of your debates. I went on YouTube and I saw the ones with David Silverman. But I wanted to know if you had any other locations, that I could find some of your debates.
>> Alex McFarland: God bless you. Yeah, we have a YouTube channel, and we've put a lot of stuff on NRB tv. I will tell you, I have got several, Tupperware bins full of films and DVDs. And, Bert, if we ever had time, we'd put it up. There's a lot on YouTube. there's a lot on NRB. Keep searching. But, Tessa, thanks for watching, and may God bless you in your walk and witness.
>> Bert Harper: NRB tv. That's how they can get it. Alex, say that one more time.
>> Alex McFarland: nrb, as in national religious broadcasters, NRB tv, and frankly, all the films out there. I don't know how many there are, but there's a bunch.
>> Bert Harper: Brent's going to try to get that information up on Facebook, so I'll put a link up there. Yeah, he'll put the link up.
Tomorrow is Fire Away Friday, so tell everybody about Jesus
Guess what tomorrow is Fire Away Friday, Alex. It's always exciting on Fire Away Fridays. We take questions the whole hour, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We do all questions, all the hour. Hey, tune in tomorrow for Faraway Friday. Tell somebody about exploring the word, if you would. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this
>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those, but of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Exploring the Word 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.
Welcome to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. We're so glad you're listening. And I hold in my hand one of the most priceless, precious treasures in world history, the Bible, the word of God. And the Bible contains the NewSong Testament, the first book of which is the Gospel of Matthew. And we're going through Matthew. We're in chapter five. We invite you to turn there and join with us. We're going to continue reading, and we'll take your Bible questions and phone calls later.
Bert Harper: Biblical teaching on mediation speaks to whole industry of mediation
>> Alex McFarland: Bert?
>> Alex McFarland: my Bible has red ink. For those watching online. I'm going to hold it up now. What does red ink, signify in God's word? When the text is in red, what does that mean?
>> Bert Harper: Bert Harper, it means that this is the very word of Jesus Christ. And if, it's in black, it means that the writer of that book was given an introduction. Tell us where it is. But when it's in red, it is Jesus speaking. And, and this is the longest section in the Bible of red ink and known as the Sermon on the Mount. And what a passage it was. And Alex, he goes deep, and he's not, who would expect Jesus to be fearful, but he's not afraid to hit the difficult subjects, is he?
>> Alex McFarland: No, he isn't. And we're going to talk about, well, really in 27 through 30, the severity of sin. and there's a comparison and an idiom, that's really pretty shocking in here. And yesterday we were talking about how, you know, Christ fulfills the law and then, murder in the heart, hating somebody. By the way, there is a brilliant verse. I want to go back to this because in verse 25 of Matthew, chapter 5, and this really speaks almost to the whole, industry of mediation. this is just amazing. And it's been said in a lawsuit, nobody wins. Okay? And Christ had talked about, you know, leave, your gift at the altar. Get right with your brother. Now, verse 25. And I've often thought how brilliant this is. Bert, agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way or in the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison, assuredly, I say you will by no means get out till you've paid every penny. what might this mean, folks? Agree with your adversary quickly, while you're in the way or on the way. This speaks to. Rather than go into court, see if you can get things straight and patch things up. Rather than have a lawsuit, because you get in front of a judge, you just might end up paying a big judgment or even go into jail. And the idea of mediation, and we saw that in the life of Abraham and Lot, you know, eventually Paul and Jon Mark would get straightened out. But. But, Bert, mediation, in fact, one of the toughest jobs you'll ever do, folks, is try to get Christians to get along. And if you want the slings and arrows of sinful men, you just try to get Christians to love other Christians. and I've, done a little bit of that, and it ain't easy. But, Bert, it's always right to try to get along with people and love people and forgive people. And we should be quick forgivers, because someday it's going to be us on the end that we need forgiveness. But mediation and resolution, before having to legal up. That's what verse 25 is speaking to, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And find a point of agreement. You have to find that point of agreement first. You may not agree on the details. Have you noticed what's been taking place? And I doubt if the Iranian leadership is. Is dealing rightly. Okay, I'm laying that aside. Yeah, but they'll announce a big agreement. But they said the details haven't been worked out yet. Details. But be ready. Be ready to do that. and matter of fact, you was talking about this. First Corinthians 6. The church at Corinth, they were taking each other to court. And Paul said, bro, this should not be. Find this point of agreement. Get this mediator. Surely there's somebody in your church that can help you, find a point of agreement rather than taking it to a pagan judge in that case. And so here it is. Find that point. And, it is the best place to end. But you got to start somewhere. And, so you got to want to do that. There are some people. And again, they may be church members, but they're church members that are not born again. Alex, let me share that with you, too. We found that out with Judas Iscariot, didn't we? You know, a devil from the beginning. And there's others, Demas, having loved the present world lot of discussion about that. But there are some people that they just, they're, they're not going to do it, no matter what. No matter what. You try, you do it, but you settle it in your heart, in your mind. Do that in your heart. It may not have a resolution, but it is resolved in your heart that you did what God wanted you to do. That's the bottom line for an individual believer in Christ.
Bert says there is a window of opportunity to get right with others
>> Alex McFarland: You know, before we move on, I want to speak about the word opportunity. And I often think, and folks, look in the, the, you know, life down here, we all, as fallen sinners, can get, you know, abrasive with each other sometimes. Isaiah 55, verse 6 says, Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. There is a window of opportunity to get right with God. There's a window of opportunity to get right with others. And this thing of Matthew 5:25, agree with your adversary while you're in the way.
>> Alex McFarland: look for those opportunities to, resolve and restore and redeem. Bert, I've, I've, known people that when they patch things up, actually the friendship or the relationship is stronger than it was before, Just like with a broken bone. You know, Doc, an orthopedic doctor might tell you what, where a broken bone healed, that tissue is actually stronger than the other bone tissue itself. And so, invariably down here, there's going to be some squabbles and some static, but you know what? Those really, if, if our heart will be open to, it might actually be an opportunity.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, I just thought of this. I think it was 1917, World War I Christmas, when the German forces were against the English forces. Now, what two countries, especially concerning America, what two countries brought more Christmas tradition to America than any other two countries? I, I've investigated this.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, Britain and America.
>> Bert Harper: No, to America. They brought it to America. Germany, Germany and England. They brought it. They brought it. And here they were on Christmas Day. And, this was early on. That word quickly could also be understood early. Do it quickly. Do it early. Don't let, anger and bitterness continue to build up. But they were able to not fire, not fight on Christmas Day, those early days of World War I. And they got out there and exchanged gifts, some chocolates and dirt, different things. And it was an unusual thing, but that's an example of it, even without it being a believers necessarily. Many of them were, as I understand it, on the German side and the English side. And, they had that early. So do it early in the disagreement. Try to Find an agreement early. And that word quickly. I think it. It registers with me a little bit better.
>> Alex McFarland: Do it early. I like that.
>> Alex McFarland: And by the way, isn't it something. You know, pictures have been painted and much has been written about the, the Christmas truce of World War I. Isn't it something that was a momentary peace on the birthday of the Prince of Peace?
>> Bert Harper: It was. And, first time I ever heard about that, I just. Man, I said, that's. That's such a powerful, powerful picture. Lord, do it. Find. Find an agreement early. The.
The Sermon on the Mount deals with the state of the heart
The larger, theme, really, of the Sermon on the Mount here is really dealing with the state of the heart. And 27 through 30, talk about, adultery. you have heard that it was said to those of all, you shall not commit adultery. And of course, that's in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Jesus says, But I said, you. Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Now, I want to get to 29 and 30, but here's the thing. Let me ask a question. Burton, you and I have talked about this. Adam and Eve in the garden, the serpent says, oh, eat the fruit of the tree. What if they had reached and it was too high, and they couldn't quite grasp it, but they're reaching for it, Reaching for it. They're like, you know, the serpent is right. This fruit would be good. We know God said not to eat it, but we want it. What if they were reaching for it hard as they could, but couldn't quite grasp it, though they surely were trying, would there still have been sin in their heart?
>> Bert Harper: It would have started there. It. Good question. Good matter, Alex. It would have been, I call this, If I was preaching a series of sermons on these subjects. Murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love. I would say it matters. Call it matters of the heart, you know, because that's what Jesus. Isn't that what Jesus is doing here, even in this Going to the heart of the matter, as you said earlier? And so, Alex, yes. If you've done it in your heart. Now, just because it is in your heart doesn't mean that you need to follow through. You don't say, okay, well, I'm guilty already. I just need to go ahead and exploit this and entertain. Not just entertainment, but do it now. Alex, there's a difference in entertaining that which is in your heart and completing that. You know, you, want to stop when you have a matter in your heart that is leading you wrong. Check it right there. Pass by. Don't give it, don't entertain it. pull back, Alex. And, Jesus, I think, is warning, people of that, you know. Yeah, it's in the heart, but gotta go back. The Pharisees, listen, they were committing all these sins in the heart, but on the outside, again, they knew, okay, I can't do that. But Jesus was letting those Pharisees and others who were doing that, letting them know, listen, that's a sin as well.
>> Alex McFarland: In verse 29 and 30, it says, and again, these are the words of Christ. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than your whole body to be cast into hell. Now, you read this. You think, my goodness, this is really severe. Yes, that's absolutely how serious sin is. And what we want to do is we want to make sure that the overseer of our heart is God's holy Spirit. And something that will vastly help you is reading God's word. And you know, Bert, a change of heart is going to include a change of priorities and a change of desires and a change of things that you are convinced of. And, the heart yielded to the Holy Spirit. Yes, that can happen. And your life can change as you're thoughts and behaviors change. And the key to that is letting the word of God, guide you and inform how you think and act.
>> Bert Harper: How shall a young man cleanse his ways, taking heed to the word of God? Listen, not just young men, but old men. Not just young men, but young ladies, older ladies. Let the word of God saturate your life so you can stand on on God's word.
Preborn network clinics offer free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
>> Bert Harper: It's been four years since the overturn of Roe, but tragically, abortions have continued to rise. Today, the abortion pill accounts for more than 60% of all abortions. And last year alone, over 1.1 million babies lost their lives. That's why the work of preborn network clinics is more urgent than ever. Every day, mothers facing unplanned pregnancies walk through preborn's doors searching for hope. Instead of pressure and fear, they're met with love. Through a free ultrasound, mothers meet their baby for the very first time.
>> Alex McFarland: It was like the beginning of my healing journey. They do an Ultrasound. And that's, when everything changed. Because when I saw my baby and when I heard her heartbeat, that was it.
>> Bert Harper: Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound $140 helps rescue five babies to donate, dial hashtag250 and say baby. That's hashtag250baby. Or. Or visit preborn.com bertharper that's preborn.com bertharper.
Bert and Alex discuss the importance of missions in today's podcast
>> Bert Harper: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. This is Bird and Alex, and it's so good to be with you. And we're getting right into the word. Didn't have a lot of time to listen to the music because we want to cover some more ground today. And Alex, let me share this, and I've really not thought of that till you were talking about it. The eye and the hand. Guess what? It starts in the heart. It goes to the eye, into the hand. What. What things get us into. Into harm more than anything, what we see. You remember Achan? He saw that goodly Babylonish varmint. varmint, I should say garment.
>> Alex McFarland: No, you got it right.
>> Bert Harper: I said, man, that's a good one.
>> Bert Harper: And guess what he did. He took it with his hand. You got that? But it started where. Not in the eye, not in the hand, but in the heart. The innermost being. Being is what we're talking about. We're talking about your mind, your will, your emotions, what you want. You. You look at that garment and say, man, that's. That'd be awesome. your mind calculates. Okay, I could take that. And then you decide to take it with your will. Yes, I'm going to take it. And so the heart, the eye, the hand, they are connected.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, absolutely. That. That's a great. And whether it be, you know, Achan, that wanting that wedge of gold, or that goodly garment, or King David, you know, in what led to his sin. I mean, it begins in the mind. That's why, you know, let me just say, we don't want to obsess about things. And, you know, whether it be covetousness or envy, you know, I got to say this, and we'll. We'll move on, but, in. In writing books. Listen, I'll just put it this way. we Christians, we need to keep it all about lifting up Jesus. There's authors that have sold way more than you and me, Bert. And. But God's given us the platform we have.
>> Alex McFarland: We just need to rejoice that the gospel is going out there, and there's in any church in any town. I mean, there's the big, big churches, there's the, middle size, and there's small churches. Hey, let's just rejoice that, the gospel is going out. was it DL Moody? He said, if a dog comes through town barking for Jesus, I'm going to be for that dog.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. On, exploring missions, the program that my son Nathan and I do on the weekends, we got an interview coming up. matter of fact, it's this weekend and you can hear it at 12 o', clock, Sunday, Central time, after you get out of church, turn your radio on, you can hear this. But we're talking about a ministry that is, training young, well, men. Not just young men, but men to be pastors in rural churches. Because the small rural churches, but also in towns, there's a severe shortage of pastoral minister, men, that is volunteering and saying, hey, we want to be that part. And that's what they're doing. So, Alex, wherever God has placed you, I agree with you fully. That is where you bloom. That's where you want to grow. That's where you want to serve. And not looking over there. But Paul said, I think it was in Philippi he was talking about. They were talking about some people preaching the gospel. Well, I wonder why they're doing that. I wonder what their motive is. Hey, what we're not. We can't look at their motive. But he said, I praise God. The gospel is being preached. So we praise God. The gospel is being preached in the small and the large and the medium size. let Jesus reign, brother. Isn't that right?
>> Alex McFarland: And let's remember, the local church is God's instrument for world evangelization. I mean, it really is. so it gets into verse 31 of Matthew 5 about the sacredness of marriage. Right on. Furthermore, it has been said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say unto you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit sexual adultery. And whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Alex: Divorce is not God's ideal, but you could get divorced
Now, let's talk about this, because we've had a lot of calls over the years, and I want to, if, if the Holy Spirit would help me, I want to kind of say, two things at once. Number one, divorce is not God's ideal. And people get divorced sometimes for the wrong reasons. But I want to say this with equal emphasis. God loves you. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. And if you look back and you say, you know, I didn't always do everything biblically. Okay, Just say, christ, forgive me, restore me, and moving forward, I want to live for you. what we don't want to do is compromise God's standard. Now, marriage is a covenant. And when one party breaks their marriage vows, that covenant is broken. If, if, if a spouse cheats on another spouse, the covenant is broken. You don't have to get divorced, but you could. But Bert, having been in the pastorate a while, having counseled lots of people, and I know you have too many, many, many people, they walk away from their marriage for non biblical reasons. But I want to say, and while I don't ignore that, and we don't want to twist what scripture says, if you admit, you know what, I, ah, bailed out and I shouldn't have, I want to say, Jesus loves you. Jesus will forgive you and confess, repent and move on in the forgiveness and the knowledge that Christ is not mad at you. he forgives and restores, but at the same time, and I'll throw it to you, Bert. I do think within the church, we need to hold marriage up for the sacred covenantal relationship that God made it to be.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. I want to say three things, and again, there's this subject. Okay. If you want to look at it a little further, Matthew 19, Jesus talks about it again quite a bit. I just wanted to throw that in. The marriage that you are in is the marriage that, that God wants to work. Amen. Those of you that are divorced and, and now you're remarried, that marriage is what God wants to get. Go back, get forgiveness for what you did wrong. Do that, do it quickly. Remember, agree with God quickly. God, I was out of line. But I know I've, I've, I want this marriage to work. And I'm trusting you do that. The second thing that I, I would say concerning this is that God is able to, to bring you into, into line so you can serve Him. Now, it may limit you in areas. Okay. but listen, we're talking about small churches, talking about larger churches. Is pastoring a larger church a greater honor than you pastoring a smaller church? It is not. I want to tell you, when you look at the gifts that God gave men and women, spiritual gifts, when you use your spiritual gift for the glory of God, if it's welcoming, you have the gift of hospitality, and you're a greeter at your church. Listen, I've been around and I've seen it. I'VE seen guys and some women, but most of the guys that I've seen, man, they're greeters at the church, man. I've seen them go out with umbrellas and help people come in. I've seen them open the door and help people, man. They're showing that. I just want to tell you their actions spoke loudly. And so let God use you. Don't. Okay, God can't use me. No, because I'm divorced. God can use you, but get right with God and do it now. And so, Alex, I really believe God can really make, a difference in our lives. The marriage that you're in, let God do a work in your life that God can get the glory even in this.
>> Alex McFarland: I'll say this briefly sometimes. I've, counseled people and they've said, but marriage is so hard. Why is it so hard? It does. Marriage takes work. I mean, really. And it's a commitment. But marriage and family life is one of the greatest avenues for sanctification. I mean, really. And I got, I've said this before, and I mean it with all my heart. When God created the home and marriage, it was genius. Because here's the thing. If, sinners are going to live together under one roof, you're going to have to grow and you're going to have to do it in the strength of the Lord and in the joy of the Lord. But marriage, and family is one of the greatest avenues for spiritual growth. And by that I mean sanctification. Would you agree, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: Man, all the way. Alex, it is. And just draw a triangle. the husband, put him at the base on the left side, the wife at the base on the right side. And the closer each one of them, and put God at the pinnacle of that triangle at the top. And as each one grows in Christ, in sanctification and service, guess what they do? They get closer together. Alex. Following the Lord, it is best in every circumstance. Marriage, singleness, no matter what, grow in the Lord in that marriage. It's taught me a lot. Alex, my wife Jan and I listen, we got a lot of differences. Female, male, so many things. But there's two or three things that man, we agree on 100%. We love Jesus Christ with all of our heart, soul and mind. We love our family, man, our sons, our daughter in laws, our grandchildren. And we desire that our marriage would glorify God. And I want to tell you, with those three things, it has stood us. Well, I just get. That's a testimony, brother. I just want to share it hadn't been easy. What did you say a minute ago? Work. Yeah, it's work. but it's worth it isn't absolutely is.
>> Alex McFarland: It really is. And there's so much more we could say on that.
Bert says how we use words is very much reflective of what's heart
But, I want to go to verse 33, talking about our word. And again, the larger backdrop here is the state of our heart. Again, you have heard it said of those of old. You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say unto you, do not swear at all. Neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool. Nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. I've always loved that. Jerusalem, the city of the great king. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair black or white. But let your yes be yes and your no be no. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. now, this is not just swearing, like saying a curse word. And that in itself is wrong.
>> Alex McFarland: We don't.
>> Alex McFarland: You don't believe in swearing like that, but it means, you know, a vow. Kind of over the top, you know. And we've all heard people say, you know, by golly, this or that. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. And, Bert, I've known some m. Very mature saints of God, and one, of whom deeply shaped my life, Josh McDowell. And, I used to, introduce Josh in front of crowds, and it was great honor, and, you know, I could, you know, ballyhoo it pretty good. Here's the man that wrote evidence that. That demands a verdict. And more than a carpenter, you know, millions of copies in print, you know. And, I love Josh, and. But what. We were backstage at a big event in California one time, and he looked at me and he said, alex, always remember. And whatever he said, you know, I just. Josh McDowell was one of my mentors. He looked at me and he said, alex, let your yes be yes and your no be no.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: I said, yes, sir. And that was a reference to Matthew 5:37. And I've just thought, you know, that's true. And, again, Christ is, telling us about how we use words. Words. Because how we use words is very much reflective of what's going on in our heart.
>> Bert Harper: If you're on the witness stand, you say, I'm going to tell the truth, nothing but the truth. You're making that vow you're swearing to that that's what this is referring to. And if you practice as Alex just said, that Josh McDowell told him, and I agree with him, yes, yes or no and no. Adding these words. Now, what the Pharisees would do, they wouldn't use God because that was too holy. But those words, I'm telling you the truth, by the earth we live on, I'm telling you the truth because we're at his footstool. I'm telling you the truth because we're in Jerusalem. Listen, they were so used to twisting the truth to make it fit into their system that you couldn't hear them say yes and no. Know, you never knew if it was right. He said, adding all this by saying it and making a big deal out of it doesn't add anything. Just live it simply tell the truth, nothing but the truth, the whole truth. And, yes and no. Alex, good word.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Verse, 38. You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a two for tooth. See, Christ is teaching them things they've heard. And very often, a little bit of, conventional wisdom or, you know, popularly believed saying becomes, you know, something more than what God's word says. I've. You know, the Bible says the early bird gets the worm. Well, actually, it doesn't. You know, the Bible says money's the root of all evil. Actually, no, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. but Jesus says, an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Turn the other cheek. That's a saying. if anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go two, we get the saying, go the extra mile. Give to him who asks you and from him who wants to borrow. Do not turn away. Bert. 38, 42. These ideas of showing grace, that would have been, you know, revelatory to these listeners, wouldn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It's revelatory to me. Okay, Somebody that slaps me, guess what I want to do. I don't want to slap them. I want a fist and hit them. You know, somebody that would rob something from me, I'm going to fight to get it back again. What. What is Christ saying here? He said, our, life is more than things. Listen, you don't retaliate. It's not, going at it. They did this to me, so I'M going to get back at them. They took this from me, so I'm going to take something back from them. No, listen. Demonstrate the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ. That doesn't make you, a mat to be wipe your feet on, but it does demonstrate that we have something different in our hearts, that we don't have to retaliate in anger. That number. If you've got a question, triple 8589-8408-8858-9840.
Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
>> Bert Harper: Right now, the voices in our culture are loud. But truth is often silent. And today preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity and hope. But I refuse to be silent, and I'm asking you to join me at ah, 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 and say the key word baby. That's #250 baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host.
Sweet.
>> Alex McFarland: To trust in Jesus, Just to take him at his word. Just to rest upon his promise. Just to know. Thus saith the Lord. Amen.
Alex and Bert invite you to call them with Bible questions
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert, we are so honored that, that you're listening. Hey, I'm going to give the telephone number. If you've got a Bible question, we would love to hear from you. And the number. Listen to this. It's 888-589-8840-888858-98840. And we'll do our best to answer any and all Bible questions. Bert. I've got a pretty big stack of questions from our summer camps and then from the COVID is well, so call in. let me throw something out here, folks. I was on the phone this morning with pastors around the country. I've been doing something for the last few months that I call Revive Us and what we try to do. And Bert, we've been working on this for years, but we just try to get Christians in a town to get together and pray and just lift up Jesus and different denominations, but it's all about Jesus. And we don't charge any money. Listen, no matter where you are, I will come. And, right now we've got, three for next year. And we're by God's grace. We want to put a number more on the books where I'll come. We'll just. All it's about is trying to call our nation to prayer, to spiritual awakening. We, we call it Revive Us. And if you're interested in being a host community or city for one of these events, just go to my website, Alex McFarland.com you can reach out to us. my email is Alex McFarland dot com. But Bert, the more things go. I just saw in the news this morning that, they're putting Islamic foot washing stations in the DFW airport. Now, many of the larger airports, I go in, you know, Dallas and Chicago and most large airports have a chapel and Bert, I was in an airport. I'm not going to say where. And, on a lectern was a Bible, kind of a large family Bible, but sitting on top was a Koran. And, there's all these Islamic prayer rugs. And on these Qur', ans, they had put a post it note, do not remove the Quran. Well, I'll tell you, I set it over on a table, but I'm not going to have a Koran laying on top of God's holy word, the Bible.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Alex, we need a revival. I will come. And we've done this a long time. I know how to help organize churches. We'll get together, we'll link arms, we'll pray. People will get saved. But the main thing is the name of Christ is lifted up. And I just feel like our nation is in such a place. We've got to seek God's face for move of the Holy Spirit.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. Amen.
Patrick calls to discuss issue of divorce and remarriage in churches
Well, we have people who have called in, so let's go to the phone lines and go to Arkansas and it's Patrick. Patrick, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: yes, sir, I was calling about the, issue with divorce and remarriage and wanted to know what your take on a pastor who has been married and then his wife runs off with another guy and he's left. you Know, being divorced and then, your personal experience, that church, you know, basically forces you to resign. And then, you know, basically have, you know, you have a calling. But then there are churches that will basically tell you that you are not qualified based upon being divorced. What is your take?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Patrick, thank you for that. Let me just share with you. I think an individual and I know, I know some just let me. Friends of mine whose wives just walked out. They, left them. Divorce took place. The pastor didn't want it, they did. And the ones I know, they did say go to their church, and they said, we are willing and ready to step down. Some of those churches let them go. I know some that said, no, it wasn't your fault. We're keeping you. I think the pastor is wise. This is just my take, Alex, to be humble himself and say, listen, this agreement is between a church and a man, a pastor. And, we can't be on two different tracks for that. We need to have an agreement. So I think the pastor, if that would happen, humble himself and then if another church would call him, that would be good. If he has to step down. You may have a completely different take on that. Alex, go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: No, I think you're wise on that. And I would with agree, agree on that. You know, whenever we get a question like this, I often mention, Dr. Jon MacArthur who's in heaven, and Dr. Norm Geisler, who's in heaven. And in a way this, and these guys were real, real, real conservative. And in a way, you know, we're talking about what is the real meaning of First Timothy 3, verse 2, that, the husband of one wife and Bert, you know, grown up, in the Bible belt. I always heard preachers say if a man is ever divorced, he couldn't be a pastor. But even Jon MacArthur and Norm Geisler and many, many others would say what it really means is a man completely loyal to the woman he is currently married to. A one woman man, not a polygamist. You know, and again, we have the highest regard for marriage. And, you know, in no way am I taking, divorce nor the pastorate lightly. But, I do think it is conceivable, although, if a church is against this, you best look for other fields of service. But I have known some men. In fact, I'm thinking of a man right now as godly a man as you'd ever meet. And he was a senior pastor and his wife left him, took up with another man, and, you know, myself and a number of other pastors counseled him. And I said, you know, what can you do? He spent years trying to get his marriage restored, but she left. And, I said, I really don't see that you're at fault, because what can you do when one person walks away? So, anyway, and his church ended up keeping him. But, would you agree that 1 Timothy 3:2 probably means absolutely loyal to the woman you're currently married to?
>> Bert Harper: When I first heard that in the King James and other versions, I did not know that. And I, finally took Greek and saw those words, and then saw people like Jon MacArthur and others have that as an issue. I fully agree. But I would go back to say, to try to find that on a church, I think is unwise. I think it's even wrong for them. And, so there needs to be that. Just like when they're calling them, there's got to be a point of agreement, and that's what it says.
>> Bert Harper: Agree.
>> Bert Harper: It's not certainly your adversary, but there needs to be that agreement on that so that there will not be this confusion. So, I hope that helps, Patrick. That's, as best we can do.
First Corinthians chapter 12 talks about spiritual gifts and how to use them
Let's go to Oklahoma. Ursula from Oklahoma. Go right ahead. Ursula, are you there?
Yes, I'm here.
>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead.
Yeah, I have a question. Okay, so my question comes out of First Corinthians, chapter 12, where it talks about, like, the spiritual gifts and stuff. And then I want to know also where it talks about that in ephesians, chapter, four and verses 11 and 12, where it talks about, like, the fivefold ministry. I was kind of wondering, are they. Are those related? And if so, how. And how are we supposed to use those in our walk with God?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Ursula. Thank you, Alex. They are interrelated. They're. They're different. But yet I would say the pastor teacher. Okay, I'm not. That is not necessarily a gift. That is a position. That is a ministry, that God's given you, and you bring your spiritual gift of teaching or encouragement, you know, to that gift. You know, the, pastor, the apostle, the evangelist, prophet. They are positions, aren't they? That. But you bring your. That have spiritual gifts attached to them. Would you say it that way?
>> Alex McFarland: Well said. Well said. And, you know, Ephesians 4, 11, 13. and, Bert, when I had the great privilege of working with the North American mission board, and I was helping not only in apologetics, but with evangelism, we wrote a lot about this and researched it quite a bit. apostles, prophets, Evangelists, pastors and teachers, or some say pastor teachers. And whether you count four, offices or five, I mean, the result is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up until we reach the unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and maturity in Christ. So, you know, regardless of, five fold ministry, fourfold ministry, but it's by the Holy Spirit for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, but ultimately for the exaltation and lifting up of our Savior, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Archela, very much.
Sue says she found porn on her husband's computer after 20 years
Let's go to Michigan. And it's Sue. Sue, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
hi. hopefully I won't cry. I have been married 36 years and, my husband's supposedly a Christian. And he's never shown any love, like emotional love. I just, I was under the impression it was just who he was. And I came home about 20 years into the marriage, after working and found porn on our computer. And when I confronted him, he, basically said, I don't know what the big deal is. And I said, well, you know, I went through some of the scripture and everything else. I said, it's a huge deal. And I gotta tell you, with the lack of love which I've gone through with our marriage, which is hard,
This, when, when I see the porn, it, it like hurts me twice as much. And he argues, argued for five years about how I was the problem because it shouldn't have been a big deal and we, he just won't do it again. Then after five years, I said, I don't think I can be with somebody who thinks that way because I, I don't know what to expect. And I'm, I'm already hurt from all of this. And then he said, well, I, I, yes, yes, it is a big deal. but he's never lost. Nothing's changed.
>> Alex McFarland: First of all, our heart goes out to you. And I want to encourage everybody to please pray for this, marriage in the strongest possible terms. Please, begin to go to marriage counseling. Bert, wouldn't you agree? And by the way, focus on the family. I used to work there. They keep a database of really good Christian counselors and marriage, counselors. Marriage therapists, at the very least, and this, this is very serious. And I know a good, competent Christian marriage counselor will help you all. But, this is not insignificant. I think this is very, Consequential. And. Please. And I'm going to pray that he'll want to invest in his marriage and do Right. But, go to a marriage therapist. Please do that.
>> Bert Harper: Listen, I would say that. Let me share this with you, and, it's not original with me. Divorce is not the first option. It's the last option. And if your husband is willing, to do this and say, I'm laying this pornography down, that is a great, great victory in your heart, regardless. And God can restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten. And I'm praying that he would see this and see that his responsibility is faithfulness to you, even visually, regardless of what that. Because that is a form of fornication. And, Alex, it is really. It's hard. Those things are hard to manage. Pornography is not a harmless sin. It is a severe sin. It really is. And anybody. Men. I'm just going to go ahead and get on my soapbox. If there's any men out there that's listening and you've let pornography become a part of your life, I want to tell you it's displeasing to God. It is a form of. I'm going to go ahead and say it, Alex. I think it's a form of adultery because it is a. It is a physical, relationship. The ones that I know of. So, Father, I pray you'd help Sue. Help her to be strong and courageous. Help her to find that counselor. that would help her and help her husband to make this marriage work. The marriage that she's in is the one that you desire for her to have victory. And we're praying for that and asking for that. In Jesus name, Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: I tell you what. I think we can go to North Carolina and talk to Tessa. Think we can answer this question quickly. Go ahead, Tessa.
Oh, hi, Burton. Alice.
I've.
I've always spoke with Alice. I never had chance to speak with Mr. Burke. So, nice to find you that.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Tessa. Go right ahead.
Alice wanted to know where else I could find some of your debates
But, yeah, so my question is, Alice, I wanted to know where else I could find some of your debates. I went on YouTube and I saw the ones with David Silverman. But I wanted to know if you had any other locations, that I could find some of your debates.
>> Alex McFarland: God bless you. Yeah, we have a YouTube channel, and we've put a lot of stuff on NRB tv. I will tell you, I have got several, Tupperware bins full of films and DVDs. And, Bert, if we ever had time, we'd put it up. There's a lot on YouTube. there's a lot on NRB. Keep searching. But, Tessa, thanks for watching, and may God bless you in your walk and witness.
>> Bert Harper: NRB tv. That's how they can get it. Alex, say that one more time.
>> Alex McFarland: nrb, as in national religious broadcasters, NRB tv, and frankly, all the films out there. I don't know how many there are, but there's a bunch.
>> Bert Harper: Brent's going to try to get that information up on Facebook, so I'll put a link up there. Yeah, he'll put the link up.
Tomorrow is Fire Away Friday, so tell everybody about Jesus
Guess what tomorrow is Fire Away Friday, Alex. It's always exciting on Fire Away Fridays. We take questions the whole hour, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We do all questions, all the hour. Hey, tune in tomorrow for Faraway Friday. Tell somebody about exploring the word, if you would. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this
>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those, but of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Chapters:
(00:00) Exploring the Word live on American Family Radio
(00:16) Welcome to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network
(00:51) Bert Harper: Biblical teaching on mediation speaks to whole industry of mediation
(06:17) Bert says there is a window of opportunity to get right with others
(09:34) The Sermon on the Mount deals with the state of the heart
(14:00) Preborn network clinics offer free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
(15:42) Bert and Alex discuss the importance of missions in today's podcast
(20:05) Alex: Divorce is not God's ideal, but you could get divorced
(26:34) Bert says how we use words is very much reflective of what's heart
(32:20) Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
(34:27) Alex and Bert invite you to call them with Bible questions
(37:25) Patrick calls to discuss issue of divorce and remarriage in churches
(41:59) First Corinthians chapter 12 talks about spiritual gifts and how to use them
(44:30) Sue says she found porn on her husband's computer after 20 years
(49:22) Alice wanted to know where else I could find some of your debates
(50:24) Tomorrow is Fire Away Friday, so tell everybody about Jesus
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://www.afa.net/american-family-radio/
PreBorn Network
https://preborn.com
Focus on the Family
https://www.focusonthefamily.com
Alex McFarland
https://www.alexmcfarland.com
Josh McDowell
https://www.josh.org
Chapters:
(00:00) Exploring the Word live on American Family Radio
(00:16) Welcome to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network
(00:51) Bert Harper: Biblical teaching on mediation speaks to whole industry of mediation
(06:17) Bert says there is a window of opportunity to get right with others
(09:34) The Sermon on the Mount deals with the state of the heart
(14:00) Preborn network clinics offer free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
(15:42) Bert and Alex discuss the importance of missions in today's podcast
(20:05) Alex: Divorce is not God's ideal, but you could get divorced
(26:34) Bert says how we use words is very much reflective of what's heart
(32:20) Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
(34:27) Alex and Bert invite you to call them with Bible questions
(37:25) Patrick calls to discuss issue of divorce and remarriage in churches
(41:59) First Corinthians chapter 12 talks about spiritual gifts and how to use them
(44:30) Sue says she found porn on her husband's computer after 20 years
(49:22) Alice wanted to know where else I could find some of your debates
(50:24) Tomorrow is Fire Away Friday, so tell everybody about Jesus
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://www.afa.net/american-family-radio/
PreBorn Network
https://preborn.com
Focus on the Family
https://www.focusonthefamily.com
Alex McFarland
https://www.alexmcfarland.com
Josh McDowell
https://www.josh.org
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