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Exploring the Word
Welcome to Exploring the Word. Jesus preached the great Sermon on the Mount and when it came to the conclusion he asked the question, what are you building your life upon? Well, we want to look at that today. It's in Matthew chapter seven. And we'll again be finishing up the Sermon on the Mount and. But the teaching continues and the miracles happen. Well, this is Bert harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you today as we journey through the Book of Matthew. Well Alex, I know you were in Indiana and, and did you have a good, good weekend there, brother?
>> Alex McFarland: We had a great weekend and I just want to say a big thanks to all the people around Rougeville, Indiana and Kokomo, Indiana. And people that drove several folks drove aways, like from Indianapolis to hear the word preached. And Bert, it was really, really great. And I just want to say how much I appreciate that. A lot of people ask about you and somebody asked about Brent Austin, our board operator.
>> Bert Harper: Well, I just got some. What could you say good about Brent? What. I mean, how did everything. Okay, I just wanted to make sure.
>> Alex McFarland: But I gotta tell you, there's great people everywhere and I'm so blessed to travel like I do. But those folks in Indiana, they love the Lord. They are the best people, they really are. And they, they love the American Family Radio Network. And I, I just felt like family. And we saw God move and the Word was preached and glory to God And Indiana, we love you. Thanks for your hospitality.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. We love Indiana and that's a beautiful state. Wonderful people, been there and I do thank God for them.
Matthew chapter 7 speaks about what we build our life on, Jesus Christ
Well, Alex, let's continue in Matthew chapter 7 and I'll read verses 24 through 27. What a word picture. this is one, in my opinion one of the greatest word pictures that is in the scriptures. Listen. Therefore, after Jesus talked about the kingdom and the way to get there only through Christ. Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on the house and, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, and it fell. And great was its fall. There's several things that gets my attention real quickly. I just want to bring them to one, and then you go ahead with this great, word picture. One is the same thing happened to both houses. The same thing. The one who built his house on the rock did not have less things that would fall on it. The winds, the flood, the rain. The same way with the sand. It's not what happened. It was what it was built upon, wasn't it?
Ah.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, that is really true. And, you know, there was a famous hotel in San Francisco called the Cliff House, and just this beautiful, like, castle thing, but it was built right next to the ocean. And, even in its. In its prime, it looked very precariously perched above the ocean. But the waves came and the storms came, and one day, the Cliff House, well, two things happened. It. It had a fire, but it also was falling into the sea already. And so this is such a vivid picture. I know that, those that have maybe built a house or restored a house, you've heard the term maybe differential settlement, and you don't want to hear that word because that means your foundation is cracking because the ground underneath it is giving way. And so, Bert, this is such a clear picture about what we build our life on, because, you know, what we believe and what is our. You know, our convictions. It's not only, influencing our behavior, but our beliefs. And the one in which we've put our trust determines the destiny of our soul. You know, we're talking. You can have all the sincerity in the world, but if you're believing in the wrong thing, it won't get you to heaven. Only faith in Jesus Christ and a relationship with him will notice his words.
>> Bert Harper: Those that do these sayings of mine and those that do not, these sayings of mine, the wise and the foolish. Let me just suggest this to everyone who is listening. Be on the team of the wise. Know Jesus, understand who he is, what he says. What does he say? He says, trust in me. Be born again. Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden. I'll give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I'm meek and lowly in heart. You do that by faith. And so Jesus Christ says, this is the way. The last phrase in verse 27. And great was its fall. Yes, regardless of how big it might be, how beautiful it might be, if your life is not built, upon the rock, Jesus Christ, no matter what you've gained, no matter how you've pursued the degrees, you might have the accolades that may be given, the money that's in the bank. Listen, if your house, if your life is not built upon the rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, great is its fall.
Alex: Bert says people were astonished at Jesus' teaching in Matthew 28
So, Alex, Jesus finishes up this sermon on the mount with that great admonition, heads, really be wise and follow me. Isn't.
>> Alex McFarland: Is. And. And by the way, I don't mean to go backwards, but you hit the nail on the head in verse 24 when Jesus said, therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Because, you know, the Bible tells us in James 2:26, faith without works is dead now. We don't work our way to heaven. And good works and, you know, personal, meritorious effort won't save you. You have to be born again. But if you've been truly born again, a change of life will come about. And, Bert, I think that in giving out the full gospel, we have to tell people, yes, it is. Trust in Jesus. But then, I mean, it's all in one big transaction. But you turn from sin to Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: You put your faith in Jesus, you pray. But remember, how Jesus told the woman, go and sin no more. There is the hearing and the believing. But then there's. If Christ has really come in, there's the doing. And, when. When I've. I've seen people that are just living like the devil. And I'll say, can I share the gospel with. Oh, I'm a Christian. Okay. tell me about your. Well, I went forward at summer camp 30 years ago. Well, are you in church? Are you living righteously? Are you growing in the Lord? Do you know your spiritual gifts? Are you serving the Lord? You know, I think we need to include that a change of life must be there if Christ has really come in.
>> Bert Harper: I said this a long time. No change, no Jesus. I mean, how come in the world could the King of kings and the Lord of Lords move in to your life and you not be changed for the good? And so it doesn't mean you're perfect. Far from it. No, there's growing, there's mistakes. But I want to tell you, the direction should be toward Christ. And, Jesus would talk about, set your face as a flint. The old Testament prophets. In other words, you're determined. And listen, I. I believe in that song. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back. I've heard people say it's a more than decision. I said, I understand what you're saying, but it is a decision. It is that of turning from your way to God's way and asking him to be lord of your life and following him. We're hoping you're doing that in your life. Now what happens? And I think this has something to do with it. Verses 28 and 29 are just kind of like a commentary, a little bit about. Not necessarily a commentary telling you what it's about, but what took place after this verse 28 and 29. And so it was when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his teaching. Why? Because he taught them as having. As one having authority and not as the scribes. Now, I'm going to finish, I'm going to talk about verse 29, and I think we'll get to verse 28, this great thing. they were astonished. But how did the scribes teach? Well, they were always talking about what the scribes that they were taught by the rabbi that was that taught them, said they were two or three. I won't go into all that. You might could, Alex, but there's two ways of thinking. The scribes and Pharisees, they would go with a conservative, others would go with a more liberal. And they would quote them. it wasn't on their own authority. It wasn't what God has said. It's what others had said. And so it wasn't like them. This was different any of these people who were gathered there had ever heard. And, it made an impact, didn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really did. And my translation says, you know, when Jesus ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. the word there is very fascinating, frankly, the word astonished or amazed. and it's in the Greek. It's word from which we get the word expletive. Now, if you hear the word expletive, you might think, oh, somebody used a bad word. Well, not necessarily. It's like, oh, my goodness, wow. You know, it's a, word that means, amazement and astonishment. And here's the thing. He taught as one having authority and not as the scribes. Folks, if you want lives to be changed, maybe you're a Sunday school teacher, maybe you're a preacher, maybe you're just trying to be a witness like, like we all should give out the word of God. It is, it is the word of God that will change lives. the words of man can only go so far. But the word of God pierces all the way to the heart and the soul, doesn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really does.
We're going to continue in Matthew chapter 8 with some amazing miracles
Now a transition is made and I think we can do this real quickly and start chapter eight when we come back. But chapters five, six and seven, known as the Sermon on the Mount, it was the teaching of the king concerning his kingdom. Matthew was making a. He's the king, he is the Lord. that's who he is. Now what happens in chapter 8 and verse 9 is miracle after miracle after miracle. And okay, so we've had the, and this is good outline for those of you that are outline people similar to me. outlines kind of connect with me. It's his words in 5, 6 and 7m in chapters 8 and 9. It's his works and he's going to demonstrate that. And again, several of these. Alex has to do with people that the, Judaizers, I'd say the Pharisees, the scribes, they would have nothing to do with them. A Roman soldier of all things, a leper of all things, a woman of all people. That Jesus would take time for these people, that many of the Pharisees would start their day and say, God, I thank you. I'm a man and not a woman. I'm a Jew and not a Gentile. And they would start their way, their day, that way. Alex. And now Jesus, after this great message, Matthew puts these, miracles, his work all together to demonstrate the king not only has wisdom, but he has power. That's some, combination, isn't is?
>> Alex McFarland: Our king has wisdom, power, everything we need because he has all the knowledge and all the grace and goodness. Well, this is Exploring the Word. Stay tuned. We're going to continue in Matthew chapter 8. Plus your calls, your Bible questions on this edition of Exploring the Word.
Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound and $140 helps rescue five babies
We're back after this brief, brief break.
>> Bert Harper: Right now, more mothers need that moment of Hope. Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound and $140 helps rescue five babies. Your generous tax deductible gift also helps provide mothers who choose life with loving support and care for up to two years. Please don't wait. Help surround mothers and babies with compassion, truth and hope today. To donate, dial hashtag 250 and say the key word baby. That's hashtag250baby or visit preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com Bert Harper.
Pray.
>> Alex McFarland: I got a homesick feeling.
Think about a great homecoming. Woke up this morning saying this.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, that Southern gospel music, that'll pep you up on a Monday afternoon.
Alex: Bert believes Jesus' ability to heal was proof of deity
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. And we're in Matthew. We invite you to turn there. The NewSong Testament book of Matthew. We're going to get into chapter eight. And, Bert, you know what's interesting to me? Okay. There are a number of ways, by which Christ proved his messiahship, that he is the Son of God, the promised Savior, the Redeemer, the. The Lord and the. The Christ, the anointed one. But the Savior. And part of it was his teaching. He taught with power and authority, and he taught in truth. But in chapter eight, we are going to see in multiple, multiple, multiple accounts his power to heal. and there are a lot of healings and deliverances in Matthew 8. But, Bert, Christ's ability to heal the broken body, the diseases, because he's our creator. And, Billy Graham said it that he made us. He can fix us if we're broken. That. That I believe his power to heal was great proof of his deity.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. And, listen one time. Well, it'll be in this that we'll get to when those four men let the guy down, in his bed. And Jesus said, forgive your sins before. He said, you know, take up your bed and walk. And, the. The greatest proof is God is interested in the whole person. W H O L E. And listen, he cares for you, you who are suffering right now. And I think we're trying to reach through this radio network and waves to touch people's lives. Alex. To say, hey, we know there's some people out there who are hurting physically. they're in pain right now. They're. They're just having difficulty. And. And they may. Where are you, God? He's there with you. He will. He's there with you, and he will help you. Healing is ultimately coming to every believer. Now if you want a, reason not to go to hell beside separated from God, the burning fire, whatever it might be. Alex, there's nowhere in the Bible that teaches that inhale all the pains and the. All the things that happen to us on earth are done away with.
>> Alex McFarland: yeah.
>> Bert Harper: In other words, death will not bring relief to that person who is lost. I cannot say that as emphatic as I can. And so trust Christ. Not. Yes, he makes life better. I didn't say it'd be easy, but I want to Tell you he gives you eternal life, and in heaven, there's no disease, no illness, no death. Hallelujah.
So, amen.
>> Bert Harper: M in here, he overcomes these physical difficulties, the demonic difficulties in everyone. And that's who he is. He is the whole W H O L E healer, body, soul and spirit.
Bert : Jesus heals a leper in Matthew 8
>> Alex McFarland: You know, I've thought about that, Bert, that, you know, I've had people, you know, lament some of the struggles of life, and I just want to end it all and get it all over with. But if you're not saved and you're not bound for heaven, it's not all over with. In fact, your state is fixed. Plus, there's the pain and the punishment of hell. And I think about this, and, you know, last night, I talked to a couple of, Well, one was a law enforcement officer that was at this banquet, and also actually a coroner, godly, people. And they were lamenting the drug overdoses. And folks, I got to tell you, if there's anything that really breaks my heart, it's how many young people, well, people of all ages that get caught up in drugs. And let me just say to everybody listening, I know we have some young people listening, maybe riding in the car with mom and dad. Don't ever, ever, ever touch illegal drugs. and you'd be safer trying to pet a cobra snake than dabble in drugs. But here's my point. I think about the people that overdose and die and go into eternity in a horrible, compromised, fallen state like that. And then there's the eternal separation from God. And I don't mean to belabor the point and be a downer, but this stuff is real, folks. We're talking about eternity here. We're talking about the souls of people. And that's why I think the word of God is so strong and so clear. But, Jesus in Matthew 8 heals a leper.
And.
>> Alex McFarland: And, this is one of those things where he says, don't tell anybody, but go your way. Show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony to them. Bert, there's so much going on here. We use the term multitasking. Not only was Christ blessing people with healing, not, only was his deity being proven, but also his messiahship was just conclusively being shown to the priests, the religious hierarchy, wasn't it?
>> Bert Harper: They were watching. They were watching every step. After a while, the leper, two or three things. Real quickly, a leper notice, you weren't supposed to touch him, but Jesus touched him. The leper was supposed to say, unclean, unclean, before they got. But what did he say? Lord, if you're willing, you can make me clean. There was no doubt in that. He said, you can make me clean. You know, it's kind of like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. God, you're able to deliver us from this fiery furnace. But if not, you know we're still going to trust you. Now, God delivered them here. He says, lord, if you're willing. And then Jesus touched him. The question comes to me, how long had it been since anyone had touched him? you just didn't touch lepers because it was contagious. And here it was. Jesus touches him and he says, I am willing be cleansed. And it says, immediately, his leprosy was cleansed. And then, as you said, go and tell no one. It's funny how he tells us, go and tell everybody, and we don't tell. He told him, don't tell anybody. And he.
>> Alex McFarland: And they did.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, but listen, Jesus touched him. And, you can't help but think of the Gaither song. He touched me. He touched me. Now, I know he touched me. Me in a way, spiritually. When I was 12 years old. He saved my soul. But this man, I hadn't gotten over it yet. He touched when he, wasn't supposed to. And, that's our Jesus. He comes. You think you're too far gone? You think it's too bad? You think there's nothing too far and too hard for God? No. Come to Christ. Come to Christ and do it now.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, it says in verse five. Now, when Jesus had entered Capernaum, that's a city by the. By the water. And that was where Peter lived. And this is really where Jesus. This was kind of his ministry headquarters, Capernaum. And a centurion comes, a Roman centurion. Now, this is a gentile. Wouldn't it have been Bert?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, it is gentile.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: A leper, a gentile man. These are quote untouchables, you know, keep away from them. Yeah.
>> Alex McFarland: And. And Jesus ministers to them one and all, as he does today. Today. The way the Bible reads is like this. Whosoever will, may come. But this centurion comes and pleads, lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented. Jesus said, I will come and heal him. Now, I've always been touched by this. Because, you know, when we think of Roman centurions, big strong guys in. In armor, carrying a sword, I've been in a few church plays. I've been a century.
A centurion's faith in Jesus
Bert, have you ever been a centurion?
>> Bert Harper: No, I. They didn't cast me in that lot. Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, and, and you know, there are a lot of centurions in the, the gospels of Jesus. Really. Some kind of bad, some very touching. But here's this military man, a peacekeeper, who, you know, just as soon you get the impression that the. The Romans resented the Jews and the Jews resented them. But he comes because he's got a. He's got a servant that's at the point of death. And he says, you know what? There's one person can help me. It's Jesus. And he comes and he pleads, and Jesus says those words again that he said in verse three, I'm willing, I will heal him. Bert's very touching, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Centurion, we find he has a kind heart. he does. He has a hard job, he has a tough job, but he has a kind heart for a servant. For him to be that concerned and he'd make his way. And, so he says, the centurion answered and said, lord, I'm not worthy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed. Okay, it's not over with yet. For I also now in my Bible, I have the word also underlined. It's pretty significant. I'm a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this one go. And he goes, to another come, and he comes, and to my servant do this, and he does that. When Jesus heard this, he marveled. This is the only time, there's two times that Jesus marveled in the Gospel. One was this time at a man's belief. And the other time is Mark six, I think it is at, unbelief. He was amazed at their unbelief. But he marveled and said, those who followed, assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel. Now we'll come to the other 11 through 13 later. But, Alex, two things real quickly. The Word also, he understood that Jesus was under the authority of the Father. he says, I'm under the authority of the Roman government. I don't have it on my own. And so he recognized, I believe in that word also. He recognized that Jesus was from God, that he was God because he had authority. Also under authority. The second thing that I notice is, and what he says so vividly, only speak the word. I believe he knew more about Jesus power than even the apostles at this point in time. Or at least he said it. That man, I know. I know of your great power. And that's what we get here in chapter 8 and 9. Again, the power of Jesus Christ over all illness, all disease, all sin. And this centurion, he verbalized it, did he not?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And you're right, his deep, deep insight and understanding into how spiritual dynamics works was, powerful. And like you said, Christ once was amazed at people's unbelief here. He's astonished at, this centurion's great faith. Bert, if you look at Luke chapter seven, this is what they call a parallel account, and it's just very precious. Can I read a little bit?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, do that. It's great. Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: Now, when Jesus concluded all of his teachings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum, and a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So this servant, now all the commentators say the servant, too, would have been a gentile, right? This, was not. You know, it wasn't like the servant was Jewish and laying on his deathbed and said, hey, boss, there's a Jewish rabbi. Go get him. So both the centurion and the beloved employee or servant were gentiles, as far as we know. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, pleading with him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying that this one, for whom he should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue. Bert, am I reading Luke 7 to this Roman centurion, had enough respect for the God of Israel that he built a synagogue for these people.
>> Bert Harper: This is an amazing account. And again, this is what the Gospels do. Thi. This adds validity to the Scriptures. I know you're the one that brings this out more than I do. Because, Father, because, Alex, you're, doing the apologetic. We got to see this. But this is awesome that you have this addition to what Matthew said. And Luke brings this out, and again, he says that he had built a centurion. And. No, does this not sound a little bit, you know, like, Jacob, when he was coming back from, and he sent people before him to try to get his brother Esau, to say, hey, when I come, you know, you'll be glad to see me because I've sent these before you. So these Servants, these people come and tell what a good man the centurion is before the centurion comes himself.
Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know what? We talk about this sometimes, the faith that people have, that people respond to the amount of light that they've got.
Right.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. I've often thought about Job, in Job chapter one, where Job would make sacrifices on behalf of his sons and daughters. And he says in Job one, verse five, quote, perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their heart. And this Job did, day and night, he was trying to intercede. And, and this was way before Abraham or anything. I mean, this is very far back. And I think about in Acts chapter 17, how, they had a, ah, an altar to the unknown God. You know, we've got all these gods, Zeus and you know, Horus and Osiris, but maybe there's a God we don't know about. Well, this centurion, I don't, I don't believe he's like, hedging his bets here. I think there was a certain knowledge in the ancient world that the God of Israel was different and the God of Israel was actually the God who lives.
Jesus heals the servant
And this man had built a synagogue. And I don't know, we don't really know what all that involved, but apparently he was well to do. And the people said to Jesus, please go heal this guy's servant, because he loves our nation. He's been good. Here's the thing, he did good to the children of Israel. And it was because somehow in his heart, he at least had some awareness of the God of Israel. And here comes Jesus, who, more than he's ever, ever seen or heard, he represents the God of Israel and in fact is the Messiah indeed.
>> Bert Harper: And he is healed that very same hour. And, this is what it was and do. And he. That's what happens. And as he believed, again, verse 13, go your way. And as you have believed, so let it be done for you. And his servant was healed when that very same hour. Can you imagine when he got home right away, that that servant was no longer paralyzed? Well, Alex, you gonna be ready to take questions here in this last segment?
>> Alex McFarland: Here's the phone number, folks. Dial it now. 888-589-8840. Your Bible questions after this brief break.
The work of preborn network clinics is more urgent than ever
>> 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.
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.
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God, you do what you say you do.
You'll come through.
You are.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. He is able. That's who Jesus is. We're taking phone calls with questions. The number, Triple 858-98-840, 888-58-9840. We'd love to hear from you today. If you've got a bible question, by the way, in the the first segment break, we. You heard my wife talking about the fishbowl retreat. I don't want to take long, but there's rooms that are still open. And if you would like to come to the fishbowl retreat or send your pastor and his wife to the Fishbowl retreat, October 20th through the 22nd, Pastor Appreciation Month. Go to repairingthefoundations.netrepairinthefoundations. and, Jenny and I'd love to see you there. We do have some spaces available, so do it and do it now. Repairing the foundations.net for the fishbowl retreat. We would love to see you there.
Alex: Just think about shut ins people in the hospital needing communion
Well, Alex, we got people that's called in. Let's get to as many as we can. All right, let's go to Craig in Indiana. Craig, go right ahead.
Hi, guys. love you guys so much and appreciate you and just have a question about, who can administer communion. I'm just thinking about shut ins. I'm just a lay person, not a pastor, but just think about shut ins
>> Alex McFarland: people in the hospital and just if
it's okay to, administer communion to them.
>> Bert Harper: Craig, let me share something that we did at the church here in Tupelo where I pastored for 28 years. When we'd have the lord's supper, the deacons had come first. We would look at homebound. We would look at those nursing home, different places and we, we gathered and not all the deacons, but they had get some people that were with them and they would go and share the Lord's supper with them. And I can tell you some of the greatest worship experience took place was not in the four walls of the building there where we were, but there in those rooms where they went to the Malik's. Those were. I, I remember it well, brother. Go right ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, God bless you for wanting to minister.
One of the great teachings of the Reformation is the priesthood of the believer
All right, I think about this bird and you, you feel free to disagree. But 1st Peter 2, verse 5 and verse 9 speaks of all believers as quote, a royal priesthood. And one of the great teachings of the Reformation is the priesthood of the believer. And I've participated in a lot of ordination services and I was ordained in the ministry. But at the very same time, there's nothing magical or anything necessarily, ah, that we have in and of ourselves. Obviously it's all about the power of God. And I've, you know, within the context of the local church, I've had a father or two that wanted to baptize their child and we made that possible. And you know, the, the deacons helped give out communion, but I wouldn't have a problem with having like a ministry team. And we pray over them and you know, they are sanctified for this purpose, but they go and give communion to those that maybe are shut ins. Because ultimately we're all ministers of the gospel. Now one last thing. Ephesians 4, 11, 12, some are in what we call vocational ministry. In other words, it is our livelihood. It's all that we do. Ephesians 4, 11, 12. But really all believers are ministers of the gospel and I would say, authorized to represent Jesus in the ordinances of the church.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. I couldn't agree more. I'm telling you what some of the great. Matter of fact, I saw one on a podcast this morning, two two Dads baptizing their daughters as they, they had led them to the Lord and they were baptized. There was something about it that was stronger than a pastor doing it or the youth minister doing it. That father. And the biggest hug, you know, right after that. listen, don't let rituals and tradition block you from doing what God says when it's okay in His Word and it means it in His Word. Thank you, Craig. Great question. We appreciate that. Let's go to Pennsylvania and talk to Mary. Mary, thank you for calling.
Thank you for having your program. I love it.
>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you. Go right ahead.
Mary: I have grandchildren and now a brand new great grandchild
my question Is, I have. I have grandchildren and now a brand new great grandchild. And they've never been baptized. But, I feel the call to baptize, them. Some of them are Christians, and some are not. but the new baby, they want to bring it for me to see. And I'm wondering, is it wrong for me, I feel this call to baptize this baby. he's not in a Christian home, although the mother's a Christian, but the father is not. okay, if I baptize that baby if they want me to.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. Mary, thank you for this question. Listen, Alex and I come from, the Baptist. it's more than a tradition. We feel like it is biblical. It's called believers baptism. And Alex, I can't get away from that to answer. Mary. you know what would be m. I don't mean. I'm not putting it down, Mary. I'm trying to be as gracious as I can. More important than you baptizing them, would you be praying for them and asking, God, God, bring yourself, make yourself known, have that father to see how he should come to Christ and lead his family into a knowledge in a relationship with Christ. Alex, take it away.
>> Alex McFarland: first of all, I want to say your tender heart is very moving, and I applaud you. And you are absolutely in the right to desire for these little children, these newborn babies, to come to the point where they become followers of Jesus. but let me say that sprinkling an infant, very often I'll hear the term especially among, you know, more high church, you know, people, they'll say, you know, the baby was baptized. Actually, actually, and I'm trying to be very specific here, a newborn baby isn't baptized because baptism is something that's done by a believer to show that they've accepted Christ. Now, so christening, which is the Latin word Christianize, we can't really Christianize another person. What I do think would be appropriate and really is very much in line with First Samuel, is what we sometimes call baby dedication. And, you know, in First Samuel it says, for this child, I prayed and the Lord has given me what I ask. So I've dedicated him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is dedicated. That was Samuel's mother. So here's what I would encourage and pray about this. that you would say, look, nothing is more important than this child coming to the realization of Jesus one day and, and accepting Christ. And really, of equal importance is the family and the Marriage to be under the blessing of God. So let's go to church and let's live in such a way that this child never remembers not being in church. And maybe m. The mother would be a little more amenable to that than the dad. But I'm going to pray and in fact, Bert, right now, let's just pray that the parents that are out of church would come under the conviction to get the. Their families and their children in church and this couple in particular. Would you pray?
>> Bert Harper: I will, Father. Thank you for Mary, as Alex said, we thank you for her heart, for her children, for her grandchildren and God. I'm praying right now that she would, as thousands of people would join in, in this prayer right where they are with Mary and us, to say, oh God, do a work in the parent's life, the mom that, that faith that she's had in Christ Jesus, that it would blossom and grow. And for this father that is not a follower of Christ, that conviction would fall upon him and his desire to be a man that God has made, to be a leader in his home spiritually, that he would realize that, bring men into his life, that would even help him, confront him with truth. And Father, we pray for this. We pray for those children, God, that they would come into that relationship and as Alex said, that they would have, a strange feeling. We need to do something. We need to attend a church that talks and speaks and preaches Jesus. We're believing this and we're praying for this. In Jesus name, amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: M. Mary, thank you for your call. We hope this helps. And I just want you to know you've got. I believe with all my heart you've got thousands of people praying for your family right now. And we're asking God to do a great work. Let's go to Louisiana and talk to David. David, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, sir. I like to thank God for both of you gentlemen. I love to love your program and I listen to it every day, seven days a week. my question is, a death of my daughter. I had. I've got a very strong testimony on how Jesus Christ saved my life, is working in my life and I have a conviction of my heart to give that testimony of wanting to commit suicide and, and God bringing me out of that. And the church I'm attending kind of frowns on, want to give testimonies of that nature. And I think I may be wrong, but I think a, testimony of what God has, how he has moved and. And is moving and in someone's life is very, very important. And my conviction of my heart is I've got to give this testimony. And, I just don't know what to do. Whether I need to move to another church or.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, David, brother, thank you for calling. Let me suggest this. there's two or three things that come to my mind, Alex, and you get yours. David, find a small group that you're in. Sure. a lot of churches they have. Yes, they have what we always called big church. You know, Alex, that's a big church, but they have. Maybe it's a Sunday school small group. Meetings and homes and buildings. Be a part of that and share your testimony in that small group. And let God, give. Give, the increase. And, I believe testimonies are needed too. I stand with you, brother. especially in a church, we. Especially on Sunday night, Alex, we would say, hey, we need to have some testimonies given by people. And, But sometimes you have to start in a smaller group, don't you?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you do. And I love testimony, testimony services because it says God inhabits the prayers of his people. And in. In Mark 5:19, Jesus had healed a demon possessed man. And I love this. Jesus says, go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he's had compassion on you.
Mark 5:19 is justification for telling testimonies, Bert says
That's a testimony, isn't it, Bert? I think Mark 5:19, this is a biblical, justification for telling testimonies. We tell what great things the Lord has done for us.
>> Bert Harper: What is it in Psalm the redeemed of the Lord's. You know, we need. I believe it with all my heart. So, David, start there and try that. If finally, if God leads you to say, man, I need to be at a smaller church where they do this or whatever. God, will lead you, but start where you are and try that and see what God does. And when you do, we want to hear from you. We want to hear what God's done with this. Because that sounds like some testimony, David. Thank you, brother.
The Apostle John
Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Karen. Karen, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hello?
>> Bert Harper: Yes. You're on the radio with us, Karen. Thank you.
Well, I've been enjoying your programming and, every. Well, every day, all the time, since I moved here 2/2 years ago from Florida.
John said he saw a vision of God in his throne
And, I have a question about Apostle, Jon said he saw a vision of God in his throne. And he talked about, you know, wheels and, and the Rainbow around him. But how could he see God if he's a. If he's a, spirit? And, Yeah, that's the main thing I'm asking today.
>> Bert Harper: Okay.
He.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, let me. You do this better than me. But God can make himself known even in spirit. He can make even Jesus before he took on flesh. We'll have him appearing in the Old Testament an angel of the Lord. So God the holy, God the Father. I think he has that essence as well. Alex, do you. Or do you find another reason for that?
You're right.
>> Alex McFarland: I mean, God manifests himself and he makes himself known in a way that's accessible. But, I think there's a lot. In Revelation 1:10, the apostle Jon says this. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice as of a trumpet, saying, I'm the alpha and the Omega. Now in the Spirit. we know the Holy Spirit was working on Jon, and maybe he was praying. But somehow another. He got transported and he got this vision. Maybe he was taken up into the presence of God. you know, maybe if you would seen in his secret room, he was on Patmos as a prisoner. Maybe it would have looked like his body was asleep. I don't know. But his spirit was transformed. And, so this was on Sunday. he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and he got this vision of God. And, 22 chapters later, we call it the book of Revelation.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me give you another one. Isaiah, chapter six. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne high and lifted up. Alex, that was in the Old Testament. Here it is. God makes himself known. Okay.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: And be vision. But his essence can revealed. As Moses was in the cleft of the rock, God went by and he said, don't look upon me. So there had to be some there. That's our God. Let me just say this. It's the name of a song. Our God is an awesome God. Isn't he, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: He really is, folks. and read on in Matthew, chapter 8 if you want to. We're going to resume again tomorrow, good Lord willing. In the meantime, though, we appreciate you you all so much. We are praying for you. We hope y' all are praying for us. If you would tell somebody about exploring the word. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus.
M.
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The Bible.
>> Alex McFarland: It's the word of God.
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Exploring the Word
Welcome to Exploring the Word. Jesus preached the great Sermon on the Mount and when it came to the conclusion he asked the question, what are you building your life upon? Well, we want to look at that today. It's in Matthew chapter seven. And we'll again be finishing up the Sermon on the Mount and. But the teaching continues and the miracles happen. Well, this is Bert harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you today as we journey through the Book of Matthew. Well Alex, I know you were in Indiana and, and did you have a good, good weekend there, brother?
>> Alex McFarland: We had a great weekend and I just want to say a big thanks to all the people around Rougeville, Indiana and Kokomo, Indiana. And people that drove several folks drove aways, like from Indianapolis to hear the word preached. And Bert, it was really, really great. And I just want to say how much I appreciate that. A lot of people ask about you and somebody asked about Brent Austin, our board operator.
>> Bert Harper: Well, I just got some. What could you say good about Brent? What. I mean, how did everything. Okay, I just wanted to make sure.
>> Alex McFarland: But I gotta tell you, there's great people everywhere and I'm so blessed to travel like I do. But those folks in Indiana, they love the Lord. They are the best people, they really are. And they, they love the American Family Radio Network. And I, I just felt like family. And we saw God move and the Word was preached and glory to God And Indiana, we love you. Thanks for your hospitality.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. We love Indiana and that's a beautiful state. Wonderful people, been there and I do thank God for them.
Matthew chapter 7 speaks about what we build our life on, Jesus Christ
Well, Alex, let's continue in Matthew chapter 7 and I'll read verses 24 through 27. What a word picture. this is one, in my opinion one of the greatest word pictures that is in the scriptures. Listen. Therefore, after Jesus talked about the kingdom and the way to get there only through Christ. Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on the house and, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, and it fell. And great was its fall. There's several things that gets my attention real quickly. I just want to bring them to one, and then you go ahead with this great, word picture. One is the same thing happened to both houses. The same thing. The one who built his house on the rock did not have less things that would fall on it. The winds, the flood, the rain. The same way with the sand. It's not what happened. It was what it was built upon, wasn't it?
Ah.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, that is really true. And, you know, there was a famous hotel in San Francisco called the Cliff House, and just this beautiful, like, castle thing, but it was built right next to the ocean. And, even in its. In its prime, it looked very precariously perched above the ocean. But the waves came and the storms came, and one day, the Cliff House, well, two things happened. It. It had a fire, but it also was falling into the sea already. And so this is such a vivid picture. I know that, those that have maybe built a house or restored a house, you've heard the term maybe differential settlement, and you don't want to hear that word because that means your foundation is cracking because the ground underneath it is giving way. And so, Bert, this is such a clear picture about what we build our life on, because, you know, what we believe and what is our. You know, our convictions. It's not only, influencing our behavior, but our beliefs. And the one in which we've put our trust determines the destiny of our soul. You know, we're talking. You can have all the sincerity in the world, but if you're believing in the wrong thing, it won't get you to heaven. Only faith in Jesus Christ and a relationship with him will notice his words.
>> Bert Harper: Those that do these sayings of mine and those that do not, these sayings of mine, the wise and the foolish. Let me just suggest this to everyone who is listening. Be on the team of the wise. Know Jesus, understand who he is, what he says. What does he say? He says, trust in me. Be born again. Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden. I'll give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I'm meek and lowly in heart. You do that by faith. And so Jesus Christ says, this is the way. The last phrase in verse 27. And great was its fall. Yes, regardless of how big it might be, how beautiful it might be, if your life is not built, upon the rock, Jesus Christ, no matter what you've gained, no matter how you've pursued the degrees, you might have the accolades that may be given, the money that's in the bank. Listen, if your house, if your life is not built upon the rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, great is its fall.
Alex: Bert says people were astonished at Jesus' teaching in Matthew 28
So, Alex, Jesus finishes up this sermon on the mount with that great admonition, heads, really be wise and follow me. Isn't.
>> Alex McFarland: Is. And. And by the way, I don't mean to go backwards, but you hit the nail on the head in verse 24 when Jesus said, therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Because, you know, the Bible tells us in James 2:26, faith without works is dead now. We don't work our way to heaven. And good works and, you know, personal, meritorious effort won't save you. You have to be born again. But if you've been truly born again, a change of life will come about. And, Bert, I think that in giving out the full gospel, we have to tell people, yes, it is. Trust in Jesus. But then, I mean, it's all in one big transaction. But you turn from sin to Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: You put your faith in Jesus, you pray. But remember, how Jesus told the woman, go and sin no more. There is the hearing and the believing. But then there's. If Christ has really come in, there's the doing. And, when. When I've. I've seen people that are just living like the devil. And I'll say, can I share the gospel with. Oh, I'm a Christian. Okay. tell me about your. Well, I went forward at summer camp 30 years ago. Well, are you in church? Are you living righteously? Are you growing in the Lord? Do you know your spiritual gifts? Are you serving the Lord? You know, I think we need to include that a change of life must be there if Christ has really come in.
>> Bert Harper: I said this a long time. No change, no Jesus. I mean, how come in the world could the King of kings and the Lord of Lords move in to your life and you not be changed for the good? And so it doesn't mean you're perfect. Far from it. No, there's growing, there's mistakes. But I want to tell you, the direction should be toward Christ. And, Jesus would talk about, set your face as a flint. The old Testament prophets. In other words, you're determined. And listen, I. I believe in that song. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back. I've heard people say it's a more than decision. I said, I understand what you're saying, but it is a decision. It is that of turning from your way to God's way and asking him to be lord of your life and following him. We're hoping you're doing that in your life. Now what happens? And I think this has something to do with it. Verses 28 and 29 are just kind of like a commentary, a little bit about. Not necessarily a commentary telling you what it's about, but what took place after this verse 28 and 29. And so it was when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his teaching. Why? Because he taught them as having. As one having authority and not as the scribes. Now, I'm going to finish, I'm going to talk about verse 29, and I think we'll get to verse 28, this great thing. they were astonished. But how did the scribes teach? Well, they were always talking about what the scribes that they were taught by the rabbi that was that taught them, said they were two or three. I won't go into all that. You might could, Alex, but there's two ways of thinking. The scribes and Pharisees, they would go with a conservative, others would go with a more liberal. And they would quote them. it wasn't on their own authority. It wasn't what God has said. It's what others had said. And so it wasn't like them. This was different any of these people who were gathered there had ever heard. And, it made an impact, didn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really did. And my translation says, you know, when Jesus ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. the word there is very fascinating, frankly, the word astonished or amazed. and it's in the Greek. It's word from which we get the word expletive. Now, if you hear the word expletive, you might think, oh, somebody used a bad word. Well, not necessarily. It's like, oh, my goodness, wow. You know, it's a, word that means, amazement and astonishment. And here's the thing. He taught as one having authority and not as the scribes. Folks, if you want lives to be changed, maybe you're a Sunday school teacher, maybe you're a preacher, maybe you're just trying to be a witness like, like we all should give out the word of God. It is, it is the word of God that will change lives. the words of man can only go so far. But the word of God pierces all the way to the heart and the soul, doesn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really does.
We're going to continue in Matthew chapter 8 with some amazing miracles
Now a transition is made and I think we can do this real quickly and start chapter eight when we come back. But chapters five, six and seven, known as the Sermon on the Mount, it was the teaching of the king concerning his kingdom. Matthew was making a. He's the king, he is the Lord. that's who he is. Now what happens in chapter 8 and verse 9 is miracle after miracle after miracle. And okay, so we've had the, and this is good outline for those of you that are outline people similar to me. outlines kind of connect with me. It's his words in 5, 6 and 7m in chapters 8 and 9. It's his works and he's going to demonstrate that. And again, several of these. Alex has to do with people that the, Judaizers, I'd say the Pharisees, the scribes, they would have nothing to do with them. A Roman soldier of all things, a leper of all things, a woman of all people. That Jesus would take time for these people, that many of the Pharisees would start their day and say, God, I thank you. I'm a man and not a woman. I'm a Jew and not a Gentile. And they would start their way, their day, that way. Alex. And now Jesus, after this great message, Matthew puts these, miracles, his work all together to demonstrate the king not only has wisdom, but he has power. That's some, combination, isn't is?
>> Alex McFarland: Our king has wisdom, power, everything we need because he has all the knowledge and all the grace and goodness. Well, this is Exploring the Word. Stay tuned. We're going to continue in Matthew chapter 8. Plus your calls, your Bible questions on this edition of Exploring the Word.
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We're back after this brief, brief break.
>> Bert Harper: Right now, more mothers need that moment of Hope. Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound and $140 helps rescue five babies. Your generous tax deductible gift also helps provide mothers who choose life with loving support and care for up to two years. Please don't wait. Help surround mothers and babies with compassion, truth and hope today. To donate, dial hashtag 250 and say the key word baby. That's hashtag250baby or visit preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com Bert Harper.
Pray.
>> Alex McFarland: I got a homesick feeling.
Think about a great homecoming. Woke up this morning saying this.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, that Southern gospel music, that'll pep you up on a Monday afternoon.
Alex: Bert believes Jesus' ability to heal was proof of deity
Welcome back to Exploring the Word. And we're in Matthew. We invite you to turn there. The NewSong Testament book of Matthew. We're going to get into chapter eight. And, Bert, you know what's interesting to me? Okay. There are a number of ways, by which Christ proved his messiahship, that he is the Son of God, the promised Savior, the Redeemer, the. The Lord and the. The Christ, the anointed one. But the Savior. And part of it was his teaching. He taught with power and authority, and he taught in truth. But in chapter eight, we are going to see in multiple, multiple, multiple accounts his power to heal. and there are a lot of healings and deliverances in Matthew 8. But, Bert, Christ's ability to heal the broken body, the diseases, because he's our creator. And, Billy Graham said it that he made us. He can fix us if we're broken. That. That I believe his power to heal was great proof of his deity.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. And, listen one time. Well, it'll be in this that we'll get to when those four men let the guy down, in his bed. And Jesus said, forgive your sins before. He said, you know, take up your bed and walk. And, the. The greatest proof is God is interested in the whole person. W H O L E. And listen, he cares for you, you who are suffering right now. And I think we're trying to reach through this radio network and waves to touch people's lives. Alex. To say, hey, we know there's some people out there who are hurting physically. they're in pain right now. They're. They're just having difficulty. And. And they may. Where are you, God? He's there with you. He will. He's there with you, and he will help you. Healing is ultimately coming to every believer. Now if you want a, reason not to go to hell beside separated from God, the burning fire, whatever it might be. Alex, there's nowhere in the Bible that teaches that inhale all the pains and the. All the things that happen to us on earth are done away with.
>> Alex McFarland: yeah.
>> Bert Harper: In other words, death will not bring relief to that person who is lost. I cannot say that as emphatic as I can. And so trust Christ. Not. Yes, he makes life better. I didn't say it'd be easy, but I want to Tell you he gives you eternal life, and in heaven, there's no disease, no illness, no death. Hallelujah.
So, amen.
>> Bert Harper: M in here, he overcomes these physical difficulties, the demonic difficulties in everyone. And that's who he is. He is the whole W H O L E healer, body, soul and spirit.
Bert : Jesus heals a leper in Matthew 8
>> Alex McFarland: You know, I've thought about that, Bert, that, you know, I've had people, you know, lament some of the struggles of life, and I just want to end it all and get it all over with. But if you're not saved and you're not bound for heaven, it's not all over with. In fact, your state is fixed. Plus, there's the pain and the punishment of hell. And I think about this, and, you know, last night, I talked to a couple of, Well, one was a law enforcement officer that was at this banquet, and also actually a coroner, godly, people. And they were lamenting the drug overdoses. And folks, I got to tell you, if there's anything that really breaks my heart, it's how many young people, well, people of all ages that get caught up in drugs. And let me just say to everybody listening, I know we have some young people listening, maybe riding in the car with mom and dad. Don't ever, ever, ever touch illegal drugs. and you'd be safer trying to pet a cobra snake than dabble in drugs. But here's my point. I think about the people that overdose and die and go into eternity in a horrible, compromised, fallen state like that. And then there's the eternal separation from God. And I don't mean to belabor the point and be a downer, but this stuff is real, folks. We're talking about eternity here. We're talking about the souls of people. And that's why I think the word of God is so strong and so clear. But, Jesus in Matthew 8 heals a leper.
And.
>> Alex McFarland: And, this is one of those things where he says, don't tell anybody, but go your way. Show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony to them. Bert, there's so much going on here. We use the term multitasking. Not only was Christ blessing people with healing, not, only was his deity being proven, but also his messiahship was just conclusively being shown to the priests, the religious hierarchy, wasn't it?
>> Bert Harper: They were watching. They were watching every step. After a while, the leper, two or three things. Real quickly, a leper notice, you weren't supposed to touch him, but Jesus touched him. The leper was supposed to say, unclean, unclean, before they got. But what did he say? Lord, if you're willing, you can make me clean. There was no doubt in that. He said, you can make me clean. You know, it's kind of like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. God, you're able to deliver us from this fiery furnace. But if not, you know we're still going to trust you. Now, God delivered them here. He says, lord, if you're willing. And then Jesus touched him. The question comes to me, how long had it been since anyone had touched him? you just didn't touch lepers because it was contagious. And here it was. Jesus touches him and he says, I am willing be cleansed. And it says, immediately, his leprosy was cleansed. And then, as you said, go and tell no one. It's funny how he tells us, go and tell everybody, and we don't tell. He told him, don't tell anybody. And he.
>> Alex McFarland: And they did.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, but listen, Jesus touched him. And, you can't help but think of the Gaither song. He touched me. He touched me. Now, I know he touched me. Me in a way, spiritually. When I was 12 years old. He saved my soul. But this man, I hadn't gotten over it yet. He touched when he, wasn't supposed to. And, that's our Jesus. He comes. You think you're too far gone? You think it's too bad? You think there's nothing too far and too hard for God? No. Come to Christ. Come to Christ and do it now.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, it says in verse five. Now, when Jesus had entered Capernaum, that's a city by the. By the water. And that was where Peter lived. And this is really where Jesus. This was kind of his ministry headquarters, Capernaum. And a centurion comes, a Roman centurion. Now, this is a gentile. Wouldn't it have been Bert?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, it is gentile.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: A leper, a gentile man. These are quote untouchables, you know, keep away from them. Yeah.
>> Alex McFarland: And. And Jesus ministers to them one and all, as he does today. Today. The way the Bible reads is like this. Whosoever will, may come. But this centurion comes and pleads, lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented. Jesus said, I will come and heal him. Now, I've always been touched by this. Because, you know, when we think of Roman centurions, big strong guys in. In armor, carrying a sword, I've been in a few church plays. I've been a century.
A centurion's faith in Jesus
Bert, have you ever been a centurion?
>> Bert Harper: No, I. They didn't cast me in that lot. Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, and, and you know, there are a lot of centurions in the, the gospels of Jesus. Really. Some kind of bad, some very touching. But here's this military man, a peacekeeper, who, you know, just as soon you get the impression that the. The Romans resented the Jews and the Jews resented them. But he comes because he's got a. He's got a servant that's at the point of death. And he says, you know what? There's one person can help me. It's Jesus. And he comes and he pleads, and Jesus says those words again that he said in verse three, I'm willing, I will heal him. Bert's very touching, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Centurion, we find he has a kind heart. he does. He has a hard job, he has a tough job, but he has a kind heart for a servant. For him to be that concerned and he'd make his way. And, so he says, the centurion answered and said, lord, I'm not worthy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed. Okay, it's not over with yet. For I also now in my Bible, I have the word also underlined. It's pretty significant. I'm a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this one go. And he goes, to another come, and he comes, and to my servant do this, and he does that. When Jesus heard this, he marveled. This is the only time, there's two times that Jesus marveled in the Gospel. One was this time at a man's belief. And the other time is Mark six, I think it is at, unbelief. He was amazed at their unbelief. But he marveled and said, those who followed, assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel. Now we'll come to the other 11 through 13 later. But, Alex, two things real quickly. The Word also, he understood that Jesus was under the authority of the Father. he says, I'm under the authority of the Roman government. I don't have it on my own. And so he recognized, I believe in that word also. He recognized that Jesus was from God, that he was God because he had authority. Also under authority. The second thing that I notice is, and what he says so vividly, only speak the word. I believe he knew more about Jesus power than even the apostles at this point in time. Or at least he said it. That man, I know. I know of your great power. And that's what we get here in chapter 8 and 9. Again, the power of Jesus Christ over all illness, all disease, all sin. And this centurion, he verbalized it, did he not?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And you're right, his deep, deep insight and understanding into how spiritual dynamics works was, powerful. And like you said, Christ once was amazed at people's unbelief here. He's astonished at, this centurion's great faith. Bert, if you look at Luke chapter seven, this is what they call a parallel account, and it's just very precious. Can I read a little bit?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, do that. It's great. Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: Now, when Jesus concluded all of his teachings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum, and a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So this servant, now all the commentators say the servant, too, would have been a gentile, right? This, was not. You know, it wasn't like the servant was Jewish and laying on his deathbed and said, hey, boss, there's a Jewish rabbi. Go get him. So both the centurion and the beloved employee or servant were gentiles, as far as we know. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, pleading with him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying that this one, for whom he should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue. Bert, am I reading Luke 7 to this Roman centurion, had enough respect for the God of Israel that he built a synagogue for these people.
>> Bert Harper: This is an amazing account. And again, this is what the Gospels do. Thi. This adds validity to the Scriptures. I know you're the one that brings this out more than I do. Because, Father, because, Alex, you're, doing the apologetic. We got to see this. But this is awesome that you have this addition to what Matthew said. And Luke brings this out, and again, he says that he had built a centurion. And. No, does this not sound a little bit, you know, like, Jacob, when he was coming back from, and he sent people before him to try to get his brother Esau, to say, hey, when I come, you know, you'll be glad to see me because I've sent these before you. So these Servants, these people come and tell what a good man the centurion is before the centurion comes himself.
Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know what? We talk about this sometimes, the faith that people have, that people respond to the amount of light that they've got.
Right.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. I've often thought about Job, in Job chapter one, where Job would make sacrifices on behalf of his sons and daughters. And he says in Job one, verse five, quote, perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their heart. And this Job did, day and night, he was trying to intercede. And, and this was way before Abraham or anything. I mean, this is very far back. And I think about in Acts chapter 17, how, they had a, ah, an altar to the unknown God. You know, we've got all these gods, Zeus and you know, Horus and Osiris, but maybe there's a God we don't know about. Well, this centurion, I don't, I don't believe he's like, hedging his bets here. I think there was a certain knowledge in the ancient world that the God of Israel was different and the God of Israel was actually the God who lives.
Jesus heals the servant
And this man had built a synagogue. And I don't know, we don't really know what all that involved, but apparently he was well to do. And the people said to Jesus, please go heal this guy's servant, because he loves our nation. He's been good. Here's the thing, he did good to the children of Israel. And it was because somehow in his heart, he at least had some awareness of the God of Israel. And here comes Jesus, who, more than he's ever, ever seen or heard, he represents the God of Israel and in fact is the Messiah indeed.
>> Bert Harper: And he is healed that very same hour. And, this is what it was and do. And he. That's what happens. And as he believed, again, verse 13, go your way. And as you have believed, so let it be done for you. And his servant was healed when that very same hour. Can you imagine when he got home right away, that that servant was no longer paralyzed? Well, Alex, you gonna be ready to take questions here in this last segment?
>> Alex McFarland: Here's the phone number, folks. Dial it now. 888-589-8840. Your Bible questions after this brief break.
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God, you do what you say you do.
You'll come through.
You are.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. He is able. That's who Jesus is. We're taking phone calls with questions. The number, Triple 858-98-840, 888-58-9840. We'd love to hear from you today. If you've got a bible question, by the way, in the the first segment break, we. You heard my wife talking about the fishbowl retreat. I don't want to take long, but there's rooms that are still open. And if you would like to come to the fishbowl retreat or send your pastor and his wife to the Fishbowl retreat, October 20th through the 22nd, Pastor Appreciation Month. Go to repairingthefoundations.netrepairinthefoundations. and, Jenny and I'd love to see you there. We do have some spaces available, so do it and do it now. Repairing the foundations.net for the fishbowl retreat. We would love to see you there.
Alex: Just think about shut ins people in the hospital needing communion
Well, Alex, we got people that's called in. Let's get to as many as we can. All right, let's go to Craig in Indiana. Craig, go right ahead.
Hi, guys. love you guys so much and appreciate you and just have a question about, who can administer communion. I'm just thinking about shut ins. I'm just a lay person, not a pastor, but just think about shut ins
>> Alex McFarland: people in the hospital and just if
it's okay to, administer communion to them.
>> Bert Harper: Craig, let me share something that we did at the church here in Tupelo where I pastored for 28 years. When we'd have the lord's supper, the deacons had come first. We would look at homebound. We would look at those nursing home, different places and we, we gathered and not all the deacons, but they had get some people that were with them and they would go and share the Lord's supper with them. And I can tell you some of the greatest worship experience took place was not in the four walls of the building there where we were, but there in those rooms where they went to the Malik's. Those were. I, I remember it well, brother. Go right ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, God bless you for wanting to minister.
One of the great teachings of the Reformation is the priesthood of the believer
All right, I think about this bird and you, you feel free to disagree. But 1st Peter 2, verse 5 and verse 9 speaks of all believers as quote, a royal priesthood. And one of the great teachings of the Reformation is the priesthood of the believer. And I've participated in a lot of ordination services and I was ordained in the ministry. But at the very same time, there's nothing magical or anything necessarily, ah, that we have in and of ourselves. Obviously it's all about the power of God. And I've, you know, within the context of the local church, I've had a father or two that wanted to baptize their child and we made that possible. And you know, the, the deacons helped give out communion, but I wouldn't have a problem with having like a ministry team. And we pray over them and you know, they are sanctified for this purpose, but they go and give communion to those that maybe are shut ins. Because ultimately we're all ministers of the gospel. Now one last thing. Ephesians 4, 11, 12, some are in what we call vocational ministry. In other words, it is our livelihood. It's all that we do. Ephesians 4, 11, 12. But really all believers are ministers of the gospel and I would say, authorized to represent Jesus in the ordinances of the church.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. I couldn't agree more. I'm telling you what some of the great. Matter of fact, I saw one on a podcast this morning, two two Dads baptizing their daughters as they, they had led them to the Lord and they were baptized. There was something about it that was stronger than a pastor doing it or the youth minister doing it. That father. And the biggest hug, you know, right after that. listen, don't let rituals and tradition block you from doing what God says when it's okay in His Word and it means it in His Word. Thank you, Craig. Great question. We appreciate that. Let's go to Pennsylvania and talk to Mary. Mary, thank you for calling.
Thank you for having your program. I love it.
>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you. Go right ahead.
Mary: I have grandchildren and now a brand new great grandchild
my question Is, I have. I have grandchildren and now a brand new great grandchild. And they've never been baptized. But, I feel the call to baptize, them. Some of them are Christians, and some are not. but the new baby, they want to bring it for me to see. And I'm wondering, is it wrong for me, I feel this call to baptize this baby. he's not in a Christian home, although the mother's a Christian, but the father is not. okay, if I baptize that baby if they want me to.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. Mary, thank you for this question. Listen, Alex and I come from, the Baptist. it's more than a tradition. We feel like it is biblical. It's called believers baptism. And Alex, I can't get away from that to answer. Mary. you know what would be m. I don't mean. I'm not putting it down, Mary. I'm trying to be as gracious as I can. More important than you baptizing them, would you be praying for them and asking, God, God, bring yourself, make yourself known, have that father to see how he should come to Christ and lead his family into a knowledge in a relationship with Christ. Alex, take it away.
>> Alex McFarland: first of all, I want to say your tender heart is very moving, and I applaud you. And you are absolutely in the right to desire for these little children, these newborn babies, to come to the point where they become followers of Jesus. but let me say that sprinkling an infant, very often I'll hear the term especially among, you know, more high church, you know, people, they'll say, you know, the baby was baptized. Actually, actually, and I'm trying to be very specific here, a newborn baby isn't baptized because baptism is something that's done by a believer to show that they've accepted Christ. Now, so christening, which is the Latin word Christianize, we can't really Christianize another person. What I do think would be appropriate and really is very much in line with First Samuel, is what we sometimes call baby dedication. And, you know, in First Samuel it says, for this child, I prayed and the Lord has given me what I ask. So I've dedicated him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is dedicated. That was Samuel's mother. So here's what I would encourage and pray about this. that you would say, look, nothing is more important than this child coming to the realization of Jesus one day and, and accepting Christ. And really, of equal importance is the family and the Marriage to be under the blessing of God. So let's go to church and let's live in such a way that this child never remembers not being in church. And maybe m. The mother would be a little more amenable to that than the dad. But I'm going to pray and in fact, Bert, right now, let's just pray that the parents that are out of church would come under the conviction to get the. Their families and their children in church and this couple in particular. Would you pray?
>> Bert Harper: I will, Father. Thank you for Mary, as Alex said, we thank you for her heart, for her children, for her grandchildren and God. I'm praying right now that she would, as thousands of people would join in, in this prayer right where they are with Mary and us, to say, oh God, do a work in the parent's life, the mom that, that faith that she's had in Christ Jesus, that it would blossom and grow. And for this father that is not a follower of Christ, that conviction would fall upon him and his desire to be a man that God has made, to be a leader in his home spiritually, that he would realize that, bring men into his life, that would even help him, confront him with truth. And Father, we pray for this. We pray for those children, God, that they would come into that relationship and as Alex said, that they would have, a strange feeling. We need to do something. We need to attend a church that talks and speaks and preaches Jesus. We're believing this and we're praying for this. In Jesus name, amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: M. Mary, thank you for your call. We hope this helps. And I just want you to know you've got. I believe with all my heart you've got thousands of people praying for your family right now. And we're asking God to do a great work. Let's go to Louisiana and talk to David. David, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, sir. I like to thank God for both of you gentlemen. I love to love your program and I listen to it every day, seven days a week. my question is, a death of my daughter. I had. I've got a very strong testimony on how Jesus Christ saved my life, is working in my life and I have a conviction of my heart to give that testimony of wanting to commit suicide and, and God bringing me out of that. And the church I'm attending kind of frowns on, want to give testimonies of that nature. And I think I may be wrong, but I think a, testimony of what God has, how he has moved and. And is moving and in someone's life is very, very important. And my conviction of my heart is I've got to give this testimony. And, I just don't know what to do. Whether I need to move to another church or.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, David, brother, thank you for calling. Let me suggest this. there's two or three things that come to my mind, Alex, and you get yours. David, find a small group that you're in. Sure. a lot of churches they have. Yes, they have what we always called big church. You know, Alex, that's a big church, but they have. Maybe it's a Sunday school small group. Meetings and homes and buildings. Be a part of that and share your testimony in that small group. And let God, give. Give, the increase. And, I believe testimonies are needed too. I stand with you, brother. especially in a church, we. Especially on Sunday night, Alex, we would say, hey, we need to have some testimonies given by people. And, But sometimes you have to start in a smaller group, don't you?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you do. And I love testimony, testimony services because it says God inhabits the prayers of his people. And in. In Mark 5:19, Jesus had healed a demon possessed man. And I love this. Jesus says, go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he's had compassion on you.
Mark 5:19 is justification for telling testimonies, Bert says
That's a testimony, isn't it, Bert? I think Mark 5:19, this is a biblical, justification for telling testimonies. We tell what great things the Lord has done for us.
>> Bert Harper: What is it in Psalm the redeemed of the Lord's. You know, we need. I believe it with all my heart. So, David, start there and try that. If finally, if God leads you to say, man, I need to be at a smaller church where they do this or whatever. God, will lead you, but start where you are and try that and see what God does. And when you do, we want to hear from you. We want to hear what God's done with this. Because that sounds like some testimony, David. Thank you, brother.
The Apostle John
Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Karen. Karen, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hello?
>> Bert Harper: Yes. You're on the radio with us, Karen. Thank you.
Well, I've been enjoying your programming and, every. Well, every day, all the time, since I moved here 2/2 years ago from Florida.
John said he saw a vision of God in his throne
And, I have a question about Apostle, Jon said he saw a vision of God in his throne. And he talked about, you know, wheels and, and the Rainbow around him. But how could he see God if he's a. If he's a, spirit? And, Yeah, that's the main thing I'm asking today.
>> Bert Harper: Okay.
He.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, let me. You do this better than me. But God can make himself known even in spirit. He can make even Jesus before he took on flesh. We'll have him appearing in the Old Testament an angel of the Lord. So God the holy, God the Father. I think he has that essence as well. Alex, do you. Or do you find another reason for that?
You're right.
>> Alex McFarland: I mean, God manifests himself and he makes himself known in a way that's accessible. But, I think there's a lot. In Revelation 1:10, the apostle Jon says this. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice as of a trumpet, saying, I'm the alpha and the Omega. Now in the Spirit. we know the Holy Spirit was working on Jon, and maybe he was praying. But somehow another. He got transported and he got this vision. Maybe he was taken up into the presence of God. you know, maybe if you would seen in his secret room, he was on Patmos as a prisoner. Maybe it would have looked like his body was asleep. I don't know. But his spirit was transformed. And, so this was on Sunday. he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and he got this vision of God. And, 22 chapters later, we call it the book of Revelation.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me give you another one. Isaiah, chapter six. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne high and lifted up. Alex, that was in the Old Testament. Here it is. God makes himself known. Okay.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: And be vision. But his essence can revealed. As Moses was in the cleft of the rock, God went by and he said, don't look upon me. So there had to be some there. That's our God. Let me just say this. It's the name of a song. Our God is an awesome God. Isn't he, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: He really is, folks. and read on in Matthew, chapter 8 if you want to. We're going to resume again tomorrow, good Lord willing. In the meantime, though, we appreciate you you all so much. We are praying for you. We hope y' all are praying for us. If you would tell somebody about exploring the word. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus.
M.
The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
(00:00) American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
(02:06) Matthew chapter 7 speaks about what we build our life on, Jesus Christ
(06:28) Alex: Bert says people were astonished at Jesus' teaching in Matthew 28
(11:56) We're going to continue in Matthew chapter 8 with some amazing miracles
(13:55) Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound and $140 helps rescue five babies
(15:06) Alex: Bert believes Jesus' ability to heal was proof of deity
(18:15) Bert : Jesus heals a leper in Matthew 8
(23:14) A centurion's faith in Jesus
(30:02) Jesus heals the servant
(31:32) The work of preborn network clinics is more urgent than ever
(34:11) Alex: Just think about shut ins people in the hospital needing communion
(35:30) One of the great teachings of the Reformation is the priesthood of the believer
(38:02) Mary: I have grandchildren and now a brand new great grandchild
(45:52) Mark 5:19 is justification for telling testimonies, Bert says
(46:34) The Apostle John
(46:55) John said he saw a vision of God in his throne
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://www.afr.net
The Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com
Matthew 7
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207
James 2:26
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202%3A26
Preborn
https://preborn.com
(00:00) American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
(02:06) Matthew chapter 7 speaks about what we build our life on, Jesus Christ
(06:28) Alex: Bert says people were astonished at Jesus' teaching in Matthew 28
(11:56) We're going to continue in Matthew chapter 8 with some amazing miracles
(13:55) Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound and $140 helps rescue five babies
(15:06) Alex: Bert believes Jesus' ability to heal was proof of deity
(18:15) Bert : Jesus heals a leper in Matthew 8
(23:14) A centurion's faith in Jesus
(30:02) Jesus heals the servant
(31:32) The work of preborn network clinics is more urgent than ever
(34:11) Alex: Just think about shut ins people in the hospital needing communion
(35:30) One of the great teachings of the Reformation is the priesthood of the believer
(38:02) Mary: I have grandchildren and now a brand new great grandchild
(45:52) Mark 5:19 is justification for telling testimonies, Bert says
(46:34) The Apostle John
(46:55) John said he saw a vision of God in his throne
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://www.afr.net
The Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com
Matthew 7
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207
James 2:26
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202%3A26
Preborn
https://preborn.com
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