It's Fire Away Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your [email protected] or visit facebook.com exploring the word. It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.
Now, unto him, you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Well, that's Jude 24 and 25. And with that wonderful scripture, we welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the Word.
Hey.
We take Bible questions all hour on Fire Away Friday. And this is that day. So the number is 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. And Bert, I see we've got calls coming in and, we do a little thing here. Brent Austin, Bert and myself, we like to see what a record we can set. And you want to try to do that today, Bert.
Amen. We compete with ourselves, and so we're doing that. So if you've got questions, we want. And by the way, before we start, a prayer request real quick.
Okay.
And that is next week, Jan and I will be doing our fishbowl retreat up in Pigweek Landon, State park in Tennessee. We're looking forward to that. we got couples coming in from 11 or 12 different states, pray for their traveling grace.
Praise the Lord.
Yeah, we're looking forward to it. So be praying for it. It's pastor appreciation month, so appreciate you, pastor. And, that's what this is all about. And, we're looking forward to that. And also let's be praying. There's been a lot of shootings this month. I just went in. The last one was, up in Bend, Oregon. And so we have, we have a
lot of listeners up there.
Yep, we do. And so it hit me, and I know they had some in, Georgia and different places. And so we're asking God, just man, lawlessness and, so, but be praying for those, especially in Bend, Oregon, those, I think it was the 5, 7 and 11 year old children that were killed. And a teacher.
Well, Bert, I'm going to ask you to pray. And also these elections coming up. And let me just say about the fishbowl retreat, Bert, thank you, for being such an encouragement to America's pastors and, myself included, you, you inspire so many. And thank you. The the fishbowl retreats that you and Jan do, I've been to several. They are fantastic. But for encouraging the, the shepherds. Thank you, brother.
Well, thank you. Jan came up with that idea. We were much, much younger when this idea came about. Jan and I did this and we would raise the money and we would invite young pastors and their wives and. But when we came to AFR, 15 said let's keep on doing and sharing about the fishbowl. So we are looking forward to it. And So Brent, what was you telling me? I couldn't read that fast so you just got to get on the radio and tell me.
No, you guys were talking about elections and stuff. I'm not trying to, to toot my own horn or anything, but another show I produce is called the Compass and it's a really great resource to help you with elections. And it's on AFR as well on Saturday afternoons.
And we have something I vote or guide and you can find out in your state, in your district, in your area. I voter guide and it's a great resource.
Amen. Bert, what would you pray?
I will, Father, thank you that we can call upon you. And we do pray for our elections coming up just real soon. And I know what they're saying. It doesn't look like that the House or Senate possibly, may stay in more conservative hands. And we're praying, God, that you would just intervene in believers lives and Father, help them to get out. And Father, we pray that more than anything that you would speak to our hearts and give us, I hate to say this, what we need in order to draw closer to you. And we trust you. That's the bottom line. I pray for the fishbowl retreat and I pray God you'd be those pastors and their wives as they make their trek to Tennessee. May you be glorified in it. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amen. Amen. Well, we are going to go to Arkansas. Linne, in Arkansas, you're the first caller on today's edition of Exploring the Word.
Okay, great, thank you. First, I just want to say real quick, the last time I called I could not hear you guys at all. And so I listened to the podcast later and I sounded really mean because you said thank you for calling and I said nothing. And then it kind of went like that. And so then I, I got to hear your answer on the podcast. But anyway, sorry about that.
No worries. We're honored to have you.
Okay. Well, anything. Anyway, my question is, I was at a revelation Bible study and, the subject of voting, came up. Actually, I asked the question or made the comment about how important it was for us to vote, and it was said by somebody else, well, God has already figured out, you know, basically everything the way it's going to go. So they didn't say you don't need to vote, but that comment was made. And so I just want to know in the Bible if there's a scripture you could tell me to give people who don't think they need to vote who are Christian.
let me jump in here and Bert, I'm gonna throw it to you after this, but, I think about 2nd Chronicles 7:14. If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven. and he'll forgive their sin and heal their land. there's a, there's the word if. And so God knows everything, but he doesn't force. wasn't God that put gay marriage into law in 2015. You know, it wasn't God that put those quarantines and shut the houses of worship in 2020. we have the opportunity to elect leaders that are hopefully godly constitutionalists. And so while God knows everything, you know, First Peter, chapter one, verse two, speaks of the foreknowledge of God. but, you know, we're not fatalists. God didn't just make it happen. We have free will, we responsibility. And with these elections in America, we have opportunity. Bert, what do you say?
I would say, and agree with everything you said. And remember, we are stewards. That means managers of what, what's being given to us and what we have. We have the privilege and responsibility to be a steward of our vote. And hey, if you're going to be faithful, you better be one that is informed and vote. So I would add to that, that that's your responsibility as a, as a responsible follower of Jesus Christ. And so, I would say, yes, vote.
Amen. Thank you, Richard in Alabama. Richard, welcome to the program.
Thank you. Thank you. I had a question on Jesus having, the Passover feet with his disciples the night before he was taken.
And I, my question is, I've heard
pastors talk about Jesus being the moment
that he was sacrificed on the cross, the Passover lamb was being sacrificed for the, for the Passover dinner.
Is that true?
now that I don't know, you know, I know that, you know, Paul in 1st Corinthians 5, 7 and Peter both refer to Jesus as, quote, Christ, our passover lamb. but, at Jon 19:30, where Christ died on the cross and said it is finished, was that when the passover lamb was getting sacrificed that year? Burnt? I mean, it makes sense, but I have to say, I don't know for sure.
I don't know. But going back, and again, I refer to this quite often as Jesus was in command of the time and the hours in which he would spend. it was true the whole time. Okay. But on his way from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem, which. Where he would be crucified, everything seems to be lined out on a time pendulum. and it being at the right precise time. I had not heard that, Richard. he is our passover lamb. Praise God for that. but the hour, I would say this. It would not surprise me at all how connected that is. And by the way, that number, if you want to call, is 888-589-8840. We have lines that are open. We're going to try to get to as many calls today as we can. So this would be your day. But, Richard, thank you for calling, brother.
let's go to Ohio. Rebecca in Ohio. Rebecca. That's a Bible name. Yay. Welcome to the program.
Thank you. Thank you guys for what you do. Thanks for taking my question. in Matthew 23:9, it says to call no one on earth your father. And I think I've heard you discuss it, and I don't remember what the. What the description was, because through scripture, it's often used. And. And we talk about your honor, your father and mother, and things like that. So why does it say call no m man here on earth, your father.
Bert, you want to go? Yeah. And that is Matthew 23:9.
I was reading that the other day, Alex, and I thought the same thing. And as, far as your father and, you know, the person that is your earthly father, but in that context, it seemed like it was a position of reverence of, you know, nobody taking the place of God. That's what I read, Rebecca. they do not. I know priests, Catholic priests, they can be called father. And so I decided I'd look up, and I said, what is an alternative to. In place of calling the Catholic priest father? And again, you can call them Reverend. You can call them. They had one or two options there, but I do believe do not take the place of God. Alex, go ahead.
Well, let me say in Matthew 23:9, it says, don't call anyone on earth Father, for you have won Father, your Heavenly Father. Then it says, nor are you to be called teachers, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. Now, obviously teachers exist, and obviously fathers exist, biological fathers and certain clergy. I really think it's the intent, if you look at the larger context, the intent of the heart, because Jesus says, you know, the Pharisees like to be called rabbi in the marketplace. You know, obviously there's no Lord but the Lord Jesus. There's no God but God himself. So I don't think it means that we can't use the word Father or for that matter, the word teacher, verse 10. But we've got to remember our ultimate teacher is God, our Lord, our Master, Creator, Redeemer, and the highest of our reverence and worship is due to God and God only.
I agree with that. We're coming up on a minute break, before the break starts. So Lana, you're next. But before we do, Alex, I'll, be preaching at Ozark Baptist Church. I've been there now, quite a few months as their interim pastor. Looking forward to that. And we would invite anybody in northeast Mississippi. 11 o', clock, Ozark Baptist Church. You can Google it and find directions, find everything you want about it. It's awesome to be used on, a Sunday, isn't it?
Well, it is. And I've got the great privilege. I'll be at Mount Pleasant Church right outside of Greensboro on the Alamance Church Road, this Sunday and next week, good Lord willing. So if you're anywhere near Mount Pleasant Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sure would love to have you come on out. Well, we've got a brief break. we're in high gear on exploring the Word, so call us with your Bible question. 8885-898840-88858, 98840. Stay tuned.
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I know, I want to hear the rest of it, but we've got a full load of, callers. So, Alex, I'm, wasting no time. Where did we go to next?
Tennessee, Lana. In Tennessee. Lana, thanks for holding welcome to the program.
Thank you.
My question is.
Yes.
My question is on Acts, chapter 1, verse 16. I believe it was Peter who said the Scriptures had to be fulfilled when David prophesied about Judas betraying Jesus. I wondered if you could help me connect the dots there and I'll hang up and listen to your answer.
Yeah.
Bert, what do you say?
Is this from Psalm 41:9? Something about a, betrayal. and it was that that Judas chariot would be the one. he didn't have to do it, but, Scripture says he would be that. I haven't found that, and I can't quote it, but Alex, yeah.
In Acts 1:16, you know, he said, men, brothers, it was necessary that the Scripture be, fulfilled, which foretold through the Holy Spirit, the mouth of David concerning Judas. I've got this Greek NewSong Testament here. But yeah, he was referencing the fact that he would be betrayed. And that is in Psalm 41:9. Yeah. Yeah.
Even my own familiar friend, in whom. Whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. So, Lana, that is it. 41 9. Again, it's bread. You know what he said, the one that I give the dip to and, lifted up his heel against me. So that is it. And that does connect. That.
Let's go to North Carolina. Brad in North Carolina. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Yeah. How's it going?
Good. Good to have you.
Okay. Good to be here. I wanted to, compare two stories. First, I'm gonna, Well, first I'm going to tell you about a man I met when I was about 12 years old by the name of Thom Landry. And, in, around Charlotte, North Carolina, he gave me a message. And I've never. Well, I can't say I've never forgotten it because I did. And that's. That's the bad part. But, But the thing is, he. He gave me this message, and it was personal. And it was not in auditorium. It wasn't in a. It wasn't in a big crowd. It was actually at his house. That or at a house he owned right there, close to Charlotte. So anyway, so what I would say about that is if all the coaches across north, across the US and their teammates, if they could follow him, That would change. That would change the country.
Amen. let me give you another coach. I know you got more to say. More, to say, Brad, but let me say I'd say the same thing about the basketball coach, Jon Wooden, if, we could. Thom Landry Jon Wooden. I just want to tell you, they were the real deal. Who was the, coach of the Washington Redskins? Joe Gibbs. Another one. So they've been these people in these positions. Thom Landry, Jon Wooden, Joe Gibbs. They have made a difference, not only in the men they coach, but the lives of other people, too. Alex.
And I've got to say this, really the first big event that I ever had the privilege of organizing in Greensboro. We had Thom Landry come and, we had this, singing group, point of grace. Do you remember them?
I do. Yes, I do.
I worked. I give God the glory. But we had about 8,000 teenagers come out to the Greensboro Coliseum, and I spent the whole day with coach Landry, and he did the program, and we had a huge altar call. Coach Thom Landry was the kindest, most accessible, and, you know, he had won, you know, so many games and took the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. And, I just. It was just amazing to be in the presence of this great man of God, coach Thom Landry.
Amen.
But, Brad, continue, please.
Okay, well, I'll just say this much. As far as he goes, I don't remember exactly all of it, but I remember there was only a small, small group of us there. It was only about maybe five or ten of us there with him at this house. So, anyway. But I would. I would just have them. I go along with you on that. The two stories I wanted to compare is. I know one is bringing gifts into the storehouse, bringing gifts to the house to actually not only bless. Bless the church and, Christian ministry, but also to make up with people. And they say if you have a problem like that commute, like at commute communion, you bring in gifts, some type of gifts into the. Into the church to, make up for that. So I wanted to compare that with the story of Jesus walking into the, Walking into the church and turning tables over with the whip and all that. You know, how do you compare that when they. I mean, I know they were trying to sell. They were trying to sell does and all that. To make money for themselves, probably. But compare those two, if you would.
well, the contrast of, the love and the mercy of Jesus versus the righteous indignation of Jesus in that regard?
well, let me, say in here, in him turning over the tables, what they were doing. And I catch this. They, were. What they were doing that was what is called the court of the gentiles. In other words, those people that would be visiting, like the Ethiopian eunuch that would come from Ethiopia to hear about the one true God. they, they didn't have room for anybody like that. They had to put their tables in there to, to, to sell their goods to make money. And where they had make money was the exchange. They had their own currency. So you had to take your currency and turn it into theirs. And they. That way as well. So there was double that far as leaving your, it says leaving your gift at the altar first go and be reconciled to your brother and then come back and offer your gift. And again, it's two different things. And so he was one, he was disciplined in the. Both of them had the idea of discipline. Okay. And both of them are missional in a way. If when you win a brother, Alex, reconciliation, that's missional. And what they were doing by leaving the court of the gentiles full of money changers and everything like that, they were doing away with the possibility of missions. That's my thoughts on it. Brad.
Brad, thanks for listening. Thanks for the question. Let's go to Georgia. Jon in Georgia. Welcome to the program.
Yes, sir. can you hear me all right?
Yes. Yes.
Okay. So they're teaching in my church things about the Jews, and they talked about Jews through history when they were in Russia and a lot of things like the tomahawk and all that. And I'm learning a lot of stuff about it, but they seem to be anti Jewish. And they say that, reddish part now where they're teaching that the Jews don't belong in the land because after the crucifixion, 70 A.D. jesus used the Romans to throw them out of the land and they should never have come back. And that, you know, them being in the land is something we shouldn't support in the United States. And I, I'm getting mixed feelings about all this because there, there have been a lot of negative things that the Jews have done down through history. But I've always supported the Jews being in the land. And, you know, it's hard for me to understand. Did God want them to leave when he. When he did that, or when he allowed the Romans to throw it to destroy the temple and disperse the Jews? Or does he want them back in the land?
well, God bless you for caring about this. let me say, in Matthew 23:38, we just went over this Matthew 23:38 and Luke 13, where Jesus, as he's going to the cross, he cursed the fig tree and said, your house is left desolate. I do think that was, predictive of the fact that In March of 70 A.D. rome would overthrow Israel. However, their right to the land is an everlasting right. God, told Abraham in Genesis 12 and elsewhere, wherever your foot treads, I will give you this land for an everlasting covenant. And I want to say I vehemently disagree with any, preacher that says Israel does not belong in the land of Israel. by historical precedent and by divine right, the, the Abrahamic covenant is, as Romans says, an everlasting covenant. And the fact that Jesus was crucified, yes, many of the Jews rejected Jesus. Many of the Jews believed in Jesus, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea and the early disciples. But we don't blame the Jews alone for the death of Jesus because he was crucified on a Roman cross. It was Jew and Gentile. But, the Jews of today are the genetic descendants of the Jews of the Bible. ethnically, the Jews are still the Jews. Geographically, that is still their land. And, it's a larger story about why I would reject what's called replacement theology. and Bert, I love the church and I believe in the church and I'm part of the church. But, it is wrong. I'm not just going to say I disagree. I'm saying it is factually, scripturally, historically erroneous to say that that land is not the land of Israel and the property of the Jews.
Amen. I would, I could not add any more to that. I agree. It's there when you look at future events. You, Israel in the middle of it, in their land in Jerusalem. And, so they have every right. Well, before we go to the next caller, I know Brent has got some that's come in, so we'll go to there. Brent, you got that question ready?
I'm going to take this one from Facebook. it's from Maryanne. Her question is Ephesians 1:10. The phrase fullness of the times. Exactly what is this referring to?
Bert, you want to talk about that?
Okay, Ephesians 1:10. Here it is. that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ. Okay, the fullness of times, as far as what I understand, all times are his. But he came in the fullness of time. He came at that appointed time. Time. So God does have those appointed times, the thousand year reign. those years are, they're there. I think God has an appointed time also for times of the gentiles. We don't know when that is when it starts. But in those dispensation areas, God has his time. some people call it a timetable and, I understand it that way. Alex. So what about you?
Yeah, you know, it's also that word is in Romans 11:25 as well. The fullness of time or the full. it really means the completion of the gentiles or the completion of the church. Age is.
Is really in that context. It does, yeah.
Yeah. Yes, it does. And so, and I believe that, it's going to be the rapture. the, the conclusion of what we call the church. Age will be the moment the church is caugh. And during the tribulation, many, many, many people will get saved. They'll also get martyred. And I think it'll be almost exclusively Jewish people during the tribulation. Not completely. I mean, I think there'll be some gentiles saved. But, M Just as the majority of believers in this era have been gentile, although the number of Jewish believers today is just exploding. Glory to God. But during the tribulation, it'll be kind of the inverse of that. I believe, Bert.
I do as well. When you read that 144,000 Jewish missionaries and as you say it, Billy Graham's going, and a great multitude that came out of that period of time, it seems Jewish to me as well.
M. Let's go to, California. Paul. Paul in California. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Thank you, sir. Thank you, gentlemen. I had a quick question about dreams. there was a book I read a while back from Nabil Qureshi, seeking Allah, finding Jesus.
Yes.
And he was talking about how his family put a lot of stock in dreams. And then I've watched a few, Muslims provide their test, former Muslims provide their testimonies. And they also talked about that why do they seem to have a disproportionate amount of dreams? And I don't hear so much about that in Christianity.
Okay, God bless you. Can I go first on this one, Alex?
Absolutely, yes.
I know you're supposed to, but, I want to tell you when did the dreams. I want to use Joseph, the husband of Mary, in God leading him. There was three dreams involved in getting him to know that he could marry her, to know when to get out of town of, Bethlehem and when to come back. Now, what did he not have? He did not have the Word of God. The Word of God is a more sure word. But the. Our. My son Nathan, worked as a missionary. And a lot of these were Muslims that he was working with and witnessing to them. They would, he would tell them about Jesus and they would say, oh, that's who I've dreamed about. Guess what they weren't doing? They weren't reading the Bible, you know, so God intervenes. I believe dreams still have a place. But I really believe what I've seen recently, it's more in the area of enlightenment on God and what he's done more than leadership, the way it was with Joseph, because we're indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We have the word of God. I think that's a more sure word. Alex, take it away.
absolutely. Do you know 21 times the Bible, talks about God speaking to people through dreams. Now I want to be very clear, like bert said in second Peter 1:19 through 21, it says that we are to listen to the sure word of prophecy, which is the Bible. However, and by the way, the caller mentioned the late great Nabil Qureshi. He was a personal friend of mine. We ministered together. I had him speak. I think a lot of the Muslims are learning about Jesus through dreams because that's how God is reaching. They may not have the Bible, they may not be able to publicly hear about Jesus. And so God is speaking. Jews and Muslims are very often finding Messiah through eye opening dreams now. Ah, we've got a break. We're going to come back. Another segment on exploring the word. Call us and stay tuned.
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for the sky still blue but my hope is in you. You're my joy. You're the dream that's still alive. And the wind at my back and the sun on the.
Oh, Brent is awesome. Brent Austin gave us some point of grace music there. I referenced them in the previous segment. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. fire away Friday. By the way, the number, if you've got a Bible question, the number is 888-589-8840. Bert and I would love to hear from you. Triple 858-9840. how about we go down to Texas, one of my favorite places. Becky in Texas. Becky, you're on.
Okay. Hi, Bert and Alex. I wanted to respond to the lady who called at the beginning of the program who Said she's in a Christian group. And the people are mostly thinking that, God has already determined who's going to win the election, so why vote? But in, Hosea, chapter 8, verses 3 and 4, it says, Israel has cast off the thing that is good. They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I knew not. So the idea that God has already picked out, that every ruler who's in place is picked out by God is just not true. According to Bible.
God bless you. And let me throw this in too. And folks, listen very carefully. Like Deuteronomy 1:13, God told Israel, choose some wise, understanding, respected men from each of your tribes and I will set them over you. So Bert, and by the way, Becky, fantastic biblical reference of the Hosea, eight, three and four. And then again to that I would add the Deuteronomy 1:13 that we, are called Israel was. And so are Americans called to choose our leaders. And we're enjoined to choose wise, godly leaders. Right, Bert?
We really are. What a contrast. If you compare this to what he says to the believers in the NewSong Testament, Put off the old man. Put it away from you. The old grave clothes, take them off. And here Israel has cast off the good. listen, this is what we got to do as believers. We need to live it, we really do, but we need to also vote it. I think we're going to be held accountable and responsible for responsibilities that we've had. To whom much is given, much is required. I'd use that one as well, Alex, because we've been given the privilege. Think about the history in the past of those people who lived in monarchies, who lived in, those that were in charge through communism and everything else. And they had to take it. But, I use these and again, two different sources. But time in the Bible says if my people. The Constitution says we the people. If God's people would be we the people. I want to tell you, it does make a difference.
It does.
By the way, if you have a Bible question, you will get through. We have open lines. Call us at 888-589-8840. And again in Texas this time, Jeff. Jeff in Texas. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Hey there, Alex and Bird. I appreciate what you guys do. Keep up the good ministry. I really, wanted to talk about what you guys said about Muslims and seeing Jesus and pray in their dreams.
sure.
So I guess the name Issa in the Quran, Jesus. Jesus is their Messiah. Too, to defeat the Antichrist. So I would just keep that in mind as well. I love Jesus and, just hope everybody finds him and, recognizes him as God. Thank you.
Amen. Thank you.
Yeah.
Praise the Lord Jesus.
Do you have a comment?
Yeah, I do. Jesus is making himself known. The grace of God has appeared to all men. When you read the book of creation, book of Romans, and it is a book about creation, by the way, because it talks about when they worship the creature rather than the Creator. When you do all that, you're going down a vicious, vicious cycle. And so, the two things that you want to do, and I say this truthfully, and I was talking to someone about it just this week, tie in creation and redemption in his image. In his image, we were made in his image. But then in the image of God, we, through his redemption plan, we have a connection. We have this, place in our lives where God makes himself known to us and lives in us. So, Alex, guess what we're to do after Christ comes in? We're to image God in us. now isn't that a reverse. You see what I'm talking about?
Amen.
As creation image. But when Christ comes into our life, let people see your good works and glorify the Father who's in heaven. They need to see Christ in us. The hope of glory.
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Let's go to Arkansas. Teresa in Arkansas. Welcome to the program.
Yes, I'm trying to get. Make sure my radio's off.
Oh, thank you, Teresa. She's listened to this program before, knowing that. Thank you.
You're a great audience member, Teresa.
Yeah, go ahead.
I love listening to American Family Radio. My question real quick was, I'm in my 60s and I've never heard Calvinism brought up more and more till now. And I know the verse that God says, he. He wills that all be saved and all come to repentance. So how does the thought of Calvinism fit into that?
Well, good question. And, I want to preface this by saying, look, I love all believers, but I'm not a Calvinist. And I do not believe that
many,
of the core teachings of Calvinism, like limited atonement, that Christ only died for the elect, and that, there are those that are the elect who go to heaven, the non elect go to hell. And sometimes Calvinism is called decretal theology, as in God decrees who is non elect. I don't believe in Calvinism because, for a lot of reasons, but, as one writer said, and by the way, this was a professor at a Southern Baptist seminary, Kenneth Keith Lee. he said Calvin, and I'm quoting, he said Calvinism is a philosophical system and not a hermeneutically defensible position. End of quote. Now, what that means is there are presuppositions or assumptions that drive Calvinism. 1, 1 presupposition or assumption is that humans don't have free will because if we did, that would necessarily undermine God's sovereignty. Well, over and over, you see, where humans have free will. Bert, I was in a conference with Jon Piper, and he held up the Bible. And we love Jon Piper. God bless Jon Piper. But he held up the Bible. He said, there's nowhere in this book that says humans have free will. And I thought, yes, you know, we have to, choose. You know, Romans 10:13, whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. you know, Jon 11:26, whoever believes in me shall never die.
That's it.
Matthew 7:24. Whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man. So, I know Calvinists love Jesus. This non Calvinist right here loves Jesus. But Bert, the idea that God elects some, just to send them to hell so that he can flex his providential, strength, that's. That's just not biblical.
it is not. I would say this. I'm not sure we've quoted Adrian Rogers, so we better get it in this week.
Amen.
M. Dr. Rogers called that fatalism. You know, not predestination, but fatalism. God, his grace is sufficient for every human being when you turn to him. And so I don't want to add to that because we got callers, and let's get to them.
And let me recommend the great, Norm Geisler wrote a book, Bethany House Publishers. It's called Chosen but Free. Norman L. Geisler. Fantastic book on that. Let's go to Mississippi Blake in Mississippi Blake, welcome to Exploring the Word.
How are y' all doing today?
Very well. Thank you for calling.
Yes, sir. I'd start by just saying I love y' all show. I. I listen to it every. Every time I get in the truck. It's set on this station. And I just really appreciate yalls knowledge in the book and in the words.
And thank you.
So my question is, people, do people consider the second coming of Christ like when. When he returns for the church?
Or would.
Would the first coming of Christ not have been when they heard of him? Being born. And then the second coming would have been after he arose from the dead. So is it the second coming that. That they say that we're still waiting on, or would that be the third coming of Christ?
just a.
Just a wandering question, really.
Bert.
I, speak.
Okay, yeah, coming. he, he descended after his death. he did not come from heaven. He went from heaven, from Earth to heaven. You remember. Don't hold on to me. I have not yet ascended, so that would not be considered his coming. And for us, the second coming, a lot of times we put it in a big category, and we count the Rapture. The Rapture is not literally the second coming. The second coming of Christ to Earth is when he comes back after that seven years, puts his foot there on the Mount of Olives and great things happening. So, it's kind of like the temple that way. First, second, third temple and everything. And what, Herod did, he revamped the old temple, but it gets mixed up sometime. But, Blake, I would say no, the second coming was not after the resurrection. Alex, take it away.
Yeah, yeah. Jesus is coming back again. like Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 2, Thessalonians 1 referenced this. So the second coming of Christ has not happened yet. Now it will. we don't know exactly when, but, no, even though he rose and ascended to heaven, that wasn't the second Coming. we. We yet await that blessed day. Thank you, Richard in Louisiana. Richard, welcome, to Exploring the Word.
Well, thank you all very much for having me. And, my name. I'm. I'm a pastor, and I am preaching, this coming Sunday out of, Revelations, where Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea. And I try to do sticky church and get people into what I'm preaching on before I ever preach it a couple of weeks before. And I have found that many people have seen that passage of Scripture and actually think that Jesus wants either people to believe in him all the way or not believe in him at all. Now, and I was really, stirred up by that misconception that. That, you know what that, phrase means when he says, you know, you're neither hot nor cold, and because you're lukewarm, I will spew out of a mouth. And he's actually speaking of our, our complacency or not not doing anything, and that he doesn't want us to not believe in him. He wants us to wholly believe in Him. Could you address that a little bit more
God bless you and thank you, Pastor, for preaching, the book of Revelation. I think that's wonderful. Bert, do you want to speak to this? This is in Revelation 3:14 and following the angel of the church at laodicea. And, 15, very famously, you're lukewarm, by the way, just a tepid water, not hot or cold. Bert, what do you want to say about that?
Okay. I agree with him. This is the whole area. He wants us to know him and know him in his fullness, regardless of how you might interpret this, whether they were saved or whether they where the listen notice. And I used this yesterday, Paul, when he was writing to the Corinthian Church, he was really letting them happen. He said, listen, you're still babes in Christ. You're yet. He said, you're yet carnal. And when you read that, that C A R, N O L, it means fleshly. You're being driven by your old nature, not the new nature. And, I, you know, God says, that spew you out of my mouth. It means you've made me sick. And, Alex, I think those believers that been redeemed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and they're just mediocre. Listen, what a bad testimony. I think it does make God, sick a little bit because it says, quench not my spirit. You grieve the Holy Spirit. I think that's the same thing as grieving or similar to grieve in the Holy Spirit. Go ahead.
Yeah. And you know, when it says I would that you were either hot or cold, I don't think, God isn't saying, I wish some of you did believe and some of you didn't believe. No, he's not saying that. The, The Greek word there, that is translated lukewarm in the English, klio Ross, or clear Ross, however you pronounce it. It means tepid. You know, it's. In other words, you're just nothing non committal. And we'd say, somebody's on fire for Jesus. They're hot. Or somebody has repented of sin. They're cold and turned away from sin. I think what it means is take a position, you know? and the Laodiceans, they love their m. Money. They say, I'm rich, prosperous. I need nothing. And Jesus is saying, get some conviction and turn to me because you're tepid. Lukewarm, just like, stagnant. He said, you know, it's nauseating. A backslidden Christian is nauseating even to God.
That's the whole idea. And so those, you know, somebody said, okay, from a 1 to 10, how close are you to Jesus? And people wanting to be modest say, well, I'm a 5 according to Laodicean Church. That's, no, you need to be man. You be a 8, 9 or 10. Follow Christ all the way. Alex.
Amen. Mona M In Kentucky and the other callers. We're out of time right now. I hear that music. And please listen, in Monday, call in. We'll do our very best to get everybody but Bert and Brent and, Richard and everybody. It's to be been a great day on exploring the word, hasn't it?
It really has. We love fire away Friday. One reason we leave it, love it is because we get to talk to more of you. And, remember, you can do it at word. You can do it on Facebook and Brent will get that to us. And, we love to, to hear from you either way. But we pray that you'll go to church this Sunday, worship the Lord Jesus Christ, encourage others by your presence and by your words. Again, tell someone about exploring the Word in afr, but more importantly, tell them, about Jesus.
The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.
It's Fire Away Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your [email protected] or visit facebook.com exploring the word. It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.
Now, unto him, you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Well, that's Jude 24 and 25. And with that wonderful scripture, we welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the Word.
Hey.
We take Bible questions all hour on Fire Away Friday. And this is that day. So the number is 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. And Bert, I see we've got calls coming in and, we do a little thing here. Brent Austin, Bert and myself, we like to see what a record we can set. And you want to try to do that today, Bert.
Amen. We compete with ourselves, and so we're doing that. So if you've got questions, we want. And by the way, before we start, a prayer request real quick.
Okay.
And that is next week, Jan and I will be doing our fishbowl retreat up in Pigweek Landon, State park in Tennessee. We're looking forward to that. we got couples coming in from 11 or 12 different states, pray for their traveling grace.
Praise the Lord.
Yeah, we're looking forward to it. So be praying for it. It's pastor appreciation month, so appreciate you, pastor. And, that's what this is all about. And, we're looking forward to that. And also let's be praying. There's been a lot of shootings this month. I just went in. The last one was, up in Bend, Oregon. And so we have, we have a
lot of listeners up there.
Yep, we do. And so it hit me, and I know they had some in, Georgia and different places. And so we're asking God, just man, lawlessness and, so, but be praying for those, especially in Bend, Oregon, those, I think it was the 5, 7 and 11 year old children that were killed. And a teacher.
Well, Bert, I'm going to ask you to pray. And also these elections coming up. And let me just say about the fishbowl retreat, Bert, thank you, for being such an encouragement to America's pastors and, myself included, you, you inspire so many. And thank you. The the fishbowl retreats that you and Jan do, I've been to several. They are fantastic. But for encouraging the, the shepherds. Thank you, brother.
Well, thank you. Jan came up with that idea. We were much, much younger when this idea came about. Jan and I did this and we would raise the money and we would invite young pastors and their wives and. But when we came to AFR, 15 said let's keep on doing and sharing about the fishbowl. So we are looking forward to it. And So Brent, what was you telling me? I couldn't read that fast so you just got to get on the radio and tell me.
No, you guys were talking about elections and stuff. I'm not trying to, to toot my own horn or anything, but another show I produce is called the Compass and it's a really great resource to help you with elections. And it's on AFR as well on Saturday afternoons.
And we have something I vote or guide and you can find out in your state, in your district, in your area. I voter guide and it's a great resource.
Amen. Bert, what would you pray?
I will, Father, thank you that we can call upon you. And we do pray for our elections coming up just real soon. And I know what they're saying. It doesn't look like that the House or Senate possibly, may stay in more conservative hands. And we're praying, God, that you would just intervene in believers lives and Father, help them to get out. And Father, we pray that more than anything that you would speak to our hearts and give us, I hate to say this, what we need in order to draw closer to you. And we trust you. That's the bottom line. I pray for the fishbowl retreat and I pray God you'd be those pastors and their wives as they make their trek to Tennessee. May you be glorified in it. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amen. Amen. Well, we are going to go to Arkansas. Linne, in Arkansas, you're the first caller on today's edition of Exploring the Word.
Okay, great, thank you. First, I just want to say real quick, the last time I called I could not hear you guys at all. And so I listened to the podcast later and I sounded really mean because you said thank you for calling and I said nothing. And then it kind of went like that. And so then I, I got to hear your answer on the podcast. But anyway, sorry about that.
No worries. We're honored to have you.
Okay. Well, anything. Anyway, my question is, I was at a revelation Bible study and, the subject of voting, came up. Actually, I asked the question or made the comment about how important it was for us to vote, and it was said by somebody else, well, God has already figured out, you know, basically everything the way it's going to go. So they didn't say you don't need to vote, but that comment was made. And so I just want to know in the Bible if there's a scripture you could tell me to give people who don't think they need to vote who are Christian.
let me jump in here and Bert, I'm gonna throw it to you after this, but, I think about 2nd Chronicles 7:14. If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven. and he'll forgive their sin and heal their land. there's a, there's the word if. And so God knows everything, but he doesn't force. wasn't God that put gay marriage into law in 2015. You know, it wasn't God that put those quarantines and shut the houses of worship in 2020. we have the opportunity to elect leaders that are hopefully godly constitutionalists. And so while God knows everything, you know, First Peter, chapter one, verse two, speaks of the foreknowledge of God. but, you know, we're not fatalists. God didn't just make it happen. We have free will, we responsibility. And with these elections in America, we have opportunity. Bert, what do you say?
I would say, and agree with everything you said. And remember, we are stewards. That means managers of what, what's being given to us and what we have. We have the privilege and responsibility to be a steward of our vote. And hey, if you're going to be faithful, you better be one that is informed and vote. So I would add to that, that that's your responsibility as a, as a responsible follower of Jesus Christ. And so, I would say, yes, vote.
Amen. Thank you, Richard in Alabama. Richard, welcome to the program.
Thank you. Thank you. I had a question on Jesus having, the Passover feet with his disciples the night before he was taken.
And I, my question is, I've heard
pastors talk about Jesus being the moment
that he was sacrificed on the cross, the Passover lamb was being sacrificed for the, for the Passover dinner.
Is that true?
now that I don't know, you know, I know that, you know, Paul in 1st Corinthians 5, 7 and Peter both refer to Jesus as, quote, Christ, our passover lamb. but, at Jon 19:30, where Christ died on the cross and said it is finished, was that when the passover lamb was getting sacrificed that year? Burnt? I mean, it makes sense, but I have to say, I don't know for sure.
I don't know. But going back, and again, I refer to this quite often as Jesus was in command of the time and the hours in which he would spend. it was true the whole time. Okay. But on his way from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem, which. Where he would be crucified, everything seems to be lined out on a time pendulum. and it being at the right precise time. I had not heard that, Richard. he is our passover lamb. Praise God for that. but the hour, I would say this. It would not surprise me at all how connected that is. And by the way, that number, if you want to call, is 888-589-8840. We have lines that are open. We're going to try to get to as many calls today as we can. So this would be your day. But, Richard, thank you for calling, brother.
let's go to Ohio. Rebecca in Ohio. Rebecca. That's a Bible name. Yay. Welcome to the program.
Thank you. Thank you guys for what you do. Thanks for taking my question. in Matthew 23:9, it says to call no one on earth your father. And I think I've heard you discuss it, and I don't remember what the. What the description was, because through scripture, it's often used. And. And we talk about your honor, your father and mother, and things like that. So why does it say call no m man here on earth, your father.
Bert, you want to go? Yeah. And that is Matthew 23:9.
I was reading that the other day, Alex, and I thought the same thing. And as, far as your father and, you know, the person that is your earthly father, but in that context, it seemed like it was a position of reverence of, you know, nobody taking the place of God. That's what I read, Rebecca. they do not. I know priests, Catholic priests, they can be called father. And so I decided I'd look up, and I said, what is an alternative to. In place of calling the Catholic priest father? And again, you can call them Reverend. You can call them. They had one or two options there, but I do believe do not take the place of God. Alex, go ahead.
Well, let me say in Matthew 23:9, it says, don't call anyone on earth Father, for you have won Father, your Heavenly Father. Then it says, nor are you to be called teachers, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. Now, obviously teachers exist, and obviously fathers exist, biological fathers and certain clergy. I really think it's the intent, if you look at the larger context, the intent of the heart, because Jesus says, you know, the Pharisees like to be called rabbi in the marketplace. You know, obviously there's no Lord but the Lord Jesus. There's no God but God himself. So I don't think it means that we can't use the word Father or for that matter, the word teacher, verse 10. But we've got to remember our ultimate teacher is God, our Lord, our Master, Creator, Redeemer, and the highest of our reverence and worship is due to God and God only.
I agree with that. We're coming up on a minute break, before the break starts. So Lana, you're next. But before we do, Alex, I'll, be preaching at Ozark Baptist Church. I've been there now, quite a few months as their interim pastor. Looking forward to that. And we would invite anybody in northeast Mississippi. 11 o', clock, Ozark Baptist Church. You can Google it and find directions, find everything you want about it. It's awesome to be used on, a Sunday, isn't it?
Well, it is. And I've got the great privilege. I'll be at Mount Pleasant Church right outside of Greensboro on the Alamance Church Road, this Sunday and next week, good Lord willing. So if you're anywhere near Mount Pleasant Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sure would love to have you come on out. Well, we've got a brief break. we're in high gear on exploring the Word, so call us with your Bible question. 8885-898840-88858, 98840. Stay tuned.
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I know, I want to hear the rest of it, but we've got a full load of, callers. So, Alex, I'm, wasting no time. Where did we go to next?
Tennessee, Lana. In Tennessee. Lana, thanks for holding welcome to the program.
Thank you.
My question is.
Yes.
My question is on Acts, chapter 1, verse 16. I believe it was Peter who said the Scriptures had to be fulfilled when David prophesied about Judas betraying Jesus. I wondered if you could help me connect the dots there and I'll hang up and listen to your answer.
Yeah.
Bert, what do you say?
Is this from Psalm 41:9? Something about a, betrayal. and it was that that Judas chariot would be the one. he didn't have to do it, but, Scripture says he would be that. I haven't found that, and I can't quote it, but Alex, yeah.
In Acts 1:16, you know, he said, men, brothers, it was necessary that the Scripture be, fulfilled, which foretold through the Holy Spirit, the mouth of David concerning Judas. I've got this Greek NewSong Testament here. But yeah, he was referencing the fact that he would be betrayed. And that is in Psalm 41:9. Yeah. Yeah.
Even my own familiar friend, in whom. Whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. So, Lana, that is it. 41 9. Again, it's bread. You know what he said, the one that I give the dip to and, lifted up his heel against me. So that is it. And that does connect. That.
Let's go to North Carolina. Brad in North Carolina. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Yeah. How's it going?
Good. Good to have you.
Okay. Good to be here. I wanted to, compare two stories. First, I'm gonna, Well, first I'm going to tell you about a man I met when I was about 12 years old by the name of Thom Landry. And, in, around Charlotte, North Carolina, he gave me a message. And I've never. Well, I can't say I've never forgotten it because I did. And that's. That's the bad part. But, But the thing is, he. He gave me this message, and it was personal. And it was not in auditorium. It wasn't in a. It wasn't in a big crowd. It was actually at his house. That or at a house he owned right there, close to Charlotte. So anyway, so what I would say about that is if all the coaches across north, across the US and their teammates, if they could follow him, That would change. That would change the country.
Amen. let me give you another coach. I know you got more to say. More, to say, Brad, but let me say I'd say the same thing about the basketball coach, Jon Wooden, if, we could. Thom Landry Jon Wooden. I just want to tell you, they were the real deal. Who was the, coach of the Washington Redskins? Joe Gibbs. Another one. So they've been these people in these positions. Thom Landry, Jon Wooden, Joe Gibbs. They have made a difference, not only in the men they coach, but the lives of other people, too. Alex.
And I've got to say this, really the first big event that I ever had the privilege of organizing in Greensboro. We had Thom Landry come and, we had this, singing group, point of grace. Do you remember them?
I do. Yes, I do.
I worked. I give God the glory. But we had about 8,000 teenagers come out to the Greensboro Coliseum, and I spent the whole day with coach Landry, and he did the program, and we had a huge altar call. Coach Thom Landry was the kindest, most accessible, and, you know, he had won, you know, so many games and took the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. And, I just. It was just amazing to be in the presence of this great man of God, coach Thom Landry.
Amen.
But, Brad, continue, please.
Okay, well, I'll just say this much. As far as he goes, I don't remember exactly all of it, but I remember there was only a small, small group of us there. It was only about maybe five or ten of us there with him at this house. So, anyway. But I would. I would just have them. I go along with you on that. The two stories I wanted to compare is. I know one is bringing gifts into the storehouse, bringing gifts to the house to actually not only bless. Bless the church and, Christian ministry, but also to make up with people. And they say if you have a problem like that commute, like at commute communion, you bring in gifts, some type of gifts into the. Into the church to, make up for that. So I wanted to compare that with the story of Jesus walking into the, Walking into the church and turning tables over with the whip and all that. You know, how do you compare that when they. I mean, I know they were trying to sell. They were trying to sell does and all that. To make money for themselves, probably. But compare those two, if you would.
well, the contrast of, the love and the mercy of Jesus versus the righteous indignation of Jesus in that regard?
well, let me, say in here, in him turning over the tables, what they were doing. And I catch this. They, were. What they were doing that was what is called the court of the gentiles. In other words, those people that would be visiting, like the Ethiopian eunuch that would come from Ethiopia to hear about the one true God. they, they didn't have room for anybody like that. They had to put their tables in there to, to, to sell their goods to make money. And where they had make money was the exchange. They had their own currency. So you had to take your currency and turn it into theirs. And they. That way as well. So there was double that far as leaving your, it says leaving your gift at the altar first go and be reconciled to your brother and then come back and offer your gift. And again, it's two different things. And so he was one, he was disciplined in the. Both of them had the idea of discipline. Okay. And both of them are missional in a way. If when you win a brother, Alex, reconciliation, that's missional. And what they were doing by leaving the court of the gentiles full of money changers and everything like that, they were doing away with the possibility of missions. That's my thoughts on it. Brad.
Brad, thanks for listening. Thanks for the question. Let's go to Georgia. Jon in Georgia. Welcome to the program.
Yes, sir. can you hear me all right?
Yes. Yes.
Okay. So they're teaching in my church things about the Jews, and they talked about Jews through history when they were in Russia and a lot of things like the tomahawk and all that. And I'm learning a lot of stuff about it, but they seem to be anti Jewish. And they say that, reddish part now where they're teaching that the Jews don't belong in the land because after the crucifixion, 70 A.D. jesus used the Romans to throw them out of the land and they should never have come back. And that, you know, them being in the land is something we shouldn't support in the United States. And I, I'm getting mixed feelings about all this because there, there have been a lot of negative things that the Jews have done down through history. But I've always supported the Jews being in the land. And, you know, it's hard for me to understand. Did God want them to leave when he. When he did that, or when he allowed the Romans to throw it to destroy the temple and disperse the Jews? Or does he want them back in the land?
well, God bless you for caring about this. let me say, in Matthew 23:38, we just went over this Matthew 23:38 and Luke 13, where Jesus, as he's going to the cross, he cursed the fig tree and said, your house is left desolate. I do think that was, predictive of the fact that In March of 70 A.D. rome would overthrow Israel. However, their right to the land is an everlasting right. God, told Abraham in Genesis 12 and elsewhere, wherever your foot treads, I will give you this land for an everlasting covenant. And I want to say I vehemently disagree with any, preacher that says Israel does not belong in the land of Israel. by historical precedent and by divine right, the, the Abrahamic covenant is, as Romans says, an everlasting covenant. And the fact that Jesus was crucified, yes, many of the Jews rejected Jesus. Many of the Jews believed in Jesus, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea and the early disciples. But we don't blame the Jews alone for the death of Jesus because he was crucified on a Roman cross. It was Jew and Gentile. But, the Jews of today are the genetic descendants of the Jews of the Bible. ethnically, the Jews are still the Jews. Geographically, that is still their land. And, it's a larger story about why I would reject what's called replacement theology. and Bert, I love the church and I believe in the church and I'm part of the church. But, it is wrong. I'm not just going to say I disagree. I'm saying it is factually, scripturally, historically erroneous to say that that land is not the land of Israel and the property of the Jews.
Amen. I would, I could not add any more to that. I agree. It's there when you look at future events. You, Israel in the middle of it, in their land in Jerusalem. And, so they have every right. Well, before we go to the next caller, I know Brent has got some that's come in, so we'll go to there. Brent, you got that question ready?
I'm going to take this one from Facebook. it's from Maryanne. Her question is Ephesians 1:10. The phrase fullness of the times. Exactly what is this referring to?
Bert, you want to talk about that?
Okay, Ephesians 1:10. Here it is. that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ. Okay, the fullness of times, as far as what I understand, all times are his. But he came in the fullness of time. He came at that appointed time. Time. So God does have those appointed times, the thousand year reign. those years are, they're there. I think God has an appointed time also for times of the gentiles. We don't know when that is when it starts. But in those dispensation areas, God has his time. some people call it a timetable and, I understand it that way. Alex. So what about you?
Yeah, you know, it's also that word is in Romans 11:25 as well. The fullness of time or the full. it really means the completion of the gentiles or the completion of the church. Age is.
Is really in that context. It does, yeah.
Yeah. Yes, it does. And so, and I believe that, it's going to be the rapture. the, the conclusion of what we call the church. Age will be the moment the church is caugh. And during the tribulation, many, many, many people will get saved. They'll also get martyred. And I think it'll be almost exclusively Jewish people during the tribulation. Not completely. I mean, I think there'll be some gentiles saved. But, M Just as the majority of believers in this era have been gentile, although the number of Jewish believers today is just exploding. Glory to God. But during the tribulation, it'll be kind of the inverse of that. I believe, Bert.
I do as well. When you read that 144,000 Jewish missionaries and as you say it, Billy Graham's going, and a great multitude that came out of that period of time, it seems Jewish to me as well.
M. Let's go to, California. Paul. Paul in California. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Thank you, sir. Thank you, gentlemen. I had a quick question about dreams. there was a book I read a while back from Nabil Qureshi, seeking Allah, finding Jesus.
Yes.
And he was talking about how his family put a lot of stock in dreams. And then I've watched a few, Muslims provide their test, former Muslims provide their testimonies. And they also talked about that why do they seem to have a disproportionate amount of dreams? And I don't hear so much about that in Christianity.
Okay, God bless you. Can I go first on this one, Alex?
Absolutely, yes.
I know you're supposed to, but, I want to tell you when did the dreams. I want to use Joseph, the husband of Mary, in God leading him. There was three dreams involved in getting him to know that he could marry her, to know when to get out of town of, Bethlehem and when to come back. Now, what did he not have? He did not have the Word of God. The Word of God is a more sure word. But the. Our. My son Nathan, worked as a missionary. And a lot of these were Muslims that he was working with and witnessing to them. They would, he would tell them about Jesus and they would say, oh, that's who I've dreamed about. Guess what they weren't doing? They weren't reading the Bible, you know, so God intervenes. I believe dreams still have a place. But I really believe what I've seen recently, it's more in the area of enlightenment on God and what he's done more than leadership, the way it was with Joseph, because we're indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We have the word of God. I think that's a more sure word. Alex, take it away.
absolutely. Do you know 21 times the Bible, talks about God speaking to people through dreams. Now I want to be very clear, like bert said in second Peter 1:19 through 21, it says that we are to listen to the sure word of prophecy, which is the Bible. However, and by the way, the caller mentioned the late great Nabil Qureshi. He was a personal friend of mine. We ministered together. I had him speak. I think a lot of the Muslims are learning about Jesus through dreams because that's how God is reaching. They may not have the Bible, they may not be able to publicly hear about Jesus. And so God is speaking. Jews and Muslims are very often finding Messiah through eye opening dreams now. Ah, we've got a break. We're going to come back. Another segment on exploring the word. Call us and stay tuned.
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for the sky still blue but my hope is in you. You're my joy. You're the dream that's still alive. And the wind at my back and the sun on the.
Oh, Brent is awesome. Brent Austin gave us some point of grace music there. I referenced them in the previous segment. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. fire away Friday. By the way, the number, if you've got a Bible question, the number is 888-589-8840. Bert and I would love to hear from you. Triple 858-9840. how about we go down to Texas, one of my favorite places. Becky in Texas. Becky, you're on.
Okay. Hi, Bert and Alex. I wanted to respond to the lady who called at the beginning of the program who Said she's in a Christian group. And the people are mostly thinking that, God has already determined who's going to win the election, so why vote? But in, Hosea, chapter 8, verses 3 and 4, it says, Israel has cast off the thing that is good. They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I knew not. So the idea that God has already picked out, that every ruler who's in place is picked out by God is just not true. According to Bible.
God bless you. And let me throw this in too. And folks, listen very carefully. Like Deuteronomy 1:13, God told Israel, choose some wise, understanding, respected men from each of your tribes and I will set them over you. So Bert, and by the way, Becky, fantastic biblical reference of the Hosea, eight, three and four. And then again to that I would add the Deuteronomy 1:13 that we, are called Israel was. And so are Americans called to choose our leaders. And we're enjoined to choose wise, godly leaders. Right, Bert?
We really are. What a contrast. If you compare this to what he says to the believers in the NewSong Testament, Put off the old man. Put it away from you. The old grave clothes, take them off. And here Israel has cast off the good. listen, this is what we got to do as believers. We need to live it, we really do, but we need to also vote it. I think we're going to be held accountable and responsible for responsibilities that we've had. To whom much is given, much is required. I'd use that one as well, Alex, because we've been given the privilege. Think about the history in the past of those people who lived in monarchies, who lived in, those that were in charge through communism and everything else. And they had to take it. But, I use these and again, two different sources. But time in the Bible says if my people. The Constitution says we the people. If God's people would be we the people. I want to tell you, it does make a difference.
It does.
By the way, if you have a Bible question, you will get through. We have open lines. Call us at 888-589-8840. And again in Texas this time, Jeff. Jeff in Texas. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Hey there, Alex and Bird. I appreciate what you guys do. Keep up the good ministry. I really, wanted to talk about what you guys said about Muslims and seeing Jesus and pray in their dreams.
sure.
So I guess the name Issa in the Quran, Jesus. Jesus is their Messiah. Too, to defeat the Antichrist. So I would just keep that in mind as well. I love Jesus and, just hope everybody finds him and, recognizes him as God. Thank you.
Amen. Thank you.
Yeah.
Praise the Lord Jesus.
Do you have a comment?
Yeah, I do. Jesus is making himself known. The grace of God has appeared to all men. When you read the book of creation, book of Romans, and it is a book about creation, by the way, because it talks about when they worship the creature rather than the Creator. When you do all that, you're going down a vicious, vicious cycle. And so, the two things that you want to do, and I say this truthfully, and I was talking to someone about it just this week, tie in creation and redemption in his image. In his image, we were made in his image. But then in the image of God, we, through his redemption plan, we have a connection. We have this, place in our lives where God makes himself known to us and lives in us. So, Alex, guess what we're to do after Christ comes in? We're to image God in us. now isn't that a reverse. You see what I'm talking about?
Amen.
As creation image. But when Christ comes into our life, let people see your good works and glorify the Father who's in heaven. They need to see Christ in us. The hope of glory.
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Let's go to Arkansas. Teresa in Arkansas. Welcome to the program.
Yes, I'm trying to get. Make sure my radio's off.
Oh, thank you, Teresa. She's listened to this program before, knowing that. Thank you.
You're a great audience member, Teresa.
Yeah, go ahead.
I love listening to American Family Radio. My question real quick was, I'm in my 60s and I've never heard Calvinism brought up more and more till now. And I know the verse that God says, he. He wills that all be saved and all come to repentance. So how does the thought of Calvinism fit into that?
Well, good question. And, I want to preface this by saying, look, I love all believers, but I'm not a Calvinist. And I do not believe that
many,
of the core teachings of Calvinism, like limited atonement, that Christ only died for the elect, and that, there are those that are the elect who go to heaven, the non elect go to hell. And sometimes Calvinism is called decretal theology, as in God decrees who is non elect. I don't believe in Calvinism because, for a lot of reasons, but, as one writer said, and by the way, this was a professor at a Southern Baptist seminary, Kenneth Keith Lee. he said Calvin, and I'm quoting, he said Calvinism is a philosophical system and not a hermeneutically defensible position. End of quote. Now, what that means is there are presuppositions or assumptions that drive Calvinism. 1, 1 presupposition or assumption is that humans don't have free will because if we did, that would necessarily undermine God's sovereignty. Well, over and over, you see, where humans have free will. Bert, I was in a conference with Jon Piper, and he held up the Bible. And we love Jon Piper. God bless Jon Piper. But he held up the Bible. He said, there's nowhere in this book that says humans have free will. And I thought, yes, you know, we have to, choose. You know, Romans 10:13, whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. you know, Jon 11:26, whoever believes in me shall never die.
That's it.
Matthew 7:24. Whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man. So, I know Calvinists love Jesus. This non Calvinist right here loves Jesus. But Bert, the idea that God elects some, just to send them to hell so that he can flex his providential, strength, that's. That's just not biblical.
it is not. I would say this. I'm not sure we've quoted Adrian Rogers, so we better get it in this week.
Amen.
M. Dr. Rogers called that fatalism. You know, not predestination, but fatalism. God, his grace is sufficient for every human being when you turn to him. And so I don't want to add to that because we got callers, and let's get to them.
And let me recommend the great, Norm Geisler wrote a book, Bethany House Publishers. It's called Chosen but Free. Norman L. Geisler. Fantastic book on that. Let's go to Mississippi Blake in Mississippi Blake, welcome to Exploring the Word.
How are y' all doing today?
Very well. Thank you for calling.
Yes, sir. I'd start by just saying I love y' all show. I. I listen to it every. Every time I get in the truck. It's set on this station. And I just really appreciate yalls knowledge in the book and in the words.
And thank you.
So my question is, people, do people consider the second coming of Christ like when. When he returns for the church?
Or would.
Would the first coming of Christ not have been when they heard of him? Being born. And then the second coming would have been after he arose from the dead. So is it the second coming that. That they say that we're still waiting on, or would that be the third coming of Christ?
just a.
Just a wandering question, really.
Bert.
I, speak.
Okay, yeah, coming. he, he descended after his death. he did not come from heaven. He went from heaven, from Earth to heaven. You remember. Don't hold on to me. I have not yet ascended, so that would not be considered his coming. And for us, the second coming, a lot of times we put it in a big category, and we count the Rapture. The Rapture is not literally the second coming. The second coming of Christ to Earth is when he comes back after that seven years, puts his foot there on the Mount of Olives and great things happening. So, it's kind of like the temple that way. First, second, third temple and everything. And what, Herod did, he revamped the old temple, but it gets mixed up sometime. But, Blake, I would say no, the second coming was not after the resurrection. Alex, take it away.
Yeah, yeah. Jesus is coming back again. like Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 2, Thessalonians 1 referenced this. So the second coming of Christ has not happened yet. Now it will. we don't know exactly when, but, no, even though he rose and ascended to heaven, that wasn't the second Coming. we. We yet await that blessed day. Thank you, Richard in Louisiana. Richard, welcome, to Exploring the Word.
Well, thank you all very much for having me. And, my name. I'm. I'm a pastor, and I am preaching, this coming Sunday out of, Revelations, where Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea. And I try to do sticky church and get people into what I'm preaching on before I ever preach it a couple of weeks before. And I have found that many people have seen that passage of Scripture and actually think that Jesus wants either people to believe in him all the way or not believe in him at all. Now, and I was really, stirred up by that misconception that. That, you know what that, phrase means when he says, you know, you're neither hot nor cold, and because you're lukewarm, I will spew out of a mouth. And he's actually speaking of our, our complacency or not not doing anything, and that he doesn't want us to not believe in him. He wants us to wholly believe in Him. Could you address that a little bit more
God bless you and thank you, Pastor, for preaching, the book of Revelation. I think that's wonderful. Bert, do you want to speak to this? This is in Revelation 3:14 and following the angel of the church at laodicea. And, 15, very famously, you're lukewarm, by the way, just a tepid water, not hot or cold. Bert, what do you want to say about that?
Okay. I agree with him. This is the whole area. He wants us to know him and know him in his fullness, regardless of how you might interpret this, whether they were saved or whether they where the listen notice. And I used this yesterday, Paul, when he was writing to the Corinthian Church, he was really letting them happen. He said, listen, you're still babes in Christ. You're yet. He said, you're yet carnal. And when you read that, that C A R, N O L, it means fleshly. You're being driven by your old nature, not the new nature. And, I, you know, God says, that spew you out of my mouth. It means you've made me sick. And, Alex, I think those believers that been redeemed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and they're just mediocre. Listen, what a bad testimony. I think it does make God, sick a little bit because it says, quench not my spirit. You grieve the Holy Spirit. I think that's the same thing as grieving or similar to grieve in the Holy Spirit. Go ahead.
Yeah. And you know, when it says I would that you were either hot or cold, I don't think, God isn't saying, I wish some of you did believe and some of you didn't believe. No, he's not saying that. The, The Greek word there, that is translated lukewarm in the English, klio Ross, or clear Ross, however you pronounce it. It means tepid. You know, it's. In other words, you're just nothing non committal. And we'd say, somebody's on fire for Jesus. They're hot. Or somebody has repented of sin. They're cold and turned away from sin. I think what it means is take a position, you know? and the Laodiceans, they love their m. Money. They say, I'm rich, prosperous. I need nothing. And Jesus is saying, get some conviction and turn to me because you're tepid. Lukewarm, just like, stagnant. He said, you know, it's nauseating. A backslidden Christian is nauseating even to God.
That's the whole idea. And so those, you know, somebody said, okay, from a 1 to 10, how close are you to Jesus? And people wanting to be modest say, well, I'm a 5 according to Laodicean Church. That's, no, you need to be man. You be a 8, 9 or 10. Follow Christ all the way. Alex.
Amen. Mona M In Kentucky and the other callers. We're out of time right now. I hear that music. And please listen, in Monday, call in. We'll do our very best to get everybody but Bert and Brent and, Richard and everybody. It's to be been a great day on exploring the word, hasn't it?
It really has. We love fire away Friday. One reason we leave it, love it is because we get to talk to more of you. And, remember, you can do it at word. You can do it on Facebook and Brent will get that to us. And, we love to, to hear from you either way. But we pray that you'll go to church this Sunday, worship the Lord Jesus Christ, encourage others by your presence and by your words. Again, tell someone about exploring the Word in afr, but more importantly, tell them, about Jesus.
The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.
Join the hosts of American Family Radio's Exploring the Word for a fast-paced "Fire Away Friday" episode! In this episode, Alex and Bert answer listener-submitted Bible questions covering a wide range of topics, including the biblical responsibility of voting as Christians, Jesus as our Passover lamb, whether God speaks through dreams today, the truth about Calvinism, the second coming of Christ, and understanding the lukewarm church of Laodicea. Tune in for deep biblical insights, practical spiritual guidance, and encouragement for believers.
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