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When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Well, with that wonderful, wonderful verse from Matthew 25:31, I, welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the Word. Hope you're doing well. Alex McFarland here along with Bert Harper. We invite you to get a copy of God's Word and turn to the NewSong Testament Book of Matthew, chapter 25. And we'll continue just a rich chapter that we began with yesterday with Dr. Jon Bowler. but also let me say today on Tuesdays of Exploring the Word, we call it the day of prayer. And we always take Bible questions. But on Tuesdays, we especially maximize on people's prayer requests. And we've had people share all sorts of things that we're praying about and we, we pray together. We'll lift them up and pray together. You can also share things on Facebook. If you're on the, Exploring the Word Facebook page, we'd love for you to post. And you can message Brent Austin with prayer requests. You can also email wordfr.net but Bert, from the reading of God's Word, the study of the Bible, to praying together and just holding each other's arms up, don't you love the camaraderie and the family that we have through the Exploring the Word audience?
Amen. And there's a song that comes to my mind and it's not necessarily a Christian song. It's not, but it has it. Lean on Me. You remember that song, Lean on me when you're weary.
Bill Withers.
Is that who did it? Okay, I figured you'd know it, you musician. But, I say that, you know, we need each other, Alex. we need to pray and seek the Lord, but we need one another. God, made, gave us the church and, to have this to pray together, to share together, to hurt together, to praise the Lord together. So on Tuesday, I think it's a little bit more, demonstrated on Exploring the Word when we do this in prayer.
Well, amen. And you know, we've had people call in about, employment. You know, people said that, hey, I need a job. Galatians 6:2. And we are going to get to Matthew 25. But Galatians 6:2 says, bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. And so don't be shy. Look, we've all got stuff going on, and, today's day of prayer. We'll get to prayer requests later on, but, yesterday we were talking about. In Matthew 20, you know, there's the parable of the foolish virgins with no oil in their lamp, representing those that knew about salvation, but they were not ready for the bridegroom's arrival. The talents. The guy with one talent, he buried it in the ground. He said, lord, I know, this is not, anything that is of a soft, obedient heart, but a hard heart. But in, like, verse 24, Lord, I knew you were a hard man. No, God is a good God. He's not mean or cruel.
Somebody got bad information, didn't they?
They really did.
And I believe that's a, real epidemic. People have bad, bad information about our God, Alex. Yeah, And I think that's why exploring the Word is so important, that those of us that are believers know this and need to be reminded, but those that tune in, that they're seeking and searching, listen. God's a good, good God. He's a. I love that song. He's a good, good father. He really is.
Well, he really is, Bert. And you feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here, but as I kind of go through 24 and 25, and this is part of a larger. It's what's called the O discourse. And Christ was teaching. And, you know, he talks about, the tribulation. Nobody knows the day or the hour 24 concluded. A faithful servant and an evil servant. And it sort of focuses and focuses about all of our personal responsibility to be ready to meet the bridegroom, to be faithful with what we've been entrusted, which does include, how much gospel we've been exposed to. Folks, we are accountable for the response we gave to the truth God revealed. And finally, we get to 31 through 46, and Jesus says that he is coming back with his holy angels sitting on the throne. And verse 32, all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from. From the goats. And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Now, it all gets down to this personal accountability. And, folks, until we are born again, we're, not the sheep of his pasture, but we're goats. You don't want to be that. The good shepherd is inviting you today into his fold.
Amen. And that goat is not the greatest of all time. It is. It is a goat. Now, listen, verse 31, coming in his glory. This I, believe it's after the tribulation. He's coming to set up his kingdom. Because notice what it says. He said, he will sit on the throne of his glory for that thousand years he'll reign. And so he comes back at this time, and then all the nations are gathered together. Now, that means all the people groups, every one of them. And that is, Now, I don't usually get into the Greek, but sometimes it's very important. This is gender neuter. In other words, it's just neither male nor female. It's all of them. But when you get to the word them in verse 32, he will separate them one from one another. It's a masculine form, which means individual. He's not judging a whole group. He's judging individuals out of those groups. And this word nations is another word for gentile in the. In other words, this is the people during the tribulation. There's going to be some judgments, here, Alex, about what's going on and what they've done. Because later on he's talking about what they had done, helping the brethren or the she, you know, the Jewish people. So this is an interesting passage to look at in all those ways. And, But the main thing is he's going to have this separation, the sheep and the goats. And the principle is, no matter when, okay, after the tribulation, right now, before the rapture, you want to be faithful and trust in Jesus. Now, that's. Again, I do believe there's different sections where God is operating. He always operates in grace and faith. He always does that. But in these different dispensations, these different changes in times, he instilled that separation and accountability of being right with God or not being right with God. That's. That's from Genesis, all the way through, isn't it?
It is. Amen. chapter 25, the final verse in chapter 25. And then we're going to go back a bit. These will go away into everlasting punishment, the goats, but the righteous into eternal life. Now, I would encourage people to read 34 through 45, and. And let me just skim it very briefly. And then I'm gonna. I wanna point out something that I think is very important. Then the king will say to those on his right hand, come you blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world. Boy, there's a lot in that. And he goes on, he says, look, I was hungry, and you, you helped feed me and, and naked. And you helped clothe me in prison. You came to visit me. The righteous will ask, when did we ever do this? And he says, well, as much as you did it to one of the least of these, it's like you've done it for me. And then he says to those on his left hand, depart from me. You cursed this verse 41. Into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Okay, first of all, hell is a place humans weren't intended to go. Now, some do go there, sadly, because they reject Jesus. But what, what was hell originally about? It was prepared for the devil and his angels. Now, Bert, I want to say this. It wasn't feeding the hungry that got the righteous saved, and it wasn't ignoring the hungry that made the goats lost. would you comment on this? Because, these are very important. I was hungry. You did not give me food. verse 42, I was a stranger, and you did not take me in verse 43. it wasn't doing good works that made the righteous righteous, and it wasn't doing quote unquote, good, bad works that made the unrighteous unrighteous, was it?
It was not. Now listen, God always, always looks first at the heart, the motivation, the reason why. Looking at David being selected by, By God, through, through Samuel, going to Jesse's home and seeing those boys that were better looking, taller, more built out. And here comes David, you know, God looks at the heart. God looked at the heart of Judas's chariot. We'll get to that in chapter, the next chapter. He looks at the heart, and the, the heart is the motivation for these actions. And the out of the heart are the issues of life. If you have a heart change, it changes that which you do. If there's no change. Listen, if there's not been a change in your life, we're not talking about being perfect. We, we're not talking about instantaneous, having maturity. That's a process of growing. But there's a change of direction. You're looking to God and this is demonstrating that. I, I believe it's during the tribulation period when they were. He's judging them for what they've done, because remember what he says. He comes in his glory. This is not the great White Throne judgment. This doesn't seem to be the, the Judgment, seat of Christ. It's not, this is the. Some people's called it the judgment of the nations. Not a general judgment where it all. But this is specific, I think. Alex, I don't know if you got that out of this or not.
Yes, absolutely, absolutely. And let me just say, also verse, 41, depart from me, you curse into the everlasting fire. Now, Jonathan Edwards was one of the great leaders of the, revolutionary era, one of the early presidents of Princeton, and quite a philosopher and theologian. And he was talking about the subject of hell. Ah, the everlasting punishment of the lost. Sometimes you'll see, maybe a church has a doctrinal statement and it'll say, we believe in the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost, the everlasting conscious blessedness of the saved. And that's. That's true. Jonathan Edwards said about hell, he said, tis dreadful, tis awful, but tis true. Notice, if you look at 46, the loss, Jesus says, go away into, quote, everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Bert, we don't relish, this. We're not, you know, rejoicing over this, but it's just true. The Bible describes that some are lost, not saved. There is hell. It is of fire. It is of everlasting duration. I see in this that universalism is false and annihilationism is false. And, the idea, well, if there is a heaven, everybody goes, not, not according to Jesus. Well, maybe some are lost, but they end up and they just cease to exist. Not according to Jesus. And Bert, I realize these are somber, sober things, but according to, I mean, in my Bible, it's in red, the words of Christ, hell is real and it's forever. For those that reject Jesus, it is,
and we need to hear that. We need to hear truth. One thing that caught my attention, the Sermon on the Mount back in earlier, part of Matthew 5, 6, and 7. And here, the Olivet discourse. Listen to this similarity. When Jesus talks about the two ways to the kingdom, he says, depart from me. I never knew you. Here he says, depart from me again. What? That's the words you don't want to hear. You want to hear, Come unto me, all you who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Well, we'll be back with more of, Matthew right after this break. Hello, I'm Bert Harper. Did you know that this content is listener supported? Without people like you, this podcast would not exist. That's why we need you. A generous monthly Gift of any amount will sustain American Family Radio and specifically this podcast. Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.netgive that's afr.net give. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Bertie and Alex here, and Brent's over there. Man. He is. He is with the rhythm. Thank you, Brent. Love you, brother. Appreciate all the work you do here. Well, we're in chapter 26, and let me share this about Matthew. Matthew is not necessarily all in chronological order. Sometimes what Matthew did, he would gather events and sayings and the sermons and put them together. And chapter 26 is referring to times some earlier. Listen to the phrases and you'll get it. now, it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings that he said to his disciples, you know, that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. Now, that's it. Now notice what he does. Then the chief priests, scribes, and the elders and people assembled at the palace at the high priest, who were called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery to kill him. But they said, not during the feast, lest there be any uproar among the people. Now, again, verse six refers back earlier. That's after that, after these sayings, but verse 6. And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of, Simon the leper, that had occurred earlier. And you find this in Jon, chapter 12, and it gives you the chronological order, and it does it in a way. But, Alex, when you come to chapter 26, we're getting to it right now. This Passion Week. He's cleansed the temple. He came in triumphant entry before that. And now listen to these words. They plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill him. The only way they could take him was trickery. If they dealt in truth, they would have already been following him, would they not?
Yeah, yeah, you're right about this. I mean, the whole thing is deceitful trickery. isn't that something? And by the way, like in verse five says, not during the feast, lest there be, an uproar among the people. I looked. it's really the word for riot. The people might riot. Bert, do you think that some during the feast that were believing that Jesus was the Messiah, believed that maybe during, the feast here that he, would set up the kingdom that they, the chief priests that are plotting for his arrest and destruction? They, believed that. Many of the people believed that during the feast Jesus would set up the kingdom of God. Is that their reasoning?
I think it is. But two things. these scribes, all of them are dealing with the loss of control and fear. And they kind of weave themselves together. Fear of losing this control, fear of all. And they were fighting it, and they would kill. Now, what's amazing here, they are planning, to kill Jesus through trickery. And let me put another word in it. Lies, okay? Through lies. And they. When it comes later on for them to go and stand before Pilate because it's the week of pass, they're not going to do it because they don't want to, quote, you know, contaminate their body where they could not partake. you know, you talking about crooked thinking. and I thought that this morning, Satan is the author of crooked thinking. He really is. And so these scribes. And that's. And Judas later on, we're about to get to that. It's crooked thinking, not thinking straight. When you think straight, you're looking for truth, Alex.
Amen. Amen. M. You're not, looking for, a loophole, you know, to get around things. when you're thinking, right, and I believe it's walking in tandem with the Holy Spirit, you're thinking about, I need to get right with God. Jesus loves me. He died and rose again. I can put my faith in him and he'll forgive me. That's not only reasonable and right thinking, it's actually following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Because if you'll allow, Jesus said that, the spirit of truth would lead us to him. And if people are rejecting Jesus, they're rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit, aren't they?
They really are. And, this is exactly what they're doing. And again, so they get this ready, and then again, Simon the leper, who is healed in Bethany, and a woman came to him having an alabaster flask, a, very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when his disciples, if they were indignant saying. They were indignant saying, to what purpose is this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold from much and given to the poor. Now, if you look at Jon's account in chapter 12, you'll find out this argument had a ringleader. Alex, do you remember who it is? Judas carrier. Why? Yeah, he didn't want that. He wanted to sell it. Not to help the poor, but he was in charge. This may be an issue here.
He was the bookkeeper.
He was the bookkeeper. He was the treasurer. And, he wanted that money to be put there because we find out in the writings he was misusing the funds, wasn't he?
He really was. And, you know, sadly, I've heard a number of stories of, you know, church or ministry bookkeepers or accountants skimming money and things like that. That goes right back to the heart of Judas, doesn't it? It really does take God's money. Jesus says this, you know, verse 10. Why do you trouble the woman for she has done a good work for me. For you have the poor with you always, but me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on my body, she did it for my burial. Assuredly. I say to you, where gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. this is profound. And, Bert, I've always. It's always kind of touched my heart. verse 11. Jesus said, the poor you will always have, but me you do not always have. Christ knew he was going to die. He was going to rise, he would ascend back to heaven. But the time he was here on earth, the, the. The most significant 33 years in world history. God incarnate, you know, making our salvation possible. Christ is here on earth. And, I mean, they should all be celebrating. And this, this woman has anointed him with, with oil. And, it's almost like. And you feel free to disagree, but Christ is like, wonder why not everybody is celebrating. You know, I'm here the. What C.S. lewis called the grand miracle that God has incarnated himself onto the stage of human history. And here's Judas thinking about money. it's very touching.
I think it is two things. James and Jon thinking about power sitting on his left and right hand, Judas Iscariot thinking about money. listen, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Now, Alex, again, I've been asked this several times, which Mary was this? Well, Jon, chapter 12 again. And it's helpful to have this. If you have a harmony of the Gospels, you can look at it and it will help you there in Bethany, where Lazarus was dead and now is alive. And they made him a supper, and Martha served. But Lazarus, one of those who sat at the table. Then Mary took a pound of her very costly oil of spikenard, anointed his feet and his head, she did both. And now here it is. Every time Mary is mentioned, she's always at Jesus feet learning anointing. And here, what's amazing, she Gets it. She knows this. M. This. She did it for my burial. M. She knows that there's this coming. the others caught him off guard. But Mary's discernment, God's revelation to her, that's amazing. She. She does this. Alex, I'm. I. And it says you're going to be talked about for generations.
Now, this is Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, right?
Yes. Jon, chapter 12 makes, that case.
indeed, indeed. Very, important. And you know what, in a way, verse 13 is really a prophec. And it's certainly been true. Everywhere the gospel is preached, people talk about this. we've had Brent sometimes play this song about my alabaster box, you know, and, that's right, that she, you know, anointing Jesus, taking this costly thing. It was, an honor and a service to Jesus at great personal cost. And we should, you know, we should be willing to pay any price to live for the Lord and serve him as well. then one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, and talk about wicked, carnal, sinful, as base as a human, as low down as it gets. What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you? Verse 15. Now, Bert, this is betrayal. Ah, at its absolute worst. And they counted to him 30 pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to Betray. In verse 16. Yeah, he's already betrayed him, and in reality hasn't. I mean, what are you willing to give me? Here's the question, though, for those I think about now, and I just have to get on my soapbox a little bit. I think about the clergy that have not preached the whole counsel of God because they're worried about their job and they're not using their pulpit to tell people to get out and vote and save America. And they suddenly are okay with, gay marriage when the Bible is explicitly clear in its condemnation of it, whether it be the issue of life or gender or. Or they won't stand up for Israel and they won't condemn Islamic jihadism. And Judas said, what are you willing to give me if I betray him to you? That's not the last time. Those that go along with Christianity are basically saying, you know, what can I get for not standing with Christ? If the price is right, I'll betray Jesus. We should never be like that.
Never. What's in it for me? If you knew what was in it for you, you would follow Christ because he offers eternal life to those that would turn to him, but those who do not listen. The devil and his minions. Hell was prepared for them and then those who follow them. Now, Alex, I could not help but think, and I want you to comment on it, the contrast here. watch you. When you're studying the scriptures, you want to look at certain things. And when it comes to these verses, you see the contrast. The virgins, how that was, those that were ready, those who were not, the talents, those that beared it, those that did not. And here you had also before the sheep and the goats and their division. And now here is not just a parable, not just an illustration, but two people who are in contrast. Mary, who is worshiping him with her totality, she falls before him, she gives her that fragrant oil of her ownership of what she had given it to him. And now here is Judas, on the other hand, betraying him. And in place of not of giving, like the expensive oil, he's what's in it for me? What will you give me? Alex? We need to look at these contrasts. And I think we as individuals, those of you who are listening, we need to look at that. Okay? There's those that go with God and those that do not go with God, those that would worship him, those that would betray him. You want to be in the right camp. The only camp that really matters is you have everlasting fire or eternal life. Alex, Jesus wants each and every person to come to him. There's no one exempt from what he wants for individuals. Judas is carry it. Listen, don't justify him. Well, it was spoken that somebody would betray him. He didn't have a choice. Yes, he did. I don't know exactly how the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, they. They jail together, they complement one another. I don't know exactly. I can't completely explain it, but I want to tell you, Judas Carrick was responsible for the choices he were making. He was making, wasn't he?
He really was. Bert, I'm so glad you're bringing this up. You know, I know I mentioned CS Lewis a lot of times. He was so brilliant. Some, somebody said, you know, well, the, the free will of man, the responsibility of humans, but yet the providence, the sovereignty of God, which is more important, Says Lewis said, well, which blade of a pair of scissors is more important? for a pair of scissors, both blades work together. Which did the cutting? you know, let's say you take a pair of scissors and you cut a piece of paper. Which blade did the cutting? Well, they, they worked together. Lewis said which bank of the river is the most important. You know, the. The river. There's two banks of the River Thames because they were in England. Which. Which bank of the river was holding the water in? Well, both banks work together. And, you know, Spurgeon said if we read the Bible, there's a couple of things we see. We do see the sovereignty of God, but we see the responsibility of man. And, how they both were, I don't know, but they're both in there. And I know we're, Every last one of us is accountable,
and God's going to do what's right. This is the whole idea. God in him, there is no shadow of turning. He is right. And so you trust him. That's the bottom line. I don't know how to make it more emphatic, more important than trusting him. Just because you don't understand it does not mean it is not true.
And, hey, Bert, I don't understand antibiotics, but a couple of times per decade, you need one.
You do. I'm amazed at it that. Listen, if. And I was talking to someone here at AFA headquarters today, and I said, the mystery of God should not run, you know, push us away. For me, it draws me in. The mysteries that. That I know are true, and I can trust him, but I don't understand it completely. And if I could, Alex, you know, it wouldn't be as big as it really is. And, I love this. all of you who are listening today, you can trust God. You may not understand everything that's going to happen, but Mary had it right. She gave her all that she had, trusting him, knowing him, that he one day would die and rise again. I pray you would trust him. Alex. We're going to take phone calls. And the day of prayer is today. That number is 888-589-8840. Facebook is open now. And then word you can try to let us know and we'll pray for you. We would like to thank our sponsors, including PreBorn. PreBorn has rescued over 400,000 babies from abortion and has seen over 100,000 commitments to Christ. Will you join PreBorn in continuing this good work supporting young moms in crisis? Save a life today. Go to preborn.com afr don't stop praying
don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your
knees wear out the floor don't stop
believing welcome back to Exploring the Word. You know, I was thinking about a verse as we come back in on this day of prayer. Luke 18, verse 1. Jesus said men ought to always pray and not give up. the number, I want to give this number. And we would love to hear from you today. It's triple 858-98840. That's 888-589-8840. And Bible questions are always welcome. Bert and I will do our best to give you a good answer to a Bible question. But this is the day we kind of maximize on prayer request. And Brent Austin is here. You know, you can email in prayer requests too, and we've got some of those. But, Bird, I gotta tell you, I just love the fact that, people all across America, countless numbers of people, we agree together in prayer. And can I share two prayer requests right quick?
Go ahead, brother. I got my pen, so I'll write them down so we can pray.
Go ahead for one. I want to thank everybody for calling in during the Share a Thon last week. I'm just blown away by the goodness of the listeners, and we're all in this together. And I want to praise God for Share a Thon last week. I think from everything Tim Wildmon has said, it just went wonderfully. The other thing, please pray for these upcoming elections, folks. please, please pray for the outcomes of these elections.
So much depend on those and severe states. You in Texas, those of you in Michigan, I want to tell you, do, everything you can to go vote and get others to vote and vote. Right? Amen. Amen. Great. Okay.
Triple 858-98-8840. We'd sure love to hear from you.
Let's go to Wayne in Louisiana. Wayne, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
Yeah.
How y' all doing today?
Yeah, like, I like.
I like what Bertie said that the apostles missed it and Mary understood what Jesus was saying.
You know, she had to anoint his body for burial.
She would sit at his feet, listen
to him, and, lo and behold,
when those women came to the tomb, it was already done. Praise the Lord. Let me give you a lesson here. Men who are your married, who married better listen to your wives. They, they really can listen. Pilate's wife. How many times, this happens that, the female mind, and I know it's spiritually discerned, but the female mind, they can understand some things. It's hard for us to get our brains around. That's Bert Harper, anyway, I'm telling you. And, Wayne, thank you for sharing that. That was so important. Hey, Brent, I know we got some prayer requests that's come in. Would you mind sharing those, brother?
We do.
and I'm sorry about Facebook. I don't know what has happened. It's been off and on. So I did not get any prayer requests on there today, but tries back and forth next week on that, which you can send in your prayer request anytime. We will take those and we will use those on there throughout the week. I've got one from Steve. he's asking for prayer for Susan and brother Wayne. Susan has had brain surgery.
Oh, man. I know who that is.
Yes, he said you would know them. I didn't give a last name on
that, but, I want you. Let me see. Listen, it's one of my brothers in Christ from, from college all the way through his wife Jan and his wife Susan. Dear, dear friends. Thank you, Steven, for sharing that. Go ahead.
Also, we got one from, Jeff. He's asking for prayer for his 85 year old dad who is recovering from back surgery.
Okay.
And then we have Robin. She's asking for prayer for her 19 year old son Royce. she's asking that you pray that the Lord capture his heart and mind and, and Royce will respond to that calling.
19 years old, right?
That's right.
Okay, Alex, pray for Susan and her husband Wayne, the 85 year old mom of Jeff. And then Royce, 19 years old. And would you mind leading us in our first prayer today, brother?
Let's pray. Father God, we thank you that you are, you're a good God. You're powerful, you're loving, you're merciful and you're listening. And so, Lord, we give you the praise and the glory. We do lift up these prayer requests, for Steve and his wife Susan, who is, having brain surgery. Please intervene in that situation. And Lord, we just praise you in advance for a good outcome as we lift up Susan to you. And, for Jeff's dad, this older, gentleman that's having back surgery, that can be very painful. So please let it be a success. Let it help this man. Lord, I pray the pain and the COVID the recovery would just be minimal and manageable. And so then Royce, this 19 year old holy, spirit of God, draw Royce to you. And Lord, help him. the Bible says that, you know, we are to seek the Lord in the days of our youth. Help this young man to build his life and his future. On you, Jesus, we lift them up to you. And Lord, we thank you in advance for the outcomes because we pray it in Jesus name and for your glory. Amen.
Amen. Thank you, Alex. And that's Wayne and Susan. Steve's made the request.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah. But God. Hey, this is the awesome part. God knew it. And he, That's why we need help with our prayers. And Bert Harper's the chief one. And thank you so much, Steve, for letting us hear from them. Pam in Texas, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. Pam.
Oh, oh, yes, sir. I'm here. I didn't know I was going to be talking. I'm so sorry. Can you hear me?
Yes, ma'. Am. Go right ahead. Pam, thank you for calling.
So I was just wondering. I'm sorry, I don't. I cannot remember where it's at in the Bible. But it's like, It is impossible for, like, say, like, someone who knew the word of God and, or knew Jesus and all, but have fallen away from him, to come back to Jesus. It's impossible for that person to come back. I don't get that.
Okay, Pam. Ah, Hebrews talk about tasting. And, Alex, is there a difference in tasting and feeding on it? Because the Bible talks feeding on the word of God, not just testing it out. Is there a difference there?
Do you think that's in Hebrews 6, verse 6? and the bottom line, I'm going to say this. I believe in eternal security of the believer. If someone is truly born again, I think they're secure in Christ for a lot of reasons. not the least of which is like Jon 6:40, where Christ said that, if you believe, you will have everlasting Life. And Jon 10:28, Jesus said, I give to them eternal life and they will never perish. But in the Hebrews 6, I think these are people that they tasted. In other words, they were aware of the gospel, but they weren't really truly born again. Now, I'm going to say this. the Bible is clear enough to give us reassurance. It's vague enough to keep us on our toes.
Amen.
But I think the Hebrews six people that have fallen away and rejected and not, repenting, I don't think they were really actually fully saved. Though they were exposed to the gospel, they didn't really get born again.
Judas Iscariot, who we studied today, he walked with Jesus. He was one of the 12. And listen, no one, When Jesus later on says, one of you is going to betray me, nobody said, we know it. It was Judas, you know? No. So God knows. And here's the bottom line, Pan, you can trust him. And he's going to do what's right. And so let's not be too quick to judge, but let's not. Okay, I'm saved. I can do anything I want. That's not the salvation that the Bible talks about. It says, a change. The old has passed, the new has come. And so, Alex, praise the Lord for the difference Jesus makes. I understand we got some more prayer requests, Brent. Is that right? Would you mind sharing those?
Yes. I've got one more on email, and I'm going to make this anonymous, but I do feel like, all the prayers that we could lift up would, Would help so much with this. this lady writes in on email. She says, I ask you today to please pray for my husband. He says, he has been saved, and I do not want to question anyone's salvation, but by his fruit and he bears. I'm not sure. I ask that you pray for me as well because I'm weary and tired of the angry outbursts when he drinks. I feel I'm being spiritually attacked and, the devil is using him. I know and trust the Lord and I have all the faith in the world that the, Holy Spirit is with me and helps carry me through. When he has his angry outburst, I would love nothing more than to see him give it all over to God. Please help me pray for him. Please help lift him up.
We'll do it. Can I pray for this situation?
Please do.
Father, for this weary wife. Father, I pray that you would strengthen her. I pray that she would be renewed each day. I know those days of difficulty, hardship, they seem to mount up and the load gets heavier and heavier. But God, we can come to you each day and you'll renew us. You'll strengthen us, you'll help us. And I'm praying for her for that first and for her husband. God, he needs to be delivered one way or the other. He needs to be delivered, to you for salvation. Or he needs to be delivered from this, ah, awful, awful sin addiction that has probably gotten him to the point of bad judgment, not understanding. So, Father, I'm praying. Draw him to yourself. What you always know, we don't know. We can make judgments and we can be dead wrong, but you're never wrong. So do in his life whatever is needed. In Jesus name, we trust you. Amen.
Amen.
M. Beautiful.
Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Haywood Heywood. Thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, my question today is, Amos
5:18 through 2018 says, woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord, to what end is it for you?
Now, I personally believe the rapture and
the day of the Lord is two different things. Am I right? Yes, absolutely. They are, aren't they? Yes, yes, Amos. Heywood. I called you Amos because that's where we're reading from. But go ahead, Alex. Sorry about that, Heywood.
you know, I love the book of Amos, I really do. And Amos, was a farmer. And, I agree with the caller. The rapture, the catching away, which I think that's the, the switch that switches on the seven year tribulation, that's different from the day of the Lord. but in Amos 5, where he says, woe to you that long for the day of the Lord. hey, these are people that are not walking with the Lord. And he says, look, it's going to be a man who flees from a lion and encounters a bear, or he puts his hand against the wall and gets bitten by a snake. the day of the Lord. For those that you know, Bert, let me just say I've talked to people and they'll say, oh, you know, so and so is so evil. They'll get theirs. Well, yeah, Judgment day is coming. But for some, the ones that get the severest judgment are going to be those that are wanting the judgment day to hasten along. Now, on the other side, we are to love the Lord's appearing and the return of Christ is the blessed hope. But for those that are, unsaved, and they're in their sin just wanting somebody, they don't like to get their just desserts, the day of the Lord is going to be darkness and not light for some. Is that what Amos is, talking about?
Perhaps it is. I believe with all heart. Read the next verses 21 through 24. And it talks about how, man, you're still singing those songs, you're still giving your offering, you're still doing that. But what. It's noise to me, you know? Yeah, it's nothing to it. I despise your feast days. If it's not real and it's not true, I don't care. Righteous. Your self righteousness is an abomination to God when it's not coming from the heart that's been changed by Jesus Christ coming in. It's pretty powerful there. Thank you so much, Haywood. And Brent, I understand you got another prayer request.
Yes, it actually straightened back up and I got one more prayer request through here somehow or another. This one's from Melinda. She's asking for prayers for her friend Jenny, who is having severe ulcer problems, is causing, keeping her from eating or sleeping.
Oh, wow. Okay, we're going to keep that one. We got it. I got it written down. And we're going to go to Jacqueline, our friend here. Jacqueline, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Well, praise the Lord. And I did give in the sheriff's son. So I want you to know I thank God for what he has done and still is doing. But I need you all because, you know, I get so excited, when I'm talking to you. Also, I'm gonna calm down. I just came back from cataract surgery today, and in the midst of waiting for the doctor, I had a chance to minister to some young ladies. And one said she went to the doctor yesterday and they found a hole in her heart. And I can say her first name was Shay. And then, of course, I have, my patient, he's 98 years old, a career veteran. He's 98. He's only functioning at 70. 70% of his heart. And then, of course, I'm just going to give the names. All the rest of them are just cancer people that have me. And me. I'm a cancer survivor for 33 years, but it touched my heart. Can we just pray for all those out there that's going through a battle with cancer? I'll.
Amen. What a heart. listen, I look forward, and you call in Jaclyn. I know I'm going to be blessed. And when. When we see your name, people around start smiling. And we thank God you have a ministry of praying for others and witnessing and encouraging us. So, Alex, would you mind Pray those cancer man, what a. What a task. Would you mind leading us in prayer?
Father God, thank you for all of our listeners and the prayers we jointly lift up together. But thank you for Jacqueline. She is such a blessing. Lord, let this dear sister know how much she means to all of us. And Lord, she had cataract surgery. Please help her recover from that. I pray it's just all good. And, Shay, the young lady with a hole in her heart, help her out. And then all the cancer survivors, Lord, we pray for health, recovery, recovery, blessing, wholeness for all of these people and help us to be grateful when we are healthy, because that is such a blessing, too. Lord, we love you. We lift it all up in Jesus name, Amen.
Amen. We want to say thank you, guys. we praise God for the opportunity we have together around God's word. Praying for one another, strengthening one another. Let's do it to others as well. Let's bring others in. So what we want you to do, we want you to tell other people about exploring the Word and afr. But more than anything else, just what Jacqueline said, we want you to know about the Lord Jesus Christ and them to follow Him. We'll be back tomorrow with more of Matthew, so tune in.
The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
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When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Well, with that wonderful, wonderful verse from Matthew 25:31, I, welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the Word. Hope you're doing well. Alex McFarland here along with Bert Harper. We invite you to get a copy of God's Word and turn to the NewSong Testament Book of Matthew, chapter 25. And we'll continue just a rich chapter that we began with yesterday with Dr. Jon Bowler. but also let me say today on Tuesdays of Exploring the Word, we call it the day of prayer. And we always take Bible questions. But on Tuesdays, we especially maximize on people's prayer requests. And we've had people share all sorts of things that we're praying about and we, we pray together. We'll lift them up and pray together. You can also share things on Facebook. If you're on the, Exploring the Word Facebook page, we'd love for you to post. And you can message Brent Austin with prayer requests. You can also email wordfr.net but Bert, from the reading of God's Word, the study of the Bible, to praying together and just holding each other's arms up, don't you love the camaraderie and the family that we have through the Exploring the Word audience?
Amen. And there's a song that comes to my mind and it's not necessarily a Christian song. It's not, but it has it. Lean on Me. You remember that song, Lean on me when you're weary.
Bill Withers.
Is that who did it? Okay, I figured you'd know it, you musician. But, I say that, you know, we need each other, Alex. we need to pray and seek the Lord, but we need one another. God, made, gave us the church and, to have this to pray together, to share together, to hurt together, to praise the Lord together. So on Tuesday, I think it's a little bit more, demonstrated on Exploring the Word when we do this in prayer.
Well, amen. And you know, we've had people call in about, employment. You know, people said that, hey, I need a job. Galatians 6:2. And we are going to get to Matthew 25. But Galatians 6:2 says, bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. And so don't be shy. Look, we've all got stuff going on, and, today's day of prayer. We'll get to prayer requests later on, but, yesterday we were talking about. In Matthew 20, you know, there's the parable of the foolish virgins with no oil in their lamp, representing those that knew about salvation, but they were not ready for the bridegroom's arrival. The talents. The guy with one talent, he buried it in the ground. He said, lord, I know, this is not, anything that is of a soft, obedient heart, but a hard heart. But in, like, verse 24, Lord, I knew you were a hard man. No, God is a good God. He's not mean or cruel.
Somebody got bad information, didn't they?
They really did.
And I believe that's a, real epidemic. People have bad, bad information about our God, Alex. Yeah, And I think that's why exploring the Word is so important, that those of us that are believers know this and need to be reminded, but those that tune in, that they're seeking and searching, listen. God's a good, good God. He's a. I love that song. He's a good, good father. He really is.
Well, he really is, Bert. And you feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here, but as I kind of go through 24 and 25, and this is part of a larger. It's what's called the O discourse. And Christ was teaching. And, you know, he talks about, the tribulation. Nobody knows the day or the hour 24 concluded. A faithful servant and an evil servant. And it sort of focuses and focuses about all of our personal responsibility to be ready to meet the bridegroom, to be faithful with what we've been entrusted, which does include, how much gospel we've been exposed to. Folks, we are accountable for the response we gave to the truth God revealed. And finally, we get to 31 through 46, and Jesus says that he is coming back with his holy angels sitting on the throne. And verse 32, all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from. From the goats. And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Now, it all gets down to this personal accountability. And, folks, until we are born again, we're, not the sheep of his pasture, but we're goats. You don't want to be that. The good shepherd is inviting you today into his fold.
Amen. And that goat is not the greatest of all time. It is. It is a goat. Now, listen, verse 31, coming in his glory. This I, believe it's after the tribulation. He's coming to set up his kingdom. Because notice what it says. He said, he will sit on the throne of his glory for that thousand years he'll reign. And so he comes back at this time, and then all the nations are gathered together. Now, that means all the people groups, every one of them. And that is, Now, I don't usually get into the Greek, but sometimes it's very important. This is gender neuter. In other words, it's just neither male nor female. It's all of them. But when you get to the word them in verse 32, he will separate them one from one another. It's a masculine form, which means individual. He's not judging a whole group. He's judging individuals out of those groups. And this word nations is another word for gentile in the. In other words, this is the people during the tribulation. There's going to be some judgments, here, Alex, about what's going on and what they've done. Because later on he's talking about what they had done, helping the brethren or the she, you know, the Jewish people. So this is an interesting passage to look at in all those ways. And, But the main thing is he's going to have this separation, the sheep and the goats. And the principle is, no matter when, okay, after the tribulation, right now, before the rapture, you want to be faithful and trust in Jesus. Now, that's. Again, I do believe there's different sections where God is operating. He always operates in grace and faith. He always does that. But in these different dispensations, these different changes in times, he instilled that separation and accountability of being right with God or not being right with God. That's. That's from Genesis, all the way through, isn't it?
It is. Amen. chapter 25, the final verse in chapter 25. And then we're going to go back a bit. These will go away into everlasting punishment, the goats, but the righteous into eternal life. Now, I would encourage people to read 34 through 45, and. And let me just skim it very briefly. And then I'm gonna. I wanna point out something that I think is very important. Then the king will say to those on his right hand, come you blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world. Boy, there's a lot in that. And he goes on, he says, look, I was hungry, and you, you helped feed me and, and naked. And you helped clothe me in prison. You came to visit me. The righteous will ask, when did we ever do this? And he says, well, as much as you did it to one of the least of these, it's like you've done it for me. And then he says to those on his left hand, depart from me. You cursed this verse 41. Into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Okay, first of all, hell is a place humans weren't intended to go. Now, some do go there, sadly, because they reject Jesus. But what, what was hell originally about? It was prepared for the devil and his angels. Now, Bert, I want to say this. It wasn't feeding the hungry that got the righteous saved, and it wasn't ignoring the hungry that made the goats lost. would you comment on this? Because, these are very important. I was hungry. You did not give me food. verse 42, I was a stranger, and you did not take me in verse 43. it wasn't doing good works that made the righteous righteous, and it wasn't doing quote unquote, good, bad works that made the unrighteous unrighteous, was it?
It was not. Now listen, God always, always looks first at the heart, the motivation, the reason why. Looking at David being selected by, By God, through, through Samuel, going to Jesse's home and seeing those boys that were better looking, taller, more built out. And here comes David, you know, God looks at the heart. God looked at the heart of Judas's chariot. We'll get to that in chapter, the next chapter. He looks at the heart, and the, the heart is the motivation for these actions. And the out of the heart are the issues of life. If you have a heart change, it changes that which you do. If there's no change. Listen, if there's not been a change in your life, we're not talking about being perfect. We, we're not talking about instantaneous, having maturity. That's a process of growing. But there's a change of direction. You're looking to God and this is demonstrating that. I, I believe it's during the tribulation period when they were. He's judging them for what they've done, because remember what he says. He comes in his glory. This is not the great White Throne judgment. This doesn't seem to be the, the Judgment, seat of Christ. It's not, this is the. Some people's called it the judgment of the nations. Not a general judgment where it all. But this is specific, I think. Alex, I don't know if you got that out of this or not.
Yes, absolutely, absolutely. And let me just say, also verse, 41, depart from me, you curse into the everlasting fire. Now, Jonathan Edwards was one of the great leaders of the, revolutionary era, one of the early presidents of Princeton, and quite a philosopher and theologian. And he was talking about the subject of hell. Ah, the everlasting punishment of the lost. Sometimes you'll see, maybe a church has a doctrinal statement and it'll say, we believe in the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost, the everlasting conscious blessedness of the saved. And that's. That's true. Jonathan Edwards said about hell, he said, tis dreadful, tis awful, but tis true. Notice, if you look at 46, the loss, Jesus says, go away into, quote, everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Bert, we don't relish, this. We're not, you know, rejoicing over this, but it's just true. The Bible describes that some are lost, not saved. There is hell. It is of fire. It is of everlasting duration. I see in this that universalism is false and annihilationism is false. And, the idea, well, if there is a heaven, everybody goes, not, not according to Jesus. Well, maybe some are lost, but they end up and they just cease to exist. Not according to Jesus. And Bert, I realize these are somber, sober things, but according to, I mean, in my Bible, it's in red, the words of Christ, hell is real and it's forever. For those that reject Jesus, it is,
and we need to hear that. We need to hear truth. One thing that caught my attention, the Sermon on the Mount back in earlier, part of Matthew 5, 6, and 7. And here, the Olivet discourse. Listen to this similarity. When Jesus talks about the two ways to the kingdom, he says, depart from me. I never knew you. Here he says, depart from me again. What? That's the words you don't want to hear. You want to hear, Come unto me, all you who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Well, we'll be back with more of, Matthew right after this break. Hello, I'm Bert Harper. Did you know that this content is listener supported? Without people like you, this podcast would not exist. That's why we need you. A generous monthly Gift of any amount will sustain American Family Radio and specifically this podcast. Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.netgive that's afr.net give. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Bertie and Alex here, and Brent's over there. Man. He is. He is with the rhythm. Thank you, Brent. Love you, brother. Appreciate all the work you do here. Well, we're in chapter 26, and let me share this about Matthew. Matthew is not necessarily all in chronological order. Sometimes what Matthew did, he would gather events and sayings and the sermons and put them together. And chapter 26 is referring to times some earlier. Listen to the phrases and you'll get it. now, it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings that he said to his disciples, you know, that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. Now, that's it. Now notice what he does. Then the chief priests, scribes, and the elders and people assembled at the palace at the high priest, who were called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery to kill him. But they said, not during the feast, lest there be any uproar among the people. Now, again, verse six refers back earlier. That's after that, after these sayings, but verse 6. And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of, Simon the leper, that had occurred earlier. And you find this in Jon, chapter 12, and it gives you the chronological order, and it does it in a way. But, Alex, when you come to chapter 26, we're getting to it right now. This Passion Week. He's cleansed the temple. He came in triumphant entry before that. And now listen to these words. They plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill him. The only way they could take him was trickery. If they dealt in truth, they would have already been following him, would they not?
Yeah, yeah, you're right about this. I mean, the whole thing is deceitful trickery. isn't that something? And by the way, like in verse five says, not during the feast, lest there be, an uproar among the people. I looked. it's really the word for riot. The people might riot. Bert, do you think that some during the feast that were believing that Jesus was the Messiah, believed that maybe during, the feast here that he, would set up the kingdom that they, the chief priests that are plotting for his arrest and destruction? They, believed that. Many of the people believed that during the feast Jesus would set up the kingdom of God. Is that their reasoning?
I think it is. But two things. these scribes, all of them are dealing with the loss of control and fear. And they kind of weave themselves together. Fear of losing this control, fear of all. And they were fighting it, and they would kill. Now, what's amazing here, they are planning, to kill Jesus through trickery. And let me put another word in it. Lies, okay? Through lies. And they. When it comes later on for them to go and stand before Pilate because it's the week of pass, they're not going to do it because they don't want to, quote, you know, contaminate their body where they could not partake. you know, you talking about crooked thinking. and I thought that this morning, Satan is the author of crooked thinking. He really is. And so these scribes. And that's. And Judas later on, we're about to get to that. It's crooked thinking, not thinking straight. When you think straight, you're looking for truth, Alex.
Amen. Amen. M. You're not, looking for, a loophole, you know, to get around things. when you're thinking, right, and I believe it's walking in tandem with the Holy Spirit, you're thinking about, I need to get right with God. Jesus loves me. He died and rose again. I can put my faith in him and he'll forgive me. That's not only reasonable and right thinking, it's actually following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Because if you'll allow, Jesus said that, the spirit of truth would lead us to him. And if people are rejecting Jesus, they're rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit, aren't they?
They really are. And, this is exactly what they're doing. And again, so they get this ready, and then again, Simon the leper, who is healed in Bethany, and a woman came to him having an alabaster flask, a, very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when his disciples, if they were indignant saying. They were indignant saying, to what purpose is this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold from much and given to the poor. Now, if you look at Jon's account in chapter 12, you'll find out this argument had a ringleader. Alex, do you remember who it is? Judas carrier. Why? Yeah, he didn't want that. He wanted to sell it. Not to help the poor, but he was in charge. This may be an issue here.
He was the bookkeeper.
He was the bookkeeper. He was the treasurer. And, he wanted that money to be put there because we find out in the writings he was misusing the funds, wasn't he?
He really was. And, you know, sadly, I've heard a number of stories of, you know, church or ministry bookkeepers or accountants skimming money and things like that. That goes right back to the heart of Judas, doesn't it? It really does take God's money. Jesus says this, you know, verse 10. Why do you trouble the woman for she has done a good work for me. For you have the poor with you always, but me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on my body, she did it for my burial. Assuredly. I say to you, where gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. this is profound. And, Bert, I've always. It's always kind of touched my heart. verse 11. Jesus said, the poor you will always have, but me you do not always have. Christ knew he was going to die. He was going to rise, he would ascend back to heaven. But the time he was here on earth, the, the. The most significant 33 years in world history. God incarnate, you know, making our salvation possible. Christ is here on earth. And, I mean, they should all be celebrating. And this, this woman has anointed him with, with oil. And, it's almost like. And you feel free to disagree, but Christ is like, wonder why not everybody is celebrating. You know, I'm here the. What C.S. lewis called the grand miracle that God has incarnated himself onto the stage of human history. And here's Judas thinking about money. it's very touching.
I think it is two things. James and Jon thinking about power sitting on his left and right hand, Judas Iscariot thinking about money. listen, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Now, Alex, again, I've been asked this several times, which Mary was this? Well, Jon, chapter 12 again. And it's helpful to have this. If you have a harmony of the Gospels, you can look at it and it will help you there in Bethany, where Lazarus was dead and now is alive. And they made him a supper, and Martha served. But Lazarus, one of those who sat at the table. Then Mary took a pound of her very costly oil of spikenard, anointed his feet and his head, she did both. And now here it is. Every time Mary is mentioned, she's always at Jesus feet learning anointing. And here, what's amazing, she Gets it. She knows this. M. This. She did it for my burial. M. She knows that there's this coming. the others caught him off guard. But Mary's discernment, God's revelation to her, that's amazing. She. She does this. Alex, I'm. I. And it says you're going to be talked about for generations.
Now, this is Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, right?
Yes. Jon, chapter 12 makes, that case.
indeed, indeed. Very, important. And you know what, in a way, verse 13 is really a prophec. And it's certainly been true. Everywhere the gospel is preached, people talk about this. we've had Brent sometimes play this song about my alabaster box, you know, and, that's right, that she, you know, anointing Jesus, taking this costly thing. It was, an honor and a service to Jesus at great personal cost. And we should, you know, we should be willing to pay any price to live for the Lord and serve him as well. then one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, and talk about wicked, carnal, sinful, as base as a human, as low down as it gets. What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you? Verse 15. Now, Bert, this is betrayal. Ah, at its absolute worst. And they counted to him 30 pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to Betray. In verse 16. Yeah, he's already betrayed him, and in reality hasn't. I mean, what are you willing to give me? Here's the question, though, for those I think about now, and I just have to get on my soapbox a little bit. I think about the clergy that have not preached the whole counsel of God because they're worried about their job and they're not using their pulpit to tell people to get out and vote and save America. And they suddenly are okay with, gay marriage when the Bible is explicitly clear in its condemnation of it, whether it be the issue of life or gender or. Or they won't stand up for Israel and they won't condemn Islamic jihadism. And Judas said, what are you willing to give me if I betray him to you? That's not the last time. Those that go along with Christianity are basically saying, you know, what can I get for not standing with Christ? If the price is right, I'll betray Jesus. We should never be like that.
Never. What's in it for me? If you knew what was in it for you, you would follow Christ because he offers eternal life to those that would turn to him, but those who do not listen. The devil and his minions. Hell was prepared for them and then those who follow them. Now, Alex, I could not help but think, and I want you to comment on it, the contrast here. watch you. When you're studying the scriptures, you want to look at certain things. And when it comes to these verses, you see the contrast. The virgins, how that was, those that were ready, those who were not, the talents, those that beared it, those that did not. And here you had also before the sheep and the goats and their division. And now here is not just a parable, not just an illustration, but two people who are in contrast. Mary, who is worshiping him with her totality, she falls before him, she gives her that fragrant oil of her ownership of what she had given it to him. And now here is Judas, on the other hand, betraying him. And in place of not of giving, like the expensive oil, he's what's in it for me? What will you give me? Alex? We need to look at these contrasts. And I think we as individuals, those of you who are listening, we need to look at that. Okay? There's those that go with God and those that do not go with God, those that would worship him, those that would betray him. You want to be in the right camp. The only camp that really matters is you have everlasting fire or eternal life. Alex, Jesus wants each and every person to come to him. There's no one exempt from what he wants for individuals. Judas is carry it. Listen, don't justify him. Well, it was spoken that somebody would betray him. He didn't have a choice. Yes, he did. I don't know exactly how the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, they. They jail together, they complement one another. I don't know exactly. I can't completely explain it, but I want to tell you, Judas Carrick was responsible for the choices he were making. He was making, wasn't he?
He really was. Bert, I'm so glad you're bringing this up. You know, I know I mentioned CS Lewis a lot of times. He was so brilliant. Some, somebody said, you know, well, the, the free will of man, the responsibility of humans, but yet the providence, the sovereignty of God, which is more important, Says Lewis said, well, which blade of a pair of scissors is more important? for a pair of scissors, both blades work together. Which did the cutting? you know, let's say you take a pair of scissors and you cut a piece of paper. Which blade did the cutting? Well, they, they worked together. Lewis said which bank of the river is the most important. You know, the. The river. There's two banks of the River Thames because they were in England. Which. Which bank of the river was holding the water in? Well, both banks work together. And, you know, Spurgeon said if we read the Bible, there's a couple of things we see. We do see the sovereignty of God, but we see the responsibility of man. And, how they both were, I don't know, but they're both in there. And I know we're, Every last one of us is accountable,
and God's going to do what's right. This is the whole idea. God in him, there is no shadow of turning. He is right. And so you trust him. That's the bottom line. I don't know how to make it more emphatic, more important than trusting him. Just because you don't understand it does not mean it is not true.
And, hey, Bert, I don't understand antibiotics, but a couple of times per decade, you need one.
You do. I'm amazed at it that. Listen, if. And I was talking to someone here at AFA headquarters today, and I said, the mystery of God should not run, you know, push us away. For me, it draws me in. The mysteries that. That I know are true, and I can trust him, but I don't understand it completely. And if I could, Alex, you know, it wouldn't be as big as it really is. And, I love this. all of you who are listening today, you can trust God. You may not understand everything that's going to happen, but Mary had it right. She gave her all that she had, trusting him, knowing him, that he one day would die and rise again. I pray you would trust him. Alex. We're going to take phone calls. And the day of prayer is today. That number is 888-589-8840. Facebook is open now. And then word you can try to let us know and we'll pray for you. We would like to thank our sponsors, including PreBorn. PreBorn has rescued over 400,000 babies from abortion and has seen over 100,000 commitments to Christ. Will you join PreBorn in continuing this good work supporting young moms in crisis? Save a life today. Go to preborn.com afr don't stop praying
don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your
knees wear out the floor don't stop
believing welcome back to Exploring the Word. You know, I was thinking about a verse as we come back in on this day of prayer. Luke 18, verse 1. Jesus said men ought to always pray and not give up. the number, I want to give this number. And we would love to hear from you today. It's triple 858-98840. That's 888-589-8840. And Bible questions are always welcome. Bert and I will do our best to give you a good answer to a Bible question. But this is the day we kind of maximize on prayer request. And Brent Austin is here. You know, you can email in prayer requests too, and we've got some of those. But, Bird, I gotta tell you, I just love the fact that, people all across America, countless numbers of people, we agree together in prayer. And can I share two prayer requests right quick?
Go ahead, brother. I got my pen, so I'll write them down so we can pray.
Go ahead for one. I want to thank everybody for calling in during the Share a Thon last week. I'm just blown away by the goodness of the listeners, and we're all in this together. And I want to praise God for Share a Thon last week. I think from everything Tim Wildmon has said, it just went wonderfully. The other thing, please pray for these upcoming elections, folks. please, please pray for the outcomes of these elections.
So much depend on those and severe states. You in Texas, those of you in Michigan, I want to tell you, do, everything you can to go vote and get others to vote and vote. Right? Amen. Amen. Great. Okay.
Triple 858-98-8840. We'd sure love to hear from you.
Let's go to Wayne in Louisiana. Wayne, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
Yeah.
How y' all doing today?
Yeah, like, I like.
I like what Bertie said that the apostles missed it and Mary understood what Jesus was saying.
You know, she had to anoint his body for burial.
She would sit at his feet, listen
to him, and, lo and behold,
when those women came to the tomb, it was already done. Praise the Lord. Let me give you a lesson here. Men who are your married, who married better listen to your wives. They, they really can listen. Pilate's wife. How many times, this happens that, the female mind, and I know it's spiritually discerned, but the female mind, they can understand some things. It's hard for us to get our brains around. That's Bert Harper, anyway, I'm telling you. And, Wayne, thank you for sharing that. That was so important. Hey, Brent, I know we got some prayer requests that's come in. Would you mind sharing those, brother?
We do.
and I'm sorry about Facebook. I don't know what has happened. It's been off and on. So I did not get any prayer requests on there today, but tries back and forth next week on that, which you can send in your prayer request anytime. We will take those and we will use those on there throughout the week. I've got one from Steve. he's asking for prayer for Susan and brother Wayne. Susan has had brain surgery.
Oh, man. I know who that is.
Yes, he said you would know them. I didn't give a last name on
that, but, I want you. Let me see. Listen, it's one of my brothers in Christ from, from college all the way through his wife Jan and his wife Susan. Dear, dear friends. Thank you, Steven, for sharing that. Go ahead.
Also, we got one from, Jeff. He's asking for prayer for his 85 year old dad who is recovering from back surgery.
Okay.
And then we have Robin. She's asking for prayer for her 19 year old son Royce. she's asking that you pray that the Lord capture his heart and mind and, and Royce will respond to that calling.
19 years old, right?
That's right.
Okay, Alex, pray for Susan and her husband Wayne, the 85 year old mom of Jeff. And then Royce, 19 years old. And would you mind leading us in our first prayer today, brother?
Let's pray. Father God, we thank you that you are, you're a good God. You're powerful, you're loving, you're merciful and you're listening. And so, Lord, we give you the praise and the glory. We do lift up these prayer requests, for Steve and his wife Susan, who is, having brain surgery. Please intervene in that situation. And Lord, we just praise you in advance for a good outcome as we lift up Susan to you. And, for Jeff's dad, this older, gentleman that's having back surgery, that can be very painful. So please let it be a success. Let it help this man. Lord, I pray the pain and the COVID the recovery would just be minimal and manageable. And so then Royce, this 19 year old holy, spirit of God, draw Royce to you. And Lord, help him. the Bible says that, you know, we are to seek the Lord in the days of our youth. Help this young man to build his life and his future. On you, Jesus, we lift them up to you. And Lord, we thank you in advance for the outcomes because we pray it in Jesus name and for your glory. Amen.
Amen. Thank you, Alex. And that's Wayne and Susan. Steve's made the request.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah. But God. Hey, this is the awesome part. God knew it. And he, That's why we need help with our prayers. And Bert Harper's the chief one. And thank you so much, Steve, for letting us hear from them. Pam in Texas, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. Pam.
Oh, oh, yes, sir. I'm here. I didn't know I was going to be talking. I'm so sorry. Can you hear me?
Yes, ma'. Am. Go right ahead. Pam, thank you for calling.
So I was just wondering. I'm sorry, I don't. I cannot remember where it's at in the Bible. But it's like, It is impossible for, like, say, like, someone who knew the word of God and, or knew Jesus and all, but have fallen away from him, to come back to Jesus. It's impossible for that person to come back. I don't get that.
Okay, Pam. Ah, Hebrews talk about tasting. And, Alex, is there a difference in tasting and feeding on it? Because the Bible talks feeding on the word of God, not just testing it out. Is there a difference there?
Do you think that's in Hebrews 6, verse 6? and the bottom line, I'm going to say this. I believe in eternal security of the believer. If someone is truly born again, I think they're secure in Christ for a lot of reasons. not the least of which is like Jon 6:40, where Christ said that, if you believe, you will have everlasting Life. And Jon 10:28, Jesus said, I give to them eternal life and they will never perish. But in the Hebrews 6, I think these are people that they tasted. In other words, they were aware of the gospel, but they weren't really truly born again. Now, I'm going to say this. the Bible is clear enough to give us reassurance. It's vague enough to keep us on our toes.
Amen.
But I think the Hebrews six people that have fallen away and rejected and not, repenting, I don't think they were really actually fully saved. Though they were exposed to the gospel, they didn't really get born again.
Judas Iscariot, who we studied today, he walked with Jesus. He was one of the 12. And listen, no one, When Jesus later on says, one of you is going to betray me, nobody said, we know it. It was Judas, you know? No. So God knows. And here's the bottom line, Pan, you can trust him. And he's going to do what's right. And so let's not be too quick to judge, but let's not. Okay, I'm saved. I can do anything I want. That's not the salvation that the Bible talks about. It says, a change. The old has passed, the new has come. And so, Alex, praise the Lord for the difference Jesus makes. I understand we got some more prayer requests, Brent. Is that right? Would you mind sharing those?
Yes. I've got one more on email, and I'm going to make this anonymous, but I do feel like, all the prayers that we could lift up would, Would help so much with this. this lady writes in on email. She says, I ask you today to please pray for my husband. He says, he has been saved, and I do not want to question anyone's salvation, but by his fruit and he bears. I'm not sure. I ask that you pray for me as well because I'm weary and tired of the angry outbursts when he drinks. I feel I'm being spiritually attacked and, the devil is using him. I know and trust the Lord and I have all the faith in the world that the, Holy Spirit is with me and helps carry me through. When he has his angry outburst, I would love nothing more than to see him give it all over to God. Please help me pray for him. Please help lift him up.
We'll do it. Can I pray for this situation?
Please do.
Father, for this weary wife. Father, I pray that you would strengthen her. I pray that she would be renewed each day. I know those days of difficulty, hardship, they seem to mount up and the load gets heavier and heavier. But God, we can come to you each day and you'll renew us. You'll strengthen us, you'll help us. And I'm praying for her for that first and for her husband. God, he needs to be delivered one way or the other. He needs to be delivered, to you for salvation. Or he needs to be delivered from this, ah, awful, awful sin addiction that has probably gotten him to the point of bad judgment, not understanding. So, Father, I'm praying. Draw him to yourself. What you always know, we don't know. We can make judgments and we can be dead wrong, but you're never wrong. So do in his life whatever is needed. In Jesus name, we trust you. Amen.
Amen.
M. Beautiful.
Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Haywood Heywood. Thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, my question today is, Amos
5:18 through 2018 says, woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord, to what end is it for you?
Now, I personally believe the rapture and
the day of the Lord is two different things. Am I right? Yes, absolutely. They are, aren't they? Yes, yes, Amos. Heywood. I called you Amos because that's where we're reading from. But go ahead, Alex. Sorry about that, Heywood.
you know, I love the book of Amos, I really do. And Amos, was a farmer. And, I agree with the caller. The rapture, the catching away, which I think that's the, the switch that switches on the seven year tribulation, that's different from the day of the Lord. but in Amos 5, where he says, woe to you that long for the day of the Lord. hey, these are people that are not walking with the Lord. And he says, look, it's going to be a man who flees from a lion and encounters a bear, or he puts his hand against the wall and gets bitten by a snake. the day of the Lord. For those that you know, Bert, let me just say I've talked to people and they'll say, oh, you know, so and so is so evil. They'll get theirs. Well, yeah, Judgment day is coming. But for some, the ones that get the severest judgment are going to be those that are wanting the judgment day to hasten along. Now, on the other side, we are to love the Lord's appearing and the return of Christ is the blessed hope. But for those that are, unsaved, and they're in their sin just wanting somebody, they don't like to get their just desserts, the day of the Lord is going to be darkness and not light for some. Is that what Amos is, talking about?
Perhaps it is. I believe with all heart. Read the next verses 21 through 24. And it talks about how, man, you're still singing those songs, you're still giving your offering, you're still doing that. But what. It's noise to me, you know? Yeah, it's nothing to it. I despise your feast days. If it's not real and it's not true, I don't care. Righteous. Your self righteousness is an abomination to God when it's not coming from the heart that's been changed by Jesus Christ coming in. It's pretty powerful there. Thank you so much, Haywood. And Brent, I understand you got another prayer request.
Yes, it actually straightened back up and I got one more prayer request through here somehow or another. This one's from Melinda. She's asking for prayers for her friend Jenny, who is having severe ulcer problems, is causing, keeping her from eating or sleeping.
Oh, wow. Okay, we're going to keep that one. We got it. I got it written down. And we're going to go to Jacqueline, our friend here. Jacqueline, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Well, praise the Lord. And I did give in the sheriff's son. So I want you to know I thank God for what he has done and still is doing. But I need you all because, you know, I get so excited, when I'm talking to you. Also, I'm gonna calm down. I just came back from cataract surgery today, and in the midst of waiting for the doctor, I had a chance to minister to some young ladies. And one said she went to the doctor yesterday and they found a hole in her heart. And I can say her first name was Shay. And then, of course, I have, my patient, he's 98 years old, a career veteran. He's 98. He's only functioning at 70. 70% of his heart. And then, of course, I'm just going to give the names. All the rest of them are just cancer people that have me. And me. I'm a cancer survivor for 33 years, but it touched my heart. Can we just pray for all those out there that's going through a battle with cancer? I'll.
Amen. What a heart. listen, I look forward, and you call in Jaclyn. I know I'm going to be blessed. And when. When we see your name, people around start smiling. And we thank God you have a ministry of praying for others and witnessing and encouraging us. So, Alex, would you mind Pray those cancer man, what a. What a task. Would you mind leading us in prayer?
Father God, thank you for all of our listeners and the prayers we jointly lift up together. But thank you for Jacqueline. She is such a blessing. Lord, let this dear sister know how much she means to all of us. And Lord, she had cataract surgery. Please help her recover from that. I pray it's just all good. And, Shay, the young lady with a hole in her heart, help her out. And then all the cancer survivors, Lord, we pray for health, recovery, recovery, blessing, wholeness for all of these people and help us to be grateful when we are healthy, because that is such a blessing, too. Lord, we love you. We lift it all up in Jesus name, Amen.
Amen. We want to say thank you, guys. we praise God for the opportunity we have together around God's word. Praying for one another, strengthening one another. Let's do it to others as well. Let's bring others in. So what we want you to do, we want you to tell other people about exploring the Word and afr. But more than anything else, just what Jacqueline said, we want you to know about the Lord Jesus Christ and them to follow Him. We'll be back tomorrow with more of Matthew, so tune in.
The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
In this episode of Exploring the Word, hosts Alex McFarland and Bert Harper delve into the profound teachings of Matthew 25, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the return of Christ. They discuss the parable of the sheep and the goats, highlighting the significance of our actions and the state of our hearts in relation to God's kingdom. Join them as they not only explore scripture but also engage in heartfelt prayer for listeners' needs, reinforcing the community's strength through faith and support.
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