Exploring the Word takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

Jeff Chamblee The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Exploring the word Matthew 13 opens with parables from chapter 24

Welcome to Exploring the word Matthew 13.

Bert Harper Starting in verse 24. Get ready to hear these words. The kingdom of heaven is like, yes, chapter 13 of Matthew is filled with parables, and we want to look at some of those today as we open God's word to Matthew chapter 13. if you can join us. Get your Bible out. If you can't do that because you're driving and other things. Listen, we'll read the scriptures and then make hopefully helpful comments that would help us grow in the Lord Jesus Christ. Alex, I, appreciate Dillon being in for me yesterday. And, I know you guys, man, y' all went over. Y' all were farmers yesterday, weren't you? Planters and sowing the seed. Is that what you were doing yesterday?

Alex McFarland We, There was a lot of agricultural references to the show in the show yesterday. We missed you. Glad you're back. we want to thank Dillon Burroughs. He always does such a fantastic job. We also had a very special day of prayer requests, because that's kind of what we do on Tuesdays during our telephone call time. It's prayer request. And we just say God bless you to each and every one of you that was listening and the many, many people that called in.

Matthew 13 is unique in how Jesus taught about the kingdom of God

And, we are in Matthew 13. And, Bert, you're right, we're picking up at 24. And you know, Jesus, this is one of the unique things about the teachings of Christ, the kingdom of God. You know, so many religions are about do's and don'ts, you know, just these legal prescriptives. But Jesus message, yes, he would die on the cross for the sins of the world. He would lay down his life for our redemption. But, Bert, you know, you'll see this phrase in 24, the kingdom of God, verse 31, the kingdom of heaven is like verse 33, the kingdom of heaven. And so many have noted that it was completely unique in history how Jesus taught about the kingdom of God. And let me just say this, Bert, he had the authority to do it. He can tell us Jesus Christ, the Lord, he is the one who can not only tell us the things of God's kingdom, but how we can be, a participant and a citizen in, in God's kingdom.

Bert Harper Amen. It's kingdom living, it's kingdom serving, and that's what we're about. Now what's unusual about 13, there's two of the parables that are explained the soils. And then the one that we'll go over first, wheat and tares, and he'll share some more. But then when the disciples get him aside, he said, explain this one to us. And Jesus did, and the others are, we've got to look at them and see.

Bert and Alex discuss biblical parable about wheat and tares

But Alex, is it alright to start reading in verse 24 and let's get started.

Alex McFarland Let's do it.

Bert Harper Another parable he put forth to them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, the then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, sir, did you not sow good seed, in your field? How then does it have tares? He said to them, an enemy has done this. The servant said to him, do you want us then to go and gather them up? And Jesus said, no, lest while you gather up the tares, you also uproot, the wheat with them. Let both grow together unto the harvest. And at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, first gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. Now Alex, he goes on in verses 31 through 35 and tells two more parables. But in 36 he explains it. but looking at this, there's one thing that I want to, say, and then I'll throw it back to you. And it is this in verse 25, while men slept. M. better watch your spiritual sleeping especially. Okay? Be careful, do not sleep spiritually. And then the other thing that really gathered me up and, and, and look was they did not know it until the harvest and it had sprouted and all of a sudden they looked alike growing up. But when it came time to produce fruit, it was obvious what was tares or weeds and what was the wheat. Those two things stand out to me.

Alex McFarland Yeah. do you remember back in, in Revelation 20, at the end of the millennium, Revelation 27 and following, Satan is loose for a little while, and much to everybody's shock, there is a rebellion of people that outwardly they were going through the motions, but they weren't, believers. And it reminds me of verse 30 here in Matthew 13. Let the wheat and the tares grow together unto the Harvest. And here's the thing, and it should really bring conviction. If you're not a believer yet, going to church is not what saves you. Outwardly, a person could be as moral and apparently upright, even might appear to be godly. But what about the inside, the invisible things inside your heart? are you a wheat or are you a T? A R E, S a tare. That means, you know, weed. And, that's why the Bible says, examine yourself and see if ye be in the faith, because they grow together. But there is coming that day of harvest. But, in verse 28 of chapter, chapter 13, an enemy has done this. And Bert, you know, I have talked about this and, you know, the agricultural, the horticultural illustrations are so apropos, because seeds produce things, right? And do you know what? There's, really the tares that are not believers here, are the result of the kind of seed that was sown in their heart. I think it's no surprise. Ah, Bert. That this about wheat and tares comes after the talk of the four soils of the heart.

Bert Harper Yeah, I thought that as well. Let me go ahead and read 36 and following. So it explains it. And, those of you that are listening, you're waiting on Bert and Alex to explain it. No, Jesus does it so much better than we do. So let me read verse 36. Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And his disciples. Disciples came to him saying, explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. Now, that's the one he had done others, but that's the one they pinpoint him on. He answered and said to them, he who sows the seed is the son of man. Explain. The field is the world. The good seeds are, the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age. And the reapers are the angels.

Angels.

Bert Harper Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned into the fire, so it will be at the end of this age, the son of man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend. And those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then, the righteous will shine forth as the son of the kingdom of their father. He who has ears to hear the. Let him hear again. This, this is really hit me. The weeds and the tares are men or people. So this is what he's referring to. It's obvious. Jesus sows the good seed, the devil sows the wheat, the weeds. And Listen, but who has the final say, Alex? God does, obviously on everything, doesn't he, really?

Alex McFarland Yes. Hey, and let me just say this. There are theological tears, too, aren't there? And, you know, let me just say, in many a school, in many, even a denomination, there was originally good soil, good seed, and then there was falsehood. And, let me just say this. There's. There's going to be the separation of souls, the save the lost, heaven and hell. But there's going to be a day. The Bible says that the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as waters cover the sea. There's one day where liberal Bible denying theology is going to be gone. There's one day, and the Bible says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. There's going to be a day when no more belief in evolution will exist. There's going to be a day when there'll be no confusion about gender or marriage or morality. Now, some will acknowledge the truth in a state of condemnation. listen, you will acknowledge Jesus as Lord, but will it be in a state of condemnation or will it be in a state of salvation? And really, you can determine that by how you respond to the gospel, even today.

If you want to come to Christ, do it now. Do not delay

Bert Harper Amen. And you want to come to Christ, do it now. Do not delay. don't give reasons why not. God is calling you, drawing you. The Father draws you today. Well, Alex, going back to verse 31, he does the parable of the mustard seed, and then he does the parable of the leaven. Now, again, he does not explain these. So we have to look at it and see. Okay, what. What is he doing? Because later on, verse 51, and we're not skipping those, we'll come back. But it helps to know this. Jesus said to them, have you understood these things? And, my opinion is, all the apostles, since they understood the two that were explained by Jesus, they said, yes, Lord. now I'm not so sure they understood it as clearly as they would be after the Holy Spirit comes and guides them. But I found that interesting. But go Back to verse 31, a parable, another parable. He said to them, the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which. Which a man took and sowed in the field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. Now, Alex, I've read on this, and there's two different views on this. That this is the gospel going forth and of great faith. And others say, well, wait just a minute. The birds nested in it. usually the birds, in this context, they said, usually denote something of evil. and so there's some debate on this particular parable as much as any of them. Have you read about those debates?

Alex McFarland Absolutely. you know, the birds, and I think about Joseph, and he was. Remember, he was interpreting the, the baker's dream about the birds took all the bread out of the basket, and it was really a sign of, you know, betrayal and death and. That's right. The mustard seed makes this great big. Great big plant. And I've seen that because we grew some of that on our farm. We really did. But I don't know, you know, the birds coming in could mean the, the predatory bird of false teaching, the predatory bird of carnality. You know, the predatory bird of legalism and religion over grace and a relationship with Jesus. And I think they can. Those, applications can. There's truth in both of them, actually.

Bert Harper I agree, too, because, you can remove a mountain. Small faith. It's not the size of your faith. It is the sort of your faith. I heard, people use that because. Because our faith is not in ourselves. It's not our faith that we do believe. Our faith is in Christ. And, Alex, I just tell you, who am I to tell God what to do? I, can request. I can make known a need that I have. and I can say, I think I've come to the place in my life. I trust him more than I trust him for what he gives me, more than I trust him for what I ask. You catch that?

Alex McFarland Yeah, exactly. Exactly. And, well, I hear that break coming up.

Bert Harper it comes so soon.

Alex McFarland Yeah, we'll wrap up chapter 13 after this, and then we're going to take your calls, too, with your Bible questions.

Preborn network clinics offer free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies

So, we hope everybody will participate in this edition of Exploring the word.

Bert Harper Right now, the voices in our culture are loud, but truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity, and hope. But I refuse to be silent, and I'm asking you to join me. At preborn network clinics, a woman is welcomed with compassion and given a free ultrasound. She sees the life growing Inside her, often for the first time. And in that sacred moment, fear gives way to clarity. And she's offered something the abortion industry will never provide. The hope of Jesus Christ. This April, our goal is to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn network clinics, trusting God to bring the increase as we remain faithful to speak. You can help make that possible by sponsoring ultrasounds. Just $28 provides one ultrasound. $140 sponsors five ultrasounds for mothers in crisis. Every dollar helps save babies and share the good news of Jesus Christ. To donate, dial £250 and say the keyword baby. That's £250, baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host

We Got Dust on our Bible. Brand new iPhones. No wonder why we feel this way. We walk with our iOS and I'm done with those idols and dusty Bible.

Alex McFarland Oh, no dusty Bibles. Here on exploring the Word. We are in the Word, and we welcome back Alex McCrawan here along with Bert Harper. We're in Matthew chapter 13. And, Bert, before I read verse, 44, I gotta say, I just got a text from Angie, my wife. Angie is in the car, and she says it's really nice to ride along and hear the Bible and hear Bert and Alex. Praise the Lord. We give God all the glory.

Bert Harper We praise the Lord for cars and radio. We really do.

Alex McFarland Amen.

Bert Harper I know that sounds, but it is. They're awesome.

Amen.

Alex McFarland Hey, does Jan listen to you on exploring the Word sometimes, Bert?

Bert Harper Yes, she does. And, she. She may not be. She. She can watch. She looks at it on Facebook and live streaming and she watches me too. So that's. That's kind of scary as well.

Alex McFarland Well, how we thank God for our wives. Praise the Lord.

Bert Harper You better believe it.

Alex McFarland You know, whenever you see like L I K E or as. That's a part of speech called a simile or a comparison or, you know, an analogy. And so, Jesus, these parables, these are earthly relatable truths to convey heavenly realities. The kingdom of God is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it all was leavened. That was in verse 33. But you know what, Bert? One of the things that I really have loved, and we were talking about the wheat and the tares and the casting the tares into the fire, verse 43. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears, let him hear. In other words, if you're wise, you'll listen. You'll evaluate, you'll take it to heart again, verse 44, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and hid. And for joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. one of the takeaways of verse 44 is this, knowing Jesus is worth whatever it costs you to build your life on Christ. the man sold everything he had to find that field because in the field was a treasure. Listen, people might not always understand, but you believe the Bible. People might not always agree with you, but you get up Sunday morning, you go to church, and then you stand with and for Christ. The kingdom of heaven and knowing the king, yes, it is life's greatest treasure, no matter the cost.

Bert Harper Another thing that I find amazing, and I just want to comment on it, is how many times field is used in these parables. The sowing of the seed. And then I, mean, it was on the field, different kinds of soil, but again, field. And then the wheat and the tares is the field that you find out here. And the mustard seed, there is a field there. And then we find out in verse 44, the field. A, lot of this means we are to share the good news of Jesus Christ if the field is the world. But it also show you the value of Christ. I think no matter how you would interpret this, it's the value that God places on us if he interpreted in certain ways, and I'm not going into that, but also the value of knowing Jesus Christ as savior. Alexander, it's both ways, isn't it? He, you know, are we much more worthy than the, than the lilies of the field? Are we much more worth the sparrows? The hairs on our head, and they're numbered and he knows us. Are we much more valued than they? God loves us. That's the reason Jesus came and lived that life, died on the cross. And then when we, when he draws us, again, we found him only because he revealed Himself to us. Let's make that plain. But when we find him, we find this great joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. So it's in both ways, Alex, the value of our salvation, but also the value God puts upon us. either way, I find this amazing, brother.

Alex McFarland Amen.

Amen.

If the gospel and changed lives aren't there, something will rush in

Alex McFarland Well, and you know, a field, you could plant corn or beans or vegetables, or you could plant poison ivy. You know, I mean, you could plant something good and beneficial and edible, or you could plant something toxic. And that's why, you know, we, we want. I'm trying to remember. It was a quote, and it might have been Benjamin Franklin, but early in America, he said, if the evangelical volume doesn't reach every town and hamlet than some licentious literature will. And, you know, every hamlet, every town, every little village. And by quote, the evangelical volume, Benjamin Franklin, the founders meant the Bible. And so, you know, if the gospel and changed lives aren't there and present, well, something will rush in to fill that vacuum. I think we see that now where the gospel has sort of faded away. And so let's make it our job to proclaim and spread the gospel, and even in some places, restore the knowledge of the gospel. Now, I love verse 47, because there's not only a kingdom and a field, but there's a heart, a draft of fishes. You know, in one of the gospel scenes, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew ashore and they. And gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. Bert, in my translation, I think I've got the new King James here says dragnet. But I looked it up. In the Greek lexicon, it's the word seine. Now, when you were coming up, did they ever talk about seining the pond? Do you know what,

Bert Harper I do. Yes, I do. I know what it was.

Alex McFarland Isn't this something? here is. I mean, many of you that have ever been fishing or you know what a net is, or a seine, and they do that now. I mean, they trawl the seas to get shrimp and whatever. Well, this kind of work goes back through time immemorial. but there's this big catch of aquatic life. Some is good fishes and, you know, useful. And there's probably a few snakes or something else they had to throw away. Verse 49. So it is with the end of the age, or so it will be, the angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and will cast the wicked into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus asked them in verse 51, have you understood these things? And, Bert, I'd love to see the expressions. They said, yes, Lord. Now, to US in the 21st century, have we understood these things?

Bert Harper Amen. We pray you say, yes, Lord, I do. And I've not just understood them, but I have trusted you.

The parables are about fishing and farming. The first are about the field

Alex, one more thing. these parables are just amazing to me when you look at them altogether. The first are about the field. The next two is about the seed. The pearl is in the sea, and fishing is in the sea. So he goes from the field to the sea. Now, again, we're talking about. We're in the Holy Land there. And those are the areas agriculture. And then the area, the Sea of Galilee. This. This is what they're doing.

Alex McFarland In other words, fishing and farming.

Bert Harper That's it. And, so he. He makes it plain. Now, other thing, the dragnet and the tares, wheat and tares are. They complement one another completely. You know, you get the fish, you're going to get bad fish, you're going to get good fish. And when do you do it? Well, when you draw it in, you're going to separate them. I'll separate them. God says so. God's the one that knows the heart. Jesus knew Judas from the very beginning what was in his heart. You don't fool Christ. Christ, he could hear. He. He didn't have to hear what the Pharisees and scribes were thinking. He knew what they were thinking. He knows us. He knows everything. In other words, it's not necessary. It is not what you say. It is who you've put your faith in and following through.

Alex: Jesus says to disciples, have you understood all these things

So, Alex, it ends with, the last one, 51, 53 of these parables. Jesus said, have you understood all these things? I said, yes, Lord. Again, I, want everybody say, yes, Lord. Yes. Then Jesus said to them, therefore, now again, notice what he does here before he's been using these parables. And it said again and again and again. But when it comes to verse 52, therefore, in other words, he's been teaching them. And he says this after they say what? Yes, Lord. Therefore, every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old. Now again, I think he's not just talking to those people. I think he's talking to us, Alex. The scribes began with Ezra, you know, after they'd rebuilt the wall, and Ezra had gotten everything ready for the temple, and he had those scribes so they could take the word of God and they could copy it and become experts in it, not to add to it, but to share it with others. Now, they had gotten off track, okay? And, they. They had become partners with the Pharisees to judge and add to. But here he says to these disciples, and I think to us, we're instructed. If you understand this, if you understand the kingdom living, the kingdom teaching, therefore you're like a householder, a steward, a, host of a banquet, who Brings out his treasures. What, just the new or just the old? But what was it, Alex? New treasures that are both, what, new

Alex McFarland and new and old. Yes.

Bert Harper I think he's combining the old covenant and new covenant again. Ah, very good. Ah, do you see it that way?

Alex McFarland I do. New and old. This is good.

Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder

Verse 52 of Matthew 13 to hone in on just a little bit, because, when you think of a scribe, okay, Jesus dialogue with the scribes. And part of the job of the scribes was the copyists. You know, they made copies of the scripture. Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder. Now, let me say this. I looked up the word. The word in the English is translated scribe is the word grammatos, a handler of words. But that was also an ancient word for, two things. A town clerk or some sort of overseer. Now, okay, every scribe, every grammatas, that's disciple. The word instructed is the same word as discipled concerning the kingdom of heaven, okay? The gospel and the Savior. The kingdom of heaven, that is our subject matter. The Bible is our source. Okay? Now, Jesus says, it's like, there's that simile again. It's like what? Like a householder who brings out his treasures, things new and old. Okay? The word of God is like this big repository or this house full of truth. And you know what, Bert? maybe you're a Sunday school teacher. Maybe somebody's keeping the nursery and you've got the little ones. Maybe you're being a witness to a neighbor or somebody like that. When we bring forth the things of the gospel that we have learned, and. And maybe depending on the scenario, maybe it's a quick little word of encouragement, or you're full out sharing and explaining the gospel, or maybe you're getting up and giving a lesson, what you're doing. You're hopefully a discipled grammatas, a scribe, and you're bringing out things to the people that will bring them to Christ, grow them in Christ, make them part of the kingdom. just like, you know, if you've ever had guests over and you say, hey, let me show you this. This was my granddaddy's, you know, whatever. This was the family Bible. I'd like to show it to you. Or this. This desk belonged to my parents. Let me show it to you, Bert. When we're bringing out the inexhaustible treasures of God's Word to be beneficial to the people around us, I think we're. We're kind of living out that verse 52 wouldn't you agree?

Bert Harper I agree fully. Our preaching, our teaching should be about treasures. The songs that we sing should be treasured. Old and new, man. We don't want to forget the old ones, but don't forget they're writing new songs now. The word of God, you know, it's true today, but God can make it fresh and new for you.

Alex: Jesus rejected at Nazareth one time because of unbelief

Well, Alex, he, finished the parables, and then he made his way to his hometown, Nazareth. And this is as far as we can tell in the Scriptures. The last time he would be in Nazareth. And guess what they did. They said he taught them. They were amazed. But it said, is this not the Carpenter's son, verse 55? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joses, Simon and

Bert Harper Judas and his sisters?

Bert Harper Are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things? here it is. He's presented himself one time and they rejected it. And he was amazed at their faith. Here, he just says, a prophet without honor, except in his own country

Bert Harper and in his own house.

Bert Harper And he did not many mighty works there because of their what? Unbelief.

Alex McFarland Unbelief.

Bert Harper But Alex, he went back and tried once again, did he not?

Alex McFarland He really did. He really did. And this closes out Matthew, chapter 13. You know, there's this old saying. It said, who is an expert? Somebody from more than 50 miles away. it does seem like, you know, where you're local. it doesn't mean as much. You know, a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house, you know, but Jesus is definitely, well, the Son of God. And it's a sad thing that he was rejected there at Nazareth. And like you say, the last, last time, as far as we're aware that he ever was there. chapter 14, we can't really get into.

Bert Harper Let me say this real quick about verse 58. He did not many mighty works there because he wanted to do he wants. So I want to just tell you our faith. Yes, it has a lot what God does in our life. Do I believe him? Do I trust him? Alex, you know, we don't want to limit God.

Alex McFarland That's true. We don't want to limit God. Hey, I want to give you the number. It's 8885-8988-4088-8589-85898. 8840 your Bible questions and more when we come back after this brief break. Call us. We'll do our best to give you A good, factual biblical answer.

80% of abortion vulnerable women choose life after seeing baby on ultrasound

So we'd like to hear from you,

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Christ will hold me fast. Justice has been satisfied. He will hold me fast. Raised with him to end this life. He will hold me fast till our faith is turned to sight when he comes in.

Bert Harper Amen. Amen.

Use biblical illustration from Old Testament that fits in with New Testament

Now, M, that is a song that goes along with what we were teaching Alex about the kingdom and the treasures both old and new. That is an old hymn written in the early 1900s. And again it's been revived and added, the chorus to it and it just revived it. And, man, it's one of my favorites in the last few years. But that is an example, honestly, of verse 52 of, Matthew 13. The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasures, things new and old, combining those. And so anytime you teach or preach, if you got, they say we always looking for great illustrations. I understand and know that, but one of the greatest things you do is use a biblical illustration from the Old Testament that fits in with the NewSong Testament. Or if you preaching from the Old Testament, go to the NewSong Testament and find an example how that worked out. Anyway, I had to throw that in. I love that song.

Alex McFarland It's beautiful.

Bert Harper It is.

Daniel in Arkansas asks how Muslims get into public office

Well, you ready to take phone calls?

Alex McFarland 885-89-8840. I got the phone number this time without messing it up before the break. I misspoke. But yes. Let's go to the phone.

Bert Harper Okay. It's Daniel in Arkansas. Daniel, go right ahead.

Okay.

My qu. my question is, how do Muslims get into a public office? I do not understand.

Bert Harper Okay, Daniel, Alex, you and I were talking about that earlier today on the phone. You know NewSong York City?

Alex McFarland Well, that's true.

Bert Harper New York City's mayor. Go ahead.

Alex McFarland Well, I mean, can you imagine, in the aftermath of 9, 11, 3,000Americans died and our Pentagon was compromised and the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was headed for the US Capitol. If somebody had said in, two and a half decades NewSong York City, that was the hardest hit, will voluntarily elect a Muslim mayor. How does it happen? for one thing, it's planned for years with great patience. The Islamic, ideologues, the activists have planned to take America. And then, I would say this too. There have been those that they don't understand what a precious treasure the United States of America is. And there are power hungry people that, you know, you've heard the old saying, yellow, ah, dog or the devil. I mean they'd support anything to try to get some power. But the final way that people have allowed this to happen is apathy and prayerlessness. And I would say to every, God fearing American, we've got to pray for this country, we've got to get out and vote this midterm, and we've got to influence others to vote and vote godly. Because I will tell you, Winston Churchill, let me say this. I'll throw it back to you, Bert. Winston Churchill said, the future of the world is in the hands of either the excited or the committed. Now a lot of people are excited, but there are the committed. And I think we've got to be committed to save our nation and elect true patriots, not just woke global jihadists.

Bert Harper Let me just say that there's this saying. I don't know who said it. Alex, you probably will. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Okay. Communism and Islam both stand against Christianity and biblical principles because those are against them. So the combination of communism and Islam voting together in the, in a Democratic party has pushed them where they are today. And again, we need to speak up, stand for the truth, and stay strong in Christ. Listen, yes, we want freedom. I say this again and I'll say it once again. I try to get it in every so often. Listen, the gospel works under all conditions. The Bible's proved that again. History has proven that under communist China, while the world Was. It was closed off of the world. The underground church was growing in China. It was amazing. But missions only happen in freedom and with enough prosperity to send that. So United States has sent more Christian missionaries around the world than any country ever.

Bert Harper Why?

Bert Harper I think it's because of that freedom. And so, Alex, we need to stand for it biblically and missionally in every way. So, Daniel, that's our answer. Thank you, brother. Let's go to Tennessee and talk to Philip. Philip, go right ahead.

Well, thanks for taking my call, gentlemen. I look forward to this every, day. You guys are such a blessing.

Philip: I'm a little perplexed by all the denominations today

I've just got a quick question, and then I'll hang up in this. And I don't have a scripture for reference because I am driving. But in my prayer time, I know in the Bible it says in the last days they, come a great revival, God will pour his spirit out on all flesh. So I'm a little perplexed by all the denominations that we have today. And I'm not going to say what town I'm from because we are full of denomination. Church, of God, of prophecy, Church of God, the Church of God, Baptist. We have United Methodists. All those are good. Not coming against any of them. But in your expert view and all the years you've spent in ministry, I'm interested to know from both of you, how did we get to this point, not only in America, but I think overseas where we have so many denominations and is that hindering the move of the spirit? And I'll hang up and, listen, Philip.

Bert Harper Thank you, brother. We appreciate you. Alex, let me say this, then you can answer fuller. And it helps that way. I don't. Don't rail against denominations. the only way not to have quote denominations is to have a state church where they would be one and it would be restricted. Now, again saying that I believe too many have split in different ways, but sometimes, and I'm just going to take this one and use it. The United Methodist Philip, that you talked about has they had gone. You said any way you want to woke. If it had not been for the African Methodist, voting at their conferences, they would have gone, woke several years ago. But now you have the global Methodists coming out, that a lot of them are independent Methodists coming out of that. So some of the denominations, Philip, is because of necessity, because of doctrine. Alex, go ahead.

Alex McFarland Well, yeah, and you know what? I'm with Bert. I don't think all of the myriad of denominations is necessarily a bad thing because really, it's been interestingly documented how, all of the major Christian denominations, they really do agree on the core truths. The triune God, the authority of Scripture. God the Son who died on the cross rose again. do you know, and I want to say this, I don't mean to open up a can of worms, but even the Catholic Church. And I'm not advocating Catholicism necessarily, I'm a Protestant. But you know what? In 19, 88 and 1981, the official position of Catholicism is that we are justified by faith. Isn't that amazing? I mean, we, we Protestants. That's been Our Christ since 1517. Justification by faith in Jesus. Now, here's my point. Originally, denominations kind of got together. They were around theological things. They agreed on, whether it be election or baptism. But also really, Bert, in the aftermath of the Reformation, to sort of pool their resources to do missions, you know,

Bert Harper and that's a good.

Alex McFarland That's good, brother, and that's great. I'll tell you what will unleash a global worldwide revival. Unity in the body of Christ get together. And I know we don't agree on everything, but if you love Jesus and you believe in faith in Christ, we're family. Let's link arms. Let's pray together. Lift up Christ the Savior. Watch the Holy Spirit of God move.

Bert Harper And that's what exploring the word Alex and I try to do. We come. Our background, is. Is basically the same. But I want to just tell you, I've gotten to preach in so many different denominations after coming to afr. Alex, you do same here. Yeah. And we praise God for that. And we're preaching Jesus. We don't change your message according to the denomination or church that we're in. We're going to share salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Hope.

Bert Harper that helps. Philip, let's go to Joe in Kansas. Joe, go right ahead.

Hey, good afternoon. Thank you very much for your show. I try to listen every day and very seldom miss it, but I really appreciate what you're doing.

 I have a question about one of your parables today

Okay, so I have a question about one of your parables you did today, and it's the one where the guy is walking through the field. It might have been verse 44. I'm not positive. Okay, so here are my questions. First of all, what's this guy doing walking through somebody else's field? You know, where I come from, that's trespassing. They don't. They don't, you know, they don't take on that too kindly. It's like going on somebody's Boat when they're not there. That's my first question. So then the guy finds the treasure, and he goes, oh, man, I got this treasure.

So what's he do?

He goes and sells everything he has, and he goes back and he snakes the guy, as far as I'm concerned, and says, you know, he's thinking in his head, you got something of value, I'm gonna. I'm getting you for nothing or for less. I mean, he pays for it, I admit, but wouldn't a better thing have been if he went to the owner and said, hey, look, I was trespassing in your field and I found this big treasure? Let's split it.

Bert Harper Okay.

Anyway, I, find this whole thing really confusing, Joe.

Bert Harper Thank you. That's the reason a lot of folks do not see this as somebody that's found. Jes. again, notice what it is a field. the field in the wheat and the tares is the world. Does Jesus change that field? in verse 44, the field representing someone else. And so a lot of this is about the value of who we are. God, the Lord Jesus Christ in the world and finding our great treasure, which is us and him paying the ultimate price. Now, Alex, that is one interpretation of that. Go ahead.

Alex McFarland Yeah, there's no saying, in logic. Don't try to make an analogy. Walk on all fours. now, in verse 44, it says A, treasure hidden in a field. It doesn't say it was somebody's field. It might have just been a piece of land. And maybe he went to the courthouse and he says, hey, there's this land over there, this unclaimed. And the word there. I looked it up in the lexicon, and, it really means, interesting. Agros a G R O s, part of the countryside. Now, here's the thing. Bert is right. The point is, it's about the value of finding the Savior. first of all, we know there's no way that Christ would set forth a teaching that endorsed dishonesty or something like that. this is a parable.

And.

Alex McFarland And it doesn't mean the man was trespassing. It doesn't mean that he, you know, oh, my goodness, there's gold. I'm going to defraud my neighbor out of this acre of his land. I don't think we can necessarily infer that at all, Bert. It's just a point that salvation is a treasure. And whatever you have to give up to get Jesus and to know the Savior, it's worth it.

Bert Harper It is. And the other side of that is the price that Jesus paid. God paid to redeem us, because we are his treasure. We really are. And so either way you go that it's not. It's not trying to defraud the man. So, thank you so much for that. We appreciate that. Joe, let's go to Kansas. Stay in Kansas. Danny. Danny, go right ahead.

Yeah, can you hear me?

Bert Harper Yeah, you're on, brother. Loud and clear. Thank you for calling.

 I just wanted you guys to weigh in on a controversial question

All right. Love the program, guys. yeah, I'll make this quick because my son's about to come out of school. I was listening to a prominent. A very prominent, pastor on the radio, ah, a few days ago, and he's passed on now. But I really respect his ministry. That still carries on. But he said, something that really took me aback, and I just wanted you guys to weigh in on it. And it's about the. The broad road and the narrow path. And he. And he said, there's been, like, over a hundred billion people that have been born since, you know, creation. And, he said that he believed that majority of humanity was in hell. And, it just took me a bat. So if you guys would weigh in on that. I'm not. Go ahead and hang up and listen.

Bert Harper Okay, I would. Alex, when you look at that, though, his. Danny, what he was saying, many are there that go in there. That's what it says. And few that find the narrow way. So him saying that, is pretty clear to me. You go ahead.

Alex McFarland you know, one of my heroes who deeply, deeply shaped my life was a man named Dr. Norman Geisler. G E I S L E R. He went to heaven in 2019. Many people may not be familiar with Norm Geisler, but he was brilliant. Brilliant and incredibly godly. he would give a lecture on how he believed the exact opposite. He believed the vast majority of people would go to heaven. And he had a reason for that. And not the least of which was that for the 70 to 100 billion humans that have ever lived, there have been many, many, children that die before the age of accountability. The other thing Dr. Geisler would say is that, look, Jon once says, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Dr. Geisler believed it would be unthinkable that, hell would score more points than heaven. And I know, the narrow road. And Matthew 7:23. Many will say, on the judgment day, Lord, Lord Jesus will say, I didn't know you. Here's the point, though. only God knows a person's heart, really. That's 1st Samuel 16, 7. And only you know your own heart. So I'll tell you, there's one human and one human only that I can authoritatively speak, over whether or not they've come to Christ. And that's my own heart. So let's make sure that each one of us has settled it and made our choice to follow the Savior.

Bert Harper Amen. William. Sorry we didn't get to you, Brent. We had one. can we cover that tomorrow? The question or prayer request? I believe we should be able to remember it, brother. I'm holding you to it. Okay, no problem. Sorry we didn't get to it today, but we had some great questions today and we appreciate you listening, appreciate you calling, going to Word and Facebook and asking questions, and, we thank you for that. So we thank you for listening to Exploring the Word heard every Monday through Friday here at 3 o' clock central time. And we'll be back tomorrow. We'll start in Matthew 14, which brings us the, halfway point of Matthew. So tell someone about this program, 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.