The Bible is Living and Active, Containing All Needed for Life and Godliness
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.
Welcome to Exploring the Word: Studying God's Word and Taking Your Bible Questions
Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions. Welcome to Exploring the word. Matthew, chapter 22. That's where we are. And starting with verse 15, there will be four questions that are asked and answered.
Analyzing Trick Questions in Matthew Chapter 22 and the Significance of Tuesday
Two.
Two of those questions are trick questions or trying to do it. One was serious and one was asked by Jesus himself. So we want to look at those today. And I, I think we learn a lot today.
Following Along in God's Word to Better Know and Walk Closer with Christ
We do every day, but today's a really important day. This is Tuesday day of prayer, but also what we're studying in Matthew chapter 22 took, took place on a Tuesday during Passion Week before Christ would go to the cross. So welcome to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert here. And we're so thankful you would take time to listen. And if you have a copy of the Word of God, you can follow along. We'll read, we'll comment and hopefully help all of us come to the knowledge of Christ in a better way. Those that need to know him as Savior and then those of us that know him. Hm. But we need a closer walk with him.
Matthew Chapter 22: Questions About Tribute and the Fascinating Group Known as the Herodians
Well Alex, again, Matthew 22 as we come to the end of it. Question after question indeed.
Well Bert, it's great to be with you in Matthew 22. And we are going to take prayer requests later on in the program. We invite people to share their prayer requests. But I've always been fascinated with the Gospel of Matthew. And in chapter 22 it's I, guess a rabbit trail of history that we could chase here. But a group called the Herodians have a question about tribute. And this is worth, talking about for a minute because really the Herodians are only mentioned a couple of times in the NewSong Testament. And a lot of times the Pharisees and the Herodians disagreed.
Political and Religious Differences: Herodians' Loyalty to Rome and Their Question About Paying Taxes
they had some political and religious differences. The Herodians had a loyalty to the family of Herods, the Herodian dynasty. And they were faulted, the Herodians, for kind of being friendly or aligning with the Roman Empire. And there was question about paying taxes. And so Jesus answered this. But in a way the Herodians and the Pharisees, that had deep divides, theologically, philosophically, they had a common reason to unite. Nowadays or at this point they both had opposition to Jesus. And I think this is pretty fascinating, the Pharisees and they took counsel how they might entangle Jesus in his talk. And they went and sent unto him their disciples, with the Herodians saying, master, we know that thou art true. Verse 16.
Pharisees and Herodians Unite Against Jesus, Attempting to Entangle Him with Devious Questions
It's just sarcastic and really devious. Master, we know that you are true and teach the way of God. In truth, neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the person of men. certainly Christ, knowing the hearts of all people, he knew how deceitful and dishonest they were being in their attempt to trip him up. He would have known that, wouldn't he?
Well, verse 18 says it plainly. Jesus perceived their wickedness. Now, in the new King James, and it is these words. There's two words that I want to make out. You use the word took counsel. The word is plotted. I mean, they. They what? They have tried and tried and tried to entangle him, and they could not. But they thought, well, with this, they're wanting to find something.
The Question of Paying Taxes to Caesar: Jesus Perceives Their Testing and Hypocrisy
Pharisees saying, we don't need to pay these taxes. And the Herodian says, we need to pay these taxes. So whichever way Jesus would go, he would set some against them, and they'd have something against him. At least someone would. And that was their idea and their question. Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? And Jesus perceived. Why do you test me? And here he hits it out of the park.
Show Me the Tax Money: Whose Image and Inscription is This Denarius?
You hypocrites. he knew what they were up to. They said to him, Caesar's. And he said to them, Or, no, verse 19. I skipped a verse by mistake. It says verse 19. Show me the tax money, sir. So they brought him a denaria. And he said to them, whose image inscriptions is this?
Render Unto Caesar and Unto God: Understanding the Significance of God's Image
They said, caesar's. And he said to them, render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. Now, Alex, what happened? Every Herod, would put, their image on their, you know, Caesar, they'd put their image on that coin. Now, that image is important. So Jesus has answered, okay, the money is made in the image of the Caesar of your ruler. Pay taxes, Right. You are made in the image of God.
Right.
You render to God. What is God? You're God. You ought to render yourself to him.
Amen.
He, again, this.
Backing Them Into a Corner: A Valuable Lesson on Delegated Authority and Opposition to Jesus
He not only, I would say, back them into their own corner, but he also taught a valuable lesson that we can even understand today.
Indeed. I'm so glad you mentioned that about the image. and God entrusts to rulers certain amounts of authority, even though, you know, money represents value. And the Caesars would put their, their face on the coins and everything, but they only had any power and authority because God had allowed that. And so they kind of, deceived themselves in thinking that, you know, I'm so important, the money should have my picture on it. Because they only have any authority because God delegated it to them temporarily. And that's also in Jon 18. But I want to give you two words, Bert. And the Herodians and the Pharisees and the zealots that Barabbas and Judas were a part of.
Immediacy and Expediency: Beware of Theological Bandwagons and Compromising Convictions for Popularity
I'm going to tell you some words that can cause people to make bad decisions. Immediacy and expediency. Okay, why, why would some people want to side with the oppressive Romans and the Herodians? Well, it's expedient because, maybe if Rome is going to be in power, we'll compromise our convictions, but we'll get in bed with Rome or immediacy, the zealots, let's go to war with Rome right now and let's liberate Israel. And right in front of them is, the Savior. And I just want to challenge people, Bert. I've seen people jump on theological bandwagons contrary to scripture because they thought for the moment what. Well this is what's popular. This is. I remember 20 years ago there was a term called the emergent church. And there was a guy, he's passed away, Tony Campolo. He had written a book along with another, very, very left leaning person. It said, Christianity must change or die. Be careful about immediacy or expediency. Stay true to your convictions.
Wisdom and Permanence: Staying True to God and His Infallible Word in All Things
And by that I mean biblically scripturally informed positions. Because the wisest thing you can ever do in your personal walk and in your priorities and in your ministry. And we all have some ministry that we've been assigned, to Bert. Staying true to God and his infallible word. That is where wisdom and permanence is.
Preach it, brother. Thank you, Alex. That is awesome. Going back to Simon being an apostle and a zealot. Think about who he teamed with some.
The Power of Christ: Matthew and Simon the Zealot's Transformation and a Civil War Revival Story
There's a guy named Matthew who was a quote, tax collector. And nothing could be more hideous to a zealot than a Jewish person becoming the person that is collecting this money to keep the Roman Empire in power. But that is the power of Christ. I've used this before. I have a print of a painting in My office here at, in Tupelo at AFR. And it was about what happened in 1863 in Virginia on the Rapidan River. some great things happened in the Southern camps during the Civil War. Before the Civil War, the Northern terror states, they had revival, the great prayer revival that took place all over, but it did not come South. But during the time of the war, chaplains were preaching the word. And a lot of these young men that got out of the south, and they were not trying to defend what they thought. They were just trying to survive, honestly. And many got saved. And in this print that I have, there's this chaplain, Willie Raglan. That's his name. He was baptizing a Private Goodwin. Don't know his first name, but we know his last name. And they were going down to the Rapidan River. But the only problem was, on the other side the river was the Union forces. And they said, if we go down there, they'll think we're invading their territory, and they'll start shooting. And they said, well, let's try it. We'll start singing. And they went down to the river singing a song. there is just a great message in that song. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins. And sinners plunged beneath the flood Lose all their guilty stains. When the Union forces came out, they joined them in singing this song. The Union on one side, the Confederate on the other. We, Willy Raglan, baptized in Private Goodwin there. And I love that print. When I think of Matthew and then I think of Simon the Zealot and how they became a part of the 12, that would turn the world upside down.
Uniting Behind the Ministry of Christ: The Church Needs to Be Melted Together by the Holy Spirit
Alex. if they could have united the Herodians, the Pharisees, behind the ministry of what God had for Christ.
Wow.
But that. Not for him, but against Him. They united. We. I heard this, and I believe it was DL Moody who said about a church, you can either freeze it together or melt it together. And he said, we need to be melted by the power of the Holy Spirit of God in his word as we go forth in unity. So, anyway, I just love that.
Render to Caesar, Marveled the Multitudes: The Wisdom of Jesus and the Sadducees' Resurrection Question
Amen, bro.
Verse 22 is powerful, isn't it?
Well, it is. It is. I know that, painting that you've got in your office. And every time I'm ever in your office, I look at that, and I think about what God did. But, Jesus, it's amazed. He says, render to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. They heard this, they, they marveled. Verse 22. Or they, they were just amazed. I mean, this is, I could say it's like the wisdom of Solomon, but it's one greater than Solomon. In other words, the one who gave Solomon his wisdom. But the Sadducees. Come, this is fascinating. And I want to really unpack, verse 30 in just a minute. But they said, master Moses said, if a man dies and has no children, his brother shall marry his wife. Raise up children unto her. And they go on. And they asked this question, in the resurrection, whose wife will this woman be?
The Sadducees' Trick Question About the Resurrection: Rejecting Scripture and the Power of God
Last of all, the woman died also. So, Bert, do you believe this is. Were the Sadducees. I think they were trying to trick him again because they generally rejected the bodily resurrection. And here they go ask a question about the resurrection. They too are in collusion to try to trap Christ in his words.
They are exactly doing that. They're trying to. They think that, oh, we've got him, you know, they believe he believes in the resurrection. We're going to do two things at once. We're going to destroy his credibility, but we're also going to prove there is really no resurrection. They only took the first five books. They didn't believe in angels, they didn't believe in the resurrection. The Sadducees did not. And so here they come.
Mistaken, Not Knowing the Scriptures: The Power of Knowing God's Word and Taking Prayer Requests
and I love what Jesus said. You are mistaken not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Now, Alex, that's where it is. That's what sets, the person that is following Christ apart. It is knowing the Scriptures and the power of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we have that in our lives, Alex, we're more than conquerors in Christ, aren't we?
We really are, folks. We're going to continue in Matthew 22 on this edition of Exploring the Word. Plus Tuesday, today, the day of prayer. We'll take your prayer request. We'll join together in lifting those up. Stay tuned. We're back after this.
Hello, I'm Bert Harper. Did you know that this content is listener supported?
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Singing of the Goodness of God: Bumper Music and the Power of Worship
All my life you have been so, so good with every breath that I am able. Oh, I'm going to sing of the goodness of God. Amen. Welcome back to Exploring the Word, Alex, that I love that song, Bert, Brent Austin picks. We call it the bumper music. You know, the punch outs, the rejoins.
Exploring the Word in Matthew 22: Taking Prayer Requests and Bible Questions on Tuesdays
That's a rejoin. And, I don't know who sings that. But, Bert, don't you love to sing of the goodness of God? Every time that song grabs my heart.
Amen. That was C.C. winans. I'd recognize that voice. That was her.
Amen.
Amen.
Well, hey, listen, we're in Matthew 22, by the way. We are going to take prayer requests and we take Bible questions, too, on Tuesdays. But I'm going to go ahead and give that number, even though we're not going to get to the telephone till the next segment. the number is, $858-98-8840. Triple 858-9840. If you want to email a prayer request into Brent, he'll see that and get it to us. It's wordfr.net word and of course, on Facebook, there's, I guess the message feature. You can message us there on the Exploring the Word Facebook page. And we look at that very much, and we'll get it.
You Do Err: The Sadducees' Misunderstanding of Scriptures, the Power of God, and Anti-Supernaturalism
But bert, in Matthew 22, okay, in verse 29, Jesus says, you know, they're trying to trick him, trying to show that he's not a true teacher from God. And they deny the resurrection. But they ask him about the resurrection. Now he answered, and he said, ye do err. Well, the word err, to commit an error in the Greek is the word, someone who wanders and is lost. Just, they're. They're erroneous. They're in error. Now listen, not knowing these scriptures, nor the power of God, there are even to this day, people that they don't really, really, really believe the scriptures. And then they deny the power of God. I've had people tell me God doesn't still do miracles. Well, I don't see where it's written that he doesn't. And so they denied the physical resurrection. Understand, the Sadducees had a worldview that we would call anti supernaturalism, or they, or empiricism. And Bert, I've had people say to me, you know, come on, Alex, do you really believe the Bible is the miraculous word of God?
The Miraculous Word of God: In Heaven, Believers are Deathless, Not Bodiless, and There is No Marriage
Yes, I really believe the Bible is the miraculous word of God. If God can create the universe, the planets, the solar system, the human race, could God give a book of 66 chapters? Certainly. Of course he could. And I believe it is the other thing I've got to say in verse 30, where Jesus says, for in the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. And Bert, I think it's worth pointing out, and you feel free to chime in if you want to, but when a believer dies, they don't turn into an angel. Now, we are, I suppose, like the angels in that a, ah, believer is deathless. We're not, we're not physically going to die anymore, but we are not bodiless. there is a physical, tangible resurrection. And, there's not marriage. I want to say this. In heaven, the closest union on earth would be rather mundane compared to any relationship in heaven. Wouldn't you agree, Bert?
I agree. Great word.
Knowing Loved Ones in Heaven: Beyond the Physical and Sexual Sense, Understanding God's Design
It would be. And in here, there's neither marriage nor given in marriage in heaven. In other words, there. No, well, I know my loved ones in heaven. Yes, I'll know them, but I think we even know them better. But not in the physical, sexual sense. We know them as they are. And so he's referring to that. He doesn't say, you are angels. You are like angels in heaven. And it was referring to one thing, and that's the area of marriage. Neither marriage nor given in marriage. Now you again. there's other things. No death or anything like that, but right now they're talking about that one thing about marriage.
God is Not the God of the Dead, But of the Living: Astonishment at Jesus' Teaching
But now, concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God? Saying, now here it is, I am. And that's the important word. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Now here it is. If there was no resurrection, it would read, I, was the God of Abraham, not I am. No, there's life now in Abraham. And, there's this song, I forgot the name of it. But we're gonna stand with a thousand generations when we get to heaven, praising him and saying, worthy is the Lamb, so I am. And then God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Alex, when you read this passage here, and Jesus sets it, notice what happens in verse 33. And I know you may want to go back and talk more about it, but I can't get away their reaction. Notice. And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
Amazement and Astonishment: The Reaction to Jesus' Teaching and the Greek Word for Expletive
the Sadducees, the Pharisees. And everybody said, I wish they would react that to our teaching. No M. Because theirs was not filled with truth and power, was it?
Well, that's true. That's true. And you know, there's a couple of Words here in verse 22, the word, they marveled. And then in verse 33, the multitude heard this. They were astonished. Now we get a couple of. Well, to be amazed. people were marvel. Christ could not be contradicted. Tripped up, painted into a corner. And the word there for astonished. in verse 33, I want to listen carefully, please. It's the Greek word from which we get the word expletive. Now, we, think of that as a bad word, but it can also mean like, wow, maybe a little softer term. Is the term interjection. Oh, my goodness. You know, it's not a bad word. But the people were burnt, to be colloquial. They were blown away.
Amen. And his what teaching wisdom. Yeah, I mean, he.
Calmly Sharing Truth: Jesus' Response to Devious Questions and the Importance of Knowing Scriptures
He. They came for the purpose of tricking him, of putting him in the corner. And he puts them in their corner, Alex.
And, well, and, and verse 29 through 32, he's so calm. I mean, you know, and he doesn't get angry and just fly back like, hey, you're trying to trick me. I'm going to show you. He doesn't say that, but just very calmly. And what he does, he said, you know, you're committing an error. You don't know the Scriptures or the power of God. But even so, 30 through 32, he gives a brief theology lesson, even though they didn't come to him really seeking truth, but he shares the truth. And I think we should, too. You and I have had people, you know, that wanted to trip us up or something. And, every now and then we'll get some angry mail. And I always try to write back a nice letter. I don't know if they'll read it or throw it in the garbage, but I always try to share the Gospel. And I just. I've always loved this little short vignette of how Christ, very calmly, absolute clear head, he gives truth, even though they weren't really looking for truth, but were trying to, corner him and trip him up.
And when you see this again, the resurrection, going back to what you do not know, the scriptures. The Scriptures teach that there is life after death. It really does.
Respond Correctly, Know God's Power: Strengthening, Hope, and All You Need for Life and Godliness
And you don't know that. And you don't know the power of God. You're limiting God in your life. So applying it today, Alex, what you just said, let's be calm. Let's not react, let's respond. Respond correctly, and then know the power of God that's in your life. The Holy Spirit of God, for every believer is indwelled. In you, God, in you. That this blows me away. But adding the Scriptures, knowing the Scriptures, and that's what we try to do on exploring the Word. Yes, let's know the Scriptures. Let's see what they say. They will strengthen you and help you. They give you hope. They give everything you need for life and godliness in this present world.
A Legitimate Question: The Great Commandment and Jesus' Wise Answer to the Lawyer
So, Alex, verse 34 through 40 is another question. But I look at this one. This may be a little bit more legitimate, of seeking. Seems like this is real seeking, an, answer from the Lord himself. Do you feel that way, or do you think.
I really do. I really do. Let me read this. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathering.
By the way, that word is muzzled. He muzzled them. Go ahead. He muzzled them.
Very good. One of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him and saying, master, which is the great commandment in the law.
Love God and Love Your Neighbor: The First and Great Commandments and Not Far from the Kingdom
Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And by the way, this is From Deuteronomy, chapter 6 and elsewhere in the Old Testament. the second is, like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And so they, You know, he gives an answer. some were wanting to tempt him or question him. Verse 35. They're, you know, testing him. But again, he gives truth, doesn't he? Even though not everybody in that crowd was really looking for truth.
This is also recorded in Mark 12. And Mark adds something that Matthew does not. Jesus, they give thing. But when he responds and says, you have spoken correctly. Yes, yes, yes. Verse 34 in Mark 12 says. So when Jesus saw that, he answered wisely. Jesus said to him, you're not far from the kingdom of God.
No One Dared Ask Another Question: Jesus Begins Asking Questions About Christ's Sonship
And I love what it says in Mark 12. Yeah. After that, no one dared ask him another question. Yeah, but there seems to be some. He may have had alternative questions. But when he heard the answer, it turned him a little bit, you know, toward him. And, he's, he is on the right track. I don't know if he got saved or not, but Jesus said, you're not far. You need to come on in.
Yeah, exactly. Well, you know, Jesus starts asking the questions now here at the end of the chapter 22, the Pharisees were gathered together. In other words, before the crowd dissipates. Jesus asked them, saying, what think ye of Christ? Whose son? S O N. Whose son is he?
Whose Son is Christ? The Son of David and the Paradox of David Calling Him Lord
They said unto him, the son of David. Now, yesterday, Bert, we had a question about the lineages of Jesus through Joseph and through M. Mary. And yes, indeed, Jesus Christ humanly is a descendant of King David. And so Jesus says, how then does David in spirit call him Lord, or by the Spirit really call him Lord? Saying. And then verse 44 is from Psalm 110. The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool. If David them calls him Lord. L, O R D. How was he his son? And no man was able to answer. See the answer and I'll let you take it away. Matthew 22:46. The answer is the incarnation. That while Jesus took on a human body and he began his ministry at age 30. And David, King David had lived a thousand years prior.
The Incarnation: God Incarnate, Infinitely Older Than David, Sitting at the Father's Right Hand
And yet Jesus, being God incarnate, is infinitely older. Micah 5:2. The one born in Bethlehem. His goings forth had been from old, from everlasting. It's amazing. they couldn't answer it, could they?
Again, going back to what he said. You don't know the Scriptures. Jesus did. He is the Word. But notice this. Sit at my right hand. They knew only Messiah sits at the Father's right hand. Now, when they looked at the Old Testament, and, you've commented on this before, Alex. they felt like they may be two messiahs.
Two Messiahs: The Suffering Servant and the Conquering King, and Jesus' New Work of Intercession
The suffering servant, but also the conquering king. Because you see both of those in the Old Testament, but this one is talking about sit at my right hand. when you get to the Book of Hebrews, and he's seated at the right hand of God. I heard this. It means that he had done the work that God had told him to do, but now he was starting a, ah, new work, and that's making intercession for us. But here he is speaking loudly. Okay, physically, he's the son of David, but in reality, he's God. Okay, and that's what you just said. What's the answer? The incarnation.
God Becoming Flesh: David Called Him Lord, a Giant in the Old Testament, and He is Lord
God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Emmanuel, God with us. Alex, David called him Lord. Okay? Three giants in the Old Testament. Abraham, Moses, David. I mean, they're the. You know what I mean? The giant. They're the big, big guys that we look to. And every one of them did what? Look to him. He is Lord, isn't he?
The Word Became Flesh: Amazement Then and Now, Jesus is the Answer to All Our Needs
He really is. And, I've always marveled at Jon, 1:14. The word, and that's capital W, the Logos. The word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory as the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And that's, that's just amazing. I mean, think about it. They were amazed then, we're amazed now, you know, 2,000 years later.
Alex, compare this.
Okay?
Verse 46. No one was able to answer him, but Jesus answered them. Okay. And, Jesus is the answer. He is the answer. Come unto him all you who are weak and heavy laden.
Come Unto Me: Jesus Christ Offers Rest and is Worth It All, Especially on Day of Prayer
He says, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourself and learn of me, for I'm meek and lowly in heart. Jesus Christ. I don't know what everyone out there is going through, but he is worth it all. And we may hear some of that because it's day of prayer.
A Defining Moment: Supporting Preborn Network Clinics and Saving Lives One Ultrasound at a Time
And if you've got a prayer request, we would love to pray with you. That number is 888-589-8840. Today's the Day of prayer and we want to pray for you today, Friend. We're living in a defining moment today. A woman facing an unexpected pregnancy can order the abortion pill online, often before anyone has the chance to tell her she is loved, she's not alone, or that there is hope. That's why you are needed right now. You were made for this moment. At preborn network clinics, mothers are welcomed with compassion, practical support, and a free ultrasound. And when she sees her baby and hears that tiny heartbeat for the very first time, fear often gives way to hope. In fact, more than 80% of abortion vulnerable women choose life after seeing their baby on an ultrasound at a preborn network clinic.
Stand for the Voiceless: Saving Babies and Opening Hearts to the Hope of Jesus Christ
That one moment can save a baby's life and open a mother's heart to the hope of Jesus Christ. This is our moment to stand. For those who cannot speak for themselves, just $28 provides one life saving ultrasound. $140 helps rescue five babies. Please don't wait. Dial two fifty. That's dial pound 250 and say the key word baby. That's pound 250 baby or gift securely preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com Bert Harper together we can save lives one heartbeat at a time.
Day of Prayer: Making Prayer a Priority and Remembering Minister David Ring
Don't stop calling on Jesus name. Keep on popping on heaven's door Let your knees wear out the.
When you hear that song, you know it's the day of prayer here and it's the segment that we set aside for praying. If, we have time, we'll get the questions in there as well. But we try to make prayer a priority on Tuesday. And, Alex, you call me early today and let me know. A friend of ours, a great minister, an evangelist, David Ring, had gone to be of the Lord.
A Great Man of God: David Ring's Impact, His Heaven Now, and No More Handicap
Great man of God, wasn't he?
He really was. We've got a pastor friend in Arkansas. He's probably listening now. Pastor Josh Ramsey at Boundless Grace Baptist Church. Fantastic church. Great brother in the gospel. we, knew David Ring, and he texted me pretty early this morning. Some of you might remember, David Ring was born with cerebral, ah, palsy. And Bert, when I was in seminary at Liberty, he came a number of times. probably nine, ten thousand people in the arena. And, it was simultaneously tears, conviction, laughter, joy. And God used David Ring in a great way. He's in heaven now, and there's no handicap or cerebral palsy anymore, is it?
There is.
What's Your Excuse? Serve the Lord with Gladness, and Answer the Call to Pray
No.
None. And I remember he was at our church here in Tupelo and just great. But he was talking about serving the Lord, and he said, some of you are talking about what you can't do. He said, what's your excuse? with his cerebral palsy and all that he had to deal with. What's your excuse? Listen, serve the Lord. Serve him with gladness. David did. We can as well. Well, Alex, we have people that have called in and that number again, we're going to try to get to as many calls as we can. 888-589-8840. And we go to Lisa in Texas first. Lisa, go right ahead.
Praying for Lisa's Biopsy: Trusting God for Health, Healing, and Good News
Yeah, I just had a spot removed, and so I'm waiting on my biopsy. Just say a prayer that it all
comes out good, please.
Okay, listen, we will. Alex. I believe in doctor's care. I believe in physical therapy. I know the diet. honestly, God is Lord over all of those done right, isn't he?
He really was. He was. The caller's name Lisa?
Yes, Lisa.
let me pray for this.
Go right ahead.
Lord, Please Bless All Anxious About Doctor's Reports: Praying for Benign News and God's Healing
And many are facing diagnoses such as this. And, Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray health and healing over. Lisa. I pray that whenever this report comes back, it is good news. That wonderful word, benign, not malignant. And so I know, Lord, I'm thinking of a man named Doug who has cancer, and he, frankly, he needs to get saved. Lord, I know many people have biopsies and tests and things like that. So in the name of Jesus, Lord, please bless all these people that are anxious about a doctor's report. Let it be good news. Let it Be good news.
Prayer Requests: Reconnecting Estranged Children, Friend in ER Losing Blood, and Job Search Struggles
You are the Lord of life. We pray for life, health, strength, and healing, and we thank you for it. In Jesus name, amen.
Amen. Thank you, Alex. Brent. I know we had some come in on Facebook.
I have a lot from both Facebook. email, all the different places.
Go through them all right now. And those of you that do what I do, write them down and pray for them today and tomorrow, do so.
Rhonda writes in. She, is looking to reconnect with her estranged, adult children. they've had nothing to do with her, and she is. It's really affecting her health problem. Myshel asking for prayer for her friend Bobby. she is in the ER and she is losing blood. Courtney is asking for prayer for his wife, Lori. She's looking for a job. They are both struggling financially. They're really needing her to find that job. Mary Ann is asking for,
Praise and Prayer: Healing from Pneumonia, Broken Relationships, Financial Needs, and Job Seeking
no, this is praise. She, is healing very well from her pneumonia and her collapsed lung.
We heard her last week. We sure did. I thought, okay, this. I remember that. Let me pray real quick for these. I have them listed, Alex. Father, we're praying for Rhonda. relationships that are broken, unhealed, broken relationships is one of the areas that Satan uses in our life to really break, beat us up. And so, Father, I pray for victory. I pray you'd work in Rhonda's life at the same time, work in her children's life. And, Father, bring some people into their lives that would, strengthen and help them to know that regardless of what it is, they need to get right with you and then get right with one another. Praying for Bobby, God, Myshel's friend. I pray, God, that you would strengthen that and help that bring it about for good and for, Courtney and Lori and their finances. I pray Lori is looking for that job. I pray you'd bring it about just where she would be, and she could bloom there and be rewarded there in finances and also in service. And, Father, we praise you that Mary Ann healing has taken place. We just praise you and thank you that you are the healer. In Jesus name I pray.
Praying for Stan: Grandchildren Being Kept Away and the Need for God to Move in Families
Amen. Amen. Thank you, Brent. Well, let's go to Indiana and talk to Stan. Stan, go right ahead. I want to see my grandkids again,
you know, because it has been a
couple of months, and my daughter hasn't really told me why I haven't seen him.
Okay. Wow. Listen, we had the weekend with, several of our grandchildren, and that is. That is difficult to overcome not seeing that second generation, Alex. So we need to be really praying for Stand, don't we?
Yeah, we do. we need the spirit of God to move in the families of our nation. We're gonna write that down. Let's try to get as many as we can. Where else?
Okay, well, let's first go to your state of North Carolina. Deborah.
Praying for Pastor in North Carolina: God Can Reverse Dementia and Restore Cognitive Function
Go right ahead.
Oh, hi, this is Deborah. Can we play, for a pastor here in our.
In our area of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
he got diagnosed with dementia, and
he's now in a, nursing home. Can we please pray for. I believe God can reverse dementia. And can we please pray that for that pastor? Okay. Wow. Amen.
Let's pray for that.
Let's do it.
May I lead in that?
God of Resurrection, Healing, and Life: Restoring Relationships, Reversing Dementia, and Sound Minds
Yeah, go ahead. Pray for Stand. The grandchildren being, you know, and sin, and then the pastor.
Father, in the name of Jesus, you are the God of resurrection, the God of healing, the God of life. Joel 2. 25 says, you restore the years the locust has eaten, Lord. You restore relationships. And, Lord, we pray for Stan to see his grandchildren. We pray for you to work in those relationships. Pray all those. Those grandchildren would know you and would come to the Lord at an early age. This pastor in North Carolina that's showing signs of dementia. Father, in the name of Jesus, touch that brain that you made and reverse the, cognitive decline. And, Lord, all of us, the neurons and the synapses in our brain, keep them sharp, keep those, thoughts flowing and accurately. The neurons firing. Lord, you've told us that we can have love, power, and a sound mind. So for this pastor and just everybody listening, all of us, give us that sound mind, that keen memory that we could know you and tell others about you. So we lift this pastor and bless this sister for bringing this to our attention. In Christ's name. And for his glory, we pray.
More Prayer Requests: Spiritual Warfare, Heart Virus, and Brain Surgery
Amen.
Amen. Thank you so much, Deborah, for pray. Listen, pastoring, it may look a lot easier than it really is. It is difficult and hard, and then when that starts happening, it's devastating. Brent, do I understand we had some more prayer requests come in?
We do.
go right ahead.
Thank you so much to all of you that are, writing in, to us. I appreciate that. Taylor has two. She's asking for prayer for her brother in law, Damaris. He is dealing with spiritual warfare. They do believe he's under demonic attack. she's also asking for prayer for the Ford Greene family. The husband and father, Stephen, is, suffering from a virus that is attacking his heart.
Okay, Ford Green family.
Yes. And then Rita's friend Juanita is having brain surgery today.
Okay, Anita.
Praying for Strength and Help: Addressing Spiritual Warfare, Healing, and God's Provision
Rita's friend. Friend. Juanita.
Juanita. Okay, I'll pray there. Father, I pray that you would, just strengthen Demetrius. Father, man, spiritual warfare is real. Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is the enemy, but we're not, ignorant of his devices, Father. We know that what he speaks is untruth, and we know that what the ultimate result is is destruction. So I pray, Father, for this young man, God, that you would let him see truth, and he would respond to it. And, Father, I pray for Areda's friend Wanda, Father, that you would help her, strengthen her. We're asking you to do the work that you can do, and I think that you want man to do work as well. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, you asked them to roll the stone away. You asked them to unwind him and let him go. You did what only you could do, and that was raise him from the dead. So I pray, Father, that we would do what you've given us the mind to do to help us live a life that, as Alex said, with a sound mind and healthy body, Father, help us to follow you and do that in this situation. In Jesus name, Amen. Amen. Well, let's go to Indiana and talk to Cole.
Motorcycle Incident and Coma: A Friend's Encounter with Jesus and God's Work in Desperation
Cole, thank you for calling. Go ahead.
This is Cole. I'm from Indiana, and, I had a good buddy in a motorcycle incident about a month ago. I had no clue about it, and I prayed to God to put something on my heart to contact someone about Jesus. And my wife text me about that the same day, And I read it, and I'll be honest. He should have been dead. And I was 15 minutes from the hospital, so I was debating on going and calling and praying over him, and I was able to contact him today, and he was able to tell me he actually walked and talked with Jesus during the 11 days, he was in his coma, and he broke it down. And you want to talk about awesome. I mean, I just pray that you give him that. God gives him the strength to keep sharing what he just shared with me so he can bring everyone else closer and my family as well, or.
Thank you, Cole.
Hallelujah.
Amen. Isn't it, you know, God's, at work, but many times we have to be brought to a place of desperation.
Praise Report: God Spares Life, Ignites a Fire, and Encourages Sharing the Gospel
The woman with issue of blood, she was at that point of desperation when she came to Jesus, and there's some people like that, aren't they, Alex?
Exactly. Lord, we praise you for Cole's friend that was in that motorcycle wreck. And, Lord, you've spared his life. Lord, let that fire and that holy spirit, joy and gratitude never leave him. And, Lord, let him heal up all the way. And bless this caller for making this, this praise report, news to us in Jesus name. Amen.
Amen. Well, we got some more.
Getting Ducks in a Row: Praying for Discernment in Relationships and Staying on the Right Path
Let's go to Mississippi, and it's Laine. Laine, thank you for calling.
Hello. I'm a. I'm a young guy from Mississippi, and I've recently been trying to get my ducks in a row, and I have come across this young lady that is Jesus, follower herself. And I was just asking y' all to pray for my. My discernment, but being able to discern between whether she's a good choice or not, and also to keep me on a straight and narrow path while I try to, you know, make the right impression on. On her parents and you know what? Not like that. So.
Amen.
Get Right with God First: God Will Show Us a Spouse and Birth Christian Marriages
Laine. Listen, Alex, though, let's just say this. Those of you who are listening, who are single, listen, get right with God first. And then I noticed in the Bible, God brought Eve to Adam. I don't think that's just, oh, accidental. I think that's the, God. God will show us one.
He really will. You know, my wife and I were. We've counseled with a lot of young adults over the years, and very often somebody will say, you know, I'm really asking God for a Christian spouse. And I've said, and Angie says, too, somewhere, somebody else, the. The young man is praying about a wife. The young Christian lady is praying about a husband, and God will bring that together. Hebrews 13 says, in God's eyes, marriage is honorable. So it's to rejoice over when God births a Christian marriage and family, isn't it?
Praying for Lane: Discernment, Patience, and Trusting God with Relationships
It is. So, Father, we pray for Laine. May he continue to follow you. I know we go left or right a little bit, but we don't want to get in the ditch. We want to stay on the road you have for us. Give him discernment for this time. And, Father, give him patience to wait and see. Time reveals issues, and then difficulty reveals character. And so let him look at those things to see. And she's probably looking at him as well. May it be in your hands. In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen.
Brent, do I understand?
More Prayer Requests: Job Search, Relationship Obstacles, and Grandson with Cancer
You got some more?
Yes, sir. And I want you to know that, I know you and Alex, don't see this, but there's more going on on Facebook than just people watching the show and listening. people are praying for each other. They're talking, reaching out. It says it's a little bit of church going on right there on Facebook. We need more church on Facebook.
Praise God.
Nancy is still in need of a job. she's asked several times. She still has not found anything. Dennis and his fiance are needing, prayers for, outside obstacles that are affecting their relationship.
Okay.
And then, also, he's asking for prayers for his brother's grandson who has cancer.
Answer.
Oh, man. Okay. Nancy's job, Dennis. Ah, fiance and obstacles and then that job. Yep.
Miraculous Provision: Praying for Employment, Family, Finances, and Worship While Waiting
All right. Lord, we just pray for these things, Lord, especially the employment situation and the economy is tight, and every. It seems like everything is quite expensive. Lord, we just pray you would miraculously provide. And for those that are praying about job, family, children, finances, Lord, help them worship while they wait. And, Lord, I know that, that you're working, there's no time wasted. And even waiting on you, it's not always easy, but, you're doing things and sort of, Lord, we give you the glory. And just like Brent saying that, they're having church on Facebook, praying for each other. That's what we want. And, Lord, we give you the glory for the way your holy spirit is moving in all of our lives through this radio show.
God's Holy Spirit at Work: Prayer is a Priority, Call Back Tomorrow for Questions
Lord, we praise you in Christ's name.
Amen. Thank you, Alex. Jon from Louisiana, please call back tomorrow. We make prayer a priority on Tuesday, but we love the questions. So if you'll call back tomorrow, we'll do our best to get you on very first. So, Alex, hope you have a good evening. And, we thank God for what he's doing here on afr, don't we?
We sure do, folks. And, tell somebody about the American Family Radio Network.
Tell Somebody About Jesus: Participate in Share-a-thon to Spread the Gospel
most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. Please be in prayer. Next week, too, is going to be share a thon and you all can participate in getting the gospel to millions and millions of listeners throughout America and internationally. We praise God for it all. Glory to Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.
The Bible is Living and Active, Containing All Needed for Life and Godliness
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.
Welcome to Exploring the Word: Studying God's Word and Taking Your Bible Questions
Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions. Welcome to Exploring the word. Matthew, chapter 22. That's where we are. And starting with verse 15, there will be four questions that are asked and answered.
Analyzing Trick Questions in Matthew Chapter 22 and the Significance of Tuesday
Two.
Two of those questions are trick questions or trying to do it. One was serious and one was asked by Jesus himself. So we want to look at those today. And I, I think we learn a lot today.
Following Along in God's Word to Better Know and Walk Closer with Christ
We do every day, but today's a really important day. This is Tuesday day of prayer, but also what we're studying in Matthew chapter 22 took, took place on a Tuesday during Passion Week before Christ would go to the cross. So welcome to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert here. And we're so thankful you would take time to listen. And if you have a copy of the Word of God, you can follow along. We'll read, we'll comment and hopefully help all of us come to the knowledge of Christ in a better way. Those that need to know him as Savior and then those of us that know him. Hm. But we need a closer walk with him.
Matthew Chapter 22: Questions About Tribute and the Fascinating Group Known as the Herodians
Well Alex, again, Matthew 22 as we come to the end of it. Question after question indeed.
Well Bert, it's great to be with you in Matthew 22. And we are going to take prayer requests later on in the program. We invite people to share their prayer requests. But I've always been fascinated with the Gospel of Matthew. And in chapter 22 it's I, guess a rabbit trail of history that we could chase here. But a group called the Herodians have a question about tribute. And this is worth, talking about for a minute because really the Herodians are only mentioned a couple of times in the NewSong Testament. And a lot of times the Pharisees and the Herodians disagreed.
Political and Religious Differences: Herodians' Loyalty to Rome and Their Question About Paying Taxes
they had some political and religious differences. The Herodians had a loyalty to the family of Herods, the Herodian dynasty. And they were faulted, the Herodians, for kind of being friendly or aligning with the Roman Empire. And there was question about paying taxes. And so Jesus answered this. But in a way the Herodians and the Pharisees, that had deep divides, theologically, philosophically, they had a common reason to unite. Nowadays or at this point they both had opposition to Jesus. And I think this is pretty fascinating, the Pharisees and they took counsel how they might entangle Jesus in his talk. And they went and sent unto him their disciples, with the Herodians saying, master, we know that thou art true. Verse 16.
Pharisees and Herodians Unite Against Jesus, Attempting to Entangle Him with Devious Questions
It's just sarcastic and really devious. Master, we know that you are true and teach the way of God. In truth, neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the person of men. certainly Christ, knowing the hearts of all people, he knew how deceitful and dishonest they were being in their attempt to trip him up. He would have known that, wouldn't he?
Well, verse 18 says it plainly. Jesus perceived their wickedness. Now, in the new King James, and it is these words. There's two words that I want to make out. You use the word took counsel. The word is plotted. I mean, they. They what? They have tried and tried and tried to entangle him, and they could not. But they thought, well, with this, they're wanting to find something.
The Question of Paying Taxes to Caesar: Jesus Perceives Their Testing and Hypocrisy
Pharisees saying, we don't need to pay these taxes. And the Herodian says, we need to pay these taxes. So whichever way Jesus would go, he would set some against them, and they'd have something against him. At least someone would. And that was their idea and their question. Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? And Jesus perceived. Why do you test me? And here he hits it out of the park.
Show Me the Tax Money: Whose Image and Inscription is This Denarius?
You hypocrites. he knew what they were up to. They said to him, Caesar's. And he said to them, Or, no, verse 19. I skipped a verse by mistake. It says verse 19. Show me the tax money, sir. So they brought him a denaria. And he said to them, whose image inscriptions is this?
Render Unto Caesar and Unto God: Understanding the Significance of God's Image
They said, caesar's. And he said to them, render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. Now, Alex, what happened? Every Herod, would put, their image on their, you know, Caesar, they'd put their image on that coin. Now, that image is important. So Jesus has answered, okay, the money is made in the image of the Caesar of your ruler. Pay taxes, Right. You are made in the image of God.
Right.
You render to God. What is God? You're God. You ought to render yourself to him.
Amen.
He, again, this.
Backing Them Into a Corner: A Valuable Lesson on Delegated Authority and Opposition to Jesus
He not only, I would say, back them into their own corner, but he also taught a valuable lesson that we can even understand today.
Indeed. I'm so glad you mentioned that about the image. and God entrusts to rulers certain amounts of authority, even though, you know, money represents value. And the Caesars would put their, their face on the coins and everything, but they only had any power and authority because God had allowed that. And so they kind of, deceived themselves in thinking that, you know, I'm so important, the money should have my picture on it. Because they only have any authority because God delegated it to them temporarily. And that's also in Jon 18. But I want to give you two words, Bert. And the Herodians and the Pharisees and the zealots that Barabbas and Judas were a part of.
Immediacy and Expediency: Beware of Theological Bandwagons and Compromising Convictions for Popularity
I'm going to tell you some words that can cause people to make bad decisions. Immediacy and expediency. Okay, why, why would some people want to side with the oppressive Romans and the Herodians? Well, it's expedient because, maybe if Rome is going to be in power, we'll compromise our convictions, but we'll get in bed with Rome or immediacy, the zealots, let's go to war with Rome right now and let's liberate Israel. And right in front of them is, the Savior. And I just want to challenge people, Bert. I've seen people jump on theological bandwagons contrary to scripture because they thought for the moment what. Well this is what's popular. This is. I remember 20 years ago there was a term called the emergent church. And there was a guy, he's passed away, Tony Campolo. He had written a book along with another, very, very left leaning person. It said, Christianity must change or die. Be careful about immediacy or expediency. Stay true to your convictions.
Wisdom and Permanence: Staying True to God and His Infallible Word in All Things
And by that I mean biblically scripturally informed positions. Because the wisest thing you can ever do in your personal walk and in your priorities and in your ministry. And we all have some ministry that we've been assigned, to Bert. Staying true to God and his infallible word. That is where wisdom and permanence is.
Preach it, brother. Thank you, Alex. That is awesome. Going back to Simon being an apostle and a zealot. Think about who he teamed with some.
The Power of Christ: Matthew and Simon the Zealot's Transformation and a Civil War Revival Story
There's a guy named Matthew who was a quote, tax collector. And nothing could be more hideous to a zealot than a Jewish person becoming the person that is collecting this money to keep the Roman Empire in power. But that is the power of Christ. I've used this before. I have a print of a painting in My office here at, in Tupelo at AFR. And it was about what happened in 1863 in Virginia on the Rapidan River. some great things happened in the Southern camps during the Civil War. Before the Civil War, the Northern terror states, they had revival, the great prayer revival that took place all over, but it did not come South. But during the time of the war, chaplains were preaching the word. And a lot of these young men that got out of the south, and they were not trying to defend what they thought. They were just trying to survive, honestly. And many got saved. And in this print that I have, there's this chaplain, Willie Raglan. That's his name. He was baptizing a Private Goodwin. Don't know his first name, but we know his last name. And they were going down to the Rapidan River. But the only problem was, on the other side the river was the Union forces. And they said, if we go down there, they'll think we're invading their territory, and they'll start shooting. And they said, well, let's try it. We'll start singing. And they went down to the river singing a song. there is just a great message in that song. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins. And sinners plunged beneath the flood Lose all their guilty stains. When the Union forces came out, they joined them in singing this song. The Union on one side, the Confederate on the other. We, Willy Raglan, baptized in Private Goodwin there. And I love that print. When I think of Matthew and then I think of Simon the Zealot and how they became a part of the 12, that would turn the world upside down.
Uniting Behind the Ministry of Christ: The Church Needs to Be Melted Together by the Holy Spirit
Alex. if they could have united the Herodians, the Pharisees, behind the ministry of what God had for Christ.
Wow.
But that. Not for him, but against Him. They united. We. I heard this, and I believe it was DL Moody who said about a church, you can either freeze it together or melt it together. And he said, we need to be melted by the power of the Holy Spirit of God in his word as we go forth in unity. So, anyway, I just love that.
Render to Caesar, Marveled the Multitudes: The Wisdom of Jesus and the Sadducees' Resurrection Question
Amen, bro.
Verse 22 is powerful, isn't it?
Well, it is. It is. I know that, painting that you've got in your office. And every time I'm ever in your office, I look at that, and I think about what God did. But, Jesus, it's amazed. He says, render to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. They heard this, they, they marveled. Verse 22. Or they, they were just amazed. I mean, this is, I could say it's like the wisdom of Solomon, but it's one greater than Solomon. In other words, the one who gave Solomon his wisdom. But the Sadducees. Come, this is fascinating. And I want to really unpack, verse 30 in just a minute. But they said, master Moses said, if a man dies and has no children, his brother shall marry his wife. Raise up children unto her. And they go on. And they asked this question, in the resurrection, whose wife will this woman be?
The Sadducees' Trick Question About the Resurrection: Rejecting Scripture and the Power of God
Last of all, the woman died also. So, Bert, do you believe this is. Were the Sadducees. I think they were trying to trick him again because they generally rejected the bodily resurrection. And here they go ask a question about the resurrection. They too are in collusion to try to trap Christ in his words.
They are exactly doing that. They're trying to. They think that, oh, we've got him, you know, they believe he believes in the resurrection. We're going to do two things at once. We're going to destroy his credibility, but we're also going to prove there is really no resurrection. They only took the first five books. They didn't believe in angels, they didn't believe in the resurrection. The Sadducees did not. And so here they come.
Mistaken, Not Knowing the Scriptures: The Power of Knowing God's Word and Taking Prayer Requests
and I love what Jesus said. You are mistaken not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Now, Alex, that's where it is. That's what sets, the person that is following Christ apart. It is knowing the Scriptures and the power of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we have that in our lives, Alex, we're more than conquerors in Christ, aren't we?
We really are, folks. We're going to continue in Matthew 22 on this edition of Exploring the Word. Plus Tuesday, today, the day of prayer. We'll take your prayer request. We'll join together in lifting those up. Stay tuned. We're back after this.
Hello, I'm Bert Harper. Did you know that this content is listener supported?
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Singing of the Goodness of God: Bumper Music and the Power of Worship
All my life you have been so, so good with every breath that I am able. Oh, I'm going to sing of the goodness of God. Amen. Welcome back to Exploring the Word, Alex, that I love that song, Bert, Brent Austin picks. We call it the bumper music. You know, the punch outs, the rejoins.
Exploring the Word in Matthew 22: Taking Prayer Requests and Bible Questions on Tuesdays
That's a rejoin. And, I don't know who sings that. But, Bert, don't you love to sing of the goodness of God? Every time that song grabs my heart.
Amen. That was C.C. winans. I'd recognize that voice. That was her.
Amen.
Amen.
Well, hey, listen, we're in Matthew 22, by the way. We are going to take prayer requests and we take Bible questions, too, on Tuesdays. But I'm going to go ahead and give that number, even though we're not going to get to the telephone till the next segment. the number is, $858-98-8840. Triple 858-9840. If you want to email a prayer request into Brent, he'll see that and get it to us. It's wordfr.net word and of course, on Facebook, there's, I guess the message feature. You can message us there on the Exploring the Word Facebook page. And we look at that very much, and we'll get it.
You Do Err: The Sadducees' Misunderstanding of Scriptures, the Power of God, and Anti-Supernaturalism
But bert, in Matthew 22, okay, in verse 29, Jesus says, you know, they're trying to trick him, trying to show that he's not a true teacher from God. And they deny the resurrection. But they ask him about the resurrection. Now he answered, and he said, ye do err. Well, the word err, to commit an error in the Greek is the word, someone who wanders and is lost. Just, they're. They're erroneous. They're in error. Now listen, not knowing these scriptures, nor the power of God, there are even to this day, people that they don't really, really, really believe the scriptures. And then they deny the power of God. I've had people tell me God doesn't still do miracles. Well, I don't see where it's written that he doesn't. And so they denied the physical resurrection. Understand, the Sadducees had a worldview that we would call anti supernaturalism, or they, or empiricism. And Bert, I've had people say to me, you know, come on, Alex, do you really believe the Bible is the miraculous word of God?
The Miraculous Word of God: In Heaven, Believers are Deathless, Not Bodiless, and There is No Marriage
Yes, I really believe the Bible is the miraculous word of God. If God can create the universe, the planets, the solar system, the human race, could God give a book of 66 chapters? Certainly. Of course he could. And I believe it is the other thing I've got to say in verse 30, where Jesus says, for in the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. And Bert, I think it's worth pointing out, and you feel free to chime in if you want to, but when a believer dies, they don't turn into an angel. Now, we are, I suppose, like the angels in that a, ah, believer is deathless. We're not, we're not physically going to die anymore, but we are not bodiless. there is a physical, tangible resurrection. And, there's not marriage. I want to say this. In heaven, the closest union on earth would be rather mundane compared to any relationship in heaven. Wouldn't you agree, Bert?
I agree. Great word.
Knowing Loved Ones in Heaven: Beyond the Physical and Sexual Sense, Understanding God's Design
It would be. And in here, there's neither marriage nor given in marriage in heaven. In other words, there. No, well, I know my loved ones in heaven. Yes, I'll know them, but I think we even know them better. But not in the physical, sexual sense. We know them as they are. And so he's referring to that. He doesn't say, you are angels. You are like angels in heaven. And it was referring to one thing, and that's the area of marriage. Neither marriage nor given in marriage. Now you again. there's other things. No death or anything like that, but right now they're talking about that one thing about marriage.
God is Not the God of the Dead, But of the Living: Astonishment at Jesus' Teaching
But now, concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God? Saying, now here it is, I am. And that's the important word. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Now here it is. If there was no resurrection, it would read, I, was the God of Abraham, not I am. No, there's life now in Abraham. And, there's this song, I forgot the name of it. But we're gonna stand with a thousand generations when we get to heaven, praising him and saying, worthy is the Lamb, so I am. And then God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Alex, when you read this passage here, and Jesus sets it, notice what happens in verse 33. And I know you may want to go back and talk more about it, but I can't get away their reaction. Notice. And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
Amazement and Astonishment: The Reaction to Jesus' Teaching and the Greek Word for Expletive
the Sadducees, the Pharisees. And everybody said, I wish they would react that to our teaching. No M. Because theirs was not filled with truth and power, was it?
Well, that's true. That's true. And you know, there's a couple of Words here in verse 22, the word, they marveled. And then in verse 33, the multitude heard this. They were astonished. Now we get a couple of. Well, to be amazed. people were marvel. Christ could not be contradicted. Tripped up, painted into a corner. And the word there for astonished. in verse 33, I want to listen carefully, please. It's the Greek word from which we get the word expletive. Now, we, think of that as a bad word, but it can also mean like, wow, maybe a little softer term. Is the term interjection. Oh, my goodness. You know, it's not a bad word. But the people were burnt, to be colloquial. They were blown away.
Amen. And his what teaching wisdom. Yeah, I mean, he.
Calmly Sharing Truth: Jesus' Response to Devious Questions and the Importance of Knowing Scriptures
He. They came for the purpose of tricking him, of putting him in the corner. And he puts them in their corner, Alex.
And, well, and, and verse 29 through 32, he's so calm. I mean, you know, and he doesn't get angry and just fly back like, hey, you're trying to trick me. I'm going to show you. He doesn't say that, but just very calmly. And what he does, he said, you know, you're committing an error. You don't know the Scriptures or the power of God. But even so, 30 through 32, he gives a brief theology lesson, even though they didn't come to him really seeking truth, but he shares the truth. And I think we should, too. You and I have had people, you know, that wanted to trip us up or something. And, every now and then we'll get some angry mail. And I always try to write back a nice letter. I don't know if they'll read it or throw it in the garbage, but I always try to share the Gospel. And I just. I've always loved this little short vignette of how Christ, very calmly, absolute clear head, he gives truth, even though they weren't really looking for truth, but were trying to, corner him and trip him up.
And when you see this again, the resurrection, going back to what you do not know, the scriptures. The Scriptures teach that there is life after death. It really does.
Respond Correctly, Know God's Power: Strengthening, Hope, and All You Need for Life and Godliness
And you don't know that. And you don't know the power of God. You're limiting God in your life. So applying it today, Alex, what you just said, let's be calm. Let's not react, let's respond. Respond correctly, and then know the power of God that's in your life. The Holy Spirit of God, for every believer is indwelled. In you, God, in you. That this blows me away. But adding the Scriptures, knowing the Scriptures, and that's what we try to do on exploring the Word. Yes, let's know the Scriptures. Let's see what they say. They will strengthen you and help you. They give you hope. They give everything you need for life and godliness in this present world.
A Legitimate Question: The Great Commandment and Jesus' Wise Answer to the Lawyer
So, Alex, verse 34 through 40 is another question. But I look at this one. This may be a little bit more legitimate, of seeking. Seems like this is real seeking, an, answer from the Lord himself. Do you feel that way, or do you think.
I really do. I really do. Let me read this. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathering.
By the way, that word is muzzled. He muzzled them. Go ahead. He muzzled them.
Very good. One of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him and saying, master, which is the great commandment in the law.
Love God and Love Your Neighbor: The First and Great Commandments and Not Far from the Kingdom
Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And by the way, this is From Deuteronomy, chapter 6 and elsewhere in the Old Testament. the second is, like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And so they, You know, he gives an answer. some were wanting to tempt him or question him. Verse 35. They're, you know, testing him. But again, he gives truth, doesn't he? Even though not everybody in that crowd was really looking for truth.
This is also recorded in Mark 12. And Mark adds something that Matthew does not. Jesus, they give thing. But when he responds and says, you have spoken correctly. Yes, yes, yes. Verse 34 in Mark 12 says. So when Jesus saw that, he answered wisely. Jesus said to him, you're not far from the kingdom of God.
No One Dared Ask Another Question: Jesus Begins Asking Questions About Christ's Sonship
And I love what it says in Mark 12. Yeah. After that, no one dared ask him another question. Yeah, but there seems to be some. He may have had alternative questions. But when he heard the answer, it turned him a little bit, you know, toward him. And, he's, he is on the right track. I don't know if he got saved or not, but Jesus said, you're not far. You need to come on in.
Yeah, exactly. Well, you know, Jesus starts asking the questions now here at the end of the chapter 22, the Pharisees were gathered together. In other words, before the crowd dissipates. Jesus asked them, saying, what think ye of Christ? Whose son? S O N. Whose son is he?
Whose Son is Christ? The Son of David and the Paradox of David Calling Him Lord
They said unto him, the son of David. Now, yesterday, Bert, we had a question about the lineages of Jesus through Joseph and through M. Mary. And yes, indeed, Jesus Christ humanly is a descendant of King David. And so Jesus says, how then does David in spirit call him Lord, or by the Spirit really call him Lord? Saying. And then verse 44 is from Psalm 110. The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool. If David them calls him Lord. L, O R D. How was he his son? And no man was able to answer. See the answer and I'll let you take it away. Matthew 22:46. The answer is the incarnation. That while Jesus took on a human body and he began his ministry at age 30. And David, King David had lived a thousand years prior.
The Incarnation: God Incarnate, Infinitely Older Than David, Sitting at the Father's Right Hand
And yet Jesus, being God incarnate, is infinitely older. Micah 5:2. The one born in Bethlehem. His goings forth had been from old, from everlasting. It's amazing. they couldn't answer it, could they?
Again, going back to what he said. You don't know the Scriptures. Jesus did. He is the Word. But notice this. Sit at my right hand. They knew only Messiah sits at the Father's right hand. Now, when they looked at the Old Testament, and, you've commented on this before, Alex. they felt like they may be two messiahs.
Two Messiahs: The Suffering Servant and the Conquering King, and Jesus' New Work of Intercession
The suffering servant, but also the conquering king. Because you see both of those in the Old Testament, but this one is talking about sit at my right hand. when you get to the Book of Hebrews, and he's seated at the right hand of God. I heard this. It means that he had done the work that God had told him to do, but now he was starting a, ah, new work, and that's making intercession for us. But here he is speaking loudly. Okay, physically, he's the son of David, but in reality, he's God. Okay, and that's what you just said. What's the answer? The incarnation.
God Becoming Flesh: David Called Him Lord, a Giant in the Old Testament, and He is Lord
God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Emmanuel, God with us. Alex, David called him Lord. Okay? Three giants in the Old Testament. Abraham, Moses, David. I mean, they're the. You know what I mean? The giant. They're the big, big guys that we look to. And every one of them did what? Look to him. He is Lord, isn't he?
The Word Became Flesh: Amazement Then and Now, Jesus is the Answer to All Our Needs
He really is. And, I've always marveled at Jon, 1:14. The word, and that's capital W, the Logos. The word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory as the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And that's, that's just amazing. I mean, think about it. They were amazed then, we're amazed now, you know, 2,000 years later.
Alex, compare this.
Okay?
Verse 46. No one was able to answer him, but Jesus answered them. Okay. And, Jesus is the answer. He is the answer. Come unto him all you who are weak and heavy laden.
Come Unto Me: Jesus Christ Offers Rest and is Worth It All, Especially on Day of Prayer
He says, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourself and learn of me, for I'm meek and lowly in heart. Jesus Christ. I don't know what everyone out there is going through, but he is worth it all. And we may hear some of that because it's day of prayer.
A Defining Moment: Supporting Preborn Network Clinics and Saving Lives One Ultrasound at a Time
And if you've got a prayer request, we would love to pray with you. That number is 888-589-8840. Today's the Day of prayer and we want to pray for you today, Friend. We're living in a defining moment today. A woman facing an unexpected pregnancy can order the abortion pill online, often before anyone has the chance to tell her she is loved, she's not alone, or that there is hope. That's why you are needed right now. You were made for this moment. At preborn network clinics, mothers are welcomed with compassion, practical support, and a free ultrasound. And when she sees her baby and hears that tiny heartbeat for the very first time, fear often gives way to hope. In fact, more than 80% of abortion vulnerable women choose life after seeing their baby on an ultrasound at a preborn network clinic.
Stand for the Voiceless: Saving Babies and Opening Hearts to the Hope of Jesus Christ
That one moment can save a baby's life and open a mother's heart to the hope of Jesus Christ. This is our moment to stand. For those who cannot speak for themselves, just $28 provides one life saving ultrasound. $140 helps rescue five babies. Please don't wait. Dial two fifty. That's dial pound 250 and say the key word baby. That's pound 250 baby or gift securely preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com Bert Harper together we can save lives one heartbeat at a time.
Day of Prayer: Making Prayer a Priority and Remembering Minister David Ring
Don't stop calling on Jesus name. Keep on popping on heaven's door Let your knees wear out the.
When you hear that song, you know it's the day of prayer here and it's the segment that we set aside for praying. If, we have time, we'll get the questions in there as well. But we try to make prayer a priority on Tuesday. And, Alex, you call me early today and let me know. A friend of ours, a great minister, an evangelist, David Ring, had gone to be of the Lord.
A Great Man of God: David Ring's Impact, His Heaven Now, and No More Handicap
Great man of God, wasn't he?
He really was. We've got a pastor friend in Arkansas. He's probably listening now. Pastor Josh Ramsey at Boundless Grace Baptist Church. Fantastic church. Great brother in the gospel. we, knew David Ring, and he texted me pretty early this morning. Some of you might remember, David Ring was born with cerebral, ah, palsy. And Bert, when I was in seminary at Liberty, he came a number of times. probably nine, ten thousand people in the arena. And, it was simultaneously tears, conviction, laughter, joy. And God used David Ring in a great way. He's in heaven now, and there's no handicap or cerebral palsy anymore, is it?
There is.
What's Your Excuse? Serve the Lord with Gladness, and Answer the Call to Pray
No.
None. And I remember he was at our church here in Tupelo and just great. But he was talking about serving the Lord, and he said, some of you are talking about what you can't do. He said, what's your excuse? with his cerebral palsy and all that he had to deal with. What's your excuse? Listen, serve the Lord. Serve him with gladness. David did. We can as well. Well, Alex, we have people that have called in and that number again, we're going to try to get to as many calls as we can. 888-589-8840. And we go to Lisa in Texas first. Lisa, go right ahead.
Praying for Lisa's Biopsy: Trusting God for Health, Healing, and Good News
Yeah, I just had a spot removed, and so I'm waiting on my biopsy. Just say a prayer that it all
comes out good, please.
Okay, listen, we will. Alex. I believe in doctor's care. I believe in physical therapy. I know the diet. honestly, God is Lord over all of those done right, isn't he?
He really was. He was. The caller's name Lisa?
Yes, Lisa.
let me pray for this.
Go right ahead.
Lord, Please Bless All Anxious About Doctor's Reports: Praying for Benign News and God's Healing
And many are facing diagnoses such as this. And, Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray health and healing over. Lisa. I pray that whenever this report comes back, it is good news. That wonderful word, benign, not malignant. And so I know, Lord, I'm thinking of a man named Doug who has cancer, and he, frankly, he needs to get saved. Lord, I know many people have biopsies and tests and things like that. So in the name of Jesus, Lord, please bless all these people that are anxious about a doctor's report. Let it be good news. Let it Be good news.
Prayer Requests: Reconnecting Estranged Children, Friend in ER Losing Blood, and Job Search Struggles
You are the Lord of life. We pray for life, health, strength, and healing, and we thank you for it. In Jesus name, amen.
Amen. Thank you, Alex. Brent. I know we had some come in on Facebook.
I have a lot from both Facebook. email, all the different places.
Go through them all right now. And those of you that do what I do, write them down and pray for them today and tomorrow, do so.
Rhonda writes in. She, is looking to reconnect with her estranged, adult children. they've had nothing to do with her, and she is. It's really affecting her health problem. Myshel asking for prayer for her friend Bobby. she is in the ER and she is losing blood. Courtney is asking for prayer for his wife, Lori. She's looking for a job. They are both struggling financially. They're really needing her to find that job. Mary Ann is asking for,
Praise and Prayer: Healing from Pneumonia, Broken Relationships, Financial Needs, and Job Seeking
no, this is praise. She, is healing very well from her pneumonia and her collapsed lung.
We heard her last week. We sure did. I thought, okay, this. I remember that. Let me pray real quick for these. I have them listed, Alex. Father, we're praying for Rhonda. relationships that are broken, unhealed, broken relationships is one of the areas that Satan uses in our life to really break, beat us up. And so, Father, I pray for victory. I pray you'd work in Rhonda's life at the same time, work in her children's life. And, Father, bring some people into their lives that would, strengthen and help them to know that regardless of what it is, they need to get right with you and then get right with one another. Praying for Bobby, God, Myshel's friend. I pray, God, that you would strengthen that and help that bring it about for good and for, Courtney and Lori and their finances. I pray Lori is looking for that job. I pray you'd bring it about just where she would be, and she could bloom there and be rewarded there in finances and also in service. And, Father, we praise you that Mary Ann healing has taken place. We just praise you and thank you that you are the healer. In Jesus name I pray.
Praying for Stan: Grandchildren Being Kept Away and the Need for God to Move in Families
Amen. Amen. Thank you, Brent. Well, let's go to Indiana and talk to Stan. Stan, go right ahead. I want to see my grandkids again,
you know, because it has been a
couple of months, and my daughter hasn't really told me why I haven't seen him.
Okay. Wow. Listen, we had the weekend with, several of our grandchildren, and that is. That is difficult to overcome not seeing that second generation, Alex. So we need to be really praying for Stand, don't we?
Yeah, we do. we need the spirit of God to move in the families of our nation. We're gonna write that down. Let's try to get as many as we can. Where else?
Okay, well, let's first go to your state of North Carolina. Deborah.
Praying for Pastor in North Carolina: God Can Reverse Dementia and Restore Cognitive Function
Go right ahead.
Oh, hi, this is Deborah. Can we play, for a pastor here in our.
In our area of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
he got diagnosed with dementia, and
he's now in a, nursing home. Can we please pray for. I believe God can reverse dementia. And can we please pray that for that pastor? Okay. Wow. Amen.
Let's pray for that.
Let's do it.
May I lead in that?
God of Resurrection, Healing, and Life: Restoring Relationships, Reversing Dementia, and Sound Minds
Yeah, go ahead. Pray for Stand. The grandchildren being, you know, and sin, and then the pastor.
Father, in the name of Jesus, you are the God of resurrection, the God of healing, the God of life. Joel 2. 25 says, you restore the years the locust has eaten, Lord. You restore relationships. And, Lord, we pray for Stan to see his grandchildren. We pray for you to work in those relationships. Pray all those. Those grandchildren would know you and would come to the Lord at an early age. This pastor in North Carolina that's showing signs of dementia. Father, in the name of Jesus, touch that brain that you made and reverse the, cognitive decline. And, Lord, all of us, the neurons and the synapses in our brain, keep them sharp, keep those, thoughts flowing and accurately. The neurons firing. Lord, you've told us that we can have love, power, and a sound mind. So for this pastor and just everybody listening, all of us, give us that sound mind, that keen memory that we could know you and tell others about you. So we lift this pastor and bless this sister for bringing this to our attention. In Christ's name. And for his glory, we pray.
More Prayer Requests: Spiritual Warfare, Heart Virus, and Brain Surgery
Amen.
Amen. Thank you so much, Deborah, for pray. Listen, pastoring, it may look a lot easier than it really is. It is difficult and hard, and then when that starts happening, it's devastating. Brent, do I understand we had some more prayer requests come in?
We do.
go right ahead.
Thank you so much to all of you that are, writing in, to us. I appreciate that. Taylor has two. She's asking for prayer for her brother in law, Damaris. He is dealing with spiritual warfare. They do believe he's under demonic attack. she's also asking for prayer for the Ford Greene family. The husband and father, Stephen, is, suffering from a virus that is attacking his heart.
Okay, Ford Green family.
Yes. And then Rita's friend Juanita is having brain surgery today.
Okay, Anita.
Praying for Strength and Help: Addressing Spiritual Warfare, Healing, and God's Provision
Rita's friend. Friend. Juanita.
Juanita. Okay, I'll pray there. Father, I pray that you would, just strengthen Demetrius. Father, man, spiritual warfare is real. Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is the enemy, but we're not, ignorant of his devices, Father. We know that what he speaks is untruth, and we know that what the ultimate result is is destruction. So I pray, Father, for this young man, God, that you would let him see truth, and he would respond to it. And, Father, I pray for Areda's friend Wanda, Father, that you would help her, strengthen her. We're asking you to do the work that you can do, and I think that you want man to do work as well. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, you asked them to roll the stone away. You asked them to unwind him and let him go. You did what only you could do, and that was raise him from the dead. So I pray, Father, that we would do what you've given us the mind to do to help us live a life that, as Alex said, with a sound mind and healthy body, Father, help us to follow you and do that in this situation. In Jesus name, Amen. Amen. Well, let's go to Indiana and talk to Cole.
Motorcycle Incident and Coma: A Friend's Encounter with Jesus and God's Work in Desperation
Cole, thank you for calling. Go ahead.
This is Cole. I'm from Indiana, and, I had a good buddy in a motorcycle incident about a month ago. I had no clue about it, and I prayed to God to put something on my heart to contact someone about Jesus. And my wife text me about that the same day, And I read it, and I'll be honest. He should have been dead. And I was 15 minutes from the hospital, so I was debating on going and calling and praying over him, and I was able to contact him today, and he was able to tell me he actually walked and talked with Jesus during the 11 days, he was in his coma, and he broke it down. And you want to talk about awesome. I mean, I just pray that you give him that. God gives him the strength to keep sharing what he just shared with me so he can bring everyone else closer and my family as well, or.
Thank you, Cole.
Hallelujah.
Amen. Isn't it, you know, God's, at work, but many times we have to be brought to a place of desperation.
Praise Report: God Spares Life, Ignites a Fire, and Encourages Sharing the Gospel
The woman with issue of blood, she was at that point of desperation when she came to Jesus, and there's some people like that, aren't they, Alex?
Exactly. Lord, we praise you for Cole's friend that was in that motorcycle wreck. And, Lord, you've spared his life. Lord, let that fire and that holy spirit, joy and gratitude never leave him. And, Lord, let him heal up all the way. And bless this caller for making this, this praise report, news to us in Jesus name. Amen.
Amen. Well, we got some more.
Getting Ducks in a Row: Praying for Discernment in Relationships and Staying on the Right Path
Let's go to Mississippi, and it's Laine. Laine, thank you for calling.
Hello. I'm a. I'm a young guy from Mississippi, and I've recently been trying to get my ducks in a row, and I have come across this young lady that is Jesus, follower herself. And I was just asking y' all to pray for my. My discernment, but being able to discern between whether she's a good choice or not, and also to keep me on a straight and narrow path while I try to, you know, make the right impression on. On her parents and you know what? Not like that. So.
Amen.
Get Right with God First: God Will Show Us a Spouse and Birth Christian Marriages
Laine. Listen, Alex, though, let's just say this. Those of you who are listening, who are single, listen, get right with God first. And then I noticed in the Bible, God brought Eve to Adam. I don't think that's just, oh, accidental. I think that's the, God. God will show us one.
He really will. You know, my wife and I were. We've counseled with a lot of young adults over the years, and very often somebody will say, you know, I'm really asking God for a Christian spouse. And I've said, and Angie says, too, somewhere, somebody else, the. The young man is praying about a wife. The young Christian lady is praying about a husband, and God will bring that together. Hebrews 13 says, in God's eyes, marriage is honorable. So it's to rejoice over when God births a Christian marriage and family, isn't it?
Praying for Lane: Discernment, Patience, and Trusting God with Relationships
It is. So, Father, we pray for Laine. May he continue to follow you. I know we go left or right a little bit, but we don't want to get in the ditch. We want to stay on the road you have for us. Give him discernment for this time. And, Father, give him patience to wait and see. Time reveals issues, and then difficulty reveals character. And so let him look at those things to see. And she's probably looking at him as well. May it be in your hands. In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen.
Brent, do I understand?
More Prayer Requests: Job Search, Relationship Obstacles, and Grandson with Cancer
You got some more?
Yes, sir. And I want you to know that, I know you and Alex, don't see this, but there's more going on on Facebook than just people watching the show and listening. people are praying for each other. They're talking, reaching out. It says it's a little bit of church going on right there on Facebook. We need more church on Facebook.
Praise God.
Nancy is still in need of a job. she's asked several times. She still has not found anything. Dennis and his fiance are needing, prayers for, outside obstacles that are affecting their relationship.
Okay.
And then, also, he's asking for prayers for his brother's grandson who has cancer.
Answer.
Oh, man. Okay. Nancy's job, Dennis. Ah, fiance and obstacles and then that job. Yep.
Miraculous Provision: Praying for Employment, Family, Finances, and Worship While Waiting
All right. Lord, we just pray for these things, Lord, especially the employment situation and the economy is tight, and every. It seems like everything is quite expensive. Lord, we just pray you would miraculously provide. And for those that are praying about job, family, children, finances, Lord, help them worship while they wait. And, Lord, I know that, that you're working, there's no time wasted. And even waiting on you, it's not always easy, but, you're doing things and sort of, Lord, we give you the glory. And just like Brent saying that, they're having church on Facebook, praying for each other. That's what we want. And, Lord, we give you the glory for the way your holy spirit is moving in all of our lives through this radio show.
God's Holy Spirit at Work: Prayer is a Priority, Call Back Tomorrow for Questions
Lord, we praise you in Christ's name.
Amen. Thank you, Alex. Jon from Louisiana, please call back tomorrow. We make prayer a priority on Tuesday, but we love the questions. So if you'll call back tomorrow, we'll do our best to get you on very first. So, Alex, hope you have a good evening. And, we thank God for what he's doing here on afr, don't we?
We sure do, folks. And, tell somebody about the American Family Radio Network.
Tell Somebody About Jesus: Participate in Share-a-thon to Spread the Gospel
most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. Please be in prayer. Next week, too, is going to be share a thon and you all can participate in getting the gospel to millions and millions of listeners throughout America and internationally. We praise God for it all. Glory to Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.
Join Alex McFarland and Bert Harper on Exploring the Word as they walk through Matthew 22:15–46. Discover how Jesus answered the trick questions posed by the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees regarding taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Plus, a dedicated segment opening the phone lines for community prayer requests, interceding for health, family reconciliation, and spiritual strength.
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