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Bert says Ephesians has a lot of practical things to do
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: There was a great Christian leader named Warren Wiersbe, and for many years he was pastor at Moody Church in Chicago, succeeded the then by the great Erwin Lutzer. But Warren Wiersbe was kind of famous for a series of books that he had written that was called the Be sanctified, be holy. And Ephesians has a lot of things that we are to do and even people that we should be. And Ephesians chapter five starts out with the word be. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children. And we're gonna go through here and see just so many practical things. I'm looking especially at verse six of Ephesians five. But, Bert, when Warren Wiersbe would teach on the doing and the being of the Christian life, that was right on the money, wasn't it? About, what we find from the NewSong Testament?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And again, I, can recommend the one in Ephesians is be rich. Because the first three chapters talks about our riches in Christ. And in the last three, chapters it says since we're rich, this is how we should live. And so it is being and doing. But let me share with you, you need to be before you do, if you're trying to just do the doing. I'm obeying, doing this. that's the Pharisees, you know, they said we do this, we do that. And yet on the inside Jesus says, you're like you're dead. You're a painted sepulcher full of dead men's bones. And so make sure you're saved. And yeah, you need to check up and see if you're living up to it. And that's what chapter five does because there's, there's three here. In the first, I would say the first 17 verses, the theme is your walk in Christ. Because in verse one it's verse two, it says walk in love. And then when it comes to verse 8, it says, Walk as children of light, and thou in verse 15, walk circumspectly. Or you could say walk in wisdom. And so, Alex, this, is what, I would say the Apostle Paul did. He shared with us what we have in Christ. And then he shared who, what, and how we should live in Christ. And you talking about practicality, I agree with you. And the first thing it says, and I'll throw it back to you. Notice in chapter five, verse one. Mine doesn't start off with B. It starts off with therefore B. Be m followers of God as your children and walk in love. So here it is, following walk. you know, I remember, as a little boy once in a while, seemed like we had a more then than we do now that we would have snowfall here in the winter part in northeast Mississippi. And I had two older brothers, I had my dad older. And you know, we would go walking in the snow and their footsteps were quite a bit further than I could, you know, step into. But I could follow them when I would see their footsteps. So we're to walk following Christ. Let our life be that, that is imitators. And the idea of this is an imitator of Christ be, we're to be like him. So Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: This is the whole chapter five is walk in the light, walk in the love, and walk in wisdom. And if we'll do that, guess what? We'll be followers of Jesus Christ.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Verse one is right. It carries the implication of imitate God. And how do we know how to live? by reading his Word, Bert, you know, in the book of Acts, where the, the believers were first called Christians at Antioch. Well, that really was not a compliment. it was really little Christ's and it was kind of a sarcastic slander, although it really would be a high compliment. We often say someone is a very godly person or a Christlike person. And that that really is, you know, how we are supposed that that is the thing to which we aspire. Not for ego or anything like that, but to glorify God, to honor God and to be fruitful ambassadors for the gospel. Let me just read some of this. because like I said, there's so much practicality here for all of us. Verse 2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication and all uncleanness and covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh saints. Fornication, is sexual immorality. And Bert, I think it's very interesting that uncleanness or unrighteousness is listed there along with covetousness. The tenth commandment says thou shalt not covet. It's right there with sexual sin. And we probably ordinarily don't think of, you know, there's sins that are maybe not as bad as other sins, we assume, but sin is sin, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is. Now, I believe fornication and this covetousness has something. they are kin. It is that it's not yours. In other words, fornication, like sexual activity before marriage. That's doing something or taking something. Desiring. No, it's not time or adultery with some other, you know, someone else's wife or outside of marriage. And then covetousness, taken that which is not yours, desiring that. So he puts those together, in that. In other words, I believe it covers the whole realm of wanting that which is not yours, it's not your privilege to get. So you pull back on that and it says, let it not even be named among you as it is fitting for saints. listen, that. Fitting, for saints. I could not help but think of Romans 12:1 and 2, and we've referred to Romans teaching, the book of Ephesians and the book of Romans. You're going to do some cross referencing, I can just tell you, because they have so much in common in so many ways. But Romans 12:1, Be not conformed. But what be transformed.
>> Caroline: Don't.
>> Bert Harper: The fitting of the saints is being transformed, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: And not fitting in and being conformed to the world.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know what's fascinating? it says as. As become saints or as fitting for saints. the Greek word this is just one of those great things where language really hasn't changed. In the Greek, it's the word property.
Bert says we are to live that which is proper for saints
And we have a word proper. You know, something that's like one time. This is three decades ago, but, I was at a hospital, and I saw a medical doctor smoking a cigarette. And I thought, well, that's not proper. I mean, that that man, his career and very Persona should be health. well, just as it. It looked incongruous for a medical doctor to be outside of a hospital smoking a cigarette, you know, sin is incongruous for, the saints. We are to live that which is proper for saints. Now, verse four, it says, neither filthiness nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient. verse four, really not suitable, but rather giving thanks. And, you know, I want to say this. I'm not a prude or Victorian or anything like that, but even before I was saved, Bert, I just. I did not like curse words and bad language. Still don't. And I, I think as believers, we're not supposed to tell. You know, I love to laugh, I love to pick and cut up, but I'm just, for lack of a better term, dirty jokes. That's not right for a Christian, Bert.
>> Bert Harper: It is not. And it says here, it makes it very plain. it's foolish. It's wrong. Again, my version, new King James, not fitting. So here it is, thinking about those two things. This covers your life, the two things, desire and communication. Your tongue. what James said about a tongue, no man can tame it except through the power of the Holy Spirit. And here it talks about that. He says, and I think what you get in verse 4, tongue. God did not make it for such harmful things, communication, but he rather, he made it for Thanksgiving, giving thanks to others, to God, to your family, and so use your tongue wisely. Again, it, the theme of this is, walk in love, use that tongue. Use your body, use your mind for that which is demonstrating the love of God that we have for others. And so, Alex, verse five says, for this, you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, in God. Now, again, when you read that, you see, and I was looking it up in the amplified version, because it does help you understand it, sometimes the person who practices these things, there's no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. listen, to say you are something, and the proof is not in it. you know, do you remember that you may have not had it in your generation. I was one generation ahead of you. Close to a whole generation. Not quite. But in, our young people's class that I was a part of, they would say this. If you were arrested, as for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
>> Alex McFarland: Wow.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. So here it is. This. This is not what you practice for. Sure. But you don't even do what. Let it be a part of you that it's not even mentioned among the lost. it's not fitting for the saints, is it?
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. and that's a great statement. I've heard it. I, don't remember when I first heard it. But, you know, if you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I'm old enough, too, that I remember preachers used to preach against worldliness. You just don't hardly even hear that anymore. But if you're a believer, Okay, I want to say this, folks. Salvation is an event, but it's also A process, at least sanctification. Growing in the Lord. There's the event where you put your faith in Jesus. You're born again. Salvation is the moment that you trust Christ, but then the rest of your life, all, all of your journey down here post salvation is to grow in the Lord and to become increasingly the Word is sanctified more and more Christ like. And let, me say that heard, an old preacher, this is way back in the 80s, but, repentance means being sorry enough to quit, you know.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: And I, ah, truly believe the Holy Spirit mercifully reveals our sin to us. Bert. Conviction. And I want to get back to Ephesians 5. Let me say, when we feel convicted, we feel bad about sin and we should feel bad about sin. Coming under conviction is one of the great mercy acts of mercy that God does in our life. God loves us enough to tap us on the shoulder and get our attention about things in our life that, yes, are not pleasing to him, not honoring to Jesus, but things that will destroy us, you know?
>> Bert Harper: Yeah.
>> Alex McFarland: And let me just say this. we, we all need our toes stepped on. you know what I mean by that? folks, you don't want a preacher that is just going to try to make you feel good every week. Some of it is feeling good and our joy and our hope in the Lord. But you need a minister that will step on your toes so the Spirit of God can open your eyes and draw you back to Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. And we're going to get into verse six and follow following. we're going to talk about the great Deceiver. Let no one deceive you. Sometimes Satan will appear as an angel of light. You don't want to listen. You want to follow the Word. You want to follow God. This is Burton. Alex, on exploring the Word and we'll be right back.
>> : The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains. It won't walk the dog, won't pick up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku.
American Family Radio sets aside Tuesday as a day of prayer ahead of midterm elections
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>> Alex McFarland: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into
>> Caroline: the kingdom of the Son he loves.
>> Jeff Chamblee: Colossians 1:13American Family Radio don't stop praying
>> Alex McFarland: don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your
>> Bert Harper: knees wear out the floor don't stop believing that song is reminding us. Tomorrow is the day of prayer. We set aside Tuesday as a day of prayer. It's been about a six months now that we started that. We started it back in October of 2025, and we were getting ready for the election. And we're so. We're talking about a year and a half, man. We've been doing this quite a while, and we're praying that God would just bless you. Well, chapter, five of Ephesians, again, is very practical. We've talked about it. These things you ought to do, these things you should do. That's what he did in chapter four. Put off all those things and put on these things. And now he is saying, now watch it, guys. Watch it. You don't need to act like the world. You need to act like you've been brought out and been sanctified and you're saint, which means sanctified or drawn apart. Now, Alex, in verse six, I got this underlined. Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience deceive. Let me ask you a question. Who is. Who is the great deceiver? The great deceiver is Satan himself, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, exactly. And you know, the word vain is empty. fascinating thing here. It's the word kenosis. Now, in Philippians 2, we scholars talk about the divine kenosis, that Jesus emptied himself and was being willing to go to the cross and be crucified. Here's that very same word. But it's used regarding the teaching. It's not just in verse six. Let no man deceive you with vain words, but even vain, empty, vacuous teaching. you know, Bert, I was. I did two interviews today, two different interviews about a certain, politician from Texas named James Talarico who's trying to use scripture to justify abortion, transgenderism, homosexuality, open borders. And I pray the voters in Texas will not be misled. He makes much of how he's a Christian, but, my goodness, he certainly uses very, very false teaching. And I'm not saying this, you know, as a personal attack or anything, but what people say is up for critique. And he fits the Criteria of Ephesians 5, 6 vain words. And for those that, add to take away, twist, distort, intentionally mislead people with false teaching. according to verse six, there is the wrath of God on these, quote, children of disobedience, or children of. Literally means children of unbelief.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, add verse seven to those. Therefore, do not be partakers with them. In other words, know that. Don't vote for a man like that, okay? And, that's. That would be the thought. In other words, he is doing that. And when you say, well, I'm going to vote for him because. Or whatever, you're partaking with him, and it says, do not do this. Do not be partakers with them. When they use deceiving words to prove their point, they, And they're deceptive. And I know one. In Christ, there's neither male nor female. He uses that for transgenderism. it's just talking about who we are in Christ. It's not talking about our identity in creation.
>> Alex McFarland: Right? Galatians 3:28, it says, we are one in Christ Jesus. So that, you know, the Galatians 3:28 is saying that when we get saved, we're equally the children of God. Male, female, whomever. If you come to Jesus, you're in Christ. There's no way you could legitimately twist Galatians 3:28 to defend, transgenderism. So false teaching goes back to the very beginning, to the Garden of Eden. And as you said, Bert the great deceiver, the, the archetype and father of deception and deceivers is Satan. Do not be partakers. Verse 8.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, before we leave, let me make one point. Just remember where you're at. You know, I always grew up. False teaching was false teaching. It would have to be in the pulpits. No, false teaching can be in the classroom. False teaching can be in the political realm. It can be in the economic level realm. And so that is so important. That's why it's so important to have a biblical worldview that when that man talks about male and female and doing transgender, you can. You've been taught, you know, hey, he's using that scripture. Let me see somebody named Satan. When Jesus was being in, you know, being tempted, before he started his ministry, he used scripture. Just because they use Scripture, if they don't use it wisely, if they don't use it correctly, dismiss them quickly. Alex, I just wanted to throw that in. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.
Matthew 6:23 says if your eye is evil, your whole body is darkness
Verse 8. Fascinating. It says, for you were sometimes darkness, but, are now. But now are you light in the Lord, Walk as children of light. Now, in the sermon on the Mount Matthew 6:23. Jesus had said, if your eye is evil, your whole body is full of darkness. If, therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness? Now? You know, vision is, you know, how we see things. There's not only, you know, situational awareness, there's depth perception and certainly one of the great challenges that many people have faced is blindness. But I think additional to Matthew 6:23 and Ephesians 5: here, if, if your worldview, what you think is true, what you think is important, what are your priorities? If your view of life and reality and morals, if you have believed what is false, in other words, if you're guiding beliefs, if your, your eye is evil and false and non biblical, how great is that darkness? I mean, there's a lot we can say about that.
Alex: Be a light bearer is one of the most important ministries
So let me talk about verse 8. For you were sometimes darkness. It doesn't just say you were in the darkness, you are darkness. Isn't that sad? I mean, what a. Besides just the the threat of being lost eternally. But if you're a force for darkness in this world, you know, God help you, I mean, isn't that powerful and sobering to even ponder that? and, but praise God, there's a conjunction. But now are you light in the Lord? We are light bearers because we have Jesus in us. We have the Holy Spirit in us. We're living by his word. We're hopefully, not only in our words but our actions. We're role modeling a biblical worldview. We're not darkness anymore and we're not an influence for darkness. We are the ambassadors of our Savior to a world that needs Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah. Notice these two words in verse eight. Once and now look. Look at your life. What were you once at one time? What are you now? If there's not been a change from the way you were to you are now, something's wrong. It means you're either not following Christ as Savior and Lord, or you're in rebellion against him and going your way. And listen, the once and the now is so important in your life and in my life. So what do you do? Walk as children of, of light. Now again, guess what the children do? They I, looked at that and we, we are light. We bring that light. That's what he said. But now you are the light of the world. The Bible says, go forth, you know, let men see your good works and glorify your Father who's in heaven. That's the Light. You're a light bearer, Alex. You know, that's. That's pretty important. What's one of the most important ministries that a believer has? Be a light bearer. That we show forth Jesus Christ in our life. And again, isn't that. That's kind of. Well, not kind of. It is what Paul is getting at here in Ephesians 5, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. amen. Proving. Well, verse 9. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Those are three wonderful things to which we aspire and which we are goodness, righteousness, and truth. Aletheia. That which is real truth is that which corresponds to reality. Proving or discerning. Literally, it means demonstrating, role modeling. What is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove or reject or expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. The. Of them in secret. That's not only sinful deeds, but those practitioners of such. Isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Now, Paul, in chapters, four, five and six, he does this again and again, like I said once, and now look what he does here. He says, the fruit of the Spirit and the unfruitful works of darkness. There it is. It's a comparison. It's a contrast. Darkness and light. So the contrast put on and put off. And so there's got to be a marked difference in your life as you open this program up.
Alex Fee: God uses darkness and then light in the Bible
You're talking about the event of salvation. And it's followed, it is followed by a process to make us holy. That's sanctification, that's discipleship. And so here, walk as children of light. put that one with verse nine, if you would. In other words, there's not a punctuation in the original Greek, but in ours, the period comes after you are light, in the Lord. But then it says, walk as children of light. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Alex. The contrast is there. He uses even darkness and then light. Where is fruit? Is fruit, growing. And it's fruitful in the darkness or light. What if there was no light to shine on a fruit bearing tree? What would happen to that tree?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it would die. And it wouldn't make any fruit. because you know, the way the good Lord made the leaves. There is this wonderful thing called Photosynthesis, you know? And, there has to be sunshine on all living things. And, we are to walk in the light, of course. so we're to avoid sin. And. I don't know, Bert. it just doesn't seem like personal holiness and intentional sanctification and just copious, being mindful of what we were, but what. Who we now are and how we are to walk. You just don't. At least I don't hear that taught on as much as I used to. And we need to come back to this. and again, verse 12. It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done in secret. Done of them in secret. not only are the deeds shameful. we're not even supposed to think about it or dwell on it. but all things are reproved and made manifest by the light exposed. Whatsoever doth make manifest is light, wherefore he saith. And, verse 14 is a quote of Isaiah 26. That we just were in. Awake, thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. You know, circumspect is a geometrical term. Like if you've got a, compass. Do you remember? You don't see those much anymore, but you could put the point on the paper and with the pencil, make a perfect circle. It's 360 degrees.
>> Caroline: Right.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, to walk circumspectly means in every direction, in every area. public and private, personal, corporate, in our actions and in our heart, Christ is Lord of all. That's circumspection, isn't it, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: It is. I heard this illustration going back to verse 13. Exposed, made manifest by the light. Would you want a surgeon doing surgery on you in the darkness?
>> Alex McFarland: pass.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. What takes place in our lives? Taking out, putting in. Christ takes out. That puts in life, takes out death. Okay. It happens in the light. Now, what happens when we walk in the light? What happens in the light of His Word? What happens in the light of what Christ has done? Sin is exposed. And when we see that, that's when we confess it. We agree with God and get it out. And it says in verse 14, Awake, you who sleep arise from the dead. This sounds a little bit like Isaiah 26:19. Awake. And then you get the rest of it. Verses 15, 16, and 17. Walk, circumspectly. I'll try to say that. Right. Not as fools, but as wise. Then skip down to verse 17, just real quickly there. Do not be unwise. There's the contrast once again. Alex, this is an examination. Chapter 5, verses 1 through 17 especially is an examination for the believer to look at their life to, to see, has there been a change? Are you really saved? And if you have, you need to look and examine yourself to see what you need to put off and what you need to put on. And here it says, again, verse 16, redeeming the time because the days are evil. They were then, they are now. That's, that's the power of the word of God. It was good for the church at Ephesus and it's good for us in 2026, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. That, that is really good. And Hey, did you ever hear of a book by Gordon Fee? He was a theologian.
Take a moment and celebrate life with me. We got a break and we're going to come back
I'm not sure if he's passed away or not, but do you remember that name? Gordon Fee?
>> Bert Harper: I do remember that name. I just remember the name.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, he had a book called Read the Bible for all its Worth. And he would say, you know, if you're studying or preaching, you know, like, you get all the water possible out of a sponge. Get everything out of the text. Okay, I love verse 16 of Ephesians 5. Redeeming the time because the days are evil. Now the word redeem here means to rescue from loss. And it's the Greek word exaggerate, not as in twisting the truth. But no, get the most out of every day and every moment because we're on mission for Christ. We.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, go ahead, Alex, take us out.
>> Alex McFarland: We got a break and we're going to come back and take your questions on exploring the word. 888-589-8840. Give us a call,
>> Bert Harper: Will you?
>> Bert Harper: Take a moment and celebrate life with me.
Last year preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion
Last year preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion. Hi, this is Bert Harper and I want to thank you for your partnership.
>> Bert Harper: Think about what you did.
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>> Caroline: All
>> Alex McFarland: our sins and griefs to end. Welcome Back to exploring the Word. Hey, here's the number. If you've got a Bible question, it's 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-88420. We would love to hear from you if you've got a Bible question. And I want to say a big thank you to everybody who came out over the week weekend to Emerald Isle. We had a great event Saturday night, and, I got to teach on our book on prophecy and eschatology. And then we had great services yesterday. And, so, Bert, people. I talked to people that came from pretty long distances and drove, and everybody said, please tell Bert hello. And, they love exploring the Word. And I just got to say how much I thank God for opportunities to travel and preach. And for all of you that listen and you pray and you support the ministries of afr. with. With all of our heart. We thank you.
>> Bert Harper: We do. And Alex, I'm so thankful God has called you as an evangelist, as on the road, and Angie, as she supports you in that and prays for you. And, I, you know, for me, I stay closer to home. I do interim work and a, where I'm at right now at Ozark Baptist Church, I've been there years. They're looking for a lead pastor, and that's where my ministry is. And so God puts us together for his kingdom. And we've talked about that, and I'm going to say it real quick, and then we'll go to the next call, the first caller of the day in the week. But God fits us with our gifts, our. I would say our personalities, our spiritual gifts, our abilities, and so much he puts those together. And, let God. Let me just encourage all of you listening. Don't put yourself on the shelf saying, oh, I can't do anything. Yes, you can. serve the Lord. Find a place of service. I just want to tell you, yes, you pray, you read your Bible, you witness, you serve. And, Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. And if he did, we need to do that as well. Well, anyway, that's enough of that sermon. Are you ready for the phone lines, Alex?
Robert, you're the first first caller of the week
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Where do we start?
>> Bert Harper: Let's start in Oklahoma and go to Robert. Robert, you're the first first caller of the week. Thank you for calling, brother. Go right ahead.
>> Caroline: Wow.
>> Caroline: I can't believe it. First caller. I appreciate you taking my call. I read your book, 100 Questions on the End Times, and thought it was remarkable. I really appreciated that book. And I had a question, so just to make sure I understand everything. All right, you know, for what was in Revelation and what is in Matthew, just to cut it short, there's going to be ah, a rapture and then a Tribulation. Now I won't go into any details about it, but I think I could understand everything. And then in Christ, when he comes for the Rapture, he doesn't come to the earth, but he comes and meets us in the clouds and takes us to his heaven with him and, but when he comes at the end of the tribulation and conquers all the nations and sets his feet on Mount Olives, he's physically going to bring here and he's going to bring the church back with him. So if we're lifted up in the Rapture, he's going to bring us back physically, to the earth with him and then he's going to reign for a thousand years of millennial kingdom and we're going to be part of that. Physically, we're going to be here with Him. And then at the end of that, when he puts the devil away in a lake of fire for all eternity, he's going to set up a whole new earth and a whole new kingdom. But we're still going to be here, part of that and be, be included in that. So we're going to be on earth for the rest of our, whatever bodies he puts us in. We're going to participate in that for all maturity. Is that how it pans out?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Robert, thank man, you got it down.
Bert: Are we going to have this resurrection body after Christ returns
Let me just share this and I'll throw it to Alex because we've got a lot of callers that have called in, don't want to take up too much time. Here's the only thing that I heard is when Christ comes back, you know, and we go, the dead in Christ arise first and their spirits come back and they're going to have a new body. It's the resurrection body. And then we'll reign with Him. Alex, it is going to be a rain. And he does have the chronological order. Are we, when we get our. Let me ask it this way, see if I understood his question. Are we going to have this resurrection body after the Spirit, our spirit and soul are reunited with our, our, our new body, our resurrection body. We're going to have that body for then forever.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes. And the Bible talks about our glorified body. you know, it's, it's a redeemed body. There's no sickness, no disease, none of the effects of the fall. You know, we're all aging, and with that comes a lot of infirmities and things like that. We're going to have a perf. A perfected, glorified body. And yes, we will, inhabit God's universe. There's, there's, you know, the literal, remade Earth and planets, but then there's the new Jerusalem, the city of God that comes down from heaven. And, I heard one, it might have been Irwin Lutzer say that we could travel the galaxy at the speed of thought. So,
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Caller's question. Yes, we can, We're going to literally, tangibly, physically be with the Lord forever. it won't be boring, you know, I don't know what all it will be like, but, the Bible tells us much, but it doesn't tell us everything. But just see, we've never lived in, an existence without the fall and sin and the law of entropy. It's going to be glorious, isn't it, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Let me just throw this in. Recently, I recognize. I believe one of the things. It's going to be a, connectivity. In other words, we're going to hear my story and they'll hear. Oh, who'd you hear that from? Well, I heard that from. From, Billy Langley. Well, he was. He was my pastor, too. And I heard. Can you imagine having those conversations?
>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah, just.
>> Bert Harper: Just, And it's all about Jesus, what Jesus has done. Robert. Hope that helps. Thank you. Thank you for reading the book, brother. Yes. Let's go to Ohio. Gerard. Thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
>> Caroline: I don't know if this is a question or this is just a statement. Maybe you can clear. Clear this up for me. Can you hear me okay?
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, go right ahead, Gerard.
So this is going back to Genesis. When Satan deceived Eve and took of the fruit
>> Caroline: So this is going back to Genesis. Genesis, says he in AH1, Genesis 1:28, when he says that he. He created man in his image, and he told them to, be fruitful and multiply and subdue and take dominion over the land and over everything that's in the land. The birds, the fish, all the animals, everything. So, and then in, Genesis 3:1, he says, now, the serpent was more cunning than any other beast of the field. So he was. The serpent was one of the created beasts of the field that God told Adam to take dominion over. And then. And then you see what happens when, when he. When Satan deceived Eve and took of the fruit and he ate Also, how does. What would have happened if he would have obeyed God? Dominion of, everything.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Gerard, let me just start it out. I use this Sunday. Satan starts out with doubt. Has God said. And then he finishes up. You shall not surely die. That's the operation of Satan. Now, why did they not have dominion over that serpent, Alex? you know, they just gave room. How much room does Satan need before he cracks the door open?
>> Alex McFarland: well, the Bible says don't even give him a foothold.
>> Bert Harper: Exactly.
>> Alex McFarland: Don't let his toe in the door. You know, when in Genesis 3, the serpent begins to talk to them. It would have been good if Adam and Eve had said, look, you don't tell us what to do. we have dominion over this earth. But, no, that he twisted, he tempted and they fell. And, Vince Havner said this. Adam and Eve bit the apple and humanity has had a toothache ever since.
>> Bert Harper: Wow. Okay.
>> Alex McFarland: That's true, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is, Gerard. Listen, when you look back on that story, we can say, oh, what if? What if? But we're stuck with what they did. And now, though Jesus the second Adam has given us back everything we lost in the first Adam. Hallelujah. What a savior. Let's go to Arizona and talk to Jock. Jock, thanks for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Caroline: Thank you. thank you both, Bert. And thank you ah, all so much for what you do. how does it translate? You know, all through the Bible, it reads that we're to be sanctified through the Holy Spirit. There's convicting power, and we can only be condemned by self condemnation, which turns us from that spirit of truth. And we run and hide with repent, turn back to God like a son of prediction. But how does it translate to the dead in Christ shall rise first those that are dead. I read that in Thessalonians, as the rest of the Bible seems to read, dead from sin, and are completely alive and sanctified through the Holy Spirit and living Christ, arise up first in the power of the Holy Spirit. And then those that are asleep in darkness, which I read that as those that have come to know Jesus and are in their dark sins, they will. Those that are asleep in darkness and those that are asleep in religion, which I read that, that are, sleeping light, which are sleeping religion, will be woken up in that time, and we will reign with him in power overall. And he says he'll shake the earth and rid of every tree that's not of God and rid the face of the earth, iniquity. I'm just, that's the way I read the Bible. And when you, when the, teachings of rapturing away, and this is not from anybody teaching me, this is just me listening to the word of God as I travel across this land.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Jock, we're going to try to answer that time, Fleet, you know, goes away. Alex. The dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who remain will be caught up with them in there. So, this is just at real close the same time, you know, it's not a delay, very big delay between that, is there?
>> Alex McFarland: No. And that's in 1st Thessalonians 4, 16, 17. The dead in Christ will rise first. You know, Revelation 24 through 6 mentions a, first resurrection, which, those that were the blessed and holy, are raised to rule and reign with Christ. Hey folks, there's a Johnny Cash song called When He Comes. When He Comes. And you ought to listen to it. It says I'll be there, I'll be there in the first resurrection when he comes. And so yes, then there's the second Resurrection and those who appear before the Judgment. I mean the Great White Throne. And you don't want to be there.
>> Bert Harper: Tell the difference. We got time. difference in the Great White Throne, Judgment and the Judgment seat. Do that as quick as you can, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: So everybody know that the Judgment seat of Christ, sometimes called the Bema seat, B E M A is where believers get rewards. Everything you do post salvation, you're going to get rewarded. For now, the Great White Throne is the condemnation of the nations, those that don't know Jesus. And it says at the Great White Throne, that there, and that's in Revelation 20:12 and 13, that all of the unsaved that rejected Christ are thrown in the lake of fire. We will appear before the Judgment seat of Christ. That's not to decide salvation or lostness. That's settled in this life. you have to choose Christ. But, you will be rewarded. Every believer will get crowns. Some not, going to have a lot to show. And we want crowns in heaven. And I'll tell you why. Because five times the book of Revelation says that we lay our crowns at his feet.
>> Bert Harper: We're not going to wear them around, show them off.
Jock: So you don't want to go empty handed
>> Alex McFarland: Nope. We're going to lay them before Jesus and we're going to say hallelujah to the land.
>> Caroline: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: So you don't want to go empty handed. Right?
>> Alex McFarland: Right.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, listen, we appreciate that, Jock. Thank you for calling RD in Kansas, RD your own.
Alex Bennett: The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Thank you. For calling today.
>> Speaker I: How you doing today, guys?
>> Bert Harper: Doing well.
>> Speaker I: my question is to deal with the unpardonable sin. And in my books, there's the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And Jesus is called the Son of Man, and he's called the Son of God, and he's the Savior. Why would it say blasphemy against the Son of Man is forgivable, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgivable?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, let me set this up for you. Jesus said, I'm going to go away, and he's going to be our intercessor. But the Holy Spirit's going to come and let me see. He's going to convict the world of sin and draw them to himself. Now, again, we've talked about this possibility happening just in, in the Bible day, but today, turning off the whole. Just let's look for it today, not listening to the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Alex. That salvation will never occur apart from the Holy Spirit drawing a man or a person to him, will it?
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And, you know, the, the unpardonable sin or the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. And this is in Matthew 12 and Mark 3. you know, I don't even really like to talk about this because it's just so vile and evil. But, the Pharisees, I don't think the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost that, Jesus describes in Matthew 12 and Mark 3, I don't think that can really be committed today. Because Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees that had this unparalleled level of God's revelation. They intimately knew the Scriptures. And standing right there in front of them was the incarnate God, second member of the Trinity, Jesus. And they blasphemed to his face. Now, the only thing I believe today that can put a person beyond the reach of salvation is really to, die in a state of unbelief. Although, people can get to the point where they are of a reprobate mind and no longer discern truth or hear the voice of the Spirit. Point being, as soon as you're aware of your need for Christ, come to him now. Put your faith in Christ while you have opportunity.
>> Bert Harper: Today is the day of salvation. And those of you who are listening, make sure there's been a time in your life where Jesus Christ became Lord of your life. As you turned away from your ways, sin, and turn to God in faith, knowing that Jesus is lord over sin and death. Thank you for listening. Read ahead. Start in, Ephesians 5:18, and we'll be ready for tomorrow.
>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
