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American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

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

Ephesians 3 reveals one of the greatest mysteries the world has known

Welcome to Exploring the Word. Do you like a good mystery? Either a book or a drama on television or a movie? Ephesians 3 reveals one of the greatest mysteries the world has ever known, maybe the greatest. And when you read chapter three, Paul unwraps this and gives us this mystery that has been revealed. This is Bert harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you on Exploring the Word. Each day as we go through the word of God and we're in the book of Ephesians, one of the, epistles that are letters, as we would call them, that Paul wrote from prison. And when you come to chapter three, verse one, he lets us remember that he's in prison for this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. Well again, we are ready to go through this chapter. And Alex, chapter three again is one of those doctrinal churches chapters concerning God's plan for the ages, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is, Bert. It's great to be with you and great to be able to look at the NewSong Testament book of Ephesians and you know, the, the mystery, of the gospel. well, for one thing, as much as we know, we believe, we trust, we accept what God's word says. Because the plan of salvation is from the heart of, of God, devised even before the world was created. In fact, he knew us even before we were in our mother's womb. Because God is the author and finisher of our faith. Of course it's going to be beyond human comprehension. Isn't, is mysterious. How could God love someone like us? How could God use us and the souls of people? in many ways, it's our responsibility to go out and help people find Jesus. it's a lot to take in humanly speaking, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: I would say it is more than. And it is, it's beyond comprehension. And he's going to get to this. The unfathomable, the untraceable, the unmeasurable riches of Christ. It's found in our relationship with Christ. And then of all things, it extends into our relationship with others. When you have this relationship with God, it opens up doors that you could never imagine any other Way, Alex, I know people, they've talked about, well, it would help to have the relationship with this politician, with this businessman or, whatever, because it will open doors. Well, this relationship with Jesus Christ opens up the doors to the heavenlies. And, it's nothing better than. And so Paul writes about that and talks about this prisoner for you Gentiles. In other words, Paul saying that Gentiles could be saved by the grace of God, without having become Jews and keeping the law got him into trouble and wound up in prison. Now, I want to ask you this, Alex, and this is a little bit off track from Ephesians, but if Paul was filling out a resume to be pastor of a church, and he put all the times that he was in prison, do you think that church might look at it and say, man, we don't need this guy?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I'm telling you, the Apostle Paul. If they didn't know he was the Apostle Paul, he would probably have a hard time getting many interviews, wouldn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He would, you know, he was in prison for the sake of the Gospel. And, so it's a badge to wear. And I was reading Warren Wiersbe. I was reading about him. He said the first time he ever had to sit in a. In a witness chair in court. the first question was asked about an attorney. Would someone who had been in prison, could they be a good father, yes or no? And, Warren Wiers being his conversation, he knew he couldn't answer yes or no, but he knew that guy wanted a yes or no answer. He figured the judge did as well. But, he used the. I won't make it long. But he used the authority of two individuals that had been in prison that were awesome men. One was Jon Bunyan and the other was the Apostle Paul. So they've been some awesome people that's been in prison, hasn't there been?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, indeed, indeed. And, you know, the highlights reel of the journey doesn't necessarily tell the whole story, does it? But. But, I honestly believe people ask me who was the greatest Christian that ever lived. And of course, being a disciple and being in ministry is not a competition. But I really do think, the Apostle Paul, I, mean, apart from the Lord Jesus, probably the most significant life ever lived, the most consequential life. Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the Apostle Bert. Every square inch of this planet has been touched by the obedience of the life of the Apostle Paul. Wouldn't you agree?

>> Bert Harper: I would agree. And again, I know I Refer to it. But I believe it was civilizations changed on that second missionary journey. When Paul got the Macedonian call and heard, come, over here, he came into Europe and West, let me say, Western civilization and the effect on the gospel of society. From those that were widows, those that were orphans, to those that were imprisoned, those in leadership changed forever. And, it was the gospel of Jesus Christ, the mystery that we're talking about. But the apostle Paul would say, I know these are not his words. They were Isaiah's words. But here am I. Send me. that fits the apostle Paul, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really does. And we're going to get in Ephesians 3.

Alex: Western civilization was imbued with the Gospel through Paul

But I think this bears saying, and like you said, Western civilization, which, for a long time, history books and academic books would refer to the west as Christendom. You know, that was, you know, they would talk about, the bells of Christendom. In other words, the Western world that was so thoroughly, imbued with the Gospel. Now with the gospel came human rights and human dignity, the belief, the conviction that humans are made in God's image. The bedrock of any society is the family. Husbands true to their wives, wives true to their husbands and families. And then you've got civil government. Now, let me talk about Paul for just a minute. In 2nd Corinthians 12:7, Paul said this. lest I should be exalted above measure, because of the abundance of the revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh. All right, quote, the abundance of the revelations. What does that mean? Paul wrote half the NewSong Testament. And, Bert, it is in the NewSong Testament that we read all about, you know, salvation, the workings of the church, the journey of a disciple. But like in Romans 13, we've got God's sanctioning of good civil government, and we've got so much and all of this. I mean, it's from God, but it was through the life of the Apostle Paul. And you are right, that when he received the Macedonian call, I mean, Paul went to Spain and Italy and Greece and, Europe. And then, others of the disciples, they took the. The letters throughout what is now, you know, Europe and Wales and by, you know, the Middle Ages. And I realize, you know, six, to 800 years after the cross. That might seem like a long time, but, you know, in a way, Bert, the 2,000 years since the resurrection of Jesus is not that long of a time. And this gospel message has encircled the globe. And, it is just beyond measure what God did through the life of Paul to Get that done. And here we are as we get into Ephesians 3. But this is our time. And, Paul had his assignments, we have ours. And every single person is a part of Christ's great commission. Now, Paul says in Ephesians 3, for this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, for you Gentiles, if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, there's verse two. There's a magnanimous, sentence, if there ever was one, the dispensation of the grace of God given to me for you. Before I go much farther, I'm going to hand it to you, Bert. Paul seemed to understand his calling, standing in the gap to bring the saving message to Gentiles. That's pretty amazing, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. He became an apostle to the Gentiles, and he again a Pharisee of the Pharisees, persecuting the church just so much. And God, it was a, turnaround on the Damascus road experience, it really was. But this dispensation stewardship, it has the idea of managing and it also has the idea of time. think of Joseph in the Old Testament. He became the steward of Potiphar. I, mean, you know, he was next. And he had it at that time, he managed his household and everything. And so here, Paul is saying, I've been given this dispensation of grace, of the grace of God which has been given to me. Alex. It was a specific time, it was a specific issue. and it was, it was a particular, I would say, mission that he was on, how that By Revelation verse 3, he made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in a few words. In other words, back in earlier, in Ephesians chapters one and two, he talked a little bit about this, this Gospel that was good for the Jews and the Gentiles coming together. And here it is said, he has made it known to me, and I am going to make it known to you. But notice what it says in verse 3. By revelation, God gave him that. And that's what you referring to later, that the apostle Paul in his time, he had received from the Lord that which he would write. And one of these greatest is the gospel that that brings Jew and Gentile together in the church. Alex. only God, you know, we hear that quite often. Only God. Only God could do that. And today we have the church made up of Gentiles, made up of the Jews. we come together when you come together As a church. Okay. you may have a servant that's a leader in the church, and one of the guys that's in the church is just one of the members of he that might be his boss at the factory.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And isn't that a magnificent thing that God has done? It was a mystery worth waiting on. Wasn't really was.

>> Alex McFarland: And, you know, you've heard the saying, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. I've been in churches where, you know, everybody is just humbly, joyfully serving the Lord. And you've got, I'm thinking of a church where I, preached a number of times. And the superintendent, of a major, major school system was there. And, you know, a lot of his employees were there. But in the context of the church, it's not, you know, boss and, subservient. It's we're all equal in Christ Jesus. now, let me read on just a little bit. In verse 3 of Ephesians 3, Paul says how that by revelation he made known to me the mystery, as I've briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. Now, the revelation, that's not the book of revelation, but God revealed, and showed these things to Paul. Now, Bert, I'm gonna throw it to you when we come back.

This Sanctity of Life month honors babies whose lives have been tragically ended

I want to talk about a word Paul used 21 times in his epistles.

>> Bert Harper: Okay? I'm ready to find out what that word is. So don't you go away so when we can come back. 21 times a word was used. Let's find out what it was. This Sanctity of Life month, we honor the over 66 million babies whose lives have been tragically ended through abortion since Roe. Sadly, with the abortion pill accounting for over 60% of all abortions, babies lives are at even greater risk now. But in the midst of this darkness, there is a light that shines, and that's preborn. PreBorn's network of clinics have rescued over 300,000 babies from abortion and have prayed with over 80,000 women to come to Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: When I heard her heartbeat, I decided to keep her. And now my daughter's about to be three. I don't know where my life would be without her.

>> Bert Harper: An ultrasound doubles a baby's chance at life. This is Bert Harper asking you to join preborn in protecting life. One ultrasound session costs $28 and $140 will sponsor five ultrasounds. Any gift will help. $100. Two hundred. A thousand. To donate securely dial pound 250 and say the key word baby. That's pound 250, baby. Or go to preborn.com that's preborn.com afr that's preborn.com Afr.

>> Alex McFarland: Hallelujah. Hm.

Alex Martin: Mystery is a mystery that was hidden and now revealed

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. What beautiful music. Thanks to Brent Austin for picking some. Just fantastic. we call that a rejoin when we come back from a break. music on the rejoin. Beautiful song. And we're in Ephesians chapter 3. Before the break, I mentioned the fact that, the word that is in the English translated mystery, Paul uses this word 21 times now. It's used actually in the NewSong Testament a total of 27 times. Seven times. Paul, 21 times. And Bert, here are some of the mysteries. And we've talked about this, and I love how you said it. This is probably 15 years ago I heard you use this term. I'd never heard it before. mystery and tension. Is that what you said? That, you know, the things that we clearly know and then there's the things that we don't completely know because a human can't fully, probe the mind of God. But. But there are. How did you say it, Bert? Mystery. Intention or something like that.

>> Bert Harper: It is. It's a mystery that was hidden and now revealed. And it is intentional to bring us in. It really is, Alex. This mystery that we have, only God could reveal it. And when we get over here in a little bit is talking about it was hidden from the angels. It was, you know, Satan didn't know anything about this. He knew enough about the Old Testament because he could use the Old Testament, but it was not revealed in the Old Testament. And so here it is. This mystery that previously was. Was hidden has now been revealed. It's not like our mystery. It's a different word, but it is still a mystery. That which is revealed, it's really not found out. You know, in a mystery, you read a book, you find it out, but in this. And it's intentional that go reveals it. Let me use that word a minute for another idea. And it is God's will. They say, oh, I want to find God's will. Well, I understand you saying that, but a better way to say it is serve him and let him reveal his will for you. yes, you know, he's wanting to reveal it to you. And as we've already talked about Paul on the second missionary journey, the Macedonia call. It was revelation. And notice how many times he uses the revelation. Now, we don't need further revelation concerning the Scriptures. We don't need that.

>> Alex McFarland: We need to read and follow what we do have.

>> Bert Harper: And when we do what he has revealed, he'll reveal a path for us, a, will for us. And so stay in the word, stay with God and listen your life. There'll be times in your life, Alex, when you come to a fork in the road in his yogi barrel, when you would say, when you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Alex Sumner: I truly believe God will direct you and guide you

>> Alex McFarland: You know, there's a quote you mentioned, knowing the will of God. Because that's, a question we get, you know, a lot, especially from young people, and generally they might be thinking, you know, whom shall I marry? Or what might I do for a career? Or should I go to college for this or that? And I understand, and I truly believe God will direct you and guide you. Folks, we're going to get back to Ephesians 3, but regarding the will of God, it's not a mystery. Number one, God's will is that you be saved. Then God's will is that you grow in the Lord. And, you know, you become more and more, the Word is sanctified, more and more conformed to the image of Jesus, and you grow in the Lord. I truly believe if you're grappling with God's will, am I in the right place? Have I missed the train, Bert? A man asked me that one time, and he was probably in his 50s and he was a Christian, but he was trying to figure out life and career. He goes, have I missed the train? No, you haven't. And here's the thing. Matthew 6:33, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added. I firmly believe if you love the Lord, and every day to the best of your ability, you're trying to walk with Jesus, he's, not going to let you get lost in the weeds. I really believe that. Bert, would you agree?

>> Bert Harper: I agree. Know the words, walk, steps, light direction, you know, walk, it's walking with the, Lord. Day by day. The steps of a godly man are ordered of the Lord. Faith is one step at a time. The direction you're going is toward Him. Do not turn aside. That is talked about. Set your face as a flint toward the will of God, and I believe he will light your path. Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not in your own understanding, in all your ways. Acknowledge him. Give him. Give him the authority, Lordship. And he will what, direct your path? He will see your steps. So, Alex, And it's not easy. If we're not careful as believers, we'll think, okay, the will of God. If I don't turn away from it, if I stay with, it's going to be easy. No. You remember what God said to Ananias concerning the apostle Paul when he was told to go and baptize him?

>> Alex McFarland: He said, yeah, he said it showed the things he must suffer for my sake.

>> Bert Harper: That's exactly right. And sometimes it's the road of suffering, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. You know, Watchman Knee was a great, Asian Christian leader decades ago. And he said, when Christ calls a man, he comes. He says, come and die. And Dietrich, Bonhoeffer basically said the same thing. Come. Christ bids a man come and die. Now, this is a mystery. let me tell you the ways Paul used the word. Like in Romans three times, Paul talked about, how Israel hardened themselves against the revelation of the Gospel. And, it wasn't that God wanted that or forced that, but. And it wasn't complete. I mean, there were Jewish believers, always have been some. But the hardening of Israel against Jesus as Messiah. In First Corinthians six times, Paul talks about the hidden wisdom of God and the stewardship of the mysteries of God. Now, I'm going to come back to that. Hold that thought. six times in Ephesians, that's where we are now. Paul talks about the mystery of God's will, the unification of Jew and Gentile, and the mystery of Christ in his church. And Colossians four times uses the word mystery. Christ in the believer, you know. by the way, Bert, there was a great book years ago, some people, if you ever went to Liberty University, you might remember the name Sumner Wimp. Wmp. That was his name. Sumner Wimp. He wrote a great book. How on Earth Can I Be Spiritual? Isn't that a good title? and Mystery of Jesus in Us. And as a born again believer, how. Yes, we have to make the choice. Yes, we have to do our part. but it's Christ in us, which is mysterious. But Colossians talks about that. Second Thessalonians, Paul talks about the mystery of lawlessness. And we're looking at a very lawless world these days. And then First Timothy uses it one time. But Bert Let me just say this about. In First Corinthians, we're talking about how Paul used, the term mysterious mystery 21 times. The stewardship of the mysteries. And here's my question for you.

Bert says we are stewardship bearers of God's revelation

I preach things that I don't completely understand. I don't completely understand the Trinity, but it's biblical, so I preach it. Now, there's plenty that we do comprehend. how is it that God is eternal, never, created. There never was a time God didn't exist. I don't understand it, but I certainly believe it. And with the Lord's help, I proclaim it. Bert, isn't it, isn't it, just kind of mind boggling to think that we feeble humans are the stewardship bearers of the revelation of God?

>> Bert Harper: And that's exactly what the Apostle Paul was saying for this stewardship of the Gospel at this time to the Gentiles. And Alex, if I waited on everything that, to use that I, you know, needed to understand, I wouldn't be in a vehicle. I would exactly. I wouldn't turn on any lights. I have, I certainly wouldn't use a computer because I certainly, when people ask, what's wrong with your computer? I said, is it plugged up? You know, so there's so many things like that that no one. But this mysteriousness of God, it. I don't know about every. It draws me to Him. It does not separate himself from me. I don't want to do that. It draws me to him. That we have someone that is bigger than, more than we could even ask or think. That's our God. And that's what he says. Notice in verse five, he goes on and says, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men. Okay? In the past, this was not made known to them. I've chosen to make it known now. Now let's tie that in. In the fullness of time, Christ came. Okay? Jesus was in control the whole time. In the book of Jon, I refer to this quite a bit. He says, my time has not come, My hour has not come. And he was in control not only of, of what he was saying, but he was in control of where he was going, what he was doing, and even the response of the people. He knew when to leave, and he knew when to stay. So here in this, it says, it is now made known. It has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. Now here it is. Notice the word revealed. again, I know I've talked about it, but this is one of the things that changed my life as a young person. If there's some students I know, school's out, but students may still be listening. Listen. You want to know God's will? God will reveal it as you walk with him. How? How do you need to know what's ahead of you? Walk in the path that God has given you, and then as you go, it will be revealed. You may hear a bird. And I'm using this as walking through the woods like I would around my house, and I hear a bird. And I don't necessarily recognize that bird, but as I walk and that bird stays in the tree and I look up, I found out it's a mockingbird. It's a bluebird. Why? How. How did that happen? As I walked in the path that was laid out before me, the revelation occurred. So, Alex, have you ever heard bloom where you planted?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And if you bloom where you planted, and when God wants to transplant you to another place, he can do that, can he?

>> Alex McFarland: He surely can. He surely can. And, you know, you grow in your knowledge of the Lord by spending time with God, in his word, in prayer, and frankly, thinking about the Lord and, praying. And I love the Bible's promise that if we ask for wisdom, he'll give it. That's James 1, verse 5. Now, this is big in Ephesians 3. 6. Here's part of the. This is just a truth bomb, as they say, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God that was given to me by the effective working of his power. Now, believe it or not, folks, here in the 21st century, this might not seem like much, but in the first century, the idea, verse 6, that the Gentiles, the dogs, the unclean, the Gentiles could and would be fellow heirs of the same body, partakers of salvation, relationship with God. The. The soon coming kingdom of the king, Jew and Gentile, the ransomed of the Lord by the blood of the Son of God. I mean, the idea, not only was it, a, brand new thought, frankly, to, Jews of impeccable pedigree, it might have actually been a bit insulting.

>> Bert Harper: I believe it was to them. I think they felt that way. Notice these words, Alex. I mean, get your mind around fellow heirs. What is an heir? One that receives an inheritance.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: So guess what? The Jews, even though they've been a nation, set Aside by God, they don't receive more than the Gentiles that's come to Christ. Makes me think of that, you know the parable about the workmen that came to work and they came at different times, but the wages were the same.

>> Alex McFarland: I was just thinking about that.

>> Bert Harper: And then the word partakers. Listen, we, we are partakers of the whole, you know, all of it is, and you've said it earlier, in him, in Christ. Christ in you. Now, here it is. You're in Christ, and Christ is in you. Now, you figure that one out. Okay, you're talking about some mysteries. We're in Christ, we're his, and he's in us, and we're partakers of his promise.

Call in with your Bible questions using the AFR app

Now, how does it happen? Here it is, through Christ, the gospel.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: The law is not going to do it. good works not going to do it. Money's not going to do it. Position in this world is not going to do it. The only thing that you get to be this fellow heir and this partakers of the wealth of God is through a relationship in Jesus Christ by faith. That's a mystery and it's now revealed. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, in verse seven, Paul acknowledges he's a minister according to the grace of God. Now, verse, eight is amazing. Paul says to me, in other words, the power of God, the assignment, all these things have been entrusted to Paul. Paul says to me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I tend to think of the apostle Paul as, in the hall of fame. But anyway, we'll talk more about that. Hey, here's the number. We want to Hear your Bible questions. 888-589-8840 on exploring the Word. After this brief break, we'll open up the phones. What your Bible questions are today. Call in and we'll answer.

>> Bert Harper: The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations.

>> Alex McFarland: You can't use it to change the

>> Bert Harper: 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. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net Listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app. Don't stop praying.

>> Alex McFarland: Don't stop calling on Jesus name.

>> Bert Harper: I do believe that may be Brent Austin's favorite song. He plays it every chance he gets. And we're glad of that because yesterday was a day of prayer. And, by the way, if you got Bible questions, that number is Triple 858-98-8840. I can turn on a dime in a conversation just like I did that.

AFR has a prayer request for a listener in Georgia

But we got a prayer request, and we, we want to share it with our AFR family. it went out everywhere here in our building, and we're praying, but we want others to join us in praying. Alex, could you summarize the prayer request? And, we're asking people to join us in this prayer, aren't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. A thank you, Bert. Every day is a day of prayer. We have a listener in Georgia, and, he's a man in Georgia. I'm not going to go into all the details, but he says, I need some prayers. And he is really seeking God. He is a, recovering drug user, and he says he's off drugs, and thank God for that. And then he's got some, family members, some very close family members that have had, some altercations with the law, and, you know, there's some financial pressures, and he's just basically crying out and saying, I need God's help. And he says, thank you. I love afr. I love the station. I love you guys, and thank you for the prayers. And he asked the question. And sir, if you're listening, I think you know the answer. He says, has God abandoned me? I want to say this with all my heart, and I just wish I was there to give you a hug, sir. No, the Lord has not abandoned you. In fact, the Bible says he is very nigh near to those that are of a broken heart, crushed in spirit. And, sir, if you're listening down in Georgia, call, out to God. I promise you a better day is coming. I promise you. In fact, in Matthew 6, verse 8, it says, God knows what we need even before we ask now, stay clean. Stay off the drugs. You don't want to go back there, but you're doing the right thing. You're crying out to God, you're pouring out your heart. And Bert, I just believe this dear brother and everybody listening, just pray for the man in Georgia. God's got things for you, sir. He's got blessings.

>> Bert Harper: We're going to go to the prayer, to prayer right now, Father, for this man, this brother in Christ in Georgia that is in pain. he's in pain spiritually. He's in pain financially in so many ways, where he is discouraged with we're praying right now for you to come unto him. And Father, that he would understand you're there with him. You have not forsaken him, you have not abandoned him. You go through these dark times, the dark nights of the soul. And Father, I pray that there would be just hundreds, even thousands of people right now lifting up this brother in Christ, asking him to turn to you and trust you, wait upon you, lean not in his own understanding. But Father, I pray also that there'd be somebody there in Georgia, close by that could come by. Somebody with as the little boy said in his room in the storm, I need somebody with skin on. And God, I got a feeling this brother needs somebody with, with skin on to come and, and. And as Alex said, hug and. But also lift him up and help him and say let's go and let's do this together because we're. It's difficult when you're. By God sent them out two by two and can two walk together unless they be agreed. And Father, three strand rope is not easily broken. So it's you and I pray you'd bring a person into his life that would really strengthen him as a follower of Christ. We believe this, we trust this, we wait on this. In Jesus name, Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

Have you heard of any contention on Paul's writings being falsely attributed

M. Okay, well, we've got some people that's called in and one of those is Jacob from Michigan. Jacob, thank you for calling today. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Hey, good evening or good afternoon for you both. Good to hear your voices. yeah, I had a quick question. My question was have you heard of any contention on Paul's writings as being pseudo polygrapher. The you know, falsely attributed to him. And I wanted to know what your responses were on that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. The answer is yes. it's been around for quite a while. there's those that there may be some honest but many times Jacob and Alex, I want you to respond to it. It's trying to discredit and I would say downplay the authority of God's word. it's pretty evident now when we say Paul wrote it, we know he had a secretary. Or back in those days they were not called secretaries, they were called amanuense. And he. And but one or two letters he said I write this with my own hand. Now a lot of times it may have been the signature of the whole book, but yeah, that's been around a while. But Alex, what I've read and what I trust, Paul is the author of these books.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, absolutely. And let me say this, you know, Bert, Even, you know, 31, 32 years ago, when I was in graduate school, even back then, there were, books coming out that basically wanted to either say, you know, what Paul wrote shouldn't have been in the canon of Scripture, or that Paul hated women and he was anti feminist and, all sorts of just very, very baseless, theories. you know, even in Second Peter, the Apostle Peter, who is one of my absolute heroes, Peter said this, that some of Paul's things are hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction. Peter, wrote. And this, by the way, is in Second Peter, chapter three. but let me say this. The canonicity of Paul's letters goes back to the earliest Christians. honestly, whether it's, feminists and egalitarians, or, frankly, those that are promoting the LGBTQ trans, ideologies, the people that want to trash the Apostle Paul's letters basically have some philosophy that runs contrary to Scripture. I will say this, that the gospel, the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ for salvation. It's in First Corinthians 15. Paul did not, quote, invent the Gospel, and I'll prove it, because Peter preached it at Pentecost. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that we receive by faith. That's what Peter preached at Pentecost. And that was way before Saul of Tarsus had ever walked the Damascus, wasn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really was. And so, listen, like the book of Ephesians, that is so Pauline. You just, you know it. And Paul was an educated man, and so some of his writings would be a little different, even in style and usage of words from one letter to another. and he would grow like Corinth was written. Written early, the books of Corinthians. And then he would write the other ones later. Romans, Ephesians. Yeah, they change a little bit. That little change that he used in style or wording does not diminish the opinion that he did write it. And so here's what they do. They make a mountain out of a molehill. By that, I mean, okay, this is a little different than what he said. He didn't say it the same way. Well, listen. Anybody listen to Bert Harper on exploring the word for 15 years? Brent's making eyes at me. He knows, you know, it's hard. you asked me what I said 15 years ago. I can't remember that far back. But the Apostle Paul, he was the writer. Thank you, Jacob.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Amen. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: In Oregon.

>> Bert Harper: That's right. Let's go, Luke. Go ahead. It's Oklahoma, I think.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, I'm sorry.

>> Bert Harper: I'm sorry.

>> Caroline: Good afternoon. Yes, sir.

Luke: Could King Saul have repented if he had? Alex: Yes

Hey, I'm. I have the opportunity. I'm helping with the children's ministry at my church. And we were going over, David being. Being anointed as king. And it says, you know, he had a heart after the Lord. But my question is with King Saul. He. He did two things major wrong. For one thing, he didn't wait for Samuel, and he went ahead and took it upon himself to make this. To do a sacrifice which was totally wrong. but if he would have repented, if he would have had a repented heart and, gone to God and asked for forgiveness, could he have, retained the. The kingship?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me make one or two statements, Alex, and you take it away. Saul started. Okay. He was an humble guy to start out with, but I believe there's probably something hidden there, Alex, you know what I mean? A, hidden character flaw that he had kept from them. And as he got power and more power, as he was threatened, it became more real. If. If's a big word, Luke. I don't know for sure, but he did not do it. He. You know, Alex, the ifs. And I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything, Luke, the ifs in life, is hard to go back and set it up the same way, isn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Saul. King, Saul, not Saul of Tarsus, but King Saul in the Old Testament is in many ways a very tragic figure, because you're right, he started out okay. But I'm going to tell you how sin began to dominate him. He was just so jealous of David, you know, and, Saul's two big things. like the caller said, he intruded into the priesthood, and that was wrong. And then in first Samuel 28, major, major, major mistake. He consulted with the witch of Endor. but here's the thing. You know, following David's military victories, women sang. and, you know, Saul has killed his thousands. David victories over ten thousands. Well, that wounded Saul's ego and his resentment and his jealousy. He began to throw spears at David. Here's another thing. Saul's obsessive hatred of David led him to abandon his duties, over Israel. And he spent several years hunting David across the wilderness. I mean, so he became just crazed with an obsessive resentment and hatred and jealousy over David, didn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really did. In the NewSong Testament, you find a man called Jon, Mark, and he. He was right. But then he got off track. But we know from what was said, him going with Barnabas on the mission trip, and then what Paul would write in two Timothy, bring, him with me. He would be profitable to me. It shows you the correction. On the other hand, in that same book, Demas has forsaken me. Demas had been there and been there. But now it says, having loved the present world. That's one of the horrible epithets on anybody's life left the, having loved the present world. I think it says about Saul that he loved the position more than he loved God. And. And listen, when you love your position, no matter what it is, you know, radio talk, producer, a. Ah, pastor, whatever it is, more than you do God, you got trouble. And Saul let that come. And I agree with those two points, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: So the caller asked, could he have repented? I think theoretically, anybody could repent, but he didn't. In fact, he died by suicide. Really? I don't think we have any indication that Saul repented. Do you think?

>> Bert Harper: We do not. And again, there's nothing that would show that. And, you can't. You can't recover the feathers in a pillow. You can't bring up, you know, spilled milk. And so even David, when he repented about Bathsheba, he still suffered fourfold of the consequences. You know, forgiveness doesn't necessarily do away with the consequences of sowing to the flesh. You can be saved, and he can set you right, but the consequences, King David's one of them. And, so anyway, hope that hurt helps. Luke.

Alex: Is there a point of no return for grace from God

Let's go to Harold in Texas. Harold, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: simply put, this came up in my men's group. Is there a point of no return? examples would be God, will either give you grace or give you God's justice. And, we saw that in examples such as Sodom and Gomorrah, that people were so far gone in their, sin, so far gone in their mindsets, they couldn't even grasp the concept of God's grace and asking for it. So, simply put, is there a point of no return?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, I'm going to set this up real quickly. Two things. God's spirit does not always strive with man. I believe that's an individual also. it could be a society, a nation. The other thing that I would say, God knows when it is, but I don't think we as humans know when that is for someone else. Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: exactly. And I. To the college question. I do think, yeah, there is a point of no return. Romans 1:28 talks about. And I would urge people, read Romans 1 and 2 and, ponder if it sounds like the modern world, because I think it does. But it says even as they. Romans 1:28. Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind. And the word reprobate there really means godless. In other words, God let them go. There was a man. And you ought to Google this. J. Harold Smith, I believe, was the man Burke. Correct me if I know it.

>> Bert Harper: Three God. God's three deadlines.

>> Alex McFarland: God's three deadlines.

>> Bert Harper: That was J. Harold Smith. Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: He spoke in chapel at Liberty. He was quite elderly. But I'm, telling you one of the most powerful sermons I've ever heard. God's three deadlines. And I think. And look, only God knows. You might get up one Sunday morning savable, and you might think, I ought to go to church. I need to get straight with God. blow it off. I'll do it later. And by Sunday on that night, you might be unsavable. Why not? Because God doesn't love you. But the Holy Spirit, either doesn't call anymore, or you're not able to even discern and hear that call anymore. Turn to Jesus while you have opportunity, Harold.

>> Bert Harper: Turn, again, how many times does that say, turn ye, turn ye. And then those that are believers and we've swayed off the idea is return to me. You turn to God and you return to Him.

American Family Radio explores the Word in Ephesians tomorrow

If you get off path, Alex, we're going to continue in the book of Ephesians. We'll start with verse eight. And, Alex has already told us he's the less of the least. But that's not the worst part. Finally, he gets to Timothy and he says, I'm the chiefest of sinners. listen. The more we know about God and his love and how great he is, the more real we see ourselves, who we are, without him. Tune in tomorrow for more of exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this

>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.