Exploring the Word on American Family Radio
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.
Alex McFarland: I believe our nation needs, uh, revival
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Alex McFarland Many people today are saying that America is at a crossroads, culturally, spiritually. We need a move of God. We need an awakening, folks. In biblical terms, I believe our nation needs, revival. And to learn about what revival is and how we might, be on the pathway to revival, of course we'll go to God's Word because that is our source is God's word, the Bible. Well, it's Alex McFarland along with Bert Harper. And this is a pre recorded edition of Exploring the Word. Because if you're hearing this, Bert or I or both of us are probably traveling, so we can't take calls today. But you know, Bert, one of the things I love about whenever you and I pre record, we really do try to do things that are what we call evergreen. That would be relevant and important to hear no matter when, no matter where. And I certainly believe revival and a move of God's Holy Spirit fits that criteria.
Bert Harper It does fit and we desire for God to have a move in our lives. I'm reminded of several things concerning revival. One of my favorite preachers in the past was Jim Gypsy Smith. He was an evangelist and it was called the Sawdust Trail back then because they would build what they called brush arbors. Be the same thing, what a few years ago was tent revivals. But theirs was brush arbors where they would make them by post and by leaves covering, an area up. And then they would, spread sawdust around so that if it rained them it would not be muddy. And so what he would do, he would get up and he'd say, everyone stand and make a semicircle with your right foot and then connect that circle with your left foot and start praying. Lord, let revival begin inside this circle. And so we are praying and God did great moves and we have a history in the Old Testament, as you said in the Bible. And also I would say even in the NewSong Testament, when we see God move in some of the places that he did, and then in history God has made himself known to his people. And when that happens, Alex, it is an awakening, it is a revival and we see great things happening, salvation missions, projects, and Lord, do it again.
Bert Harper Is it better?
Bert Harper Right, Alex?
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen. Revival. If you hear the word revival, I don't know what images come to your mind, but really it's a phrase. And we've talked about this many times, but we, we'll talk about it, endlessly because it is so important. But it means a return to the things that bring life, life again. That's what revival means. And we're going to read a little bit from 2 Kings 22 and a little bit of 23 in the Old Testament, the book of 2 Kings. And it's one of the great revivals, Bert. You know, there are a lot of revivals in the Bible. Elmer Towns, el Townes was one of my professors at Liberty. In fact, he was the academic dean for many, many years. A great man of God. He's well, well into his 90s. Now. Some of, the folks listening will know who Elmer Townes is, but he wrote a book on the great revivals in scripture and then he did another book on the great revivals throughout history. And folks, you know, Christianity is having a relationship with Christ and being saved and that's wonderful individuals coming to faith in Christ. But there are times in history and I would suppose many people listening probably haven't experienced one of these, but we could, and we certainly need it when the Holy Spirit of God, God in his m. Mercy, really invades an entire culture. And not only do souls get saved, churches, get on fire, but entire cultures are changed and transformed. And we need that, Bert. We need, a move of God's spirit because frankly, it's just beyond any human control. And I don't want to be doom and gloom, but look folks, there's atheism and there's lostness and there's sexual immorality and then there's the rise of Islam and that, we could do an entire series on how Islam is really a threat to not only constitutional America and religious freedom, frankly, the rise of Islam is a threat to the world. Certainly a threat to the nation of Israel. Bert. We've seen the rise of antisemitism and it just seems like every month in the news there's attacks on synagogues and just racism and violence against Jewish people. And you know, as I was prepping for our show today, I was just reading in the news two different stories, completely unrelated, of family members killing each other. And in, I believe it was Colorado, an 11 year old boy that murdered his little brother. And they said it's premeditated, planned, violent as could be. But how do you try an 11 year old as adult, an adult and just you know, mothers killing children, husbands killing wives, siblings killing their younger brother. I've got to fall to my knees and say, oh, God, have mercy, please come. Our nation is sin sick. And dear Jesus, we need a great revival. We can pray, we can witness, but we are beyond any ability of human effort to make a difference. Bert, we need a move of God's
Bert Harper holy Spirit and we are desperate for it. And desperation is one of the things that precedes revival and awakening. It really does. The woman with issue of blood desperate enough to break through the crowds just to touch the hem of his garment. And so our desperation should lead us to go to God, not throw up our hands, say, oh, we don't know what, but to go to God and say, God, start in me, do this work in me. Let me be an agent of revival. And Alex, that's one of the great things that we see here. Like you said in 2 Kings, it's also found in 2nd Chronicles 3, 34. Ah, and you'll see this, that it starts with this. And in second Kings it makes it plain that, you know, Josiah at 8 years old had a desire and probably the high priest that was guiding him, let's improve the temple. But one of the greatest words in all the Bible, and if you want to go back further, it's alright. But Hilkiah, the high priest said, the fan, the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.
Alex McFarland It's almost humorous.
Bert Harper It is humorous. It's got both, it's got an edge on it. I found the word and then, you know, where else would you find, you know, so that's the way it is. But this is what starting. If they hadn't have desired to improve the temple, to make the corrections and to make, it repaired, they wouldn't have found the book.
Alex McFarland Exactly.
Bert Harper So there's gotta be some, there's gotta be a desire and then the discovery is made, isn't it? Isn't that how the procedure goes?
Alex McFarland Well, yeah. How ironic in the house of God to stumble upon m the word of God. But let's go back a little bit, okay? There was a king named Manasseh, and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. There was a king named Ammon, and he did that which was evil. Now, after the death of Ammon comes Josiah, and Josiah is good. And you'll read it says that in verse 2 of 2 Kings 22, that Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Now, here's the thing, Bert. After evil kings, we don't know exactly who. Not gonna know till we get to heaven. But somebody was praying, you know, I really believe that. And Josiah is good. And he began to reign when he was eight years old, the boy king. But he was godly. And no doubt that, he had the desire to repair the temple in the 18th year of King Josiah. I guess if he reigned when he was 8, he would have been 26 at this point.
Bert: Without the Bible, there is no hope for revival
But they go up to repair the temple, and they're working. Verse 5 says the breaches. You know, things are broken down. Maybe the roof is leaking. But they've got carpenters, builders, stonemasons, men, with timber, and they're repairing the temple, and they're going to worship God. Well, in verse 8 of 2 Kings 22, like you said, Hilkiah, the high priest, says to Shaphan, the scribe, we have found the book, and let's read it. And they begin to read the word of God. So, Bert, here's my point. There was evil, there was desperation. Somebody prayed, somebody took initiative. Josiah. And then they find, and this is a key to all revivals, the scripture. They're on a good path here. We could do the same.
Bert Harper Bert, the scripture, without it, there is no hope that. Let's take just a minute here. Do we realize how blessed we are to have the Bible? Alex? we have partners here on AFR and, they want to get the word of God into the hands of people that need. Need it. And here we are. I choose which Bible I'm going to bring. I choose which version I'm going to read from because I have so many. But we have believers out there that's heard, and they may have had a page of the Bible. Have you heard that? You know, when they find a Bible in certain countries where it's illegal, they don't keep it all together. They tear out a page and give it to this person and that person and that person, and then they swap the pages so they can, have the Word of God. We're blessed so much to have this. And so when we have the Word of God and we what notice it comes and it makes it plain. They read it, they responded, they obeyed, they made a covenant. you know, but where did it begin, the word of God? Didn't it.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen.
Bert Harper: We need revival in our times
You know, you mentioned, passing pages of the Bible around, and probably 18, 19 years ago, I interviewed, a church leader from China. And, we knew some missionaries, actually several that were deep in the interior of China. And they were saying, and, I mean, these are people that absolutely, they knew whereof they spoke, but they said that every page of every Bible in China would be handled and circulated and read by approximately 30,000 different people. And this particular. We flew him over here. It was really kind, of a special thing. We had him speak, but this particular leader of the church in China, he was saying that at least a million people a month were getting saved. And sometimes they thought it was a million people a week. But he had been severely beaten, imprisoned, just persecuted in every way imaginable. And Bert, he was just the most joyful person, because he was thrilled that the spirit of God was moving in China. And you're right, here in America, if we take a Bible to church, the question is not do we have a Bible? But which one of the three or four Bibles that I own do I pick up this Sunday? And so we're so blessed, folks. And I think everybody listening, no matter what is your church background or where you are in your walk with the Lord, I don't think it would be hard to persuade everybody listening that we need to return to Christ and we need a move of God. So there is the need. We're aware of it. We know how to pray. We see the precedent in God's word and in scripture. And so, Bert, we can have revival in our times. And we must.
Bert Harper When we look back at the first great awakening, they were desperate. It was bad drunkenness, but God. So we want God, Lord, do it again. Make yourself known as we turn to you in repentance and faith, asking you to do your work as only you can do.
Bert Harper 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. 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 250. That's dial pound 250 and say the keyword 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.
Alex : When someone believes the Word of God, it is awesome
welcome back to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.
As we go, let us make disciples. As we go, let us tell the world of Christ may highlight speak the message of his mercy and his hope. So all we come to know as
Bert Harper we go, as we go we're praying as we go. We would seek God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind. We would turn to him. As we start this second segment, I'm reminding you we're talking about steps to revival. And we looked at Josiah, the great revival as they discovered the Bible, they responded to it and then made a covenant. But there's other places and one is in Amos and I want to just share this. in Amos, chapter three, four and five, they each one begins and it ties in to what happened with the revival with Josiah. Amos 3:1, it starts. Hear this word that the Lord has spoken. Chapter 4, verse 1. Hear this word that the Lord has spoken. Chapter 5, verse 1. Hear this word that the Lord has spoken. The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword. And it is able to divide soul and spirit and bring people to Christ. That's the power of the Word of God. Now I want to share with you, when someone believes the word of God, it is awesome. But I declare to you the Bible is the word of God regardless if anyone believes it or not. And it is still powerful because it is settled in heaven. So Alex, we were talking about the power of the Word of God and we both agreed. And scripture I, think testifies of it history of revivals and awakenings testify of it the Word of God. As Amos said, you better hear this word had you not.
Alex McFarland Amen. Ah, amen. You know, Vance Havner as, he's one of our heroes folks. And you may or may not know about Vance Havner. He's one of the great revivalists really of the 20th century. I mean people always said he was an evangelist, but he said by his own words that he viewed himself as a revivalist. And at the time of his death, I later learned I knew his brother in law, Bert, ah, Joe Allred was his Name. Vance Havner was working on a book about Amos and a book about revival, and that book never got finished. I actually have some of the notes. But you're right. Amos references it, and Vance Havner was writing about it. But the word of God. And I will tell you this, Bert. I really think. Let's just talk about an individual believer. The, the stability of your Christian walk, the depth of your Christian walk, the fruit of your Christian walk, is directly contingent on the role of the Bible in your life. I mean, really, because, the scripture is to the Christian what nutrition would be to the athlete. an athlete could not be at peak performance if they were anemic or malnourished, you know, and that's how it is. I believe it with all my heart. And I've been around long enough to. I've seen those who thrive in and for the Lord. I've seen those who fall away. And, Bert, I've counseled with some men that have really, really, really fallen, not only morally, but theologically. And when I've had the opportunity, I've said, how's your time in the Word? Well, it's not what it used to be, Bert. A big part of the saving of our nation will be the role that the Bible plays in the lives of American people and in the life of the American church. The role of scripture.
Bert Harper Amen.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God run parallel
Alex, let me share with you what I believe. They work hand in hand. They run parallel, and that is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert Harper M. The word of God, you know, working is so much effective when the Holy Spirit of God is convicted, is drawing, is disciplining. And so the word of God, the Holy Spirit, he working in you. Now, you're talking about some ministers, even leaders that you've known. I've known that have. The only word I know is. Is departed, fallen away. And, some of them had been preaching for years. Okay. Now, I believe the Holy Spirit of God is involved in that. The anointing of the Word of God. Preaching the Bible. The Holy Spirit of God accompanies, that. Alex. He, as David, Jeremiah on his. I think it's a minute or two minute little thing driving the word home on Route 66.
Alex McFarland I like that.
Bert Harper I do, too. The 66 books of the Bible. Route 66 is powerful, but it's driving the word home. The Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, accompanies that in its power. And the Word. I'm not calling it the Holy Spirit. It. I'm talking about the Word of God. As the Word of God goes forth, the Holy Spirit of God drives it home. Now, here's what a lot of people are doing. that may be in leadership. That's the anointing of the Spirit of God on his Word, the anointing of, the word of God being proclaimed. But the filling of the Holy Spirit is for living. Have you noticed that when it talks about the anointing, it's a task they're doing? Samson, the Spirit would come upon him and he would do those.
But.
Bert Harper But the filling of the Holy Spirit is living. That the fruit of the Spirit will be seen, that we will have the armor of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And so what we're praying is the Word of God accompanied in the person of the Holy Spirit in your life. I'm, praying. And in the life of His Word to others. Alex, that revival is powerful because when you hear the Word as we see in Amos and with Josiah, there's a turning away from sin. Josiah tore all the dwelling places of the pagan gods down. Amos declared, you've got to do this. So you turn away and you turn to. That is the power, the Word of God accompanied by the Holy Spirit in our lives. And I believe, yes, I do believe God. Yes, you can do it again. And we're praying it would happen once again.
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert : Preachers should preach through the Bible on homosexuality
Let me read something from 2 Kings 23:7. Okay. They rediscovered the book of the law. They're reading this. And, you know, first of all, Shaphan and Hilkiah are reading, you know, it's interesting. verse 10 of 2 Kings 22, Shaphan the scribe showed the king, Josiah, saying, hilkiah, the priest has delivered me a book. And Shay fan read. And, hey, friend, it's not just a book. It's God's book. Okay?
Bert Harper It's the book, isn't it? I noticed that too.
Alex.
Bert Harper go ahead.
Alex McFarland And so let me ask a convicting question to everybody. Is the Bible just a book to you? Or is it God's love letter to the human race, which includes you? But it came to pass when the king Josiah, a good king, by the way, heard the words of the book of the law. He tore his clothes. So he convenes a big meeting. He says, get everybody. We're going to build a little stage, an elevated platform, and we're going to read the Bible to everybody. And I'm, going to get to that. But over there in verse seven. So when they read the Bible. And they once again get reacquainted with God's word. Yes, with all of its promises, but with all of its warnings. And the word of God has words of reassurance, but it has words of, judgment too. But it says, what did they do? Among other things, they repented. They returned back to God. Verse 7 says, he broke down the houses of the sodomites that were by the temple, by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the grove. 2nd Kings 23:7. Okay, there's a lot going on here. A grove is like a pagan area with statues and idols and such. And they apparently had curtains and cloths. So they're going to get rid of the grove of false worship. But, Bert, by the house of the Lord, in other words, adjacent to the temple were apparently the brothels, the gay brothels, the houses of the sodomites. And I just think about the denominations even. There have been several very high profile ministries that 20 years ago, I would have never thought it, but in recent years have decided that they're, going to endorse gay weddings and taken a gift to celebrate the gay wit. That is wrong. That is wrong. Do we love people? We love everybody. But we love everybody enough to passionately, emphatically tell them the truth of salvation in Jesus. And Bert, one of the things, and this is like, a litmus test, folks. One of the ways you'll know that it's a true move of God is, is if once again, the pulpits will be aflame with righteousness and repentance. And that would include repentance from the sin of sodomy, homosexuality. Look, anybody can be saved from sin, but as Billy Graham said, God doesn't save people in sin. And, repentance is not optional. Really, Bert. and I want to challenge preachers. Bert, years ago I heard you say something very, very practical from your three decades in the pastorate. brother pastors, if you're afraid to preach about immorality and repentance and sin and death and hell, well, Bert said this, and this is brilliant. Just preach through the Bible and you'll get to it. I mean, preach through 1 Corinthians, and anything that you need to call people out on, you'll get to. And if somebody gets offended and angry, just say, look, I'm preaching through this book of the Bible. And, it's in there. Preached, through the book of Romans. And Bert, I dare say that, many American church parishioners probably have never heard a Sermon. Ah, warning of hell. Probably have never heard a sermon about the need to repent of sexual immorality. And yet this is vital. I'm going to say this. I'll throw it to you. Look, the devil doesn't care if you die and go to hell as a good, upright, outwardly moral citizen, just as long as you don't have that life change that comes through a relationship with Jesus. You could be down and out or up and out in the gutter or in the boardroom. The devil doesn't care just as long as you don't turn your life over to Jesus.
Bert Harper Alex, that is so true. And going back to reading the scriptures that they did notice they didn't read selected scriptures. right, you catch. You know, they were reading the scriptures, so they would read through Leviticus, chapter 20. You ought to read that sometimes. And, and man, you talking about condemnation of sin and agreeing with it and get it, getting along, you know, going along just to get along. They said, no, you're going to. You, you've got to turn from that. And so that happened in Josiah's day. Amos was preaching it in his day that this is the way, and again, turn. You turn, you turn away. And people. Oh, it's not repentance. Hey, when you turn from and you turn to, another word for that is repent, you know, turn from and turn to. That's exactly what it means. So we turn away from our way, from our sin and turn to God's way. Matter of fact, if confess, we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus. The word confession, the way it's presented in the Greek, language is to say the same thing as to agree with. To agree with. You say the same thing that God says about what? Everything. Sin, salvation, individuals. And again, not selected, but the total. And that's the reason we say, you know, preach the total word of God. And you do that.
When people turn from and turn to God, great things start happening
And when this happens, Alex, I want to get to this to make sure we get to it. When this happens and people turn from and turn to God. Listen, great things starts happening. you're talking about all the social ills that's wrong with America. Guess who did something about it. People talk about Western civilization. Western civilization was formed because of helping the needs, helping those that were sick, helping the orphans, helping the widows help. It came from a NewSong Testament concept, a biblical concept that started. And again it happened when the apostle Paul, Silas Barnabas, Timothy, Luke, all those went out and they went into west. They went into the European theater, the continent, and it changed everything. Alex. I believe that the word of God that happened, being shared then, if we did that now, we would have results as well. So the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, it's the most powerful, move there is that you could have.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen. and folks, if you're wondering, what is faith? What is belief, what is repentance? You know, we've said this many times, and the Greek word is metanoia. and it does mean a response upon agreement with okay, to turn from sin to Christ. As one old country preacher said, repentance is being sorry enough to quit. But I'm going to give a little bit of. one time I was hearing Jerry Falwell when I went to Liberty University. and, I don't know if many people are acquainted with that name, but, my wife and I were very privileged. Three months into our marriage, we were living in Lynchburg, and I was going to Liberty University. But we were at Thomas Road Baptist Church. And I'm going to tell you, Jerry Falwell could preach. And he often, in the six years that we were there, many, many times he preached through the book of Hebrews. He loved Romans and Hebrews, but he was preaching, through Hebrews 11, where he said, you know, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And of course, it says in Hebrews 11:6. But without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He said faith and repentance, the response to God's revelation, in which the believer amends their entire life in favor of, God's revelation. We can do that, and in fact, we must. M We've got a break. We'll be back with more about revival on Exploring the Word. Stay tuned.
Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
Bert Harper It's been four years since the overturn of Roe, but tragically, abortions have continued to rise. Today, the abortion pill accounts for more than 60% of all abortions. And last year alone, over 1.1 million babies lost their lives. That's why the work of PreBorn Network clinics is more urgent than ever. Every day, mothers facing unplanned pregnancies walk through preborn's doors, searching for hope. Instead of pressure and fear, they're met with love. Through a free ultrasound, mothers meet their baby for the very first time.
Alex McFarland It was like the beginning of my healing journey. They do an ultrasound and that's when everything changed. Because when I saw my baby and when I heard her heartbeat, that was it.
Bert Harper Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound. $140 helps rescue five babies. To donate, dial hashtag 250 and say baby. That's hashtag 250 baby. Or visit preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com
Bert Harper now back to the Bible study.
Bert : We're talking about revival in the Old Testament
You're listening to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.
It's about the cross. It's about my sin. It's about how Jesus came to be born so that we could be born again. It's about the stone.
Alex McFarland Amen. It is about the cross. Hey, this is a pre recorded exploring the Word and so we can't take phone calls, I'm sorry. But, we hope you'll listen. We're talking about revival. And you know, Bert, before the break, I was talking about how, you know, repentance and faith, they're kind of a two sided coin in a way. We turn away from sin, we turn to the Savior. And as Dr. Falwell and others have said, the believer amends their whole life, their beliefs, their priorities, their practices, their feelings, their emotions, amending your whole life in favor of God's revelation. And do you know what I believe, Bert? We oftentimes, people talk about seasons of revival or, ah, you know, there was that time that I felt really close to God a long time ago or something. I truly believe that every Christian can perpetually live in a state of spiritual power, joy, victory, revival. I really think that the thriving. Well, I'll put this. The normal Christian life is the Christian life that thrives in perpetuity, don't you?
Bert Harper I do.
Bert Harper I agree with you. And live that way. Live in that state of him being Lord, of him having his way in your life. And again, it's in agreement with God, not fighting against him, not turning away from him, but turning to him and walking with him. They walk with God, and that's what you want to do. And Alex, we're talking about revival in the Old Testament. We've covered Josiah. That's in 2, Kings and in 2 Chronicles you'll find 34. Yeah. And you'll find to Amos what he said. And again, read the Book of Amos. it is convicting, but it's hearing the Word of God. And then Amos talked about after he heard the Word of God, what he saw, what he saw from God, what he was going to do. That's the whole Book. But in the book of Acts, notice this. You'll find again and again he would say, and multitudes were saved. Now what happened in the first part of the Book of Acts? you'll find out that it was mainly, going to the Jewish world, Antioch, there, you know where they were. And multitudes, hundreds were added to the church. Thousands were added to the church as the word of God was proclaimed. Now, when you read the book of Acts, the first part, you know, the first 11, 12 chapters, the main person that they're covering is Peter. Peter preaching at Pentecost. Peter going to see Cornelius. the whole idea is Peter. And he was a great preacher. And multitudes were saved and they would come to him. But who he was preaching to, he was really preaching to a ready made audience. Okay? the Jews believed in one God. Okay? They believed Messiah was coming. they believed the Bible, m. Basically Pharisees believed all the Old Testament. And so you see them ready made. If the whole idea was Jesus is Messiah, he is the anointed one. And so. But then, here in the latter part of Acts, guess what happened? Paul was sent out to where? The gentile world. The gentile world. And now, he would find a synagogue, except in Philippi, because they didn't have 10, Jewish males there. But they met there on, as I said, back on the creek bank, they were meeting. But Alex, guess what? The numbers change. You don't hear about multitudes. It says they were added to the church some. Now one or two times it says many or that. But why? They were not a ready made audience when you're dealing with a gentile world. They believed in many gods. They did not believe in a Messiah. They did not believe the Old Testament. So Paul, like he did at Athens, he started saying, I see that you have a statue to the unknown God. Let me tell you about him. Now, he would not say that in a synagogue, but he would say that to the, to the Athenians there and to others. So we're leaving. Let me just share with you. you know, in the 40s and 50s, and I would say even in the early 60s, America was a ready made audience to hear the gospel. Okay, Billy Graham, Billy Graham would go and preach and thousands would come to the stadiums and hundreds would be born again. Even thousands would be born again. But guess what happened? We're not living in that kind of world today. The biblical worldview, very few have it. You know, the whole idea of it not being real, the Bible, who knows? But Guess what? Paul still went and Paul still shared the gospel. Paul still let God lead. And even in a world that is not real made for it, many and many came to know Jesus Christ as savior. So we don't need to be discouraged by it being, oh, it's harder than it was back in the 50s. It's harder than it was back in the 60s. Yeah, it may be, but guess what? The word of God is still the word of God. The Holy Spirit is still working. And we depend upon the word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us, to convict and to do the work of salvation, don't we?
Bert Harper: The apostle Paul was prepared to share his faith confidently
Alex McFarland Amen, Bert, that is profound. folks, I would challenge you and I know I will do my best to do this. Go back and listen to the last three minutes of what Bert Harper just said. That is very powerful. You are right. The apostle Paul, when he was in front of that ready made audience that, I'll phrase it this way, he had home court advantage.
Bert Harper That's it. Good word.
Alex McFarland there was one message, but he was also equally prepared to go in front of the pagan philosophers of Acts chapter 17. And you know, Paul said, I've become all things to all people. If by any means I might win some. And we're that way as well. And frankly, and we completely give God the glory. We have, always wanted exploring the Word to kind of be equal parts of Bible study, equipping and training, uplifting and hope and encouragement, but preparedness for all of us, Bert and myself and everyone listening, that no matter the context, we could share our faith confidently in any situation. And, we just our prayer, nothing would thrill us more than for everybody listening to say, you know what, I'm walking with Jesus, I'm living for Jesus as his representative.
Great revival is preceded with great judgment, says Dr. Brown
And folks, let me encourage you about revival. Dr. Micah Brown, longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Micah Brown, he has written much about revival, and I interviewed him many years ago. He wrote a book called the End of the Great American Gospel Enterprise. And basically the premise of that book was that, look, there's a lot of religious machinery operating, in the world, but do we have the presence of God? And he said, at times of great sin and judgment and desperation, people cry out, and it doesn't have to be a stadium of 50,000 people. It could be you, my dear friend, just bowing your head and praying, lord have mercy on our country. Here's what he said. Great revival is preceded with great judgment. Micah Brown. Revival and judgment go hand in hand. Revival is God's hand of Love extended judgment is his offer. Refused, end of quote. And it's like you gave the illustration of Gypsy Smith, and he drew a circle and said, lord, everything in this circle, thoroughly. It's yours. And he stepped in that circle. We, each of us, in our own heart and in our own life, we can say, lord, I can't speak for anybody else, but, Lord, you've got me, Lord Jesus, I'm yours.
Arthur Pearson was one of the big drivers in world evangelization
Bert, there was a great leader many years ago named Arthur Pearson, at Pearson. And, I want to share something that he shared that I think is pretty powerful just to give you a little background at Pearson was, friends all at the same time in his Life. Friends with D.L. moody, Charles Spurgeon, C.I. scofield, George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, Andrew Murray, and C. T. Studd. He knew all those guys. They were colleagues. Now, that's pretty good roster to keep up with, isn't it?
Bert Harper that's the dream team.
Alex McFarland As we the dream team. When Spurgeon died in 1892, at Pearson, preached his funeral in London. When D.L. moody died in 1899, Pearson was one of the speakers at Moody's funeral. And he preached all over the world. And, he was one of the big drivers in the late 1800s of world evangelization. And there was a phrase by a guy named Jon Mott called Evangelizing the World in Our Generation. But one time at Pearson, and I think this could be very catalytic in people's heart. at Pearson was preaching on Jon 15:4, where Jesus says, abide in me and I in you. And here's what he wrote about this. He said, a very small key opens a very complex lock and a very large door. A small key can lead into a massive building. And he was talking about the key to understanding the Bible and living it. And Jesus said in Jon 15:4, abide, ah, in me and I in you. So at Pearson and Bert, I'm going to let you comment. He says three short words in Christ Jesus are the most important words ever written. He says, you've got a preposition and a proper name. And this occurs more than 130 times in the Bible. In Christ Jesus, he says, the believer embraces Jesus in his own life. He separates and is completely Christ in himself. Apart from all hostile influences. He walks and lives in Christ Jesus. And Pearson goes on and says, if you would take to heart this phrase, I in Christ, in Christ Jesus, you'll understand the Bible. 130 times the Bible talks about being in and living in and living for Christ Jesus. You'll understand your life. Pearson said, we're not just here to exist. And years from now, we'll die and go to heaven. Of course the believer will. But as long as we're in this world, we are his representative. We are to pray. We are to bear fruit. We are to further and extend the boundaries of the kingdom of God. We have victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. And Pearson said, and I'll throw it to you, Bert. All of life will be transformed if we view it in Christ Jesus. I in Christ abiding in him. And bert, if America's 100 million believers would, remember that they are in Christ Jesus, it'll be a different America, wouldn't it?
Bert Harper It really would. Hearing that, Alex, just blows me away 130 times. I did not realize that that that was the case. Now notice Christ, the anointed one. Jesus Savior. N I N the anointed Savior. Alex, think about that. The one that God has given himself. You remember, in we were, we've been going through the Book of Hebrews while we're recording this, and it, it talks about it and it says it two or three times about Jesus. He Himself, you know, gives us his. The peace. He himself went to the cross. Now, he could have said he gave us peace. He went to the cross. But what would it be? It would say he could have given it to us through something, by something. But no, he himself did that. Nobody else could do this task. So when, I hear in Christ Jesus, there's no one else, nothing else, absolutely nothing that will take the place of Christ Jesus and you being in Him. There's not a church, there's not a religion, there's not a ministry. It's in the person of Christ Jesus, the Lord, the Savior. Alex, that is. That changes everything, doesn't it? When we're in Him.
Alex McFarland Yeah. And, you know, I think about this, this might not be a great illustration, but, I remember my mother would always make something special at our birthday. My sister or me. And, you know, it was not store bought. She made it herself. Now, think about how the Lord purchased our salvation. You know, he didn't just, you know, wave his divine hand across the sky. He didn't send an angel or he didn't allow some prophets to be martyred. No. To pay our sin debt, purchase our redemption. God himself took on a human body and felt the wrath of judgment nailed to the cross hung there.
Before we have revival, we gotta be saved, Alex says
And, you know, as we're recording this, we're several weeks from Easter, and you've heard me talk about my longtime friend Gary Habermas, who, he's written probably more than any other writer maybe ever, about the resurrection and the crucifixion. Crucifixion on the cross was death by asphyxiation, really, because the entire body weight was on the nails, through the feet. And to get a breath, the one being crucified had to push themself up. And Habermas wrote how, quote, explosions of pain would go through the body trying to get a breath. And that's why, like, if you read, Psalm 22 about the heart turning to wax, it was because of the pleural fluids and, the way that the, pericardium congealed as one slowly asphyxiated. Plus the wrath of God for the sin of humanity. Christ went through all of that for us. And that's why, Bert, I can't hear the hymn and can it be without getting choked up? Amazing love. How can it be that Thou, my God, would die for me? Is that a motivator for revival, or is that a motivator?
Bert Harper It is, and it's in Christ Jesus. Remember what Hebrews says. God has spoken in the past by the law, the prophets. He's spoken by angels. But in these last days, he spoke to us through his son in Christ Jesus. Alex, it's in him and him alone. No one else. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Before we have revival, we gotta be saved. We want everybody to know Jesus, don't we?
Alex McFarland We do. M Folks, Jesus is as close by as a prayer. So let's go. Let's go tell our nation and our world that Jesus, Jesus is king. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. May God bless you in every way. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast do not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Exploring the Word on American Family Radio
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.
Alex McFarland: I believe our nation needs, uh, revival
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Alex McFarland Many people today are saying that America is at a crossroads, culturally, spiritually. We need a move of God. We need an awakening, folks. In biblical terms, I believe our nation needs, revival. And to learn about what revival is and how we might, be on the pathway to revival, of course we'll go to God's Word because that is our source is God's word, the Bible. Well, it's Alex McFarland along with Bert Harper. And this is a pre recorded edition of Exploring the Word. Because if you're hearing this, Bert or I or both of us are probably traveling, so we can't take calls today. But you know, Bert, one of the things I love about whenever you and I pre record, we really do try to do things that are what we call evergreen. That would be relevant and important to hear no matter when, no matter where. And I certainly believe revival and a move of God's Holy Spirit fits that criteria.
Bert Harper It does fit and we desire for God to have a move in our lives. I'm reminded of several things concerning revival. One of my favorite preachers in the past was Jim Gypsy Smith. He was an evangelist and it was called the Sawdust Trail back then because they would build what they called brush arbors. Be the same thing, what a few years ago was tent revivals. But theirs was brush arbors where they would make them by post and by leaves covering, an area up. And then they would, spread sawdust around so that if it rained them it would not be muddy. And so what he would do, he would get up and he'd say, everyone stand and make a semicircle with your right foot and then connect that circle with your left foot and start praying. Lord, let revival begin inside this circle. And so we are praying and God did great moves and we have a history in the Old Testament, as you said in the Bible. And also I would say even in the NewSong Testament, when we see God move in some of the places that he did, and then in history God has made himself known to his people. And when that happens, Alex, it is an awakening, it is a revival and we see great things happening, salvation missions, projects, and Lord, do it again.
Bert Harper Is it better?
Bert Harper Right, Alex?
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen. Revival. If you hear the word revival, I don't know what images come to your mind, but really it's a phrase. And we've talked about this many times, but we, we'll talk about it, endlessly because it is so important. But it means a return to the things that bring life, life again. That's what revival means. And we're going to read a little bit from 2 Kings 22 and a little bit of 23 in the Old Testament, the book of 2 Kings. And it's one of the great revivals, Bert. You know, there are a lot of revivals in the Bible. Elmer Towns, el Townes was one of my professors at Liberty. In fact, he was the academic dean for many, many years. A great man of God. He's well, well into his 90s. Now. Some of, the folks listening will know who Elmer Townes is, but he wrote a book on the great revivals in scripture and then he did another book on the great revivals throughout history. And folks, you know, Christianity is having a relationship with Christ and being saved and that's wonderful individuals coming to faith in Christ. But there are times in history and I would suppose many people listening probably haven't experienced one of these, but we could, and we certainly need it when the Holy Spirit of God, God in his m. Mercy, really invades an entire culture. And not only do souls get saved, churches, get on fire, but entire cultures are changed and transformed. And we need that, Bert. We need, a move of God's spirit because frankly, it's just beyond any human control. And I don't want to be doom and gloom, but look folks, there's atheism and there's lostness and there's sexual immorality and then there's the rise of Islam and that, we could do an entire series on how Islam is really a threat to not only constitutional America and religious freedom, frankly, the rise of Islam is a threat to the world. Certainly a threat to the nation of Israel. Bert. We've seen the rise of antisemitism and it just seems like every month in the news there's attacks on synagogues and just racism and violence against Jewish people. And you know, as I was prepping for our show today, I was just reading in the news two different stories, completely unrelated, of family members killing each other. And in, I believe it was Colorado, an 11 year old boy that murdered his little brother. And they said it's premeditated, planned, violent as could be. But how do you try an 11 year old as adult, an adult and just you know, mothers killing children, husbands killing wives, siblings killing their younger brother. I've got to fall to my knees and say, oh, God, have mercy, please come. Our nation is sin sick. And dear Jesus, we need a great revival. We can pray, we can witness, but we are beyond any ability of human effort to make a difference. Bert, we need a move of God's
Bert Harper holy Spirit and we are desperate for it. And desperation is one of the things that precedes revival and awakening. It really does. The woman with issue of blood desperate enough to break through the crowds just to touch the hem of his garment. And so our desperation should lead us to go to God, not throw up our hands, say, oh, we don't know what, but to go to God and say, God, start in me, do this work in me. Let me be an agent of revival. And Alex, that's one of the great things that we see here. Like you said in 2 Kings, it's also found in 2nd Chronicles 3, 34. Ah, and you'll see this, that it starts with this. And in second Kings it makes it plain that, you know, Josiah at 8 years old had a desire and probably the high priest that was guiding him, let's improve the temple. But one of the greatest words in all the Bible, and if you want to go back further, it's alright. But Hilkiah, the high priest said, the fan, the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.
Alex McFarland It's almost humorous.
Bert Harper It is humorous. It's got both, it's got an edge on it. I found the word and then, you know, where else would you find, you know, so that's the way it is. But this is what starting. If they hadn't have desired to improve the temple, to make the corrections and to make, it repaired, they wouldn't have found the book.
Alex McFarland Exactly.
Bert Harper So there's gotta be some, there's gotta be a desire and then the discovery is made, isn't it? Isn't that how the procedure goes?
Alex McFarland Well, yeah. How ironic in the house of God to stumble upon m the word of God. But let's go back a little bit, okay? There was a king named Manasseh, and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. There was a king named Ammon, and he did that which was evil. Now, after the death of Ammon comes Josiah, and Josiah is good. And you'll read it says that in verse 2 of 2 Kings 22, that Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Now, here's the thing, Bert. After evil kings, we don't know exactly who. Not gonna know till we get to heaven. But somebody was praying, you know, I really believe that. And Josiah is good. And he began to reign when he was eight years old, the boy king. But he was godly. And no doubt that, he had the desire to repair the temple in the 18th year of King Josiah. I guess if he reigned when he was 8, he would have been 26 at this point.
Bert: Without the Bible, there is no hope for revival
But they go up to repair the temple, and they're working. Verse 5 says the breaches. You know, things are broken down. Maybe the roof is leaking. But they've got carpenters, builders, stonemasons, men, with timber, and they're repairing the temple, and they're going to worship God. Well, in verse 8 of 2 Kings 22, like you said, Hilkiah, the high priest, says to Shaphan, the scribe, we have found the book, and let's read it. And they begin to read the word of God. So, Bert, here's my point. There was evil, there was desperation. Somebody prayed, somebody took initiative. Josiah. And then they find, and this is a key to all revivals, the scripture. They're on a good path here. We could do the same.
Bert Harper Bert, the scripture, without it, there is no hope that. Let's take just a minute here. Do we realize how blessed we are to have the Bible? Alex? we have partners here on AFR and, they want to get the word of God into the hands of people that need. Need it. And here we are. I choose which Bible I'm going to bring. I choose which version I'm going to read from because I have so many. But we have believers out there that's heard, and they may have had a page of the Bible. Have you heard that? You know, when they find a Bible in certain countries where it's illegal, they don't keep it all together. They tear out a page and give it to this person and that person and that person, and then they swap the pages so they can, have the Word of God. We're blessed so much to have this. And so when we have the Word of God and we what notice it comes and it makes it plain. They read it, they responded, they obeyed, they made a covenant. you know, but where did it begin, the word of God? Didn't it.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen.
Bert Harper: We need revival in our times
You know, you mentioned, passing pages of the Bible around, and probably 18, 19 years ago, I interviewed, a church leader from China. And, we knew some missionaries, actually several that were deep in the interior of China. And they were saying, and, I mean, these are people that absolutely, they knew whereof they spoke, but they said that every page of every Bible in China would be handled and circulated and read by approximately 30,000 different people. And this particular. We flew him over here. It was really kind, of a special thing. We had him speak, but this particular leader of the church in China, he was saying that at least a million people a month were getting saved. And sometimes they thought it was a million people a week. But he had been severely beaten, imprisoned, just persecuted in every way imaginable. And Bert, he was just the most joyful person, because he was thrilled that the spirit of God was moving in China. And you're right, here in America, if we take a Bible to church, the question is not do we have a Bible? But which one of the three or four Bibles that I own do I pick up this Sunday? And so we're so blessed, folks. And I think everybody listening, no matter what is your church background or where you are in your walk with the Lord, I don't think it would be hard to persuade everybody listening that we need to return to Christ and we need a move of God. So there is the need. We're aware of it. We know how to pray. We see the precedent in God's word and in scripture. And so, Bert, we can have revival in our times. And we must.
Bert Harper When we look back at the first great awakening, they were desperate. It was bad drunkenness, but God. So we want God, Lord, do it again. Make yourself known as we turn to you in repentance and faith, asking you to do your work as only you can do.
Bert Harper 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. 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 250. That's dial pound 250 and say the keyword 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.
Alex : When someone believes the Word of God, it is awesome
welcome back to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.
As we go, let us make disciples. As we go, let us tell the world of Christ may highlight speak the message of his mercy and his hope. So all we come to know as
Bert Harper we go, as we go we're praying as we go. We would seek God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind. We would turn to him. As we start this second segment, I'm reminding you we're talking about steps to revival. And we looked at Josiah, the great revival as they discovered the Bible, they responded to it and then made a covenant. But there's other places and one is in Amos and I want to just share this. in Amos, chapter three, four and five, they each one begins and it ties in to what happened with the revival with Josiah. Amos 3:1, it starts. Hear this word that the Lord has spoken. Chapter 4, verse 1. Hear this word that the Lord has spoken. Chapter 5, verse 1. Hear this word that the Lord has spoken. The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword. And it is able to divide soul and spirit and bring people to Christ. That's the power of the Word of God. Now I want to share with you, when someone believes the word of God, it is awesome. But I declare to you the Bible is the word of God regardless if anyone believes it or not. And it is still powerful because it is settled in heaven. So Alex, we were talking about the power of the Word of God and we both agreed. And scripture I, think testifies of it history of revivals and awakenings testify of it the Word of God. As Amos said, you better hear this word had you not.
Alex McFarland Amen. Ah, amen. You know, Vance Havner as, he's one of our heroes folks. And you may or may not know about Vance Havner. He's one of the great revivalists really of the 20th century. I mean people always said he was an evangelist, but he said by his own words that he viewed himself as a revivalist. And at the time of his death, I later learned I knew his brother in law, Bert, ah, Joe Allred was his Name. Vance Havner was working on a book about Amos and a book about revival, and that book never got finished. I actually have some of the notes. But you're right. Amos references it, and Vance Havner was writing about it. But the word of God. And I will tell you this, Bert. I really think. Let's just talk about an individual believer. The, the stability of your Christian walk, the depth of your Christian walk, the fruit of your Christian walk, is directly contingent on the role of the Bible in your life. I mean, really, because, the scripture is to the Christian what nutrition would be to the athlete. an athlete could not be at peak performance if they were anemic or malnourished, you know, and that's how it is. I believe it with all my heart. And I've been around long enough to. I've seen those who thrive in and for the Lord. I've seen those who fall away. And, Bert, I've counseled with some men that have really, really, really fallen, not only morally, but theologically. And when I've had the opportunity, I've said, how's your time in the Word? Well, it's not what it used to be, Bert. A big part of the saving of our nation will be the role that the Bible plays in the lives of American people and in the life of the American church. The role of scripture.
Bert Harper Amen.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God run parallel
Alex, let me share with you what I believe. They work hand in hand. They run parallel, and that is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert Harper M. The word of God, you know, working is so much effective when the Holy Spirit of God is convicted, is drawing, is disciplining. And so the word of God, the Holy Spirit, he working in you. Now, you're talking about some ministers, even leaders that you've known. I've known that have. The only word I know is. Is departed, fallen away. And, some of them had been preaching for years. Okay. Now, I believe the Holy Spirit of God is involved in that. The anointing of the Word of God. Preaching the Bible. The Holy Spirit of God accompanies, that. Alex. He, as David, Jeremiah on his. I think it's a minute or two minute little thing driving the word home on Route 66.
Alex McFarland I like that.
Bert Harper I do, too. The 66 books of the Bible. Route 66 is powerful, but it's driving the word home. The Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, accompanies that in its power. And the Word. I'm not calling it the Holy Spirit. It. I'm talking about the Word of God. As the Word of God goes forth, the Holy Spirit of God drives it home. Now, here's what a lot of people are doing. that may be in leadership. That's the anointing of the Spirit of God on his Word, the anointing of, the word of God being proclaimed. But the filling of the Holy Spirit is for living. Have you noticed that when it talks about the anointing, it's a task they're doing? Samson, the Spirit would come upon him and he would do those.
But.
Bert Harper But the filling of the Holy Spirit is living. That the fruit of the Spirit will be seen, that we will have the armor of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And so what we're praying is the Word of God accompanied in the person of the Holy Spirit in your life. I'm, praying. And in the life of His Word to others. Alex, that revival is powerful because when you hear the Word as we see in Amos and with Josiah, there's a turning away from sin. Josiah tore all the dwelling places of the pagan gods down. Amos declared, you've got to do this. So you turn away and you turn to. That is the power, the Word of God accompanied by the Holy Spirit in our lives. And I believe, yes, I do believe God. Yes, you can do it again. And we're praying it would happen once again.
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert : Preachers should preach through the Bible on homosexuality
Let me read something from 2 Kings 23:7. Okay. They rediscovered the book of the law. They're reading this. And, you know, first of all, Shaphan and Hilkiah are reading, you know, it's interesting. verse 10 of 2 Kings 22, Shaphan the scribe showed the king, Josiah, saying, hilkiah, the priest has delivered me a book. And Shay fan read. And, hey, friend, it's not just a book. It's God's book. Okay?
Bert Harper It's the book, isn't it? I noticed that too.
Alex.
Bert Harper go ahead.
Alex McFarland And so let me ask a convicting question to everybody. Is the Bible just a book to you? Or is it God's love letter to the human race, which includes you? But it came to pass when the king Josiah, a good king, by the way, heard the words of the book of the law. He tore his clothes. So he convenes a big meeting. He says, get everybody. We're going to build a little stage, an elevated platform, and we're going to read the Bible to everybody. And I'm, going to get to that. But over there in verse seven. So when they read the Bible. And they once again get reacquainted with God's word. Yes, with all of its promises, but with all of its warnings. And the word of God has words of reassurance, but it has words of, judgment too. But it says, what did they do? Among other things, they repented. They returned back to God. Verse 7 says, he broke down the houses of the sodomites that were by the temple, by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the grove. 2nd Kings 23:7. Okay, there's a lot going on here. A grove is like a pagan area with statues and idols and such. And they apparently had curtains and cloths. So they're going to get rid of the grove of false worship. But, Bert, by the house of the Lord, in other words, adjacent to the temple were apparently the brothels, the gay brothels, the houses of the sodomites. And I just think about the denominations even. There have been several very high profile ministries that 20 years ago, I would have never thought it, but in recent years have decided that they're, going to endorse gay weddings and taken a gift to celebrate the gay wit. That is wrong. That is wrong. Do we love people? We love everybody. But we love everybody enough to passionately, emphatically tell them the truth of salvation in Jesus. And Bert, one of the things, and this is like, a litmus test, folks. One of the ways you'll know that it's a true move of God is, is if once again, the pulpits will be aflame with righteousness and repentance. And that would include repentance from the sin of sodomy, homosexuality. Look, anybody can be saved from sin, but as Billy Graham said, God doesn't save people in sin. And, repentance is not optional. Really, Bert. and I want to challenge preachers. Bert, years ago I heard you say something very, very practical from your three decades in the pastorate. brother pastors, if you're afraid to preach about immorality and repentance and sin and death and hell, well, Bert said this, and this is brilliant. Just preach through the Bible and you'll get to it. I mean, preach through 1 Corinthians, and anything that you need to call people out on, you'll get to. And if somebody gets offended and angry, just say, look, I'm preaching through this book of the Bible. And, it's in there. Preached, through the book of Romans. And Bert, I dare say that, many American church parishioners probably have never heard a Sermon. Ah, warning of hell. Probably have never heard a sermon about the need to repent of sexual immorality. And yet this is vital. I'm going to say this. I'll throw it to you. Look, the devil doesn't care if you die and go to hell as a good, upright, outwardly moral citizen, just as long as you don't have that life change that comes through a relationship with Jesus. You could be down and out or up and out in the gutter or in the boardroom. The devil doesn't care just as long as you don't turn your life over to Jesus.
Bert Harper Alex, that is so true. And going back to reading the scriptures that they did notice they didn't read selected scriptures. right, you catch. You know, they were reading the scriptures, so they would read through Leviticus, chapter 20. You ought to read that sometimes. And, and man, you talking about condemnation of sin and agreeing with it and get it, getting along, you know, going along just to get along. They said, no, you're going to. You, you've got to turn from that. And so that happened in Josiah's day. Amos was preaching it in his day that this is the way, and again, turn. You turn, you turn away. And people. Oh, it's not repentance. Hey, when you turn from and you turn to, another word for that is repent, you know, turn from and turn to. That's exactly what it means. So we turn away from our way, from our sin and turn to God's way. Matter of fact, if confess, we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus. The word confession, the way it's presented in the Greek, language is to say the same thing as to agree with. To agree with. You say the same thing that God says about what? Everything. Sin, salvation, individuals. And again, not selected, but the total. And that's the reason we say, you know, preach the total word of God. And you do that.
When people turn from and turn to God, great things start happening
And when this happens, Alex, I want to get to this to make sure we get to it. When this happens and people turn from and turn to God. Listen, great things starts happening. you're talking about all the social ills that's wrong with America. Guess who did something about it. People talk about Western civilization. Western civilization was formed because of helping the needs, helping those that were sick, helping the orphans, helping the widows help. It came from a NewSong Testament concept, a biblical concept that started. And again it happened when the apostle Paul, Silas Barnabas, Timothy, Luke, all those went out and they went into west. They went into the European theater, the continent, and it changed everything. Alex. I believe that the word of God that happened, being shared then, if we did that now, we would have results as well. So the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, it's the most powerful, move there is that you could have.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen. and folks, if you're wondering, what is faith? What is belief, what is repentance? You know, we've said this many times, and the Greek word is metanoia. and it does mean a response upon agreement with okay, to turn from sin to Christ. As one old country preacher said, repentance is being sorry enough to quit. But I'm going to give a little bit of. one time I was hearing Jerry Falwell when I went to Liberty University. and, I don't know if many people are acquainted with that name, but, my wife and I were very privileged. Three months into our marriage, we were living in Lynchburg, and I was going to Liberty University. But we were at Thomas Road Baptist Church. And I'm going to tell you, Jerry Falwell could preach. And he often, in the six years that we were there, many, many times he preached through the book of Hebrews. He loved Romans and Hebrews, but he was preaching, through Hebrews 11, where he said, you know, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And of course, it says in Hebrews 11:6. But without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He said faith and repentance, the response to God's revelation, in which the believer amends their entire life in favor of, God's revelation. We can do that, and in fact, we must. M We've got a break. We'll be back with more about revival on Exploring the Word. Stay tuned.
Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
Bert Harper It's been four years since the overturn of Roe, but tragically, abortions have continued to rise. Today, the abortion pill accounts for more than 60% of all abortions. And last year alone, over 1.1 million babies lost their lives. That's why the work of PreBorn Network clinics is more urgent than ever. Every day, mothers facing unplanned pregnancies walk through preborn's doors, searching for hope. Instead of pressure and fear, they're met with love. Through a free ultrasound, mothers meet their baby for the very first time.
Alex McFarland It was like the beginning of my healing journey. They do an ultrasound and that's when everything changed. Because when I saw my baby and when I heard her heartbeat, that was it.
Bert Harper Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound. $140 helps rescue five babies. To donate, dial hashtag 250 and say baby. That's hashtag 250 baby. Or visit preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com
Bert Harper now back to the Bible study.
Bert : We're talking about revival in the Old Testament
You're listening to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.
It's about the cross. It's about my sin. It's about how Jesus came to be born so that we could be born again. It's about the stone.
Alex McFarland Amen. It is about the cross. Hey, this is a pre recorded exploring the Word and so we can't take phone calls, I'm sorry. But, we hope you'll listen. We're talking about revival. And you know, Bert, before the break, I was talking about how, you know, repentance and faith, they're kind of a two sided coin in a way. We turn away from sin, we turn to the Savior. And as Dr. Falwell and others have said, the believer amends their whole life, their beliefs, their priorities, their practices, their feelings, their emotions, amending your whole life in favor of God's revelation. And do you know what I believe, Bert? We oftentimes, people talk about seasons of revival or, ah, you know, there was that time that I felt really close to God a long time ago or something. I truly believe that every Christian can perpetually live in a state of spiritual power, joy, victory, revival. I really think that the thriving. Well, I'll put this. The normal Christian life is the Christian life that thrives in perpetuity, don't you?
Bert Harper I do.
Bert Harper I agree with you. And live that way. Live in that state of him being Lord, of him having his way in your life. And again, it's in agreement with God, not fighting against him, not turning away from him, but turning to him and walking with him. They walk with God, and that's what you want to do. And Alex, we're talking about revival in the Old Testament. We've covered Josiah. That's in 2, Kings and in 2 Chronicles you'll find 34. Yeah. And you'll find to Amos what he said. And again, read the Book of Amos. it is convicting, but it's hearing the Word of God. And then Amos talked about after he heard the Word of God, what he saw, what he saw from God, what he was going to do. That's the whole Book. But in the book of Acts, notice this. You'll find again and again he would say, and multitudes were saved. Now what happened in the first part of the Book of Acts? you'll find out that it was mainly, going to the Jewish world, Antioch, there, you know where they were. And multitudes, hundreds were added to the church. Thousands were added to the church as the word of God was proclaimed. Now, when you read the book of Acts, the first part, you know, the first 11, 12 chapters, the main person that they're covering is Peter. Peter preaching at Pentecost. Peter going to see Cornelius. the whole idea is Peter. And he was a great preacher. And multitudes were saved and they would come to him. But who he was preaching to, he was really preaching to a ready made audience. Okay? the Jews believed in one God. Okay? They believed Messiah was coming. they believed the Bible, m. Basically Pharisees believed all the Old Testament. And so you see them ready made. If the whole idea was Jesus is Messiah, he is the anointed one. And so. But then, here in the latter part of Acts, guess what happened? Paul was sent out to where? The gentile world. The gentile world. And now, he would find a synagogue, except in Philippi, because they didn't have 10, Jewish males there. But they met there on, as I said, back on the creek bank, they were meeting. But Alex, guess what? The numbers change. You don't hear about multitudes. It says they were added to the church some. Now one or two times it says many or that. But why? They were not a ready made audience when you're dealing with a gentile world. They believed in many gods. They did not believe in a Messiah. They did not believe the Old Testament. So Paul, like he did at Athens, he started saying, I see that you have a statue to the unknown God. Let me tell you about him. Now, he would not say that in a synagogue, but he would say that to the, to the Athenians there and to others. So we're leaving. Let me just share with you. you know, in the 40s and 50s, and I would say even in the early 60s, America was a ready made audience to hear the gospel. Okay, Billy Graham, Billy Graham would go and preach and thousands would come to the stadiums and hundreds would be born again. Even thousands would be born again. But guess what happened? We're not living in that kind of world today. The biblical worldview, very few have it. You know, the whole idea of it not being real, the Bible, who knows? But Guess what? Paul still went and Paul still shared the gospel. Paul still let God lead. And even in a world that is not real made for it, many and many came to know Jesus Christ as savior. So we don't need to be discouraged by it being, oh, it's harder than it was back in the 50s. It's harder than it was back in the 60s. Yeah, it may be, but guess what? The word of God is still the word of God. The Holy Spirit is still working. And we depend upon the word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us, to convict and to do the work of salvation, don't we?
Bert Harper: The apostle Paul was prepared to share his faith confidently
Alex McFarland Amen, Bert, that is profound. folks, I would challenge you and I know I will do my best to do this. Go back and listen to the last three minutes of what Bert Harper just said. That is very powerful. You are right. The apostle Paul, when he was in front of that ready made audience that, I'll phrase it this way, he had home court advantage.
Bert Harper That's it. Good word.
Alex McFarland there was one message, but he was also equally prepared to go in front of the pagan philosophers of Acts chapter 17. And you know, Paul said, I've become all things to all people. If by any means I might win some. And we're that way as well. And frankly, and we completely give God the glory. We have, always wanted exploring the Word to kind of be equal parts of Bible study, equipping and training, uplifting and hope and encouragement, but preparedness for all of us, Bert and myself and everyone listening, that no matter the context, we could share our faith confidently in any situation. And, we just our prayer, nothing would thrill us more than for everybody listening to say, you know what, I'm walking with Jesus, I'm living for Jesus as his representative.
Great revival is preceded with great judgment, says Dr. Brown
And folks, let me encourage you about revival. Dr. Micah Brown, longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Micah Brown, he has written much about revival, and I interviewed him many years ago. He wrote a book called the End of the Great American Gospel Enterprise. And basically the premise of that book was that, look, there's a lot of religious machinery operating, in the world, but do we have the presence of God? And he said, at times of great sin and judgment and desperation, people cry out, and it doesn't have to be a stadium of 50,000 people. It could be you, my dear friend, just bowing your head and praying, lord have mercy on our country. Here's what he said. Great revival is preceded with great judgment. Micah Brown. Revival and judgment go hand in hand. Revival is God's hand of Love extended judgment is his offer. Refused, end of quote. And it's like you gave the illustration of Gypsy Smith, and he drew a circle and said, lord, everything in this circle, thoroughly. It's yours. And he stepped in that circle. We, each of us, in our own heart and in our own life, we can say, lord, I can't speak for anybody else, but, Lord, you've got me, Lord Jesus, I'm yours.
Arthur Pearson was one of the big drivers in world evangelization
Bert, there was a great leader many years ago named Arthur Pearson, at Pearson. And, I want to share something that he shared that I think is pretty powerful just to give you a little background at Pearson was, friends all at the same time in his Life. Friends with D.L. moody, Charles Spurgeon, C.I. scofield, George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, Andrew Murray, and C. T. Studd. He knew all those guys. They were colleagues. Now, that's pretty good roster to keep up with, isn't it?
Bert Harper that's the dream team.
Alex McFarland As we the dream team. When Spurgeon died in 1892, at Pearson, preached his funeral in London. When D.L. moody died in 1899, Pearson was one of the speakers at Moody's funeral. And he preached all over the world. And, he was one of the big drivers in the late 1800s of world evangelization. And there was a phrase by a guy named Jon Mott called Evangelizing the World in Our Generation. But one time at Pearson, and I think this could be very catalytic in people's heart. at Pearson was preaching on Jon 15:4, where Jesus says, abide in me and I in you. And here's what he wrote about this. He said, a very small key opens a very complex lock and a very large door. A small key can lead into a massive building. And he was talking about the key to understanding the Bible and living it. And Jesus said in Jon 15:4, abide, ah, in me and I in you. So at Pearson and Bert, I'm going to let you comment. He says three short words in Christ Jesus are the most important words ever written. He says, you've got a preposition and a proper name. And this occurs more than 130 times in the Bible. In Christ Jesus, he says, the believer embraces Jesus in his own life. He separates and is completely Christ in himself. Apart from all hostile influences. He walks and lives in Christ Jesus. And Pearson goes on and says, if you would take to heart this phrase, I in Christ, in Christ Jesus, you'll understand the Bible. 130 times the Bible talks about being in and living in and living for Christ Jesus. You'll understand your life. Pearson said, we're not just here to exist. And years from now, we'll die and go to heaven. Of course the believer will. But as long as we're in this world, we are his representative. We are to pray. We are to bear fruit. We are to further and extend the boundaries of the kingdom of God. We have victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. And Pearson said, and I'll throw it to you, Bert. All of life will be transformed if we view it in Christ Jesus. I in Christ abiding in him. And bert, if America's 100 million believers would, remember that they are in Christ Jesus, it'll be a different America, wouldn't it?
Bert Harper It really would. Hearing that, Alex, just blows me away 130 times. I did not realize that that that was the case. Now notice Christ, the anointed one. Jesus Savior. N I N the anointed Savior. Alex, think about that. The one that God has given himself. You remember, in we were, we've been going through the Book of Hebrews while we're recording this, and it, it talks about it and it says it two or three times about Jesus. He Himself, you know, gives us his. The peace. He himself went to the cross. Now, he could have said he gave us peace. He went to the cross. But what would it be? It would say he could have given it to us through something, by something. But no, he himself did that. Nobody else could do this task. So when, I hear in Christ Jesus, there's no one else, nothing else, absolutely nothing that will take the place of Christ Jesus and you being in Him. There's not a church, there's not a religion, there's not a ministry. It's in the person of Christ Jesus, the Lord, the Savior. Alex, that is. That changes everything, doesn't it? When we're in Him.
Alex McFarland Yeah. And, you know, I think about this, this might not be a great illustration, but, I remember my mother would always make something special at our birthday. My sister or me. And, you know, it was not store bought. She made it herself. Now, think about how the Lord purchased our salvation. You know, he didn't just, you know, wave his divine hand across the sky. He didn't send an angel or he didn't allow some prophets to be martyred. No. To pay our sin debt, purchase our redemption. God himself took on a human body and felt the wrath of judgment nailed to the cross hung there.
Before we have revival, we gotta be saved, Alex says
And, you know, as we're recording this, we're several weeks from Easter, and you've heard me talk about my longtime friend Gary Habermas, who, he's written probably more than any other writer maybe ever, about the resurrection and the crucifixion. Crucifixion on the cross was death by asphyxiation, really, because the entire body weight was on the nails, through the feet. And to get a breath, the one being crucified had to push themself up. And Habermas wrote how, quote, explosions of pain would go through the body trying to get a breath. And that's why, like, if you read, Psalm 22 about the heart turning to wax, it was because of the pleural fluids and, the way that the, pericardium congealed as one slowly asphyxiated. Plus the wrath of God for the sin of humanity. Christ went through all of that for us. And that's why, Bert, I can't hear the hymn and can it be without getting choked up? Amazing love. How can it be that Thou, my God, would die for me? Is that a motivator for revival, or is that a motivator?
Bert Harper It is, and it's in Christ Jesus. Remember what Hebrews says. God has spoken in the past by the law, the prophets. He's spoken by angels. But in these last days, he spoke to us through his son in Christ Jesus. Alex, it's in him and him alone. No one else. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Before we have revival, we gotta be saved. We want everybody to know Jesus, don't we?
Alex McFarland We do. M Folks, Jesus is as close by as a prayer. So let's go. Let's go tell our nation and our world that Jesus, Jesus is king. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. May God bless you in every way. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast do not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
In this episode, we explore the vital theme of revival with hosts Alex McFarland and Bert Harper. As they delve into the significance of the Bible and its role in spiritual awakening, they discuss historical revivals, the power of prayer, and the desperate need for a move of God's spirit in today's world. Join them as they reflect on biblical examples, such as King Josiah's revival, and challenge listeners to seek a personal awakening within themselves.
Live
Did you know American Family Radio is listener-supported? Your monthly financial support will allow us to continue upholding Godly values through our numerous channels, like American Family Radio, One Million Moms, The Stand magazine, and many more.
Become a Great Commission Partner TODAY to help AFR transform culture by rebuilding the family. When you donate today, you’ll get access to:
