Transcript

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions next hour

>> Bert Harper: The Bible.

>> Alex McFarland: It's the word of God.

>> Bert Harper: Sharper than any two edged sword.

>> Alex McFarland: This sacred book is living and active.

>> Bert Harper: And contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the.

>> Alex McFarland: Next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Bert Harper and Alex McFarlane are exploring the Word this week

>> Bert Harper: Welcome to Exploring the Word. I want you to hear one of the early hymns in the New Testament times. You find it in First Timothy, Chapter 3, Verse 16. Most people believe this was possibly set to music, a, version of this, but it says God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world and received up in glory. Well, this is Bert Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarlane and it is exploring the Word where we're going through the book of 4 Timothy, part of the, what is called the pastoral epistles, the first one that Paul wrote to Timothy, of course, and then he'd write one to Titus and then he'd write a second one to Timothy called second Timothy. But today we want to look at some of the details we did yesterday, the qualifications of a pastor, a bishop, an overseer. Today we're looking at qualifications for a deacon. Now much of it is repeated the same. We're just going to look at some of the differences that you see, Alex, as, as we look at God's word. I'm always amazed at the different parts that you see these qualifications. And then he ends, Paul ends with this glorious, I would say song of praise for who Jesus Christ is. So I don't care what the qualifications might say or do concerning details. Yes, I care for his, but I'm talking about the glory. But, but he finishes up right in the middle of this epistle with a glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. I think that's a good way to live our lives. Let Jesus be in the middle of everything, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Well, you know, Bert, it's great to be with you today on this exploring the word. Tuesday, and we will later on in the show take prayer requests and we'd love everybody to call in and share what's on your heart.

Bert Bloom: A pastor should be a servant, Alex

you know, yesterday we were Talking about verses 1 through 7, the character traits and spiritual traits and the life of the pastor. And then really 8, 13, the same for deacons. And then of course you mentioned verse 16 where, it says, and without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. You know, the English Bible renders this begins without controversy. And the wording there, it's confessedly. I like that. we confess, we affirm that the incarnation, now the mystery of godliness, it's really the great, just nearly incomprehensible reality of Christ's incarnation. God was manifest in the flesh. That's who Jesus is now, Bert, and we can go back and talk about some of the character traits of deacons if you want to, but you alluded to this, that this might have been a hymn or something. These are part of, what are called creedal statements that the early church would memorize, like, in Mark chapter two and Acts chapter two and Philippians chapter two. coincidentally, a lot of chapter two is here, this case, chapter three. But the early church. The basics of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15, 3, 5, how Jesus is deity. He died, he rose again. And you know what, Bert, I think is so exciting? These basics of the gospel. We believe, we live, we proclaim, we preach to this very day, don't we?

>> Bert Harper: Amen. That's exactly what I was going to say if you did not say. It sounds very familiar about what we should be doing. But in order to preach this and preach it with conviction and preach it with, I, would say courage and evidence, I think we go through the qualifications, the character of these men who are serving the Lord. And again, let's just say this deacon, it comes from the word deaconos. It has the idea of servant. Now, I want to share with you, a pastor should be a servant. And, the deacon here, the biggest difference in the two biggest differences between the deacon and the bishop and their. The things it says about them, it doesn't say about the deacon. Apt to teach. So that, is left out. And then Also in verse 11, it qualifies the wives of the deacon. It doesn't say anything about the bishop or the overseer, the pastor. Now, I think they should be, It says we're to be one. But here it. Some people think it's the wife, others think it may be deaconesses. But most folks think if you're a deaconess, you're probably a wife of the deacon. Phoebe, in Romans 16, it's recognized her as a deaconess. Now, was it a office, a position, or was it a person that was serving? I want to make this. And I just want to say this. You don't have to be ordained to be a servant. Okay, Alex? And, I think if you look at the book of Acts, when it says, look from among you seven men whom we're able to share and put over and operate this ministry, I just want to share with you. Guess what? They looked at them and they were already serving the Lord. And they just said, okay, they're already serving the Lord. Let's recognize them and let them hold this position. So if you say, oh, okay, man, I want to know. Serve the Lord. Serve the Lord. Have you ever heard Bloom where you planted Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: I think this is what we're to do, especially as a servant. We are to be servants. Is there a higher position in the kingdom of God than a servant?

>> Alex McFarland: no. Because Mark 10:44, Jesus said, he who would be the greatest among you would be the servant of all.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. That's it.

>> Alex McFarland: Isn't that something?

>> Bert Harper: It is.

>> Alex McFarland: and down in this world we kind of have it, upside down. A lot of times people clamor and crave the influential position, but really in God's economy, and that's the way we need to measure it, the greatest among you is the servant. I mean, I mentioned Philippians 2, though God incarnate, made himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant. But, you know, here's a fascinating thing. Verse 8. Likewise, the deacons, in other words, are, in a similar way to the pastor, the deacons must be. Now, the King James says grave, in the Hebrew it's the word Semnus. S E M N O U s. And we get a word from this seminal, they'll say, okay, you know, Shakespeare's work was a seminal piece of literature, right? Well, it means influential. The deacon is to live a life that would influence people for godliness. Not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in pure conscience. In other words, the reality of the gospel and just the awe inspiring revelation that God has come and he paid our sin, he rose from the dead. We may know him personally. That should be so, overwhelming that it shapes everything we do from salvation for the rest of our life. And Bert, I think every Christian is To, as verse 9 of First Timothy 3 says, hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. in other words, I'm going to put it this way. I've heard it said, 25 years ago I met Jesus. I've never gotten over it yet.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Maybe that's a little bit colloquial.

>> Bert Harper: It's true.

>> Alex McFarland: That's what it's like, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Amen.

Let me put a word here on the pure. It does mean pure

Let me put a word here on the pure. It does mean pure. But I want to say another word that would clear a, clear conscience. In other words, you make things right. Now, notice what it is. We're servants. We're to be servants and to be able to serve, to clear our conscience. We're going to sometimes mess up. What do you do? You get things right with God. Get things right with those that. That, surround you as best you can. Live peaceably with all men as much as possible. So get that pure or clear conscience. And then notice what it says. Verse 10. First, let them be proved. In other words, that coincides with what it says about, I think, chapter three, verse six, about the bishop. M. novice.

>> Alex McFarland: I was just gonna say that.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. And notice this. Let them serve or approve themselves. Then let them serve. this sounds a little bit like, I would say an office, a position of recognition. And it says, let them be found blameless. Now, what happens with the overseer in chapter, two, chapter three, verse two? It starts out with blameless. But this is it. This is what you were talking about yesterday, and you've already mentioned today, these, these common characteristics, godly characteristics of God's servants. Alex, listen, you might teach a good class, you may preach a good sermon, but if it's not backed up by life, that is walking with the Lord. there's something missing, isn't. It's really not, It's really kind of false. Now, they may be teaching truth, but it's really false because it's. And he's going to get to it in chapter four when he talks about hypocrites and hypocrisy, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. Exactly. Well, it goes on. And it says, even so, notice, okay, there are these lofty qualifications for the pastor. And in verse 8, it says, likewise the deacons, verse 11. Even so, their wives, must be grave or, And that's the word there for dignified. Okay. The wife of the deacon.

>> Bert Harper: My version says reverent. In other words. Yeah. they're looked at and they are seen as someone that is following through with what they're talking. Their walk. Match.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, exactly. Not slanderers. Sober. And I'm going to come back to this. Sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own house as well. For they that have used the office of a deacon will purchase themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Now, that word for degree, a good standing, is what that means.

>> Bert Harper: That's what my version says. A good standing. Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, I want to say a couple of things. for one, the word for slanderer there in verse 11. And I'm not picking on the women because men can be as bad a gossip as women can. Ah, there's a famous Andy Griffith episode where, Andy and Aunt Bea are kind of sparring a little bit about who feeds, the rumor mill more men or women. And it really turns out to be men. it's a very funny episode that involves a shoe salesman coming to town. You remember that?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, it's one of the best ones. One of the top 10. It is, yes.

Alex: I want to say something about the way we talk today

>> Alex McFarland: But I want to say something about the way that we, that we talk. The word in English, it's translated slanderer. And in the Greek, it's D, I, A, B, O, L, O, U, S. it basically means devil talk. like diablo. Now, here's my point. and I know we're all just sinners, but as born again Christians, we're forgiven sinners. sometimes we even in the church can, the rumor mill passing on gossip. And it just. The Bible says a talebearer can separate the best of friends. And let's just remember that our words. This is an old poem. I know everybody's heard it, but that words are seeds that start to grow. So be careful what you sow. And the thing I'll say, I'm going to throw it back to you. I look at all this, Bert. I had this great, great, great professor named Dr. Elmer Towns. And he was brilliant. He talked a lot about holiness. And he said there needs to be, a revival of holiness in God's church. Would you agree, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I agree fully, Alex. Great illustration. Bill Stafford tells the story about a woman laying her tongue on the altar. And he said, you buried out of the way. It'll take up the whole altar. Don't let your tongue get away. Don't be a slanderer. Don't be a talebear. We'll be back with more. I want you to picture this. Her name is Kayla. She is 17, alone, terrified and pregnant. Sitting in a clinic, tears blurring, thinking abortion is her only option. Until she was offered a free ultrasound, paid for by a hero just like you. The moment Kayla heard her baby's heartbeat, the decision was made. And today, her little baby boy, Gabriel, is thriving because her preborn walked with Kayla every step of the way. Now, multiply that by 38,000. That's how many babies preborn has helped save just this year. How many mothers preborn has come alongside with practical and spiritual resources to make motherhood possible. But here's the most important thing you will hear today. Their goal is to save 70,000 by the end of the year. And they can't do it without us. Every $28 provides the ultrasound. The moment everything changes, Will you be the reason the next Kayla chooses life? The reason Gabriel fulfills his destiny.

Bert says the second Great Awakening was centered on holiness

To donate, dial £250 and say the key word Baby, that's £250, baby. Or donate securely at preborn.com afr that's preborn.com afr Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father's glory Lay spirit.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, that is a great song.

>> Bert Harper: I love Jesus. Thank you, Brent.

>> Alex McFarland: I heard that. Amen. See, folks, we have Brent Austin helping run the board, and he picks, far as I know, all of our bumper music, the going out, coming back, and I love that song. I haven't heard it in a long time. Have you, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: Well, I. I heard it and I thought about it and I told Brennan, if you can find it, let's play it. I didn't know he was going to play it again, but I love it, really. Shine, Jesus, shine. Blaze spirit, Blaze.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, isn't that revival? Isn't that what we're.

>> Alex McFarland: It is revival.

>> Bert Harper: That's what we're. Isn't that one of the things that exploring the Word is all about?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. And do you know, before the break, I mentioned personal holiness. And, that was one of the things in the Great Awakening that even Benjamin Franklin said, this is around 1748-1760. A huge part of the birthing of this nation was the first Great Awakening. But, Benjamin Franklin, even he said, it seems like a spirit of holiness has filled the colonies. And he said after dark, it was impossible to go down any street in Boston and not see parents reading the Bible to their children by candlelight, verses being recited and psalms and songs being sung. And before the break, and by the way, we're wrapping.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, let me interrupt a minute. I just can't help it, because you mentioned the second Great Awakening and then holiness. George Whitefield, John Wesley and Charles Wesley, who were part of this great movement of God, were all part of what they call at Oxford University the Holy Club.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. M. That's true.

>> Bert Harper: And that's true. That was it. And they were talking about the holiness of God and be ye holy for God Is holy.

>> Caroline: So.

>> Bert Harper: Good word, brother. I just. I just wanted to share that. Good word, brother. Thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: As we wrap up first Timothy 3, let me say this. And by the way, this is the, day of prayer. On Tuesdays. We always, you know, you're welcome to call in with Bible questions. We appreciate that. But we try on Tuesdays also to take prayer requests. So in the third segment, and I'm going to go ahead and give that number, write it down, if you would. 8885-8988-4088-8589-88420. And we would be very pleased. We'll pray together. But here's the thing about, the call to holiness. Because, Paul says in verse 15 of 1st Timothy 3, he says, look, if I tarry long, you know, I'm writing these things, don't know how long it'll take me to get back there. But look, so that you may know how to behave yourself in the house of God. Now, I'm going to come back to this, but let me say this. The Protestant Reformation, one of the, core beliefs was what's called the priesthood of the believer. And this is true. you and I, we don't have to go to an intermediate. Jesus is our intermediate, and we can pray directly to the Lord Jesus. but here's the thing. While we are free in Christ and we're under grace, not law, and I am not a legalist, but I just want to say this. 500 years, post reformation, it's almost like priesthood of the believer has become just this militant autonomy that I'm free in Christ, I'll do whatever I want. It's not like that. I mean, really. Now, yes, we are free in Christ, and, he has blotted out the handwriting that was against us. But Bert, I believe, and I learned this, like I said, from great folks like Dr. Elmer Townes and others. But the disciples life is to be a life of holiness and the intentional pursuit of Christian growth and Christ likeness. And when I read these qualifications, it is convicting. and we ought to do a show about something. Here's a phrase you really don't hear too much, but it was called the Deeper Life. And in the mid 20th century, there were some figures, I think about A.W. tozer that we have written on and even like Bill Bright of Campus Crusade. And again, this is not being weird or legalistic, but it was that I'm going to show my gratitude for salvation by trying the best I can for God's glory, to live according to biblical principles. And Bert, when I read this of Ah, first Timothy 3, I just see that we're called to live a God honoring life, aren't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really are. And that's what he says here. After he gives these qualifications, character, you know, evaluation. He says to Timothy that you ought to conduct yourself. This is the way you ought to conduct yourself, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of what? The truth. Not just truth, but the truth. Listen, he is talking about we need to. And again I'm foreshadowing chapter four. But in chapter four that's what the big deal was, is he goes in. There's hypocrisy. When you are preaching and teaching and you're telling folks they ought to do this, but you're doing the other. Listen, that's hypocrisy. So he's telling Timothy, stay with the stuff that you're living, the holiness of God. Stay with the stuff that you're preaching and stay with it. And then in verse 16, I love this. I think it's important, without controversy. Great is the mystery of what Godliness, Alex. It's the hidden truth of godliness. You know what it is? We Christ in you, the hope of glory. I m think you.

S.M. lockridge preached about Christ in 30 minutes

I've said this before, but S.M. lockridge, one of the great preachers, he's gone on to be of the Lord. He was preaching a conference and they assigned him the task of preaching Christ in you. He introduces it besides saying, okay, I've got about 30 minutes. How could I preach concerning Christ in 30 minutes? I don't think I can. And he said about you and me, he said 30 minutes to describe how far away we are from God. I, man, I need more time than that. So I'm just going to preach the whole sermon on in. And that's the way he introduced it. Now he preached on the whole thing, but he concentrated in God, in us. Moses. I meant, excuse me, When Noah, he said God said to Noah, come in the ark, into the ark. And the whole idea, and it was an awesome sermon.

>> Alex McFarland: Was that the very, very famous time when S.M. lockridge he says, I wish I, I wish I had words to tell you about him.

>> Bert Harper: It's a different, it's a go ahead. We need. I'm going to get Brent to find that and we're going to play it sometime.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm telling you folks, this is a revival. If you ever were shouting glory hallelujah when you hear this recording of S.M. lockridge and we'll get to that.

Bert says First Timothy 3:15 means immovable foundation

Hey, let me just share something here. In verse 15, though, Paul says, the church of the living God, which is the pillar and the ground of truth. Okay, very important. Bert, how does your translation mean?

>> Bert Harper: It says, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of, the truth. The definite articles is. Is before both of them.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. All right. The word pillar in the Greek is the word stylus. S, T, Y, L, U, S. Like something you write with. Okay? And the word translated ground is the word for foundation or, And it really means immovable foundation. Now, okay, what's a stylus? Something you write with. Okay, so the church is to be about the word, the written word. But the other thing is this, and I'll be brief. I looked up this word that is translated ground. And it means an immovable foundation. And, ah, we get that. Okay. The building. The foundation of the building is not to be moved. We got it. The unshakable rock. And it really is the word. We get a word from this, the word sedentary. Now, very often nowadays, that's kind of a negative word. Maybe the doctor says, okay, you're being too sedentary, you need to get up and exercise or something. But really, the word sedentary, it's like related to the word sediment, but it means something that cannot be moved. And that's why I would say we're living in a time where there's revisionism. And look, the Bible is the only word of God. And salvation is through Jesus alone. And the Bible has a lot to say about a lot of creation, heaven, hell, eternity, morality, marriage, gender. And Bert, when First Timothy 3:15 says the pillar and the ground of truth, it really is a reference to. It's based on the word of God. And that word cannot be changed or revised. It is the immovable foundation. That is why, folks, when it comes to, the church, it comes to your faith, it comes to your life. It must be the authoritative word of God's holy Bible that we build it all on.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, Alex. And this is why you stay with it. You stay with the word. The word of God is over us. we're not over the word of God. We can't pick and choose. Oh, I like that. I don't like. That's the reason sometimes I have to watch myself. I say, man, I really like this verse. Well, what about the verse before? Did you not like it? No, all of it. Now, some of them are more, I would say, speaks to my heart at certain times. But the word of God is settled in heaven. And so let the word of God speak. Alex, I think we need to. I know we've mentioned it, but we did a little bit of chapter, verse, 16. But this is powerful. as you said, it's a creedal statement. most of them, if you want to, remember something, a lot of times they set it to some type of music. And so this is what a lot of folks think they did. But God was manifested in the flesh. That's the incarnation, right?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, sir.

>> Bert Harper: Justified in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended as a dove man. Yes. Seen by angels even while he was, you know, fasting. And there m. The angels came and ministered to him. You can't help but remember he could have called, angels, but he chose to die alone. Preached among the gentiles. Jesus would do that. He was preached. And Paul would take it to the world, but believed on in the world. Not just the Jewish culture, but those gentiles and received up in glory. Acts, chapter one. When he was taken up into glory. Listen, it reminds me of the song One Day or, oh, Glorious Day that rewrote it. It nearly tells the whole story of Jesus. Birth, death and resurrection. Close to it. It's quite a statement, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. And of course, you mentioned in Acts, it also says in Acts 1:11 that this same Jesus will return in like manner. I love that. First Timothy 3:16. And as it segues into chapter four, there are some predictions, I, would say, really warnings about apostasy and falling away. Very famous. It says now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times or the last days, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. the good old apostle Paul, he doesn't mince words. This is not different interpretation. This is not, No, this is doctrines of devils.

As we get closer to the return of Christ, some will depart from faith

And we're gonna talk about what some of those are speaking. Lies and hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Bert, let me just say this. And, you know, we. We read and talk and sometimes, you know, pick and joke around a little bit. But this is. How serious is the faithful proclamation of God's word? It is serious enough that the eternal souls of people hang in the balance. That's why. Listen, things like universalism. Universalism says, well, you know, if there is a heaven, we'll all get there. No, we won't. The Bible says that there are multitudes that are not in heaven but are in hell. I mean, read Luke 16, and that is in red ink because it is the word of Christ. And, Bert, heaven is real. And what a glorious promise for those who believe. But so is hell, and what a fearful warning it is. And so, Bert, let me just say. And I'm going to go to verse two, and we'll go back to verse one. Their conscience seared with a hot iron. When you have a callus, and you don't even feel something, like on your fingertip or something, or your skin has been seared such that the nerves are. Are no longer receptive. I think there are some people, and there's some in politics, some in the pulpit, some in our culture, and they have been so long drinking from the fountain of lies that they can no longer even discern truth.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. The first time. Every time you know truth and reject truth, some hardening takes place. Again, we people ask all the time about Pharaoh and him. Harden his heart, God, harden in his heart. Listen, every time you say no to God, you're building up that callous of your heart. Okay?

>> Alex McFarland: You use.

>> Bert Harper: And I think. And so you want to say, yes, the fool has said in his heart, that there is no God. Someone said, when you translate that into Hebrew, it can say, the fool has said in his heart, no God. In other words, it may be no God. You know, no to God. And, no, there is no God. Either way, you're. You're building up. And, cauterize is the word here.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: And the whole lot. And it comes from what? Giving heed. Now, I want you to. We got back two more minutes and go back to chapter verse one, if you would. But I want to say a word. Giving heed, giving room. Guard your hearts. Now, Alex, I believe that has to do with what you were talking about earlier, Holiness. You stay with God and do not. Do not harden your heart in this day. So, Alex, if you would. We got about two minutes maybe could you talk about. You wanted to go Back to verse 1. Deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. You want to finish up on that today?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. The Spirit speaketh expressly. Okay. The Holy Spirit is telling Paul. And we can, bear this in mind today. In the last days, some will depart from the faith. Okay. As we get closer and closer to the return of Christ. And here we are, nearly 2,000 years since Pentecost. The closer we get to the return of Christ, one of the characteristics of the end times will be apostasy. Now, to, apostasize means to abandon known truth that we once affirmed. And I think about the people that once preached Jesus, but now they don't. And seducing spirits. Bert, do you remember in Isaiah 30, verse 10, the people said to the people, prophets, prophesy, smooth things.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: there are still preachers of the smooth rather than the truthful.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Don't fall for it.

>> Bert Harper: That number, Triple 858-98-8840, give us a call. Hey, if you've never heard of AFA Stream, let me tell you about it.

>> Alex McFarland: It's video streaming that goes beyond just entertainment.

>> Caroline: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: There are shorts and feature films for all ages, but they're all backed by scriptural themes.

>> Alex McFarland: You'll also find resources to help you grow closer to God, along with documentaries.

>> Bert Harper: Like Culture Warrior, the Story of Don.

>> Alex McFarland: Wildmon and the Founding of afa. There's a lot of free content, but.

>> Bert Harper: If you become a great commission partner.

>> Alex McFarland: You'Ll unlock much more. Check it out today at stream.aca.net don't stop praying. Don't stop calling on Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

Today is the day of prayer and it's Tuesday

When you hear that song on exploring the word, you know it's the day of prayer and it's Tuesday. And so if you have a prayer request, we'd love to hear it. Today we will be praying the good part. It's, not just Alex and myself and Brent, but it's people all over the United States that's praying with you. Concerning that, we've got a treat for everybody tomorrow. You're talking about S.M. lockridge. Well, Brent has gone to work. We're not going to hear it today, but tomorrow we've got a special for you. You're going to get to hear it. But Brent has, has teamed it up with another, song and we're going to do that tomorrow. So you don't want to miss tomorrow because if you've never heard it, it's worth hearing and it's. I know you can hear it by yourself, but it's fun to hear it with others, Alex. You know what I mean? And, so that's.

>> Alex McFarland: I think I know the cut that he's going to play tomorrow, so it's going to be really good.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, let's. You ready to go to the phone lines, brother?

>> Alex McFarland: Let's do it. Let's do it. and by the way, the number is 888-589-8840. Questions. But also today, prayer requests.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Let's go to Robert in Tennessee. Robert, thank you for calling us.

>> Caroline: Thank you, I appreciate y'.

>> Alex McFarland: All.

>> Caroline: I listen to you every day on my way to work. I have a prayer request.

>> Bert Harper: Go ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: I'm a Christian. I've been saved for 30 years. but I have a drinking problem.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, man, are you going to anything to hold, yourself accountable or anything like that? Robert.

>> Caroline: I've been in and out most all my life, and I still can't seem to quit. I quit. I quit for a while and got in a valley, and I don't blame anybody but myself.

>> Bert Harper: But, well, there's in churches. I bet you could find one. There's a ministry called Celebrate Recovery. And I, just want to tell you, I was pastor of a church that had that, and we saw some people that struggled for years and years, and because of the prayers of the people, the encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ and accountability, we saw some people delivered. And we had one couple, and they were helping us with it. One, he was delivered immediately after he said, God, I'm through with it. She needed to keep on coming and have that accountability. So, Robert, Alex, before we pray, you got any word for him you'd want to say?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, Mark 9:26. Some things are accomplished by prayer and fasting, and I don't know if you've ever fasted and prayed. Fasting works. When your tummy growls, that's a reminder to pray. You might want to consider fasting and praying for those chains to be broken. But, hey, let me pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, I lift up Robert and in Jesus name, set him free. I pray that there would be a change, and he would never again, as long as he lives, desire the taste of alcohol and that he would put it down and never go back. In Jesus name we ask it, Lord. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Robert, don't hang up. Keep listening. Brent, would you've worked in Celebrate Recovery, would you say a word of encouragement to Robert? I used to volunteer with, north, Star Church in Saltillo, and it's a blessing and a half. It really is. Praise God. and that's coming from a former alcoholic himself. Okay. Right here at the board at afr. You heard that? God redeems, God delivers, and, Robert, we're praying for that. Robert, stay with it. Listen, stay with it. We're going to keep praying. You've got thousands of people all over the United States and possibly the world praying for you right now, Robert. God will make a way for you. I promise you. Amen. Amen. Thank you for calling, Robert. Okay, let's Go to Louisiana. And it's another Robert. Robert, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Thank you for taking my call. I listen to y' all all the time, and I'm so appreciative for this, the honesty of the word of God being over the airways.

Robert Zard calls about his wife Stacy who has throat cancer

I, actually called about a prayer request for my wife, Stacy. she got a diagnosis with throat cancer. they haven't done a biopsy yet. She's got upcoming, surgery on the 26th. Another biopsy then. But she's obviously very scared, and she just needs some peace, and we want healing.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, we're going to pray right now. Okay. Alex Zard, if I pray?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: Lead us, Father. Thank you for Robert calling about his wife Stacy. We're praying, God, that you would intervene in such a manner that we would understand. This is the hand of God, Father, as Alex has talked about many times, and it is instant, but sometimes it's through the process. But you are Lord, and you're the healer. Regardless of how you do it, we trust you. And we're praying for Stacy. We're praying for that cancer, possibly, Father. We believe it, and we know it. We know of folks that it was just there and then gone. We know others that went through it, and they were able to take care of it through medical procedures and treatment. And, God, we're praying for the victory for her. Pray for Robert. Thank you. For a husband that loves his wife. Prays for his wife, stands by his wife. Father, may this bring glory to your name. In Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Robert, thank you again for calling. We just appreciate that.

Another. Another, uh, prayer request. One of our engineers, Josh Taylor, needs help

Another. Another, prayer request. This is something that's afr. Afa. One of our, engineers, Josh Taylor. Josh, is he.

>> Caroline: He.

>> Bert Harper: He's one of the most valuable people here at afa. He can do so many things. His wife, Benji, just got out of surgery. She's, You know, any. Just got that email. Just got that email. So we're praying for her recovery. And it's. It's. She had a severe fall, and had. Had a lot of things going on, so we're praying for Banji as well.

A North Carolina woman had a massive stroke after speaking at a town meeting

Let's go to Paige in North Carolina. Paige, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, guys. Hey, Alex. Hey, Bert. I just want to thank you so much for taking my call and for what you do. but my friend Joy had a massive stroke after speaking at a town meeting, a week ago today. God was already there. An EMS worker happened to be standing right there. So when she Fainted. Her blood pressure was 232. they life flighted her to Greenville, and they said that it was inoperable. Well, we put it on the prayer chain and started praying. And praise God that the next day the bleeding stopped. So we keep praying. We keep praying. And somehow the doctors were able to have an emergency surgery, and they removed the subdural hematoma. She woke up. And after five days, he said, this is miraculous. This has never happened before. Her foot has a tingle in it because she's completely paralyzed on the left side now. she sang a song. She knew everyone. She's singing his praises. But I know there's power in prayer.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Caroline: And if I get this whole group praying for her.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Caroline: Because he says, I am the one who heals you. Exodus 15:26. He will cover you with his feathers. And Psalm 91:4. I found a whole bunch after praying in the dirt, and I took it to them to give them encouragement. But I know there's power in prayer.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Hey, Page, we're going to join. Amen. Paige, did you hear that, Alex? This group, this is what you know, we're a group. We're. We're. We're studying God's word. We're praying. And it's not just the folks here at our place here. Five of us here and you, there in North Carolina, it's thousands of people. So, Alex, you want to just thank.

>> Alex McFarland: God, Lord Jesus, we thank you for the improvements in this person who's had a massive stroke. bless Paige for calling in. And Father, we agree, and in unison and in faith, we agree for this woman's healing. The bleeding has stopped. I pray the effects of this stroke would be reversed. Any paralysis, any memory loss, any of those negative repercussions, Lord, turn it back around. Restore this woman. And, Lord, I know she'll praise you. We already do praise you. This person's recovery, Jesus, we commit it to you. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Brent, tell us a little bit. You had a prayer request. Yes, my mother in law. Continue, to pray for her. Her platelets continue to drop. She is a, liver recipient. She has. She got one two years ago, but she's got leukemia now. And so her name is Janice. Janice. We're praying. Write that name down. You've got all these names. Stacy, Joey, Janice. We're praying, praying for Robert as well. Thank you, brother.

William in Illinois asks for prayer for upcoming Midwest event

Let's go to Illinois. And it's William in Illinois. William, thank you for Calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you, brothers. You were talking about holiness earlier, and, I think the most, devastating thing I've read in the Bible, I heard a message was In Isaiah, chapter 2, say around 10th verse, down to the 22nd, 21st verse. The mammoth speaking on the holiness for the day of the Lord there. And, I'm not sure if that is where he's going to make his enemies. His footstool it talks about. But, he told down in Isaiah, going down through there what they're going to be going to the molds and the rocks. He said, you think your real enemies, you think you may know him. He said that day, he said, the Lord will be your enemy if you don't have yourself right with that condition when they're going to be going to the rocks and the mold and stuff. And it was kind of a sobering message to me in 1976 about, God and that day he's going to be a man's worst enemy that he's ever met when he comes where they come to that day of the Lord.

>> Bert Harper: So what we're doing, man, we're praying for people to get right now so that they can see that. And that's, that's the heart. That's what I hear William saying. You don't want to see that day, Alex, Let me read verse 21 of Isaiah 2. Okay?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: To go into the clefts of the rock, into the crags of the, rugged rocks, from the terror of the Lord and the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily. Listen, get right with God. Do it today, don't wait. you say, I'm going to wait for a more convenient time, Alex. That convenient time may never come, you know.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, exactly. That's why we say, you know, Jesus is as close by as a prayer. The Bible says, call on the Lord while he is near, while he may be found. But good, word there, William. Thank you for that.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: 888-589-8840. If you have a Bible question or a prayer request. And Bert, before you go to the next one, I've got a prayer request myself, if you don't mind.

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead, man.

>> Alex McFarland: We've got a big event on Thursday, August 21st.

>> Caroline: Charlie.

>> Alex McFarland: Kirk is one of our speaker series, and people are coming from about 15 or 16 US states to this event. We're praying it'll go well. And there's some weather happening here in the mid Atlantic region. And I'm not just praying for Myself and our event, but for the welfare of people along our beloved Outer Banks and, East Coast. So maybe the Lord who controls the elements, even the wind and the storms obey Jesus. We pray that he would send that storm back out to sea.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Also pray for a friend of mine, Richard Johnson. He is pastor friend of mine. He went to be of the Lord Saturday. And it leaves his wife Deborah, some children, grandkids. Just a man of God that dearly. He prayed for Jan and myself and just, just great guys. Pray for that family.

Greg: We appreciate all of your prayers for Alex as he speaks

Okay, let's go to Mississippi. Greg. Greg. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. Praise the Lord. Hey, brother Alex, Brother Burt.

>> Alex McFarland: Hello.

>> Caroline: Coming. Yes, sir. brother Alice, you made a quote. He was on a different, program one day and made. I put it on my prayer wall. if somebody wants to know the truth, tell them the truth. If somebody loves their truth, tell them a story. Yeah, you remember that, brother?

>> Alex McFarland: I remember when I said that if you want somebody to know the truth, tell them the truth. But if you want somebody to love the truth, tell them a story. And I was talking about how Christ taught in parables.

>> Caroline: wonderful. I wrote that on my prayer wall. One thing I had, brother David, Jeremiah was talking about service and server servants of, he made a good quote and I wrote it down. I'm a consumer of the word. But anyway, he said that, you know, I don't have to serve coffee to everybody. I just have to serve it to anybody that wants. I thought that was good.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Hey, David, Jeremiah's got several. Don't you do this calls. they were gone right now. So let's do this. David Jeremiah, what a man of God. He is preaching the word. Keep on praying for him, the influence that he has. We know John MacArthur went to be with the Lord, but. And Warren Wiersbe just was it last year when I think it was some godly men that Alex, I mean, they've gone before us. We don't need to drop the baton when it's handed off to us and it's our turn to run the race, do we?

>> Alex McFarland: I know. I think about just over the last decade, some of the people that have gone to be of the Lord would include Chuck Colson, Adrian Rogers. well, that was more than 10 years ago. But, also, John MacArthur, Charles Stanley is gone. And you know, some of these giants that have. Don Wildmon just passed away, a little over a year ago. But, James Dobson is still with us. Erwin Lutzer is still with us. David, Jeremiah. But all three of these dear men of God are getting on up there. And Bert, not only do we need to pray for them and cherish them, but also pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Do you know Dr. Rogers still? His program is still listened to by many. listen, he still, you know, that's the value of radio. And I just want to say this now. If you watch it on television, his tie be wide lapel, you know, coat lapel sticking out further than his shoulder. You know what? You know how fashions change. But on the radio, what? You know what I mean?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. The clothing styles don't really matter.

>> Bert Harper: It doesn't distract. And that's why radio is so valuable. And that's why Alex and I, we appreciate all of your prayers. Pray for Alex as he has this speaker series. And we're asking God to do a work, that. That hurricane would go further north and not do a lot of damage there. So, Alex, we're praying for that brother, and we appreciate all the prayers. Let me give them. We need to pray for Robert, Stacy, Joy, Janice. We need the praying for them. So keep praying and asking God to do a work in their lives. Alex, take us away from the program today.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thanks for listening to Exploring the Word. This show is [email protected], you can listen again. We're going to have a great day tomorrow. We'll be live tomorrow, good Lord willing. Hey, in the meantime, may the Lord bless you in all things. Tell somebody about Exploring the Word, but most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. M. The views and opinions expressed in.

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