Fire Away Friday is your chance to ask us your Bible question

>> Bert Harper: Its Fire Away Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your [email protected] or.

>> Alex McFarland: Visit facebook.com exploringtheword exploring the word.

>> Bert Harper: It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.

>> Alex McFarland: Psalm 1, Psalm 18, 160, says the following about Scripture. It says this, the sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Well, amen. Alex McFarland here along with Bert Harper. And this is Exploring the Word. Fridays are always a special day because we call it Fire Away Friday and we take questions we want to hear from you. If you've got a Bible question, we would love to, have you call in. And the number is 888-858-9-8840. Today is, doubly special to us because, Bert, we have with us a longtime friend and colleague, a just a trusted voice to so many listeners. Reverend Joseph Parker and I first got to know him through the hour of Intercession some years ago, and we just appreciate him so much. But, Bert, welcome. It's good to be with you and it's good to talk with Joseph Parker.

>> Bert Harper: It really is. Pastor Joseph, thank you for joining us today.

>> Pastor Joseph Parker: Burton, Alex, good to be with you.

>> Bert Harper: All today and the hour of intercession. How many times I remember driving at night and hearing Pastor Joseph's voice and what, a comfort it was. And, brother, it still is. Thank you for your word.

Ten Commandments Project Speech Challenge is a youth discipleship project

Well, I want to ask you, you're here today, you know, be a good friend, but something's up here in the month of June about the Ten Commandments. We wanted you to tell us about it.

>> Pastor Joseph Parker: Pastor JOSEPH okay, well, thank you again for the opportunity. The, Ten Commandments, ah, project is a project we've been doing over a period of several, years now. it's a youth discipleship project we've been doing here at afr and it gets more fun every year. one aspect of it is where if a young person simply memorizes the Ten Commandments and recites them to dad or Mom. We just need a phone call from dad or mom saying the child size and the mailing address, and we'll mail him a free Ten Commandments T shirt. The part that, specifically is emphasized during the month of June is the Ten Commandments Project Speech Challenge, 2025, and specifically this part of the Project is where we invite young persons between the ages of 7 to 17 to write a speech this year. The commandment is the first one. You shall have no other gods before me but to write it. They can either write the speech or, or they can get help writing the speech as well. put it together, have it recorded on their, on their phone or any other means they wish to record it. And they extended into us and they can send it to FAQ, afa.net or j parkerfa.net and put in the subject line 10 Commandments Project Speech Challenge 2025. And the every young person that participates this year will receive a Ten Commandments T shirt, a bookmark and a free shipping coupon code to use in the AFA Resource Center. But again, it's a discipleship project and it's meant to help young people grow in their knowledge of the word of God and grow in their knowledge of the application of truth in their lives as well.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Everybody get pen and pencil ready or whatever means you can and give those two website where they can send it so you can get it. And get ready to write it down.

>> Pastor Joseph Parker: Everyone again, faqfa.net or J. Parker fa.net and again, the four column Ten Commandments Project Speech Challenge 2025.

>> Bert Harper: Alex it's been going on for quite a while and most. I've heard several of those speeches and it's always exciting. I remember three, I think it's three years ago, two of our grandsons, we had them kind of competing to share the Ten Commandments. And it's always an exciting time, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. Joseph, I commend you for leading this and hearing the speeches and seeing the young people interact with God's word. I'm sure you've heard some very inspiring insights and some memorable sentiments from these kids, haven't you?

>> Pastor Joseph Parker: We, you know, we really have. And you know, one, one part of the project is whereby we invite any and every participant and their parents to come on one of the broadcasts. And it makes for very exciting broadcasting, to be quite honest. We typically will feature their speech, let them talk about maybe what they learned or how they feel like they grew. But also we get to hear from the parents talk about what they observed in their child in the midst of writing the speech. And you know, the, you can tell the parents are beaming through the broadcast even though you can't see them. But also they're so grateful to see the growth in their child. And you know, one of the things I think we picked up on this is that churches desperately need to put their kids to work so much more in the church than they do, because these children have. Wonderful speech. I'm very serious. All of them are powerful and beautiful, and the beauty is that they communicate truth in such a way that blesses others. And, you know, I would just mention one part of the project that actually we haven't had too many kids to take us up on it. We encourage them. Ask your pastor if you can do your speech on Sunday morning.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Pastor Joseph Parker: It's been a minimal number that have actually done that. Now, personally, as a pastor myself, I've said before, and I keep saying it, I'd put kids up 52 Sundays out of a year if I had kids asking for that opportunity. But, you know, every church is a little different, but it ends up where it's a beautiful experience because, number one, they're going to have the attention of every child in the church, but also they're going to have the attention of every adult as well.

>> Bert Harper: You know what? children usually bring somebody with them when they come to church. Have you noticed that? So it helps attendance, too. It does. Well, Joseph, thank you, brother. And we appreciate all that you do your hour of intercession. All you do for life. so many areas we could go down the list of thanking God for. Pastor Joseph Parker. Well, thank you for the chance to be here. We mean that. Thank you, brother.

>> Pastor Joseph Parker: Thank you.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, Alex, that phone number that we have, the phone lines are wide open, so if anyone has a question, now's the time to call in. 888-5898-8408-8858-9840.

Alex: Is it really important to use Jesus name Yeshua

Well, Alex, while we're waiting, we've got this question that came in, I think on Facebook. Brent gave it to me, and it was asking about is it really important to use Jesus name Yeshua or, And. And. Or is it something. Has it been distorted or is it translation? We've talked about this before. Is it more spiritual or more important, more necessary to say Yeshua than Jesus?

>> Alex McFarland: Wow. Great, great question. And I think the short answer is no. I mean, when. When we call on the name of, Jesus, and the New Testament uses several terms like, Jesus Christ, Savior, Messiah, Lord God. you know, language, is interesting, especially translation, because really, translation is a word exchange program. And, you know, whether we, you know, the Greek word for, God's love is agape or agapeo, we simply say, you know, love, whether we say Yeshua hamashiach, Jesus, the Messiah. And really, Yeshua means Jehovah saves. it's a variation really of the word Joshua. Or whether we say Jesus, or if we were in Greek, we might not say Christ, we would say Christos. But though the pronunciations vary, the objective meaning behind the word is the same, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And so, there's power in the name of Jesus, you know. And so, yes, it is great, and God's name is great and greatly to be praised. That number is 888-589-8840.

Sarah from Tennessee calls in with a Bible question on Fireway Friday

If you've got a Bible question here on Fireway Friday, we would love to get it. But while we're waiting on others, Sarah from Tennessee has called in. Sarah, thank you for calling, exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: You're welcome.

>> Bert Harper: Yes. What part of Tennessee are you from, Sarah?

>> Caroline: I am from, Cleveland, Tennessee.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, over there in the eastern part. Okay. Yeah. Great, great.

Sarah: I just got in contact with my daughter after being estranged

Well, you have a question for us today?

>> Caroline: I do. So, I've actually just got in contact with my daughter. we've been estranged for a little while. And I just feel like God has been touching me and telling me that everything is working out good and it's working out how it's supposed to be. And, I just felt like I wanted to express that with everybody. If there's anybody out there that, you know, hasn't talked to their kid for some reason. I was in a domestic violence relationship, and my daughter just turned 19. And now we're actually being able to talk, and it felt so good. And she. She's. We're both in God's light right now, and it just felt so good. And I just wanted to tell you guys because it's just a good feeling, you know? And I know God was with me the whole entire time and with her.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, Sarah, we're thankful for that. Praise God for what he's done and ask. Ask God just to continue to lead you and help you. And, I will say this, Alex. In relationships, they're always moving. If a relationship's not stagnant, it's moving. It's like our relationship with the Lord. if we're not growing closer to him, we tend to drift. And so we've got to purposely strive for those relationships, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: We really do, Sarah. God bless you. And I rejoice that, communication is being reestablished. You know, it's important. And let me just say this about family. You know, I was reading, a book many Years ago. And I think it was. Bert, help me out. Who's the guy? They were with Campus Crusade. It was a husband and wife, and they did, family ministry. Okay, was he, Was it. Chip Ingram does that?

>> Bert Harper: Well, he did some. I think it was another couple that did together, but. Okay, I know who you're talking about, though.

>> Alex McFarland: It'll come to me, because we had a set of audio CDs, but they were at the COVID this is 25 years ago. And Angie and I were there, and he said. And I laughed out loud. He said, families are like brownies, mostly sweet with a few nuts. but, with all due respect, you know, every family has issues. They do. And I just want to encourage. But, you know, Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers, and sometimes you have to be distant. And Paul said, you know, as much as is possible, live at peace with all men. But, Bert, I, think, heaven rejoices when families get reunited, relationships get mended, and, you know, just pray about that. Jesus is the one that reconciled heaven and earth, and he can reconcile relationships. And I think that, one of the things that we're to do as Christians are to be the peacemakers and the fence menders.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

We've got two or three prayer requests before the break

Well, listen, we don't have long until the break, and we've got two or three prayer requests, so I'm going to share those. And Dale and George, hang on. We're going to get to you in the next segment, but Holly called in, and this was great. And Brent gave it to me. She says this is a prayer request, and it's for vacation Bible schools all over the United States. What a, prayer request, Holly? I know a lot of kids that get saved. We also got a prayer request from Tricia. She has two cousins, that are dealing with cancer, some of them very, very severe. And we also had a lady call in Rachel, praying for her daughter, who has addiction issues, who has, morality issues. And we're praying that God would intervene in her daughter's life. Let me pray. We got about, 20 seconds. Father, I pray that you'd be with these vacation Bible schools. Some of them m. Took place this past week, some of them are taking place the next few weeks. Minister and use those people. Speak to those kids. I pray for Trisha's cousins, Father. May there be healing. And then, Father, I pray for Rachel's daughter, that she would come out of addiction and out of a destructive lifestyle. In Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: We'll be back right after this break.

Preborn is the nation's leader in introducing mothers with unplanned pregnancies

You've heard A lot about saving babies on this show. That's because it's important to me personally. And let me just be frank with you. We need to save them. That is why we partnered with PreBorn, the nation's leader in introducing mothers with unplanned pregnancies to their babies. And once she hears that heartbeat and sees that precious life growing inside of her, she is twice as likely to choose life. Now that's a miracle. But quite honestly, if we don't save them, who will? PreBorn receives no government funding, so their work is completely dependent on us. PreBorn has rescued over 280,000 babies. And that's not all. They provide love, support and counseling for up to two years for free. Saving lives and souls. One ultrasound is just $28 or $140 helps to rescue five babies. Abortion doesn't stop, so we can't together, you and I can save lives. Just call 250-on your cell phone and say the key word baby. That's 250 baby. Or go to preborn.com that's preborn.com.

>> Alex McFarland: I'Ve seen shame. The kind that comes from mistakes. The kind that won't go away. When I turned around they were right there to remind me. I've seen regret. The kind that messes with your hair. The failures and the can't forget. But standing here now I'm thinking God it's behind me. Cause I've seen nail scarred hands reach out And wipe it all away. Yeah Now I secret Amen. Those nail scarred hands are reaching out to you my friend. They really are. Hey, the number. Ah, fire away. Friday, your Bible questions, your calls. We'd love to hear from you. It's 888-589-8840. Bert Harper, Alex McFarland. And we've got calls coming in. Bert, I've got to give a praise. Guess what I had the privilege of doing. Probably about 35, 40 minutes ago, Angie and I got a call. An elderly gentleman. We've known these people. This goes back all to my days from Macedonia Baptist Church where I got saved in the 80s. A dear, dear brother who is near the point of death and he wanted to make sure that he was saved. And I remember this man for 30 plus years ago. And I felt like I knew that he knew the Lord. But we went to see him, Angie and I did. And I had in my car a little Billy Graham booklet called Steps to peace with God. And I was able to share the gospel. And this dear gentleman, he just he said, you know, I'm not going to be here long. I want to make sure. I need to know that I know and what a joy. And I said, there's nothing wrong with that at all. It's very wise. And, share the gospel, prayed together. And Bert, there's nothing wrong with that. To make sure that you're sure. Don't you think that's a wonderful thing?

>> Bert Harper: Hey, I want to make sure. If I wasn't sure, I'd make sure. For anybody listening. And they said, I think I did. The Bible says in First John, these things are written that you may know. And five times in the book of First John, John says this that you may know. And so. Hey, way to go, Alex. Praise God.

Question from Dale from Oklahoma focuses on interaction between brain, mind and body

Well, let's get to the phone calls, and people have called in Dale from Oklahoma. Dale, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hello. Thank you very much for your, your ministry. my question today, really has to do with us, as created beings. You know, the Bible talks about a lot of different characteristics, and elements that we have. It refers to the mind and refers to the soul and the heart and the body. I think we all know what the body is. Question I have is that, you know, what's the interaction between our brain, our mind, our soul, our intellect, the heart that, you know, that is said to be deceitful, you know, desperately wicked. How do all those things interact and, you know, what elements do we really have that are created by God within us?

>> Bert Harper: Dale, great question. I tell you this, we've never had this question before how they fit together. I think what you have, your innermost being, your soul and your mind. Remember in the Garden of Eden, he became a living soul. And, this is the body was there. Your mind thinks and you respond, but your soul is eternal, isn't it? And your body has to have a new, body. And so, Alex, they are related, but there are some differentiations there, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, Dale, I am so glad you asked this question because, you know, I really don't think that this is taught on enough. But, we are. Here's a word for you. A tripartite being. Genesis 1:26 says, We're m made in the image of God. So the creation reflects the Creator. And just as God, the Creator is a triune being. Father, Son, Holy spirit. There's really three components to every human being. 1st Thessalonians 5:23 is a great verse. 1st TheSSalonians 5:23. And it refers to the spirit, soul, and body. Now, in the Greek language, spirit is pneuma, the breath of God. You might have heard of pneumatic, something that runs on air. Well, the pneuma is the breath of God. And remember, God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul. Now, the second word in the English, very often, soul, S O U L is really in the Greek, the word psyche. P, S Y, C H E. And that's our mind, our memories, our will, our emotion. And then of course, soma, is our body. And you might have heard like, somatocrit issues and things like that. Okay? When you trust Jesus, your spirit is regenerated, made alive. Amen. That's right there at the instant of salvation. But then for the rest of our life, our mind is renewed psyche. and Bert, because beliefs shape behaviors, I think it's very important to fill our mind with the word of God. And John 17:17, the Lord said, sanctify them by thy word. Thy word is truth. So one of the things, folks, that will help you grow, sanctify you in Jesus is filling your mind with the word of God. And then your body, the soma, one day gets glorified. So, Bert, to summarize, we are a three part being. They all overlap. I'll tell you this. If your body is hurting, in your mind, you might feel depressed or stressed. I know if you get sick or injured, that will work on your mind. But the beautiful thing, Jesus saves the whole person, doesn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really does. And we are all connected. You're talking about the body reacting, your mind reacting to your body. Your body reacts to your mind. Depression causes so many illnesses in the body and so fatigue. Yeah, we're all connected. And those areas, spirit, soul and body, that would include it all in other. You'll put anything else that's in there, like your memories. You put it in one of those categories. Dale, great question. And I mean that. Dale, I appreciate that. That was a, great thoughtful question. Appreciate it. Let's go to stay in Oklahoma. George, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: ah, thank God. I appreciate what you gentlemen do. This is awesome.

George: I'm not for sure that temple will get rebuilt prior to Rapture

My question is, I have heard forever that the components to the new temple that will be built in Jerusalem and the priest robes are already made and kept. Is there any truth to that or any foundation to that, George?

>> Bert Harper: We've heard the same thing. Alex, have you had any definitive information on that other than just saying we've heard it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, in 2014, when I went to, Israel with Focus on the Family we went to a place called the Temple in Institute, and I did, with my own eyes, I saw some of the robes, the priestly garments. And I have to tell you, Bert, it was kind of surreal, because all my life I've heard about the ephod that goes over the chest of the priest and has stones. so, yes, I've seen a lot of the, reproductions, I guess you'd say, of what's called the furniture of the temple. And we do know, in fact, one month ago, my friend Dinesh d' Souza was in Jerusalem, and he met with, those that are growing the red heifers breeding, and they have to have all the red hair and not one. Not even one white hair. And Dinesh, on his iPhone, he was showing me all these photographs of red heifers that have passed muster with the priests. Now, here's the thing, Bert. I. Personally, I'm not for sure that the temple is going to get rebuilt prior to the Rapture. honestly, I believe with all my heart, that if they had a temple, that they would reinstitute the mosaic, sacrifices and all that. I think after the Rapture, when there's just chaos on earth, I think one of the things that the Antichrist is probably going to do to broker peace in the Middle east is to allow Israel to build a temple. But halfway through the tribulation. The Antichrist will profane that. But, to the college's original question. Yes, I saw at the Temple Institute some of the, basics of what presumably would be used if indeed a temple was to be rebuilt.

>> Bert Harper: And Alex and I are accompanied Tim Wildmon to the holy land in the 26th of March. You can go to Wildmon Group, tours, and you can find that information. We're looking forward to it there. Our wives are going to be going, so we'd love for you to join us. Alex and I will be teaching at different times at different places. So, we're looking forward to that as well. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Jeff. Thank you, Jeff, for calling.

Allen from Oklahoma calls with Bible question about the Thousand Year Reign

>> Caroline: Hey, guys, I was just wondering if you could explain to me the urim and the thumbing that's mentioned in the Old Testament. I appreciate you guys. And I'll hang up and listen.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, they were a way to decide what God was telling them to do. Was, weren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: They were. And, this sounds unusual to our ears, doesn't it? Because, it sounds like, I don't know, just. It's different. But these were stones that Were apparently translucent. I'm thinking like, kind of like a ruby or something that was a gemstone that you maybe could see through partially. And what they would do, they would pray and inquire of the Lord and, and they were kept in kind of a leather pouch. now did the high priest carry these with him on part of his garments? We don't know, but this is mentioned in Exodus and Leviticus. and Bert, did you get the impression that maybe they would, I don't know, kind of glow or a light would sort of appear and it would be a way that the priest would, sort of discern, the direction of God?

>> Bert Harper: It had some evidence of that. That's what it looks like. There's evidence of it that this is God's direction. We have a more sure word today. It's called the Word of God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can lead you. And this is why we do explore in the Word, yes, salvation, yes. Discipleship, but also in the purpose of knowing where God's plan, purpose for us might be. and as you know, the Word of God, and the Word of God comes into your heart, it's able to direct you, in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Every area of our life and what we were talking a moment ago, spirit, soul and body come under the authority of God. And I want to tell you he can lead us now. It always won't be easy and sometimes there's difficulty, but he leads his people alone. Thank you so much, Jeff, for that call. By the way, we've got lines open and that number is 888-589-8840. If you got a Bible question, we'd love to hear from you today. Let's go to Oklahoma again, man. Oklahoma's on the line today and it's Allen. Allen, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you, sir. Alex and Bert, appreciate you guys, listen to you every day that I can. my, my question is in our church on Wednesday nights we're in Revelation and we've made it to the Thousand year Reign. I was going to let you know I made it to the Thousand Years.

>> Bert Harper: Way, to go.

>> Caroline: my question is, our pastor hadn't covered it yet, but I, always wonder, my pastor, he's passed away now and gone to be with the Lord. But, my question is after, tribulation, the ones that are saved during tribulation, they'll go into the thousand year reign, I believe. And, but will, will they get their spiritual Body after or before do they go into, in other words, whether can there still be sin during the thousand year reign and will you know whether it be babies born? And I'm, I've always believed nobody else could be saved after the tribulation. I know the devil's gonna be chained to the extent of where he can't deceive the nations and for the thousand years until he's let back out. I'm just kind of mixed up on, on that, them getting their spiritual bodies. when and then is there going to be sin? Will babies be born during thousand year reign? I mean, thousand years in our time is a long time.

>> Bert Harper: It is. Hey brother, thank you for listening. Thank you for calling.

Allen: I believe there will be a literal thousand year millennium with Christ reigning

Let me make a pretty statement. First of all, I, with all our heart, we believe there's going to be an actual thousand year reign with Christ reigning. I do believe that there's still questions what all will take place and how it will happen during that time. I think we have some markers, Alex, that lets us know some because of Satan being loosed at the end, it sounds like he's going to test concerning those about sin. man's heart is desperately wicked. Now how about those folks that come into their physical bodies? I think the sin might be kept inward, but it's going to be tested along the way. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: well, Allen, I'm with Bert. I believe there will absolutely be a literal thousand year millennium and milieu. that means a thousand, you know, so a thousand years. Now what's interesting is at the end of the seven year tribulation, there's the battle of Armageddon. Christ returns on a white horse. The armies of the Antichrist are vanquished, and the thousand year millennium begins. Peace on earth. Jesus will rule and reign from Jerusalem. Now there will be people that enter the millennium alive. And so it's going to be a very unique time. And by the way, this is in our book coming out, at the end of September, 100 Bible questions on Prophecy and the End Times. In fact, I just got the COVID a couple of days ago and I'm going to send that to Brent Austin. And Brent, if you want to put that cover art on Facebook, maybe we could do that. But here's the thing, Bert. just because somebody goes to church doesn't mean their heart is with Jesus. And Christ is going to rule and reign from Jerusalem. there will be babies born during the millennium. They'll grow up and I'm sure with Jesus physically present. Everybody's going to be on their best behavior. But what's on the inside of their heart, only the Lord knows. Now. Revelation 20 says at the end of the thousand years, Revelation 27:10, Satan is loosed for a little bitty short while. And the true colors are going to show, aren't there? Some people are going to rebel and follow Satan because they never had given their heart to Christ anyway. Bert the end of the tribulation, end of the millennium. The highest amount of revelation the human race has ever had. And yet some still will refuse to.

>> Bert Harper: Believe the heart is evil and desperately wicked. Wow. I know it sounds bad, but we're going to be there. If you know Christ, we're going to be with him. We'll be back right after this break.

>> Alex McFarland: The political climate in America has changed. We've been given a reprieve, and we have to work together to take advantage of that momentum and effect even more cultural and spiritual change. We can rebuild America.

>> Bert Harper: The American Family association is working to do just that.

>> Alex McFarland: And when you join, with your support, it helps maximize the impact. As our thanks, we'll give you a DVD of, biblical financial advice from Rob west called Biblical Stewardship. Please visit afa.net and get started today. I see you in the stars But.

>> Bert Harper: I feel you in the earth in waves as well in winds that blow.

>> Alex McFarland: I marvel at the mystery that once so great.

Alex Fishbowl says pastors need to be strong and courageous

>> Bert Harper: Welcome back to Exploring the Word Bird and Alex here on Fire Away Friday. If you heard that last promotion, that was my wife, Jan Fishbowl retreat coming up in October. We're looking forward to that and again, repairing the foundations. Jan and I have got. Let me just say, we're going to be strong and courageous is the theme. So we're living in a day when you need to be strong and courageous, and God's the one that can do it, especially pastors and their families. So if those of you that, most of the time, a lot of times it's a deacon, an elder, a, Sunday school class say, man, we want our pastor to go. And, so I hope that you'll consider that.

Bert says he was recently asked to be a deacon

Okay, let's get back to the phone lines. And it's Neil in Texas. Neil, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: How are you doing today?

>> Bert Harper: Doing well, brother. Go right ahead, man. Hey, what part of Texas are you from, by the way?

>> Caroline: I live in the big metropolis of call C A L L. Okay, well.

>> Bert Harper: I'm glad you called from call. Go ahead, Neil.

>> Caroline: I know in the Bible it says that a deacon should not be a drinker of much wine. My question is, I was recently asked to be a deacon and then, told I wasn't scripturally ready because I still drink beer occasionally. My question is, what's the difference between beer and wine and even tobacco which has nicotine in it.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, thank you, Neil. they must see something in you as a servant. Let me just share with you. Deacon is a transliteration of the, the Greek word. It's deikonos, which means servant. And if you look at the qualifications that you're looking at, your are guidelines. people look at. If say qualifications and you try to check every box, I want to just tell you, that's something. But if you have them as God, this is the kind of person you want. Full of the Holy Spirit and all that goes with it. they are usually already doing the work of a deacon, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, that's true. Most of the people that get asked to be a deacon probably are already heavily involved in their church and serving.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, you know what I've said? They're already deacon.

>> Alex McFarland: They're deacon indeed. You know, hey, let me talk about this for a little bit. a lot of the qualifications would be in first Timothy, chapter three, you know, and, they are, you know, it really is a high calling because you're a Christian leader, but to serve, you know. And it does say in verse 3, 1st Timothy 3, 3, not given to wine. And then over there also in, verse eight, the deacons must, be grave, not double tongued. In other words, tell the truth, not given too much wine. Now, interestingly, if you look over there at first Timothy 5, 5:23, drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities. Now, I gather it there, it's a medicinal use. Bert, I always kind of take a deep breath and say a prayer before I say what I'm going to say. and in no way, in no way would I be advocating the abuse of alcohol. And I grew up in the south and Bert, teetotaling was preached. I heard it from the pulpit. If you're born again, you don't touch it. and I believe that I think that's wise. However, I can't honestly say that the New Testament teaches teetotalism. Am I right, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: You're right. Now, I just want to tell you I was raised the same way. And, I want to just tell you, pastoring for 40 years and the damage that I've seen alcohol do to People and families. I, I'm anti alcohol. I just tell you that. So I am biased. But biblically, to be a teetotaler is not, it's not the 11th Commandment. It really is not. But I think it's wise. I think you go back to Proverbs and see what Proverbs says about it, that if he goes back to it, it's not wise. So, Neil, I would just tell you, in my estimation, you could. You, you could probably serve now. The church might have different opinion. Different churches can say, no alcohol. Hey, if they say that, I'd go under their authority. No, I can't be a deacon. But if they don't have that in and you're not abusing it, I think you could. But I, Neil, I'm being kind of bold here with you. I think you'd be wise just say, hey, I'm laying the stuff down. And, here's what I found out. And I'm just going to go with this right now. When difficulty comes, you turn to the familiar for help. I've seen it a hundred times. And you were talking about tobacco nail. I've seen that. People pick it back up because issues are coming up. You turn to the familiar, make God in the word of God. You're familiar. Make that the most familiar thing. And crisis is going to come. A crisis of faith, the dark night of the soul. listen, it'd be wise. Just say, God, I'm yours. I give that up.

Are deacons allowed to be divorced or not? Neil asks Alex MacArthur

I don't have to have that. I want to tell this. It's kind of funny. We did at the church. I was here in Hupel. I love if people listen to Trivia Friday. And my mom, I'm usually having Andy Griffith question, trivia question. And, so years ago at the church where I pastored, West Jackson Street Baptist Church here in Tupelo, a, dream came true for me. We did a Mayberry Christmas. Now, we took that Mayberry and we developed it and we got permission, all the things that went through it. But we had to have Otis doing something, the town drunk. And here's what we did, Alex. We had Otis. he was there, and he wasn't drunk, he wasn't drinking. And Barney makes the decision, makes the observation, otis, you're a different person since you, are not drunk all the time. And here's Otis's reply. He said, barney, and my wife Jan's the one that wrote this, and it was great. She said, he. He said, you know, since I've Given up the spirits. For the spirit life sure is a lot better.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: You know, M. The spirits being alcohol. Yes. What to refer to so, m. That's our opinion, Neil. But, brother, thank, you for them seeing a servant's heart in you that they would ask you to serve. Okay, let's go to Georgia and talk to Jeff. Jeff, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, good afternoon. Burton, Alex, how are y' all doing today?

>> Bert Harper: Doing great, man. Good to hear from you.

>> Caroline: Hey, thank you for, taking, my call there. I, wanted to follow up as far as a decent question. And, my church asked me to be a deacon years ago. And. But because I've been divorced, I said no, I have to be the husband of but one wife. However, though, because of the divorce, she was found to be unfaithful. So according to Jesus, I could get a He. I could get a certificate of divorce written. So my question is, is, are deacons allowed to be divorced or not?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Jeff, thank you, man. Thank you for that. Again. Alex, I just. I just gotta say this. I know in churches where I've been and they ask you to make a recommendation of a deacon. I look at it and I say, okay, who's already serving, who has a heart for God and cares. And these two guys that have called in, Neil and Jeff, what. What a, you know, what a blessing that is, you know?

>> Alex McFarland: yeah, let me say this. And by the way, we still have time for another question. Perhaps the number is 888-589-8840. let me just say I was interim pastor five years ago of a great church. And there were some men that were fantastic decades, decades of Christian service giving. They were exemplary in every way. And there was this shortage of deacons. I mean, this was a church with hundreds of members. And, I mean, they didn't have four or five deacons. And really, numerically, they should have had 20 deacons. And, so they had a hard and fast rigid rule that. Okay, first Timothy 3. 2. A bishop or pastor must be the husband of one wife. 1st Timothy 3:12. Deacons must be the husband of one wife. And the bottom line, I preached. And I wasn't trying to, you know, be theologically loose. I'm really not. I mean, folks, I think I'm pretty conservative, but I have to be straight. I do not believe that the husband of one wife necessarily means never having been divorced. And let me invoke two names that are the most rigid. hard and fast, like set in concrete. It would be Dr. John MacArthur and Dr. Norman Geisler. Now, both of these men have been giants of orthodoxy, defenders of the Faith, and even MacArthur and Geisler would tell you and many others, too, what the first Timothy 3:2 and one Timothy 3:12. The phrase husband of one wife means not a polygamist, one wife at a time. Now, in no way. In no way am I, making light of divorce. It's serious. hey, Bert, I heard you say it 15 years ago, and it's genius. The marriage God wants you to save and fix and invest in is the marriage you're in right now. I've heard you say as much. And so I think it's dependent on a lot of things. You need to look at the whole person. I know men that, left their wives, and it was not a scriptural divorce years and years ago. I've known men that, their marriage, the. There was infidelity. And Jesus himself said that if someone abandons or commits adultery, we are not bound. So, Bert, I say this with fear and trembling, but I'm trying to be as faithful to the text as I can be. I do not think the way The English translates 1st Timothy 3:2 and 1 Timothy 3:12, I do not think it necessarily precludes divorced man from serving as a deacon or even a senior pastor.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, I want to just tell you I've had to make a journey because I was, no divorced person. And then I've met some of the people that were divorced, and they could not be deacons. I'd go to them, and I said, I want to tell you, you can serve without being ordained. Okay. If they select. And I agree with you on the scripture.

The scripture is right on. You don't have to be ordained to be a servant

The scripture is right on. I looked at it after I heard that. I went back and looked at it as best I could to look and see what it said, what Dr. MacArthur, Dr. Geisler said. And it a, one woman man.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: And so. But I just, again, I just want to throw it out there, guys. You don't have to be ordained to be a servant, be the person God's. We're all to be servants. the pastor is a servant. And that's, the highest calling in God's kingdom. Servanthood is the highest calling. And, so get out there and serve. And Alex, great answer.

Alex: Two different Josephs in the Bible, hundreds of years apart

We've got this call. This came in, not on the radio, but they wanted to know about the Josephs. That's in the Bible. One in the Old Testament, one in the New Testament. Alex, we know they're Hundreds of years apart. So it's not the same Joseph, but both of these men, Joseph's listen. Pretty high up on the pole of godly men, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: yes. and I love the story of Joseph. Genesis 37, 45 and Genesis 50. Amazing. Joseph and his brothers. And of course Joseph was sold into slavery, but became really the vice right under Pharaoh during the time of famine in Egypt. But that Joseph of the Old Testament is not the Joseph of the New Testament, the daddy of Jesus. Joseph wasn't the father of Jesus because Jesus was virgin born and had no human father, but Joseph was the daddy that got to raise Jesus. But two different Joseph's. And hey, I've got a screenshot question here that's come in. Can we,

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, let's go. Hey, by the way, right before you ask that, Brent has gotten the COVID of our book that's coming out in September there on our Facebook. So if you want to look at it and see what it will be like on the COVID you can go to, to exploring the word Facebook and you can see it. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, kudos to Brent Austin.

>> Bert Harper: He's right on, isn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He's on the ball.

Alex says Judas belonged to sect that wanted Israel to overthrow Roman government

someone texted, in and said a couple of weeks ago, Alex made mention of Judas belonging to a sect that wanted Israel to overthrow the Roman government. And Barabbas was apparently part of this as well. This makes so much sense when we learn about his decisions against Jesus. Where can I find these? You know, this was, I'm thinking, and I'm pulling this out of my memory here, Warren Wiersbe. And let me tell you, he's great.

>> Bert Harper: He is.

>> Alex McFarland: Listen, he had a two volume Old Testament commentary, New Testament commentary. And I believe that was where I read that many, many years ago. But I've seen it in several. And you know, there were, okay, what were called New Testament Messianic expectations. And the scribes and the teachers, they gleaned the Old Testament and that's part of the reason they knew he might come from Bethlehem. They knew characteristics. But then there were messianic desires, for some militaristic leader that would try to go to war with Rome. And really, you know, the Maccabees, you remember how they, got into some wars and they had to go to Masada and flee and things like that. and so perhaps at least part of the reason Judas betrayed the Lord was Jesus came to lay down his life and be the Savior to forgive our sin. Now he will come back as a conquering king, and it may be very soon, but the first time Christ came, it was to be our Savior and to give his life as the Lamb of God on Calvary's cross. And apparently for Judas and the others that wanted a military, you know, let's go to war with Rome, that didn't sit well because Jesus wasn't there to do that.

>> Bert Harper: One of the apostles was Simon the Zealot. they think he was definitely a part of that. And God showed him it's not that way. Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.

Alex, it's been a great week here on Exploring the Word

Alex, it's been a great week here on Exploring the Word, hasn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It has. Hey, folks, I'll say this. I'll throw it to Burt. Be in church on Sunday.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. And we'll see you back here Monday in, Romans, chapter 12. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Alex McFarland: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

It's Fire Away Friday with special guest, Pastor Joseph Parker joining us to talk about the Ten Commandments Speech Challenge