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

>> Jeff Chamblee: 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.

Exploring the Word is hosted by Alex McFarland and Brent Austin

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things. Another who is weak eats herbs. Well, with those verses and more, we welcome you to this edition of Exploring the word. Alex McFarland here, along with Brent Austin, along with Bert Harper and, Bert. It's always a blessing to be on the show, but it's doubly a blessing to be in the studios of the American Family Radio Network.

>> Bert Harper: You know, they used to do television programs and they say this program was recorded in front of a live studio audience. And I always wonder if that meant in place of a dead one. But, I think it does mean good. Hey, we're, we're at the same location.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: And people always ask, where are y' all? And I said, alex could be anywhere at any time. I'm usually here. And he said, you're not together. I said, most of the time, I may be three or four times a year. We're here. And this is one of Malex. Thank you for coming in.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, years ago, I jokingly said if we ever changed the name of Exploring the Word, we could call this show Three Guys and a Bunch of Wire. And the reason I say that is because when I'm somewhere in the far flung reaches of America, you know, the gear can malfunction sometimes. And, Bert and Brent, they are so professional. When I'll be somewhere and maybe there's a hiccup in the signal and you guys roll with it. But to be here in the studios with two just beloved colleagues and we know the gear is going to work. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Ah. One of the funniest things, when Brent came on board, we, were talking about it. I said, now here is the big question about exploring the word. We don't usually have show clips. We don't usually have a lot of guests. But I said, the biggest deal is, where is Alex and can we get a connection? And, he has found out that is the truth. But we're glad you're here. Activate some of this going on. So that's a lot of people in Tupelo. We've had about four, four or five guests coming through, taking tours and, so we're excited about you being here, being able to speak and share and we're looking forward to Romans chapter 14.

Alex: Romans chapter 14 talks about receiving one another and edifying one another

Sure. It's different, I think more so than any other chapter, in Romans, in my estimation, because it's talking about some things about receiving one another and then also edifying one another. I think those are the two words. And I wanted to do something in starting of it, Alex, and I want you to look at this. In verse chapter 14, verse 1, it says, receive one who is weak in the faith. Now I know it's got more to say. We'll get to that in a minute. But then in verse three at the end, for God has received him. So we better make sure before we start trying to pin some things on people and say, no, I don't believe it. We can't be guaranteed, that God hasn't received them. Now here's the big issue, and it's in verse one and in the new King James, you said doubtful disputations in King James, and here it says doubtful things. In others it will say opinions.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: And the word is that thoughts, you know, difficult thoughts is the idea.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, I was looking up the way this is worded because let me say there's plenty, we all agree on that Jesus Christ is the virgin born son of God, sinless son of God, died on the cross, rose again. And on those things we all agree, and true Christians agree that the Bible is God's authoritative word. But now, Bert, over the years of being a Christian, I've heard people get really, animated in talking about, when the Lord is going to come back or what about the age of the earth, or, things like election and even things like, oh my goodness, I remember when, years and years and years ago there was a rumor that a major corporation had a New Age symbol.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, I remember that.

>> Alex McFarland: And you know, some people got mad at me because I didn't want to preach on that. And I called a great mentor of mine, Josh McDowell. I mean, this is 25 years ago, Josh said, alex, that's false. I know people don't, don't waste pulpit time on that. And they got a little upset with me. But here's the thing. Doubtful disputations. The wording means, speculations of dissent. See, here's the.

>> Bert Harper: And there are things, and the key word is speculation.

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And folks, we all have some strongly held opinions. there is the word of God. That is with argument. True, but on areas that aren't Just set in concrete. And there's some. Some of our best guesses. We need to give each other grace on these things.

>> Bert Harper: We do. And the big things he discusses here are certain days and certain foods.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: Now, the reason that would be so important to the Roman church is because you have Jews that are in that church. You also have Gentiles in that church. the Jews came from holy days and the right food, so they were looking at it that way. Whereas. Yes, whereas the Gentile believers, man, they could. They've been able to eat anything, you know, and they. Any day is another day. So be careful judging others about those. I would say those doubtful disputations, those things that speculate. And here it is. It said, God has received him.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: it's a dangerous thing to say. Well, they couldn't be a Christian. If I use this example, and I want to see what you think about it. I said, if you saw King David, a man after God's own heart on certain times of his life.

>> Alex McFarland: That's true.

>> Bert Harper: Would you have wondered.

>> Alex McFarland: You wouldn't have thought he was a man after God.

>> Bert Harper: What about Samson?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, my goodness. As well. Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And he's in the hall of fame.

>> Alex McFarland: Of faith, one of the great judges of the Old Testament. Bert. I'm old enough to remember that. if the preacher didn't wear a tie on Sunday morning, it was anathema. Yeah. And even things like length of hair. and look, I believe in standards, I really do, but, really, the externals do not definitively state the condition of one's heart.

>> Bert Harper: Exactly.

I think speculative opinions, doubtful things, only cause disunity

So here in chapter, there's two things again, the whole. If you wanted to put a title on this, I think, you know, speculative opinions, doubtful things. That's what. And that's what he's discussing. That's what he introduces here. And he talks about. You got to receive these. Even though some might have this opinion about Halloween and others do not have that opinion about Halloween, that is not a matter. Keep your opinion to yourself. Don't make it an issue of argumentation. Do not do that.

>> Alex McFarland: Don't burn bridges.

>> Bert Harper: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: For.

>> Bert Harper: Now, look at verse four. For God, the last part. For God is able to make him stand. Listen, God is able to do that. God is the one that is working on them. If they're not quite where you are on these doubtful things, listen, let God do the work. Now, if they come to you and they ask you, you share with them why you do this or how you do this, but trying to judge them based on these doubtful Things, whether they're believers or not, only causes disunity.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and let me just say this. It amounts to adding to the gospel.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. That's true, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, and the gospel. First Corinthians 15, 3, 5. and, of course, you know, I think about John 6:40 is another good verse. Romans 10. But the Son of God died on the cross in payment for our sins. And that forgiveness is appropriated to us through faith. Now, there's a whole lot about the Christian life that is really good to do. And I believe in Christian growth and sanctification. But we don't want to add to the gospel. And the gospel is the son of God who died and rose again. And we, receive him by faith.

>> Bert Harper: Now, what the Jews did with the law, they added to. Added to. I forgot how many things they added, but the numbers were in the hundreds. They had to define what work was. They had to define, you know, so that everybody. And so when you start adding to. And putting your opinion. And I. I still think that opinion, your speculation on it as qualifications for salvation, you have added to that gospel. Now, again, verse five through nine. You know, I'm going to look for repeated words.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Guess how many times the Lord is mentioned in those, verses?

>> Alex McFarland: I don't know.

>> Bert Harper: Eight.

>> Alex McFarland: Really?

>> Bert Harper: Eight times.

>> Alex McFarland: Praise God.

>> Bert Harper: In other words, he is Lord of all. That's what it gets to. And he's the Lord. And I think we need to read that. Is that all right for me to start in verse five?

In Romans 14, we have to keep separate convictions versus preferences

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. One person esteems one day above another, and another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own m. Mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord. And he who does not observe the day to the Lord. He does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord. For he gives God thanks. And he who does not eat to the Lord, he does not eat and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we're the Lord's. For to this end, Christ died and rose and lived again. That he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Here's what it comes to. He is Lord, Alex. He's, Lord of the days. He's Lord of the food. that's the reason we ask the blessing. I mean, you know, he's Lord of all. That's why we pray for each day. I don't know about you. I try to report in every morning saying, private Harper here, sir. You know, it's your service.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And so here it is. This is him receiving whom God has received. We. We better be careful about what we would say to them. We would cause them to stumble or fall. And guess what it builds up in us? Pride. And guess what God hates as much as anything.

>> Alex McFarland: pride.

>> Bert Harper: Pride is.

>> Alex McFarland: It is Phariseeism.

>> Bert Harper: You bet.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, because here's one of the things, folks, and this is rich In Romans 14, we have to keep separate convictions versus preferences.

>> Bert Harper: And those how that is a. That should be a priority.

>> Alex McFarland: It really is. And listen, we all have preferences. I love to look up a song in the hymn book and sing out of the hymn book. That's a preference. But you can also read music. I can read music.

>> Bert Harper: So being having a hymn book and reading music really makes sense for you.

>> Alex McFarland: It does.

>> Bert Harper: But for me, the words being big on the screen and I'm not looking down, I'm looking up. Man, I like that.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. You can put, godly music up on the overhead or on the big screen and, convictions versus preferences. Now, the convictions on which all of Christendom agrees are fairly few. the triune God, the Son of God, the word of God, the church of God, the kingdom of God. Right. And that's one thing I've come to appreciate, let me just say, traveling as an evangelist, I've been in churches that you might call high church, very, very composed. And, I've been in churches that are very contemporary, and I jokingly say, from the mild to the wild. But here's the thing. It's all about Jesus Christ and his Word. So we go on down here, and you're right eight times the term the Lord is up through verse nine. And then here's another. I'm going to look for the repeated word in really 10, through 15 is the word judge.

>> Bert Harper: That's it.

>> Alex McFarland: Why does thou judge thy brother? Or why does thou set at naught thy brother? In other words, why are you saying, oh, he's not even a Christian. I'm more spiritual than him. Hey, he said, don't set him aside in your heart like that. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written as I, live, saith the Lord. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God. Verse 12. So then every one of us shall give an account of who of himself.

>> Bert Harper: To God, to God, not to one another. Here, that doesn't mean we're not concerned in one another's, but the one that really matters is the one who knows everything and not some of us who just know a little bit. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow.

>> Alex McFarland: It's humbling, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. Hey, you're listening to Exploring the Word. Alex and I are here. We're going to Continue in Romans 14. I think you'll enjoy it because we're going to talk about how we're to build one another up. Don't go away.

>> Bert Harper: Will you take a moment and celebrate life with me?

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>> Alex McFarland: When the thief takes. When our homes cave, you build us back. You build us back. When the earth shakes. When the world breaks, you build us back. You build us back.

Alex and Bert discuss Romans chapter 14 with your Bible question

>> Bert Harper: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert here we're in Romans chapter 14. after this segment we'll take phone calls and that number if you want to write it down. They're not open yet. We'll, they'll be open close to the bottom of the hour. We, we open them up then so people can call in. But that number is 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. We'd love to have your Bible question today, Alex. I want to look ahead here and read verse 14. I think it kind of, I really do believe this is the crux of chapter 14. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, that is maturity in the Lord. in other words, if you get your spirituality by what you do and what you don't do, that's a little bit, wrong. But in righteousness, notice this. It's righteousness, peace and joy. Every one of these starts from the inside, but they work their way outward to be demonstrated in the believer's life.

>> Alex McFarland: Would you say that Amen Amen. and I like what you say to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean to him it is unclean. Hey, if you're convicted about something, then, obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life. Let me read 15:17. But if thy brother be grieved with thy, meat, now walkest thou not charitably. In other words, don't just say, oh, I've got the right to do what I want. it's too bad if it makes him stumble. No, do not destroy him with thy meat for whom Christ died. So if there's something in my life, even though I have the freedom and the liberty, but if it's a stumbling block, I need to care about that. Let not then your good be evil spoken of. Okay, before we get to 17, I looked up this verse, verse 16. Okay, copiously trying to follow Jesus, that's a good thing. But if my judging, a weaker brother causes dissension, or him stumbling, or me overusing my liberty could cause him to stumble. Let not your good be evil spoken of it, really, your good fruit become malignant. A malignancy is something toxic and detrimental. And so liberty is a good thing. But if there's a weaker brother, and my liberty is a stumbling block to him, I don't want my otherwise fruitful life to be malignant. In the life of another Christian.

>> Bert Harper: This was not only an issue in the Roman Church, it was a huge issue in the Corinthian Church. Yeah, Paul had to spend a lot of time concerning eating, meat that was offered to idols, you know, and he said the same thing. If it causes your brother to stumble, he said, I'm going to take that into consideration, and I'm not going to eat meat. And, you don't. Is it not flaunting your liberty, you know, and everything. We need to have this attitude of humility. And some of humility is, yeah, it's free to me, so I'm going to do it. No, that's pride. You know, humility says, okay, if this offends you, I'm going to pull back. I'm not going to demonstrate that in front of you. And so here it is, and it's the word therefore. Notice in verse 13, he uses the word therefore to not judge one another. Based on what I've said, don't judge one another. And then in this thing about grieving one another, about what you can do and can't do, he says, therefore, do not let your good be spoken of as what did you say the real word.

>> Alex McFarland: It says malignant.

>> Bert Harper: Malignant. So here it is. Do not. What does a malignant do? It destroys.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And you're destroyed. You can even destroy them and make them pull away from church, make them pull away from any kind of growth that they would have. But then he sums it up in talking about the food and the days, because this was the issue that they were dealing with. even in Corinth, in Rome. And I. I think even if you get a little bit of it, you get it. Even in Galatia, there was some of this going on as well. Divisions over. Over certain things. And he says this. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. It's not my list. O. Okay. I don't smoke, I don't chew, I don't run. You remember the rest of that round of those that do?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: You know. Oh, I've checked those off. I'm all right with God. But you can be on the inside, filled with pride, filled with bitterness and anger. And what it says, the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Then dwell in Holy Spirit of God, working the gifts, the, you know, the fruit of the Spirit. Would you say that is kind of a miniature here of the fruit of the Spirit, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, absolutely.

Verse 17 deals with peace with God and peace with each other

Verse 17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, in other words, the externals, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Okay. We have righteousness, peace with God through Jesus Christ. We can have peace with each other through the indwelling Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes from understanding and managing the grace that's been entrusted to us, and joy in the Holy Spirit. you know, I really think in verse 17, the balanced Christian life, it deals with, you know, peace with God, peace with each other, and peace within ourselves, joy in the Holy Spirit.

>> Bert Harper: And notice he just says peace. The peace of God and the peace with God.

>> Alex McFarland: So peace with each other.

>> Bert Harper: Each other, the peace of God and the peace with God brings on what it should bring on, the peace with one another. If you're at peace inwardly.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: it should work its way outwardly. Is that. Is that a true statement?

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. And let me say, Christians can find just anything to get riled up about. I mean, and look, I love the church. I'm in a different church every weekend. It's, a blessing, what God has allowed me to experience. Traveling all over creation, it seems like. But, and I grew up. Sunday morning church was at 11am Sunday school was 9, 45. Preaching was at 11. Is that kind of the timetable that you grew up on?

>> Bert Harper: I thought that was in one of the books in the Bible, but it wasn't. I found out it was not.

>> Alex McFarland: Levi Tychus. but, I have had people that wanted me to get on their bandwagon and you know, have you know, an insurrection because a service got moved to 10:30 or something like that. I actually know a church, a very good conservative church. I don't know why, but they have preaching at like 9:30 and Sunday school, aka Bible study is like at 11.

>> Bert Harper: I've been interim pastor to the church that way. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: And, listen, I know what I grew up on. I know my preferences. But that's not a hill I'm going to die on. Praise God. At least we're having church. You know what I mean? And so let me just say this too.

>> Bert Harper: What about a version? Oh, yeah, okay, let's. Let's go ahead and hit. Let's bring that up. Are you more spiritual? I mean, you use the King James and you love it. You memorized in it. Does that make you more spiritual than new King James Version?

>> Alex McFarland: Not one bit. I, actually bought this Bible in Tupelo probably five years ago. And But no, the King James, although It's been around 400 years. You're not more spiritual using the King James.

>> Bert Harper: You mean Phyllis and Lieth and is not more holy conversation than filling up or.

>> Alex McFarland: No, it isn't. I'm being little Elizabeth suffixes. Okay. Because, hey, maybe you read the ESV or the Holman Christian standard or the New King James or the niv, you know, but listen, it's the word of God, faithfully translated. And so, you know, it says in verse 15. I don't mean to go backwards, but in our rigidness we are not to destroy a weaker brother.

>> Bert Harper: That's it. That word is in there, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It is, verse 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and the things wherewith one may edify one another. And I'm not saying compromise. I'm not saying water down. I think if anybody knows Bert and Alex, I think we have just, done our utmost to be true to the word of God. But there's some things that you would draw a line in the sand over, and then other things you just give grace and give space.

>> Bert Harper: When the Bible makes it plain, this is salvation is by grace through faith. It makes it plain that marriage is a man and a woman.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: When the Bible makes it plain, that murder is evil. I mean, it's wrong, it's sin. we declare that we do not back up on that. But these go back again to chapter 14, verse 1, as it says in the King James version. Doubtful disputations.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: Listen, when there's a leeway there, don't be so hard headed. I'm going to do it your way.

Bert Major: Verse 19 says we're to edify one another

Now, verse 19, the last two, words, I think set up the second part of this chapter. The first part is, it says in verse three, God has received the person. Now in verse 19, we're to edify one another, build one another upon. Now, Alex, does edifying mean that we always agree?

>> Alex McFarland: No, it does not.

>> Bert Harper: So guess what I've learned Sometimes some things that I had in mind that I thought, man, this is conviction and maybe music. Let me just go there with music certain ways. And I found out, Bert, that's not a good. That's a preference. You better dial back.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And so, edifying one another does not mean, you know, total agreement, but it does mean we receive them as a brother and sister in Christ and we strengthen one another, we pray for one another and we help one another.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. We do. You know, I'm not going to belabor this point, but 55 years ago was the Jesus movement and it really was a great awakening. I mean, really. And I was talking to a pastor from Michigan who talked about they protested and picketed in front of Gaither concerts in the early seventies that Christian rock and roll. All right, sorry. I know, I know, but they did. Seriously. Now we know now. I mean, the Gaithers he, wrote because he lives and it is finished. And he touched me. I mean, Bill Gaither is like a modern day Fanny Crosby. everybody loves the Gaithers. But there was a time when people, I mean, they talking about majoring on the minors, you know what I mean? And so let me read.

>> Bert Harper: Amazing Grace was not accepted that quick in England.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: When it was first John Newton. Exactly was because it was, it was.

>> Alex McFarland: Great words put to a song. a melody line from the Taverns, you know, but it says this, that we are not to, with our liberty or our standards that are personal preferences. Destroy another. and it goes in 2021, meat doesn't destroy the works of God. All things indeed are pure. But it is evil for that man who eats with offense. In other words, if somebody is convicted in their conscience, then he shouldn't do it. You know, it is neither good to eat Meat, nor drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbles. Isn't it something, Bert? God is not aggrandized by our obedience. God is not diminished by our disobedience. But what is the important principle here, caring about the spiritual welfare of your brother?

>> Bert Harper: It is, and I'm jumping ahead, but I want to do that because I don't want to miss it. It is all summed up in the last part of verse 23. Whatever is not from faith is sin. Yeah, that's. That's it. So, yes. all the things that he's talking about here. It's okay. You, know these doubtful things these certain days, this. Certain food. Yes. Go ahead and. And participate or don't participate according to your conscience. That's the whole idea.

>> Caroline: But.

>> Bert Harper: But it better be a matter of faith, of trusting God and not trying to impress people, not trying to, coerce others to join you in this. In this big m. important issue of. Of, you know, what. What version we should use or. Or what songs we should sing. You know, Alex, am I, stretching it too far? Is this.

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And I just. I think about, And I love the American church, but if we could go back 25 to 40 years, I heard sermons against going to the movies. And maybe I'm just really from back in the country of the Bible Belt, but I remember there was sermons against going to the movies. And the preachers that were railing against movie theaters, they had VCRs in their house anyway. But, I never really heard sermons about biblical worldview or let's stand up for morals and marriage. How do you witness to a Muslim? Now, I learned all those things just by the grace of God. But I do think probably from the 70s to the early 90s, we, expended a lot of our gunpowder on the wrong things.

>> Bert Harper: I could not agree with you more. We really did. And listen, major on the majors. He. This is what he's getting to. Major on the majors. And. And again, let's go back to St. Augustine. I wrote it down to make sure you quote it quite often. St. Augustine said, in essentials, unity. In non essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: That sums up a lot of chapter 14. Listen, if it's non essential, listen, you know, listen, have liberty, but on the things that matter. And Alex, you've given that list several times. Salvation, the authority of scriptures, the, resurrection, the whole idea, unity. And if you get out of line on those, guess what? Yes, we call that and say Listen, you better rethink that. We go to our brother in love, say, listen, the resurrection, the whole, everything we believe is based upon the reality of Jesus resurrection.

>> Alex McFarland: and there is time.

We would love for you to call in with a Bible question

I want to be careful. I say this and you feel free to correct me. There is time in love to privately confront a brother about some things, this or that or the other. And, I've done that.

>> Bert Harper: And, I've had them confront me privately as well. And it was helpful.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Well, this is exploring the Word. Hey, we're going to take your phone calls. We would love for you to call in with a Bible question. The number is 8885-8988-4088-5889-8840. We've got a brief break and after that, your calls. Let us hear from you.

>> Bert Harper: If we lose this cultural war, we're going to have a hedonistic, humanistic society.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Of the culture warrior Don Wildmon and how he went head to head with Hollywood playboy, the homosexual agenda and the Disney empire. The movement Don started paved the way for Christians to boldly stand for truth and righteousness in a hostile culture. Watch Culture Warrior today For free visit CultureWarrior movie the Rubble and the Wreckage.

>> Ryan: I forgot who I was?

>> Alex McFarland: You reached out for my hand? Found me in the dark.

The Actor Activate summit is starting tonight in Tupelo

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Bert Harper, Brent Austin, Alex McFarland. So glad you're listening. Hey, be in Prayer. The Actor Activate summit is starting, tonight, just in a few hours. And, if you're in town to attend, that's a wonderful thing. Maybe though, you're, you're not here in Tupelo, but please be in prayer that the spirit of God will move in a great way. And Bert, all the people come in to learn about biblical worldview, and I've got the privilege. I'll be speaking, in a, Saturday. I'm one of the speakers. But, it's an exciting thing and I believe God is going to use this in a great way.

>> Bert Harper: I do, too. We've already had several people from Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, I think it was coming through. They've already gotten here and they came to the headquarters and got to meet them and it's exciting times.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, amen. Amen. Well, we're going to go to the telephones and talk to folks and, right here in Mississippi is Jacqueline.

Alex Wild Alec: I lost my husband very, very recently

Jacqueline, thank you for holding. You're on Exploring the Word.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Well, praise the Lord. I enjoy your program every day and it has helped me with Bible study over the years. I have a question, though. I lost my husband. He went home to be with the Lord. May 15th. Of course, it's been almost three weeks now. And what's going on is I'm getting loved ones saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Spirit that is calling me, saying, has he come to see you yet? has he visited you? Has he visited you? Or have you talked to them? And can you show me where that's in the body? Because I thought that to be present with the Lord is absent from the body. And I am really, really concerned about those who are asking me that question. And I'll be quiet and let you all tell me, because I'm going like, no, I don't even have anyone visiting me. I don't have a desire. I don't see anybody. I don't hear anybody.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, Jacqueline, let me. this is Alex here, and then I'm going to throw it to Bert. But first of all, condolences on the passing of your husband very, very recently. And our. Our prayers, are with you, sister. and may you find your comfort in Jesus. but I do not believe people, quote, come back. In fact, I'd be very careful about looking for something like that. Hebrews 9:27 says, it is appointed unto. Man wants to die, after this, the judgment. So Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, I believe biblically, all people, when you pass from this world, there is no coming back. And, I would be very cautious about looking for something like that. Bert, what do you say?

>> Bert Harper: You know, what you said and what Jacqueline Wild Alec said was, you find your comfort in Jesus, not in a spirit that would come to you at night, a vision. The comfort is in Jesus Christ because of who he is, what he's done, where he is, and what he's going to do for you. I agree with Alex. A biblical, There's nothing that would justify that in the Bible that I know about Alex at all.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, exactly. and I hope those around you that are talking about such things will, really, have a more biblical view. That. And folks, that is a reminder to. To be right with God. Because when we pass away and leave this world, there is no second chance. There is no coming back. Let's go to Arkansas. Wayne in Arkansas. Welcome to Exploring the World.

>> Caroline: Hey, thank you, brothers. I've been a Christian 50 years, and I listen to you gentlemen every day. And, I got saved, at this church, and I believe everything that they have to say. And then I, might My question is, I read so many places in Ephesians, several of the places that, being predestinated and chosen. And I want that straightened out. And the reason I want straightened out is because I think God in his mercy, these people will live in the jungles. The law is written in our hearts, everyone's hearts. And so I don't understand, if those people are trying to live by the law of God in their hearts, what's going to happen? That's all I got.

>> Alex McFarland: Predestination. and by the way, I truly believe, two books that are fantastic on this one is by the late, great Norm Geisler, Chosen But Free, published by Bethany House. Chosen But Free. Ah, Reconciling the Foreknowledge of God and the Responsibility of Man. Another great book by the missionary Don Richardson. It's called Eternity in Their Hearts, that was published by Regal Books. predestined for one thing, Romans. And we were just in this. Bert says that if we are a born again believer, we are predestined to, to be conformed to the image of Christ, which I think speaks of glorification in heaven. but what would you say to this, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I would say, listen, I understand God knowing everything. What the past is, what the present is, what the future is. Is that foreknowledge? Yes, it is. But the desire for everyone, he's not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I don't see how you can twist that any other way or tweak it any other. To say that he wants everybody to be saved, that's his desire. But everybody has that opportunity. Judas's chariot had the same opportunities all the other 11. He did not choose. Two thieves on the cross, they heard the same thing. They were in the same predicament. One was saved because they what responded to him. And if you respond to Christ, you, you are in Christ. do not let the sovereignty of God do away with man's responsibility or free will.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And, you know, this is not a perfect illustration, Wayne, but, I think about in the branches of the military, very often, a private gets an order and he doesn't know all of the, details behind that order. He is just to go on the assignment given. And I just, I know this much. Our assignment has been to go into all the world and there's a whole lot of the backstory. I just don't know. Billy Graham, C.S. lewis, Gary Habermas have said, well, maybe people will be judged on the, the response they gave to the amount of life they had. I, don't know what I know. And it's. You know the, the acronym PRN on an as needed basis. What I know is Christ has told us to go into all the world, hasn't he?

>> Bert Harper: And we know God is going to do what is right.

We can trust him because he's the one that knows it all

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: And who is that? He's the one that only knows what that is completely. Yeah, we have it because he's revealed it to us what we know. But he's the one that knows it all. We, bottom line, we can trust him.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Michael in Georgia calls in with concerns about his health and faith

Michael in Georgia welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Ryan: Yes, I, I appreciate you guys. I was just wanting to bring up three things. over 20 years of experience where the weaker, in the spirit of Kane goes to destroy the stronger one in the spirit. And it's affected my life. and the other is the whole system. State and governments are teaching doctrine and laws. Hush little Christian, don't say a word when crisis main heart cry of love is for us to. To witness. And the other thing was, Last Monday I was assaulted in my vehicle in front of my son and crushed both sides of the bones of my face. And where I was trying to go in reason with a neighbor, over scratching dent in my truck. And they escalated it worse and I, I ended up in icu.

>> Alex McFarland: Good.

>> Ryan: and I know that the Lord God, kept me from dying.

>> Bert Harper: Michael, listen, we, first of all, we pray for you concerning this. And I just want to tell you, we live in a fallen world. And this fallen world is cruel. It really is. And when you look at the history of the world, our hope is in Christ Jesus. The hope was talking about predestination moment ago. The amazing thing that anyone is saved. Yeah, I mean, you know that God in his love would come. And I would say that to you, Michael, that sounds like God has you. I think he's going to use this in your life to be stronger in your faith as well that he has. I heard it just this past week what I've faced. if God wasn't in it, I would not be here. And so it sounds like God is using. Going to use you. Michael.

>> Alex McFarland: Michael. We hope you heal up quickly with no lasting complications. our prayers are with you, sir. Marcia in Texas. Marsha, welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Hi.

>> Bert Harper: Hello.

>> Caroline: Can you hear me?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Caroline: I'm very sick, so I'm gonna try to get this. I listen to you guys every day. Thank you, and I've been a Christian, gosh, since I was 8 years old. I was baptized and I'm 75 now. And I got into some rage.

>> Caroline: There.

>> Caroline: Was in some sugar that I was using for iced tea. And I don't have any family to speak of and I have a pastor and his wife coming over, but they're not, he's not my pastor, he's just from this city that I live in, which is west of or east of Dallas. Anyway, I'm, I'm, I'm asking for prayers because I don't know if I'm gonna make it or not.

>> Bert Harper: Marcia, we hear the pain, we hear the weakness and ah, our heart goes out. And I'm praying, I think we need to pray that God would bring some people to Marsha to encourage her. Alex, does that sound like that would be. We're going to pray for your health and where you're at, but it sounds like someone being there close by.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, yes. let's pray. and Marsha, thank you for listening to this show. Thank you for calling in.

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we lift up our sister Marsha

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we lift up our sister Marsha there in Texas and Lord, give her peace in her soul about her physical condition. And Lord, if she goes in the hospital, I pray that through the doctors and also through your just miraculous hand that you would strengthen her body, heal any infirmities. And Lord, I pray people would rally around her. Maybe it's a local church she's a part of or maybe it's some godly friends she's not even met yet. But she says that, you know, she doesn't really have a lot of family anymore. Help her, Lord, not only, in her soul have youe presence and joy, but in her emotions. Let her be positive and encouraged because youe are with her. And Lord, even in, in just her day to day life, bring people around Marsha to interact and lift her up. And in all things body, body, soul and spirit, we lift her up to you, Jesus. And we thank you in advance for how you're going to minister to this, your child, Marsha. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Shelley in Indiana says God brought her to AA

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Marcia, for calling Indiana.

>> Alex McFarland: Shelley in Indiana, welcome to the program.

>> Bert Harper: Hi there.

>> Caroline: Can you hear me?

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, we can. Yes.

>> Caroline: Hi. I listen to you guys every day. I love you. Thank you for everything you do and all of us. I say this, I said it at first I didn't believe it, but, but I completely believe it now. I was turned eight years sober. May, the fourth and they used to say God brought me to AA and a brought me to God and. And God then brought me to you. And I was. What you were saying, about, about the, Not basically, it reminded me of the Serenity Prayer, what you were saying, you know, accept the things I can't change, change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I'm not going to use. You said something about you are not going to stay on that hill or die on that hill about something, you know, you know when to stop. And. And And then you were talking about the different versions of the Bible and how all of them. It doesn't matter which one it is, that it's. That it's all. It's all the same God's word. And I just. What came to my mind was that, you know, my. I'm very, I'm, very strict about my AA stuff. And they made a new book, a plain language book. And I was anti. Anti this book. I was like, no, we cannot have another book. You know, it's. This is the original book and we only can use that one. And. And I decided I better read it, you know, before I judge it. And it's not a bad book. And what you just said about it doesn't matter what version of the Bible I'm reading, as long as it's God's word, made me realize that it doesn't matter which. Which edition, I guess, or which translation of the big book that I'm reading. It's still going to be helpful and save somebody, you know, who can't maybe understand all the goofy words in the original book. But. But thank you for that. Thank you for bringing me to that, thank you shell realization, the acceptance and that kind of stuff. So that's all.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you. Listen. Grow in the Lord. Listen. God can use means to get you where he needs you to be.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And, he's used aa others. He's used to bring it. But it's Christ. It is him that does the changing lives for eternity.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And you know, every day is a gift. Every day is a gift. I might comment more on that tomorrow, but I want to try to get at least all the questions we can. Tim in Tennessee. Tim, you're on.

Do Fire away Friday, tell someone about exploring the Word

>> Caroline: Hey, I have a quick question. In, Colossians, 1:15, Paul refers.

>> Ryan: To Jesus as the firstborn of all creation.

>> Caroline: And then of course, in John 3:16.

>> Alex McFarland: Jesus is the only begotten son. Hey, let me jump in on this because time fleets away. I'm sorry, Tim. You know, interestingly, in the Colossians 1:15, the word is, is really protege, prototype, meaning Christ first conquered the grave. And then all the multitudes of believers, they're going to come out of the grave as well. Every born again believer, he's referring to.

>> Bert Harper: What he's done in overcoming sin and death.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: And he did it. And it is a position, too. He is high and lifted up.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, a prototype is like the first of something.

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, the first Ford Mustangs is worth millions. Well, Jesus is the first one to conquer the grave. But, dear believer, you will too.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, good to have you in the studio.

>> Alex McFarland: Let's do it again tomorrow.

>> Bert Harper: Let's do it tomorrow. Do Fire away Friday. Tomorrow, tell someone about exploring the Word, but more importantly, tell them about Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The American Family association or American Family Radio.

Romans 14: Christian Liberty