American Family Radio takes your Bible questions next hour

>> Alex McFarland: The Bible. 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.

Burt Harper and Alex McFarland are finishing up Second Peter

>> Bert Harper: Welcome to Exploring the Word. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. The question are you ready? And that is the question, are you ready at a moment's notice for death or for his appearing? This is Burt Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland. M. And it's our joy to be with you today as we're finishing up the book of Second Peter. We've made our journey through First Peter and now Second Peter. And what a journey it has been. He's helped us to live. And even in 2025 when this was written years and years ago and yet revelant today, that is the power of the Word of God. Alex, it's good to be in Second Peter. You suggested let's do First Peter and then I said, I guess after that we do Second Peter and you said yes. Can I say I'm glad we've done this.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Me too. As I've said, I just love this book. I really do. And Second Peter is, it's fairly brief, only three chapters, but my goodness, power packed with content that we need to know and hear.

One day the world will be purged, Alex says

And there's something here, another reference to the scientific accuracy of the Bible. Like in verse 10 where it talks about the elements will melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up. Scientists have said that, you know, that's how this universe is going to end with a heat death. Now we know it's not going to be just random, accidental, you know, happenstance, but one day the world will be purged. Let me just say this, that I think that the matter, the elements that the created universe that God spoke into existence, it's going to be the same amount. Let's say if the amount of matter in the universe is x to the 10th power, right? Well, it's going to be purged and cleansed and the restored remade universe. Bert, I don't know that God's going to create an additional universe, but he's going to fully restore, having redeemed, purged, cleansed, remade the universe that was here all along. And back in Genesis 1 and 2 where God over and over, of his creation, he would say it is good. It is good. Well again it Will be good because it will be godly having been restored.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, Alex. And, verse 10, as I was researching and looking at it, and you said it well, scientific, the elements, even the word noise and melt have a scientific, thought. this melting is something similar to what happens with an atomic, you know, the splitting of the atom, you know, and, it seems like it's going to be massive. And then with a great noise. the people that have heard, like an atomic blast, they talk about the noise that goes out from that. So it's not man made. The other thing, I'd say a thief in the night. God's coming. He's the one that determines the time of the coming. He's also the one that determines the passing away of, of this earth. So it's not necessarily us destroying it. It is, I believe this hints to God doing it, you know.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And, so here it is. But the issue is the day of the Lord. And without using the words thief in the night, the day of the Lord will come. Now, Alex, I would say that's a promise, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah. Will, Do you know, Bert, we've all heard thunder. And, you know, thunder that's really loud can be very unsettling and intimidating, you know. And, I remember, I've been in a few thunderstorms where, I mean, it just about shakes the walls. And they've recorded instances of where thunder, a thunderclap would literally break windows. It would be so loud and instantaneous. And I think about that, talk about, people being afraid. But here's the thing. If you turn to Jesus for salvation, you don't have to fear, God now. We reverence God, but it's not a paranoia and a frightened, sense of judgment. We reverence and we worship the Lord. And yes, we carry within our soul wisely so the fear of God. But I think about this like you said, verse 10. The heavens will pass away with a great noise. the elements melt with a fervent heat. The earth and the works therein burned up. Verse 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved. Which. What manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness? That's a good question. the God who made this universe is one day going to purge it. The God who set history in motion will one day call for the moment when history ends. So in light of this, what manner of persons ought you be? Well, first of all, a saved person. That's who you ought to Be.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Alex, two things. when you look at verse 10, the issue is what will be burned up. The earth and the works. In other words, everything in it. there's nothing that's going to cause us to. For the earth to miss this tragic, or whatever you would call it, end this, you know, catastrophic. That's the word I'm looking for.

>> Alex McFarland: Good word.

>> Bert Harper: And so there's nothing you can do. Man's the earth or the works that man has produced concerning this, I'm. I'm a product of when the Cold War was going on and the possibility of nuclear war was reality. I. I was one of those people that learned to tuck and put their head and get down. Now, we met in the hallway. we would go in the hallway and we would put our heads down, our hands over our heads. We also lived in the day when they would have storm shelters, nuclear storm shelters, and a lot of that was going on. And they would say, this is the possibility of it. This may help you not to have the radiation and all things, but here, verse 10 and verse 11, there's nothing that's going to protect you from this. The only way you're going to do this is escape, but by being ready when that day comes and being in the hands of God, because all these things will be dissolved. And then the question what kind of person you ought to be in your conduct. The word, you know, conversation is better translated in your conduct and godliness. So, Alex, how do you. What is that? A relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Isn't that the reality?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. And verse 12, looking for. And by the way, the Greek word there means expecting. You know, we expect and we look for Christ's return, hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.

Bert says there have been several stages in human history

Bert, there have been a number of, stages. they talk about the stage of human history. Well, if all the world's a stage and each of us has our part, there have been a few acts that have occurred on this stage. There was the original earth, the perfect pre fall earth. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. How long that lasted, how long they were there before they committed sin, we don't know. A lot of scholars think it probably wasn't all that long. And then there was the time of the Old Testament patriarchs and Methuselah but then there was, you know, of course, the flood and Genesis 7. And then the present Earth really is from Genesis 8 to 2nd Peter 3:7. I mean history, which is about 6,000 years because we're living in the post flood world. That's why we have things like the Grand Canyon and the fossil records. I want to tell you all of the fossils, it's not billions of years. There's no concrete evidence whatsoever, for the earth being billions of years old. The idea of an old Earth was really just dreamed up to try to harmonize, the word of God and human history with Darwinian evolution. Since we don't see evolution happening in the late 19th century, they said, well, it must have taken a long, long time.

>> Bert Harper: How long?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, 500,000 years. I mean originally 500,000 years. That would be considered m almost a young Earth position now. But they keep adding more and more years onto the theory because we just don't see it happening. But there's going to be after this present earth ends, the millennial earth and the new heavens and the new earth. And so we, according to his promise, we look for Christ's return and all things made new. And if you're a Christian, see the all things made new, it's already in process and we're part of it. And isn't it something. The first thing that he made new in his restoration program is the souls of people who come to Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Alex. Well said. And going back to verse 12, look at two things and it really got my attention. Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of the of God hastening. Now again, that has the idea of if you bringing it on, you contribute into the possibility of it coming. So you say, well, no, God's sovereignty, you know, well, God's sovereignty does not cut out man's responsibility and salvation in service. But also here, Peter's lending the idea that the possibility of we know he's coming. That is the promise that but man cooperating with God to hasten the coming of the Lord. Now again, let's took a note. One Old Testament example. God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to go into the promised land. He brought them to Kadesh Barnea. They were ready to go in. The spies went in, the 10 brought back an evil report, Caleb and Joshua. And they said, no, we can go in. We need to do it right now. But they refused to. So the delay of, 40 years really happened. Was God ready for it? Yes, God's ready for it. But he was Also ready for them to go in at that moment if they would have cooperated with him and trusted him. So when I read this in verse 12, again, it's a mystery. And I don't. I'm not claiming, oh, I know everything about it. The mystery of God's sovereignty and man's accountability, working together. I think it's a mystery that we live with and not completely understanding and explaining. So here it is. I think this goes Back to Matthew 24 about the gospel being preached everywhere, and then the end will come. So, Alex, when you put those together, we as believers, we need to live for him and we need to witness for him for that day when it comes, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. And I noticed that, too, in verse 12, looking for and hastening the day of the Lord. And you're right. It's just amazing that, you know, you brought that up because, you're right. God sovereignly will determine the times and the seasons. However, you know, we are playing a role. I mean, you know, I think about when Churchill and Truman and Arthur Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary, they worked with people like Theodore Herzl and Chaim Weizmann, David Ben Gurion, and all of the people to help orchestrate and initiate the rebirth of the nation of Israel in May of 1948. And do you know, they sort of talked about the fact we are helping history happen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Balfour, who was a devout Christian, and Churchill, said, this is going to usher in the end of time.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Hey, you're listening to Exploring the Word. Bert and Alex here. We're finishing up second Peter, so stay with us. And in the third segment, we'll take your phone calls. Don't go away.

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Brent Austin talks about Ethel Waters on Exploring the Word

>> Caroline: Why should I feel discouraged? Or why should the shadow come? Why should my heart be lonely.

>> Bert Harper: Away.

>> Caroline: From heaven and home when Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Is.

>> Caroline: My portion.

>> Bert Harper: My comfort constant friend.

>> Caroline: Is he.

>> Bert Harper: For his eye.

>> Caroline: Is on the sparrow.

>> Alex McFarland: And I know.

>> Caroline: He was.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Okay, good. Brent Austin is amazing. Now, I mentioned, a couple of days ago how I love that song, His Eyes on the Sparrow, and I do that. The voice you were hearing there is Ethel Waters. And when I was a little kid, I went to hear Billy Graham in Raleigh, North Carolina. And, you know, I was maybe eight years old or something like that, and Ethel Waters got up in front of 50,000 people at Carter Finley Stadium and she sang that song. And I thought that was the greatest song I had ever heard. And the thing about it, Ethel Waters for years toured with Billy Graham. She was a jazz singer and, was in films and jazz. She won Grammy Awards. She was nominated for an Academy Award in film. But, when she became a born again Christian, Ethel Waters toured the world singing. And her signature piece, many people have done it, but her signature song was that song. So thank you, His Eyes on the Sparrow and Bert, to everybody listening. Dear friends, the eyes of the Lord and the heart of God is with you. And for you all as well. And don't you love that song?

>> Bert Harper: I love that song. And again, you ought to read her history. product of rape, if I remember correctly.

>> Alex McFarland: Really? That I did not know.

>> Bert Harper: Yes. And her mama, you know, carried her. And what a woman. God used her and touched lives again and again and again. what a story. Listen. God's redemption. Those of you who are listening, I'm just going to share with you right now. God's redemption is complete. He'll save your soul. He'll save you from the penalty of sin. He's going to save you from the power of sin. And one day you can be in his presence, away from sin. He offers the complete package. It's not partial, it's not always. It is complete. That recording was from 1957, and guess where it was recorded. Greensboro. Where? Madison Square Garden. Madison Square Garden. Billy Graham Crusade. Praise the Lord.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, she was, And we're going to get back to second Peter three, but she Was huge. I mean, really, I'm trying to think of what would be a comparison, but, you know, she had major hits like Stormy Weather and, Irving Berlin, especially the man that wrote White Christmas. He loved to compose songs for her. And I mean, she was a celebrity of celebrities in, you know, the jazz era and everything like that. Ethel Waters. And then, like I say, you know, she became a born again Christian. And I mean, was vocal. She was a great witness for the Lord and, toured with Billy Graham for years and years. And, she. She could really, really sing. and I love when people, you know, they. They remember this music. like also in Brent Austin. I know you'll remember the name Sister Rosetta Tharp. Have you ever heard of that name, Brent?

>> Bert Harper: I have.

>> Alex McFarland: And she was an early virtuoso on guitar, a great Christian. and her guitar playing. I know we, we know some of the names of people like, you know, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry, but Sister Rosetta Tharp was really as much an innovator in guitar as anybody in the 20th century. And, Bert, the Christians, I think when we hear about not only, you know, academics and missions, but the arts, it's been God's people that have led out in the arts.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Especially. Yeah, especially during those early years of the Renaissance. And you see Christians, artists, painters, those that were sculptors and scientific discoveries. The other person I know, we got to get to it, but George Beverly Shea, who also traveled, with Billy Graham, he was offered the opportunity to come and do all kinds of secular music. And he said, now this is where God has called him. And listen, I love stories of faithfulness all the way through. Never turn back doesn't mean they were perfect, but they did not turn back. So praise the Lord. you got kudos, brother. He didn't.

Bert says he surprised Alex and myself with a musical surprise

This was a surprise for Alex and myself. He told us he had a surprise, and it was a good one, brother. I love catching you guys off guard. For sure.

>> Alex McFarland: I got to tell you something. The Lord is so good. You know, every summer, I've been privileged for 21 years to go speak at the COVID the Billy Graham training Center. By the way, I'll be there twice in the summer of 26, good Lord willing. And if you go to their website, thecove.org I'd love to see you there when I'm at the COVID But, Bert, Oh, this is 2005, 2006. Some of the first times I was there, they would. One night they would have to greet the crowd, they would have George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows. Now, Cliff Barrows was Billy Graham's song leader for years and years. And Bev Shea, of course, would sing. It Took a Miracle. And, you know, he was just such a great singer. And we would be backstage in this little, waiting room. Angie and I would be back there. And I'm telling you, first of all, we were just in awe to be sitting there praying with Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. But when Bev Shea would talk, I could feel my ribs vibrate. He had this. This deep bass voice. And those two men just exuded the love of Jesus Christ. And I used. And they were so humble. But I said, guys, you have no. I can't even articulate how honored I am to be meeting you and getting to know you guys. And those men, they probably, ministered before and sang before more people than any other performers in history.

>> Bert Harper: You're right.

>> Alex McFarland: You know.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: That guy had a voice.

>> Bert Harper: He did. Listen, if you haven't heard it, Ethel Waters, Cliff Barris. Brent found it. So if he can find it, you ought to be able to as well. Does this mean we can start a musical, segment from now on? Well, we'll. We'll give a lesson on it. Thank you, Brent. Again.

Paul uses the word beloved after talking about false teachers in verse 14

Hey, we're back in verse 14. And he uses the word beloved again. This. In chapter, three, he uses that term. So after talking about these false teachers, talking about the authority of God, he was saying beloved. Now he's talking about those people. He called them pilgrims in, First Peter. And here it's people that love him and are following Him. He says, beloved, looking forward to these things, and be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot and blameless. Alex, do we. After a baby is born, do they need to be nurtured or do they just automatically, grow?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, a, baby must be nurtured. And I've often said this, that, you know, evangelism is like delivering, a baby. Discipleship is like raising a baby. You know, evangelism is like obstetrics, and discipleship is like pediatrics, you know. and so when a person becomes a believer, whether it's a child or a teen or a grown up, once they've accepted Christ and they're born anew, born again. they need the nurture and the encouragement. And, I think all the churches and every Christian, we need to be about evangelism and discipleship. And, like, verse 14 says that every one of Us personally, we should be diligent to live a godly, a God honoring life, growing in the knowledge of the Lord living. And so that when we see him without spot and blameless. This is just like 1 John 2:28, verse 15. an account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you. By the way, Peter here is tacitly acknowledging that Paul's writings are also scripture. verse 16.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, can I do one thing before you go to 16? Sure, sure. Just this is your memory. You remember after Paul was converted on the road to Damascus and Ananias and then he preached in Damascus and then he went up Jerusalem and all the saints there were fearful of him because they had heard about him, except this guy Barnabas. He went and and heard his testimony, saw what was in and then guess what he did. He took them to the apostles. And I, Peter no doubt was there. So their first encounter was early on in, in the book of Acts where Paul and, and Peter would note I m would think more than likely meet one another for the first time. And so here this is you know, talking about his writing, but we're also talking about somebody. What I would say, man, wouldn't you have loved to been there. You was talking about Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. Can you imagine being in the room with Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter? That would, that would have been amazing. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Two of the greatest Christians that ever lived.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, yes, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: So verse 16 also reference that the writings of Paul are canonical scripture also as in all his epistles. And those are letters to churches and congregations, and people speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable. Rest or twist. That's W R E S T as they do other scriptures to their own destruction. So this is really important folks. Peter acknowledged in first and second Peter that he was getting his words from God. He was writing scripture. But this validates that an apostle, one who had been with Jesus, one who saw the risen Jesus. Peter is an apostle and he calls the writing of Paul and Scripture. This is very important because, and let me explain because like there is a movement now that doesn't like what Paul says about human sexuality. And so they'll say, well some woke professed Christians. They'll say well I just read the words of Jesus. We don't acknowledge the Old Testament or the Rest of the new, just the red letter. I'm a red letter Christian. Be careful when people say that because they're wanting to omit the rest of the New Testament because it clearly mitigates against, some of the principles of wokeness and sexual, deviation. But here Peter is saying that Paul's words are scriptures. And those that would diminish, add to, take away, twist, spin, they're unlearned and unstable verse.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, real quickly, we'd have time for this notice in verse 16, his epistles, speaking them of these things. In other words, there's agreement. Here it is verified and the Bible talks about in front of two to three witnesses. So here we have the apostle Peter in agreement with Paul. Concerning what these things. Concerning the authority of Scripture, concerning the, the day of the Lord, concerning, false teachers creeping in. Because Paul would write to the Colossians, especially several of them about this. So this is an agreement. And it verifies in the front of two witness the power of the Holy Spirit to bring them together. And I think it verifies the Scripture, but it shows that agreement and yes, they complement one another, do not, they do not compete.

>> Alex McFarland: There's a harmonization. There really is all the scripture. verse 17 and 18. Ye, therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. Don't fall away. And notice it says the wicked. Not, the wicked one or the wicked thing, just wickedness. What is wickedness? Turning away from God and his revealed truth. You know, and I know we've got one more verse here, but, God revealing himself and making it possible for us to be saved. God offering his word to a fallen humanity. That is gracious.

>> Bert Harper: It is.

>> Alex McFarland: And how we must not turn from it when God has graciously offered salvation and himself to us.

Alex: Grace and knowledge, they need to go hand in hand

>> Bert Harper: Alex, one thing before you get to 18, the word beware. It has the idea of being on guard. Be on guard. You get. You got to sift things. You've got to look at them. You don't just take it at face value. You do look like the Berean church. They listen daily and search the scriptures to make these things were. So go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, like in Jude, verse three, where it says, I have, diligently written to you of the common salvation. there is walking with Jesus, ministering and serving for Jesus. It requires diligence, folks. That's commitment. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Christ, to him be glory both now and forever. Amen. And so concludes this incredibly powerful book. I just think even verse 18, the way that God through Peter wrote this, it's just beautiful. The, the sentence structure is beautiful, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. Grace and knowledge, they need to go hand in hand. Knowledge without the grace. I want to just tell you, it can be very harsh and very empty. Grace without knowledge is like trying to, if not careful, you know, nail jello to the wall. No, it's grace and knowledge. And what is the result? The glory of God. This is the, this is the purpose of those of you who have been born again. You're to bring glory to God. And let's do it. And let's do it with the power of the Holy Spirit. Listen, we're going to take phone calls. That number 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. We'd love to hear your question today.

>> Alex McFarland: AFA stream is a resource for life changing instruction and information. A source of wholesome entertainment and relaxation. Plus access to some of your favorite AFA shows. You can watch a lot of content for free or you can become a great commission partner. Then you'll not only open the door to everything AFA Stream has to offer, you'll get benefits like a subscription to.

>> Bert Harper: The stand and, and some really nice exclusives.

>> Alex McFarland: Why not get started today?

>> Bert Harper: It's easy.

>> Alex McFarland: Visit stream afa.net this only do I.

>> Caroline: Seek that I may dwell in the.

>> Alex McFarland: House of the Lord all the days.

>> Bert Harper: Of my life to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27, verse 4. American Family Radio.

>> 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.

>> Bert Harper: The kind that messes with your head.

>> Alex McFarland: The failures and the can't forget. But standing here now, I'm thinking, God, it's behind me. Cause I've seen nails, scarred hands reach out, and wipe it all away.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen. You wait for certain songs. They're good, they're good. But you're waiting for that climactic voice. And that's what we did. Thank you again, Brent.

It takes way more faith to be an atheist than it does to be Christian

Well, we've got people that are on the line if you want to get in the queue. That number is 888-589-8840. But with this many people in line, let's go straight to the phones and, and it's William from Illinois. Alex, I did it. You do the rest of them, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay. William, are you there?

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. we were talking about evolution earlier, and, we had an atheist used to come in, McDonald's, where we had coffee, wanted to give us all a bunch of trouble. I asked him one day, I said, everything since I've been around it, from mice to elephants, it took a male and a female adult to make the next one. And they say, what came first, the chicken or the egg? And I said, you had to have a rooster there. He wouldn't got anywhere. That's my comment. Thank you, William.

>> Bert Harper: our president, Alex, Tim Wildmon, he said, can you figure out when, the giraffes, you know, trying to figure out how they came together. It's just an amazing. It is true when you think about it. How in the world would giraffe, you know, evolve from a little bitty amoeba? No, the male and female Seems, like God made that in the beginning. Did he?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And think about the amount of faith it takes. Okay, so creatures evolved, and wasn't it fortunate how fortuitous that the male and female found each other? It takes way more faith to be an atheist than it does to be a Christian.

>> Bert Harper: Isn't that what some. Frank. Frank Turek said something about that, didn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and that's a great book. I Don't have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. That originally was really. Dr. Geisler came up with that. But, you know, it's a great apologetics book. Now, which, let's see, are we going to go to Howard in Louisiana?

>> Bert Harper: Yes, that's it.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay. Why don't you hit that?

>> Bert Harper: I'll do it. Okay. Howard in Louisiana. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir, I'm here. I love y' all show. Whenever y' all have the prayer requests, I'm praying with you. And I tell you, I'm really moved by, some of the things that are prayed for. But I just appreciate y' all so much. I mean, y' all mean a lot to me. I'm a minister of music at a little Baptist church.

Bert says the prodigal son's dad was always his dad

And, I've just got a interesting, question that has come up a few times about the prodigal son. Now, the prodigal son's dad was always his dad. And when he took off and left, he still was his son. And what I can't understand is why so many people tell me that we're dealing with a lost person and not a Saved person because he never changed the fact that he was his son.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Howard, I understand now what you're talking about here is a story, possibly a parable. You know, some of those stories that, Parables that we call parables that Jesus used, they do sound like real ones, don't they, Alex? You know.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: And, you can imagine is this, can you go that far and say that the prodigal son was definitely a picture, of a saved individual? Or do you think. Well, listen, it seems like he was sold out to the world.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah, I've heard it preached both ways. I mean, you can preach a salvation message out of that, and you can preach a repentance and revival message out of it. there's no saying about, Be careful of trying to make an analogy. Walk on all fours. You might have heard that.

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: And so while. Yes, the prodigal son was always the father's child in a familial, genetic sense. But it is the story of a spiritual awakening, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And again, I always heard, and what you said was exactly right. Do not try to make parables answer all your questions. Usually it was getting at one thing, one thing. And here it was a faithful father. Someone has said in place of the parable of the prodigal son, it should be the. The, parable of the faithful father. And. But I think both fit, you know. hey, Howard, I understand what you say. I think that's one of those arguments that you make. you're like Alex said, you can look at it either way. And, because it fits in both territories, doesn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Without doing a disservice to the text, you could, you could preach that one either way. hit, Georgia there. Hurdy in Georgia.

>> Bert Harper: Hurdy. Go right ahead.

Alex: Would Adam and Eve have required any sleep when they were immortal

>> Caroline: Yes, another question about, well, Adam and Eve, when they were immortal in the garden of Eden, would they have required any sleep, being immortal beings at that time?

>> Bert Harper: Any sleep?

>> Alex McFarland: well, God caused Adam to go to sleep, and when he woke up, he had a wife.

>> Bert Harper: Yep. you know what you would do with sleep, and you look at it and, it is such a blessing. Sleep it. Have you heard this babies? Why do they sleep so much? It's because during that sleep time they're. They're growing the energy that's there, it's. It's in for the growth more so. And so, Alex, I think sleep was a, ah, part of God's plan in the garden. I don't see that any other way. How about you?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I think they probably would have. You know, I don't think that fatigue necessarily is part of the fall because, you know, Jesus was perfectly righteous. And yet, you know, we have instances of Jesus sleeping.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. And resting. And resting.

>> Alex McFarland: Pulling apart.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Resting is a gift, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And you see that, God rested on the seventh day wasn't because he was tired, but because he was observing what he had made. And so when you read the Psalms, it talks about that sleep. and I don't know about you, but when I lay down my head, I'm thinking about the day that I've spent, but also I'm thinking about the day ahead. So sleep is a valuable commodity, I think, in, in every way.

Glenn says preach chronologically through Bible to hit needed issues today

>> Alex McFarland: So where do we go next?

>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Arkansas. Glenn in Arkansas. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Well, thank you for taking my call. I just appreciate listening to you guys all the time. and I really have enjoyed your, Walton Peter. kind of ironically, our, weekly Bible study has been, through First Peter and now into Second Peter.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, Glenn. matter of fact, where I'm preaching at Ozark Baptist Church here in Northeast Mississippi on the Sunday night service. I'm going through First Peter as well. And, I had decided to do that and launch out before Alex and I, decided to do First Peter and then Second Peter. let me say this and ask you comment. It's really the books, all the Bible is needed, don't get me wrong. But right now, in 2025, let me suggest, saturate yourself in first and second Peter in the book of Colossians. I just want to tell you, they, they really, I love it. You know what I mean? In the day of woke and in the day of ins. Those two, those books really speak to us, don't they?

>> Alex McFarland: They really do. They really do. And the Bible is so practical. And again, we've often talked about this. If, if pastors are reluctant to hit the hot button, you know, the, the volatile issues, just preach chronologically through books of the Bible and you'll hit all of the needed issues that people need God's counsel on today, won't you?

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. And if you don't do it, you're purposely avoiding it. You know, you, you, you have, you're going to, you, if you preach through First Corinthians or some of those other books, you're going to have to hit on the issues of the day.

Alex Hartwell: Should pastors talk about politics behind the pulpit

And I think that brings us to the question that we have in Louisiana. Louisiana. Let me say that right. Hartwell. Thank you, Hartwell, for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you for taking my call. And my question is, should pastors talk about politics behind the pulpit?

>> Bert Harper: Okay. When you hear politics, Alex, it gets a bad name. But should Christians talk about the issues of the day, what we've just been talking about?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely.

>> Bert Harper: So if you talk about the issues of the day, is it going to run into, quote, political debate and political discussion?

>> Caroline: Sure.

>> Alex McFarland: Ah, absolutely. I think pastors, not only, can they, they m. Must the. The definitive book on this. It is so well written. there's a ministry colleague and we've had him on AFR's shows before. Neil Maman. He's an Indian, brilliant, brilliant computer programmer and a devout Christian. But he wrote a book some years ago, I'm going to say eight or nine years ago, called Jesus is Involved in Politics. That book is so good. But I want to say this not only as, you know, an evangelist, but as a pastor myself, any preacher that doesn't use his platform to speak, I mean comprehensively about the issues of the day and what God says. And listen, I think we have to talk about, people, policies, parties, pastors, I beg of you. 80% plus of your parishioners want to hear from the pulpit and yet only about 3% of pastors do so to the person's call. If the 120 million born again Christians were being challenged and equipped and dispatched, it would look like a vastly different America.

>> Bert Harper: Have you, gone back the founding of our, our nation and the pastors and their sermons? Alex? Yes. You'll find out pretty quickly that those, pastors really spoke on the issues of the day and in the political governmental process. Now that doesn't mean you get up there and your whole, you stick with the word. The bi. Jesus said, you know, feed my sheep. What with the word of God, your political persuasion, your political thoughts have no, concrete anything if it's not according to the word of God. And so you have a biblical worldview and you bring that biblical worldview to the pulpit as you open God's word. And then a lot of the issues of the day will come out naturally. You don't have to force it. And it can be one of equipping the saints. How do you equip them a witness? You're equipping them to live, but you're also equipping them to live in a, in a democratic republic that we live in today and to help them to Know best how to vote and how to live and how to get involved. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Jeremiah 29 speaking, to exiles, you know, but it says that they are to Jeremiah 29:7, by the way, seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you. Well, our city is the United States of America. And, I know our home is in heaven, but, we are to, And one of the ways we can do is talk about it, analyze, evaluate from God's word, influence others. But we are to seek the welfare of the city, aren't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really are. And so may the tribe increase that does that and equips the. The saints.

William believes God will create new heavens and a new earth after salvation

Let's go to Arkansas with William. William, thank you for calling today.

>> Caroline: Yeah, I need to repeat, what I'd already shared or.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, yeah, go ahead. Whatever you shared with Richard, we want to hear it now. We don't want to hear from Richard, but we want to hear from you. Okay, yeah, go ahead. We appreciate our team, and Richard's a valuable part of it. Go ahead, William.

>> Caroline: Yeah, yeah, I was just going to say, you know, going back to what y' all were teaching on there, the Lord said, I create new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. And then I believe the timeline of that is, in Revelation 20. For the Bible talks about the Great White Throne and so forth, and everybody being raised in the books, being opened and so forth, he said, and him that set up on the throne, from whose, face the earth and the heavens fled away, and there was found, no place for them. And so I believe that in all likelihood, that's the timeline, of course, we would be located in a different position or a different place when that all transpires, because it's going to be a tremendous, tremendous, deal when, the heavens melt with the fervent heat and so forth.

>> Bert Harper: William. Amen. William's got it down pat, hasn't he, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Absolutely. And I mean, imagine just, for those of us witnessing that in a state of salvation, it's just going to be amazing and beautiful. But imagine the horror, you know, the Great White Throne. I mean, the people watching all this happen. But. That's right. I've often pondered on that verse as well. The earth and heavens fled away. And it's just humanity before Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: And what you said earlier, and I think it's so real, and you did such a good job when we talked about the elements and the burning. God uses the same elements to create the new heaven and the new earth. Unique you know, and. And so what he does with us once we've been saved. Guess what? I'm physically the same person, but I'm a new creation in Christ. so I think that's a forerunner of what he's going to do then, Alex, you need to catch my thoughts.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. let me say, it's going to be exciting.

>> Bert Harper: It really is.

Please pray for us as we minister this weekend in Pennsylvania

Well, thank everybody for calling and listening. And, we got a minute. So we're going to talk about four. Fire away. Friday tomorrow. Alex, you and I, we love Monday. We love Tuesday prayer day, Wednesday, Thursday. But Friday has a little extra edge on it with peop. The people calling in for the whole show, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It'll be all questions, all the hour. We hope you'll join in. And, hey, be in prayer. we're each ministering this weekend. I'll be in Pennsylvania, and next week, Bert and I together will be at the Fishbowl retreat. We're very excited about that. And so please pray for us not only on the air, but, ministering on the road as we do.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, we'll be praying as you make your way to Pennsylvania. we're praying that God would just do a great work there in you, and we're praying for you today as well, that you would seek the Lord with all your heart, soul and in mind, and let Jesus reign as Lord.

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

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

2 Peter 3:10-18: Looking For The Day Of The Lord

 

✍️ Episode References

American Family Radio
https://www.afa.net/afr/ 

Ethel Waters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Waters 

Billy Graham
https://billygraham.org/ 

PreBorn Network
https://preborn.com/ 

The Cove
https://thecove.org/