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>> Bert Harper: 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.

Bert Harper and Alex McFarland are exploring the Word

Welcome to Exploring the Word. Well, God and Moses are tired of the murmuring of the people that God brought out of Egypt. And in chapter 17 we're going to see something where they were challenging Moses leadership and God decided, I'm just going to put an end to it. So this is Bert Harper along with Alex McFarland and it is exploring the Word and we're going through the Book of Numbers. And what a joy, what a journey it's been. We thought we might spend a few days on it, but we are continuing to spend several days because there's just some truths here that, that we can apply today. Again, Alex, it's good to have you on the radio program. Are you still in Wichita? Are you back in North Carolina?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I'm near Wichita, but I'm in Oklahoma City.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: And I've got privilege of speaking tonight at a men's gathering. So I'm not, not quite back home yet.

>> Bert Harper: Okc, Right? Okc. That's what it's known as. Oklahoma City.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: Well, we hope it goes good tonight, brother. A bunch a group of me and you're speaking to.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah. I had a great weekend in Wichita, Kansas. I was at a couple of schools and just met with lots of people. Had a great event Saturday night. put on. There was a group called the Honest Questions Project. Wonderful brother in the Lord named Grant Garwood. And he organized an event where we could basically share the biblical worldview and do some apologetics. And met a lot, a lot of people, Bert, that passionately listened to Exploring the Word. And it was my joy to visit with so many of those great people from Kansas who listen to the AFR network.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, Kansas is. We do get a lot of guests here that while they're traveling they'll drop by here. And many of them have been from Kansas.

Chapter 17 affirms God's authority over the children of Israel

Well, we're in Numbers, chapter 17. And again I want to read verse five, Alex, and then we'll go back and bring it to that and follow up. Verse 5 says, and it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom. Thus I will rid myself of the murmurings of the children of Israel which they murmur against you. God was taking care of his leader that God had appointed Moses. And they were doubting if he was the one again and again. But chapter 17 does something. And what, what happens here? Here's what I want everybody to just. Thirteen verses. But, what presents them is an example and an affirmation, that, yes, Moses is a leader, but it just didn't meet criteria. It went above and beyond. And we'll get to that in a moment. But I love chapter 17 because not only is it there, but it's going to be a reminder continually of this rod that blossoms. Alex. and they're going to hold it with themselves there in the tabernacle, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: They really are. And it will be a testimony, and it says, you shall place them in the tabernacle, verse 4. A testimony where I meet with you. Wasn't it a blessing that they had the chance to meet with and hear from the true and living God?

>> Bert Harper: He did. Well, let me read verse 17 and 1 and following up to verse 5, and you'll see how it, affirms itself and how God does this. And the Lord spoke to Moses saying, speak to the children of Israel and get from them a rod from each father's house. All their leaders, according to their fathers, houses, 12 rods. Write each man's name on his rod. And you shall write Eryn's name on the rod of Levi. For there shall be one rod for the head of each father's house. And then you shall place them in the tabernacle of meeting before the testimony where I met with you. And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom. The man whom I choose, that rod will blossom. Thus I will rid myself of the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you again. This is nothing new. Murmuring against Moses. Think we've brought us out here. We need to go back to Egypt. We need to get anew later. And God says, okay, let's put this together and see, what happens. And Alex, God doesn't disappoint, Moses or Eryn, does he?

>> Alex McFarland: No, he doesn't. He doesn't. He makes it clear. And as is so often the case, it wasn't that they didn't know God's will. They did know God's will. They just weren't really going to follow it. You know, God had guided them so much. And Moses had held the staff. Do you remember? He threw his staff down and, it became a serpent. Then it became a rod again. Remember, Moses touched his rod into the Nile river, and it turned to blood. And he Raised his rod over the Red Sea and it parted. So God had, through this staff, or in academic circles it would be called a mace. But, but the rod, or a big, almost like a scepter, showed God's authority not only over the human race, but God's authority over the children of Israel. And God entrusting that scepter to the hand of Moses, showed God's authority. Bert, I would submit that we have maybe not a wooden staff or a rod, but we have the voice of God and the authority of God to show to the human race. And I would say it's the Bible.

>> Bert Harper: I would as well. Alex. The word of God is God's word. It's quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword. And it's able to do what nothing else can do to divide soul and spirit. We always have a, okay, where does it end and where does it begin? The word of God is able to do thusly. Well, verse six says Moses spoke to the children of Israel and each of their leaders gave him a rod, a piece for each leader, according to their father's house, 12 rods. And the rod of Eryn was among their rods. Moses placed the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of Witness. Now, it came to pass on the very next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of Witness. And behold, the rod of Eryn of the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds. Well, wait just a minute. That's all it had to do. As I brought in the introduction, it did more than. And it said, and had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. again, he is able to do exceedingly above, beyond all that we could ask or think this is an example of it. Hey, it budded, but it gave forth almonds. Alex. again, God, vindicating, verifying all that he had done. Again, you're saying, you know, they knew he was a leader, but there's rebelling against him. And again, God shows his power. And let me just say this, Moses knew this. But sometimes those who are leaders need some encouragement and verification as well. And I don't think this just helped the leaders of each, each one of these tribes and the people, I think. Okay, Moses. Yeah, I'm still with you. I'm going to see you through, regardless of the murmuring, regardless of all that, I'm with you. I think Moses appreciated, that and I would even say probably needed it. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, it was quite an affirmation, wasn't it? Not just that there was a Bud or a sprout. But there was almonds. And you know, it says in verse eight, ripe almonds. That takes time. Hey, when you're called by God, anointed by God in his will, it's as good as done, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And again, this is the power of God. And he continues.

Alex: God sometimes responds against severe murmurings in a severe way

Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his rod. And the Lord said to Moses, bring Eryn's rod back before the testimony to be kept as a sign against the rebels that you may put their murmurings away from me, lest they die. Now, again, I won't get into it. Just make a statement, then we can talk about it. They overcorrect. we're terrible at that. Have you ever driven a car and you needed to correct where it's going, but some way you over correct it and it causes damage? I have to admit I have done that, especially in my younger years. But here we find out that you may put their murmurings away from me, lest they die. there it was. It was a testimony to be kept as a sign. And it was a reminder to put this murmuring away. Alex, God is patient. But God is not always willing to strive with man when man is going his own way and not listening. God sometimes responds against various severe murmurings in a severe way, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He really does. verse 1113. Thus did Moses, just as the Lord had commanded him, so he did listen to verse 12. So the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, surely we die, we perish, we all perish. Whosoever even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord must die. Shall we all utterly die? It doesn't say that God, says, be grateful and stop murmuring. God doesn't say, I'm going to kill you all. In fact, he mercifully withholds his hand of judgment and reprimand. I'm just amazed. After all that is done, the plagues of Egypt, defeating Pharaoh, the rescue out of bondage and slavery, the drowning of Pharaoh's army, the preservation enroute to the promised land, and, the people, they forget, not only who has called them, but what they've been called to do, don't they?

>> Bert Harper: They do. And again, Israel, the nation doesn't seem to get anything right. again, that's an over, a little bit of an overstatement. But here it is. They have the opportunity, as you said, to listen to him and say no more murmuring. I don't need any more of that. You don't need to do. It does you harm. This is what you do. The things they were doing in murmuring against Moses was ultimately murmuring against themselves. When we go against God's purpose and will, and we complain, go our way, thinking that we have something better, it is ultimately to. To hurt. It will hurt us. And God's way is to help us and bless us. It's not always easy, Alex, but, you know, I. We want. We think God's blessing is easy. But if you read the Scripture, following God and doing his will, is difficult. I. I preached on this yesterday at Ozark Baptist Church here in Northeast Mississippi, where I'm interim pastor. And I preached on the word others and the difference. In Hebrews 11. In Hebrews 11, in the first 34 chap, verses, it talks about all the people who were delivered, all the people who were rescued, all the people that had victory. But then in the middle of verse 35 says, others were tortured. Others, were sewn into. Others were stoned. Same faith, the word others. There's two Greek, words for others. One means others of the same kind, others of a different kind. That word others, which is talking about a people or faith, was the same kind of faith. Now, our faith sometimes will deliver us. It will heal our diseases can be healed. But also that faith can help us to endure what God does not take away. Alex? Same faith, no greater faith. Others, same faith. And they were sewn into. The others were delivered. we just want to follow God, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: We do. We do. And it is a journey of faith. Salvation is by faith. Sanctification in the Christian Walk are by faith and trust as well.

>> Bert Harper: You're listening to American Family Radio. this is Exploring the Word with Bert and Alex. And we're going to continue in the Book of numbers, chapter 18. Don't go away. The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains. It won't walk the dog, won't pick up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app.

>> Alex McFarland: By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by

>> Bert Harper: coming to know him, the one who

>> Alex McFarland: called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2nd Peter 1:3. We got dust on our b brand new iPhones no wonder why we feel this way we walk with our eyes close blindly and blows and I'm new with those idols and dusty Bibles welcome back to Exploring the Word.

Alex and Bert discuss the Old Testament book of Numbers in this podcast

Alex and Bert, so honored that you're listening. We are in the Old Testament book of Numbers. We're getting into chapter 18. And just before the break, the people were bemoaning the fact that they're going to have to trust God. And God has decisively shown, his hand on the life of Eryn and he time and again has affirmed the leadership of Moses. Bert, I think it's very interesting in, chapter 18, God doesn't just respond to the, the, the wailing and the cries and the fearful heart of the people. He gets into some responsibilities of the priest and the Levites, and they are accountable to look after the sanctuary and the priesthood. And, it goes on. You read here in the first seven verses. you know your brethren, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father. They're to be joined with you, serve you while you and your sons are with you before the tabernacle of witness. let me say this. The work of God goes on. You know, here's the thing. personally, as a family, certainly as a church, you might as well trust the Lord and keep on following the Lord because you can pitch a fit or have a pity party, and that is not going to stop the work of the Lord. So the work of the Lord goes on whether or not we choose to follow and trust Him. But what a blessing there is when we do follow and trust him.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

First you find out the priest, how they're to serve. The Levites, on the other hand, they serve

First you find out the priest, how they're to serve. And the priests, they have their responsibilities and they are high and they are very important. And that's what God, intended them to do. They're from Eryn's priesthood. The Levites, on the other hand, they serve the priest. But ultimately they're all serving God. But serving God in their positions where God has equipped, equipped them, has called them and they're there to serve. And honestly, when you get to levels of service, when you are called and God's called you into that place and that position, that's a high calling. You don't need to say, oh, I wished I could do more. I think that's exactly what Paul was talking about in First Corinthians when he talks about the ones you know, the high, the great gifts and those gifts. No, if you're competing with one another and saying, my gift is better than your gift or my abilities better than your abilities, you're losing sight of what God has in mind for all of us. And again, it's finding our place and serving him there. And the priests and the Levites, again, they had some things in common, but they were a distinct group from one another, weren't there, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Mm They really were. Verse 6 of Numbers 18 says, God says, behold, I myself have taken your brethren, the Levites, from among the children of Israel. They are a gift to you, given by the Lord to do the work of the tabernacle meeting. Therefore, you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for, for everything. At the altar and behind the veil. Behind the veil, that's where the presence of God would come to consume the sacrifice. And, that was a very holy place. And, one did not just intrude back there. Without the calling of God and the sanctioning of God, you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service. But the outsider who comes near shall be put to death. Now the people had said, oh, if we go near the tabernacle and we're going to be put to death, no, they were to draw near to God and to his place of worship, but they were to do it God's way. And I'm not going to get us off on a rabbit trail, but, you know, the human race has a really propensity, a, really good talent to twist what God says, push back on what God commands, spin what they do or don't like. Bert, let me just say this. I was on the phone with a fellow minister earlier today. We were just talking about the journey of trusting God. There comes a time, well, I'm going to put it this way. Many, many people love the Lord. But if you love the Lord, you should also love His Word. And I think there comes a time, just like Israel had Kadesh Barnea, there comes a time in the life of every believer if you're going to love Christ and be grateful enough for salvation that you will follow His Word. Even when following his word requires sacrifice.

>> Bert Harper: It does. And what the, the priests and Levites, one of the things they have in common is when they get to the land flowing with milk and honey. There's no inheritance of land for them. Now why is that? There's still 12 tribes. And wasn't Levi one? Yes, he was. But. But Joseph Got a double portion. So his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, they got a double portion, Joseph's portion, and that left Levi to the Levite tribe, which is made up of the priests and then the Levites to have their needs met. The, the, I would say it, the remuneration. And it's through the offerings and through the tithes, God makes them receive these and allows them to receive these. But they even started here in the wilderness. This is amazing. Now this, this transfer was not only good in the wilderness, this is probably at the beginning of this, because this is close to after they got the tabernacle and the priesthood and all of that. So this is very early in it. Now when you come to chapter 20, we're not studying that, you'll find out that that was probably 38 years later. And so this is 18 and 19. It's kind of, bringing to the end the early part of receiving the law, receiving the tabernacle, building the tabernacle, setting up the priesthood. And this is the very beginning of it. But God takes care of them. there's. Is it 48 levitical cities. There's going to be, if I remember that right, Alex, that's stretching my brain to remember that, but I believe that is correct. So God is setting these, the priesthood to do the work in the holy place behind the curtain. But also the Levites, not only there transferring it, but when they get to the promised land, and even building the temple that, that Solomon would build, they would have their specific instructions. So God's instructions for the position was not just immediate, but it would be ongoing as long as the temple was standing. I, I found that intriguing to me, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, later on in the book, when we get to the, near the end, like numbers 35, we're going to read about the Levitical cities. It's pretty fascinating that, these were set aside for the tribe of Levi who did not have their own land like other people, but they were serving the Lord. And I think part of the reason they didn't have their own territorial land was because of the, the rigors of running the tabernacle and everything. But also it was very symbolic that, you know, their, their home was in heaven, their mansion was in heaven. We Christians are like that today. I mean, we don't, we're not to be materialistic. within the 48 levitical cities were the six cities of refuge. And we'll, we'll talk about that as well.

Bert says God provides in in verses eight and following

But God provides in in verses eight and following, we see that God provides. And this is pretty amazing that, the gifts God gives, the firstborn shall be given. you know, there'll be these heave offerings and these wave offerings. Your sons and daughters with you. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat of this all the best of the oil, the new wine and grain, the first fruits. I've given them to you. And this is just amazing. the firstborn children and even livestock, is at least offered, if not given, to the Levitical priests. Is that right, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: That's exactly right. Verse 17 says, you know, I think sums that up what you just said. The firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, of the firstborn of a goat. You shall not redeem. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the Lord. That sweet aroma, We've heard that several times in the Book of Numbers. In other words, it rises up and it's like a sweet aroma to the Lord. He is pleased with. It pleases him. And so these firstborn, yes, they were an offering. They were to come to the priesthood. And, that was part of their remuneration that they would receive as they would eat. Now, parts of it only the priests could eat, but they could take the other part and share it and serve it to their families. God was very specific in what they could do and what they couldn't do. But verse 19, all the heave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and your daughters with you as an ordinance, forever. It is covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you. Again, this covenant of salt, which, is how important. Let me put it this way, Alex, and you respond, how important was salt in that day?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it was like currency. I mean, it was very, very valuable. It was medicinal. And also, you know, it's like, a medicine that can heal a wound. In some ways, salt is pictorial of salvation even. But, the covenant of salt represented, something of great, great value.

>> Bert Harper: It really did. And when you did that, it preserves, again, flavors, it makes it better. And it's a sweet selling, smelling. Get that word right, aroma, to the Lord. And, again, you see all these. Now in verse 21, it changes a little bit because I really wanted to get to verse 25 and 26, because that just really blessed me. Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform. In other words, God says, I'm going to remunerate them. I'm going to give them. They don't have the land to raise this on, but we're taking part of that and we're helping them. So because they have a work to do, you have a work to do. And guess what? They're worthy of the hire, you know, and you don't muzzle the ox. This is all in the NewSong Testament. And so here we find out that thought continues today with tithes and offerings. But verse 25 and 26, Alex, if you need to go back, go back. But I wanted to really respond to this. We say, well, if those levites get the 10th man, they got it made. They don't have to. Well, listen to what God said, verse 25. Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, speak thus to the Levites and say to them, when you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the Lord, a tenth of the tithe. Alex, those that were serving the Lord, they were not exempt from this offering unto the Lord to show his ownership. I think to bless his name and to carry on the work. They were not exempt where just because they, quote, worked in the Lord's work.

>> Alex McFarland: Even the preachers tithe.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. That's exactly where I was getting.

>> Alex McFarland: And we've talked about this tithing, the Lord's tithe and our offerings is really not a financial issue. It's. It's a heart and a trust issue.

>> Bert Harper: Isn't really is. And he owns it all. And the word that we need to be importantly knowing stewards are managers. we're to manage God's resources He's given to us. And in managing that, we are blessed. And give unto him and he'll give back to you. What I mean jumped up together, oppressed down and running over. God will give to you. So this principle of giving and tithe, let's go back one more time. Guess who tithed before the law? Abraham and Jacob both.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, he did.

>> Bert Harper: it's not. It's more than a principle. It is God's way of operating to show his ownership of all things, from all the way. At least from Abraham and probably even before that with Adam and Abel, all the way through that part of giving sacrificially. It was true then. It's true. Now, isn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. I mean, and the tithe was present before Mount Sinai, before the law. And I'm glad you bring that up, I really do, because I. And listen, it's estimated. And God's work takes, resources. The gospel is free, but it does take resources to deliver that free message. And I drive around the country and many, many churches are very blessed. God's people can be a very generous people. But I want to say to every born again believer, if you've entrusted the Lord with your heart, you can also trust him with your finances. And it will stretch you. But what a blessing when we understand that rhythm of giving and receiving, obeying and trusting. God is faithful.

Bert says every Christian has gifts given to them with responsibilities

And, I think one of the greatest joys of the Christian life is giving. Really, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I agree. And what we see here is the authority of God given to an individual. Moses and Eryn. We also see responsibilities. Responsibilities. So two things. We have responsibilities given to us today in 2026, with the authority that we've been bought with a price. And we're to glorify God, and he's given us a position, a place of ministry. Every person that's been born again has gifts that's been given to them. And I believe with those gifts comes responsibility to use them for the edification of the body of Christ. And Alex, no matter where you are on this positioning of in the church, you're to do it with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might. You're not to let up, but give it all. And we're going to talk about that. we're coming up on a break, and we take questions. We'd love your Bible question. The number is 888-589-8840.

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>> Alex McFarland: This is the story of the coming globe. Can you hear the prayers that people pray? Can you see the skies begin to break? When heaven and earth were face to face oh, how the world forever changed

>> Bert Harper: For God is with us. Amen. I'm so glad that we can know God and that we can follow him. Well, we're taking questions. That phone number is 8884-5898-4088-8589-8840. And we've, got people that's called in. Alex, are you ready to take these questions, brother?

>> Alex McFarland: yeah, let's do it. Where shall we begin?

>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Missouri and talk to Dennis. Dennis, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Well, thank you, Bert and Alex. I love listening to your programs and love your input. It's a joy and blessing to talk with you. And I don't want to take up too much your time. I'm in my 70s. I'm done dementia, and I'm losing my vision and my hearing's gone. And I got your CDs a while back, Alex, and I really like them. But I got two quick questions, and I just want to probably do. I have trouble. I tithe and I tied to the church, and I have some others, but I. I run across kind of when I get burdened for places, like, unshackled, different things, I want to give more. But my daughter says, dad, you can't give everybody. And I struggle with that because I want to do more, but I just seem like I'm. I'm not doing enough. Does that make any sense?

>> Bert Harper: It does, Dennis. God bless you. What a tender heart it is. Let me tell you a real quick story. There's. I pastored here in Tupelo, Mississippi, and, had a guy that we had witnessed to and witnessed to, and finally he came to the Lord. And I'm telling you what, he was doing his best, and he had heart issues. And one night when we were having one of our outreach ministries, he showed up, and all of a sudden, man, his heart was there. And my son Nathan, who does exploring missions with me, was there with him. And he said, man, don't you need to go Home, he said, no, I need to stay here. I'm making up for lost. There is that desire. But Dennis, I know my mother in law, she had such a desire, a little income, but to have so many good ministries and you, have to sometimes pick the ones that you feel like God has for you to give. And so, Alex, it's a hard thing, but it's a right attitude, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. That tender heart and that generous spirit, my goodness, that's a, ah, that's very motivating to me. I, do think that there's it's, it's completely appropriate to plan and think because, you know, as much as we want to support the gospel and every Christian should, we also are to be stewards of our body and our basic needs. But you know, I've met a lot of people, Bert, that as they, you know, neared the end of their life, they had planned, they had trusted God and they were in a position to not only, you know, keep a roof over their own head, but give to God's work as well. And what a blessing that is. And let me just say, maybe you're young, maybe you're just in your teens or twenties. Think ahead, think about stewardship. And I know, Bert, I was very blessed that Angie and I, very early in our marriage, we set a goal for what we hoped someday we could give to missions. And it was for us a very, very ambitious number. And we've hit it and we're going to try to do it again. And it's completely the Lord. I mean, believe me, we were, when we got married, we were poor, I assure you. But, isn't it a blessing to be able to see God trust you and then he trusts you with more and we just give it right back and he trusts us with more. It's just a beautiful, exciting adventure, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It always is an adventure. And again, God is, listen, you please him. And Dennis, we're going to pray that you would, you'd know the heart of God concerning your giving and, listen to your daughter. you know, you're able to give and sounds like it's the tithe, even above the tithe. but again, God will help you. And I do believe God will provide. That is true. Brent, did you say we had something from Facebook or Word? We do. We have one from Facebook.

How do we determine our spiritual gifts? Start serving, Alex says

Nancy, it's a really easy question here, I believe. How do we determine our spiritual gifts? Okay, Alex, I'm going to give a Short answer, like I usually do. Start serving. Nancy, when you start serving, I really believe the gift will come to the top. Like cream comes to the top. serve in the nursery and you'll find out. Okay, am I encouraging or what am I doing? Am I, Do I want to reorganize it? Do I want to bless those families? Serving, I believe is. I'll put it this way. I found out serving is better than taking a test. That's my opinion. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

Every Christian is called to serve their church and the body of Christ

Well, let me give four scriptures. there's. And. And these are kind of the most famous areas where you can learn about spiritual gifts. one is in First Corinthians 12, one is in Romans, chapter 12, Ephesians, chapter 4, and First Peter 4. I'm going to say those again. You've got, like, First Corinthians 12, 12. And following, well, really 1 through 12. So 1 Corinthians 12, Romans, chapter 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4, and the 2 Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 are really the most exhaustive, lists. And serving. I think every Christian is called to serve their church and the body of Christ in different ways. And, Bert, I gotta tell you, in this wonderful journey of ministry, tons and tons and tons of stuff I've done that wasn't preaching in a pulpit, you know, or writing a book or an article or a sermon. It's all good. In serving, you find the stuff that you're probably not especially equipped for. I have been on finance committee, but that's not my thing, you know? I'm not the world's most administrative guy, you know, but other people really are. I have helped cook spaghetti supper for 200 people. But it wasn't easy, you know what I'm saying?

>> Bert Harper: I can break up, the noodles.

>> Alex McFarland: And, hey, I will tell you this now. I can scramble eggs. And we had eight breakfasts way back in cold weather. I know how to scramble eggs. But the beautiful thing about it is, and I promise this is true, folks, prayerfully read over those four passages. First Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, first Peter 4. And then get involved, and you'll find your niche.

>> Bert Harper: I really believe that.

>> Alex McFarland: You really will.

>> Bert Harper: Don't you think so? I agree with you. Listen, Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. We're to serve. And, you've done it under the least of these. You've done it unto me. So we're to serve one another. And so, Nancy, I Hope that helps. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Steve. Steve, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you for taking my call.

Bert says Matthew 22:3 refutes limited atonement

my question was over In Matthew, chapter 22, the parable of the wedding feast. I did not fully understand that, and I was hoping you guys could briefly explain it to me and I'll just hang up and listen for your response.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, anytime you have a wedding and a feast, you're talking about something that you're invited to, you have responsibilities to. And here, the whole thing is, the king said to the servants. I'm reading the last two verses, and you take it away. The king said to the servants, bind him hand and foot. Take him away and cast him into the outer darkness. They'll be weeping in national, for many are called, but few are chosen. Alex, we're to respond. We're not to sit on, our laurels and sit back. God has called us and we're coming into that relationship. it's important. It's really talking about relationship, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. and by the way, I'm going to say something here. And, you know, verse two of Matthew 22. And, sir, thank you for this wonderful, wonderful opportunity to talk about the parable of the wedding feast. Jesus said, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son. Okay. The kingdom of heaven is God's kingdom. The king is God, the Father, the Son is Jesus. The marriage is the union of the bride and the bridegroom. Now, believe it or not, I think that Matthew 22:3, refutes limited atonement. And I'm not trying to pick on the Calvinists, but, you know, there is the belief, and let me lovingly but respectfully disagree with it. There is the belief that Christ only died for the elect. And yet we've got whosoever will. Whosoever will. Verse 3. his servants were sent out to call those who were invited to the wedding, and they were not willing to come. Now, who's called to the wedding? Everybody. Now, not everybody comes. There's a banquet. The marriage, supper of the lamb. There's the. The union of Christ and his church. But the servants are Christians. We've been given the Great Commission. And who has been invited? The whole wide world. Now, Bert, I realize that's just one verse and, a fully orbed case for, that Christ died for the sins of the entire world. A fully orbed case would involve more than this. But do you see who was invited to the wedding? Whosoever will chooses to come.

>> Bert Harper: Listen to verse nine, and then we'll go to the next question. Therefore, go into the highways, and as many as you find invite to the wedding. Alex, that sounds like evangelism.

>> Alex McFarland: Doesn't really, does. It really does. And to quote the great Charles Spurgeon over a century ago, he said, funny thing, the more people I witness to, the more I bump into that turn out to have been elected.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Let's tell the world about Jesus. And that's what this program, one of the things this program's about. to Tim Wildmon, our president wanted it here. Three o' clock in the afternoons. It's drive time for a lot of people. And he said, let's talk about the word of God, evangelism. Let's talk about missions. And so what a privilege it is. And that's what we're doing. So whoever will, would you come to Christ? Don't put it off. Don't delay. don't take God for granted. Don't take him for tomorrow and be presumptuous. But today is the day you need to get right with the Lord, asking him to forgive you of your sin, asking him to be Lord of your life as he comes in as Lord. And I pray you'd do that even today.

Alex Martin: Two West Virginia pastors are running for office this year

Well, let's go to West Virginia and talk to Sandy. Sandy, thank you for calling today. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Well, hello, gentlemen. Thank you so much for taking my call. I greatly appreciate it. Your knowledge is just way beyond measure, and I appreciate listening to you each and every day. And, I just want to say God bless. And I have a question. it's actually biblically based, I think, but it's also political. Since we're into these midterm elections here in West Virginia, there are two pastors who are actually running. One, already is a senator. He's running again. Another pastor is coming in, running for a political office. Is it a pastor's true calling to be called into a pastorate? And if it is, why wouldn't they continue in that? Only is it all right for them to get involved into a political position as a senator or congressman?

>> Bert Harper: Let me answer this, Sandy, with an example. Jan and I had the privilege of traveling, to Europe, with Governor Mike Huckabee and his wife Janet. we weren't the only ones traveling. It wasn't like we were the only ones. But we got to talk with him. I knew he had been a pastor before, and, we got to hear his, and he Said God called me as a pastor. But God also opened the door for me to go into this area in its politics and lieutenant governor and governor. And God opened that door. God opens doors sometimes bigger than it was. Let me see. Let me give you an example. And, Alex, try to do this as quick like to get to the last question, but Joshua was called to be what the. The guy that was the warrior, the guy that was fighting, the guy that was servant. But what did God lead in him to do later to be the leader? God does move us into some of those areas, does he not?

>> Alex McFarland: He really does. You know, I think about, Mark Harris, who was pastor of First Baptist in Charlotte. I had the joy of speaking there many times, but Mark Harris was a very successful Southern Baptist pastor, First Baptist of Charlotte, a great church. And now he is U.S. representative for the 8th congressional district since 2025. And, you know, I thank God for somebody like that who has a biblical worldview, not only a constitutional worldview, but in the American Revolution, there were quite a number of people. you know, I think about in my home state of North Carolina, David Caldwell, who was a medical doctor and a pastor and fought in the American Revolution. And there were, you know, people like. Was, it Samuel Muhlenberg?

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Remember that name?

>> Bert Harper: Yes. I got his picture in my office, and it's a picture of him taking off his clerical robe and underneath. Peter Muhlenberg. Peter, yeah, that's it. Taking off his clerical road and him, you know, signing up. He signed up over 200 men to be in his regiment that day.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And, Jon Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration, was a Presbyterian minister. So, you know, Chuck Colson would always talk about the engines that drive the culture, business, education, science, medicine and law and government. And no, I say don't do it unless God has called you. But I got to tell you, I'd rather have ministers with a biblical worldview than globalists with a communist worldview.

Alex: Where do the souls of babies come from?

>> Bert Harper: Well said. Paul, we're not going to get to your phone, but let me share. Where do the souls of babies come from? Adam, I think, answers that when he became a body, God breathed into him and he became a living soul. I don't think they come from. But God gives them, doesn't he, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. At the moment of conception, not only is a physical life present, but there is a soul, a spirit, really.

>> Bert Harper: at the moment of conception, that's when it happens. Paul, hope you relate to. Appreciate your call. We'd love to talk to you. Call back and we'll be able to do that. We're going to continue in the Book of Numbers. can't wait to get to chapter 20. Read ahead. I think you'll really, really be intrigued by that chapter again. We'll be back tomorrow at 3 o'. Clock. Tell some, Central time. Tell someone about this program and about Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

Authority and Responsibilities: Numbers 17 & 18