American Family Radio explores the Bible with answers to your Bible questions
>> Jeff Chamblee: M 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. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Robert: Alex is at a youth camp this summer in Montana
>> Bert Harper: Well, it's Monday. That means we're starting a new week
>> Bert Harper: and that new week will be in
>> Bert Harper: the book of Ephesians, chapter four.
>> Bert Harper: And this is going to be a unique time because as Alex and
>> Bert Harper: I talked to him earlier is in Montana.
>> Bert Harper: Alex is at the first youth camp this summer that they'll have eight youth camps and they're in Montana. And he's already excited.
>> Bert Harper: He's probably speaking right now because I was talking to him right before the
>> Bert Harper: praise band was going to play and
>> Bert Harper: then he was going to preach and
>> Bert Harper: so be praying for Alex and all the youth camps there. And he said we're really excited.
>> Bert Harper: So he flew up to Rapid City and then he drove over into
>> Bert Harper: Montana where the camp is. So be praying for Alex.
>> Bert Harper: Well, sitting in for Alex today is a good friend and just a
>> Bert Harper: great pastor that, that I've known for quite some time. He's the pastor at Calvary Baptist Church
>> Bert Harper: here in Tupelo, Mississippi and it's Dr. Jon Bowler. Jon, thank you for being with us today.
>> Jeff Chamblee: Thank you Robert.
>> Bert Harper: Bert, Honored to be here.
>> Bert Harper: It is good to have you here and we're so thankful that you would
>> Bert Harper: take time to, out of your schedule. Your guys are doing vacation Bible school wide open. So that's going to be exciting for you.
>> Bert Harper: I know it's always vacation Bible school
>> Bert Harper: is always a good time around church and everything that's going on. So we know it's going good at your place.
The book of Ephesians is very unique in its content
But we're going to dig in to, to Ephesians chapter four and you and I were talking so I want
>> Bert Harper: you to you can do this
>> Bert Harper: in place of me. The difference in chapter one, two and three and then chapters four, five and six. I'll ask you this and you can comment. Is any of Paul's letters divided as well as Ephesians is concerning. We got this and therefore we need to do this.
>> Bert Harper: Paul is very unique in his writings, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. But what's interesting about the book of Ephesians is the first three chapters more positionally, more doctrinally and then when you get to the last three chapters, more of a walk with Jesus. So the first three chapters heavy on doctrine, heavy on the richness of Christ, heavy on, this is what we believe. This is what it means to be saved. And then the last three chapters. This is our walk with Jesus. Here's why we believe it, and here's what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. Paul is the Author of, 13 letters in the NewSong Testament, and every book is unique. I don't know if there's one set up so evenly like the book of Ephesians. And I love it. I absolutely love it. And I love walking in right at chapter four, verse one.
>> Bert Harper: Hey, I worked at that because I knew you would love that. But it starts off in chapter four, verse one. Therefore, I therefore and notice the word a prisoner, and then beseech you.
>> Bert Harper: I therefore beseech. In other words, based on what I've said, what the Holy Spirit has taught me, you know, and what I'm asking you to do is this. So I'm beseeching you.
>> Bert Harper: I am.
>> Bert Harper: Beseech is more than a request, you know, it's, it is a request, but it's with a request, with expectation, isn't it? You know, it's, it's. It's a deeper word that. Okay, I'm making my request on.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: And so therefore. And he's a prisoner.
>> Bert Harper: This is about the second or third time he mentions that he's a prisoner in the book of Ephesians. Now, what's unique. And I want you to come in on this, too. While, While he is a prisoner, he's talking about the richness of God.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: What?
>> Bert Harper: You know, well, going back up to chapter one, verse number three, where he talks about how blessed be the God and Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. So our salvation in Christ, we've been blessed in the heavenly places doctrinally, then we get to the practical aspect and, and he's not talking about being saved in the heavenly places, but being a prisoner because of what he believes. So I don't know how you can. And we're going to talk about that here in just a minute. The high places and the low places. And I think that's what gives Paul the validity of what he's about to say. I beseech you, I'm a prisoner. I'm here not because I did anything wrong out in the world. I'm here because I love Jesus and
>> Bert Harper: he did it for you Gentiles. I mean, you know, he said if I. If I hadn't done this we wouldn't be, we wouldn't be having this trouble. The Jews don't like me saying the Gentiles can come to Christ as equal as you.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, and so it is. So let me read, if I could, verses 1, 2 and 3 we've already talked about a little bit, but we want to look at it. It says, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Now here it is. He goes, walk worthy.
>> Bert Harper: This word walk will be used five times in these last three chapters. Now what's interesting, guess how many times the word riches is used in the first three chapters.
>> Bert Harper: Five times.
>> Bert Harper: Now, rich, you could add one time he uses the word rich, but the word riches is used five times and the walk is used five times. So our walk should be coming from the riches of what he's given to us.
>> Bert Harper: You can't separate the two. You can't be so focused on the riches of Christ that you neglect your walk. And you can't be so focused on what you do in life that you forget the doctrine that we believe. And this word walt worthy is a weight term which means how we live for Jesus is just as heavy as what we believe. And every follower of Christ. This is what I believe. I love what the scripture says. I believe it. And I think what Paul is saying here is you need to carry that weight into your walk and don't separate the two. Both of them are just as important to Jesus. And if we go one way or the other, we get off track.
>> Bert Harper: That's the reason they asked Charles Haddon
>> Bert Harper: Spurgeon, and I've used this before, what's more important, Bible reading and studying the Bible or prayer? And he said, well, I like to ask you a question. What's more important, breathing in or breathing out? And this is it. This, they go. Now, trying to live your, walk out without the richness and the indwelling part of the Holy Spirit is a futile task.
>> Bert Harper: It is. It is. Well, the reason and the foundation of our walk is not us. It's not anything that we bring to the table. It's the richness of Christ. Paul is walking with Jesus. Prison.
Paul says to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called
>> Bert Harper: One more thing about the walk. Guess what you got to do before you walk. Stand.
>> Bert Harper: And over here in chapter 6, verse 14, stand. Therefore, having girded your waist in truth, having Put on the breastplate of righteousness and having again, there it is, the
>> Bert Harper: armor of God, even there.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: But you know, it's like, well, right
>> Bert Harper: now our middle son, he's got a
>> Bert Harper: six month old little girl and we probably won't see her again until she's standing and walking. But guess what she'll do before she walks?
>> Bert Harper: She'll stand.
>> Bert Harper: She'll stand. So if we're going to walk with Christ, we better learn to stand in the truth of Christ.
>> Bert Harper: That's right. Well, and he goes on to say, worthy of the calling with which you were called. That's the reason behind it. And there is so much truth in this first verse that if you don't get verse one right, the rest of Ephesians doesn't make sense. It's because of who Christ is and the calling. He called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. That's why we walk with Jesus, because of what he's done in our heart. We're going to talk about grace here in a minute. I know it's already been a subject here in Ephesians, but that's what it's all about. It's all about the grace of Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: That's it.
>> Bert Harper: In Christ Jesus, the only way to
>> Bert Harper: get there is through his grace. So here it is, the calling with which you were called.
>> Bert Harper: I mean that, that's some comment. In other words, the calling is from God with which you have been called. In other words, we respond. This calling is to be responded to. A calling has to have a response. If there's no response, there's no life. And here the calling that he gave to these Gentiles in Ephesians and a few, a few Jewish believers in Ephesus, not a lot. he's writing basically to a Gentile church here more than any, I guess as much as any other church that he would write to.
>> Bert Harper: And he is saying you've been called and God's called, you have responded. Now notice with what. And he gives seven different kind of.
>> Bert Harper: I tried to figure out a way to say this. Characteristics, virtues, you know, but just let me listen to them. We'll come in on them.
>> Bert Harper: M. Jon first is lowliness or humility. And it says gentleness is. We'll get what that word, Long suffering, barrent, forbearance with one another in love, endeavoring and then the bond of peace.
>> Bert Harper: Yes, the seven qualities that we're called with, that we live out. Is that what you're seeing?
>> Bert Harper: That's what I'm seeing in Verse two. And I find it interesting that the foundation of all virtues is the first one that he mentions. Humility with all lowliness, with all humility. It's almost like Paul is saying, walk worthy of the calling with which you received and be like Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Because he goes back in Philippians, chapter two, let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus. And he goes through that great hymn, just speaking of not only the humility of Christ, but the exaltation of Christ, but with all lowliness and with gentleness and long suffering, bearing one another in love. Lowliness, Humility is totally contrary to, to what the world sees, how we should
>> Bert Harper: walk, especially the Roman world at that time. I mean, there are some issues, like a, politician or even a pastor or anybody, that you see the pride in them. You know, it's obvious. And it can be so strong that it's kind of detriment to us. But not here.
>> Bert Harper: Well, and another thing I would say you can't walk in humility without Jesus. This is a reminder. This is a Christian walk. No one can. Hey, this is how I want to live my life. you have to have Christ first and his riches. Walk worthy. And the first step of that is this lowliness. And then he comes alongside here also with the word gentleness, which humility produces. Gentleness, you say? Brother Jon, I'm not a gentle person. I'd love to be a little more gentle. It starts with humility. It starts with the, lowliness of mind. And he goes on long suffering, bearing with one another in love and forbearance. Okay?
>> Bert Harper: And that's the, the word. It comes from forbearance. And it's a quality that you have to work on.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: You know what I mean?
>> Bert Harper: That's right.
>> Bert Harper: Now, God gives you the humility for you to demonstrate forbearance. But with a lot of people, that forbearance really, really, really comes across, doesn't it, Jon?
>> Bert Harper: I mean, you're a pastor, and, you know, there,
>> Bert Harper: Okay, there are some things you just
>> Bert Harper: put up with, you know, and. Okay, God help me.
>> Bert Harper: It's an agape love that is only given through Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Only through Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
AFA celebrates America's 250th birthday with patriotic apparel
>> Bert Harper: Our guest, host today is Jon Bowler.
>> Bert Harper: He's pastor here in Huppelo, Mississippi.
>> Bert Harper: We've asked him to come alongside with Alex Ben at Montana at a youth camp. But we're going to be back and we're going to continue in Ephesians chapter four. there's some good stuff still coming. Don't go away.
>> : America's 250th birthday. It's a great excuse to have some extra cake and ice cream, but we can help your celebration go well beyond that. Show your patriotism with America 250 apparel that will become a memento of this special year. We also have special episodes on AFA Stream to help underscore that America is a Christian nation and help you find God in the Constitution. Find all of this and more in one place. Afa.net topics250.
>> Bert Harper: Five.
>> Bert Harper: Cause something beautiful is on the way and where you are is not. We were made to stay.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: There it is. And, again, we get a lot of comments on our intro, our return music.
>> Bert Harper: You know, Brent picks it out and, we, we evaluate it. Usually it's really, really good. Once or twice he's chosen one or two.
>> Bert Harper: Where'd you get that? But most time it's right on. Thank you, Brent.
John Bowler: Apostle Paul writes about keeping the unity of the Spirit
We're in chapter four again, verses two and three. our guest host today is Dr. Jon Bowler. Alex again is in Montana at a youth camp. But we come to verse two. Bearing, with one another in love. Jon,
>> Bert Harper: I think that occurred even when you go back to the 12 that followed Jesus arguing over who's going to be first. That is a human trait that only God can intervene and make it right.
>> Bert Harper: That's right. This is an agape love, which is only given through a personal relationship with Christ. And it's almost. I, was reading one scholar who said it's to know when to hold one, hold oneself back. It's. It's bearing with one another in love. And if, as you look at that virtue or characteristic, it's not the first one. And it's almost as if it's a, if it's a stepping stone. Lowliness is going to bring gentleness, and gentleness is going to bring long suffering. Long suffering and patience is going to bring forbearing love and are bearing with one another in love. As you're doing that, what happens next? Endeavoring. Endeavoring. And that's a, that's a, that's a good new King James word. Endeavoring. What in the. It's not taught. And it says, it says endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, immediately I want to look at that, especially as a pastor. Okay, I need to, I need to speak on this. When a church is not unified, but it's not talking about organizational unity. It's talking about you have the Holy Spirit and I have the Holy Spirit. That is the unity that we need to Keep. Because churches don't create unity. The Holy Spirit does. And if we're united with the Holy Spirit, then that's endeavoring to keep the unity.
>> Bert Harper: And this unity is not uniformity. Yes, that's right, because he's going to
>> Bert Harper: get down, and we're not there yet, but he's going to talk about the gifts.
>> Bert Harper: And the gifts are all different for each individual.
>> Bert Harper: And so here it is, the unity of the Spirit. He is the one that brings it, but endeavoring. And this is what the exhortation is, unity.
>> Bert Harper: not just being like one another, but being able through the power of the Holy Spirit, in his humility, he brings us for us to have some acceptance of one another in love. Now, that doesn't mean we do, not hold each other accountable. We need to have iron sharpening iron. And that's what happens in unity. As long as you come to me and say, hey, Bert, can we talk about something?
>> Bert Harper: And.
>> Bert Harper: And we sit down and you have something that you've heard me say. You saw something, how I treated someone. It kind of a short change with them. And, and because this has happened, I've had an individual said, Bert,
>> Bert Harper: you know, when you were talking
>> Bert Harper: to so and so, did you notice their response? And I started thinking, yeah, I did. And I said, okay, what did I say? And I remember what I said. And I had to go back and get it right. not meaning to, you know, but sometimes we can be a little. I can. I'm not going to say you, but sometimes I can be a maybe, a little brash or short with someone when I should not have done that.
>> Bert Harper: Well, and we all can. And I'll just take, the liberty. There may be a listener or a church, and you say, pastor, we're just going through some challenges. What, what advice can you give? How can we. How can we work through this? And I would take him back here to Ephesians 4. Yes. It's not talking about organizational unity, but walking worthy in humility and long suffering and gentleness, endeavoring to keep the peace. You have the Holy Spirit. I do, too. We have the same goal, and we want to walk with Jesus. That's going to handle a lot of our conflict that we have. And that belt, the bond of peace.
>> Bert Harper: That's it.
>> Bert Harper: That's the end of verse number three.
>> Bert Harper: That's it.
>> Bert Harper: In the bond of peace, that's what keeps it all together.
>> Bert Harper: And it comes back right before it does that. The unity of the Spirit.
>> Bert Harper: And that's what we started Talking about when we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit of God, we have all we need of God. We just need to let God have more of us.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: We don't m. Pray.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, God, give me more.
>> Bert Harper: No, God has already indwelt us, and we have the capacity to walk this worthy walk.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: Through Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Is it easy? No, it is not. Because Self.
>> Bert Harper: I don't know.
>> Bert Harper: The most difficult person in every church I've had has been Bert Harper. Self.
>> Bert Harper: Self. Yes.
>> Bert Harper: You say. Well, you don't seem that way. Well, you know, we are. we have to overcome that, don't we, Jon?
Paul says the closer you get to Christ, more is exposed
>> Bert Harper: the Holy Spirit of God only through him.
>> Bert Harper: So, Romans 7. The apostle Paul, in a recent sermon, he said, oh, wretched man that I am. And then later on in the scripture, he says, I am the chief of all sinners. And, here is the greatest missionary who walked the face of the earth and a church planter. And he understood that. He gets in the way. And I think we all do.
>> Bert Harper: The more. Okay, I've lived a long life. The more I know of Christ and the closer I get to him, the more I understand. Who, Bert Harper. That he could save a wretch like me.
>> Bert Harper: The closer you get to the light, more is exposed. More is exposed.
>> Bert Harper: Let's move on to verse four. Now. Here it is. One. we're going to find one.
>> Bert Harper: One, one.
>> Bert Harper: And again, it's seven ones.
>> Bert Harper: Just like there's seven of these virtues. Here are seven ones.
>> Bert Harper: Let me read it in verses four. and five and six. And then we'll come in. There is one body and one Spirit, just as there were called in. As you were called in. One hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all. Let me read verse seven and eight
>> Bert Harper: with that real quickly.
>> Bert Harper: at least verse seven. But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. We'll get back to that. The reason I wanted to get each
>> Bert Harper: one to each one. We have all these ones.
>> Bert Harper: I just found that amazing.
There's one unified body, the body of Christ, which is the church
But let's talk about it.
>> Bert Harper: One body. I think that's easy. You got the body of Christ.
>> Bert Harper: the church.
>> Bert Harper: The whole church. The bride of Christ. Does that exclude the local body, or does it include the local church?
>> Bert Harper: I think absolutely includes.
>> Bert Harper: I do, too.
>> Bert Harper: It's. It is. It is a picture. There's one unified body, the body of Christ, which is the church. When Jesus returns and he takes his church, home. It's not. I gotta go get this church and this church. It's one church. So you're talking about unity. He gives some examples of that one body. And then he says, there's one spirit, I think that can be self explanatory.
>> Bert Harper: That's pretty easy.
>> Bert Harper: That doesn't take a lot of exegetes.
>> Bert Harper: That's right. And then he says, just as you were called in. One hope. We have one reason to live for Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: For Jesus. He is our hope. Now, the hope is who he is, where he is and what he's going to do. I mean, think about that. He came to us and we're going
>> Bert Harper: to get to that later on if we get that far today in verse eight.
>> Bert Harper: But he came to us when we couldn't go to him. And then he paid the price. But then he ascended and sat at the right hand of the Father. So what he did, where he is. And then also we have a hope that completes that when he's coming back. So it's when you see that hope, it's the entirety of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done and what he's continuing to do and will do. It's, it's all of that, isn't it, Jon?
>> Bert Harper: Well, and it goes to verse five. One Lord, there's one way to heaven.
>> Bert Harper: Only one.
>> Bert Harper: There's not a plan B.
>> Bert Harper: There's not a plan B. And they say, well, that's a narrow way. Jesus said, that's right. It's a narrow way.
>> Bert Harper: It's through Jesus, One Lord. Make sure we get this, we're
>> Bert Harper: going to get the Trinity in this.
>> Bert Harper: One Spirit in verse four. Now we have one Lord in verse five. Now we'll go on ahead before we
>> Bert Harper: get to the third part.
The one faith. It's not a separate belief for Jews or Gentiles
>> Bert Harper: The one faith.
>> Bert Harper: Yes, okay.
>> Bert Harper: faith in Christ. Yes, it is.
>> Bert Harper: But there was a. The faith, you know, they keep the faith. It's that, relationship, knowledge and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: That's right. That's right. Well, it's the backdrop of the first three chapters. The richness of Christ, the doctrine of. But it's one faith. It's not a, separate belief for Jews or Gentiles. It's not a separate belief for someone here in the States or somebody of another part of the world. It's one faith and it's one doctrine. And that's all.
>> Bert Harper: Roads don't lead to heaven.
>> Bert Harper: No.
>> Bert Harper: There's a way that seems right unto a man. But the end thereof are the ways of death.
>> Bert Harper: That's right.
>> Bert Harper: So one, one faith is when Jesus said, I am, the way, the truth, the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
>> Bert Harper: There's only one name given among men, among men, whereby we must be safe. Paul says the same person who wrote this, or Peter, excuse me, Peter said that in the book of Acts. And that's through Jesus, Only Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: I gotta stop here.
>> Bert Harper: Those of you who are listening, if
>> Bert Harper: you're trying to get to heaven on your good works, being a member,
>> Bert Harper: quote, of the right church, getting baptized with the right words, it's a relationship with Jesus Christ that takes place in our life. And if you've never experienced that, we want you to know Him. that's one of the reasons this program exists. At three o' clock in the afternoon, every church, every program is talking
>> Bert Harper: about how God is operating.
>> Bert Harper: But a lot of times it's in
>> Bert Harper: the world of politics, in the world
>> Bert Harper: of government, in the world of society. We have this program each day set here.
John and I are asking you to trust Jesus Christ with all your heart
How's God working in your life?
>> Bert Harper: How's God doing that?
>> Bert Harper: So if you've never known him,
>> Bert Harper: Jon and I are asking you, trust the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind.
>> Bert Harper: You say, well, what words do I need to say?
>> Bert Harper: Well, I want to tell you God
>> Bert Harper: looks deeper than words and he looks, deeper than that which is external. He's looking at the heart. Would you call on him today?
>> Bert Harper: Say, God, I'm a lost sinner. I can't save myself. I know Jesus died on the cross and rose again and he's with a father right now. And I'm asking him to forgive me of my sin. And I'm asking him to be Lord of my life. I'm ready, lock, stock and barrel. Nothing in reserve. I'm giving it all. If you'll do that today, I want to tell you to change your world forever.
>> Bert Harper: One at Jon.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen. He is a life changer. And I keep going back to what he says here in verse. One to walk worthy and everything else that we see flows from that. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Is it talking about spirit baptism as we, when we receive Christ, is it talking about water baptism? The answer is yes.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. to be a part of the. We talked about the big church local.
>> Bert Harper: Now when I say big church for my boys, it meant after Sunday school we go to the big church. You know, where everybody is. But when we're talking about it here, we're talking about the worldwide.
>> Bert Harper: Every believer being a part of the body but to be a part of a local body, you need that baptism.
>> Bert Harper: it's an identification with Christ. It's a picture of what Christ has done in your heart. And it's a picture of your old life and new life coming up. Picture of Jesus dying and rising again. And he says, only one baptism, only
>> Bert Harper: one, the only way is through Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: And when that happens, the Spirit, one Spirit.
>> Bert Harper: At that moment, at that point in time when we've trusted the Lord Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit comes into our life. We pray for many fillings. We don't pray for more baptisms, you know, but many, many fillings. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
>> Bert Harper: That's a nautical term. It has the idea of lifting your sails and letting the wind blow those
>> Bert Harper: sails which is empowering you. It directs you, you know, let's get
>> Bert Harper: to the last one here in verse
>> Bert Harper: 6, because times are fleeting.
>> Bert Harper: And it says, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. And I'll make this statement, Jon, you talked about one Spirit in verse four, one Lord in verse five, and now one God and Father Paul.
>> Bert Harper: Really, it's like Jesus did our Father, which art in heaven. The model prayer. He refers to the Father.
>> Bert Harper: He does. And verse six is rich and, you could say that any verse here in the Bible, and especially Ephesians, but he says, one God and one Father of all, who is above all, through all and in you all. It tells he is above creation. he doesn't need water to drink. He doesn't need oxygen to breathe. The scripture says he is father of all, who is above all. We're going to see in just a minute higher than the heavens, but then he comes down through all and in you all. The Father who is above the heavens, works in and through us through His Spirit. Brother Jon, how in the world can I walk worthy? You can't. But it's the Spirit of God who, who is above all, working in and through us, giving us the power and the ability to live in the richness of who Christ is. That's what verse six is about.
>> Bert Harper: To each one of us, grace has been given.
>> Bert Harper: That grace is given through the power
>> Bert Harper: of God, the Holy Spirit of God.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: Well, listen, this, is so powerful that God has a plan.
>> Bert Harper: He's provided it.
>> Bert Harper: Now you need to walk in it. Those of you that are followers of Jesus Christ, walk worthy of the calling.
>> Bert Harper: Live, up to your name. That's right, a Christ follower.
>> Bert Harper: Christ follower.
>> Bert Harper: Live up to you.
>> Bert Harper: Christ Follower.
Preborn network clinics offer free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
>> Bert Harper: Well, we're going to take phone calls. You know, it's already close to the third segment. Time passes, doesn't it, that number.
>> Bert Harper: And we want your Bible question. We'd love to hear it today. 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. if you have a Bible question on the book of Ephesians or anywhere else in the Bible, that's kind of scary. 66 books to pick from. And we're going to try to answer that here on Exploring the word.
>> Bert Harper: M. Right now, the voices in our culture are loud, but truth is often silent. And today preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity and hope. But I refuse to be silent and I am asking you to join me. At preborn network clinics, a woman is welcomed with compassion and given a free ultrasound. She sees the life growing inside her, often for the first time. And in that sacred moment, fear gives way to clarity. And she's offered something the abortion industry will never provide. The hope of Jesus Christ. This April, our goal is to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn network clinics, trusting God to bring the increase as we remain faithful to speak. You can help make that possible by sponsoring ultrasounds. Just $28 provides one ultrasound. $140 sponsors five ultrasounds for mothers in crisis. Every dollar helps save babies and share the good news of Jesus Christ. To donate, dial £250 and say the keyword baby. That's £250 baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host.
>> Bert Harper: You'll come through. You are always able.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Burke harper and John Bowler answer your questions on Christian radio
>> Bert Harper: This is Burke harper along with Dr. Jon Bowler sitting in for Alex McFarland today. And you're calling in. We're so glad that you would choose to call in and we're going to do our best to give, you answers first. Biblical, we, we try to do that and make sure as best we can depending on the Holy Spirit and what God has taught us. So we're going to go straight to the phone lines.
>> Bert Harper: Jon, are you ready?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, sir.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, let's go to Kansas. Wayne, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
>> Caroline: Hello, my brother. Thanks for the radio program.
Earlier, one of you mentioned Paul claiming to be the chief of sinners
Earlier, one of you mentioned Paul claiming to be the chief of sinners. And I researched that one very carefully and read it in context and he lists the reasons that he would summarize
>> Bert Harper: his Life that way.
>> Caroline: Every sin he lists in that paragraph is things he used to commit when he was under the. Under the law. Am I reading it correctly?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, this is found in. What is it?
>> Bert Harper: First, in First Timothy, chapter one, verse number 15 is the specific passage.
>> Bert Harper: Let me read again. And what you're saying, Wayne, is so
>> Bert Harper: important, the context in which it's listed. Here it is, hold fast the pattern
>> Bert Harper: of sound words which you have heard
>> Bert Harper: from me in faith and love, which are in Christ. I'm in second Timothy.
>> Bert Harper: I'm sorry. First Timothy, right? Am I first Timothy? Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: Timothy 1:15.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah. I'm sorry. And here it is, verse 12. I'm sorry. I, think Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me because he's counting me faithful, putting me in the ministry, although I was formerly here. It is a blasphemer, a persecutor and insolent man. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief. That is the context. but he did not say I was.
>> Bert Harper: He uses the present am, doesn't he, Jon?
>> Bert Harper: That's right. And I think what Paul is saying here in this passage, especially in verse 15, he does. It is a passage that is sharing his testimony how he came to know Christ. And I don't think the apostle Paul is saying that he is on the top of the list because my sin deserves eternal punishment, just as the apostle Paul. But he says, I understand what I've been saved from. And I understand that Jesus Christ came to save me, including everything that I did. And he also goes through verse 16 and 17 that talks more about who Jesus is and how he showed him mercy and he showed him grace. But when the apostle Paul, the chief of sinners, you can take Paul's name out and put my name in there. You can put anybody's name, because we're all sinners need of Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: This I want to read, Ephesians,
>> Bert Harper: chapter three, verse eight, in that context as well.
>> Bert Harper: He said, paul writes, to me, who am less than the least of all the saints. The grace was given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Less than the least.
>> Bert Harper: That's right.
>> Bert Harper: What this is is a view of
>> Bert Harper: who we are and who God is.
>> Bert Harper: The con.
>> Bert Harper: The bridge is so far apart from where God is and where I am, that there's nothing that man can do, any man on earth, to bridge that gap. God had to do it, and he did it through Christ Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: That's the grace of Jesus, and that's
>> Bert Harper: the way we need to see it.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: That he go back. That he could save a sinner like me.
>> Bert Harper: you know, this whole idea.
>> Bert Harper: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a.
>> Bert Harper: What?
>> Bert Harper: Wretch like me.
>> Bert Harper: Romans 7, verse 24, 25. Right before we get in one of the great chapters of The Bible, Romans 8, Paul's talking about his walk with Jesus. O wretched man that I am, I thank God through Jesus Christ for saving me. But even as I walk with Jesus, the times that I fall, he and his grace is there. We cannot live without, Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Hey, Wayne, thank you. That's a good.
>> Bert Harper: And when you read that in that passage, you see that he still remembers who He. Don't forget who you were, where he's brought me from, and where I could have been.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: And I think that's the reason he would respond.
>> Bert Harper: I think we should respond that way as well.
Cecilia calls Brother Bird to thank him for spreading the word
Let's go to Virginia. Cecilia, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Jon Bowler: hey, Brother Bird. I just wanted to call and, and just let you know how much, I appreciate, your integrity and, and you know, the pastor you have with you today. I was just sitting here listening. I'm painting a fence, rebuilding a fence in my house. Listen to you guys, pretty often. And, I could hear the joy in your voice. And I know that, you know, God was flooding you while you were sharing, the Word. And so I want to, I just wanted to reach out and thank you and Alex and the whole team for spreading the word and, and walking in integrity. Thank you very much.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Cecil. Jon, you listen sometimes. Does, does the reality and the passion. We want people to know Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: There is joy in Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: There is joy because Jesus is alive and well. And if you can't smile and be joyful for that, then nothing else is going to work. There is joy in Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: This thought hit me while you were saying to be a Christian in Ephesus,
>> Bert Harper: one of the most wicked cities that their walk, I mean, it was Seacoast City, it was, traveling. I mean, it was, ah, a crossroads for everything. And the temple there, Diana was there. And he had joy in his telling them to have that.
>> Bert Harper: That's right.
>> Bert Harper: Hey, if it's tough in 2026, it was, it's been tougher in other times as well.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you so much.
Bob: In Israel's program, there's two hopes. There's one hope through Jesus
>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Ohio, and it's Bob.
>> Bert Harper: Bob.
>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead. Thank you for calling, brother.
>> Jeff Chamblee: Sure. Hey, I enjoy your show and, the Bible study every. Every day. I just wanted to point out, I see a difference between the hope that Paul mentions there in Ephesians, chapter four. There's one hope. Well, in Israel's program, there's two hopes. There's a hope for the Jew and a hope for the Gentile. As we read the Old Testament, we learn that Isaiah, chapter 60 is a good example of that. And everybody can read that on their own. But the Gentiles come to a believing Israel and bring their money, and they rebuild walls, and they do all these good things on behalf of Israel. And so I thought, wow, that's a great passage there. Those seven unities for us today. Yeah, that's way cool. I appreciate your. Your, your study today.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Bob. this is the neat part. I mean, that's what he spent in the first few chapters talking about the Jew and the gentile becoming what, 1, 1, 1. So are we to support each other?
>> Bert Harper: I go back to Romans, chapter 1, verse 16. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. It's the power of God for everyone who believes. That's the hope for the Jew first and also for the Greek. The unity that is there, whether it's Jew or whether it's Gentile. There is one hope, and that can only be found through Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Well, maybe listening, but one of my
>> Bert Harper: very best, dearest friends on earth is a Jew who's come to Jesus Christ. A brother in Christ and just awesome and, equal in unity. That's right.
>> Bert Harper: In Christ. Bob, I think you're right.
John: American Family Radio encourages inmates to keep pushing forward
Okay, we want to go to Demetrius in Texas. Demetrius, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, man.
>> Caroline: Brothers, I just want to encourage you guys to keep pushing forward, because it's people like me that learned a lot. I, did 25 years in federal prison. I just want to ask you guys to say some encouraging words to the guys in there, because there are a lot of guys in there to listen to your programs all day long on American Family Radio. And, I mean, they're faithfully committed, and the proof is in the pudding. Guys have came out, and they are changed lives. Jesus Christ is alive and well today in the hearts of people.
>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah, Demetrius. Thank you. Hey, brother, keep. Keep it going. did you come to Christ while you were incarcerated after you got out or in in prison, you know.
>> Caroline: No, sir. I was. I was, 19 years old when I went to prison, and I came out when I was 45. I led a men's Bible study for 20 years. I just. Anything I could get my hands on, good, solid teaching, like people like Jon MacArthur's R.C. sproul, I mean, they don't have a lot of stuff in there. And I've spent a lot of money getting my own stuff in there because there's just a lot of bad doctrine in there, and I will not put up with it. And again, the proof is in the pudding that God be the truth and every man a liar.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, brother, I want to do that. We, know we get a lot
>> Bert Harper: of letters from inmates, Jon.
>> Bert Harper: We, Alex gets them, I get
>> Bert Harper: them, we read them. And what God is doing there is amazing.
>> Bert Harper: two years ago, I got to
>> Bert Harper: go to a county facility here in the state of Mississippi that, has state prisoners. And, I got to preach there. And they were telling me how they gather around the radio during Exploring the Word to have their Bible study every day.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: And this is the power of radio. And we don't listen.
>> Bert Harper: That's the power. That's why during Share a thons and we tell people, your money goes
>> Bert Harper: further than just here.
>> Bert Harper: It goes to all over the world. Yes, Demetrius, thank you.
Some of the New Testament books were written from prison
And let me say a word of encouragement to those of you that are incarcerated. And listen, I want to tell you, you've got a fellow prisoner. His name is the Apostle Paul. And the Apostle Paul was in prison when he was writing this book of Ephesians. He also wrote the book of Colossians,
>> Bert Harper: the book of Philemon. Seemed like there's one more.
>> Bert Harper: You remember Philippians?
>> Bert Harper: Philippians, that's right, Philippians.
>> Bert Harper: And, listen, you got a fellow prisoner.
>> Bert Harper: That's what he calls himself, a prisoner of the Lord.
>> Bert Harper: That's right. You know, the grace of God and the joy of Jesus is not bound by walls. And you may find yourself in a prison cell. And Jesus is there with you. And he will encourage you. I encourage you if you're listening, if you have a Bible available to study the Word, to read the Word, if you have, radio, television available to be able to watch and to listen programs, like AFR and Exploring the Word and others to be able to grow in your walk with Jesus, that some of, the books of the NewSong Testament that we have, some of them, like you just mentioned, were written from prison. If God can give us a book of Joy like Philippians.
>> Bert Harper: Rejoice again.
>> Bert Harper: I say rejoice from a prison cell. Then the Lord can encourage you wherever you're at.
>> Bert Harper: And just, let me share this with you.
>> Bert Harper: God is not through with you.
>> Bert Harper: we hear from Demetrius and how God is using him in a Bible study. we thank God for that and just keep on.
>> Bert Harper: Father, I pray you'd be with those
>> Bert Harper: who are listening that are incarcerated.
>> Bert Harper: I've met some of them.
>> Bert Harper: I've communicated with some. And Father, I thank you for the difference you made in their lives through the word of God and through AFR and using exploring the Word. Father, may, may you just continue doing that, drawing them to yourself. In Jesus name. Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Demetrius.
Russell calls to talk about the word blessed in Ephesians 1
Well, let's go to Alabama. And it's Russell. Russell, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
>> Speaker K: Yeah, you're welcome. Yeah, Russell, first time caller. I was cooking and tuned in and wanted to call. Keith, I want to know more about that word blessed in verse three. Can you share a little? Because I've heard that, it means like extremely happy, like almost to the point of eclipse, seeing, like grief and sorrow and lament. I'm someone who's going through a hard season of some grief right now. And so when it says blessed, does that mean extremely happy and eclipsing our grief, or does it mean we still can have a little of that sorrow because Jesus was man of sorrows? Could you help me with that?
>> Bert Harper: I'll do my best. We will do our best. The thing that the Lord does is bless us with all spiritual blessings. That's where it comes from. We're blessed that way.
>> Bert Harper: I was listening to someone this weekend. I was getting preached to Jon, and one of the key things of being thankful is look into where you are and where you could, could be, you know, and it brings but joy. And that's the book of Philippians. It's connected with blessed.
>> Bert Harper: Russell.
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And, and it is so true. Joy comes from within. David wrote, restore unto me the joy of my salvation.
>> Bert Harper: That's right.
>> Bert Harper: And joy is based upon this relationship with Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: And we're blessed to have this relationship.
>> Bert Harper: We have a brother, we have a savior that's closer than a brother, and we really know that and that we're blessed to have that. You want to add to that, Jon?
>> Bert Harper: Sure. Well, that's Ephesians 1, verse 3, where it says, he's blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly place in Christ Jesus. And I take you to First Peter, chapter One, verse three, where it says, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Very similar from Peter's perspective. In Paul's perspective, the word blessed is to give that he has given us. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, and he's blessed us with a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He's given that to us, and we
>> Bert Harper: have that Russell in him. Again, I'm pointing to ephesians, verses, chapters
>> Bert Harper: 1, 2 and 3 tells what we have. And it is introduced there. And that verse three has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
>> Bert Harper: And then it follows up five times. He used the word riches. And one of them is unsearchable riches. And that doesn't mean easy.
>> Bert Harper: We in America, we think being blessed is easy.
>> Bert Harper: That's right.
>> Bert Harper: We've got brothers and sisters in the
>> Bert Harper: Sudan, Nigeria, North Korea.
>> Bert Harper: Listen, their joy is not in their
>> Bert Harper: possessions or even having it easy.
>> Bert Harper: They have it hard, but they have
>> Bert Harper: the joy, don't they?
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Some of them are prisoners of the Lord. They love Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Russell, thank you. And we're praying that God would just show you his blessing and tough years come.
>> Bert Harper: They really do.
>> Bert Harper: Jon knows that he and his wife gone through some hard times, but God
>> Bert Harper: has sustained them, and that's part of the joy.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. We're going to continue tomorrow in the Book of Ephesians. And if you want to read ahead, read the rest of chapter four. And we'll join you tomorrow with Exploring the Word.
>> Bert Harper: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
