A Conversation with Stu Epperson

PNG radio, or today's culture and timeless truths come together it's reasoned relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know from Alex McFarlane ministries. This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane, maybe for the old song up from the grave he arose with a mighty trial supposed think about what Jesus did that first Easter morning. The arose of Victor from the dark domain. He lives forever with his saints to reign hi Alex McFarland, you're welcome to TNG radio tree for new generation, and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday fulfilling Zechariah 9 and Zechariah 13. They shouted hosanna and in only few days that very same people that it wants praised Jesus would be shouting for his condemnation, they would be sent crucify him. He did go to that cross. He was nailed to the tree of Calvary. He rose from the dead for you and for me and how we rejoice in that Jesus not only paid our sin debt, but he conquered death while I'm so excited about the program you're listening to, and the friend that I want you to made truly one of my best friends ever in life. A ministry colleague of more than 20 years now, and the author of an incredible book of the last words of Jesus first steps to a richer life. His name is Stu Epperson Junior you know that name because you've heard me reference him so many times and were just gonna gather around his book and learn about the last words of Jesus from the cross, but also were just going to fellowship around that great reality that our Savior is alive and still now the time of the whole world is very concerned over this pandemic isn't that a message that more urgently than ever needs to be heard, that Christ is alive and all who know him will live forever to MMS.

The greatest message. The greatest message.

The only words that ever change in his life are the words of life, the words came out of the mouth of Jesus, and we have the written word in the Bible, we have the living word. The word made flesh, the Word was with us and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth.

John one and that is who Jesus is and that's what my book really meant all of your books out of dialogue and I've interviewed you countless times your books and everyone needs to own every one of Alex's nose. I'm just a little. He's a Jedi maestro is the little guy here learning from advocate of godly men like him but we we are trying to point people to Jesus because no one is ever come in contact with him in his words and been the same before the resurrection before that empty tomb on that first Easter morning before even the cross give us, that the story leading up to what happened that were the most significant week in all of history in Jerusalem, the one known as the bread of life, the son of God. How was it that the crowd so quickly turned against him and ultimately he would be executed on Mount Calvary give us that the larger story of what was going on here with all Good Friday and was trying to figure out you know this paragraph of the an introduction. The introduction of the book is entitled seven words of life from the tree of death and honestly you can't have life without death. Jesus addresses unless a grain of wheat falls around and dies it will not bring forth life. But if it doesn't bring forth force a huge multiple life and that's what we have in Jesus.

At this Passover event holy week early Sunday so we start there we go into his actual moments dying on the cross and those seven statements 750 pointed well measured divine statements on the cross as Christ died, he opened his mouth. He says in as if it is really opened not his mouth. He was led as a sheep before it shares. He was led as a sheep to slaughter literally the Lamb of God being slain for our sins, and he didn't open his mouth.

He was in the trial that are all marveling at this girl beside himself. This man did no wrong is on trial this is your chance sir to defend yourself punch after punch blow after blow strike after strike and not a word from the one whose word spoke the world into existence. Colossians 1 Bible that you created value with anything made was made. He said the Lila Rose one is a B light near he's everything but speaking.

He's everything but verbose. There's no words coming out of the living word until he's thrusting across and he says the seven profound statements that have recently changed my life. Getting into forgiveness getting into care for the widow social justice from across and all these things in our own this book last words of Jesus. Alex and I getting a better time a year to really lean in to that death of Christ and lean into what he did for me and what he meant when he said it is finished, and right now before we get to the words it is finished and he yielded up his spirit. In Luke 2334 Jesus said, father forgive them for they know not what they do give us a little bit of of explanation. This forgive them for they know not what they did. What were they doing that needed the father's forgiveness while great question pouches actually like five sermons that one statement. The first one is father hostile father most of his father is Asaro. I just opened with father. The second on some prayer. He opened up in prayer. The one who is familiar with his father and says in Luke 456 it says he went to a remote place to pray all night right so he's opening prayer. He dresses his father then he says forgive us for giving and you can you imagine that word in our culture being actually employed being used.

Imagine, of the power and freedom that would ensue with forgiveness was simply explored what the Bible says about forgiveness. Jesus said, father, forgive anyone about this other one them. Who are they, who was he praying forgiveness for his haters mean the first thing that I do when someone offends me, attacked me, is the first thing I do to jump in and say father forgive them.

These are people regaling orders close there were the ones that were executing. They just drove these college nails through his hands through his feet and his first words out of his mouth.

After all, the meeting, after all the hate the spit and all that in the mocking his father forgive them and then this is statement for they know not what they do in the book I get into answer this question do we have any idea what our sins do you have done to the Savior. Alex McFarlane here was Stu Epperson Junior were talking about the last words of Jesus from the cross for a new generation radio will be back with more after this. Don't go away from. I am a watchman ministries. Here's today's I am a watchman minute.

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Several of my family members have contracted the virus and extended family member has passed away from the virus. I know what it is to have fear and anxiety. I also know what it is to have peace because I know Jesus, the Prince of peace. I don't have all the answers, but I know that God does and I trust him. I know he loves me and I know he loves you trust God today find peace in him today. The troubles were facing now foreshadow the great tribulations that are to come. But know this, Jesus promised to return to rescue sincere believers from this world. In an event known as the rapture.

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We are engage magazine.net online group of millennial's, brought together by a common goal to share truth apply Scripture and to get involved in are lost and hurting engage magazine.net host discussions that help you apply biblical worldview to your daily life engage magazine.net Alex is written many books to help you defend your faith. One of them answers questions from skeptics it's cleverly titled 10 answers for skeptics today. Skeptics are looking for authenticity, integrity, and straightforward truth and in the book Alex McFarland identifies the 10 most common types of skepticism that plagued doubters minds. It offers believers proven strategies for connecting intellectually and spiritually with those who are skeptical about the claims of Christianity. Learn how to answer intimidating questions. Identify the root issue behind those questions and dismantled the spiritual bombshells dropped by atheist blocks find encouragement to face hostility by persevering in love. The ultimate apologetic Christians could offer as a witness to our loving God, check out 10 answers for skeptics. When you visit Alex McFarlane.com you now need to have a Bible degree from Liberty University Center, pray, worship and obey God make you make life more vibrantly when you're ready for a religious studies degree find more than 60 ministry degree option Dr. of Ministry one LeBlanc rate, forgive any questions. Liberty University where we train champions for Christ liberty.\to learn more as limiting.\Explored. To learn more timeless truth is soundbite culture for a new generation radio level gospel songs, especially the song where it said as though the love that your salvation's plan of the grace that brought it down to man listen folks over the mighty goals that God did span at Calvary.

Welcome back to truth for new generation radio were talking with my friend Brother and colleague Stu Epperson, author of the book last words of Jesus, published by worthy publishing about a waste do I want to get into this but working people find this book my name my website is our website Stu Epperson.com. We are fortunate the publishers a get get a website is your name and that way they can find out about this book 1st words of Jesus may be more Christmas book as well just about our ministry podcast stuff and you might meet some friends my like out of our owner took his week without showcasing godly men like you and all the stuff you're doing well.

Afforded by David Jeremiah beloved around the world. Dr. Jeremiah 70 others and Graham says that this is a deep, insightful book in you. You want this book. It's I want to thank you for writing the book that inspired and moved me, but you know the love that you salvation's plan, the mighty golf that God did span was. That means that what golf was spanned as Christ stretched out his arms and those those hands that held the sickened and comforted the though hurting and that the words that were spoken that created the universe and yet those hands were nailed to the cross that Savior was put to death. What was the golf that God was able to bridge through Jesus. Such a profound question, the gravity of what you just stated the depth of that is practically incomprehensible to the point where even the prophet Isaiah thousand years before any of this stuff happened.

Asked this question, who hath believed our report is the our Lord been revealed and he goes into this beautiful what they call the gospel of the Old Testament you know Isaiah 53 where he taught her how he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. This that you know the, the, the whole weight of our sin on Jesus and really Alex. That's the beauty and I was the hardest part about writing this book last words of Jesus because you used when you journey into the words of Christ from across the seven statements that he made from the cross of Christ. It really you're starting the words of Christ, Dante, what happens they end up studying you to do this in small groups. There's churches are giving these out is like a little Easter gift for Bill O'Connor church so that people can be exposed to the words of Christ, and we go deep in the 20s not long book unabashed ballplayer man he don't like it I could, I got another another brightest knife in the drawer how that goes on but I but but I want to put some it's simple because I myself was looking for something simple as I was during know if you said no.

20 statements for the cross. I knew that he said some profound things. I remember the father forgive them. Are there some about in my hands.

I cloistered these other things. So I started digging deep. I started doing this book. What you have. I guarantee you, you have this you have everything Jesus said recorded in Scripture as he got across every Scripture verse that were word he make the statements you will discover like it like it took me a lot longer to find this out that three of the statements are in the book of Luke three of the statements are in the book of St. John in the seven statements or which is the fourth statement, but that the one only one of the statements is in Mark and that same one as in Matthew and that happens to be the most profound one.

Of all of them so took two gospel record most profound one in three met three in Luke 3.so those are little things like that within every prophetic verse in the Bible point is words of Christ and the implications those words and his words are the words of life.

So when Jesus speaks you want to hang on every word and S were hoping that people will read this and it'll point them to know Jesus and the better we will be will give this is a gift to someone this time year anytime to point in a crisis or was fascinated by last words and I wanted what it did such a sexy as he died knowing it. We were listening closely right is Abe Lincoln's taken his last breath. What's he going to say and so was he. Write that down SMU title the whole book so we decided to write a book that showcased the greatest one ever in the only one, as you alluded to earlier that conquered death and up from the grave he did rise and he is come back again.

Jesus was crucified between two thieves and out one of the thieves said, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom and Jesus in Luke 2343 says truly, truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. People talk about deathbed conversions. I mean, if ever anybody really cut it close to the last second.

It was that thief on the cross. But he did put his faith in Jesus. Now unpack for us if you would stated Jesus's response today you will be with me in paradise. What did that mean while his response was to probably one of the weakest sinners prayers ever contrived urine evangelist Allison you led you let South a been there we've led thousands in of sinners prayer prayer. She, Christ and hands go up right people come forward and inhabit part of the counseling team is there. We note you do your big events.

But this guy many went off script really bad. I mean, he would've been in. It would've made this with you know how many of our gospel tracts.

We have to read about the gospel in the gospel tracker. The book of the NCO cannot pray this prayer to be saved. Lord, remember me when you come in your King of Walser was like well that's not gonna cut it but will limitation. I did cut it, because Jesus said to him, powerful response and then this is his second statement from the from the cross Jefferson father forgive them is prayer. Forgiveness is answered in the thief because Jesus says today.

What a great statement. Not yesterday.

Not in a few weeks.

Not after you clean yourself up today you it's personal salvation is always personal will is a statement of fact, de facto.

It's a statement of of actual guarantees. Not maybe might be with me and say be like me is a get right get down get cleaned up get a basket Duncan water go to catechism class go to new leaders classed as I was glassed on a mission trip know he said today you will be with me eternal life is is being with Jesus, it's in relation with him right in paradise. That's the ending that's where you only take you where were my commute daily in paradise, which is another word for heaven so he's basely said look, I've seen. I've heard your words, but I like no other can look in your heart because I built your heart and I'm taking you straight to heaven with me.

The only one that could save anyone have me hanging across just a few feet away from the only one who could say when that's Jesus Christ the most ruthless and are the word of the season.

The Greek means Terrace. The sky was a murder sky was bloodied him and his partner in crime both for blasting Christ according Matthew's account in here he comes up in Luke 23 and he rebukes the other guy is mentally fear God's well study shows that he fears God.

He rebukes him and then he jumps in and praises prayer and Jesus saves that man the only person Jesus saved on that hill.

We know the center and made a great proclamation. We don't know if he was saved or not you made a great statement, but we know for a fact that Jesus said to this man today you will be with me in paradise. And he was saved as a deathbed conversion death cross conversion just like lifetime conversions. You never know for sure. You know, God knows our course to see the fruit would have time to see the skies fruit when Jesus Christ declares you say buddy limitation of your say a real board a real relationship in a real heaven today you will be with me in paradise.

This is true for new generation radio Alex McFarlane Stu Epperson last words of Jesus from the cross states in Berkeley come back with more after this. Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government proportioned in war. Too often, we manage these disagreements by ignoring them, yet were called to engage the world for the sake of Christ. How can we be effective if we avoid society's most pressing questions in 10 issues that divide Christians Alex McFarlane challenges us to drill down to the biblical core of 10 current issues such as social justice evil and suffering, not Murphy and environmentalism as he echoes the biblical invitation, this reason together only by engaging the Scriptures deeply thinking clearly and speaking truthfully can we, in God's family address our differences and discover the peace that comes with unity of purpose. 10 issues that divide Christians buying this book and many others@alexmcfarlane.com. If you're a Christian parent, you will of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church. This is Alex McFarland encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity. I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series.

You'll find it@afastore.net that AFA store.net in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism. Alex McFarland is a voice you could trust to speak the timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way. You're listening to the truth for a new generation radio back on three new generation radio Alex McFarlane for signature listing and I just want to say I hope that you and your family have a blessed Easter and you know even though the economy is rough in our hearts go out to those people who are getting to work and get their hours like they need that you know something that is untouchable by circumstance or changing situations. That's the reality that Christ is alive and and I'll put it this way, folks. The tomb was left empty so that your life could be made full and so true for new generation we got a lot of content that were creating up my website is Alex McFarlane.com and were putting up videos all the time now that the whole world is quarantined and I've got almost 4 months of speaking events all around North America that are now postponed or canceled. Please keep us in prayer as we though our may be going have the most fruitful month for evangelism in the history of the ministry because nearly hundred people a day are emailing and saying how can I know that I'm saved, how can I be right with God.

And it's ironic and we give God the glory were not traveling were not on airplanes were not doing events like we normally do. And yet, via email, Internet correspondence, some phone calls to were able to see people pray to accept Christ. So please keep us in prayer. Stay engaged with Alex McFarlane.com listen to all of the great programming that we have the privilege of being a part of and we we praise God for all of this and I am talking with my dear friend Stu Epperson he's strategist was saved in a great work for the body of Christ and for lost people to explain the last words of Jesus. Jesus said to that thief on the cross.

They call it the penitent thief because he repented today will be with me in paradise. But let's talk about what Jesus said to John and Mary son behold thy mother mother, behold, I sent Christ is on the cross. He's nailed to the cross.

He's been beaten crown of thorns the wrath of God that we deserved is being poured on to Jesus and yet he's thinking about others. What what all is in these exchanges of Mary and John and the Lord from the cross is a great picture of what he said to Carrie. He was a caring, compassionate Savior, and he cared for his mom is a rewrite of firstborn to take care of mom and then in the past.

In the event of his untimely death, which would be the case of Christ, he would turn that care over someone else like John so and what I get into that, really, how in the gospel we find the greatest message of social justice that the country which can heal our country is not racial reconciliation because if the races get together there to find out that they hate each other for other reasons to find out someone the Yankees fans was a Red Sox fan and there's plenty people. The same race at each other.

So the deeper need really systemically is the gospel of Jesus Christ and Jesus answered and on the cross when he brought those two together who will be to real anchors and that early church.

Mary is a real mentor to John and a motherly figure. So many, and John is one of the leaders who God will use the day of Pentecost always who acts in a mighty powerful way and a pen, a big chunk the New Testament will also from Psalm 22 verse one my God my God why Stan forsaken me some 22 was written about 1000 BC and it's interesting. Psalm 22 contains the words they pierced my hands and my feet and Jesus quotes Psalm 22, one from the cross, my God, my God, why stuffer segment and why from the cross with the Lord quote a psalm written a millennial prior oil findings.

Words I going to every prophetic verse in there from the first.

Alas, these are all deeply scriptural, deeply Hebrew concepts. The last one into has been our spirit is from a Hebrew bedtime song that moms and dads would sing as he took their babies in the bed and echoed most likely sing.

Now I lay down to sleep or we we say those things rock like you know so on so forth that one in particular is a tough one chapter for this book is one of the hardest chapters, either how to write is the hardest thing I've ever even currently studied because this idea that through Martin Luther and the connections and he study that that statement for the cross, which is only found in Matthew North County market is the only statement for the cross founders two Gospels, by the way, all the rest of Marine Luke and John, Jesus said those words Martin Luther studied him and he had to go into prayer and fasting away from everyone for a long period time in a room and he prostrated himself on a fluorescent God what neurosis mean he came out can only say these words godforsaken by God. How can this be, and it's like that song we sing a lot of times even this time your amazing love how can it be that thou my God shouldst die for me, Jesus.

It says it please the father of Ruth Bruce him another Psalm and in another Psalm Psalm and another I and Isaiah another another part of the Old Testament body of prophecy is said to please the father present God poured out the wrath of himself on his son. So suicide Christ in a very real sense was for second so we could be accepted. He was rejected so we could be adopted and made his own.

It's a brilliant picture of the great exchange.

So the amputation of our sin was upon the righteous Lamb of God, the amputation of his righteousness was placed upon us. He died in my place and I was given his righteousness. So I am a son and you young lady.

If you know Christ or a daughter of the king is not awesome is rating greater than the treasure of having life because of his death and his resurrection sealed the deal, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday. This ties in with Romans 58 God demonstrated his love in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and you know it it it is amazing the the wrath of God poured on God so that we who were deserving of that wrath could be delivered from wrath and declared righteous. Now Jesus from the cross.

He says father, into your hands I commend my spirit guide a thing about John 1930.

It is finished and he bowed his head and he was dead. Stu what what's going on there. What is all that mean well it's a great it's it's a great statement and I call collateral piece because Jesus Christ was the Principe's and his death came to bring peace and on Palm Sunday. It started when he came into Jerusalem on unbroken beast of peace. A donkey into the city of peace, Drew Salem shalom Wright Road, the Prince of peace. We've been talking with author and broadcaster Stuart Epperson Junior he's the writer of the book the last words of Jesus, and I would encourage you to get this book. But even more importantly than that, I would encourage you to think about your relationship with Jesus. You have a relationship with Jesus as toxic as the coronavirus is said to be in so many of the things in this world that are dangerous and an even deadly, the most toxic deadly thing in the world is sin.

But Jesus can thoroughly completely eternally deliver you from sin and we encourage you if you've never trusted Christ do that today, as we always say Jesus is as close buys a prayer and if you will turn to him. Now he will save you and we hope you do that if we can help you in any way in your walker witness. If you want to come to Christ or come back to Christ.

Let us help you Alex McFarlane here saying God bless you, pray for America and take your strong stand for Christ and it's our honor to help you do that. Thanks for the TNG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarlane ministry, PO Box 10231, Spero, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one or give online@alexmcfarlane.com while you're there, listen the program archives. Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarlane.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time is we bring you more true for a new generation TNG radio