The Word of God

Best-selling author, speaker and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, best-selling author and apologist Dylan Burroughs together bringing you truths for a new generation. This is TMG radio one of my favorite verses of Scripture is found in Psalm 119 verse 93 which basically says this I will never forget your words poured through them. I found life Alex McFarland here along with Dylan Burroughs and failed. The program was going to be talking about the Bible, how can I trust the Bible, can I be sure that the Scripture is trustworthy and you know in John chapter 1. It begins very famously the word of God says in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God all things came into being through him, and apart from him.

The word nothing came into being that exists in other words, there is this written word Scripture, but there's a living word. Jesus on today's program were going to talk about knowing the word both the living word and the written word, Dylan. It's good to be with you my dear friend and I know you've spent your life as a scholar studying the evidence for Christianity.

You've written numerous books, including bestsellers and you and I've worked on a number of projects together. Let me ask you this in all of your years of scholarship in writing and research how convinced are you Dylan about the trustworthiness of the Bible for the Bible gives very specific reasons about where it came from and what it means it does talk about. Like you said it being from God. It talks about in first Peter chapter 1, that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of prophecy did not have its origin in human will, but profits through our though human spoke from God as though they were carried along by the Holy Spirit as these are the words of Scripture. But then if you investigate EC that's it's east externally verified by aspects of archaeology by aspects of history by aspects of science and as we look the evidence we see, if you give Scripture the benefit of the doubt. If you say Ocampo to believe what Scripture says unless you give me a specific reason. Otherwise, it has a very high level of accuracy that stands above and beyond all other sources of ancient literature absolutely, absolutely. And folks, I will give some facts here about the word of God as depicted in John chapter 1 it talks about the detour analogy of the word in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God in the word was God. In verse two says he was in the beginning with God.

Not not yet, but he Jesus is called the living word.

The log costs the physical representation of God to the human race.

Folks if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. If you want to know how to have a relationship with God turned to Jesus.

Jesus said, search the Scriptures for they testify of me when you hear preachers or our riders talk about the living word that's Christ the written word that Scripture in Dylan when you agree that if if you accept the word and you read it with an open mind. It will point you to Christ Jesus the Savior. Yes, and I think each of us, even after we become a Christian have to wrestle with this issue of what does the Bible mean is it accurate is it trustworthy. Can I count on its words in the difficult areas of my life I be came Christian at age 12, I believed in Jesus Christ.

But when it came to understanding the Bible itself. There was so much I did not know and as I read it. There were confusing parts and I thought can I trust this is there something wrong about this.

And then, like many people you go to college and you're given skeptical views about Jonah and the big fish being a method about Noah and the flood not really happening like the Bible said, and it gives you doubts and its in those times of doubt that you need to take the next step in the next step is evaluating the evidence, not just believe in the opinions but evaluating the evidence praying to God, give me wisdom give me insight and search where the evidence goes and find the most reasonable conclusion and I think Al achieved on this as well. Early in your life, and as you look at the evidence. What are some of the things that stand out to you when it comes to God's word and its power in our lives today.

While great question. You know, as a young Christian going to UNC Greensboro back in the 80s at at 21 I gave my life to the Lord through a Monday night Bible study and I yeah I begin to read books by Josh McDowell and I read the footnotes and discovered Norm Geisler and CS Lewis and Francis Schaeffer and then eventually came across the writings of of one of your mentors by John anchor Berg, but Dylan do you know what I know this is going to some very subjective, but as an English major, I was reading the Bible and the Gospel of John, and I read the Gospel of Mark, and all I can say is it just had the ring of truth mean, I immersed myself in literature and I could tell you not believe me I realize this is some very subjective, but I could just tell this was different and Dylan would tell you something that made a big impact on me. I was reading and by the way, if you're just tuning and folks were talking about the word of God. The trustworthiness of the Bible. Okay I'm reading Genesis 37 through 45. The story of Joseph and then very famously in Genesis 50 Joseph says to his brothers. You know, God meant you meant it for evil but God meant it for good and one of the commentary said that Joseph was a picture of Jesus some reading this and I thought okay wow Joseph was misunderstood and rejected by his immediate family. Jesus was misunderstood, rejected by his immediate family.

Joseph emerged alive from an intended grace.

Jesus emerged alive from an intended grave of Joseph Pharaoh said whatever he says do it of Jesus. Mary said whatever he says do it. Joseph gave a banquet and his family members came and at the banquet they were giving given gifts Jesus is having the marriage supper of the Lamb. And at that banquet, you will be given gifts, gold, silver, precious stones, Joseph was betrayed for the price of a slave in his day 20 pieces of silver.

Jesus was betrayed for the price of a slave in his day 30 pieces of silver and Dylan. I remember I'm reading this some cross referencing the Old Testament and New Testament.

I'm a college student asked. I've tested this book is different.

This is God's book has the ring of truth has the power to change lives. It's got external verification like archaeology and manuscripts, but even internally, the content is is absolutely unique and if you read it and get the message.

It will bring you to Jesus I became thoroughly convinced in the trustworthiness of the Bible, and 30 years later. All of my research has only validated that a man and if you just joining us this is true for any generation radio will be right back after the break. Stay with attention all Christians believe that America needs a spiritual revival, an awakening, a message of the gospel for our times this is Alex McFarlane encouraging you to attend the 2018 addition of truth for a new generation. The conference on apologetics worldview and evidence for the Christian faith, Greensboro, North Carolina, March 23 and 24th gear an amazing lineup that includes Josh McDowell apologist Jay Warner Wallace, Lorne Greene and Todd Starnes both from Fox News. Attorney Dave Hamilton, the third of the American family Association music by the band and orchestra from the University and much much more sessions for all ages for clipping to share your faith confidently in any situation. Visit truth for new generation.com that's truth for a new generation.com TNG 2018. Save a nation March 23 24 brought by North Greenville University. Christ makes the difference. If you're a Christian parent. You 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 McFarlane 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 Jesus everything 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 is a scene all arising this is the program judge one Dylan Burroughs, Alex Garland ENG radio and speaking of TNG books.

Her new generation is coming up really really soon.

We don't want you to miss. The theme is save the nation. Incredible speakers like Josh McDowell folks go to the website truth for a new generation.com.

There are a lot of great things.

One thing Dylan were going to be screening the movie the God who speaks it's a feature-length film by American family studios that answers the question, where did the Bible come from and why is the Bible authoritative great footage from Josh McDowell and Erwin lutes are the last settlement interview ever of RC Sproul is in this movie. I minute and I will get to show that this can be a VIP lunch, a private lunch with great panelists like Tina Marie Griffin who is an expert on Hollywood. She's an actress, former Muslim, mausoleum, an expert on counterterrorism is going to be talking about reaching Muslims with the gospel so much. I could tell you Todd Starnes from Fox News, but folks you don't want to miss it.

March 23 24.

There's a major prayer banquet the night before and all of this if you want to be a part of what God is doing truth for a new generation go to the website register.

This would be a phenomenal event to bring a young person to and whatever the size of your group.

You need to be there to know how to understand the faith delved deeply and fruitfully into God's word to be able to share your faith confidently in any situation. Dylan we we so desperately need the gospel in our country are the Bible talks about revivals. History tells us about great awakenings. Did you ever think you know why not us.

Why not now. Why not in this generation.

Let's pray let's prepare let's see a great move of God because Dylan I I think God probably is more eager to send an awakening then we're even willing to ask for it. That's certainly the case. I know you're not the only one asking that question. Why not us. Why not now. Why not this generation where God would come and save a nation and move in a powerful way, and much of that depends on us turning to him attorney to his words were discussing here in John chapter 1 you mentioned Josh McDowell who will be a speaker truth for new generation this March. And as I was starting my journey in reading Scripture, I came across his work and looked at his reasons for trusting the Bible on one that stood out to me that I'd never considered before was the idea of fulfilled prophecies and by that I mean there were things that were written hundreds of years in advance that spoke directly about the life of Jesus. It's been catalogued more than 300 prophecies were fulfilled by Christ first coming. I give you one example in Daniel 924 to 27. Daniel predicted for 500 years ahead of time. Ashley, 483 years at a time, to be exact. That there would be Jews at returning to rebuild Jerusalem and at that time that was completely unexpected. That was completely unthinkable but yet it was done and you look at that is one example. You look at Isaiah 7 work speaks of the one who would be born of a virgin, you look at the story of Jesus is very clear that one of the biggest and most significant supernatural aspects of his birth was the virgin birth, and that was spoken of 700 years before he came to this earth and those like us that are just two of over 300 regarding his first coming and it is the Jews of the time Jesus looked at that that was perhaps some of the strongest evidence for the first generation of people who came to faith in Jesus Christ.

Well, that's powerful will in the first segment we talked about the teacher analogy of the word. You know, and in Matthew 24, 35 Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. The teacher analogy of the work. Let's talk a little bit about the omnipotence of the word, the Bible says that Scripture is like a two-edged sword. Sharp and powerful it's able to pierce through our our heart, our emotions are mind it the word of God gets our attention. But in John chapter 1 words talking about Christ, the living word. Jesus has power, creation power, the power of life. It says all things came into the world into being by him.

The King James renders it very famously.

There was not anything made apart from him that was made.

Now Dylan when I read John 1835 Pilate asked Jesus what is truth and Jesus says an amazing thing that no other person could say were talking about the power of life which is in God's hands. The ability to create out of nothing. The ability to give life.

Jesus tells Pilate for this cause I came into the world to bear witness to the truth. Read John 18 you'll find that that conversation Pilate is standing in front of the one who is the personification, the embodiment of truth and Jesus says I came into the world for this purpose, not none of us could say legitimately that we chose to come into this world. I mean our parents conceived us and we were born, but we had nothing to do with it.

How could Jesus say I chose to come into this world. I orchestrated planned and shows my entry into the stage of human history. The only way he could say that is if he were prior to human history, and indeed he was. He is his entry into the world supernatural.

His exit from this world, the resurrection, the essential supernatural's return to this world. Truly Jesus the living word has all the power he is omnipotent, is in the Dylan yes and as you mentioned John one is one of the most powerful versus speaking to that issue talking about the word was with God and the Word was God referring to Jesus himself there some religious groups that teach that Jesus was a created being that he was not eternal with God the father and God the Spirit. This is not what the New Testament teaches here and in other places we see that Jesus was around from eternity past. He was involved in all of creation.

If you read Colossians 1 it speaks to that issue, and he's been involved from eternity pastorally involved until eternity future. So we see the written word tells about the living word.

Jesus in a way that very clearly speaks of him as God as one defined is omnipotent, as you said, all powerful that there is no power greater than him because he created all other powers and Scripture even says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, so he has the tonality of the word. As you mentioned the in impotence of the word in the authority of the world that everything was made through him, and he has power over all things. So these are some the topics that we want to dress to help you as you grow in your walk with Christ. Stick with this would be right back in a moment to talk more here on truth for new generation radio attention all Christians would like to become more effective in presenting and doing things, this is Alex McFarland and I urge you to mission of truth for a new generation evidence. PNG is coming to Greensburg Carolina March 2024. Here, an amazing lineup. Josh McDowell apologist Jay Warner Wallace, Lorne Greene and Todd Starnes both from Fox News and much much more. This is Abraham Hamilton, the third of the American family. We battle for the future of our nation and I want to see you truth for new generation as we pray and get equipped to defend the faith, asking God to save our nation. Don't miss truth for new generation March 23 24 Greensboro, North Carolina.

You may register for a new generation.com truth of the war truth for a new generation.com first Peter 315 tells us to be ready always to give an answer for the hope we have were instructed to be prepared to defend our faith.

This is Alex McFarland for the life answers teams students we train at North Greenville University, a leading Christian college in South Carolina. The life answers. Teams are made up of students who will inspire and equip your congregation. These apologetics teams. We train speaking churches to youth groups and train Christians of all ages to address key issues of our times.

From a biblical perspective like is there a God is the Bible true. What about gender and moral issues. Call me at 864977 2008 and we will arrange for the life answers team to come to your church and give a presentation that will benefit your people for years to come. 864-977-2000 eight and always be ready may be now in a day and a light shines in this did not over, that's John 150 Québec program Alex McFarland Dylan Burroughs were talking about word of God and I doing to mention before we conclude here I we got a brand-new app it's free if you go whatever mobile device you use if you go to the app store. You'll find it.

It works for all devices, the TNG out truth for new generation and Dylan.

I'm really excited about this because there are several features my traveling schedule is being put up on there is information about the TNG conferences, but there's also a searchable outcome of wiki of apologetics issues right now there are over 150 articles that that I've written that we posted on there and if you ever wondered you know what about archaeology, what about fulfilled prophecy.

What about atheism.

Islam moral issues and you name it. If it's a Christian worldview topic. It's on the TNG app you can search it, but there's also the gospel and there are tips on witnessing a Dylan. We've also got a 30 day evangelism plan and folks maybe you're like me 30 years ago when I become a believer. I was such an introvert.

I was so shy I was the boat. Probably the least likely person to become a witness for the gospel and yet God began to use me and God wants to use you and we got on the TNG app a 30 day plan for every day of the month Scripture, a principal, a prayer and an action you can change somebody's eternity. God will use you to lead someone to Christ, so we ask you to go to the web store and get that out totally free. We just want to put resources in your hands will help you in your walk and your witness but Dylan John one verse five speaks about the authority of the word that the darkness stood against the light, but it could not overcome the light. The light eclipses the darkness. Some translations will save the darkness did not comprehend it or overcome it isn't good to know that the light of Jesus, the power of God.

The change of the gospel. It will not be vanquished, it will not be snuffed out will know and that's an encouraging truth. For those of us who are struggling in different areas.

There is another Scripture. The talk that greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world and I am often comforted by that thought when times are tough and I think about where the apostle Paul Tackett talks about Satan being crushed underneath the feet of God.

At some point in the future, and so we know that ultimately God restores all things. He has power over all things. But even in our daily lives here and now, there may be a struggle that the power crisis far superior to any other power to any other struggle you're going through and spoken of, right here in John one I love this idea of the authority of the word, but also the embodiment of the world. What theologians call the incarnation that Jesus didn't just show up, but he became like us, he became human, he became one of us literally camped among us or dwelt among us, so that he can relate to us and a personal way that you could not do any other form of these are some of the aspects that I think stand out for us as we look at the living word as well as the written word, but tells a little bit more about this idea of the redemption of the word.

I think that's an important aspect. We want to talk about our last few minutes here. Sure well in John one verse 14 it says in the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the father, the son of God. Okay, so Christ took on the human body came to earth, lived a sinless life and he was able to die on the cross and paid for our sins. We call that the atonement the turning away of wrath. He he propitiated he paid for our sins because he was God incarnate. Now listen to this redemption.

This is wonderful. Verse 12 and to everyone listening to this program.

This is God's word for you. It says, but as many as received him, to them gave he some translations say power to become the children of God. Others say the right. In other words, Jesus has the authority to give you eternal life if you will turn to him. Matthew 28, 18, 19 and 20 speak of the authority of Jesus. He said all power in heaven and earth. It is in my hands and orders is jurisdiction Jesus Christ and he alone can give you eternal life, as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the children of God, even to those who believe on his name who were born, not of blood, are of the will of the flesh, but, or the will of man, but the will of God.

So how do you receive him. While it's very simple yet you admit that your center and you believe what you believe what you need to accept the Jesus really is the son of God, not just a good man but he is the son of God, as he said and when he went to that cross.

Yes, he did it for the world but friend he did it for you. There's a lot of logic that the parts make up the whole, the whole is the world the parts or people you're a person Christ gave his life for you to believe that sure sure you do you know he loves you deep down you know you've got to realize God loves you and then you've got to be willing to turn to him and believe that he will accept you because you will and Dylan.

I want to give just a couple of verses in John six verse 37 Jesus said the one who comes to me I will not reject so if you're listening to this program and you've never turned to Christ didn't do it today just ask him say Lord, I'm sorry for my sins, and I believe you died on the cross. And Lord I'm asking you to forgive me and you rose again and I'm asking for that eternal life, and I receive it.

I believe you and I want to follow you and if you pray Jesus will hear you and Jesus will receive you, you can go to our website.

Alex McFarlane.com there's an explanation of the decision you've just made and what to do now. First steps as a believer I have to go to the out there is the gospel wheat we have a book that we give out to thousands of people every year on what does God say about my relationship with him and were always updating it and we got a brand-new updated edition that's coming hot off the press will send you one for free if you contact us, but doing one. I believe that God wants every person number one to know Christ and number two to grow and be used in. Isn't that just the most exciting adventure of all to be in a relationship with the Lord and to be used by the Lord. It certainly is Alex and I think about so many people who have heard the message of salvation.

I think if I believe that's it right I get salvation I go to heaven I don't go to hell, less the gift of God. Yes, that's eternal life.

That's a wonderful thing that it starts there. It doesn't stop there. Jesus is come to give us life and to give us life abundantly. So we hope these words of encouraged you help to equip use of the not only accept Christ be growing him and share him with others.

This is been Dylan Burroughs and Alex McFarlane at truth for new generation radio. Thanks for being with us next time truth for new generation in association with Alex McFarlane evangelistic ministries exist to equip Christians with the biblical worldview through conferences and camps for information about upcoming events visit for a new generation.com or give us a call at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God in the number one TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarlane evangelistic ministries PO Box 485, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 that's PO Box 485, Pleasant Garden Carolina 71 will give online@alexmcfarlane.com generation.com. Thanks for listening and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation on TMG radio