America and Isaiah 19

Best-selling author, speaker and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, best-selling author and apologist Dylan burrow together bringing you truths for a new generation. This is TMG radio for the old saying that the churches in the world but does not have the world in the church without thought, I welcome you to the business and of truth for a new generation of radio. My name is Alex with me. Dylan Burroughs good morning my brother hey hello greatly with you today good to be with you.

Okay folks, here's a little assignment. If you've got a Bible with you or you can turn to a copy of God's word. Please turn to the old testament book of Isaiah you read a little bit from the book of Isaiah and we can talk about the downward slide of a godless culture.

Now it's not going to be completely pessimistic. There is some good news here in the end, but I want to look at ancient Egypt and Isaiah talks about the burden of Egypt. In other words, when the Old Testament prophets would talk about the burden of the Lord. Very often they were talking about judgment for the state of a culture and I want to get there but first Bob Dylan, let me ask you this is is you and I record this program. Much of our nation really much of the world is talking about the recent State of the Union address by the Pres. Did you happen to watch that and if so what were some of your thoughts about it was interesting to see the very start of the state of the Union address that Pres. Trump talked about the change in American society since he is be become president and he stated that every day since we have gone forward with a clear vision and a righteous mission to make America great again for all Americans think about what that saying when our president talks about a righteous mission of our nation and to make America great for all Americans. That is a shift in policy that is a biblical theme that we can talk about warriors seeing our top national leader shift. For this idea of a righteous America is not significant will. It's very, very significant and you know I've gotta tell you went. When I briefly met the president in the fall of 2015 and then again in the spring of 2016 and he was emerging as the candidate in a Dylan I'm gonna tell you a lot of my friends berated me. I'm telling you Christian friends that I've worked with for two decades, said Alex you want in the world are you thinking this guy is not going to be the nominee. And even if he were, you know he's not in a not a Christian man. You know, but let me say this, in and by the way this this program is about Isaiah 19 but we've got to realize that very often, God achieves his will through people that we don't expect necessarily in God very often does things that perhaps we didn't see coming in and I gotta say is much as I love the evangelical world and Dylan you and I both know some of the great leaders in a way it reminded me the. The advent of candidate Trop and now Pres. Trump who talks about life. He talks about God and I have it on good authority from four longtime colleagues who have personally talked with the president about his relationship with Christ and they they say that he has prayed and asked Christ to be as Savior. Let me just say this the way that the Trump candidacy took most of America's evangelical world by surprise and I will tell you, there were some huge huge names that railed against the idea of candidate Trop I'm talking Christian leaders Dylan it really reminded me of when the wise men came to Jerusalem and asks a lot of the Pharisees, you know, in the Sanhedrin. Where is he that is born King of the Jews, and neither the religious leaders nor Pharaoh you know. It is says, you know, when Jesus was born in Judea. Pharaoh was troubled in all of Israel with him, and the arrival of of God's anointed, took them by surprise. The arrival of of a very unlikely candidate Trop took so many Christian evangelical leaders by surprise really didn't. It certainly did.

And even today there are many who are adjusting to this idea of a president. They may not agree with. They may not have voted for, but in many areas stands for Christian values.

If we were to mention a couple of those we look at this president who stands strong with the nation of Israel who is officially stated that Jerusalem is the capital of the nation has plans to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem. This is a major shift in policy that very much is one that many Christian support and of course of where to look at religious liberties. There been many more religious liberties that have been emphasized during his presidency that almost any Christian would say they appreciate what exactly Genesis 12 verse three and were going to get to this but God told Abraham that he would sojourn in Egypt but there's something that many leaders. One of my mentors, the late Jerry Falwell would often quote this and I believe it but Genesis 12 three where God says of Israel. I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse the let me just say the favor of God is with president Trop and will remain so as long as he is a friend of the nation of Israel, and I remember when I was at a meeting where he spoke as a candidate and an president, then candidate Trump would talk about quote the precious Jewish people, and of quote you know most people know for 22 years.

It was a law that our embassy would be in the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, but no Pres. Clinton, Bush or Obama really had the courage to act on what was already de facto a law that our embassy would be in Jerusalem and you know everybody said well if they do that you know will have World War III.

The terrorists will react one of the things noticed this about the president.

I was very impressed like a Churchill or like a Reagan. He did not ameliorate and not do the right thing out of fear of what a terrorist might or might not do, and you know that's a principal in life Dylan that we do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. You don't crunch the numbers on what's the right thing to do. Well I better not do the right thing because somebody's gonna be matter of the schoolyard bully might retaliate. Now I am not saying in life little leadership philosophy here. You don't kick a hornets nest that you don't have to but he's putting the embassy in Jerusalem because it's the right thing to do besides the fact it's been a law for 22 years that we were supposed to do that. That was interesting. Dylan, in the state of the union where the president talked about the fact that a number of nations made a UN resolution condemning this move, and our friendship with Israel and the president in the state of the union said well you know we give X number of billions of dollars every year aid to these nations. He said hey, if you're going to take our billions of dollars of financial aid about not making a UN resolution to condemn us for doing what politically and morally is the right thing to do. A lot to talk about this is TNG radio truth for new generation radio with Dylan Burroughs, Alex McFarlane to come back and continue this 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 new generation of the conference on apologetics worldview and evidence for the Christian faith, Greensboro, North Carolina, March 23 and 24 here, an amazing lineup that includes Josh McDowell apologist Jay Warner Wallace born green and hot storms both from Fox News attorney Abe 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, equipping them to share your faith confidently in any situation. Visit truth for new generation.com that's truth for a new generation.com TNG 2018 say nation March 23 and 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 my file and 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 is a Dylan Burroughs. Dr. Alex McFarlane untreated for new generation and if you would like to see Dr. Alex McFarlane more. I encourage you to go to the Cove.org that the Cove COBE.org, where Dr. Alex McFarlane will be speaking this July on the profit of Amos. This is a little-known book in the Old Testament that is often neglected, but has many life principles that can change your life today and are especially significant at this time in our nation's history. So I encourage you again to go to the Cove.org and find out more about that to be with Dr. Alex McFarlane in July this year and were talking today about Isaiah 19 insignificance in our times today just following the state of the union address with president Trop. We talked about the address itself.

But introduce us to this idea of Isaiah 19 is some of the parallels you see here today. Alex, what will think you Dylan.

I was reading this are really in my own devotions yesterday and it begins this is the burden of Egypt.

Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud and will come into Egypt. The idols of Egypt will be moved at his presence or another would shake and disrupt in the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. It goes on in verses two, it talks about disunity. I will set an Egyptian against Egyptian city against city kingdom against kingdom. Verse three the spirit of Egypt will fail, and their counsel will fail.

People will seek to the idols the charmers to those that have familiar spirits into wizards and it talks about the bondage that will come. But here's why I wanted to talk about this in relation to America. Surely the princes of Zo and are fools. The counsel of the wise are brutish. In other words, just ignorant brutes.

How can you say to the Pharaoh.

I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings.

Where are the wise men, you know, don't let me say this, there's a phrase that's kind of come into the vernacular in recent years. How's that working for you. Basically, Isaiah goes on and and and says look, the Lord says if the Sears and the, the wizards and the princes of Zo and if your Egyptian sorcerers if they've ever given you one bit of good counsel or truth. Let me know and you've gone after the false gods you've gone after immoral godless teachers. How's that working for you.

In America there's been in the last decade really a battle over morality, marriage, and so often, not just the fire, and the fury comes from Hollywood. They berate things you know patriotism.

The flag prayer and we are in a culture where it's almost like our Sears and are you know pop-culture pundits are like the, the sorcerers of Egypt, almost an end, just as God told Egypt. Hey, you know, did you get any good direction. Has your life improved from following the counsel of the godless sorcerers. I think God from his word is asking our culture this thing of of no rules, no boundaries, no morals live for the moment you call the shots.

Godlessness has a working for you and and just as God was calling the people of old to turn to him the Lord of life.

I think more than ever are nation inch in the 21st century. We need to turn back to the God of life, don't we. We certainly do and I enjoy verse three.

This is the Egyptians will lose heart and I will bring their plans to nothing.

At the very negative verse, but in the time this was written during the time of Isaiah proximally 2700 years ago there were many prophecies made by Isaiah against Israel but also against the nations surrounding Israel. One of those was Egypt and they were known for being atheists. They were known for their spirituality that worshiped any and every God and Goddess under the sun including the sun, and so when we look at their spiritual attitude that we have the strength to do what we want. It will talk to which ever God that we want and we will live however we want. There was a time when God said there will be consequences for that type of lifestyle we see similar themes in our world today.

There is a new a Barna research study released recently that we talked about in our last episode, it did a major survey regarding generation Z.

Those who are today's teenagers and what they quoted that many people been concerned about is that there is double the chance that your teenager will be an atheist versus the past generation ballots concerning that was what was more concerning to me was the fact that only 4/100 American teenagers have a biblical worldview and that means people who stand on the core teachings of Christianity is defined in the survey. So when we look at one end of the spectrum, there's an increasing number of atheists.

But at the other end of the spectrum, there are fewer and fewer teenagers and young people and our nation who know what they believe and why they believe it Alex. That's why events like a tree three new generation that we have coming up in March are so important because it gives an opportunity for students, parents, and those who lead today's generation to be equipped to better communicate the truth to today's society, absolutely, absolutely.

In 20 years of doing these events. But here's the thing I have found kids love to know truth. Mom and dad youth pastor, you don't think your teenagers want to know how to think like a Christian. They really do.

I mean we started out going after high schoolers and college kids came middle schoolers and either Dylan honestly is such a blessing when we do one of these trees for new generation by the end of the day on Saturday, the end of the conference. All these these kids are asking hey when is next year when you get to do this again because they are hungry for truth and not I really think we sell our kids short and and this is my 11 years as a full-time youth pastor speaking look Dylan, we stretch our kids athletically and academically.

You know, make the team play soccer, do the national honor Society. I really don't think we stretch our kids enough spiritually that teenagers that you think is just kind of like you know the vegging out in front of the computer they have the makings of being a spiritual champion if will position them to do that. I believe kids are way more hungry for God's truth and often we give them credit for what you think is certainly true Nestlé want to communicate we come right back. There is the negative side of the story that we see in Isaiah 19 as well as in today's society. Of course, what is the solution. What is the answer.

What is the responsible talk about that will return here on truth for new generation radio stick with our country is falling apart, political unrest, social upheaval, the breakdown of the family. The rise of atheism. The rise of Islam are religious freedoms are under attack. There's gender fluidity gender identity is making a mess of freedom of expression. So we need to put some skin in the game and love this nation. As Christians we are to stand strong.

There has to be some personal investment in the living out in the preservation of stand strong American is that you face help you become a champion champion for Christ in stand strong American Jason Jimenez and I lay out the facts about our nation. The current condition and how you yes you, your family, community can be involved in keeping this great Republic stand strong America is a guide for encouraging wherever Christian attention all Christians would like to become more effective in presenting and doing buildings. This is Alex with farm and an eye to the 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 will generation out unit. We alluded to truth her new generation that website truth for a new generation.com and focus.

Yes, in addition to the big event March 23 24 Greensboro, North Carolina Josh McDowell apologist Jay Warner Wallace Todd Starnes from Fox news, mausoleum, former Islamic terrorist Abe Hamilton the third who is an attorney, former DA of New Orleans and now he serves as legal counsel for the American family Association. But on March 22. There is an event before the event were going to have a dinner this is our friends of truth for new generation and Alex McFarlane ministries it's going to be in Greensboro North Carolina that we call it a national briefing on the the spiritual state of the country. If you want to come out. It's kind of time to pray and if you are interested in that you can go to truth for new generation.com the friends of the ministry, dinner, and then the event proper.

March 23 24.

We hope you will be part of both of those will Dylan let let's suck on a tae bo on this and give some good news. Okay for things that was superstition and fear. There was disunity there was aimlessness. God says your idols are to be moved. Your heart is going to melt.

You can be fearful and there's a lot of fear when people don't know the true God then there's disunity. There's the fragmentation of the culture and here in our nation, we've experienced a lot of fragmentation disunity and and I would submit one of the things for which we need to pray is that God would unify the country but unify us as the pledge says one nation under God, indivisible, we are very much divided. Right now because we are not following God uniformly, but under the banner of the cross and God and his truth. That's where the unity is Egypt. In Isaiah 19 was directionless. It says the spirit of Egypt would fail their counsel would be destroyed. Their sources of wisdom that was and so there was no vision. You know the word of God says where there is no vision the people perish or wander and in life and family as a nation we need vision as our president said in the state of the union of the righteous mission of freedom in America. But then the results Egypt experienced at least for this time in Isaiah 19 AA drought, bondage, famine, and really moral, social, intellectual and spiritual bankruptcy, but Dylan you you at alluded to it. There is good news and I want to say for our country.

There's hope for your family for your church for your community, but listener for you personally.

Yes you there is hope because God loves you and God cares about you and so Dylan talk about the altar in Egypt, which really is that point of hope on the horizon.

Yes, in the Old Testament when you came before the Lord, you would present your offering at an altar and in verse 19 of chapter 19 Isaiah. There's a transition that takes place where it says in that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt and a monument to the Lord at its border, so there is a future time when people who have stood against God, who oppose God had been disunited and aimless as you mentioned, Alex will turn to the Lord and when we do, there will be a response from God that is positive in us. What I want to communicate. We can look at all the problems in our society and talk about how negative it is that God uses these negatives to draws near to him. We need to turn to him personally. We need to be the ones to reach out to our children or to our parents, even if it's in that situation where you're the believer in your parents or not we need to be the ones who look at our schools and our workplaces for opportunities to share the gospel through her actions, and through our words. The change that we are looking for comes through God, but that God is working through you and through your life. I want to encourage you today.

Take that opportunity to make a difference in the lives this those around you and as you do. And as we do, and as millions of Christians around this country and around the world joined together and living out their faith. We will see that change where we come and worship the Lord and see him respond favorably to our prayers. I think that's something we can all unite around is that Alex was in verse 21 says the Lord will be known to Egypt now this is a beautiful look at verse 25 the Lord of hosts shall bless Egypt, saying, blessed be Egypt. My people, and Assyria the work of my hands and Israel mine inheritance. So Frank, there's no person too far from God that they can't be saved, restored, blessed. If they'll turn to Christ, and we just want to say that the Lord Jesus is as close buys a prayer and nations are changed one life at a time and we hope your life is linked to the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you so and who gave his life for yours, Alex.

These are powerful words and I know the people listening are looking for ways to respond to God in a positive way to make a difference where they are and to be part of the good things that God wants to do and our nation today again. We talked about the opportunity to attend the truth for new generation conference and we hope you'll join us there. March 23 and 24 in Greensboro North Carolina but we also want to encourage you at through Scripture today and I think Alex has a concluding word for some proffers were any use to end our time together today to encourage you as you follow the Lord.

That's right. Proverbs 1434 says that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people righteousness lifts up and righteousnesses is what God gives to the one who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. But sin is a devaluing of bringing down a debasement of any people. If you want to know more about the gospel Dylan we just launched an app that people can find on the App Store regardless of what type of mobile device you have. There's a TNG truth for a new generation app and there's a tab on there with a clear explanation of the gospel, how you can know Christ and just as a nation can come to Christ that begins with an individual and today we have that individual is you. Thanks Alex for sharing God's truth in a compelling and compassionate way. Today we do encourage you to join us the truth for new generation.com where you can download this program and share with others can also find out more about our other ministry events, including the truth for any generation conference we mentioned today. Thank you so much for joining a stick with us for more information truth for a new generation in association with Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries exists 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 TNG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries PO Box 485, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 that's PO Box 485, Pleasant Garden Carolina 71 will give online@alexmcfarland.com generation.com.

Thanks for listening and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation on TNG radio