Three Areas That Define Your Life

Best-selling author, speaker and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, best-selling author and apologist Dylan Burroughs together bringing you the truth for a new generation. This is TMG radio every year as a new weekends in the media.

They will look at who passed away in the previous year from the areas of leadership in business, government, and entertainment. There is often a retrospective and as we've begun this new year I saw a couple of shows on television with a talk about in a very famous people like Chuck Berry, the guitar player and fats Domino died in and other major leaders and the passing of of lives like that in the turning of the calendar. The beginning of the new year led me to think about what is so often talked about when considering the life of a person, legacy, and I welcome you to the program.

This is Alex McFarland on TMG radio truth for a new generation. And if you've got a Bible turn to Luke chapter 12 were going to talk about the three things that determine or define your life is pretty good think talk about is a new year begins, because we have to, you know, set our goals and most people even young people will begin to think about doing things in the new year. We make resolutions a week in a promise ourselves that were going to do this or will you stop doing that are they working to save up money to achieve a goal and that that's a good thing to do but I want to. In the context of this brief program. I will give you three areas that really will determine your life and then I specifically as we wrap up I want to talk about how this relates to our culture today because we are blessed nation.

We got a lot to be excited about and 2017.

People are waxing eloquent talking about how the stock market hit goal after goal in record after record but really we are at a time in our nation's history when people of all strata and certainly God's people. The church really need to be very serious and very intentional and very committed to doing things that are a positive for God and country, and so let's talk about the three areas where life is determined and defined.

I want to give you those three words then I'll unpack it a little bit and I would submit to you that your life is really defined in terms of relationships, priorities and legacy relationships, priorities and legacy Ellen Peck that in just a moment, but let's look at the word of God. Luke chapter 12 beginning at verse 16.

Jesus is talking about a person that many commentators talk about and they called the rich fool not it's not a good pairing of words there to be known as a fool but a rich fool. Jesus said this in Luke 1216 he Jesus spoke a parable unto them, saying the ground for certain rich man brought forth plentifully and he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.

In other words, I've got so much bounty. I just don't even have enough building to put it in verse 18.

He said this, I will do. I will pull down my barns and I will build greater bonds and there I will bestow or store all my fruits and my goods and I will say to my soul soul that hast much goods laid up for many years taking these eight drink and be merry. Verse 20 but God said to him, you fool, this night, your soul will be required of the then whose things shall they be which you have gotten are provided so as this one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. Okay, well, what about this, let's talk about this and they were gonna come back to Luke chapter 12. It reminds me of a story that has really intrigued me.

John Wesley, the great leader of of Methodism one time matter of a rich farmer and they were on the porch and the farmer pointed in various directions and he said I have land over here and I keep my livestock over there and I and 70 acres in that direction.

Wesley pointing toward the sky that will how much do you own in that direction and that really is is that the question that what we doing in light of eternity. Let's talk about the first area that really really really does define your life and that is relationships or who you love.

Do you supremely love God first in your family and others because your life is so so shaped and informed by the relationships, the people you love Melanie say this, we've talked much about this on the programs that we lived in a time when we've witnessed the the unraveling, to a degree of the American family and there's not only the loss in similar ways of of individual families, but really pervasively as a culture we have begun to lose the family which absolutely is the bedrock of any society you can think of any analogy you choose the glue that holds it together. The, the, you know, nails and beams that support the building, but everything my dear friend I want to say it with all of the emphasis I can muster everything rises or falls on the state of the family lose at anything else. But when with your family and yet we are several generations into an America where so many people young people used to be teenagers, now grown-ups now people in middle-age they've never seen family at their best and a lot of people don't really value family relationships because for so many. Sadly, family has not been a positive thing. RC Sproul, who just passed away in late 2017. Great theologian great Christian thinker great defender of the faith.

Sproul said this quote we Christians are to live on a different plane. We are to live Coram Dayo before the face of God on another words quorum day it was Latin, meaning you know that God sees everything is done in the visibility and the watch of the Lord. Okay, back to scroll. This is not life under.

But beyond the sun. There we find nothing but the one thing that could be which is God himself living Coram Dayo means understanding that vanity is vain futility is futile and chasing the wind is nothing more than chasing the wind with our hearts abiding beyond the sun we care about playing in barren stands there sinking into an internal grave at Vanity Fair living Coram Dayo said scroll means sharing the warning of the teacher that beneath the sun is only folly and beyond it wisdom it means drinking deep from the life-giving water of him who alone can satisfy our thirst. Now that's a mouthful, but what scroll was basically saying is that we Christians are to march to a different set of goals and priorities and that begins with relationships in all of these things hinge. Of course, on your relationship with God.

Satan this is Alex before, and we are back after this brief break.

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 the mass 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 personal investment in the living out in the preservation of their stance on American is that you face help you become a champion champion for Christ in stance on America Jason Jimenez and I lay out the facts about our nation.

The current condition and how you yes you will. Family community can be involved in keeping this great Republic stance on America as a guide for encouraging wherever Christian if you're Christian.

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 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 or a new generation, that is a website I want to make you aware of truth for a new generation.com in this radio show is part of its namesake TNG radio hi Alex McFarland, welcome back to get back to Luke chapter 12 organ to talk about the three areas that define your life really relationships priorities in legacy and want to make you aware of the next TNG conference to three new generation is coming to central North Carolina March 23 and 24 2018 the listener. There's folks you gotta be there. You don't want to miss it because were going to conclude this broadcast talking about a spiritual awakening in our nation. Frankly, a revival, a move of the gospel that our country so desperately needs. I I say really to survive and a big part of of what were doing with our conferences around the nation. The theme is this save the nation save the nation any that's that's that the heartbeat of this ministry and certainly my heartbeat. If you go to the website truth for a new generation.com you'll see that in Greensboro, North Carolina, March 23 24. This is who you will see and hear Josh McDowell, Todd Starnes from Fox news Lauren Greene from Fox news Jay Warner Wallace cold case detective. He was an atheist. He became a Christian when the great defenders of the faith, Jay Warner Wallace, Abraham Hamilton, the third from the American family Association. It's been my privilege to take Abe Hamilton to several events around the country and he always always gets a standing ovation barn on another speaker is Kemal Selim. We go back about 15 years. He was in the IT department at Focus on the Family and he shared his testimony with me one day and I said you've got to hit the road and speak a cousin of Yasser Arafat. He was raised a Muslim, was a devout Muslim jihadist really became a born-again believer Kemal Salai in his salvation testimony and his love for Jesus Christ and frankly his service to this country and this world will will amaze you and then want out of this.

He lives in Miami. He's bilingual Spanish speaking pastor, theologian, missionary to the world. One of the greatest reputations of atheism you'll ever hear. Juan Valdes is brilliant and all of the speakers Todd Starnes from Fox news, Lauren Greene, Jay Warner Wallace, Josh McDowell, you need to be there March 23 24 because they got a lot of content. We work with these people, we've partnered in many, many context, but here is the twofold thing on the put in your mind and will get back to Luke chapter 12 we must friend. We must we must have a revival in this country.

And while all of the speakers have a myriad of content and inspiring things that Lauren Greene and her background in journalism and music, and she's written an incredible Christian worldview book yourself and there's a lot we can talk about, but like me, these speakers have one button on their keyboard and that is save this nation through the spread of the gospel. The other thing I want to tell you is this. We have got to raise up a generation of young people that understand what they believe and why they know their convictions there willing to stand for their convictions. That's why you need to be in Greensboro March 23 and 24 for truth for new generation. Some of you listening of been to our TNG events around the country.

We do this, we've been in many, many cities we believe God has called us to go for 22 cities over the next five years and so if you've been to one of the previous TNG events. You know the only thing people are going to be asking at the end of the day your kids of all ages. People are saying.

Oh, when is the next one. Where is it, it really will charge your batteries. It will put a fire in your heart and a vision in your life to live for God to know the Lord and to make a difference today and eternally. And so we hope to see you. For complete information, go to the website truth for a new generation.com now. I spent some time on that because priorities relates to how we live relationships who we love. Number two priorities how we live. It's been said that people are made up of two things convictions and priorities now convictions are what you believe.

What do you think is true priorities. What do you value and how you behave. We've got nouns and verbs are truth and belief values and behavior and really even though you might not consciously think about it internally. All of this informs the way you live and the things that you do and what you give time for we've all got some bandwidth. The man in the parable, his resources, his time. His his abilities. He apparently was materialistic and God says twofold because you've made money you've given yourself to building barns and filling the buildings with livestock produce all those things and all your goods your goods.

What will I do I need more room and God says you've done all these things, but you've ignored the state of your soul, don't you know this very night your soul will be required of you.

Now in verse 20 of Luke chapter 12 there is the.

The implication of an instantaneous moment, not someday, not gradually but this night boom. Your soul is required of you and then these will all these things be literally the implication is what good is it, what good is it if you have seven figures in a 401(k).

If you're not ready to meet God.

What good is it if you've amassed all the wealth of this world, but are really bankrupt in your soul. What good if if your kids have hit age 16 and all got in a brand-new car attended Ivy League schools they've they've gotten jobs at all the right firms and memberships at all. The best country clubs and golf courses.

What good is it, my dear friend if you pamper yourself and those around you and you spread the wealth in your living large and yet you're not right with God.

Your kids don't know God and the priorities that you have. You look back when one day and you realize they were all for naught. What good would it be. It would be no good. Of course, in verse 21 of Luke chapter 12 says so is he who lays up treasures for himself, but is not rich toward God. So relationships who you love priorities how you live. When we come back with going to talk about legacy, which is what you like no other nation, Americans have lived under the blessing of prosperity and liberty. These gifts are part of the heritage of a country grounded in the truth of Scripture and given by God to advance the gospel at home and abroad. In these days of moral and spiritual confusion. Maintaining the freedom to express our faith in the public square has never been more important. The American family Association working to preserve religious liberty for generations to come between caring about not afraid to ask hard questions that we care about a lot of things. 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 world engage magazine.net host discussions that help you apply a biblical worldview to your daily life engage magazine.net 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 edition of truth for a new generation. The conference on apologetics worldview and evidence of the Christian faith, Greensboro, North Carolina, March 23 and 24 here, an amazing lineup that includes Josh McDowell apologist Jay Warner Wallace, Lauren 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 Greenville University and much much more sessions for all ages, equipping them to share your faith confidently in any situation this truth for a new generation.com that truth for a new generation.com TNG 2018. Say a nation March 23 24 brought by North Greenville University.

Christ makes the difference in the program. Alex volunteer TNG radio my frequent colleague Dylan Burroughs will be back with us next week about every other show. Dylan is on with us and we gotten some emails about of the good work he does.

We also appreciate the amazing work he does in terms of our social media. We got a growing Twitter feed of over hundred and 30,000 followers and a growing Facebook family of about 400,000 people, so I'll follow us on social media and surf the websites pray.

Please pray for truth for new generation coming up and stay tuned because we are coming soon to a city near you know we've been talking about the three areas that define your life, relationship priorities and legacy and I want to talk in the moments we got left about how your legacy is so important how you friend you can make a difference that will last eternally meat. Now think about what you believe will your legacy be positive or negative, will your legacy be cherished or tarnished in 2017 we saw the fall of a lot of people over sexual harassment and so that's a legacy tarnished if not destroyed, and so I want you to think about that and the word of God calls us to think about that in Luke 1234 Jesus says, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also easy behind the machinations of life behind the smile in the suit and the position within a community or a company or an organization behind the plaques on the wall behind the charade.

God sees our heart we think about that. God knows your heart Reina. If your priorities are with the Lord. And what will honor Christ. Your Savior and what will be the right legacy to bequeath to your kids and grandkids and the where your priorities are and what you value and what you're doing with your time, talent, treasure testimony, how you treat your spouse.

God knows all of that and have you heard that little bit of verse we flatter those we scarcely know and please a fleeting guest but render many a heartless blow to those we love the best for God knows the legacy that we can leave now, let me take a few moments and talk about the state of our culture.

Now God has given three entities to help a society be ordered and not fall into anarchy and implode like Satan would like for us to date and the three magisterium or the three boundaries or forces for order are the home of the church and the government. God instituted all three. The family that's the home, the church, God's people and good civil government.

Our first president, George Washington said it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will to be grateful for his benefits, and to humbly implore his protection and favor all nations part of what is wrong with this nation. America of 2017 and part of why we appeal to you to pray, walk with Christ, build a godly family and be a witness, take up the mantle of calling and responsibility that God is put on the heart and life of every Christian is because one thing God's word says for us to do these things, but the other thing is this, we must in our nation have a revival.

And God has put the church here. The church corporately you Christian individually to make a difference. And yet it's it's not happening as it might many Christians I think would rather care for the idol of public respectability then to speak out about sin, darkness and lawlessness, immorality, immorality.

Now folks, many preachers and the Lord knows that I love the church and it's been my privilege to be about 2200 American churches. It's a lot of churches from all 50 states and I think I've seen it all, but I wonder how can there be 100 million Christians 340,000 American churches. Three quarters of a million ordained clergy in this country and yet were as dark a country as we are part of it is because of the deafening silence of the church that we are not standing strong for what, thus saith the Lord looked regarding things like the nature of marriage. Human sexuality, morality, virtue, the sacredness of human life. The fact that Jesus alone is the Savior. Even our relationship with the nation of Israel and all of the kerfuffle over the capital being in Jerusalem and we Christians are not speaking with a unified voice in favor of of what is good and right and true because the word of God is not the the Northstar. The guiding light that it ought to be and part of it is because we have this idle called respectability.

We don't want to look like a fanatic. We don't want to ruffle any feathers. There is a lack of discernment on the part of many Christians and that the inability to see truth and to recognize falsehood and to impart to our kids. A conviction and a priority. That the number one thing in life is to follow God and to give one's life to Jesus Christ. All of these things contribute to the fact that we are not having a revival we so desperately need a revival. Do you know what Teddy Roosevelt said he was a 26 president he was 1/5 cousin of FDR and Teddy Roosevelt began his presidency in 1901, and his cousin FDR would govern about 30 years later, Teddy Roosevelt said, I believe the next half-century will determine if we advance the cause of Christian civilization or revert to the horrors of brutal paganism.

In other words, in their time that a 50 year window to right the ship as it were. That was his view, we in our day friend, your relationships, your priorities, the legacy believe I am poor, that you give your life to Christ and you invest yourself in the things of God, because either we will advance the cause of Christ. As Roosevelt said, for revert to the horrors of brutal paganism and I fear that were watching that begin to happen to you best for Christ. Make a difference, it will count for eternity. 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 TMG 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 27313 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 TMG radio