A Conversation with Stu Epperson on Palm Sunday

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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 from the grave he arose with them mighty triumph, or his foes.

Think about what Jesus did that first Easter morning. He rose of Victor from the door domain. He lives forever with his saints to reign hi Alex McFarland, you're welcome to TMG 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 once 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 that the friend that I want you to made truly one of my best friends ever in life, 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 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 anyone's 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 and all of your books out to love 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 in the seat of government 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 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.

We call Good Friday and was trying to figure out you know this paragraph, any in introduction, the reduction of the book is entitled seven words of life from the tree of death and honestly you can 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 for the huge movable life and that's what we have in Jesus. At this Passover event holy week only 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 Isaiah 53. The overnight is not. 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 that was made. She said the Lila Rose was a B light near he's everything but speaking is 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 and are all 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 how she's actually like five sermons that one statement. The first one is fatherless Taira father, most of who father is Asaro. I just opened with father. The second ones on 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 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, then 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 they 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 spirit and all that in the mocking his father forgive them and then this the statement, for they know not what they do in the book I get into answer this question. Do you 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 truth for a new generation radio will be back with more after this the way.

Join Alex McFarlane for spiritual awakening in our times studying the book of acts.

June 25-27 in the Billy Graham training center at the Cove near Asheville, North Carolina. Acts records the first days of the early church and tells the story of a powerful spiritual awakening among Jews and Gentiles alike. The book of acts also contains personal lessons about revival for believers like us today in the seminar. Alex will examine God's principles for spiritual renewal and evangelism that work in every age, including ours, you also discover how you can personally walk in the power and joy of the Holy Spirit, regardless of your circumstances to register for spiritual awakening in our times studying the book of acts with Alex McFarlane June 25-27 go to the Cove.org seminar packages include options for seminar meals and lodging.

Register online@fico.org welcome to the podcasts I hear you.

We are so excited that you joined us, and this is just going to be a great new podcast dealing with issues around race issues around friendship and how do we deal with the tough issues and also excited to be here with my good friend Alex to do with you Adele in on the I hear you podcast we talk about race. We talk about culture.

We talk about politics, and sometimes we agree, sometimes we disagree, but we find resolution and common ground near what's really cool.

Not only do we learn new things.

We make friends would grow and that's good for all of us with just two friends why why one black and we just invite everyone to come in joy to share with us is a big difference between hearing and listening and show love and look forward to it. An audience thank you so much for giving us a chance, I hear you with Alex and Odell every get you podcast Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government abortion and 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 10 issues that divide Christians Alex McFarlane challenges us to drill down to the biblical score of 10 current issues such as social justice evil and suffering, photography, 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 timeless truths in a soundbite culture for a new generation radio. I love old gospel songs, especially the song where it says oh 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 well-connected trees 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 of publishing have otherwise. Do I want to get into this but working people find this book might my name. My website is our website Stu Epperson.com.

We are fortunate the publishers and to get get a website is your name and that way they can find out about this book 1st words of Jesus name or the Christmas book as well just about our ministry podcast stuff and you might meet some friends my like out of her 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 a 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 there's those hands that held the sickened and comforted the 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 talks about how he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. This that the note, 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 cousin 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 from you amateurs 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 like it if I could, I got another another brightest knife in the drawer how that goes on but about a 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 on the cross. I knew that he said some profound things. I remember the father forgive them. Are there some about in my hands I can muster these other things. So I started digging deep. I started doing this book will you have. I guarantee you, you have this you have everything Jesus said recorded in Scripture that is 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 the 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 will point them to know Jesus and the better will be will give us 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 to write that down SMU Tahoe book so we decided 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 collecting 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 still 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 prayer is ever contrived urine evangelist Allison you lead you life outside been there we've led thousands in of sinners prayer prayer. She, Christ and hands go up right people come forward and 11 part of the counseling team is there. We note you dear 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 kingdom also was like well that's not gonna cut it but will limitation. I didn't 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 to 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 should 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 in any 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 to death, cross conversion, just like lifetime conversions. You never know for sure.

You know, God knows our course see the fruit would have time to see the skies fruit when Jesus Christ declares you saved buddy limitation of, say, a real board a real relationship and a real heaven today you will be with me in paradise. This is true for new generation radio Alex McFarlane Stu Epperson the last words of Jesus from the cross states inwardly combat with more after this. America today is like a patient struggling to live yet is being forcibly euthanized by her quote doctors, the life force within the patient fighting for survival is the honest citizens like yourself team of quote caregivers are the local and national leaders actually contributing to the demise of patient economy is crashing crime is exploding. The Constitution is being abolished the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late by Alex Farland has one single purpose to get you prepared the real source of America's current problems that no one else is talking about and what you can do now to face tomorrow. Regardless of what tomorrow brings. The assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. Available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and local Christian bookstore are you tired of liberal agendas ruining our country but you don't know what to do about it.

That's why truth and liberty coalition was founded. We want to equip you to take back our country impact the world. Here's how we do it educate broadcasts conferences in our website resources that inform, equip and motivate unified by collaborating with like-minded organizations like the family research Council, the family policy and my feet mobilize by providing practical tools you can use to impact your local community as Christians we are called to make disciples together can change the course of our good joint truth and liberty to connect with believers in organizations not only want to see change in our nation but a community that is actually doing something about it. Join us online for our broadcast describe relevant updates on our website. Truth and liberty.net in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism. Alex McFarlane is a voice you can 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 trees for new generation radio Alex McFarlane hissing ledger listing and I just want to say I hope that you and your family have a blessed Easter. I do want to remind everybody June 25-27.

I'm going to be at the Cove, the Billy Graham training center in western North Carolina. It is beautiful.

We will be going through the book of acts. The New Testament book of acts written by who, written by Luke, that's right. And I would love to meet you.

We always have people from all of the country and internationally as well were going to study.

Acts were going to look at the principles of revival and spiritual awakening and were going to pray together and it's going to be wonderful. Go to the Cove.org THECOVE.org. I would love to see you there. Randall Murphree of the American family Journal will be there and she will be there. It's going to be wonderful. You don't want to miss it and it will fill up these seminars always do and I'm so honored the Cove. I've been there many many many summers and death.

This is going to be great so I hope you'll join us there and go to the website. Look at all the great seminars they have they have Irwin lutes through the Aaron and Graham Watson. So many wonderful people throughout the year and I hope to see you there. June 25-27 and I am talking with my dear friend Stu Epperson he's still edged was saved done 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 you will be with me in paradise.

But let's talk about what Jesus said to John and Mary son behold my mother, mother, behold, my son 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 like a secretary. 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 what 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 some of the Yankee 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 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 pin, 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 were as I going to every prophetic verse in there from the first and last.

These are all deeply scriptural TV Hebrew concepts. The last one into his spirit is from a Hebrew bedtime song that moms and dads would sing as he took her babies in the bed and echoed most likely sing. Now I lay asleep 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 had a right is the hardest thing I've ever even currently studied because this idea that through Martin Luther and the connections he studied that that statement for the cross, which is only found in Matthew North high market is the only statement for the cross founders to Gospels. By the way, all the rest of my 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 of time in a room and he prostrated himself on a florescent 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 and another Psalm and in another Psalm Psalm and another IN Isaiah that 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 forsaken, 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 imputation of arson 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 daughter of the king is that awesome is rating greater then the treasurer 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 a collateral piece to Jesus Christ was a prince of peace 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 depressive piece right he himself positive reasons is our peace was broken on every wall and he brought us to God. So what a beautiful think, therefore, have been justified by faith.

Romans 51, but just before 58 we have what peace with God.

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. Do you have a relationship with Jesus.

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 walk or witness. If you want to come to Christ or come back to Christ. Let us help 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 explicit TMG 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 TMG radio