S1: This past week, I heard someone say that the gospel
S1: was that Jesus died for our sins. That's an incomplete statement.
S1: I heard someone else say that the gospel includes the
S1: ascension of the Messiah, Jesus, which adds to the gospel.
S1: It's an added statement. And also someone said that we
S1: need personal holiness as part of the gospel, that we
S1: have to be good to be saved. That's a distorted statement.
S1: What is the good news? According to the Bible. Stay
S1: with me and we'll talk about that in just a moment. Hello, friends.
S1: Welcome to Open Line, Moody Radio's Bible study across America.
S1: My name is Michael. I'm the academic dean. I'm a
S1: professor of Jewish studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute.
S1: I'm so grateful that you're joining me today around the
S1: radio kitchen table. And we're going to talk about your
S1: questions about the Bible, God and the spiritual life. If
S1: you have a question and you'd like to call, here's
S1: the phone number. Ready? (877) 548-3675 I'm going to slow it
S1: down there. Write this down. (877) 548-3675. Let me give you, uh,
S1: who's here with me today to hear. Haynes is sitting
S1: in the producer's chair. Omar Mendoza is our tech guy.
S1: Titus is answering the phones. Lisa is here helping out
S1: as well. Grateful for her again. The phone number (877) 548-3675.
S1: It's time to get yourself a cup of coffee. I've
S1: got my coffee and my open line mug right here.
S1: It's so hot. It's burning my lips and my tongue and, uh,
S1: have to be careful with that. Open your Bible because
S1: we're going to talk about and study the scriptures together.
S1: Imagine you see a terrible car accident. You're the first
S1: one to get to the vehicle, and the driver is
S1: clearly in bad shape, seemingly at the point of death.
S1: And at the last moment he turns to you and says,
S1: I'm afraid to face God. How can I know that
S1: my sins are forgiven? Could you explain the good news
S1: of Jesus to this desperate person in 25 words or less?
S1: Because that's all the time you've got. I'm asking this
S1: because this circumstance demonstrates that the good news of Jesus,
S1: the Messiah, is our most important message. And in first
S1: Corinthians 15 one through eight, Paul declares that the message
S1: that the Corinthians believed in and by which they were saved,
S1: the good news was delivered to them as of first importance.
S1: So this is really important. Unfortunately, although the message of
S1: the gospel is such a priority, frequently committed, educated, biblically astute,
S1: mature Jesus followers present and proclaim this really basic message
S1: in a, in a, in a in an inadequate way.
S1: Today I want to review the most important message. What
S1: is the gospel? What is the good news that we proclaim?
S1: What must we believe to experience God's forgiveness and new
S1: life in Jesus? In first Corinthians 15, Paul uses the
S1: word gospel. It's two Greek words put together into one.
S1: It means good news. In verses one and two, he
S1: says that he proclaimed this message of good news and
S1: the Corinthians have received it. He even says that they
S1: are saved by this good news. This is the essential
S1: message of the faith that he delivered it to them.
S1: Of first importance. It is what we must believe to
S1: experience God's redemption and forgiveness in Jesus. So what is it?
S1: The first part of the good news found in first
S1: Corinthians 15, verses three and four, is that the Messiah, Jesus, died.
S1: Paul also gives the reason for his death. It was
S1: for our sins. He died as a sin substitute, taking
S1: the punishment that we deserved for our sins. Then Paul
S1: gives the evidence that Jesus really died as our sin substitute.
S1: The first part of the evidence is biblical. It was
S1: according to the scriptures, meaning that Old Testament passages like
S1: Isaiah 53 foretold the Messiah's death on our behalf. The
S1: second part of the evidence is historical. He was buried,
S1: meaning Jesus really died. It wasn't a sham. He didn't
S1: merely swoon or appear to be dead. He really, truly
S1: died or he would not have been buried. And when
S1: he died, he took the punishment that we deserve. So
S1: the first part of the good news is that the Messiah, Jesus,
S1: died for us. What's the second part? Well, the second
S1: part of the good news is found in first Corinthians 15,
S1: verses four through eight. It is that the Messiah, Jesus,
S1: rose from the dead. The reason the resurrection is so
S1: important is that it validated his deity. It proved he
S1: really is God. You see, anyone can claim to be God.
S1: But how do we know that Jesus, who claimed to
S1: be God in the flesh? Flesh really was God. The
S1: proof is the resurrection. God the father validated Jesus claim
S1: by raising him from the dead. And that's why Romans
S1: ten nine and ten says that if we confess that
S1: Jesus is Lord, meaning that he is God. That he
S1: is Lord, and believe that God raised him from the
S1: dead will be saved, just as he did for the
S1: death of the Messiah. Paul gives two lines of evidence
S1: for his resurrection. First, the biblical evidence is that it
S1: was according to the scriptures. Likely Paul has in mind
S1: passages like Psalm 1610 and Isaiah 53 1011, which predict
S1: the Messiah's resurrection. Second, there's historical evidence. Again he was
S1: seen alive. He appeared to Peter, to the apostles, and
S1: up to 500 people at one time. He really is alive.
S1: So often I hear people presenting the good news and
S1: they say it's that Jesus died for our sins. That's true,
S1: but that's not all of it. We have to include
S1: that Jesus is alive, that he was raised from the dead. Listen,
S1: the Romans crucified 20,000 Jewish men in the first century,
S1: but only one was raised from the dead. So when
S1: presenting the good news, we can't assume that those who
S1: hear the message will know that Jesus was raised. Friends,
S1: let me give you a challenge. Listen carefully to the
S1: various presentations you hear about the good news. It might
S1: be a commercial on Christian radio, or a pamphlet you
S1: might read, or a website, or a message at your congregation,
S1: or just anywhere. Note how frequently people leave out the
S1: resurrection of Jesus when presenting the Good news. It's not
S1: that people don't believe in the resurrection, they just don't
S1: realize how essential it is. So here's the good news
S1: in a nutshell. It's what we must believe to become
S1: a child of God. Ready, Messiah Jesus died for our
S1: sins and rose again, proving he is God. That's it.
S1: It's not about going forward. Raising our hands, getting baptized,
S1: joining a church, being really, really good or feeling really,
S1: really bad for all the wrong we've done. It's not
S1: about knowing everything in the Bible, memorizing the Apostles Creed,
S1: repeating the Westminster Catechism or anything else people may have proposed.
S1: It's this the Messiah. Jesus died for our sins and
S1: rose again, proving he is God. Now, what would I
S1: say to that guy in the car accident in 25
S1: words or less? Here it is. The wrong things we
S1: do separate us from God. Messiah Jesus died taking our
S1: punishment and rose again, proving He is God. Trust in him.
S1: That's it. That's exactly 25 words. It's of first importance
S1: that we believe this essential message. Have you trusted that
S1: Jesus died for you and rose again, proving he is God.
S1: If not, today's the day. Do it right now. Trust
S1: in him. And if you have indeed made that faith
S1: decision already, then be assured you are God's child forever.
S1: And that message has become the most important message we
S1: can ever present to anyone else. Let's make it our
S1: commitment to proclaim this good news, so that we can
S1: help people find the Lord Jesus and experience his mercy, grace,
S1: and forgiveness. Well, that is the an adaptation of the
S1: first chapter in a book I wrote called 50 Most
S1: Important Bible Questions. If you're interested in reading that in detail,
S1: a little bit more detail even than that, you can
S1: pick up a copy of 50 Most Important Bible Questions
S1: Moody publishers book from a couple of years ago. Uh,
S1: we're going to go to the phones right now and
S1: talk to James in Webster, Florida, listening on Wqez. Welcome
S1: to Open Line. James. How can I help you?
S2: Uh, good to talk to you. Uh, I was just
S2: wondering when when God created Adam and Eve, they were
S2: the first two he created. He put them in the
S2: Garden of Eden, and, uh, he put the the the fruit,
S2: the tree, or and, uh, told them they could eat
S2: from anything of the garden except for that. And, uh,
S2: he I understand that. Excuse me. I understand that he
S2: gave them free will, but he he knew because he's God,
S2: he knows everything. He knew that that they would, would,
S2: would eat of the fruit and fall and not do
S2: what he said and bring, uh, the curse onto the
S2: earth or bring sin to the earth. Why, why would
S2: why would I just want understanding? Why would he even
S2: put the tree there for him to do it? And, uh,
S2: why would he give him the option? Why wouldn't he?
S2: Why would he just say, I'm going to put you
S2: on on earth? This is Paradise. But there's going to
S2: be sin. There's going to be pain. There's going to
S2: be suffering. I just never could never understand the reason.
S2: If he knows that they're going to do wrong. Because
S2: there are only two people here. James.
S3: James, I got your question.
S1: I understand your question, but here's my question for you.
S1: Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and
S1: rose again?
S2: Yes, sir.
S1: Have you put your trust in him?
S2: Yes, sir.
S1: Okay, then here's the deal. I'm going to try my
S1: best to explain this to you. I'm not sure that
S1: anyone has a perfect explanation. I'll do my best. But
S1: you don't have to understand this. That's. That's why I
S1: asked you that question. What you have to understand is
S1: that God redeemed us and redeemed that entire situation. And
S1: that's what's most important. There there comes a time when
S1: we have to say, you know what? I don't understand everything.
S1: But God is good and he knows what he's doing.
S1: He knows a whole lot better than me. And I
S1: don't have to understand everything he did. And that's what
S1: I really want to encourage you to, to say. You
S1: know what? I may never understand this, but God really
S1: went out of his way. He extended himself. He stretched.
S1: God became a man. He took on the punishment that
S1: we were, the suffering that we encounter on earth. He
S1: didn't deserve any of it. The the Lord Jesus died
S1: for us, rose again. And that's what we believe. And
S1: he's remedied the situation. Now, first of all, the reason
S1: he didn't just put humanity on Earth without a test
S1: is because then we'd be robots. We would be robots. And, uh,
S1: a robot or a computer or a machine can't genuinely love.
S1: There has to be a choice of obedience to to
S1: love someone. Uh, and so, uh, the the options weren't, uh,
S1: I suppose we could say the option was to, to
S1: have this test that God knew we would fail because
S1: he's omniscient. Although it was a genuine test. Uh, he
S1: knew that humanity would fail. He could either do that,
S1: which is what he did, or, uh, he wouldn't have
S1: created anyone or anything. That's because that's not the option.
S1: Because if he had created us without the ability to fail, then,
S1: Then the result was would be that we'd be robots.
S1: So his choice was either to create us with the
S1: potential of failure or not to create the world and
S1: not to create humanity. And he chose to create the world. Why?
S1: I believe the best of all possible worlds is not
S1: a world without suffering and evil and problems. But the
S1: best of all possible worlds is the world in which
S1: God overcomes evil and suffering and and sin. And that's
S1: what the world will be when we have a new
S1: heavens and a new earth. It will be people who
S1: have put their trust in the Lord, and they will
S1: be there to love and serve him forever without the
S1: possibility of sin. But the best of all possible worlds
S1: is not a world in which there was no evil,
S1: but a world in which evil has been overcome. One
S1: of the benefits of evil, for example, is there are
S1: some things, some virtues that we would never understand, like sacrifice,
S1: dying for. You know, let's say, for example, a soldier
S1: jumps on a grenade and dies for his brigade. If
S1: there wasn't the evil of war, he wouldn't. He would not, uh,
S1: he would not give himself for other troops for his
S1: his company or for his, uh, little group of soldiers.
S1: His unit. You. Yeah. You see what I mean? Uh,
S1: I hope this helps. We're going to go to break now. Uh, and, uh,
S1: I'm really grateful that you called. I hope this helps, James. Uh,
S1: really appreciate your love for the Lord, and I. And
S1: I hope that will be the best. That you'll trust him.
S1: With that, we'll be back with more of your questions
S1: right here on open line. (877) 548-3675. Call with your question
S1: about the Bible, God or the spiritual life. This is Michael. Nick,
S1: be right back. So stay with us. Welcome back to
S1: Open Line I'm Michael Ray. Remember the old days when
S1: we took trips and we'd plot out our way with
S1: a Rand McNally road atlas? I think when we read
S1: the Bible, it would help to have a good road
S1: map also. Even when reading the New Testament, I think
S1: we can get lost. And that's why our current resource,
S1: a survey of the New Testament by Paul Benoit, is
S1: so helpful. It's a comprehensive guide that takes us on
S1: a journey from Matthew to Revelation. Revelation. It gives us
S1: a road map of the New Testament. You'll discover how
S1: each book connects to tell one great story of God's redemptive,
S1: redemptive plan. Now, if you're a regular listener to open
S1: line and you've never given a gift before, I so
S1: appreciate you listening. But I wonder if if you don't
S1: want to miss out on this excellent resource. It is
S1: a terrific tool that you can use to help you
S1: in your understanding of the word. And we want to
S1: send it to you and to anyone who gives a
S1: gift of any size to open. And we want to
S1: say thanks for your gift by sending you survey of
S1: the New Testament by Paul Benware. If you'd like to give,
S1: just call (888) 644-7122. Let me give you that number again. (888) 644-7122.
S1: Or you can go to open line radio.org. And remember
S1: ask for survey of the New Testament by Doctor Ben Ware.
S1: And we're going to talk to Liz in Ohio. Uh,
S1: how can I help you today? Liz, welcome to Open Line.
S4: Uh, hello. Hi. Yes. Thank you so much for taking
S4: my call and for sharing your love of Christ. Um,
S4: love your show. Uh, so my question is, um, are
S4: those who have died still alive in Christ? For example,
S4: I have a friend who prays the rosary to Mary. Um,
S4: can we ask them to pray for us?
S1: Anyone? Is that. Is that what you're saying? Can we
S1: ask the dead to pray for us if our.
S4: Well, I'm asking. Are are those who have died? Are
S4: they still alive in Christ? Can we, I guess, yeah.
S4: Can we ask them to pray for us?
S1: Okay. Well, I believe that people who have trusted in
S1: Jesus when they die, according to the book of Philippians,
S1: for example, it says, Paul says that when he dies,
S1: he goes to be with Christ. So obviously they're still alive. Uh,
S1: those of us who have trusted in Jesus, we immediately
S1: go to be with the Lord. Second Corinthians five says,
S1: absent from the body is present with the Lord. So
S1: point one yes, there are still alive. Point two I
S1: would say about this is I why would we presume
S1: that they can hear us if we pray to them?
S1: We're not. Do you think that they're omniscient and can
S1: hear everything that's going on on earth? It's a whole
S1: we don't know what's going on in heaven because we're
S1: not omniscient. God himself knows what's going on in heaven
S1: and on earth, but they don't become little. Deity figures,
S1: do they? In your mind?
S4: No.
S1: No. So they can't hear. You know, some people talk
S1: about Hebrews 11 where it says, since we have so
S1: great a cloud of witnesses, and so they think that
S1: people in heaven. The cloud of witnesses are watching. But
S1: if you read Hebrews 12, one says that. But it's
S1: really about the people in Hebrews 11. And the word
S1: witnesses means people who testify. Meaning that their faith testifies
S1: to us. And since we have so great a bunch
S1: a cloud of people testifying of the value of faith,
S1: that we ought to have faith as well and hold
S1: on to our faith. So, uh, I don't think it's
S1: that they can understand or hear. And then also what
S1: the Bible says in first Timothy two five. This is
S1: I think that's something that's essential for us. It says
S1: in first Timothy two five, for there is one God
S1: and one mediator also between God and man, the man Messiah, Jesus.
S1: You know, I just don't see any point in asking
S1: for anyone else to mediate for us. Uh, what do
S1: you think?
S4: I, I think it's just Jesus that I agree.
S1: Yeah. Okay. Well, uh, you know what? I don't need
S1: anyone with special standing to intervene to God. Any special
S1: friend to intervene with God. Because I have the mediator,
S1: the Lord Jesus. He's the one. It says he's our
S1: advocate with the father in first John two. Who else
S1: could I possibly want? I'm glad you agree with that, Liz.
S1: Appreciate it. Thanks for your call. I really, really do
S1: appreciate it. Thank you. Uh, we're going to talk to
S1: Sandy in Jenison, Michigan, listening on wkzg. Welcome to Open Line. Sandy,
S1: how can I help you today?
S5: Hey, Michael, it's wonderful to be able to ask you
S5: a question. Hey.
S3: We've been. Hey, can I ask you a question first? Sandy.
S1: Where's Jenison? Is it near Grand Rapids? Is it near Detroit?
S1: Where is it?
S5: It is near Grand Rapids. We are on the west
S5: side of Grand Rapids. Between. Um, yeah, Grand Rapids and Holland.
S1: Gotcha. Okay. There you go. And so. and that's the
S1: Zealand station that we have or we have a whole
S1: bunch of stations there I guess. Yeah. Yeah. Gotcha. Yes
S1: it is.
S5: Yes. Wonderful. And it's going to be a CSG as
S5: in George.
S1: So just I, I see it there.
S5: Yep. So yes. So anyway, we've been reading in Mark
S5: and in there several places Jesus cast out demons. And
S5: a mother says, here's my daughter. She's demon possessed. People
S5: recognize demon possession. And as I'm reading through this, I'm going, okay,
S5: where are the demons today? Our enemy is Satan. Right.
S5: So it stands to reason that we have demons who
S5: are possessing people. But why don't we recognize it? Or
S5: where are they? Or. I mean, is it a thing?
S5: I'm just curious.
S1: Yeah. Well, first of all, I think we see pretty
S1: much a lot of demonic activity out there. don't you think?
S1: With all the bad teaching out there and bad views,
S1: that people are thinking all sorts of bizarre thoughts? Uh,
S1: we we, uh, we see demonic doctrines of demons, so
S1: to speak, as, as Paul calls them, uh, out there, uh,
S1: in terms of demon possession. One of the there are
S1: people out there who think that every time we sin,
S1: it's because we're demonized. I don't think that's the case.
S1: I think demons have influence. Uh, but there's the flesh,
S1: and the flesh is what makes us sin. Uh, I
S1: think that if you went into a culture where there
S1: was a lot more animism, uh, and engagement with idolatry
S1: and things like that, uh, that it appears to me
S1: that there would be, uh, greater, uh, actions of of
S1: demonic possession. Okay. I have, uh, there's a man who
S1: went to be with the Lord. He used to be
S1: the chairman of the international ministries. You know, it's another
S1: word for missions department at Moody Bible Institute. Uh, he's
S1: with the Lord now. One of the best professors. Godliest
S1: men loved him. Uh, Ken, Hanna and Ken served in Nicaragua, and,
S1: I believe Guatemala. And because in those areas, there's a
S1: lot of demonic activity, a lot of syncretism with Catholicism. Uh,
S1: you know, it's syncretism is it's where they merge a
S1: lot of the syncretism. Okay, merging, uh, previous pagan beliefs
S1: and kind of putting it into, uh, they officially converted
S1: to Catholicism, but they, they brought a lot of their
S1: pagan beliefs. And in his missionary work, he said that
S1: he encountered a good deal of deal of demon possession.
S1: And that was because of the that stuff that was
S1: going on there. And it was interesting. He he said
S1: that he believed the apostles were commanded to confront demons
S1: directly in the name of Jesus, but he was not
S1: an apostle and with a capital A, and he did
S1: not do that. But what he did do was he
S1: preached the gospel and called on these people to believe.
S1: And when they believed, the demons would leave.
S5: So, ah, okay.
S1: That that was kind of an interesting insight into spiritual
S1: warfare from, uh, from Ken Hanna. But I'm not saying
S1: that there isn't demonic activity or demonic behavior today, uh,
S1: in like, North America, but it is, uh, much less
S1: because I don't think we have, uh, the kind of
S1: demon demonic activity that people are engaging in with, with, uh,
S1: Animism and and idolatry and things like that. So that's
S1: what I would say.
S5: That makes sense. Thank you. I appreciate that.
S1: Yeah. Thanks for the call. I really appreciate it. We're
S1: going to come back with the mailbag in just a
S1: bit to here's dragging it in. Uh, this is the
S1: Febc mailbag. So if you've written in had your question
S1: put in there, you might hear it right now. Stay
S1: with us. This is Michael Wright on Open Line. And
S1: we're back. It's open line with Michael Zelnick. And I
S1: am so glad that you're listening in today. Really appreciate it.
S1: And joining us right now for the Febc mailbag is
S1: to hear a now to hear, uh, I always talk
S1: about so grateful that we have a great team here
S1: at Open Line. You recently became part of the team.
S1: Can you talk about what you're doing on Open Line?
S6: Yes. I help with the producing all things, producing my
S6: work along with Tricia and a few other people in
S6: the at Moody. But essentially, we make sure that Michael,
S6: as a host, you have everything you need. We go
S6: through the questions, we talk to our listeners and get
S6: them ready to come on air. And we just keep
S6: track of the program and do all the things that
S6: are needed to keep the program running seamlessly.
S1: Yeah, and I'm so glad that you're here to do that,
S1: to hear, because I always talk about this and I
S1: say this over and over. I'm not sure people really
S1: believe me, that I really think that without this team,
S1: without you, without Omar, with without Tricia, obviously Lisa's been
S1: helping out as well. Sometimes this program could never go
S1: on the air. It's a real team thing. And. And
S1: that's what I think is so crucial about that is
S1: I really mean it too, when I talk about our
S1: kitchen table partners as being part of the team. Uh,
S1: we talk about them all the time. We get to
S1: meet them and I get letters from them, and, uh,
S1: that I so appreciate. They are people who commit to be, uh,
S1: to give once a month, every month for a year, uh,
S1: so that we can be on the air every week of,
S1: of the year. We don't miss any weeks, even if
S1: we have a backup program that we run, we're on
S1: every week. And I'm so grateful for those kitchen table partners. And, uh,
S1: one of the things that we do for the kitchen
S1: table partners is we send a Bible study moment to
S1: their mailbox. It's an audio Bible study prepared exclusively for
S1: our kitchen table partners. Listen, if you're listening and you
S1: would like to become a kitchen table partner, if you'd
S1: like to make that commitment, even though you. You may
S1: never have even given to a radio program. But this
S1: program is ministering to you and you'd like to to help.
S1: By doing that, I sure would appreciate it. All you
S1: have to do is call (888) 644-7122. (888) 644-7122. Or you just
S1: can go to open line radio.org and click on the
S1: kitchen table partner link right there. So okay it's time
S1: for the mailbag. I'm grateful for our partnership with Febc,
S1: Far Eastern Broadcast Broadcasting Company. Uh, they partner with Open
S1: Line to bring you the weekly Febc mailbag. It's a
S1: terrific organization that brings the good news to people via
S1: media and personal engagement. Check out the Febc podcast until
S1: all have heard by going to Febc. Org. Hey, Tyra. Uh,
S1: that most people won't know this, but the president of
S1: Febc at canon used to be the vice president chief
S1: operating officer of Moody Bible Institute, And, uh, he heard
S1: me teach a class once. I think it was a
S1: chapel at Moody. And he came up to me and
S1: he said, you should be on the radio. And it
S1: was because of him that I ended up going on
S1: the radio. So I love it that, uh, he's partnering
S1: having Far Eastern Broadcasting Company partner with us, because my
S1: old friend Ed Cannon is the one that got me
S1: on the radio to start with. It was it was fun.
S6: Awesome. It's so great how God orders our steps.
S1: Yeah. It's true, it's true. Well, let's go to the mailbag.
S1: What do we got here today?
S6: Yes. Thank you for emailing, um, emailing us at Open Line.
S6: The first question we have today.
S1: Is, you know what? Let's tell them. Let's tell people
S1: how to how to do this. You can go to
S1: open Line radio.org. There's a link there that says ask
S1: Michael a question. You click on that and you fill
S1: out the form and that's where your question goes. So
S1: if you're wondering how in the world did to hear
S1: or get these questions, it's not just by wondering where
S1: to mail them. It's going to to open line radio.org.
S1: Ask Michael a question.
S6: And that is exactly what Patrick did. We have Patrick
S6: from Ohio who listens through CRF. Can a person or
S6: theologian call themselves an apostle in present day?
S1: Well, let's talk about what an apostle was. An apostle
S1: is someone that saw the Lord and testified to the resurrection.
S1: It says in acts one, when they were looking to
S1: replace Judas, they said they need someone that had been
S1: with them that could testify of the resurrection. Even Paul,
S1: who wasn't one of the original 12 later on, an
S1: untimely born one. He said, uh, he said in first
S1: Corinthians nine one, am I not an apostle? Have I
S1: not seen the Lord? The requirement to be an apostle
S1: Was to testify of the resurrection. And then there were
S1: special signs. If you read the book of acts for
S1: the most part, every time there's all these unusual miracles happening,
S1: it keeps saying that these miracles were happening at the
S1: hands of the apostles. There's a reason for that. In
S1: Second Corinthians 1212 it says this. I'm turning the pages here. Uh,
S1: it says all the the signs of an apostle were
S1: performed with great endurance among you. Not only signs, but
S1: also wonders and miracles. And so what's Paul saying? That
S1: his ministry had signs and wonders and miracles. That was
S1: the proof that he was an apostle. If everyone could
S1: perform signs, wonders and miracles, then everyone would be apostles.
S1: But that's not the case. So if we're talking about
S1: an apostle with a capital A, I don't think it's
S1: Possible today. Uh, now there is a verse in Second
S1: Corinthians 823 that I believe refers to apostle with a
S1: small a. But that's not how most people, you know,
S1: you sometimes drive downtown and you see a church and
S1: it'll say it's led by apostle, you know, John Doe, whatever. Uh,
S1: and they're claiming to be an apostle with the same
S1: kind of authority that Paul and Peter had. I don't
S1: think that that's valid. But Second Corinthians 823 says, as
S1: for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker serving you.
S1: As for our brothers, these are the people on the
S1: apostolic team. They are apostles of the churches, the glory
S1: of Christ. Therefore, show them proof before the churches of
S1: your love and of our boasting about you. Here's the point.
S1: The word messengers. There is the same word as apostle,
S1: and its apostle with a small a its missionaries. That's
S1: what it means. And is it possible for people to
S1: be missionaries today to have that kind of small a
S1: missionary cross-cultural gift? Of course. But in terms of being
S1: an apostle with that capital A doing signs and wonders
S1: and miracles and testifying of having seen the risen Lord. Uh,
S1: that's not what we see today.
S6: Thank you so much for that thorough explanation.
S1: Yeah. So now, by the way, I think that's one
S1: of the things that we can look for is people
S1: with the cross-cultural gift. Those are the people that go
S1: overseas into different cultures, different places to share the gospel.
S6: So thank you. Yeah, we have Don from Indiana listening
S6: through WGN. In Genesis. Satan is referred to as a serpent,
S6: but in revelation he is referred to as a dragon.
S6: What is the difference and when did the change occur?
S6: Thank you.
S1: Well, there's no change. Satan has always been a fallen angel.
S1: He's not a serpent and he is not a dragon.
S1: Those are metaphors that are used. And they're used together.
S1: They are. It calls him in revelation 12. The serpent
S1: of old and the dragon. Uh, if you read revelation 12,
S1: they're all used at the same time. And the metaphor
S1: describes different characteristics of Satan. That's why they use. That's
S1: why you use a literary device. Like a metaphor, uh,
S1: to to give you a sense of what he is
S1: like when it talks about him. Uh, in verse nine, uh,
S1: the dragon and his angels also fought, but he could
S1: not prevail. This is verse seven now verse eight. But
S1: he could not prevail, and there was no place for
S1: them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was
S1: thrown out. The ancient serpent who is called the devil
S1: and Satan. Okay, so what is it? The dragon represents
S1: that this fallen angel that led all these other angels
S1: is fierce. The serpent indicates that he's crafty because he
S1: used that serpent to deceive Eve. He spoke through that serpent.
S1: He's called the devil. The devil means slanderer. And you
S1: could see him slander, uh, us. Uh, one of the
S1: really famous passages about that is Zechariah three, where, uh,
S1: he's seen as the Slanderer. And then Satan, our adversary.
S1: That's what it means. His name means adversary. So, uh,
S1: the there's no change. He's always who he is. Uh,
S1: it's just those metaphors that are used of him and
S1: names that reflect his character.
S6: Thank you for that. That breakdown. So Dragon represents his fierceness.
S6: He's a serpent because he's crafty as a serpent. Yeah,
S6: Slanderer as a devil. And that our Satan is our adversary.
S6: Thank you. Yeah. Yep. Very, very.
S1: Yep.
S6: That's it. Thorough.
S1: Uh, let's let's let's take one more.
S6: Okay. Cheryl Ohio WKF. She says the sin separates us
S6: from God, and she references Romans 838 through 39 and
S6: Isaiah 59 two. I can quickly read those. Isaiah 59
S6: two but your iniquities have have built barriers between you
S6: and your God, and your sins have made him hide
S6: his face from you so that he does not listen.
S6: In Romans eight, starting at verse 38, for I am persuaded.
S1: That Romans eight, by the way, is nothing will separate
S1: us from the love of God.
S7: That's it.
S1: Okay. So Isaiah 59. Our sins separate us from God.
S1: Romans eight. Uh, nothing can separate us from God.
S6: Right? Yes.
S1: And that's not really a contradiction. It's different status. Uh, Romans, uh,
S1: Isaiah 59 is, I think, talking about lost people. Uh,
S1: Isaiah 59, Romans 623 for the wages of sin is death.
S1: Death is separation. You know, when our body separates from
S1: our spirit, we're dead. When we're spiritually dead, we're separated
S1: from God. That's what Romans 623 is talking about, where
S1: it says the wages of sin is death. It's separation
S1: from God. Uh, a lost person is separated from God.
S1: But when we've trusted that Jesus died for our sins
S1: and rose again. Uh, we experience the love of God.
S1: And what Paul is saying here, no matter what sin
S1: we commit, that nothing we can do can separate us
S1: from the love of God that we have found when
S1: we put our trust in Christ Jesus our Lord. So
S1: it's different status. Uh, and uh, but the great thing
S1: is the love of God is available to everyone, even
S1: when we're separated from him. So if you are feeling
S1: separated from God, uh, then, uh, then we'll we're we're
S1: we're going to, uh, we can benefit. We can experience
S1: it by trusting in Jesus. Hey, to hear it. Thank
S1: you so much for putting that together.
S7: You're so welcome.
S6: Thank you. Michael.
S1: Answering the, uh, thanks for sending in those questions by
S1: going to npr.org and clicking on Ask Michael a question.
S1: We're going to take more questions next hour. Stay with us.
S1: More questions coming up straight ahead right here on Open
S1: Line with Michael Melnick. You know, since the war with
S1: Hamas began on October 7th, 2023. Pretty much there are
S1: people who go to Israel for compassion trips and for
S1: solidarity trips, but, uh, people seeing the land has pretty
S1: much shut down. I think it's starting up again because
S1: it's even though the war is not completely over, it's
S1: quiet in the land of Israel. So but nevertheless, there's
S1: not much touring going on. And if you always wanted
S1: to see Israel, but you haven't been able to go.
S1: Chosen People Ministries is offering a book. It's called Israel,
S1: the Land and the people. And it's even if you
S1: have been and you'd like to remember these places, it's
S1: a coffee table book with some of the best photos
S1: of Israel that you'll ever see. It shows all the
S1: beauty and history and culture of the land of Israel
S1: it covers. It has pictures of and covers from Snow Top,
S1: Mount Hermon in the north to Masada in the south,
S1: ancient Jerusalem, modern Tel Aviv. It's all there. Uh, and
S1: it has biblical verses and prayer prompts, something that will
S1: really help you. If you'd like a copy of this kitchen,
S1: this coffee table book. Uh, what you can do is
S1: you can get a free copy by just going to
S1: the Open line website. That's open line radio.org. Scroll down.
S1: You'll see a link that says a free gift from
S1: Chosen People Ministries. Click on that and you'll be taken
S1: to a page where you can sign up for Israel,
S1: the land and the people. And then also people have
S1: been asking me about a winter vacation coming up next December.
S1: I'll be teaching a Bible study, or actually just teaching
S1: through the entire book of Daniel on a Caribbean cruise. Uh,
S1: it's it's just going to be a great time. If
S1: you're interested in, in joining us next December on a
S1: tall ship. Uh, just like the kind that the apostle
S1: Paul would have gone on. Just go to our website,
S1: open line radio.org. Scroll down and go to the bottom
S1: where it says my personal web page. You can click
S1: on that and it'll take you to where you need
S1: to find out about that Caribbean cruise next December. Uh, well,
S1: we're going to go right back to the phones. We're
S1: going to talk to Andre in Clinton, New York, listening
S1: on the app. I love Clinton, New York. I'm so
S1: glad you're calling Andre. How can I.
S7: Help you today?
S1: Good.
S8: Good. Um, I got a question here from first John five,
S8: verse 16, and it says, if you see any brother
S8: or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death,
S8: you should pray and God will give them life. I
S8: refer to those who sin does not lead to death.
S8: There is a sin that leads to death and I
S8: want to know what that sin is.
S1: There are kinds of sin that lead to death. For example, uh,
S1: in first Corinthians 11 it talks about taking the Lord's
S1: Supper unworthily. And it said, for this reason some of
S1: you are sick. And some of you even sleep. That's
S1: a metaphor for death, for being dead. And so some
S1: have died. And so clearly taking the Lord's Supper in
S1: an unworthy manner. That's in First Corinthians 1130. This is
S1: why many are sick and ill among you, and many
S1: have fallen asleep. Uh, and and, uh, so there we go.
S1: And it's linked here in verse 32. When we are judged,
S1: we are disciplined by the Lord. So a form of discipline,
S1: you know, the Lord corrects us. And sometimes the sin
S1: is so extravagant that he takes us home. That's what
S1: he does. That's not that we're lost. But. But he
S1: takes us home.
S8: Inadvertent sins are like, say somebody slip and say a
S8: curse word.
S7: You know.
S1: No, it's not talking about that.
S7: No.
S1: It's talking about. This is something that where they denied
S1: the they trampled underfoot the the the significance of the
S1: Lord's Supper by abusing it. That's what was going on
S1: in first Corinthians 11. So there, there are very serious
S1: sins that, uh, if a person doesn't God, God brings us,
S1: you know, kind of deals with us and tries to
S1: bring us closer. But ultimately, and I don't know what
S1: the point is, but what the Lord does is he
S1: he brings us, he brings us home. And what John
S1: is saying is, you know, pray for people in sin.
S1: But there are some times when you see someone on
S1: the verge of death that will take their repentance in
S1: James five, I think that's what it's talking about. When
S1: you call for the elders and the person who they
S1: pray for, his sins are forgiven. Not only is he
S1: restored to Restored to health, but his sins are forgiven.
S1: That's not just normal illness. It appears in that context
S1: that it's an illness caused by sin.
S8: Okay, I understand. Thank you.
S1: Okay.
S7: Great. Thanks, Andre.
S1: Have a great day. We're going to talk next with, uh, akpene. Uh,
S1: in Greenville, South Carolina. Did I say your name right?
S9: Yes you did. Michael, thank you very much for taking
S9: my call.
S7: Sure.
S9: Um, why don't you find out in Matthew four, verse
S9: eight through nine, when Satan was tempting the Lord Jesus
S9: and told him he was, you know, he would give
S9: him all the kingdoms of the world if he kneeled
S9: down and worship him. My question is, how can Satan
S9: give something that doesn't belong to him? I, in my understanding,
S9: the kingdoms of the world doesn't belong to Satan. It
S9: belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. So how can you
S9: give something that doesn't belong to him?
S1: Well, who is the God of this world right now?
S9: Satan?
S1: Yeah. Uh, the Lord Jesus is ultimately will rule all
S1: the nations and rule over everything. But truth to tell, uh,
S1: he what Satan is offering him is to bypass the cross. Bypass, uh,
S1: the resurrection bypass. The Ascension bypass, the, uh, sitting at
S1: the right hand of the father and waiting. He says,
S1: I'll give you everything. Now you just worship me. You
S1: don't have to go through all this painful stuff or
S1: this patient stuff. Right now, I can make you the
S1: king of this world. You don't have to wait. Uh,
S1: but you. And you won't have to go through suffering. Uh,
S1: that's why it was a temptation. Does that make sense?
S9: Yeah. It does. Okay. Yeah. Okay.
S7: But he.
S1: But he did.
S7: Wait. So thank God he did. Wait.
S1: Thanks for.
S7: Your call. God, I appreciate it. Okay. Thank you. Have
S7: a good day.
S1: You too. That's the first hour. Everyone so glad that
S1: we were together. But we're going.
S7: To.
S1: Stay together. Keep listening. I hope the second hour of
S1: Open Line is coming up on most of these stations.
S1: If your station doesn't carry it, you can always listen
S1: on the Moody Radio app. You can listen online. You
S1: can get the podcast. Uh, be sure to listen to
S1: those if you can't get it, but most of you
S1: will be listening during the break. Check out our web page.
S1: It's got all the links you're looking for, including a
S1: link to my personal web page, as well as how
S1: to become a kitchen table partner or get our current resource.
S1: The Bible study across America will continue in just a moment,
S1: so stay with us. Open line with Doctor Michael Melnick
S1: is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody
S1: Bible Institute.