Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

We spent time looking at the Romans 1 world and along the way in our studies, we noticed that another prevalent trait of this culture is a rejection of truth . Indeed, many people today disdain the idea of absolute truth. Yet, God is the author of eternal, unchangeable truth and He holds all mankind accountable for their sins because of the truth that He has given to us.  Why is truth important and what happens to the society that rejects absolute truth? The current cancel culture irrationally rejects absolute truth because of their sick and twisted logic.  P roponents of this sham declare that 2 + 2 = 4 is racist because it is a product of Western Culture and Western values. If a student sums the numbers and comes up with 5 instead of 4, they may be "right" according to their own, individual math truth. Insisting that the correct answer is "4" instead of "5" is racist.  Never mind that modern mathematics uses Arabic numbers and concepts...

Romans 1:30-32  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.  Implacable .   This word literally means without a truce. It is the  idea of a person who can never be appeased because he or she is in a constant state of enmity. It is a person who is malicious and hateful at their core.  We do not have to work very hard to find constant examples of implacable people in our culture. It only takes a few moments of watching what passes for "news" these  days to see that talking heads are at war with anyone  who does not agree with their viewpoint.  We see it in schools where 20% of all high school students claim to have experienc...

We are continuing to take a close look as the depraved culture Paul described. The traits and chief characteristics of the Romans 1 world shows what the people do when God gives them up to a reprobate mind. It is not a pretty picture but it highlights the very real need for each Christian to live out the truth of God's Word in the midst of a cancel culture that does reject   absolute truth.    A lack of Biblical love breaks down families.   Romans 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:   32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Without natural affection. This phrase literally means without family love. It speaks of a person who is openly hostile to benevolent fa...

  Below is the link to the YouTube video of Pastor Alvis's Mid Week sermon Titled "Holiness and the Law of God" It was a thought provoking sermon that sought to answer what is the place of God's holy law today. Pastor took us to several texts in Romans 1-7. You will find this sermon both challenging to your preconceptions and a blessing for its clarity. Bob

Good afternoon to all of our Readers. Below is an update from a missionary family supported by our church to South Africa. You can see the hardships they face and the daily sacrifices made to get the gospel to lost people in that regions of the world. Personally identifying information is redacted to protect these dear laborers in Gospel ministry. PLeas pray for their needs. Bob South Africa’s second surge of Covid-19 infections has been exponential and highly infective due to our own variant (501Y.V2).   Our president, Cyril Ramaphosa, put the country under lockdown level three on 28 December 2020 due to the year-end summer holiday and beach mode. On 1 February, the lockdown was eased and churches have able to begin to meet again. However, Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk is still without a venue to meet since the government school where we have held services since 2010 will not be allowing churches to use their facilities as long at the pandemic requires extra caution. Will yo...

Romans 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.  Without Understanding. The phrase "without understanding" means not having insight into a matter or unintelligent due to internal wickedness. It can also mean someone who is foolish and Paul used this same word in Romans 1:21 where it is translated " their  foolish heart was darkened." That text tells us about the foolishness of all who deny the clear  evidence from creation that testifies to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.  Matthew 15:15-17  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.  16)  And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without ...

Rebellious Children Romans 1:30-32  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.   Disobedient to Parents.  Disobedient to parents is a phrase that means the child whether young or old, is not compliant to his or her parents. It means that this child cannot be persuaded to obey his parents.  A disobedient child is a serious matter with God.   Exodus 20:12  Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.    This text is the 5th commandment of the 10 commandments that God established. The commandments that precede it deal with man's relationship with God. This com...