Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

We are studying Psalm 119. This is the longest chapter in the entire Bible and it is the most "Word" oriented section of scripture. Psalm 119 teaches us a tremendous amount of truth concerning the scriptures. The Psalmist shows how it applies to us, how it meets our needs and what God wants to do in our hearts with His Word.  The first part of this text taught us about having our hearts turned to God's truth, by asking Jehovah to incline us.  This post explores what we are being turned away from and this is very important for us. Hearts turned away from being covetous. Psalm 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.   "Covetousness" means having an inappropriate desire for worldly things. We struggle with a desire to have more than what God has allowed us to have, in the course of His providential care of us.  We may desire temporal, good things needed for this life, because we live in an earthly tabernacle of clay th...

I continue to be amazed by the tremendous relevance of knowing God's will. We are progressing in an overview fashion, looking at examples from the books of scripture, to read and understand the will of God. We have seen multiple times that the will of God is clearly communicated to us and easy to understand. We have also noted how the will of God is very applicable for a modern society. How do we view those who have power over us? Exodus 22:28  Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.  The Hebrew word translated "gods" in this text has four singular meanings and five plural meanings. The context determines the meaning.  This verse is not suggesting that God is somehow condoning idolatry. The sin of idolatry was one that continually plagued the Hebrew people and God always judged the sin of idolatry. The word in this text is referring to human rulers or judges who oversaw Israel's civil and religious affairs. Most of the time the high priest ...

The Great Commission includes edifying believers.  Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  This text is the Great Commission given by our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. We looked at the first part of the Great Commission which is elevating Jesus Christ above all other.  The second element of the Great Commission is edifying believers in Christ. We are to teach all people in all nations. That is, wherever a local New Testament church is located, a primary function is teaching new believers about Jesus Christ, about the Bible and sound doctrine. Two different Greek words are translated "teach" in this text. The...

  We are studying the will of God in an overview manner, going through the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's will. We are learning that His will is clearly communicated to us and we need to submit and obey. Treat immigrants to your nation humanely. Exodus 22:21  Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.  The word "stranger" means a foreigner from another country. A stranger is a temporary inhabitant who lacks rights of citizenship.  The word "vex" means that we should not oppress, suppress, treat violently, or do wrong to a stranger.  This was a very humane law of a sound policy.  “Do not vex a stranger; Remember you were strangers in Egypt. Do not oppress a stranger. Remember you were severely oppressed.  Therefore do unto all men as you would have them do unto you.  Let strangers be well treated among you, and many will come to take refuge among you, and thus the strength of y...

We are working our way through the Bible in a simple overview designed to show us how clearly God expresses His will for mankind, and believers in particular. A command for sexual purity. Exodus 22:16,17  And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.  17)  If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.  Jehovah amplifies the marriage covenant that was given in Genesis 2. If a man seduces an unmarried young women, and they have a sexual relationship, the man is obligated to marry her.  In the ancient culture, the process of marriage included the suitor bringing a dowry to the girl's father.  God has an additional provision, that if the father refuses to allow his daughter to marry the man, then the suitor must still pay the dowry to her father. This was an exceedingly wise and humane law, that operated powerfully against the sin of s...

In our last post we looked at the primary mission of any New Testament church, which is to exalt the lord Jesus Christ high for all people to see.  We now turn to the historical native of Israel wandering in the wilderness because Jesus connected His death on the cross to this narrative. Complaining against God is a grievous sin.   Numbers 21:4,5  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.  5)  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.   We know that the Hebrews murmured and complained often during the forty years that God led them in the wilderness.  Think about this, because for forty years, their shoes did not wear out, and God lit their camp with a column of fire by...

What are the essential functions of a New Testament church? There are three simple duties that Christ left His church to do: Exalt Jesus Christ. Edify and disciple new believers in Christ. Evangelize the world. Exalt Jehovah for He is worthy of all glory and honor.  Psalm 34:3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 99:9  Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. The Psalmist frequently connects the action of worship and reverence toward God with each believer's duty to exalt Jehovah Elohim above all others.  When the Hebrew people of old met to worship, it was to exalt and lift high the name of God for all nations, kindreds, and tongues to see and hear.  God alone created all things and is the sole sustainer of all life. His powerful word governs the universe and none can resist it (Hebrews 1:1-3).  He is holy and we, His people, the sheep of His pasture, are called to holiness. We wo...