Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

{Please take advantage of the index for 2022 posted on January 24, and indexes for the years 2019 through 2021, posted on September 7, 2022. These will help you find lessons to study by topic or book.} Remember James' background as he addresses sin issues.  As James addresses various sin issues, he often uses strong language to condemn bad behavior.  Remember, James was a brother of the Lord Jesus Christ who refused to believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5).  We do not know when James believed on Jesus Christ for salvation, but he did and was an integral part of the disciples prior to the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14).  Therefore, James was present at the dramatic coming of the Holy Ghost with tongues of fire and sound of rushing winds. James was present when the church was born by the regenerating work of God's Spirit.  He was martyred by wicked King Herod in 44 A.D. (Acts 12:2). Therefore, this letter must have been written between 33 A.D. and 44 A....

The apostle James is going to address the sin of worldliness and contention among believers in the church.  Internal strife in the church dishonors our Lord Jesus Christ.  James 4:1  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  I mentioned some of the problems within the church at Corinth, and it appears James needed to address similar problems within the Jerusalem church.  There was no civil war among the Jews at this time, nor among the Jewish Christians.  Acts Chapters 2 through 4 make it clear that the early church was a strong Christian family, worshipping together, hearing the Word, and enjoying rich, Christian fellowship. James is referring to private quarrels and law-suits, social rivalries and factions, and religious controversies. In other words, very similar to the church at Corinth.  The cause of these disputes and contentions is not indicated, because that is not wha...

The apostle James is teaching us about the sin of a Christian with an unruly tongue. He has gone to great lengths to help us see that an ungoverned tongue can ruin our testimony for Christ Jesus. We ended yesterday noting that no man can tame an unruly tongue. Nor can any ordinary means govern it.  Today, we will learn how God provides the means to tame our tongues. Faith with works will have a governed tongue. James 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.   The picture in this text is that although a true Christian cannot bridle other men's tongues, he can restrain his own.  James connects back with chapter two and the idea that faith without works is dead faith. Here, he says that a governed tongue is the good work that should follow true conversion to Jesus Christ.  A believer in Christ can, by a holy life and chaste conversation, show through meekness and gentlene...

The apostle James has taught us some wonderful truths.  James 1 Review.   Joy while enduring trials, testing and troubles. James 1:2-6  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  3)  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  4)  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  5)  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  6)  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.   In James 1, we learned that believers in Christ should rejoice when we have our faith tested or when we go through a trial.  Trials and tests are good gifts from God to mature and strengthen our faith. We learned to ask for wisdom from the Father because He is ready to give it to us when ...

  Here are the links to the YouTube channel of the church we attend, Heritage Baptist Church. I posted Pastor Alvis's sermons and lessons for the month of January 2023. I know those of you who area able to listen to his sermons, will be blessed by his careful, thorough exposition of the scriptures.  Please note, only the 9:30 and 10:30 sermons have livestream. The Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening services are audio only. May God continue to bless His word as it goes out in this format.  Bob

[Please remember the index to all posts from 2022 was posted on January 24, 2023. The index for all other years was posted on September 7, 2022. Thus, you have a resource to help you find a topic that you want to know more about.] The apostle James is taking a good bit of time to address the sin of an unruly tongue.  He has shown us that the tongue exerts as much influence over our Christian testimony, as a small rudder that steers a large ship, or a small bit that makes a horse turn.  He has warned us about our tongue. It can explode into iniquitous speech and it is set on the fires of hell. In this post, the apostle continues his warnings about an ungoverned tongue, and we must pay attention.  Our culture is polluted with ungoverned tongues spewing out vile speech, not caring whether innocent people are hurt in the process.  Most forms of animal life have been tamed by man. James 3:7  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of th...

James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. We previously studied these two verses. James is cautioning new believers in Christ against becoming a teacher too soon, for spiritual growth and maturity is needed.  Then, he reached back to the idea of being slow to speak, so that we do not blurt out words and thoughts without having our mind engaged first.  A well grounded, mature believer who has works accompanying his faith, is one well qualified to teach other Christians.  Then, the apostle mentions that this man can bridle to the whole body. This is the idea of guiding his conduct according to scripture, or using the scriptures to check or restrain himself from doing evil. Further, a man that offends not in word will not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanc...

  James chapter three has two main sections and both connect to things he taught us in chapter one. For example, the first part of James 3 connects back to being slow to speak (James 1:19).  The second half of this chapter connects back to asking God for heaven's wisdom to guide and direct our lives (James 1:5). Do not rush to be a teacher. Wait on the Lord's leading.  James 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  The main idea is that we are warned not to be in a hurry to be a teacher or rabbi. This directly flows from the previous chapter's instruction about faith without works being dead faith.  In other words, just because someone makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, does not make them fit to be a teacher. In fact, it would be disastrous for a Christian to listen to a teacher whose faith is dead.  Therefore, new believers are warned about assuming the office of a teacher from their own...