Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

All of the apostles of Jesus Christ spoke about Christian suffering. Peter is no exception and we will benefit from his Spirit guided teaching. Christian, do not be surprised when trials come our way.  1 Peter 4:12-13  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  13)  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  As we learn to walk with our Lord, His Spirit is constantly working to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. He is trying to make us more like Jesus. Sometimes, God will permit trials or troubles to come to us, so that we turn away from that which displeases Him.  God can use family issues, financial hardship, persecution or vocational challenges, to help us refocus on the eternal things that matter. When we turn to God after going through trials or troubles, w...

Remember that this present, evil world has an expiration date. 1 Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  We ended with verse 7 in our last post, so we need to look at it in context of the following paragraph. Peter reminds all Christians, that each passing day brings the end of all things closer.  Jesus said only the Father in heaven knows when the end will occur. Until that moment, His heart toward mankind is that of seeking to save the lost. Therefore, believers in Christ should have a pattern of life marked by prayer and the pursuit of holiness.  The apostle is going to give us some very practical examples of what it looks like when we pursue holiness.  Genuine Christians love one another.  1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. The Holy Spirit guided Peter to highlight the guiding principle of living for Jesu...

1 Peter 4:5-7  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7)  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  The Spirit guided apostle now turns to the return of Jesus Christ, to execute final judgment upon all the wicked. Peter reminds us that God is ready at any moment, to judge the living and the dead.  Christians will be judged for our service and our love for God and others, at the resurrection of life. Psalm 90:9-12  For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.  10)  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away....

1 Peter 4:1-2  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.   Peter began this chapter with these words to encourage us to put on the whole armor of God because trials, troubles and suffering for Christ will happen to us. The apostle urges us to have the mind of Christ in us, so that when we face trials, troubles or persecution, we will respond with the heart of Jesus guiding us (See Philippians 2:5-8). Life before Christ was full of sin, for many of us. 1 Peter 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  The Spirit of God guided Peter to reflect upon what life was like f...

We are moving into First Peter chapter four in this post. So far, the Spirit guided truth written by the apostle Peter, has been full of blessing, encouragement and some admonition.  How should a Christian live this life? 1 Peter 4:1-2  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  The word  "forasmuch"  essentially means that since all the things previously taught by Peter are true, we must live this way before God. Peter, like the apostle Paul often gives us a strong dose of sound doctrine first, before turning to explain what our duties are toward God.  Christian behavior is to be shaped by what we believe. Our spiritual duties before God are founded upon His doctrine. Christ has suffered for us in the flesh. There...

  The link below will take you to the YouTube channel of Heritage Baptist Church, located in Smithville, Ohio. This is where my wife and I attend.  Pastor Alvis asked me to continue teaching the adult Sunday school for the rest of this year and for 2024.  I am blessed that my Pastor has enough trust and confidence in me, to request that I fill his pulpit.  I approach Sunday school the same way I approach preparing a lesson for the blog. I study and read the Bible, and read and study it more.  My goal is always to lift up Jesus Christ for all to see, and to explain what God is saying to us as simply as I can, so that we understand our duty and response to Him. Part 11 in this series, focuses on Egypt as a picture of the world of sin and degradation, upon Pharaoh as a type of Satan and his evil works, and Egypt as a center of corrupt religion.  The lesson closes by riveting our attention upon the work and Person of our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ. I hope that...

Good morning to all of our Readers, from all around the world! God is so good to us, and He is worthy of all praise for sending this Bible study blog into almost 150 different nations.  Each time that I am preparing a lesson for the blog, I try to imagine each of your circumstances and environments. I try to think about how to share what God is saying accurately and simply.  Quite frankly, I am quickly overwhelmed because our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, has allowed me the extraordinary blessing and great privilege of sharing God's Word with each of you.  The world is full of hurting people, and this will never change until Jesus returns to earth to establish His Kingdom. THis is our blessed hope, and a source of constant joy for us to meditate upon.  Jesus knows all about our troubles, because He lived on earth for more than 30 years. He experienced the full spectrum of human misery, afflictions, grief and sorrows.  He suffered greatly for us. He wa...