Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

In our last post, Paul urged the Ephesian believers not to respond with civil disobedience because he was sitting in a Roman jail. Then Paul got on his knees and prayed for that church and all believers. He prayed that we would have a growing  knowledge and experience of Christ dwelling in us through His Spirit. He prayed that the Father in heaven would send strength into our inner man so that we can be firmly rooted and grounded in our faith in Christ and in the love of God. Paul's prayer expands to include the love of Christ for us.  Ephesians 3:18-19  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  The words "may be able" mean to be eminently able with full strength to "comprehend." The word "comprehend" means to lay hold of with your mind. The idea here is that the strength Paul pra...

Below is the YouTube link to Pastor Alvis's midweek sermon titled "The Importance of End Time Things." We are blessed to have such a faithful pastor and are grateful for his careful teaching. I know you will find this sermon to be a blessing if you are able to hear and see it. May the Lord anoint His Word as it goes forth. Bob https://youtu.be/ZQT_UOLim1M

Paul did not want the Ephesians to act rashly due to his imprisonment.  Ephesians 3:13  Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Sometimes it is hard to remember that this epistle is a letter written to a church while the Apostle Paul was in prison. So far, Paul has given us in depth teaching about one glorious truth after another, to show us the splendor of being "in Christ."  He ends the section we studied in our last post with a brief note of encouragement.  The word " wherefore" connects back to what Paul previously said to us. He desired that they not faint because of his troubles and trials. The Greek words indicate that Paul did not want the believers in Ephesus to engage in any civil unrest because he was in prison.  The word "tribulation" means being squeezed under great pressure. Paul counters their dismay over his circumstances by telling them that it is glory for the apostles to suffer for the caus...

  It has taken some time but we are now moving into Ephesians 3. The basic divisions of this book find the first three chapters full of doctrine and the last three full of duty. Paul will speak of his apostolic office as he makes known the great mystery of Jesus Christ. Then, Paul prays for the church and closes this chapter with a beautiful doxology of praise to the Godhead. Paul's grand mission in life: Exalt Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 3:1-2  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,  2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  Paul always uses a lot of connecting words to keep the threads of his apostolic  teaching together. In this case, he used "For this cause" which connects back to the great aspects of our salvation. This includes election, being chosen in God, the vastness of God's foreknowledge, predestination, adoption and acceptance when we are "in Christ. "   Fo...

Fellow citizens with all saints. Members of God's household. E phesians 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  Paul used additional connecting words so we do not lose sight of what he has been revealing about our rich spiritual blessings for all who are "in Christ."  The words "Now therefore" remind us even though we used to be cut off from the things of God we now are drawn close to God through faith in Christ.  We were strangers on the outside of all the promises and hope of God, looking in and isolated from hope. Now, we have the full status of being sons and daughters of God and receive a full, equal inheritance in Christ. What wonderful privileges and blessings our Father in heaven pours out upon His children. Paul shows us that believers in Christ are now "fellow citizens." The word "fellow citizens"   means that we have been given the same rights a...

We are seeking to better understand the riches of spiritual blessings that God has given to all who are born again and are   "in Christ." God's grace is amazing, His love is overwhelming and His mercy higher than the heavens. Because all these things are true, we know for sure that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ for those who are saved (Romans 8:31-39).  Christ is our peace with God. Ephesians 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  Paul now turns to teach us more vital truth about Jesus Christ our Savior and the mighty work of salvation that He accomplished. Jesus did all of the required work in order to save all who hear the gospel and respond with repentant faith.  However, it is not just the work that Jesus accomplished on our behalf, but it is His person. Jesus Himself is our peace and as long as the believer is in Christ, he (or she) has peace with ...