Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Below are links to the audio only and the livestreams of Pastor Mike's sermons and lessons from the month of September 2024. He has been leading us through Ephesians during the midweek service to show us the beautiful revelation of who God is and what He has done for us through the Lord Jesus Christ, and how we must respond to this. He has been preaching through the book of Romans in the worship hour and in Sunday afternoons, Pastor has shared what is going on in some churches and how we must eb anchored to the Bible. I know these will bless all who are able to hear and view them. Bob

A note about the archive index containing all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019.   An index for  all lessons  posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on  September 7, 2022. An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published  J anuary 24, 2023. An index for all lessons posted in 2023 was posted on  February 28, 2024.  Each index lists lesson titles and the date each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about. The Link below will take you the the YouTube channel of Heritage Baptist Church where my wife and I attend. Pastor Alvis has given me the great blessing and responsibility to teach the adult Sunday school class. We have been making our way through the Book of Ezra. In this lesson, we saw Ezra's contrite and humble spirit after learning about Israel's sin of marrying pagan wives. He was devasted to discover that God's people had corrupted themselves and he fasted, wept, pulled out his hair and tore his g

Purpose and function of spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit of God. Ephesians 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

All spiritual gifts are dispensed by the same Holy Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 12:8-9  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  Notice the phrase "by the same Spirit" is used four times in two verses. The phrase "by the Spirit" is used once. This reminds us that each of the gifts from the Holy Spirit are under His control. He exercises His sovereign will in giving gifts to the church. They are dispensed according to the good purposes of God's will and plan. The first two spiritual gifts of the Spirit are connected with ministering the scriptures. They are Word oriented gifts. The gift of wisdom was direct revelation from God about doctrines and function of the newly formed Church. As we noted, there is also a practical outworking of wisdom in us when we make choices in life that comply with our knowle

The gift of words of wisdom and the indicatives of God. 1 Corinthians 12:7-8  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  Paul reminds us before listing the gifts of the Spirit that each gift is to be used for the glory of God.  Each gift is given to build up Christians faith, to evangelize the world and to facilitate ministry within the local church. The gift of wisdom as new revelation from God stopped when the canon of the New Testament scriptures were completed. However, wisdom as a practical application of God's Word in our lives is something we must always pursue.  We must first learn God's Word and build a solid foundation of Bible truth in our heart.  When we use that knowledge to make decisions which conform with scripture, then we have practically demonstrated wisdom in our lives.  Wisdom received by the apostles directly fro