Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

  Here is where to find indexes to all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. Click on the drop down menu and look for the archives tab. Then find the date listed below to find the appropriate index. I hope this will help you find lessons on a particular book of topic that we have studied through. 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 202 3 was published on February 28, 2024.  An index for all lessons posted in 2024 was published on January 21, 2025. An index for all lessons posted in 2025 was published on January 24, 2026. Below you will find links to the YouTube channel of the church we attend, Heritage Baptist Church, in Smithville Ohio. These are the sermons preached by Pastor Alvis during May, 2026. Some are livestream with video and others are audio only. I know there are various ...

In this chapter, Jesus gave three parables to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. The Parable of the Ten Virgins teaches us that we are to live in a state of expectancy and habitual readiness to receive our Lord. It is designed to stir us up to do well for our soul, in accord with Christ's instructions.  We are studying the second parable which is divided into three sections. The Parable of the Talents teaches us that we are to work diligently for our Lord, just as we would give our best effort to run a business well. It is designed to teach us to expend ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others. Matthew 25:14-15  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. The first part introduced a wealthy man who is a picture of Jes...

  We studied through the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Jesus compared Himself to the Bridegroom coming at an unannounced time to take His bride to her new home with Him. This parable pictures two things for us. First, is the rapture of Christ's church and the resurrection of life that happens when Jesus returns in the clouds. He will not physically touch the earth at the rapture and resurrection of life. Instead the trumpet will sound and Jesus will call forth the bodies of all dead saints from their graves and they will rise to the LORD. Next, Jesus will "snatch away" all Christians who are alive on earth at this event. This connects with the five wise virgins who are to be engaged in waiting, watching and working for their Lord until this moment. Jesus will then return to heaven with every single person who ever trusted Him, and the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place (See Revelation 19:1-10). Second , seven years of tribulation will start on earth while Christ ...

We are studying the first of three parables in this chapter, that Jesus gave to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, Jesus is compared to a bridegroom coming for His bride, to take her to her new home. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the five wise virgins represent those who are born again by the regenerating work of God's Spirit (See Titus 3:4-6). They were "wise" because they had enough oil to keep their lamps burning as they awaited the Bridegroom's arrival. We looked at the scriptures to see how oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus, five virgins who carried oil for their lamps, picture the indwelling Spirit of God empowering them to live as children of light, who are of the kingdom of light. Five virgins were "foolish" which is from a word that literally means "godless." Lacking oil for their lamps means that they were religious hypocrites who professed faith in Christ, but never called on the Lord with repe...