Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

In Matthew chapter twenty, we were blessed by the Parable of the Laborers and The Vineyard because it teaches us about the kingdom of God. The parable is followed by Jesus third foretelling of what would happen to Him when they arrived in Jerusalem.  In speaking of these events, Jesus gave us the essential, core truths of the gospel that we must never surrender.  The next paragraph focused on the disciples pride and ambition as John and James sought a high position in the kingdom of heaven. They were men of like passions as we are, and they struggled with these sins. Therefore, we must guard against pride, ambition or angry reactions in our own heart.  We must confess our sins and seek the forgiveness and cleansing that God promises to give us. The last paragraph in this chapter involves Jesus healing two blind men. It is as if the spotlight turned from character flaws in His disciples back to the glorious and wonderful ministry of Jesus to the sick, afflicted and oppress...

I have a prayer request. God is sending this blog around the world, to about 200 different nations on 6 continents, and this is the Lord's doing.  God tells us His Word will not return void if we are faithful to share it with other people (See Isaiah 55). Almost every nation involved in current wars is home to people who read God's Word through this blog. Thus, though I am in America and separated by a great distance from those wars, it is still very personal for me, because I know that some of our Readers are near or in the middle of major conflicts. I ask that each one of us will pray that God will use His Word to save people from all nations, all societal backgrounds, all races, all ethnicities. We must remember God wants all people to come to repentant faith in Jesus Christ (See 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:1-4). We must remember that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation for all who repent and believe. I ask that we pray for God to reach souls for Christ and ...

  Good morning to all of our Readers... We had the great blessing of hosting Rodney Fitzsimmons last Sunday at our church, Heritage Baptist Church, in Smithville, Ohio. Pastor Alvis was away so Rodney preached all three services. He is involved with a very unique ministry called the Carpenters Project. I urge you to watch the livestreams and listen to the audio, as you will be encouraged and challenged. Bob Rodney Fitzsimmons "An Overview Of The Carpenters Project" March 1, 2026 Rodney Fitzsimmons "Jonah And The Gourd" March 1, 2026 Rodney Fitzsimmons "Do I Enjoy God Or Do I Drink From Broken Cisterns?" March 1, 2026 Below is a link to their non profit website is you desire to learn more about their ministry. https://thecarpentersproject.org/

  Here is where to find indexes containing 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 2023 was posted on  February 28, 2024.  An index for all lessons was posted in 2025 was posted 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 February 2026. I know there are various apps for iPhone and android that will translate voice into another language.  I hope that those of...

We learned beautiful truth about the kingdom of heaven from Jesus' Parable of the Laborers and the Vineyard. The remainder of this chapter continues Matthew's record of all that Jesus said and did. Jesus again repeats the essential, non negotiable core of gospel truth to His disciples.  Matthew 20:17-19  And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,  18  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,  19  And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. This is the third time that Jesus spoke His disciples of His suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus described the order of events that are recorded later in this gospel. Christ and His disciples would travel to Jerusalem in time for the Passover. Someone will betray Him and Jesus will...