Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Matthew 23:16  Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!  There are two parts to this Woe. First is the issue of scribes and Pharisees being blind guides who are spiritually unfit to lead God's people. Second is a specific example Jesus gave exposing their wicked teaching that led people astray. Jesus denounced scribes and Pharisees because they pretended to be spiritual guides for the people, but they were blinded to God's truth. The word "guide" refers to an expert who can teach those who are ignorant or inexperienced, in this case it concerns the things of God. A "blind guide" can do no one any good at all. The words "blind guide" are what as known as an oxymoron: two opposite words that normally do not go together. An oxymoron is used to emphasize how foolish it is to follow a blind guide. Imagine traveling on an unfamiliar...

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. Matthew 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the ...

As we study the eight "Woes" Jesus pronounced up the scribes and Pharisees, we need to keep two words in mind. First, we must remember that the word "Woe" is a strong denunciation upon a people or a nation for their sins and transgressions. Therefore, when Jesus pronounced a "Woe" it announced the sure judgment of God upon scribes and Pharisees for their specific sins. Each of the eight "Woes" details a specific sin that they committed which led the people away from God, not closer to Him. The first "Woe" was against scribes and Pharisees who use traditions of men as a roadblock to keep sinners from repentant faith and entrance into Christ's kingdom. The first "Woe" is juxtaposed against the first "Beatitude" Jesus taught, about the poor in spirit who cried out to God with repentant faith and who will receive the kingdom of heaven (See Matthew 5:3). Another word we must bear in mind is the word "hypocrit...

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. Matthew 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer...

Thank you so much for your prayers. In my left shoulder, I had a tendon tear, a couple of bone spurs, a badly inflamed bursa sac and a rotator cuff tear that my surgeon repaired. I'm still wearing a sling, but the incessant pain I have endured for many months is gone and I am sleeping better. Thank you to each of you who are praying for my recovery from surgery.  My sweet wife and I greatly appreciate your prayers. In Christ's love, Bob 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 less...