Blessed & Bearded's Biblical Blog

Intro: Thank you all for coming and for allowing me to preach here this morning. I will briefly introduce myself to y'all and then we'll get going.  My name is Evan Griffey. I am a Lynchburg College 2018 graduate of Religious Studies and History; with the intent of going into full-time ministry. Since graduation, I have had the thorough pleasure of teaching the Young Adult bible study where we moved our way steadily, chapter by chapter, verse by verse through the Gospel of John, Ephesians, and we just concluded Paul's letter to the church in Rome. And that's where I'll be coming from today.  So with that said please turn to Romans 16.  I'll be preaching from Romans 16:25 but I'll be reading Romans 16:25-27 for context.  Read Romans 16:25-27: 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been discl...

This study will be a brief explanation of the high, biblical doctrine of predestination as Paul sets forth in Ephesians 1:4-6 and in Romans 8:29-30. This will not be an exhaustive study of the text nor the doctrine itself; merely a brief study where I will try and show the love and free grace of God in our joyous salvation in the high doctrine of predestination.      First, we will look at Ephesians 1:1-6 then to Romans 8:28-35 to see and understand how Paul understood predestination and what effect it had on him devotionally.      Then we will further discuss this doctrine; which will be followed by a list of suggested scriptural readings to further study this doctrine.  How would you define "predestination"?     Predestination teaches that God works positively and actively intervenes in the lives of the elect, those whom He has freely chosen for salvation, to work grace in their hearts and bring them to faith. ...

So last week we discussed those who are weak and strong in the faith; those who needed more rules and regulations to stand and those that simply needed Christ.  Here, Paul begins to close his letter to the Romans thru a series of triune exhortations to live the example of Christ and finally closes with a series of personal encouragement to his brothers in the faith.  15:1-2      I've discussed building your brother, or neighbor, previously; but what are we to build them up to? What is the goal of our building? Here, Paul emphasizes self-sacrifice in building or strengthening, his brother. The goal of our building is to forge our brother to be increasingly holy, or more fruitful in their Christian walk. 15:3     Whom did Christ please if not Himself? God. We, following the model, are to do likewise.  Here, Paul quotes Psalm 69:9 to teach us by showing us that the insults that men throw on to Christ were ultimately to...