Blessed & Bearded's Biblical Blog

3:1-8 3:1-3 Do y'all understand Paul’s argument thus far? If so, please put it into your own words. Paul is saying that the Jews had a great advantage over the Gentiles because they had the truth of God and the shadows of the Gospel with them. But, even though some physical descendants of Abraham were not repentant or faithful God is yet still faithful to those that believe inwardly rather than those that are merely outwardly faithful. See 2:28-29.  IE God will fulfill all His promises He made to the true Jew even if individual Jews are not able to receive them because of their unbelief.  3:4 IE if everyone believed God was a lair it would make no difference because it would only prove that they are lairs and that God is true; regardless of their opinion.  3:5 So if God is going to get glory through my sin, or if my unrighteousness shows off His righteousness, then why should I change my ways? The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodl...

So in Chapter 1 Paul demonstrated the sinfulness of the immoral pagan (1:18-32), Paul now presents his case against the religious moralist/legalist by cataloging 6 principles that govern God’s judgment: 1) Knowledge (2:1-2)  2) truth (2:2-3)  3) guilt (2:4-5)  4) deeds (2:6-10)  5) impartiality (2:11-15)  6) motive (2:16).  On a 1-10 scale, how well do y’all think you understand this chapter?  What was confusing or difficult for you? 2:1-11 2:1 In what was is man ‘inexcusable'?     Man has been given knowledge of God through the creation and His law is written on man’s heart, as we’re about to get more into in this chapter. You, O man, have done that which is wrong in God’s sight you are by no means expect from God’s judgment.     “condemned yourself” Paul is dealing with hypocrisy here.  In what way/according to what standard should we live...

5 ways to improve your preaching by Pastor Matthew Everhard. Be a Bible expositor. Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, line by line, word by word. The bible is more interesting than anything you have to say.  Write out your sermon completely in the manuscript then ditch it when you reach the pulpit. This will force you to think through what you're going to say. This also makes you speak to the people from the heart. Preach with your Bible open AND in your hand while you're preaching. This is practical and symbolic; it shows the people that you're teaching the text and is shows the church that the church is a bible-believing church.  Drop the tech. Tech usually detracts from the teaching. Use it ONLY when it's absolutely necessary. You, preacher, should be able to command and keep the attention and ear of the people via your words alone. Your zealous preaching is more powerful than PowerPoint.  Quit imitating your favorite preachers. You...

If someone were to ask you what Ephesians was about how would you respond?      Summaries:      Ch 1 is the glorious inheritance we, the saints, have in Jesus     Ch 2 explains how we get these spiritual blessing and what the Church is     Ch 3 is expounding Ch 1 and 2 where he explains how Jew and Gentile are brought into the Church      Ch 4 is how both parties are being brought together in unity by the HS     Ch 5 (and the first part of 6) is living out all that Jesus has done for us in unity and love in the church, family, and employment Now, what do y’all think this last bit of ch 6 is about?      Its always struck me odd how Paul suddenly shifts gears to discuss Satan right at the end of the letter; a letter all about     Christ no less;     I believe Ch 6 is about how we use the immeasurable riches Jesus ...