Blessed & Bearded's Biblical Blog

Many of our young believers may struggle to read the Bible, attentively listen to the preaching of the word on Sunday service, or even attend Sunday service. This is an age of post-literacy within the world and, sadly, our churches. The absolute tragedy of this fact can not be understated; however, the Lord in His infinite wisdom has given us many great preachers and teachers to help us all grow in knowledge and wisdom and love of Him and His word. While we are in a post-literacy age perhaps we can counteract this tragedy and even grow in it. For those of you new to the faith, or struggling to grow in the grace of God (2 Peter 3:18), I recommend the following resources for your edification. As our Lord said, "Pay attention to what you hear..." (Mark 4:24). Most of what is recommended here I have listened to for quite some time and I can not understate the value and impact they have had on my life; I pray they be as important and special to you as they are to me.  Please no...

A question that has been rolling around my mind lately is how to advance, or grow, in the Christian life. And that's exactly the question that we'll be answering today. Before we ask how to grow, we must ask what and why we grow in the Christain life. So here's my first question to you all: in your own words, what does it mean to grow as a Christian? You can phrase it a number of different ways: To grow as a Christian is to become, in everyday life, all that you are in God-holy, blameless, loving, gracious, merciful, etc. To grow as a Christian is to become more like Christ. To grow as a Christian is to become increasingly more obedient and submissive to all the teachings and commands of Scripture. Or, to grow as a Christian is to increase in the godly nature that God gave us when He regenerated us; (when He gave us new birth) (John 3:3). And you all can pick whatever definition that you prefer I just like to try and define things is manners that I can unders...

For March I wanted to do a series of various evergreen topics of the faith. Today we will be beginning this series with one of the most evergreen topics possible; that being our devotions. Today we will look at the RANSOM Bible study method. As well as a brief Church history lesson. But before that, we need to establish what it is that we're studying and why we study it. First, what are we studying? The Bible. In your own words, what is the Bible? The Bible is from God (literally God-breathed) to show and tell us the character, nature, requirements, and the actions of God and the proper response of man to that showing and telling of God. (For a fuller understanding of the Bible and how it came to be please watch the Bible Project's video on the matter). Let's see how the Bible defines itself. Turn to 2 Timothy 3:16-4:3 . Based on these verses, how does the Bible define itself? Paul says that all Scripture, both Old and New Testament, is breathed out by God. It is from...

Who is God? Who is this Creator who spoke to mankind in a book? And what did He mean when He said to Moses, "I am who I am."- Exodus 3:14. This question matters because the Christian religion a serious religion that deals with reality and this question is the most important one for anyone to ask; it is imperative that we get it correct. God is who God is means that He never had a beginning.  God is who God is means that He has no end. God is who God is means that He is absolute reality. He is all that was in eternity.    God is who God is means that He is eternally, absolutely independent. God is who God is means that all that is not God is dependent (or secondary) to Him.  God is who God is means that all the universe, by comparison to God, is as nothing. God is who God is means that He is constant, absolute perfection. God is who God is means that He is the absolute standard of truth and beauty. God is who God is means that God does whatever He please...

It’s rather providential that we should need to have a lesson on evangelism. Since preaching at Fairview I’ve been thinking about what I want to do next time I’m in there pulpit and I believe this is exactly what I want to do; in fact, I intend to make this lesson into my next sermon. I am sorry that I did not adequately teach you all this already but I am grateful that we have found a crack in our armor. Here forward, all the leaders of this bible study will make it a point to diversify our studies in the spiritual disciplines when the text allows for it. This is will be a bit different from most of my lessons; it will be (mostly) brief and non-exhaustive and it will be immediately practical. So first things first: How would you define “evangelism”? What is it? You can define it as: A speaking of Jesus because we love Him “Speaking to anyone, anywhere the Gospel”-John Piper. Or, my definition: honestly, humbly and holy telling others about the person and work of Jesus Christ an...

So today will be my first topical study with y’all and I want us to look at friendship and forgiveness.  We’ll cover: What does a Christian friendship look like? What is its function? What we do when friends fail. When I say the word “friend” what comes to your mind? How would you define “friend”? “ a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection”-Google dictionary.  Does your definition of “friend” change at all when we think of godly friendships? If so, how? Friends, in general, are a mutual bond. Godly friends are a mutual bond by God in our common faith.  Godly friendships involve 3 things: faith, fellowship, forgiveness.   Godly friendships have faith in the work/power of God in the other person and help/encourage them in that work. They have fellowship with one another and the Great Friend-Christ. They also have forgiveness; both friends are redeemed sinners, we should not be surprised when we cause harm/di...