Grace Oriented Bible Teaching: Recent Episodes
First Baptist Church of Royal City
God has planned for us to live by His grace. We hope that the following studies contribute to that end.
Our position in Christ is part of the framework that makes up our Christian lives and distinguishes us from the antichrists. Implied and explicit statements about who we are in Christ from 1 John.
What role do spiritual gifts play in our maturity?
How does knowing who Christ is and what He does affect maturity?
Does our church draw attention to Christ or to ourselves? How are we to draw attention to Christ?
We look at Paul's relationship with Barnabas, John Mark, and the beginning of their first missions trip.
Peter told us we should grow by means of grace. How does the context help us understand the importance of this idea?
Paul's relationship with Barnabas was vital to his serving with believers. Paul also interacted with Peter so that both know God has a purpose for each other.
We continue looking at implicit and explicit statements about the believer's position in Christ in 1 John.
Some parts of our society want a "safe space", a place free of challenges or vastly different opinions. Should the church be a safe space for believers?
We conclude our study of spiritual gifts by looking at the gifts of giving, organization, mercy, evangelist, and shepherd-teachers.
Josh walks us through the different levels of maturity and how each has some connection to our position in Christ.
Josh does an overview of the Christian life as he points out the problems with the statements of the antichrists in 1 John.
Ben Orth helps us think through the question, what was Paul doing in Tarsus for several years?
Ben Orth continues his study of Paul looking at Saul's conversion/salvation and commission.
John wrote to a group of believers and identified some as little children, some as trainable children, some as young men, and some as fathers. What do each of these tell us about maturity?
Josh introduces 1 John. He points out five explicit statements about the believer in Christ in chapters one and two.
Ben Orth leads us in a study of Acts to understand what was happening between the Church and Judaism before we meet Paul (Saul).
Ben Orth leads us in a study of Paul's background in Judaism and among the Pharisees. This is part two. Part one had technical difficulties, we apologize.
Josh continues to look at explicit and implied statementa about our being in Christ from 2 Peter 3.
What does God desire and expect of Christians regarding maturity? Why do some not mature?
We conclude our discussion of the world system. How do we respond to it. We love the proper objects.
We begin looking at spiritual gifts, what they are, what is their purpose, and how we discover our gift.
We know the world system is a problem. How has God indicated that we should respond to it?
We begin a study: How do we serve in our church?
This study looks at our leaders and our response to our leaders.
Jim closes (for a few months) this study by considering the title "Lord" in 2 Peter 1 & 2.
Dan Brake concludes his studies by helping us understand the proper motivation that God desires for us.
But now Christ is risen. This is the foundation of our hope and impacts how we live from day to day.
We look at the last half of 1 Corinthians 15 and consider the nature of the resurrection body and how this hope impacts how we live today.
Our speakers Dan Brake and Steve Thomas interact with our adult class, answering questions and taking comments.
From the beginning, Christ did the Father's will. Every event of His final week was part of God's plan. It also illustrates something for how we live.
Steve Thomas helps us understand the proper mindset necessary for God's empowerment of the believer.
Steve Thomas leads us in a study of Philemon as an example of proper empowerment to respond correctly as a Christian.
Dan Brake introduces WHAT'S YOUR WHY?: FINDING PROPER MOTIVATION FOR LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Steve Thomas introduces the subject of THE CONNECTION OF FAITH AND LOVE TO SPIRITUAL POWER. BECOMING EMPOWERED IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
Ben Orth leads us to think about the need of salvation, God's salvation, and our security in that salvation.
In Isaiah 63:16-17 God is Israel's Redeemer, but Isaiah asks why He made them go astray? This study examines that question.
We conclude the armor of God and consider the importance of worship and supplication when we face Satan.
We review the armor of God and we look at the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
The Word of God is our sole authority. How did the apostles relate to God's revelation and to the world's sources of authority?
The Word of God is the Church's authority. How did that work in the early years of the Church before they had written revelation expressing God's way of life for us?
We review the basis of our position in Christ and consider several statements from Ephesians about our position.
We continue to look at the armor of God. We consider the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes consisting preparedness with the gospel of peace.
We continue to look at James and demonstrate that he and his readers knew something about who they are in Christ.
What is communion or the Lord's table all about? Why did Jesus tell us to participate in this activity?
We begin to look at the armor of God, which is God's provision to us for resisting Satan.
James writes about truths that require his readers to know something about their position in Christ. Josh walks us through dealing with temptation as an example.
What does each gospel contribute to understanding Christ? Neither Mark nor John give us a birth narrative. Why? How does John introduce Jesus?
We can identify a Satanic temptation by passages that connect Satan to specific temptations.
Churches have worship services and sing. What does the Bible present as the role of worship and music in Church?
Should the believer fear death? What does the Bible reveal about the death of a New Testament believer?
Jim looks at the Christian's role in God's kingdom and the judgment that will be exercised then.
God is intentional. We can be intentional. Kenia, Dwight, and Peggy share something that God has taught them about His character.
God the Father is called the Most High God. This study continues to look at the significance of the Father's titles.
Jesus called the Father, Righteous Father. This study continues to look at the title of the Father.
We continue to look at the works of the flesh and consider how these works can affect our "religious" works or service to God.
When we gather for "church" we gather to serve? What might a church meeting or service look like?
What is the sin nature and the flesh? Are they the same? What are the works of the flesh?
What is the course of sin? How does a Christian move from living in God's will to sinning?
Paul called the Ephesian believers to unity. This unity expresses God's glory. This is the conclusion of the study from 10/1/23
Scripture identifies some believers as spiritual. We'll look at what it means to be spiritual and how a believer can choose to be spiritual.
Paul wrote Romans to explain how God stabilizes believers. One purpose is that we might display the riches of God's glory.
We continue looking at the fruit from the Spirit. We look at joy, peace, and patience (longsuffering).
We have the privilege of demonstrating something about Christ in our daily lives. How are we sufficient or capable of this. Paul explains what God has done and how we glorify God when we do this.
The book of Hebrews appeals to Jewish Christians to remain with God's people. This study continues looking at some of the mysteries of Paul and how these are alluded to in Hebrews.
We begin looking at the fruit from the Spirit. We consider a definition of love and then examine some texts that show what this love looks like.
God has given us Christ's kind of mind as part of our salvation. This study considers how we use this mind in the Christian life.
Believers have a heavenly calling. Why is it called heavenly? What does it have to do with the mysteries that God gave through the apostle Paul?
We can know God's will and serve others by His power. The mystery of Christ's indwelling provides us with this power.
The Father is the blessed God in 1 Peter 1:3. What has He done and why in this context is He blessed.
What is God's purpose for the Church? What has He left us as the goal of living the Christian life?
The Granville Sharp rule supports the deity of the Father. He is the source of comfort. 2 Cor. 1:2f.
Jim continues looking at examples of Granville Sharp's rule that show the Father is also God. God is the Blessed God. 1 Pet. 1:3.
Hebrews two presents our relationship to Christ regarding the incarnation and freedom from the fear of death.
Regeneration causes us to be joined to the Father and the Son. They indwell us. What are some of the benefits of their indwelling?
God is glorified by how we serve one another. We are told that each person of the Godhead has a relationship to our spiritual gift and service. We look at how this works.
We continue looking at our position in the persons of the Godhead and begin looking at the new birth.
Hebrews one opens with the nature and character of the Son. His seated position will become the basis of our position.
Granville Sharp recognized a grammatical rule used in the Greek language of the New Testament era. It equates to singular, personal nouns with one definite article and the conjunction kai for example THE GOD AND FATHER refers to the same person. This study continues to look at examples of this that demonstrate the Father is God.
Hebrews pt 2. To understand Hebrews, we need to understand the role of the Jews in the early church and the apostles that served among them.
To live the Christian life by God's grace, we need to know what God has provided for us in our salvation. This is survey of our salvation part 1.
Granville Sharp was an 18th Century Christian who identified a rule of Greek grammar that supports the deity of Christ. It also supports the deity of the Father.
The Christian can face death and glorify God. We can do this whether it is a peaceful, drawn out, or violent death. We need to know our God better to trust ourselves to His care.
John addresses believers at differing levels of maturity and their relationship to the Father.
Christ made known the Father's "name" and will do so. What is this name and how do we know it?
How does God's glory relate to how the believer uses their human body? Is there a relationship to the body of Christ?
This study compares and contrasts the Father and His work to the Son and Holy Spirit with regard to our salvation.
Jesus had glory and demonstrated God's glory during His earthly life. How does His glory relate to our lives in the Church?
Jesus asked that we all be one. What is this "one"? Is it functional unity? Is it something else?
The Son asked the Father to keep His own safe. How does the Father do this? What does it mean to be kept safe? Then, how are we sanctified or set apart.
Jesus asked for His own not for the world. What should our attitude be toward the world? She we be hostile towards it?
The psalmists shared how God's glory is seen and has been seen in history. Some of these have parallels for how God's glory is seen in the Church.
Part 2 on why the doctrine of Hell is real. Denying Hell and Hades and any form of future punishment is an attempt to remake God so He and this doctrine does not offend us.
Jim Blackhall begins a new series on God the Father. He distinguishes the study of God the Father from the study of God or Theology Proper.
This is part 2 of If God is real, why is there so much suffering? Ben Fanning leads this study.
Jim looks at God's future hope for believers related to this age. Study taught by Jim Blackhall.
What is God's glory? How do Old Testament stories illustrate God's glory for believers in the Church?
Jesus glorified the Father and asked the Father to glorify Him. Christ did not glorify Himself. How did these opportunities come?
We look at Jesus' words about glorifying the Son and the Son glorifying the Father in John 17:1-5. What is this glory?
Part 1 of Does Christianity demeans women? We'll have to wrestle with some texts that appear to take opposing views.
Christ is risen. What does His resurrection have to do with our faith, our forgiveness, our access, our standing, and our future hope?
Should Mark 16 end with verse 9? Who went to the tomb? When did they go to the tomb? What did their hear and what did they do?
Part 2 of Is the Christianity demeaning to women? We have to wrestle with texts that can appear to support opposite positions.
Paul wrote Romans to help them understand how God stabilizes us. Christ's death is one facet of how God does this.
What did Paul mean when he said women are to be silent? Elsewhere, he said women prophesy, so how do you do that and remain silent. Is there a context that explains the matter of silence.
Jesus said we would have tribulation in the world but peace in Him. What is the world and why is it a problem?
Having defined eternal life and distinguishing it from God's promises to Israel, what are New Testament Christians expected to do with eternal life?
Jesus was speaking in plain speech. He questioned whether the disciples believed in Him? Why? How does Old Testament faith differ from New Testament faith?
God has given us eternal life. How does eternal life today contrast to God's promises to Israel?
Salvation has tenses or installments. What are they? This study looks at five ways the Scriptures view the tenses of our salvation.
Did Old Testament saints have eternal life? Steve looks at the words translated eternal and everlasting.
We continue looking at the "plain" statements about who we are in Christ. Jesus revealed these through the apostles.
We might be surprised how frequently women are mentioned and some of the roles attributed to them.
Does Science destroy Christianity? part 3
What are the limits of science? Can Christians unreservedly embrace science?
Jesus told His disciples He would stop speaking in figures of speech and speak plainly about the Father.
Jesus interacted with women and granted them privileges which their culture did not. Does this mean anything for us?
Does science destroy Christianity? Great introduction to the topic of science and the Bible.
Jesus foretells His absence. He also promises a new way to talk to God, a new privilege in prayer.
What is the role of women in Scripture? Will this have anything to say about their role in the Church?
This is part 2 of does religion promote violence. We look especially at what the apostles told Christians about violence.
Isaiah mentions several of God's servants. What is a servant of God? Who is God's ultimate servant?
We continue looking at new things God has for New Testament believers. These new things were not part of Israel's experience.
We begin looking at the new things that Jesus' disciples could not bear at the time He was with them.
Some claim that Christians are all hypocrites and the churches are full of hypocrites. We'll look at this and consider when it's a problem and when it isn't.
We jump into the middle of Isaiah' prophecy and look at Isaiah 40-49. God calls people to recognize that He is the only God and incomparable. We as New Testament Christians need this encouragement as much as the people of Judah.
We'll look at what Nestorius taught, what others claimed he taught and why they disliked his teaching. We'll also consider some practical implications of Nestorius' teaching.
We'll look at Docetism and Arianism and how the New Testament writers headed off both heresies. We'll also consider a couple of practical matters affected by a Biblical understanding of Christ's two natures.
In Paul's closing remarks, we see his care for the churches in sending others to take over the work.
We sometimes face challenges from people who do not know how to read God's Word. They find figures of speech and the language of appearance as a reason for mocking trust in God's Word.
We'll define heretic and factious and see why Paul calls us to admonish and avoid them.
We look briefly at some aspects of God's character that He has revealed about Himself. We also address a couple objections to these statements.
God does not save us because of our good works but He does have good works for us to do.
How has the Father loved the Son? What does it mean for us to be at ease (abide) in Christ's love?
How does regeneration make it possible for us to be heirs? What does it mean to be an heir? Is it future or now?
We continue looking at God's judgment. God has wrath but has dealt with this in Christ.
Some people do not like the idea that God judges or is wrathful. They think that we have superimposed our feelings on God. We'll look at Jesus' own words and the testimony of Scripture.
We're saved by God's grace. What did God save us from? What were we like before salvation?
God disciplines those He loves. We need to adjust our thinking about God's purpose in discipline and its intended outcome.
Not every reference to faith is about the same faith. Josh leads us in a brief study of the different uses of faith in the New Testament.
Jesus explains the application of the truth that we are in Him and He is in us. We also consider again the issue of discipline in this section. Who are the withered branches?
The Bible tells us how to care for different people. Widows are a special group with specific requirements.
What is the present age? How is this age related to a life consistent with God's grace? God's grace also teaches us to expect the happy hope.
We continue looking at the Vine and the branches. We try to understand how the disciples were clean. We also talk about the fire and the judgment seat of Christ.
This is a great testimony and testimony to God's faithful work, especially for those who grew up in Christian homes and were saved at a younger age.
What does the Father do with fruitless branches? What does it mean that He prunes those who bear fruit?
Josh introduces 1 Timothy and the points of concern for Paul. He considers how this relates to who we are in Christ.
Josh walks us through some ideas of Biblical communication (prayer) and how it relates to who we are in Christ.
Jim leads us in a review of his study on Satan's methods so we can better understand how Satan works to blind the conclusions of the unbelievers' minds.
Ben leads us in an interpretive reading through Colossians one. What are the issues and main points?
Our position in Christ has bearing on the qualifications for a bishop (pastor) and deacons.
We don't need the Law to train us how to live. God's grace trains us to live righteously.
If we have human teachers what did Jesus mean that the Spirit would teach you all things? Does the Spirit's work of reminding the disciples of what Jesus said affect the reliability of the Gospels?
Judas wanted to know how Jesus would make Himself visible to the disciples but not to the world. We want to understand this also. Does this have any application to us?
What do we have as part of our salvation because Christ is in us and because we are in Christ? Our study group will answer these two questions.
Jesus said that we will know that we are in the Father and in Him. We'll share times that we experienced this "in Christ" reality with other believers.
Titus was to address slaves in the church. Do their instructions have anything to say about free people? Can their instructions address employees?
Our Bible study group works together to identify works of the Holy Spirit in this present dispensation and age.
Our fellowship continues to identify works or ministries of the Spirit in this present dispensation and this present age.
Titus and the elders have instructions that the older women are to share with the younger women in the churches.
Our Bible study group works together to identify works or ministries of the Holy Spirit in this present dispensation and age.
Titus and the elders were responsible to pass on instruction as well as an example for the younger men in the churches.
We look at a difference between the Spirit's work in the Old Testament and His work with us. We'll also consider why the world cannot see or Know the Spirit.
We continue to look at truths related to our position in Christ as found in 2 Thessalonians.
Paul explains his God-given commission to teach believers the Christian life. Titus 1:1-3
Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him. We do a fast look at the Biblical doctrine of the Trinity.
We conclude our study of God's covenants by looking at how three of the covenants work together to form our Christian life.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This study looks at the three tenses of our salvation related to Jesus being the Way.
We look at the contrast of light and darkness as it helps us understand the difference between the Day of the Lord and Rapture of the Church.
What does raising the Great Shepherd of the Sheep out from dead ones have to do with the Eternal Covenant?
The Church's new covenant allows us to continue serving in righteousness even facing adversity.
We continue looking at the new command. We consider how Paul fleshes out the new command in our daily interactions with other believers.
We look at two New Testament words that are translated "lose heart." We are encouraged to see how we can be firm and not lose heart.
The creation of Adam and Eve and the Fall are important in understanding Jesus' human heritage.
We continue looking at our position in 1 Thessalonians, focusing on holiness and sanctification.
Jesus predicted His betrayal. We also answer the question, "Can a Christian be possessed or controlled by the Devil or one of his spirits?"
This part two of the study on the New Covenants with Judah and Israel. Other texts reveal promises that make up this covenant and distinguish it from the new covenant God has made with the Church.
We begin looking at the covenant God will make with Judah and Israel as seen in Jeremiah 31. What is this covenant and what is its law?
God breathed out His Word and every word and every form is important. This study considers the importance of understand some middle and passive voice verbs in Ephesians.
God made David a covenant promise that his Descendant would reign forever. This study surveys what that kingdom will look like.
Jesus introduces a number of new things in the Upper Room. As a preface to this, this study considers a change of house rule and household moving from law to grace and Israel to the Body of Christ.
We compare the ideas of Jesus as Savior in the Old Testament and Savior in the New Testament.
Jesus came to do the will of the One who sent Him. This study traces this theme in the gospel of John,
Jesus snorted with disgust within Himself. What was that about? This study is part two of Jesus raising Lazarus in John 11.
We are encouraged to do priestly service at the end of Hebrews 12 and the first verses of chapter 13 identifies several appropriate forms of service.
Paul uses the word truth six times in 1 Timothy. Each use says something about how we are to honor God.
Why does John address the problem of antichrists to the young children (spiritually young)?
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. This is part one of Jesus raising Lazarus in John 11.
This study considers the blessings and the curses that we intended to motivate Israel to guard the Siniatic Covenant.
Did Israel become a nation of priests?
This study continues to look at honoring God and the different words in God'd Word for doing so.
What does the Bible mean when it says to come along side? How should this be seen in our lives?
Jim looks at words in 1 Timothy that relate to honoring God. This study looks at "the mystery of the Faith" in 1 Timothy 3:9.
How did the fullness of Deity exist in Jesus bodily? What does that mean for our being made the fullness (complete) in Him?
John 8 has a major textual problem but also demonstrates the difference between true believers and believers.
We look at nine premises for understanding covenants.
This material is from a paper on covenants by Dale Spurbeck at Dispensational Theological Seminary.
Jesus' fifth sign involved walking on the water and the immediate arrival of the boat at its destination.
Jim looks at the word profane to help us better understand good devotion or honor to God.
In Jesus' fourth sign, He fed five thousand. What was this sign intended to demonstrate?
This study we look at the first two signs in John: changing the water to wine and healing the nobleman's son.
The Sermon the mount was not for Christians. This is introductory for the Upper Room by contrasting Jesus' earthly ministry to today.
I begin by contrasting the majority of Jesus' earthly ministry to His plan for us today.
Jim examines whether our English word "godliness" or "godly" accurately translate the Old Testament word chasid [חסד].
We compare the source of strength for Old Testament individuals and God's strength for us.
How should we relate to disorderly believers?
What does Paul say about our attitude toward work?
We contrast the fear of the Lord in the Old Testament to the fear of the Lord in the New Testament.
The writers of Scripture use "fulfill" in a variety of ways. To say that a statement is fulfilled does not always have the same meaning.
How did the Thessalonians receive the message? That message had an affect on these new believers? We also consider the Greek verb energeō.
New Testament writers sometimes compare a New Testament truth to an Old Testament idea.
We go to Romans 16:25 to understand how God stabilizes believers.
This also surveys statements from Romans about who Christ is NOW for the believer.
This study deviates from our main study to address the role of suffering and hardship in our growth.
We need to determine the readers' need before we can determine if it is applicable to us.
We also need to recognize that we may have to modify certain culturally distinct practices for it to be applicable to us.
Do we apply special rules when the Bible differs with current understandings of history and science?
We read the Bible in a normal manner. How does that affect reading metaphors and other figures of speech?
God is deserving of glory. Many texts express how that glory is attributed to God now and in our future.
What did early Christians think about the gospels?
Why did God have Matthew write an account?
Part one of a review of God's promises for us.
We live by faith.
We cannot please God apart from faith.
We can love saints.
We can do works by faith.
We can have patience from hope.
This is part two of a review of promises.
We can ask according to God's will.
We can do priestly service.
We have access to God.
Jesus will never leave us.
God won't allow us to be tempted beyond our ability.
We do not have to perform the lusts from the flesh.
We can resist the devil.
We can mature.
God's grace is enough.
We can be pleasing to God in our approach to marriage. We cannot please God if we live in our flesh.
The God of hope will fill us with joy and peace. This is about the body of Christ working together.
We'll look at some Scriptures that are more difficult to understanding regarding inheritance and God's grace.