The Open Word

We finally wrap up our discussion of the first major section of Romans, Paul's indictment of all mankind. Having shown that all of humanity stands condemned before God, Paul now turns to God's remedy, a righteousness that is obtained by faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. Without this righteousness, no one can stand justified before the Lord.

We complete our look at Paul's discussion of Salvation as found in Romans 3:21-31. The amount of truth and theology packed into these eleven verses could fill volumes. Our brief analysis in no way plumbs the depths of this truth, but nevertheless there are great riches to be found in this passage.

We examine what is perhaps one of the most succinct and deep discussions on salvation found in the Bible. In this section of Scripture Paul answers the question of how God passed over the sins of the Old Testament saints, how the righteousness of God is imputed apart from the law, and how God's grace extends to all mankind regardless of nationality or pedigree.

Paul continues his condemnation of humanity by focusing in on the significant advantage of being a Jew. The Jewish nation was given God's laws and promises. However, in spite of this great privilege, many Jews did not believe. Does that make God's promises ineffective? Not at all. Even though the Jewish nation rejected the Messiah when he came, there was nevertheless a remnant who did believe. How...

Paul continues his charges against the religious Jew by showing that the rite of circumcision, one of the marks of what the Jews would consider as proof of their right standing before God, means nothing without a circumcised heart. In fact, Paul states it is better to be an uncircumcised Gentile with a circumcised heart, than a circumcised Jew with an uncircumcised heart. Being a true Jew is not a...

Having brought charges against the heathen who do not have any knowledge of God's special revelation in His word, and the educated moral man that has a innate sense of right and wrong, Paul now turns to the Jews. His charges against them are even more severe as they not only have the inward revelation of God in their conscience, but they also have the written word of God and know exactly what God...

Paul continues his case against the moral, educated person by showing that their innate sense of right and wrong speaks of a moral code to which they are responsible. Just knowing the code is not good enough - one must live by it. The fact that men violate their inborn sense of right and wrong is enough to condemn them before the bar of God.

We continue Paul's indictment of the Moral person - the one who has a knowledge of God, right, and wrong and yet believes that someone makes them better than the pagan person with no knowledge of God. Far from being in a better standing before God - the Moral person is in fact under greater condemnation.

We begin a new chapter in Romans in which Paul turns his attention away from men who have no special revelation of God to those who do have a knowledge of God and a knowledge of right and wrong. His conclusion is that it is more serious to know what God wants and not do it, than to not know God at all.

In this session we end the first of Paul's three indictments of mankind, the indictment against the heathen who do not have the special revelation of God but do have the general revelation as found in nature.

Paul continues his discussion on the guilt of mankind by showing the downward moral trend when a society abandons God and exchanges Him for idols.

We continue a look at Paul's condemnation of those that do not have the special revelation of God even though the have His general revelation in nature, and as such are still responsible to God to live up to the light that they have.

We begin a study of Paul's indictment of all mankind by examining the first group on the docket - the heathen who do not have the special revelation of God - only the general.

Perhaps two of the most important verses in Romans are the subject of our study in this session. These two verses, Romans 1:16-17, are the verses that Martin Luther struggled with until he understood the great truth of justification by faith alone. It is safe to say these two verses were the spark that lit the fires of the reformation.

In our study this week we look at Paul's revelation to the Roman church how often he longed to visit them - but was hindered. He indicates his desire to visit was not only to encourage the Roman believers, but to be encouraged himself by their faithfulness.

We continue out study in the Book of Romans by looking at Paul's communication of his desire to come to visit the Roman church in order to have some ministry among them.

In our third session we continue looking at the introduction to the Book of Romans. In these three verses Paul addresses the recipients of this letter, the saints in Rome, reminding them of the calling by God and status as saints.

We begin our verse by verse study of Romans by looking at the first four verses of Romans 1.

We begin an exegetical study of the Book of Romans. In this session we introduce the Book of Romans looking at its historical background and importance to the message of the New Testament.

We complete our study of Philippians by examining Philippians 4. Unfortunately, due to technical issues only the first part of this session is available.

We complete our look at Philippians 2 and 3 by focusing on Paul's view of his ministry.

We continue our look at the book of Philippians focusing on the ministry of Timothy and Epaphroditus in Philippians 2 as well as Paul's view of his ministry in Philippians 3.

In this session we examine the great Kenosis passage in Philippians 2:1-11. What does it mean that Christ "emptied himself?" Did He cease being God, or is something else going on?

In this session we begin our look at the Book of Philippians. We examine the background of the book, its historical setting, and Paul's history with one of the first churches he founded in Europe.

In our final session in the Book of Ephesians we take a look at our Spiritual Armor and the subject of spiritual warfare. There are a lot of bizarre teachings in regards to spiritual warfare, so it is important to see what the Scriptures have to say about this subject.