GRAVE TO GOSPEL

As we bring our study of Joel to a close, the prophet takes us into the Valley of Decision—a grand judicial assembly where every hostile earthly power is summoned before the divine tribunal. The time of God’s long-suffering toward unrepentant wickedness gives way to final, righteous judgment, ultimate vindication, and everlasting kingdom restoration. For behold, in those days and at that time, whe...

After the solemn call to repentance, the tone of Joel’s prophecy dramatically turns. Where judgment once loomed, God promises full covenantal restoration—culminating in a divine promise that changes redemptive history forever: the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. The LORD answered and said to his people, “Behold, I...

In the wake of the terrifying alarm sounded across Zion, the message of the prophet shifts from impending doom to an urgent, desperate summons. But the call is not for an outward display of religion—it is a call for a radical, inward transformation that no human will can produce on its own. “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with m...

As we turn the page from Jonah to the prophet Joel, we step out of Nineveh and onto the ramparts of Zion. A horn sounds an alarm across the holy mountain, warning of a day unlike any other in human history—a day of darkness, gloom, and unshakeable divine judgment. Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is com...

In this episode of Open Your Bibles, we begin our study of the Minor Prophets by diving into the Book of Joel. During this study we will press into a single core question: Can judgment awaken grace? Historically, Joel spoke to the kingdom of Judah during or immediately following a devastating locust plague and severe drought that stripped the land bare. Joel reveals the holy character of God, who...

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better fo...

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, 1 three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, a...

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your breakers and your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall aga...

  And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the L...

We hope you had a restful and blessed Fourth of July holiday! After a short break, we are thrilled to welcome you back to for the premiere of Season 10 of Open Your Bibles.   We are officially turning the page from the deep theological heights of Romans to launch a verse-by-verse journey through the Minor Prophets—traditionally known in the Hebrew canon as a single, unified work called "The B...

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is...

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of th...

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acc...

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,     and sing to your name.” And aga...

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the enc...

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one...

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own maste...

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Be...

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good,...

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curs...

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 We are back! After a short break, we a...

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 We are back! After a short break, we a...

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord,   or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him  that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 In this week's episode of O...

In this week's episode of Open Your Bibles , we ask: Who are chosen? Paul shows us a deep "mystery" about how God is working to save His people. Even though many in Israel have hardened hearts right now, God's plan hasn't changed. He is currently bringing in His elect from among the Gentiles, but He also has a sovereign plan to save a multitude of His elect from among the...

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles,...