hope

Of Shepherds and Joy – The 3rd Sunday of Advent

/ Bob
Advent is that time of year when we look forward to Christmas – as we remember and look forward to the coming of Mashiach – the Messiah – Christ, the Lord. This week we lit our third candle in our Advent Wreath – the Shepherd’s Candle of Joy.

The shepherds who received the announcement concerning the new born king, the Messiah, the Savior have long been thought of as those shunned by society and outcasts. This may or may not be true, but the Bible doesn’t say that. A look at shepherds in the Bible allows us to see an honorable profession that was actually central to the heart of the Jewish faith. From Moses to David to even Jesus Himself (John 10) the role of the shepherd was and is exalted. They were no doubt poor and, as such, were no doubt looked down on by the elites of society, but they were just simple working folks.

And on that night in the fields outside of Bethlehem they were just doing their job when their quiet world came to life with a message of joy and hope. They went to see the child and then went back to work. As they returned to work, they praised God and shared the story of all they had witnessed. People were amazed at their tale of angels and babies and the new born king.

As we go to work today, may we take another look at the infant king, marvel anew, and then tell the folks we meet on the way to work and at work what we have seen – what we have experienced through the saving grace of Jesus.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, December 10, 2023. It is part of an Advent series of lessons that will run through Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Handouts with slide content can be requested at
fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .
Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
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Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com
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The Hope of Prophecy – 1st Sunday of Advent

/ Bob

Advent is that time of year when we look forward to Christmas – as we remember and look forward to the coming of Mashiach – the Messiah – Christ, the Lord. This Sunday we lit our first candle in our Advent Wreath – the Candle of Prophecy and Hope.

In the Old Testament the people who walked in darkness were looking ahead to a great light – one who come to deliver them from their darkness and their oppression – one who would restore God’s Kingdom. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah; over 300 in fact. The fact that one man could fulfill all of the prophecies is mind-blowing. It is statistically impossible and yet He did. We looked at a few of them and then discussed what the coming of the Messiah would have meant to the Jewish people in Jesus’ time.

Isaiah 53 is known as The Forbidden Chapter in many Christian groups. In it we find “the Suffering Servant.” Messianic scriptures point to a victorious King who would restore the Kingdom of God and throw off the oppression of conquering nations. The followers of Jesus, as well as many Jewish scholars of the day, saw and proclaimed Isaiah 53 as describing the Messiah with the Christ followers seeing it as clearly pointing to Jesus. Jewish leaders responded to the focus on Jesus by asserting that that the “suffering servant” was the nation of Israel. And so it continues today. As we looked at the chapter in class we saw Jesus throughout. He is the Messiah and He is the Suffering Servant.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 26, 2023. It is part of an Advent series of lessons that will run through Sunday, December 7, 2023.

Handouts with slide content can be requested at:
fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .
Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
X – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com
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Changing Your Pronouns – James 4:1-12

/ Bob

There’s a great deal of talk about pronouns these days. The pronoun problem begins with the pronoun “me.” We have become such a self-centered people that our national anthem should be changed to “I Wanna Talk About Me.” James speaks to this problem in the first few verses of the 4th Chapter.

It affects our overall attitudes, our relationships, our work, our health, and our lives in general. It even affects our prayer life. James says that we don’t get what we ask God for because we ask with selfish motives. Only in humility can we know the peace of God that comes from letting go of the control of our lives. Even when James tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us it is to be done in a spirit of humility.

Finally, he concludes this section with some straight talk about judging others. He tells us not to talk trash about our fellow Christians. When we do this we are saying that God – the One Who established the law and right and wrong – may have missed missed something and that He needs us to step in and point out what he hasn’t. Then we’re on thin ice because we have moved from a position of obeying God to thinking we can handle God’s job. Definitely this is not a good place to be.

God gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, October 8, 2023. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is The Making of Authentic Faith. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at:

gc2press.org/the-making-of-authentic-faith-james-study-guide/ .

Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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How Do We Live Godly Lives in an Ungodly World? – Part 3

/ Bob

How Do We Live Godly Lives in an Ungodly World ~ Part 3

In order to live Godly lives in an ungodly world, we Christians have to first understand that this world is not our home. We are resident aliens just passing through this planet. We are chosen by God, saved by God, and kept by God so that we can carry out His plan to bring light into a dark world.

Therefore, we have to set our minds on things above, not on this things of this world. We have to have a paradigm shift from following the world’s way of thinking to following God’s way of thinking. We have to know who we are in Christ and, as we read in 1 Peter 1:3. we have to prepare our minds for action and, being sober-minded, we must set our hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ.

Next week we will focus on how to avoid conformity to the world’s way of thinking through holiness.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, March 12, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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How Do We Live Godly Lives in an Ungodly World ~ Part 1

/ Bob

In John 15 and in John 17 Jesus uses the word “world” over and over again – and it’s not good news for the world. The world He is talking about involves the worldly ideas, beliefs, practices, and common behaviors of the general population. Satan is the evil one who seems to have his way in the minds and hearts of the people at large and Jesus knew that the world that Christians would face would not be tolerant of their fundamental beliefs.


In this session we looked generally at the ways of the world as opposed to the ways of the Kingdom. We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12) in our opposition to the sin that has beset our world, but we do need to know where we stand in relation to the worldly ways that are brought on by that sin.


In James 4:4 we read that friendship with the world equals hatred toward God. To be a friend of the world, you will automatically be an enemy of God. Next week we will begin looking at some practical, scriptural responses to the world’s ways as we seek to Godly lives to the glory of the Father.



This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday,
March 12, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by
Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at:
fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com
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Are We Living in the End Times? ~ Part 1

/ Bob / 2 Comments

Signs of the End Times

Deception & False Teachers

Wars and Rumors of War

International Conflict

Earthquakes

Famine

Pestilence (Disease)

Gospel Preached to the World

Lawlessness

Christians Hated & Persecuted

In the Olivet Discourse, found in Matthew 24 & 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus shared the signs listed above and others as signs of the end times. Are we living in the end times? Jesus spoke to these disciples as if they were – or at least soon would be – living in the end times themselves.

The fact is that we have been seeing “End Times” events and signs since Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Those signs may be more prevalent today and situations may seem more dire, but are they signs of the end of the age?

That is the purpose of this study – to look at the signs laid out by Jesus and determine how we as Christians should respond to those signs. In Part 1 of this lesson we are looking at some of the general signs given in scripture which point us to the rapture and we will begin looking at the first four signs listed above as seen in the Olivet Discourse.

Next week we will continue to study the signs, but moreover, we will see how Jesus would have us live in light of what we know will inevitably come.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 25, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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The Asbury Connection ~ Revival of God’s People

/ Bob

Throughout history there have been times of revival among God’s people – times when the Spirit of God moved in a way that could only be explained as the work of God. Since the birth of the church there have been numerous times when the Spirit moved His bride, the church, to leave her sin behind and return once again to Him.

In the early to mid-1700’s there was one such movement of God that has since been named The Great Awakening. It began in Europe and in the Colonies of the New world that we now know as the United States. In the Americas it swept through the colonies, uniting them in purpose and in faith. Many great things came about as a result of the Great Awakening in America, but perhaps the most significant is the United States itself.

Skip ahead almost 3 centuries and we find the Spirit moving on the campus of Asbury University. It’s not the first time that Asbury has found itself in a revival experience. In fact, it has happened 9 times since the founding of the college in 1890. And the roots of those revivals go back to the Great Awakening in which John Wesley was awakened by the Spirit of Christ. You can watch the video to see how it all came to pass.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 19, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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What Is Salvation? ~ Part 2

/ Bob

Far too many Christians rest comfortably on the fact that they are saved without giving serious thought as to what that means. From what are we saved? To what are we saved? To what extent does our salvation affect our daily lives? What does it mean to be born again? Why is Jesus so important in salvation? What are the various aspects of salvation and when do we experience the different aspects of salvation? Is salvation intended to make us better people? When we are saved, can we do whatever we want? Is salvation at “get out of jail free” card?

In this session we discuss these questions and move on to discuss the concept of The Age of Accountability and the Security of the Believer. In other words, we deal with questions concerning the beginning of salvation, the personal position at the point of salvation and the guarantee of salvation until the return of Jesus.

Finally we ask, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3) Furthermore, how shall our families, our friends, our community, our state, our nation, and our world escape if we as Christians neglect the salvation which is the ONLY answer to the perils so prevalent in our world.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 12, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

What Is Salvation? ~ Part 1

/ Bob

Far too many Christians rest comfortably on the fact that they are saved without giving serious thought as to what that means. From what are we saved? To what are we saved? To what extent does our salvation affect our daily lives? What does it mean to be born again? Why is Jesus so important in salvation? What are the various aspects of salvation and when do we experience the different aspects of salvation? Is salvation intended to make us better people? When we are saved, can we do whatever we want? Is salvation at “get out of jail free” card?

In this session we discuss these questions and many more. After all, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3)

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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What Happens When We Die – Part 2

/ Bob

When God created humans, He created them with a body and a soul and a spirit and placed them in the Garden – Paradise – where the tree of life is – where they were to rule over the newly created earth. When they sinned they were banished from the Garden. (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:8-9 & 15; 3:23-24)

When Jesus returns He will raise us up with a resurrected body, soul, and spirit, and place us in the Garden – Paradise – where the tree of life is- where we will rule with Jesus over the New Heaven and the New Earth. Once we were banished from the Garden because of our sin and now we will dwell there for all eternity because of the sacrificial death of Jesus who paid the price for our sin and rose again as firstfruits of the resurrection. (Matthew 19:28; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; Revelation 20-22)

Concerning the question, “What Happen When We Die?” he final answer is that when we die we leave our physical bodies behind and spiritually go to be with Jesus. When Jesus returns we will have our bodies restored as glorified and perfected bodies in which we will enjoy eternity in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Therefore, as Paul said, we should “encourage one another with these words.” We should encourage fellow believers and we should encourage non-believers to look forward to that day when we lay aside these mortal bodies and meet Christ face to face. What a grand day that will be. Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, January 29, 2023. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions entitled Living the Agape Life – a Bible study curriculum developed by Bob Young with input from the members of the Agape Life Class. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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