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RSVP for a Seat at the Table – Luke 14:1-24

/ Bob
In Luke 14 Jesus is invited to the home of a prominent Pharisee . . . on a Sabbath . . . . to be observed, scrutinized, and hopefully trapped in some error of Sabbath practice. As He always did, Jesus turned the tables (no pun intended, or maybe it was) on those who meant Him harm.

First, he healed a man who was there. The man was obviously a plant – a set up – for Jesus because they knew that He would not miss the opportunity to heal a man even if it was the Sabbath. Still, they were speechless when He did just that and they remained speechless as He questioned them about what the proper etiquette was for Sabbath healings. He went on to talk about Banquet etiquette.

He addressed the entire group gathered concerning humility as he cautioned them about grabbing the best seat for themselves at a banquet. Then he addressed the host by asking him if maybe he couldn’t have invited some less-than-desirable guests instead of just his friends. And then he told the Parable of the Great Banquet to share what was coming in the Great Banquet of the Lord.

He made clear this point – that there are some in this world who consider themselves to be a part of the chosen few, the elite. The Jews at that time quite often saw themselves as such and many Christians do so today. They figure that they’re in God’s camp and that they are God’s kind of people – always doing the right thing unlike the reprobates around them. He also made it clear the Kingdom of God was open to everyone who believes – to everyone who answers the call of God in faith.

He concludes the parable with a commandment for us as His servants. We must go out and find those who need Him most and “compel” them to come to the Kingdom of God – the Banquet of God – and sit down at the table that He has prepared for them in the presence of their enemies.



This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 25, 2024. 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 Jesus Storyteller: Timeless Truths from His Parables. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at: https://gc2press.org/jesus-storyteller-luke-study-guide/ .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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Just Do It! – James 1:19-27 – Part 3

/ Bob

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (James 1:19) Excellent advice, but difficult at times to put into practice. And quite often we are quick to anger because we have been slow to listen and quick to speak. When we do so we think we doing the right thing – correcting a wrong, bringing justice. Unfortunately, such anger, birthed of our human desires, cannot accomplish what God desires. 

Our focus must always be on God and our actions must reflect His presence in our daily lives. There is a difference between Biblical awareness and Biblical action. We can know what God wants us to do, but not do it. James says, “Just Do It.” Actually, he says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) That’s right – just do it.

The word “religion” carries with it many connotations – some good, some bad, and some in between. In James 1:26-27 we see an indication of what “good religion” is. It is not an all-inclusive checklist of how to be a “good” Christian, but it is rather one of several New Testament check-up lists which give us an indication of how we are honoring God with our lives. James gives us 3 items in particular that we need to examine in our own lives: 1. Control your tongue; 2. Care for those with no voice or personal power; & 3. Live pure lives unstained by the world.

3 Easy Steps – Ha!! The fact is that this is only the beginning of the check-up list(s) that God gives us in His Word. We are not saved by doing the things God asks us to do, but we want to do them because we’re saved. And God doesn’t want us to be saved and then never grow so He is constantly challenging us with ways to glorify His name. We continually find ourselves being doers or the Word and not hearers only.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, September 3, 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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Defending the Faith

/ Bob

Defending the Faith

In our culture there are innumerable philosophies vying for our attention as well as our devotion. How do we know what’s best; what’s right; what’s wrong; what’s true? Even in our churches, in which we should find the very truth of God, there are competing doctrines and biblical interpretations which seem to muddy the waters. And then there are those who use the platform of biblical instruction to promote themselves as they advance their ideas and philosophies for personal satisfaction and gain. This is why Jude pens his letter – to counteract those who would seek to coop the early church for their own purposes.

Jude begins with a brief salutation and then states his purpose – to encourage the believers to contend for the faith. Contending for the faith is something we need to do as individual Christians and as the church. The spiritual warfare is real. It is a real struggle – an agonizing struggle – and one that we can’t naively ignore. In our culture there are innumerable philosophies vying for our attention as well as our devotion and we tend to avoid the conflict of competing ideals. Conflict is stressful whether it is internal or external. To avoid the stress and pain of conflict we simply go along to get along. Indeed, tolerance has become the ultimate test of morality as opposed to the absolute truth of God’s word. If you choose to not follow the path of agreeably going with the societal flow, you will be branded as the most evil among us.

Therefore, we must contend for the faith – defend the faith – and do so with the love and compassion of Christ. The first step in contending for the faith is knowing the faith. Study the scriptures to “present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

The next step in contending for the faith is openly and honestly discussing the truth, but we must remember that our fight is not with people, but with demonic forces of evil who are dead set (pun intended) on opposing God and the One Who is the way, the truth, and the light. The struggle is not against those who espouse such errant thoughts, but against the evil forces that perpetuate them. Furthermore, as we defend the faith, we must not become defensive. While we argue for the faith, we must not become argumentative. In our contending for the faith, we must not become contentious. We must stand firm on the truth of God ‘s word – firm in our salvation – firm in the saving grace of Jesus.

We love because He first loved us. We speak truth because He spoke (and speaks) truth to us. And we speak the truth in love because His love and truth is the only thing that will save this dying world.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 27, 2022. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions from The Gospel Project – a Bible study curriculum developed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 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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Obeying from Love

/ Bob

(Note: This video was taken from a backup recording so the audio and video quality are not up to standard. Please forgive these inferior qualities. However, the message is one we need to remember and let it compel us to respond by loving God and loving others in His name.)

In John 8:31 Jesus says, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.”

Then in John 14:15 He says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

John expands on this connection between love and obedience in his letter, 1 John. He reminds us of what Christ has done for us. He reminds us that we owe Him our whole lives. And it is out of gratitude and our love for him that we choose to follow Him in every way. We don’t do what He tells us to do because we think it will improve our standing with Him; we don’t do it to pay it forward so to speak; we don’t do it to work our way into heaven. We do it because we love Him. We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 20, 2022. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions from The Gospel Project – a Bible study curriculum developed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 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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Living and Loving in Grace

/ Bob

The shortest of Paul’s letters was addressed to Philemon. In it he urged Philemon to welcome a man named Onesimus. In fact, Paul sent the letter with Onesimus who delivered it to Philemon in Colossae. The problem is that Onesimus was once a slave belonging to Philemon and to make matters worse Onesimus was a runaway slave who apparently stole property from Philemon before making his escape.

Onesimus (whose name means “useful”) joined with Paul while Paul was in prison in Rome. He proved to be quite “useful” to Paul and, in the process of spending time with Paul, gave his heart to Jesus. Paul had also led Philemon to Jesus and he wanted his brothers in Christ – Onesimus and Philemon – to transition from a slave-slave owner relationship to a relationship as brothers in Christ.

It was a significant request that Paul made of Philemon, considering how things had worked out in the past. Philemon would have been within his rights to beat his former slave, make him work even more to pay off his debt, or worse, take his life.

The thing is that God has the right as God to treat us according to our sins. We are deserving of death in the presence of a holy, righteous God. We have sinned and the payment for sin is death. And yet, God has paid our debt and forgiven our sins all through the work of Jesus. When we consider how we have been forgiven by God, we have no choice but to forgive those who have wronged us.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 13, 2022. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions from The Gospel Project – a Bible study curriculum developed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 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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