Keys to the Kingdom

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Among the many great things the Apostle Paul gave us, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were analogies that are useful for understanding some of the most important messages of the Bible. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explore two of these: the runner and the boxer.

"For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4) You’ve heard it before: The Day of the Lord will be like a thief in the night. But have you ever paused to consider that metaphor? What does it mean? And when exactly is the Day of the Lord? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explore the answers to these questions and get a better understanding of prophecy.

"For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) The Apostle Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians that Jesus is the Rock. (Sorry Dwayne Johnson.) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explain the deep meaning of this type as it appears throughout scripture.

"Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we tackle another often-misunderstood Bible verse and use it to understand how God wants His disciples to handle the 'gray areas' when trying to determine whether something is a sin.

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26) All Christians agree that Holy Communion is a very important event in the Bible that God commands us to practice. But is it the ceremony itself that Jesus wants us to honor, or does understanding the types that the ceremony represent take precedent? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we use the Word of God to answer that important question.

"So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.'" (John 6: 53-56) Does a believer literally need to ingest the body and blood of Jesus Christ in order to be saved? In our latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we tackle this controversial question by closely examining the gospel of John.

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised ... [W]e are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." (Hebrews 10: 35 & 39) In our latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss confidence and cowardice. Not self-confidence or big egos, and not the kind of cowardice that men care about, but the confidence and cowardice God cares about.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) In our latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we look carefully at the meaning behind this very simple and often-quoted verse. We explore why it’s important to apply it to all aspects of our lives and, by doing so, gain a greater perspective and appreciation of just how awesome is our God!

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." (Ephesians 4:29-31) Many understand "let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth" to mean that cursing is against God’s Word. But is that actually what the Bible is teaching? In this latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we examine this admonition from the Apostle Paul more carefully.

"When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth ...'" (Matthew 5:1-5) At the beginning of His famous Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus Christ made nine statements, all beginning with the word "blessed." Many Bible teachers refer to them as wise sayings. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we go deeper and look at how they are related and sequential – a ladder of maturing faith.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5) In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we look at how God defines hope for the believer. Is having hope similar to having faith? Doesn’t everyone have it? Listen in to learn the answers. Hint: It all hinges on reading scripture in context.

"And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him." (Matthew 17:2-3) We all know the story: Three favored disciples saw Jesus transfigured and standing with two famous prophets. But did you ever wonder why? Why did this happen? Why those prophets? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we unlock the deeper meaning of this event.

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments ... He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him ... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:15, 21 & 23) When the Kingdom comes, will you be beside Christ Jesus, ruling and reigning with Him? Will you be royalty – or just a subject? Or, worse yet, will you be outside the Kingdom looking in, and outcast who traded your inheritance for the fleeting pleasures of the flesh? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we discuss the 12 commandments of Jesus Christ and how they chart a clear path to the throne room.

"But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one." (1 Corinthians 2:15) Did you know God places all people in one of three categories? Do you know what category God is placing you in? Find out in this 20-Minute Bible Study, as we examine the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church.

"After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11) Did you know that each of the three gifts given to baby Jesus had a hidden meaning? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explore their deep meaning.

"But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9) Most interpret the above verses as teaching that God has delayed the coming of the end times in order to give the world the most amount of time to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. But in our latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we show that's not quite what those verses mean.

[Jesus said] “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) You’ve no doubt heard the expression: Broad is the way that leads to destruction. Like many, you may think this means the highway to hell is wide and well-traveled. But in our latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we show that this is a misinterpretation of Scripture.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:10-11) The Apostle Paul's "master builder" metaphor is a critical passage of scripture. Included within it is everything a believer needs to know about salvation, how to live in the present and what will happen in the future. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we fully explore its meaning.

"But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them." (Psalm 103:17-18) Many have stumbled over the infamous 'African boy' question. It goes something like this: "What about the African boy who grows up in the middle of a remote country with no knowledge of the gospel? How is it fair if he does not come to salvation?" In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we explore one answer from the Word of God.

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" - Romans 10:9. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" - Ephesians 4:30. "Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" - 1 Corinthians 12:3. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” - Matthew 7:21. In studying the Bible, we most often focus on a single passage of scripture. To truly increase our understanding, though, we often need to put various scriptures together. In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we consider one of these "spiritual equations": Romans 10:9 + Ephesians 4:30 + 1 Corinthians 12:3 = Matthew 7:21.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools … For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." (Romans 1: 20-22 & 25) Some have argued that the intellectually honest answer to the big questions about the origin of life and the universe is: “I don’t know.” It sounds rational, but is it correct? In this 20-Minute Bible Study, we consult one of the greatest intellectuals who ever lived.

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12) In our latest 20-Minute Bible Study, we seek the answer to the question so many Christians ask themselves at one point or another: “I know I’m saved by God’s grace alone, so why must I strive to be perfect?”