 Role: Pastor |
Dr. Robert L. Dean, Jr. is pastor of West Houston Bible Church in Houston, Texas.
Before coming to West Houston Bible Church, Dr. Dean was the Pastor of Preston City Bible Church in Preston, Connecticut. Prior to that he had served churches in both the Dallas and Houston, Texas areas and has over 35 years of pastoral experience.
Dr. Dean is a much sought after Bible teacher both in the United States and overseas. He serves on the adjunct faculty of Faith Evangelical Seminary and is the Chairman of the Governing Board for Chafer Theological Seminary.
Dr. Dean trained for the ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned a Th.M. in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies and later returned to pursue a Ph.D. in theological studies with an emphasis in Historical Theology. He also earned an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas (1987) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Faith Evangelical Seminary (2002). In 1988 he was recognized as an Outstanding Young Man of America, and in 1989 was listed in the Who's Who in American Christian Leadership.
His academic training in Greek, Hebrew, theology, philosophy, and history enables him to study the Bible in the original languages and show how these eternal truths are as vital today as always.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Exodus 5 & Exodus 19-24
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 8 mins 5 secs
Go back in time and imagine you are one of the Israelites traveling to the land God has promised. Moses, your leader, tells you to prepare yourself to be in the presence of God. Picture a smoky cloud over a quaking mountain and actually hearing the voice of God. What would your reaction be? Awe? Fear? Reverence? Listen to this lesson to learn about these events and their significance as the people were being chosen to be a kingdom of priests to proclaim God’s message to the world. Learn what sanctification meant then and the importance of being set apart to serve God in our own lives. Find out what the opposite of holy is and how we can prepare ourselves to worship God.
Dr. Dean referenced several books during his discussion on universities, including: The Book That Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization by Vishal Mangalwadi, How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin Schmidt, How the West Was Won by Rodney Stark, and The Rise of Universities by Charles Homer Haskins.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-4 & Ephesians 4:11
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 10 mins 19 secs
Can teaching be an individual spiritual gift or is it always a part of the gift of pastor? Listen to this lesson to learn the technical Greek grammatical issues involved here that indicate that while all pastors are to be teachers, all teachers are not pastors. Find out if the Granville Sharp grammar rule applies here and what the “men ... de” construction is. Learn why pastor and teacher is linked by a hyphen. See that while the role of a pastor is leadership and guidance, it always includes teaching so that his hearers may be equipped to serve God.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Ephesians 1-6
Series: Ephesians (2018)
Duration: 53 mins 16 secs
Do you know that if you’re a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you’re wealthy? Or are you living like a street person? Listen to this lesson to hear an overview of the New Testament Book of Ephesians. Find out three distinctive sections of this book summed up by the words “wealth”, “walk”, and “warfare”. See the importance of understanding the pronouns us and we to learn that all believers are one body in Christ. To prepare for a detailed study of Ephesians, begin by reading the first chapter to understand the incredible riches you possess.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Exodus 24
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 9 mins 16 secs
“Take time to be holy. Speak oft to the Lord.” Listen to this lesson to learn the meaning of the words of this hymn. See that all believers are commanded to be holy and that it is important not to confuse our position in Christ with our need for sanctification or spiritual growth. Follow the Old Testament description of how the Israelites were to take time to prepare for worship and see the layout of the tabernacle and its emphasis on cleansing. Be challenged to approach worship solemnly, taking time to prepare to be set apart to serve God.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 5:2-3
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 59 secs
How many church leaders are necessary for a church to be administered wisely? Listen to this this lesson to learn that as the early church began to increase in number, men were selected to meet the needs of each congregation. Learn about the role of elder and deacon and see which is always described individually and which is part of a group. See the qualifications and responsibilities for these leaders with an emphasis on teaching for the elder. Recognize that all of us in the body of Christ are gifted and these gifts are to be used to serve others.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Ephesians 1:1
Series: Ephesians (2018)
Duration: 55 mins 21 secs
What transformed the Apostle Paul from a hater of those who believed in Jesus Christ to the astonishingly effective missionary and author of the majority of epistles in the New Testament? Listen to this lesson to learn the story of his early life and how he became a dedicated, passionate, militant Pharisee. Hear the elements of his supernatural conversion on the road to Damascus and his later commission as an apostle to the Gentiles. Be challenged to present the gospel to even the most evil unbeliever remembering Paul’s transformed life and ultimate service to God.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Exodus 25-31
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 9 mins 57 secs
Take a journey back in time in your mind’s eye and view the tabernacle that was built to God’s specifications. See the articles of furniture and how each was designed to teach an aspect of God’s character and His plan for the human race. Find out abut the uniform of the high priest with its expensive fabrics and precious stones, all of which held deep meaning. Learn why a pomegranate was the symbol used in the hem of the garment. Hear a summary of the five sacrifices and how they were all fulfilled by Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross. Be challenged to see the significance of the worship in the tabernacle and how it can enrich our understanding of God’s provision for all believers today.
Thursday, November 01, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 5:4
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 42 secs
Are you living a life of purpose or just drifting along with whatever the day brings? Listen to this lesson to see the importance of having the aim of spiritual maturity as you organize your time. Find out the difference between rulers’ crowns and crowns for believers. Hear seven points describing these stephanos crowns and see when they are awarded. When life becomes difficult and we grow weary, be reminded of the crowns that await those who are faithful servants of God.
Sunday, November 04, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Ephesians 1:1-2
Series: Ephesians (2018)
Duration: 59 mins 13 secs
“When the saints go marching in!” What is a saint in your mind? Listen to this lesson to learn how the Bible defines sainthood. Find out the distinction between being holy and being profane. See the three phases of salvation beginning at faith in Christ continuing through spiritual maturity and culminating at the point of death when believers glorify Christ. Knowing you became a saint at the moment of your salvation, make decisions to grow to spiritual maturity as you walk by means of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, November 06, 2018
by Robert Dean
Passage: Exodus 25-31
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 47 secs
Why should we bother to learn about Old Testament priests, required sacrifices, and the yearly calendar of festivals? Listen to this lesson to learn that worship in the Old Testament was meant to teach about the important doctrines, such as redemption and sanctification so in the Church Age it gives us a deeper understanding. See the difference between ritual forgiveness and real forgiveness and its application to us today. See how the yearly religious calendar helped to keep the people focused on the importance of their spiritual life, which is a reminder of our need to focus on our spiritual life.
