GOD'S GRACE IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE. We are in the dispensation of God’s grace (Ephesians 3:1-2). 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: Let’s review how Paul describes how God operates today: We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8-9). 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. We walk by grace (Rom 6:14). 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. We stand in grace (Rom 5:2). 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Grace is needed to teach us to live godly (Titus 2:11-13). 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; God is “able to make all grace abound toward” us (2 Cor 9:8). 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: God’s grace is sufficient in weakness, pain, and suffering (2 Cor 12:9). 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant to save (1 Tim 1:14). 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Our speech should be alway with grace (Col 4:6). 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. We have the riches of God’s grace (Eph 1:7). 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; We who are saved receive an “abundance of grace” (Rom 5:17). 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Grace abounds “much more” over sin and the law (Rom 5:20). 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: God’s grace reigns today (Rom 5:21). 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. GOD'S WILL FOR YOU LIFE NOW 1. Salvation is God’s will for you and other people. (1 Tim 2:4) 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 2. Coming to a knowledge of the truth of the Bible rightly divided. (1 Tim 2:4) 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 3. Giving thanks to God. (1 Thess 5:18) 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. THE MYSTERY REVEALED 7 DISTINCT THINGS THAT WERE REVEALED TO THE APOSTLE PAUL The Mystery Revealed 7 distinct things that were revealed to the Apostle Paul Purpose: Defining from the King James Bible the separate aspects of the mystery message revealed to the Apostle Paul 1. Blindness - Israel is set aside a. They are fallen - Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. b. Their program, promises, and prophecy are not in effect i. They are fallen but not cast away - Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Rom 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Rom 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. Rom 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ii. Blindness has happened - Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 2. New creature – the body of Christ –(Mystery of Christ) a. Christ in you - Col 1:25-36 b. You in Christ – 1 Corinthians 12:13 c. Joint members of one body - Ephesians 3:1-6 d. Flesh of his flesh – union - Ephesians 5:32 e. All things become new - 2 Cor 5:17 3. Eternal purpose – (mystery of the Father) a. Mystery of his will - Ephesians 1:9-10 b. 1 Tim 2:4-6 – God’s will is that… c. 2 Tim 1:9 – saved us and called us according to… d. Ephesians 1:11 – we have an inheritance according to … 4. New Agency - Body Of Christ – (mystery of godliness) a. We are given the manifold wisdom of God - Ephesians 3:7-10 – b. We are set in heavenly places - Ephesians 2:6-7 c. Blessings in heavenly places - Ephesians 1:3 d. We are ambassadors - 2 Cor 5:19-20 5. Grace - Jesus died for our sins, salvation by grace – 2 Cor 5:21 a. Jesus according to the revelation of the mystery - Romans 16:25 b. BUT NOW… righteousness without the law - Romans 3:21-22 c. Preaching of the cross - 1 Cor 1:17-18, 23 d. We are made nigh by grace through faith - Ephesians 2:13. Ephesians 2: 8-9 e. The unsearchable riches – Ephesians 3:8 6. Satan’s Lie - Mystery of Iniquity. a. Satan’s plan of opposition b. He has blinded the minds - 2 Cor 4:3-4 c. He has transformed his presence – 2 Cor 11:14 d. Wily ways – Ephesians 6:10-12 e. He operates in the doctrinal realm – 1 Tim 4:1 f. It is already at work - 2 Thess 2:7 7.The Blessed Hope – Titus 2:13 a. Twinkling of an eye – 1 Cor 15:50-53 b. Sealed until the day of redemption - Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. c. Waiting the redemption of our bodies - Romans 8:22-23 d. Being caught up - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 We are COMMANDED to follow PAUL, not Peter. Instead the greatest majority of denominations if not all of them, believe and teach that the Church started in Acts 2 ( at Pentecost) and consequently follow Peter, John and James. But again, I need to stress the fact that we are COMMANDED to follow Paul to follow Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ sent Paul (Acts 9:15). Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: God commanded it (1 Tim 1:1; 1 Tim 1:16). 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. God made him your apostle (Rom 11:13). Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: God gave him the gospel of the uncircumcision (Gal 2:7-8). Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) If you are saved, it is by his gospel of Christ (Rom 16:25; 1 Cor 15:1-4). Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Peter gave Paul exclusive rights of ministry to the uncircumcised (Gal 2:9). Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Peter deferred to Paul in matters of what the Lord was doing now (2 Pet 3:15). 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; Paul instructs it (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17). 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. A failure to follow Paul’s pattern… … diminishes the preaching of the cross for salvation. … exchanges the power of resurrection for will power. … robs your spiritual riches in Christ Jesus. … perpetuates ignorance of God’s will for today. … weakens the body of Christ by putting the church under the law, identified with Israel, in conditional standing with God. No wonder Paul spent so much time in his epistles declaring his special apostleship. “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” 1 Corinthians 4:16 Paul, the PREACHER, and APOSTLE and TEACHER of THE GENTILES. 2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. PAUL ,not Peter, is SET in the DEFENCE and CONFIRMATION of THE GOSPEL Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
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