Paul’s Grace Message

Click here to read the book:

WHICH GOSPEL WHEN By - Paul R. Van GorderPosted By- Cecil and Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E-mail this Bible study to all your friends.

… a dispensational exposition

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:4, 5

Throughout God’s relationship and dealings with man, the consistent theme is the manifestation of His love. He has proclaimed His love, pledged His love and proved His love. He has dedicated, dispensed and demonstrated His love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His son to be the propitia­tion for our sins” (I John 4:10).

The magnitude of God’s love is beyond the comprehension of the finite mind. “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for-a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US” (Rom. 5:7, 8).

Paul prayed that the saints might “know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19). He further encourages us, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph. 5:2). “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9).

Paul’s personal testimony is perhaps no more exemplary of his dedication than in these words: “1 am crucified with Christ:nevertheless 1 live; yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh 1 live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

“Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself un­seemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth…” (I Cor. 13:4-6). In short — “GOD IS LOVE” (1 John 4:8).

Paul’s Grace Message

http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/

Posted By - Cecil & Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E- Mail this link to all your friends and share the Gospel of the Grace of God.

… a dispensational exposition

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:6-9

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them…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” (Rom. 16:17, 25). “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the cir­cumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Tit. 1:10, 11).

Paul continually warned against the teaching of human wisdom and false doctrine. He constantly reiterated the purity and verity of his own instruction as empowered by the Holy Spirit of God and the authority of his apostleship. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Cor. 2:12, 13).

Even young Timothy was cautioned by the apostle to beware of spoilers of the truth. “0 Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith” (I Tim. 6:20, 21). “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (II Tim. 3:13, 14).

Particularly emphatic were Paul’s admonitions to the church at Galatia. “There be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed!”

Paul’s Grace Message

http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/

Posted By - Cecil & Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E- Mail this link to all your friends and share the Gospel of the Grace of God.

… a dispensational exposition

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-14

The miracle of the mystery, revealed by the apostle Paul, is perhaps the most mind boggling of all scriptural expositions. The nation Israel, as God’s chosen people, had theretofore held the spotlight in all matters religious and spiritual. If a Gentile sought to be acceptable in God’s sight, he was required to comply with the traditions of Jewish orthodoxy. Paul reminded the Ephesian church of the Gentile’s position in former days.

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the common­wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”

Even as Christ ministered on earth. He gave no quarter in this regard. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying. Go not into the way of the Gentiles...But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5, 6). “We know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). “And, behold, a woman of Canaan...cried unto Him, saying. Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, thou son of David...But He answered and said, 1 am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel...It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it to the dogs” (Matt. 15:22, 24, 26).

The apostle continues, BUT NOW in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. What a reversal was this! And how could it happen? Paul ex­plains: “For He is our peace. Who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between Us [Jew and Gentile]; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make of Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross… For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

Paul’s Grace Message

http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/

Posted By - Cecil & Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E- Mail this link to all your friends and share the Gospel of the Grace of God.

… a dispensational exposition

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14

In his letter to the church at Colosse, the apostle Paul speaks of “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven” and “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. To the world, the word ‘hope‘ means nothing more than a dream or a desire — something desirable but unreachable or, at the least, doubtful of acquisition. And to many Christians it is a yearning only: “1 hope the Lord will save me in the end and take me to heaven.”

But the member of the Church the Body of Christ who right­ly divides the Word of truth, knows differently. He knows that the believer’s hope is an accomplished possession — a realiza­tion. Paul refers to the Body members as the “purchased possession” (Eph. 1:14) and a “peculiar people” (Titus 2:14), which is literally defined ‘God’s own possession‘.

Our hope is a Person, the embodiment of flawless perfection in whom we are positioned and with whom we are identified. In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul’s salutation reads, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, WHO IS OUR HOPE”. And his prayer for the saints at Ephesus was that they might fully comprehend their treausre. “…That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…” (Eph. 1:17, 18).

As joint-heirs with Christ we have already come into our in­heritance. We need not wish or long for some remote and un­certain bequest from a fickle benefactor; “He HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). And now we live in anticipa­tion of final fulfilment as we are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!”

Paul’s Grace Message

http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/

Posted By - Cecil & Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E- Mail this link to all your friends and share the Gospel of the Grace of God.

… a dispensational exposition

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 2:14, 15

“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual discerneth all things, yet he himself is discerned of no man.”

Only the Holy Spirit can interpret for us the Word of God, and the unregenerate do not have the Holy Spirit. God reveals in His Holy Word all that He would have us to know. But before we can understand, we must first receive the gift of salvation by grace through faith. We thus acquire the Holy Spirit as om interpreter. No degree of human intellect can sub­stitute for the Holy Spirit. No level of mortal esteem or code of morals or good intentions will qualify as a means to com­prehending the things of God.

Even some who are saved by God’s grace unto life eternal may never become mature in the knowledge of the scriptures. Salvation alone will not bring understanding. The Holy Spirit interprets, but He does not force-feed. There must be a willingness to learn, a desire to grow in the faith. This is the problem that Paul had with the Corinthian church. “And 1, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able” (I Cor. 3:1, 2).

We can offer instruction in the Word of God but we cannot compel the hearer to comprehend. It is not our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ to overpower an audience, but to present the truth clearly and in love. Conviction and submis­sion are the work of the Holy Spirit. Like our apostle himself, it is our responsibility to attempt to “Make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:9). But only by way of expounding the truth; discernment will be governed by the Holy Spirit alone.

Paul’s Grace Message

http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/

Posted By - Cecil & Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E- Mail this link to all your friends and share the Gospel of the Grace of God.

… a dispensational exposition

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:18-20

In former dispensations the child of God had to “wait upon the Lord” for instruction, or “watch for a sign” or “put out a fleece”. God made specific covenants and required that par­ticular commitments be honored. The Holy Spirit “was upon” or “descended” as determined by the Lord for His purpose at the appropriate time. Unique to the dispensation of the grace of God, is the indwelling Holy Spirit. Likewise, to no prior dis­pensation was the believer “in Christ” and Christ in the believer.

The “unity of the Spirit” is peculiar to the Church which is Christ’s Body, and the following passage may well be defined as the doctrinal statement of that Church (which today is THE Church). “There is ONE body, and ONE Spirit, even as you are called in ONE hope of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, AND IN YOU ALL” (Eph. 4:4-6). Paul-identifies himself as the revelator of “this mystery...which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Col. 1:27).

This unity creates a heretofore unknown condition of con­stancy and certainty which is the consistent governor of all our behavior as saints of God. Hence the many unqualified ad­monitions such as: “In EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). “In EVERYTHING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18). “And WHATSOEVER ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Col. 3:17).

Notice, we are to be “Giving thanks ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are to be thankful for ALL THINGS, then we must include pain and suffering and adversity. Whatever our portion, we are to praise Him for it with thanksgiving! “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be ye thankful” Col. 3:15.

Paul’s Grace Message

http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/

Posted By - Cecil & Connie Spivey

cspivey1953@gmail.com

E- Mail this link to all your friends and share the Gospel of the Grace of God.