 The Ministry of Paul
. God has given us a sound mind by giving us a specific calling in scripture apart from the nation of Israel. This calling is called “the
Mystery” and is revealed to us through the Apostle Paul. Paul’s christian ministry began after his conversion on
the road to Damascus in Acts 9. At this time he was called out and given instructions to go to the Jew first, then to the Greek. As we learn through the Acts, Paul
continues to “graft” in Gentiles with the Abrahmic calling and it’s not until the end of Acts in chapter 28, does Paul reveal a new calling apart from Abraham. This specific mail to the saints
is called “The Mystery”. There are several mysteries in scripture, yet this mystery is disctintly unique, just like the United States Capital is unique from
other state capitals. The book of Acts covers about 30 years of activity. During this timeframe, there are signs for Israel. This signs consist of tounges
, healings, and miracles. However, when Israel is put on hold at the end of Acts, the administrative role of thiese signs cease, and God no longer uses
them for the conversion of Israel. The lesson on 08-04-2002 covers many important truth’s in the Acts period.   Click here to listen now.
 Signs and Right Division.
Mark 16:15-20 (KJV) says “15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that
believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall
take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands
on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and
sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” The five signs in Mark 16 are part of the Acts period and no longer apply after Acts
28:28 because the reason for their existence is no longer applicable. Why? Signs were for Isreal. When Isreal was put on
hold and a new calling revealed, the signs that werefor Israel ceased. In the Mystery, there are other unique signs specific
to that administration and they are identified in the seven books Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and
Philemon. The lesson on 08-11-2002 studies the signs of the previous administration in their context. Click here to listen now.
 Be Strong in the Grace.
2nd Timothy is the last book that Paul wrote of the 14 he contributed to the
New Testament. Not only is it the last book, but it contains the last charge to Timothy and us. Since
the close of 2nd Timothy, God has been silent and no more has been given. Are you ever challenged
to live the Christian life? Paul has given us in 2nd Timothy the recepie for living the proper Christian life
. Satan is constantly at war with God and he continues to try and make us casualties of the war. Yet
God gives us a challenge to be strong in the grace that has been given. Can you be weak in grace?
What is the definition of Grace? Unmerited favor? A gift? GRACE could be an acronym to mean
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. In order to understand whether or not you’re strong or weak in grace, you must first
understand what it is. A good definition of “Grace” is undeserved acceptance and love received from another. Romans is a
book that helps to explain grace by learning that everyone has come short of the glory of God. Not one person is worthy as
we read that their is none righteous. The adamic nature seperates us from the love of God yet God demonstrated His love
towards us in that while we were yet sinners, He loved us and died on an cross for us. We are unworthy of His glory yet
the free gift came upon all men in Christ Jesus. The other compliment to Grace is Mercy. Mercy is not getting what you do
deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Weakness in the grace is demonstrated by our inability to overcome the
problems we experience in the flesh. Strength in grace is demonstrated by applying the word of God in our lives instead of
the wisdom of men. The lesson on 08-18-2002 studies Grace and Mercy and helps you to endure hardness and understand
how to be strong in the grace this is in Christ Jesus. Click here to listen now.
Faithful Sayings. There are times in your life where you’re in the valley and not on the mountain top.
Trouble that occurs in our lives is part of the challenge that comes with living. If you want to be
victorious when trouble occurs, Paul tells us how with his admonition to Timothy to be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus. This comes from 2 Timothy 2:1 (KJV) ”Thou therefore, my son, be strong
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” If we are crucified with Christ then it’s Christ that lives in us.
This is one of the five “faithful sayings” found in the prison epistles. The first one is at 1 Tim 1:15 (KJV) “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” The second is at 1 Tim 3:1(KJV) ” This is a true saying, If a
man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” The third faithful saying is at 1 Tim 4:7-9 (KJV) “But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth
little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is
a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.”. The fourth faithful saying is 2 Tim 2:11-13 (KJV) ”It is a faithful saying: For if
we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny
us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” The last and fifth faithful saying is Titus 3:8 (KJV) “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be
careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” John 5:24 tells us that in God’s word is
everlasting life. Anything that disrupts or distracts from Godliness needs to put off or put away. The lesson on 08-25-2002
teaches us to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Click here to listen how to put your
salvation into practice and praise God for saving us from the awful consequences of sin!
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Audio Lessons for this Month
