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 Study
. Studying the word of God, rightly divided, is the key to understanding the dispensational differences between callings. Right Division is the
instruction to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth.” The word “study” implies a serious commitment and obligation on behalf of the saint to
take time and learn the scriptures. This is how you lay the proper foundation to be able to “compare the things that differ” which is one of the Internal Laws of proper Biblical interpretation. A.S.K. is a term
that stands for Ask, Seek, and Knock. This is what the christian should do daily. Why should one study? All of scripture is profitable for doctrine,
reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Further, the entire subject of scripture focuses in on the Savior of all mankind, Christ Jesus.
Christ is the only mediator between God and man. We learn more of the mind of Christ as we put His word in our hearts and mind. Someone once
said, you have to have His word in your head before it works it way down to your heart. Head knowledge with prayer and fellowship becomes a heart
knowledge for the Lord. John 5:39 (KJV) tells us to “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of
me.” We know that faith comes by hearing the word of God. The lesson on 09-01-2002 focuses in on the aspect of
christian “study” and how it prepares us for the day to day walk we share as members in the Body of Christ.   Click here to listen now or go to the audio listings of the month.
 Right Division
. There are two importants aspects of Right Division. First, Right Division is the only
way to properly learn about the dispensations in scripture. Second, Right Division is essential for
the proper interpretation of callings and inheritances in scripture. By rightly dividing the word of
truth, we learn in 2 Timothy 2:16 that we are able to shun profane and vain babblings. This is what
you get when you take scripture out of it’s context and end up wrongly dividing the word.
Christians today should avoid high octane fleshly worship and pursue daily bible study. If you don’t
have the word of God in your heart, you will be in a position to easily stray off course. Many
popular trends travel through christiandom like the “Prayer of Jabez” yet this type of hype does not
put you in a position that is approved unto God. Why? Because study and right division is not about
salvation, as it is about spiritual maturity and the ability to handle the word of God accurately. It’s not about application, but
interpretation which is something you acheive through effort whereas salvation is something you receive that is not based on works. The lesson on 09-08-2002 teaches from 2 Timothy 2:15-18 and it encourages the christian to employ Right
Division from daily study of the scriptures. Click here to listen now.
Dispensations - Part 1
. Understanding dispensational differences is like chewing on a big
piece of steak. It’s not for the baby in scripture. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages study so you can
be approved unto God with accurate handling of scripture. By comparing scripture with
scripture, you start to learn of the different dispensations in scripture. Dispensations refer to
the subdivision of the ages and the revealed will of God that is made known in each age. It also
involves individuals who have been given the duties of administration for that timeframe. Right
Division is the key to understanding all of scripture because it keeps the differences between
the dispensations in their context. For example, Matthew 10:5-6 identifies a commandment for
the 12 disciples to go NOT unto the Gentiles. Yet, in Matthew 28:19 the commandment is to go
to all nations thereby showing that something had changed. Further, Luke 9:1-6 instructs the disciples to take nothing with
them, yet in Luke 22:35-36 (KJV) the Lord changes the rules “Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let
him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”  The internal clues
when reading scripture are passages like the “But now” which is the dividing
line signifying a change. There are many dividing lines in scripture and it’s up to you to study and sort them out to be approved unto God. The lesson on 09-15
-2002 starts to identify seven dispensations in the Bible and covers the first
two: 1) Eden, 2) After the Fall, 3) The Law, 4) Post Acts - The Mystery, 5) Judgement, 6) The Millennium, and 7) Eternity. Listen here now to the lesson of the week.
 Dispensations - Part 2
. As human beings, we have the capacity to ask questions the animal or vegetable kingdom cannot. Questions like “Where did I
come from?”, “Why am I here?”, or “Where am I going?”. God has given us
these answers and we can easily find them in the Bible. We were created in His image, to serve and glorify God. One day we will appear with Him in a place
He has prepared for us. At this point, God has a question for you which is “What are you doing with my work I’ve given
you and called you to do?”. According to 2 Timothy 2:15, we need to study the Bible to be approved unto God, handling
His scripture accurately and applying it in our lives so we can be about His business which is our calling. The study of
“Dispensations” is just recognizing that the administrations of God change over time. Right Division is the
study of scripture to learn the differences between the different administrations of God and keeping
scripture in it’s proper context so we don’t walk or worship in error. It also brings you to your specific calling
and faith obedience which is when you find your walk is approved unto God. There are many examples in scripture of
right division. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 is a popular Christmas verse, yet that passage is specific to Israel to confirm a promise made to Israel (there are many traditions in error at Christmas, learn more about those here). In every administration, there is man’s way
and then there is God’s way. Tradition is what blinds man to follow his own way (because that’s the way we’ve always
done it) and it’s the word of God, rightly divided that brings man back around to God’s way. The lesson on 09-22-2002
continues the study on Dispensations and picks up with the Patriarchal dispensation after the fall. Click here to listen now.
 Dispensations - Part 3
. 2 Timothy 2:15 is the verse that acts as the key to understanding all of scripture. In this verse, we learn of “rightly dividing the
word of truth”. Right Division means to cut up scripture and partition it with the
appropriate administration of God. It doesn’t mean to cut scripture out as we
learn from 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is profitable”. The key is to read and
study scripture so you can keep scripture in it’s context. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that God speaks in different times, in
various ways, through different messengers, and with specific messages. The lesson on 09-29-2002 continues the study
of seven dispensations and predominantly covers the third dispensation which is The Law given to Israel. This period
covers the majority of scripture as it runs from Abraham, through Moses at Mount Sinai until Acts 28:28. In this
dispensation, God deals with mankind only through Israel under the Law. This lesson also covers many passages in
scripture that involve a “gap” in time. These gaps are often represented with a simple “comma” which seperates what
was fulfilled and realized at that time, vs. what has yet to be fulfilled or was fulfilled sometime later. The same is often true
for “but now” which differentiates what went before, and has now changed. For example, 1 Peter 4:12 was written by
Peter almost 2000 years ago and speeks of a firey trial that they thought was immediate. In reality, there was a huge time
period before this was to be fulfilled when Revelation takes place. The lesson provides several other examples of “gaps” for your learning. Click here to listen now and continue your series on Dispensations. This lesson
also includes a reminder that September 29th is the real birthday of Christ Jesus (click here to learn more about the Real Christmas Story).
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Audio Lessons for this Month
