Pleroma - Part 3. When you study the “fullness”, the breadth of it covers from before the foundation of the world through the ages to
come and beyond. One of the problems we have when studying “the fulness”, is we often focus on the present rather than understanding
the big picture. Yet God wants us to understand the big picture as he describes in Ephesians 1:10 (KJV) “That in the dispensation of the fulness of
times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” God has revealed
His wisdom and eternal purpose to us through the fullness of Christ Jesus. God doesn’t just focus on the here and now, but on the eternal purpose.
The fact of the matter is that God has already accomplished His eternal purpose in Christ and He is going about revealing His fulness throughout the
ages. When God created the ages, all things came into being by Him as Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV) says “For by him were all things created, that are
in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” As sin entered into God’s creation, there were tears or rents in
the fabric of creation yet God has filled these tears up with His purposes. All of this is done under the headship of Christ
and the body of Christ which is not affected by the tears in creation throughout the ages. The lesson finishes with Peter
who writes unto Israel to discuss the scoffers who are contrary to God and have no idea what the truth is according to
the scriptures. The lesson on June 1, 2003 continues the series on Pleroma and studies the big picture that Peter was
trying to tell Israel in 2 Peter 3:1-7 regarding the world that then was.   Click here to listen now. Be
sure and  download the handout that compliments the audio lesson.
 The Apostle Paul - A Chosen Vessel
. The Apostle Paul has the unique distinction of being called the Apostle to the gentiles. This is pretty important for today’s christians to understand
because the church, which is the body of Christ, consists of the gentile nations that are apart
from Israel and all the promises made to them. Paul is given a unique message to deliver unto
the gentiles and he declared in Acts 28:28 that they would hear it. Paul’s progressive ministry is spelled out in Acts 9:15 (KJV) “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”. What’s interesting about this verse is that Paul carries out the calling in reverse order. He first
went unto Israel, Israel eventually caused an uproar that put Paul in custody of Kings, and
finally he went unto the gentiles, particularly while in prison. It’s extremely important for
christianity to understand the role Paul played in the delivery of a body of truth called the mystery. This calling is what is specific to believers today and explains the differences
between Israel’s calling and inheritance vs. our own. The lesson on June 8, 2003 teaches about the chosen vessel of Paul and his ministry. Be sure and download the handout to compliment your studies. Click here to listen now.
 Father’s Day.
A non-traditional Father’s Day message is in store for those who listen to the lesson
on June 15, 2003. Traditional lessons would focus on the horizontal relationship fathers have or the
duties they should be doing. God has given everyone the desire to succeed but work is not to
become the idol of your life. It will never give you the true meaning of life. You can go through all
the experiences in life and it will never give you any meaning. Solomon tells us that the things and
experiences in life that people pursue is all vanity. If we measure success by the things we do vs
who we are then we are filled with vanity. Human nature is never satisfied no matter how much
you have. Materialism will never do it. If you’ve spent your health to get your wealth, you’ll end up
spending your wealth to get your health back. Materialsm is really not about money and wealth, but
a condition of the heart. Poverty risks the body but prosperity risks the soul. No matter what you do, it should be done in
the eyes of the Lord. Success is borne out of a personal relationship with Christ. This is what really matters. The old
nature is what we wrestle with and God will chasten those whom He loves. As Proverbs 3:11-12 (KJV) says “My son,
despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;
even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” As children of God, we need to be responsive to the correction of God.
The lesson on Father’s Day is a lsseon that’s good for everyone to hear. Click here to listen now.
 Pleroma - Part 4.
The Pleroma = The fullness. This word is applied by Jesus in the New Testament scriptures to identify something that repairs a tear or rip in a fabric, that is
subsequently filled by a patch. Pleroma fills the tear or gap. There are many “gaps” in scripture
and one of the most important gaps to be understood is identified in Acts 28:28. This is when Christ reveals through the Apostle Paul the start of another gap which He calls The Mystery. This body of truth is what fills the gap between the time of Christ on the cross and when He
reigns on this earth in the future. This gap is still active and Christ is now seated in the heavenlies which is where we (members of the body of Christ) are seated with Him. We find
in Ephesians that God has a purpose for your life which fits within His purpose for the Ages.
This purpose is simply to fulfill His purpose. Right now you are on display for the principalities and powers in the heavenly places as declared in Eph 3:10-11(KJV) ”To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Not only does God have a plan for your life right now, but He has one for
the ages to come! The pleroma speaks to the fact that God was “all in all” in the beginning and He will be “all in all” in the
future (end). This lesson on June 22, 2003 continues the series on the “pleroma” and often refers to the Pleroma chart (which you may download here). Click here to listen now.
Independence Day Commentary. July 4th in America celebrates the 227th anniversary of
independence. No other country has held a single form of government for so long yet
America’s christian-based republic is under attack by the spiritual decay of the American people
. The founders of America based their government on scripture and finally gave God the credit
for founding the country. Benjamin Franklin said “even the creator of the universe knows when
a sparrow falls to the ground, so how is it we would form a nation without praying for
guidance in leading this country.” He was endorsing prayer in asking for guidance in governing
the United States. From that day forward, when His inspiration was from Acts 17:24-28 (KJV) “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples
made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and
breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they
might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our
being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Man and government have throughout
history demonstrated that without God, thier best effort ends in judgement and destruction. The founders of America
knew this and sought wisdom from scripture in the founding of America. Today, there is a warfare going on in the courts
to remove the Ten commandments from our courtrooms. How far will America remove God from their government? The
lesson on June 29, 2003 is a commentary on God and government. Click here to listen now.
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Audio Lessons for this Month
