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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.
 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 on 09-15-2002.
 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).
Dispensations Part 4 - The Mystery
. Zechariah 9:9-10 is another passage that demonstrates how there are gaps in time in certain verses. Usually, it’s where the first  statement made has been or is being fulfilled at the time of the writing
(Zech 9:9), while the latter part is a future event that sometimes takes hundreds or thousands of years to fulfil (Zech 9:10). In some cases, scripture that has yet
to be fulfilled and falls into the realm of prophecy yet to happen. The fourth dispensation being studied is unique in that it fills a huge gap between Acts 28:28
and the return of Elijah, yet this gap was never before revealed in scripture. The Dispensation of Grace we presently reside within, is called by the Apostle Paul “The Mystery” because it was a sacred secret hidden in God before the
foundation of the world. It wasn’t until Paul was given this special ministry to reveal it after Acts 28:28 when Israel as a
nation was set aside until a future restoration with Elijah. The mystery is no longer a “mystery” since it has been revealed
in the last seven books Paul wrote (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon). In the Mystery, we find that Christ is all in all and we are complete in Him. As Ephesians 4:4-6 says Eph 4:4-6 (KJV) “There is one body,
and one Spirit, even as ye 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.” In this dispensation, the message is “to the gentiles” and the
gentiles are responsible not only to hear it but also make pass it on. Christ is our hope and once we are saved, we lack nothing as we are complete in Him. AS Col 3:1-3 (KJV) reminds us “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Chris is our hope! Click here to listen now.
 Dispensations - Part 5
. Right Division is crucial to understanding scripture and the different administrations (or dispensations) of God. The lesson on 10-13
-2002 continues with a series of lessons studying the seven primary dispensations in scripture and begins to describe the last three dispensations that follow the Mystery (The Mystery is the fourth dispensation period and is our present Age of Grace). One of the
biggest challenges in learning the attributes of each dispensation is understanding the context of the scripture written
during that dispensation, who it is written to and when it is applicable. Some truth’s are eternal yet some are only for that
specific timeframe. For instance, God uses each dispensation to demonstrate that the only way back to God is through
Christ (an eternal truth). However, we don’t practice animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin (applicable under the
Law). Further, there are gaps in scripture that have a future fulfillment. This is especailly true with the gap that was filled
with The Mystery. The Mystery was hidden in God before the foundation of the world, and was not part of any old
testament scripture. The Mystery fills the gap between the 3rd and 5th dispensations. There was an imminent hope that
was present at the close of the 3rd dispensation but the revelation of The Mystery by the Apostle Paul put the hope of the
third dispensation on hold. Once the close of our present dispensation occurs, then the remaining dispensations pick up
where the third one left off. Understanding this gap will enable the principles of right division to help you to be approved unto God.
Click here to listen to Part 5 of this dispensational study.
Dispensations - Part 6
. Most Christians may know that there are 66 books in the bible with 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. We have learned that
all of those books are for our learning but all of it is not to us. The problem we find with christianity today is that most of christiandom teaches that all of
scripture (or a large part of it) is to us and treat it like a combination salad. The seven primary dispensations are
characterized by 1) a subdivision of the ages; 2) God’s revealed message, and 3) God’s ordained messenger (Hebrews
1:1-2a). The lesson on 10-20-2002 finishes the dispensational study and wraps up the final three dispensations. The last
three dispensations cover most of the events of prophecy that have yet to be fulfilled. This includes studies on the Last Days of the Revealed plan (click here to find studies about the Last Days). This study refers to the Four Days in Scripture
and teaches on how the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord overlap as Christ begins to rule from the Heavens preparing
for the Day of the Lord. The lesson wraps up with the final dispensation of Eternity where it’s hinted in Psalms that this
dispensation lasts for 40 thousand generations, or 40,000 years! Click here to listen to the lesson on 10-20-2002.  Be sure and download the handout as well since this handout is an updated one from the
previous week and services as a good reference tool for all of the lessons.
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Audio Series on “Dispensations”
