The BIG Picture (Shorts)

The eyes of our faith are not to be fixed on the outer man—his health, his wealth, his circumstances, or his religious performance, as these things may change, fade, or even deceive. But the inner man, renewed day by day, is where the Spirit works and where truth dwells. Our faith is not grounded in what we see, feel, or experience. It is grounded in what we know—specifically, in the words of our sound doctrine: the gospel of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, found in Paul’s epistles and rightly divided from prophecy. Not vague impressions, not mystical signs, not emotional highs. But the written Word of God rightly divided, believed with understanding, and held with assurance. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). That renewal comes not through external effort or change, but through spiritual truth. And spiritual truth is found in our doctrine. So, we do not chase the visible—m...

It’s not always obvious. The weaker brother isn’t the one who skips church or struggles with prayer. He’s often the one who looks the most committed. He avoids meat, steers clear of certain days, and holds tight to rules that make him feel holy. He’s sincere. He’s serious. And in his own mind, he’s strong. But Paul says otherwise. The weaker brother is weak in faith—not weak in effort. He’s not rebellious, he’s just unsure. His conscience is sensitive, sometimes misinformed. He’s afraid of dishonouring God, so he builds fences where God gave freedom. He’s shaped by tradition, not truth. And while his heart may be in the right place, his understanding hasn’t caught up. He sees liberty and feels guilt. He sees others walking free and assumes they’re careless. He equates restraint with righteousness. And when someone enjoys a freedom he avoids, he’s offended—not because they’re wrong, but because he’s unsettled. Now here’s the twist: He thinks he’s the strong one. He sees his strictness a...

Deception thrives because it mimics truth with enticing words and partial truths, making it difficult to discern without a solid foundation. The ideas of the world, rooted in self-righteousness and human desires, may promise joy and purpose but are ultimately empty and destructive. These lies not only come from the ungodly but also from false teachers who mishandle the Word of God to promote works-based righteousness or other distortions of the gospel. In stark contrast, the Word of God is the only unchanging source of truth. It declares the sufficiency of Christ in all things—His grace provides complete salvation, spiritual growth, and all we need for life and godliness (Col 2:10, 2Pe 1:3). The treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ alone (Col 2:3), and no worldly philosophy, self-help method, or human teaching can compare to or add to what He has already accomplished. To guard against deception, we must actively study and meditate on Scripture. The truth of God's ...

FACT NO. 5 —That we must understand the two-fold ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. During His earthly ministry He ministered exclusively to Israel: “But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL” (Matt.15:24). His whole ministry to the Nation was under the Law of Moses (Matt.5:17; Gal.4:4-5). Christians are not under the Law, so we are not to live according to Israel’s teachings. During His present ministry in Heaven, He is ministering according to what He revealed to the Apostle Paul. He is saving men according to His gospel of Grace. He is at the throne of grace making intercession for us (Rom.8:34). We are to live in and apply Paul’s epistles where our doctrine is found. This is not to say we should neglect the rest of the Bible. It is ALL for us but not all TO us (1Cor.10:6,11). More FACTS to follow... See this article for even more rightly dividing differences By Robert C. Brock (with minor modifications) Source:  https://bereanb...

  Therefore Acts as a conclusion or a result of what has been previously stated. It points back to the preceding content, summarizing or drawing a conclusion from it. "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:1). "Therefore" connects the previous discussion about faith and justification in Romans chp. 1 to 4 to the resulting peace with God. Wherefore Acts as an introduction to new content or reasoning based on what has been previously mentioned. It often introduces a reason or explanation in what follows. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: " (Rom.5:12). "Wherefore" introduces new instructions based on the preceding context. "Therefore" typically points back to summarize or conclude, while "wherefore" introduces new content or reasoning based on what was previously discussed. ...

Paul was a chosen vessel of Jesus Christ. He tells of his calling saying, "I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles." Friends, that's the title and the office Jesus Christ gave him. What was his office? Apostle of the Gentiles, given to him by Jesus Christ. Paul continues to say the following in Rom.15:16, "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost." Now answer this: You know what makes Gentiles acceptable to God and sanctified by the Holy Ghost? The ministry given to Paul! Wow! Outside of Paul's ministry, you and I were a bunch of strangers and foreigners to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, Eph.2:12. Then, in Eph.3:2-3, Paul tells us that the dispensation of grace was given to him for us that he may make known to us the mystery doctrine for the Bo...

The blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross was the pinnacle of sacrifice and love and accomplished our redemption through the forgiveness of sins. Romans 4:25 confirms this absolute fact, Rom 4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.  But there is more to that verse than being delivered from our offenses by the propitiation (appeasement, satisfaction) of His blood. There is also the power of God which raised up Christ from the dead for our justification. Not only did His resurrection justify us, declaring or making us righteous in the sight of God, but that same power also became the source for our ability to walk in newness of life, Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.   Many believers think of the death and resurrection of Christ as the work done by God's grace to sa...

The book of Romans can be divided into 4 primary pillars of truth. God's righteousness, (ch.1-3), God's grace, (ch.4-8), God's dispensational wisdom, (ch.9-11), and God's mercies over our Christian living, in (ch.12-16). Understanding these 4 pillars, in proper order and context, is critical for faith and spiritual maturity. Consider the effects on the growth and maturity of a Christian if we review the order of these pillars in reverse. A believer's faith, identity, and stability (aka, the 4th pillar) are negatively affected if they do not have a grounding in dispensational truth. Dispensational truth, (aka, the 3rd pillar), cannot be appreciated without a firm knowledge of God's grace, and purpose, for both Israel and the Gentiles. God's absolute grace (aka, the 2nd pillar), is barely comprehendible if one has a good understanding of God's righteousness, but since many people do not even grasp the fact that they are hopelessly lost in their sins, the m...

An incorrect approach to Bible study begins with preconceived notions, seeking out verses to support existing beliefs. For instance, to demonstrate a revival, one might cite verses about the Spirit's power and revival. Similarly, to argue against Jesus' divinity, one might select verses highlighting his humanity, submission to God, and prayers to the Father. This method overlooks context, ignores contrasting verses, and the author's intent, aiming instead to validate personal opinions with scripture. Conversely, the correct method involves allowing the Bible to shape one's beliefs. Rather than cherry-picking verses to match our ideas, we should strive to comprehend the Bible's messages within their original context. The Bible enlightens us on God, the identity and mission of Jesus, the revelation of mystery, of grace, salvation, and judgement. The scripture itself advocates for these doctrines; our role is simply to convey its teachings. Hence, the Bible should not ...

Our inheritance is in Christ, BUT…. the above scripture also tells us that Jesus Himself has an inheritance --which is US (ie: 'in the saints'). This should make you understand the context of the judgement seat of Christ, and the importance of having gold, silver, and precious stones, to offer Christ in that day. You are of His inheritance. When we know this, it's not just a matter of getting saved anymore! We should increase in value in order to increase His inheritance before the Father. WOW!!!  Let’s understand then that we ought not to be satisfied in just being a nominal Christian. We ought to press on in the doctrine of Christ and let it build up knowledge and wisdom of the doctrine within us, forming Christ in us, which are the riches of truth and glory, that we might be of value to the inheritance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wood, hay and stubble have no value in the Kingdom! ______________ Please share these with friends and family. Use this WhatsApp channel to rec...

The Christian journey should be one of continual growth. Even the Apostle Paul, long after his conversion, confessed that he still had more to attain to and apprehend of Christ, Phil.3:12. Those who have been believers for a long time are expected to have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures than those who have been saved for less time. It is God's will that we develop in spiritual knowledge 1Tim.2:4, and we do that by first choosing to separate ourselves from traditions and denominational beliefs that we have been taught, and then to dig into the written Word for ourselves, to read it, to study its dispensations, to rightly divide its doctrines, and to learn of God's divine plan for both heaven and earth. To honor the Lord, we are to follow the example of Paul's life and ministry. The sound doctrine entrusted to Paul is crucial for allowing Jesus Christ to manifest His life within and through us. The key to our spiritual growth is parallelled only by our increasing kno...

The phrase "look to Jesus" typically means following or imitating Christ according to what He has taught us in scripture. However, this is not true for us today. Jesus' earthly ministry was directed to Israel, not to us. His call for those to follow Him was directed to His kinsmen, the Jews, Matt 15:24.  We look to Jesus by looking into His Word. The only way we can grow in Him, learn of Him, and become like Him, is to study His Word and allow it to change our mind and our actions in obedience to it. When we look into his word we are instructed to look into the revelation of the mystery, which is the doctrine that Jesus gave to Paul to teach. Consider why Paul says the following in 1Cor 4:16, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” and in 1Cor 11:1 saying, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” In 1Tim 1:16 he also mentioned he is the pattern for all grace believers to imitate. So, to look to Jesus today, we follow Paul’s pattern and the princip...

The liberty of our grace doctrine, given by Christ, is not an invitation to indulge in fleshly desires, but it teaches a transition from carnal babes to the freedom and responsibility of spiritually mature sons, who grow up in godliness, Gal.3:24 and 4:1-7. Paul's grace doctrine challenges the false notions that grace allows believers the freedom to do as they wish. Paul faced false accusations of promoting this view, having been "slanderously reported" in Rom.3:8, but unfortunately, carnal believers continue to exploit their freedom as an excuse for self-indulgence, turning liberty to license, an error as severe as turning from liberty to law. In Eph.4:20, Paul states, "But you have not so learned Christ." This statement, of itself, informs us of the root and fix of this issue. It is only proper doctrine and teaching of the rightly divided Word of truth that can stablish the hearts of babes and motivate them to the deeper things of Christ; the work of faith, ...

Paul implored Timothy to adhere strictly to the teachings he had imparted, emphasizing the need to remain true to the doctrine which was divinely revealed to him. In 1Tim.6:3-5, Paul closes his epistle with the statement in the image above. Paul presses upon the need to be faithful to the message given him by revelation, which he says in Tit.1:2-3 was, "promised before the ages began" but made known "in due time… through preaching which is committed unto me…" Today however, it is sad to note how religious leaders have either replaced, or completely skewed, the doctrine that was committed to Paul by Jesus Christ. This has resulted in confusion and division within the Church, teaching a different doctrine that puts focus on Jesus of Nazareth, social improvement, and political reform, and keeps believers in an ignorant state towards truth, stunting their spiritual growth.  More than ever, we need to take to heart this warning and admonition of Paul and come back to tea...

Sadly, most modern churches today do not rightly divide the word of truth between the mystery doctrine for the Body of Christ and the prophetic scriptures for Israel. If one does not keep these doctrines apart, one corrupts its contents and skews the doctrines. Using your analogy, they are mixing old and new wines together, creating a blended version that is distasteful. All scripture is God’s inspired words that we can learn from and grow to understand God’s great redemption plan for all of creation, but we have to study the scriptures correctly and apply it in the right context. What is the doctrine we apply? It is not prophecy, nor is it the Kingdom doctrine. It is that which our apostle Paul has written to us concerning the cross work of Christ and the spiritual ‘new’ man that God is creating, the Body of Christ. Unless the church recognizes this, they will continue to mix old wine in new wineskins. ______________ Join my WhatsApp channel to receive these quick Bible lessons on you...

The Church, even the true Church of believers in Christ, is undoubtedly more extensive now than ever before. However, it is weak and sick, confused, and divided. Many attribute the Church's low spiritual state to factors such as not breaking from worldly living, a deficiency in prayer, and apathy towards the unsaved. However, these are merely symptoms. The true cause is the Church's deviation from the divine message and plan for our times, as disclosed in Paul's mystery doctrine. This is the fundamental issue, yet it remains largely unrecognized or admitted. In Israel's case, trouble arose from straying from the Law of Moses; similarly, our issues stem from deviating from the truths taught by Paul. Just as the dispensation of the Law was entrusted to Moses, the dispensation of Grace was entrusted to Paul (Eph. 3:1-3). Those who have fallen away since Paul's time have done so not by abandoning God's Word as a whole, but specifically by veering from 'the faith...

Israel is under prophecy and law whereas the Body of Christ is under Paul’s mystery doctrine and grace. That is the divide in scripture. But, as grace believers, we do not ignore prophecy just because it is not our doctrine; all scripture is inspired and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, 2Ti.3:16. Thus, we can learn of prophecy and gain understanding in it, because it helps us to better understand God’s purpose for mystery. Prophecy provides context to mystery and vice versa. We need knowledge of both to fully understand God's redemption plan. Thus, we STUDY all of scripture, but when it comes to PRACTICE, or APPLICATION of scripture, then we specifically focus on Paul’s mystery doctrine, and any trans-dispensational passages that agree with, or compliment Paul's mystery doctrine. See Rom.16:25-26, (1) "according to the revelation of the mystery", ... (2) "and by the scriptures of the prophets ..." . ______________ ...

Many Christians believe that when Christ ascended to heaven, He stopped speaking. However, Paul reveals that the things he wrote were the "commandments of the Lord", 1Cor.14:37. After Israel's rebellion, God temporarily set aside Israel, and raised up a new apostle, Paul. From heaven, Christ gave Paul a new revelation concerning His heavenly ministry to the Body of Christ, Gal.1:11-12. Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles, Rom.11:13. Paul's words, as revealed to Him by Christ, are spoken of as "commandments." When God commands something, He expects us to obey it. In past dispensations, commands were given that were valid then, but not for today's obedience. For example, the Bible commands man to eat only fruit and veggies, then allows for meat with fruit and veggies, then certain foods to be eaten, and finally, all food can be eaten. Thus, it is essential to determine which commands God would have us obey today. Paul's epistles are the commandmen...

The mystery doctrine revealed to Paul completed the Word of God. It ended the need for further revelation. When a person claims to prophecy God's will or interprets tongues, they are 'claiming' that God is speaking through them (Acts 2:4). This is a blanket denial of the complete and final authority of the written Word of God. We simply cannot believe that God's Word is complete while claiming that He continues to give further revelation of His will through extra-Biblical revelations. This is exactly the meaning of prophecy and interpretations. In the Jewish church in Acts, these giftings were still valid as they were used to communicate revelation from God, since the completed scriptures were not yet available.  Today, the Bible is the full revelation of God. The scripture is complete. God has finished His Word. It is through the Word of truth written in a book, studied as rightly divided, that God speaks today --and through which we grow up in Christ and become workme...

If Paul says, “I was not sent to baptise”, 1Cor.1:17, then surely that indicates that in our doctrine today, water baptism is of little consequence. Why would Paul not bother to baptize people if it was crucial for salvation? To expand on the topic, baptism was never an ordinance that belonged to the Body of Christ. It was a Jewish ordinance that was connected to priesthood. Every Jew in the Millennial Kingdom will be a priest of the Lord, ministering to the nations. Under the covenant laws of Moses, every priest needed to be washed. Thus, every Jew had to be baptised. This is why Jesus, who had no sin, had to also be baptised, so that he fulfilled the law requirements as a Jew. See Mat 3:14-15. You cannot mix dispensational content. The scriptures you quote belong to the prophetic program for Israel. Baptism was part and parcel of the Kingdom gospel. Our gospel does not even hint on water immersion. ______________ Join my WhatsApp channel to receive these quick Bible lessons on your p...