The BIG Picture (Shorts)

1 Tim.1:15-16 ... that in me first ... The key word here is 'FIRST'. First in what? —Salvation of course! But how could this be since God had shown mercy to save many others before Paul? Paul was certainly not the first person to ever be saved! No, but we must understand that Paul's conversion started a brand new 'mystery' program, the program of grace, and he was the first to be saved into this new program. Paul is the first member immersed into the Body of Christ. He was divinely selected by the risen Christ to become the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Gal.1:1). Christ would reveal to him the secrets of this new dispensation (Eph.3:1-5) and provide him the gospel of grace (Gal.1:11-12). This is why Paul says that in Christ Jesus he has begotten us through the gospel (1 Cor.4:15). ______________ Please share these with friends and family. Use this WhatsApp channel to receive these quick Bible lessons on your phone: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGag8iJP212...

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...

Titus 2:1  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: The word “speak” is a command. Paul encouraged Titus not to deviate from teaching sound doctrine. It was urgent that he speak out because of rising false teaching in the churches of Crete. Titus was to teach practical living that aligned with sound doctrine. His congregation was to live out their faith according to rightly divided truth. They were to make their doctrine visible by living it.  Sound doctrine and resulting ethics are inseparable. When God's word is taught correctly, it shapes the lifestyle and outworking of our lives. The Word of God never divorces doctrine from duty or truth from conduct. This pattern is clearly evident in Paul's epistles; doctrine first, then conduct. Rom 1-11 is doctrine, 12-16 is conduct. Eph 1-3 is doctrine, 4-6 behavior. Col 1-2 is creed, 3-4 conduct, etc. Sound doctrine produces strong believers who will naturally influence others by their ethical lifestyle. ______________ ...