Through the Bible in Seven Hours; Session III

Good morning and welcome again to Walkin in Grace with Matthew, Whitney and Austyn!

We are going to start covering the second hour today in this book, “Through the Bible in 7 hours”. But fiiiiiiirst, a little review....

We have gone over the three golden questions

Who is speaking

To whom are they speaking or writing to

And when were the words spoken or written

The greatest possession we have is the Bible. God has breathed his words through the transcribers of this book and He has preserved it for us to learn and study. Because of this book, we can know the truth about His plan for us and His purpose for His creation.

For us to learn what God has created for us, we have to learn His way. We must learn in the way that He has designed for studying His word.

We are going to cover Right Division, Dispensations, and The Great Division.

I know I cover this verse a lot, but let’s do it again...

[2Ti 2:15 KJV] 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Let’s pray

God’s approval is what we should be aiming for. In order to do that, we need to study, this is our DUTY! We should be making our goal to be a workman that need not be ashamed. We have one great requirement that is rightly dividing the word of truth.

What does it mean to rightly divide?

These divisions are called dispensations in the Bible.

Let’s look at Eph 1:9-12

Here we have Paul talking and he says...

[Eph 1:9-12 KJV] 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 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: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Now let’s look at

[Eph 3:1-7 KJV] 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Dispensation is also mentioned in Col 1:25 and 1 Cor 9:17.

What is this saying about dispensation then? Paul is saying that there are different dispensations for different times. we are in the dispensation of Grace right now according to Paul. This means that we are saved by grace through faith. we, the gentiles, are now fellowheairs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. We used to be outcasts. We were considered heathen and looked at as dogs. Now we are on the same playing field as the jews. Everybody has the same chance at grace regardless of your race.

Look with me now at Luke 4:16-21

[Luk 4:16-21 KJV] 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Now look at

[Isa 61:1-2 KJV] 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

What is missing in Luke that was in Isaiah? the last part of the verse right?

And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

So what is happening is that God wasn’t ready to condemn the world. He knew what was going to happen to his son, but He chose to keep that a mystery. He chose to keep that to Himself in order to prevent the devil from knowing and stopping it. He chose to bring in the gentiles and make US equal to the jews! We are just as important. there is no chosen people during this dispensation except for the church the body of Christ!

Here are a few more verses that you can look up and see if you can find the gap where the current dispensation is.....

Isa 9:6,7

Psa 118:22

Isa 53:10,11

Zeck 9:9,10

Dispensational Bible Study is the Divinely prescribed method of studying God’s word.

What is a dispensation?

A dispensation is a particular program that God administers or dispenses for man’s obedience.

And Administration in the outworking of the purpose and plan of God.

[Luk 12:42-43 KJV] 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

God is going to bless us for following His plan, for doing His work.

So what is the difference?

God’s program has not always been the same. God himself never changes of course, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t change His mind. His program for man has changed from time to time. there are many examples of such things and I’ll cover just a couple of them and leave the scripture for you to look into more things when you are studying for your own edification.

Let's look at ex 31:15 and number 15:32-36

[Exo 31:15 KJV] 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh [is] the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

[Num 15:32-36 KJV] 32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

As you can see here, they killed whomever worked on the sabbath day just as it had been told to Moses in Exodus. Does that still apply today? if it does then we need to have a massive stoning. No of course it doesn’t apply today.

Let’s take a look at Luke 12:33 and Acts 2:44,45

[Luk 12:32-34 KJV] 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

[Act 2:44-45 KJV] 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.

Did you sell all of your possessions? No? Neither did I. Do you think you are still saved? Me too. Paul gave us all we need to know for our gospel. We don’t follow the teachings of the 12 or moses or noah. We follow the teachings of Paul. Do all of Pauls teachings from the beginning of his story apply to us? No, in the beginning of his teachings he hadn’t been shown everything yet. there are things that he did not know until it was revealed to him. This is where studying comes in to play.

How about Mark 16:18?

[Mar 16:18 KJV] 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Here are a few more that you can look into on your own...

Lev 4:27,28

Lev 11:7,8

Acts 2:38

Matt 10:5,6

Now, which instructions do we follow today?

Get with me in Acts 10:35.. And find Titus 3:5 as well....

[Act 10:35 KJV] 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Compare that with

[Tit 3:5 KJV] 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Now let’s look at Gen 17:10,14 and Gal 5:2,6

[Gen 17:10 KJV] 10 This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Compared to

[Gal 5:2 KJV] 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

How about we look at Psalm 51:11 and Eph 1:13; 4:30

[Psa 51:11 KJV] 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Compared with

[Eph 1:13 KJV] 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

And

[Eph 4:30 KJV] 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Now there are a lot more examples of such things such as

Ex 20:8 and Col 2:16 which talks about the sabbath

Deut 6:25 and Rom 3:21 and Phil 3:9 which is about the law.

And there are a lot more on top of those. Remember to check out this book

One final question for today:

Who gave you the right to choose the verses you follow?

The study of the Bible can only result in hopeless confusion and endless contradictions if you fail to recognize the necessity of rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

So let’s separate Israel and the dispensation of grace.

On one side we have prophecy, israel, earth, and law

On the other side we have mystery, body of christ,

So prophecy

[Act 3:21 KJV] 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

This is something that was known since the beginning of time. Since the prophets started speaking about such things.

How about the comparative mystery

[Rom 16:25 KJV] 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

This was kept a secret from the beginning and not revealed until Paul was given this gospel at the Damascus awakening

Now are we Israel or the Body of Christ

[Jhn 4:22 KJV] 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

And now

[Eph 3:6 KJV] 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Earth and Heavenly Places

[Mat 5:5 KJV] 5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

[Eph 1:3 KJV] 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Aaaand

[Phl 3:20-21 KJV] 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

And finally, law and grace

[Deu 6:24-25 KJV] 24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as [it is] at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

[Mat 5:19-20 KJV] 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[Rom 6:14 KJV] 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We are saved by grace through faith, not by the following of the law.

Today we covered Right Division, Dispensations, and The Great Division.

I hope that you have learned something today. It has been great studying through this book together and I hope you join us next saturday at the same time. Have a great week and remember,

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Have a great week

Intro video