In this message, we introduce a new series of studies that are crucial to the understanding and edification of the body of Christ.  We follow Paul's use of the expression "I would not have you ignorant, brethren" and its similar variations to find six occasions in which the body of Christ is cautioned against doctrinal ignorance.  To be ignorant of them is to put ourselves at risk of being victimized by the Adversary's policy of evil against our edification.  This first message is meant to highlight the important of these topics and to provide a doctrinal gist survey of the material that will be covered in the following messages.

In this message, we continue to lay the groundwork for the series by taking a look at the Adversary and his tactics for gaining an advantage of us.  It is through ignorance of the sound doctrine that Satan will gain his desired advantage and keep the members of the body of Christ children in understanding.  In each of the six doctrinal topics introduced in the first message, we can see Paul's understanding and appreciation of the Satanic policy of evil that is directed against the saints.  This study focuses on exploring those, and in so doing, coming to an understanding of the significance of these matters to our growth in godly edification.

In this message, we begin working through the six doctrinal topics of the series on an individual basis.  Accordingly, the first matter of which Paul does not want the saints ignorant is that of what was deposited with him by the Lord Jesus Christ and committed to the trust of his apostles.  Namely, God's separate purpose to proclaim the benefits of Christ's redemption among all nations through a direct ministry of God to the Gentiles.  For the first time since Babel, God has a message directly to and about Gentiles in relation to the grace & peace provided in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  Along with that good news, the body of doctrine called "the faith" that is for our "obedience" was given to Paul for us.  The importance of this issue to the matter of our godly edifying is of first importance after we are saved, thus it is an issue that we must not be ignorant of.  We begin exploring this matter by considering the context of Romans 1 and what it says to us about where our godly edifying will take place.

In this message, we continue to examine the subject of Paul's unique apostleship.  The foundational understanding that we gained from the context of Romans 1 is amplified with the additions of passages such as Galatians 1 and Ephesians 3.  In all of these, it is clear that a revelation of Jesus Christ had been committed to Paul's trust.  What exactly does that mean? shat does it concern?  and what did Paul have to say about it? Examining these passage closer allows us to observe the primary issues of his unique apostleship & the will of God made known by him for for the dispensation of the grace of God for us Gentiles.

In this message, we continue to look at the essential matter of understanding the distinctiveness of Paul's apostleship and especially focus on the authority given to him by Christ for our edification.  In the instructions of Paul to Timothy, we see not only Paul's emphasis on the doctrine committed to his trust, but also the effectual purpose of it among the saints and the necessary work of keeping the doctrine pure to the will of God for today.  The matter is not one of exalting Paul the man, but manifesting the truth of the Lord's exceeding abundant grace and what has been shewn forth by it first in Paul.

In this message, we transition into the second of six essential matters of grace doctrine of which Paul warns us not to be ignorant.  In relation to the uniqueness of Paul's separation as the apostle of the Gentiles comes also the revelation of the mystery, and with it the various mysteries that have now been made manifest.  The impact of what the Lord Jesus Christ brought to light with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus truly alters the way in which the biblical record must be read in view of God's activity in the world during the present time.  What has happened to Israel & God's covenant promises to her?  Hath God cast away His people?  How do we understand the place of Gentiles in the present dispensation?  These question and others begin to be considered in this message as we set the stage for the exhortation to "Be Not Ignorant" concerning the mystery & Israel's temporary blindness.

In this message, we take a survey of the prophetic program and God's declared purpose with the nation Israel.  Without a proper, working understanding of God's intent with Israel, the mystery revealed in the present dispensation will not be appreciated for the unnatural operation of God that it is.  Through a proper understanding of the scriptures that are written for our learning, we position ourselves to both recognize and adequately value what God has in operation today apart from the elect nation.  For that reason, the majority of this message is geared toward a brief synopsis of Israel's history with a focus on the truth that nothing revealed in prophecy speaks of the "blindness in part" that has happened to them in the present time.

In this message, we take a final look at the mystery and Israel's temporary blindness by adding some additional verses and concepts from Romans 9-11.  Working from the foundation laid in the last few messages, we are able to properly place the mystery along the prophetic timeline and see how that is truly is an interruption to prophecy.  We also look at the appeal of Paul and the danger he sees in remaining ignorant of the truth of this mystery.  His warning about becoming wise in our own conceits is set in view because man's vain wisdom will always twist and contort the glory and truth of God when left it his own devices.  For this reason, we cannot afford to be ignorant and look to our Apostle Paul to tell us "the truth in Christ."

In this message, we begin to examine the third instance of the key expression for the study and Paul's admonition not to be ignorant of the privilege and purpose of our godly sanctification.  Being that this is the first message and that the exhortation arises in the midst of the epistle, we spend the hour exploring some of the background material set forth in the earlier chapters of 1 Corinthians.  The design in this is to able to place the contents of 1 Corinthians 10 within the proper frame to adequately appreciate its charge.  Setting the table is the objective for this study so that we might feast upon the richness of Paul's instructions in the following lessons.

In this message, we build on the principles of the former lesson and begin to explore the example of Israel in regard to the matter of godly sanctification.  In 1 Cor. 10, Paul recounts the redemption and sanctification of the nation Israel from Egypt.  As the LORD mightily delivered them and brought them into the wilderness, He spread a table for their spiritual education without discrimination.  The spiritual meat and drink He fed them with was for their spiritual good.  All of them received the benefits of the LORD, but with some of them God was not well pleased.  In this is a lesson that closely parallels the benefits given to us, the members of the body of Christ and therefore serves as a great admonition for our warning, which Paul expertly presents to us by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

In this message, we conclude our examination of Paul's third admonition to be not ignorant of the privilege and purpose of godly sanctification.  Looking again into 1 Corinthians 10, we further establish the spiritual parallel drawn from Israel to ourselves and consider the idolatrous influences that may shape our conduct and behavior in ways that lead to loss at the judgment seat of Christ.  We look at the stark contrast between the spirit of the world and the spirit which is of God and what they teach.  Will we yield to the godly sanctification of the Father in the Son and by the Spirit?  Or will we lust after evil things and walk in the pride and lust of this world?  These are the questions considered as we study the word of God together.

In this message, we begin to consider the subject of spiritual gifts and the abounding confusion that exists within the body of Christ today.  We talk briefly of the varying ideas surrounding the subject and of the danger of trying to form our viewpoints around internet theology.  We discuss the necessity of understanding the real issue of the Spirit's concern in giving the gifts at all in order to form a proper basis for receiving the godly view on the matter that comes from the mind of Christ.  For this, we look to our Apostle Paul whose Spirit inspired letter gives us a large section of doctrine that addresses the points of confusion and provides the clarification the church needs on this important topic.

In this message, we continue in 1 Corinthians 12 by looking at Paul's address of the matter and use of spiritual gifts.  In the verses examined today, we search for the heart of the Spirit's will in the gifts.  Rather than the promotion of individual members, the profit of the body is in primary view.  The body is not one member, but many.  As such all members receive profit as the good of the whole is pursued.  This body thinking was to guide the use of spiritual gifts for the Corinthians and in it we learn of the charity of the Spirit that God designed to be at work as the members have the same care one for another.  This overarching view of charity is the controlling factor of importance, and as Paul teaches, a more excellent way would be shown for the operation of God to be accomplished in the saints.

In this message, we conclude our brief examination of spiritual gifts by focusing our attention on the "more excellent way."  The gifts were good for the purpose for which they were given.  The Spirit of God was responsible for their distribution and diversification and the best gifts are what the Corinthians were exhorted to "covet earnestly."  However, the gifts themselves were of no value without the edifying work of the Spirit in the charity of God.  Charity alone is profitable in edification, therefore, the matter of importance to God is the furtherance of this spiritual work.  Charity never faileth.  For this reason, charity is the bond of perfectness and the more excellent way was coming in which all of the body would be equipped to speak the truth in love.  The childish things were to be put away, and the perfect man was grow on in the fulness of Christ as set forth in the completed, written word of God.  These matters and others are explored in this study.

In this message, we begin examining the topic of sufferings and the pattern that is set forth in the Apostle Paul.  Paul experienced great trouble in the ministry of grace.  He was constantly and continually harassed, persecuted and attacked for the message he had been given to proclaim.  His trouble was great; he was pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that he despaired even of life.  Nevertheless, Paul never fainted.  He never was utterly left without hope and he was never defeated in the ministry.  How?  Why?  The answer is in what he understood about the consolation and who he had learned God to be as "the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."  Paul learned to look at the trouble through different eyes enlightened with the knowledge of God and the purpose in His will in sufferings during the dispensation of grace.  This study provides the primer to these issues and sets the stage for upcoming studies concerning this topic.

In this message, we continue looking at the topic of sufferings by considering the the various types of sufferings that we may encounter in this world, and the proper perspective to begin setting our expectations around the Lord's activities relative to them.  There are a variety of categories of sufferings.  Some sufferings we can control and mitigate; others we cannot.  In any case, God has provided for our sufferings with provisions of grace, and while these might not be of the sort that we would expect, they are nevertheless effectual unto God's intended end.  God intervenes in our sufferings, but it is in the inner man rather than the outer man.  These and other important concepts are touched upon in this study.

In this message, we wrap up our consideration of sufferings in the dispensation of grace by reinforcing the inner nature of the supply that God our Father has made available to us through the Spirit.  It is important to understand that the consolation, salvation and deliverance of God in our sufferings are in the inner man.  The Lord has not provided for the events of deliverance in our outer man, but rather given us the high privilege of a perpetual deliverance within to His honor and glory.  This is by the sufficiency of God.  His grace is a power that is sufficient to carry us through the to the finish, and in our weaknesses puts on display a power of God that far excels the most elaborate power that He could ever show in our inner man.  With a renewed mind and a spiritual outlook, we find the proper view on sufferings in the dispensation of grace and see the calling that we have of God to show forth the excellency of His power in our earthen vessels.

In this message, we introduce the final topic of the series and seek to provide context to the topics of concern.  Under the umbrella of the title "Concluding Events" we gather details of those events which conclude, or lead to the conclusion, of life as known ahead of the earthly reign of Christ relative to where we presently stand in time.  This means that concluding events involve matters related to the conclusion on our lives on earth in physical death, the conclusion of the present dispensation of the grace of God with our blessed hope (rapture) and salvation from the wrath to come, and the conclusion of the times/seasons of the day of the Lord as Israel's program is resumed after our departure.  Setting the stage for the next few studies and stressing the importance of these matters is the key concern in this message.

In this message, we continue our study of concluding events by focusing upon the topic of physical death.  Part of the ignorance that needs to be removed with the saints is what has taken place when our brothers and sisters in Christ died in the Lord.  What is it that actually happened when the event of their death occurred?  Do they still exists?  Where are they in this present time?  What is our hope in connection with them.  Answering these questions for a vast selection of verses is our aim in this study.  The answers equip us to understand the terminology of death as "sleep" and the hope that we have in relation to what the gospel promises for those in Christ according to the mystery.

In this message, we continue to move through the concluding event of life concerning physical death by taking a look at the topic of resurrection a little more closely.  While resurrection was touched on the the last message, this study seeks to enhance the understanding by distinguishing between the resurrections made known in time past versus what was given to Paul in a mystery.  Our resurrection, and consequently our hope concerning them which sleep in Jesus, is a truth that Paul had to make known to us "by the word of the Lord."   The reason:  there are fruits of victory in Christ's resurrection that were hidden in God according to His great love for us, the body of Christ.  Understanding the doctrine concerning this victorious hope is essential to our comfort.  We must not be ignorant of it, for therein do we find the effectual hope that is designed by God to work in us and whereby we may "comfort one another with these words."

In this message, we begin to consider further details concerning the blessed hope of our rapture.  In addition to the mystery resurrection issues associated with it, there are other aspects of blessedness that attend with the design of imparting hope to us in our times of temporal sorrow.  Our hope is not generic with the promise of a general resurrection, nor is it simply the mystery nature of it as given to Paul; rather our hope is specific in the personal nature of it and the timing in which it all occurs.  Endeavoring to begin to understand these further aspects of the hope is the subject of this lesson as we focuson especially upon 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

In this message, we continue examining 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and the three "with" statements that attend the Lord's descending from heaven at the event of our Rapture.  Having discussed the "shout" in the last message, the focus in Lesson 22 is "the voice of the archangel" and "the trump of God."  We explore a host of passages from Israel's scripture in order to be able to identify the archangel and to highlight his role in connection with the resumption of God's program with Israel.  Additionally, we touch on the trump of God and the significance that it has to our resurrection and the redemption of the body.

In this message, we begin to consider the contrast between prophecy and mystery; our comforting hope versus the terror of the Lord's day.  The contrast is highlighted starkly in a comparison of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 with 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3.  As we begin to broach this final subject of the series, our focus is to point out the nature of the contrast and also to begin looking at the terminology of prophecy that sits in the passage.  As we do this, we begin to see that Paul's purpose is to strongly establish our hope in contradistinction to the wrath to come.  We are not Israel; we are not appointed to wrath; and the hope of this salvation serves us as an helmet to keep our minds from being soon shaken by the troubles that would come against our hope.  This message is designed to set to the table and begin to get a taste of what 1 Thessalonians 5 has to offer for our edification.

In this message, we focus on defining the timeframe associated with "the day of the Lord." Does this include the revelation of Christ from heaven & the kingdom of God on earth only?  Or is there more time involved?  Is the sudden destruction described by Paul indicative of the great and terrible day of the LORD at the end of the tribulation?  Or is there more?  Running a variety of references and understanding the detail behind this phrasing is important to the establishment of our hope.  This message focuses on accomplishing that task.

In this message, we finalize the series by considering the remaining verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 that pertain to the subject at hand.  After having set forth the contrast between our hope as the Body of Christ and the coming of the day of the Lord upon the grace rejecting world, Paul turns again to reconfirm the comfort of the saints by assuring us that we will not be partakers in that day.  This study focuses upon that contrast as seen in the language of the text and also takes a brief look at the reasons Paul gives for why we know we have not been appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.