Grace Bible Church
Pastor Robert R. McLaughlin
Wednesday November 1, 2017
Glorifying God is an area that makes us look at the term; putting the horse before the cart. Because most Bels want to focus on action & deeds first, staying busy in the PPOG.
Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, Anexichniastos= Beyond human comprehension, unsearchable or untraceable
Eph 3:8 points to an unsearchable, unfathomable, beyond human comprehension set of riches/wealth that surpass all human abundance and it is only found in The Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 3:9 Paul states his mission as a teacher of truth …bring to light what is the administration of the mystery. This scripture in original context is to be a mandate for pastor-teachers to teach Mystery Doctrine.
Eph 3:10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This is reference to angels learning from Bels who grow in God’s plan.
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
We gain greater strength & maturity through a wisdom only received through the mind of Christ.
From Eph 3:8 thru 16, we see the building blocks for glorifying God in the Angelic Conflict.
Psa 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth
Eph 3:17 the breadth and length and height and depth of Mystery Doctrine of the Church-Age!
Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
It is only Christ’s divine love that is beyond human I.Q. and emotions, that brings us to a maturity.
Eph 3:21 to Him (God) be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen
Prin- The glorification of God by means of the Church (Eph 3:21) occurs when the Bel. attains different levels of spiritual maturity. Then the believer is said to be “filled with all the fullness of God,” (Eph 3:19).
1Pet 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
1Cor 4:9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
2Pet 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
2Pet 3:17 unprincipled men- Athesmos, this has a meaning of a law breaker, an unrestrained person who follows no rule or law set in front of them. Selfish passions or lusts are his/her focus.
You know false doctrines have set up a home base in a Bel’s soul structure when they are faced with the truth of scripture but still cling to what they have been falsely taught elsewhere.
The stubbornness to cling to a false doctrine many times comes from a place of laziness. That person knows if they accept the lie they will not have to make changes or grow any further to pursue a relationship with God. RESPONSIBILTY!
Spiritual self-esteem is a cognitive self-confidence.
Spiritual autonomy is a cognitive independence.
Spiritual maturity is a cognitive courage, (invisible hero).
Spiritual self-esteem is a cognitive self-confidence. This is not an arrogant attitude about self but a strength that begins to develop toward your relationship with God. You have begun to understand & use PSD’s.
Spiritual autonomy is a cognitive independence. This is an independence from worldly viewpoint and a stronger dependence upon Godly viewpoint. Skills like Faith Rest & personal sense of destiny take root! A real love relationship with Lord is developing.
Spiritual maturity is a cognitive courage, (invisible hero). This stage is where you can be tested at a deeper level, and no matter what the test your faith is not shaken!
At SM there is a dauntless (courage) attitude in the face of adversity. Even though you may occasionally stumble you are quickly locked back into your walk with God.
The Bel glorifies God when he rises upward beyond (gnosis) knowledge (Eph 3:19) into the life far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,(Eph 3:20).
The life beyond gnosis is epignosis, the consistent function of post-salvation epistemological rehabilitation. Big theological term for knowledge gained from studies in scripture. BD circulating in the soul structure, NT doctrinal principles learned & applied.
You must understand the mystery doctrine of the Church Age which is found in the New Testament epistles, for it contains all the mechanics for the plan of God in this dispensation
The only Christian service and production that counts is the production that results from perception of doctrine, walking by means of the HS and applying it.
Spiritual growth is not measured in works; spiritual growth is measured in momentum. When there is spiritual momentum, there will be production.
Reception of BD is the #1 priority.
Retention - metabolization of Bible doctrine.
Recall - the concept of wisdom; it refers to the application of doctrine.