The Whole Counsel of God February 28, 2016
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned (withheld) to declare unto you all the (whole) counsel of God.
What a tremendous statement. Paul didn’t hold anything back. Paul was speaking to the Ephesian (fully purposed) saints. How could he claim to know all the counsel of God? Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Lord.
Colossians 1:25-26 Whereof (the church) I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil (complete) the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest (revealed) to his saints:
Paul was given this dispensation, which means a stewardship. He was the housekeeper for the Church age. God reveled this to Paul to fulfil (complete) the word of God. In the Old Testament there are many things that are types and shadows – but now they are revealed to us through Paul’s gospel.
What is meant by “the whole counsel of God”? It is God’s will, His plan and purpose for this age. Paul’s gospel. The gospel of Grace and Glory.
The Wonderful Doctrine:
1. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Eph. 2:8). This message is to whosoever will.
2. The security of the believer. We have been given eternal life and will never perish (John 10:28). This is important to know or you will never grow.
3. Two natures. Born of God our new nature (Christ’s life in us) cannot sin (I John 3:9) but as long as we are in the flesh we still have the old sinful nature (our old man). But, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).
4. We can be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The Spirit of truth dwelleth with you and shall be in you (John 14:17). We need the Holy Spirit. He takes the things of Christ and makes them ours (John 16:15). He gives us the power to overcome.
5. There is only one church made up of all who believe in this age. Jesus is the Head and the church is His body (Col 1:18). We love the Head and the body.
6. We are heirs of God and can be joint-heirs with Christ if we suffer together with Him (Romans 8:17).
7. Jesus is going to have a bride. The whole church is not the bride. He will marry a mature woman, not a babe. Someone whole hearted for Him, not one with a part in the world.
8. There are ranks in the resurrection (I Cor. 15:23). Some will be kept from the tribulation (Rev 3:10).
9. Jesus will come again, first for His bride, then for the rest of the church. Then after the tribulation He will return with His saints and setup His kingdom and reign for 1,000 years. Israel will be the head of the nations.
10. We are not in the kingdom age, we are in the church age. Learning the dispensations will greatly affect our understanding of the scriptures.
Are these things strange to you? Are you thinking, I never heard that before, or my church doesn’t teach that? Don’t go by what you have heard in the past. Be like the Bereans, they searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things Paul said were so (Acts 17:11).
All things are in harmony in the word of God. Be filled with the Spirit and He will show you. Then you will say, “I know, that I know, that I know!”
Acts 20:20 And how I kept back (withheld) nothing that was profitable unto you,
What is profitable? The word of God!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect (complete), throughly furnished (fully equipped) unto all good works.
The true, eternal, everlasting riches! Should we hold back some doctrine because it might offend someone? Did Jesus ever offend anyone with His teachings? At one point we read that many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Don’t turn back because it is too hard to understand. Or don’t be too stubborn in your flesh. Ask Him and He will reveal it to you.
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Sanctified means holy, set apart for God, saints. If you are not hearing the whole counsel, you are being robbed of your inheritance. Jesus died that we would have more abundant life. Our riches are in Heaven. The inheritance is the best place - in the midst of the throne as His bride. So let’s treasure the Word of God. Let the Spirit reveal the whole counsel of God to you.
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Sermon Topics: The Whole Counsel of God