511 – Paul's Prize in Literature

God

511 – Paul's Prize in Literature

How do we know anything about the Apostle Paul? It's through the God-breathed Scriptures—the Believer's Prize in Literature. The Church Epistles are the most fantastic literature ever written because they teach all the truth we need to live more abundantly, be successful, and experience personal victories.

^KJV Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ² (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) ³ Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; ⁴ And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: ⁵ By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: ⁶ Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: ⁷ To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; ¹⁰ Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”

Spiritual gifts are our gifts for ministry and service. Given to every believer when they get born again. Paul wants to show all the Believers how they can utilize the holy spirit to minister and to serve others.

Romans 1:12 – 17 “That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. ¹³ Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. ¹⁵ So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Ephesians 4:11 – 24 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. ¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, ¹⁸ Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: ¹⁹ Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But ye have not so learned Christ; ²¹ If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Ephesians 2:1 – 3 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: ³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

verse 4 [Just the first two words] “But God,” 

The church Epistles teach us how to walk in power, be successful, and achieve personal victories. This work is going on in our minds.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 – 11 “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; ³ Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; ⁴ Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. ⁵ For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. ⁶ And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: ⁷ So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. ⁹ For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; ¹⁰ And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 2:1 – 13 “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: ² But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. ³ For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: ⁴ But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. ⁵ For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: ⁶ Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: ⁸ So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. ⁹ For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: ¹¹ As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, ¹² That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. ¹³ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

Paul's written words were a small part of what Paul did in his service. For example, he must have taught Timothy hundreds of times during the two years he spent in Ephesus. What was recorded in God's Word is so much information in a few words overall—a masterpiece of literature.

May God Bless you Abundantly

Steve

If you would like to study the Bible further, consider reviewing the Online Classes and Teachings page and the podcast page of the website https://stevejaynes.com. They are all offered free of charge to assist in your spiritual growth and confidence in God.

The Third Edition

The Third Edition of the book "How to Read the Bible for Understanding and Power" is now available. The website will provide information about the new book and how to purchase it.

Credits

Intro and Outro Music: Larry LoVerme's version of “Be Thou My Vision.”

Information

You can visit our website to stay informed about all the activities we're undertaking here with our podcast. Here's the link: https://stevejaynes.com/

Zoom-dial-in

Podcast listeners, you are invited to join us on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 AM EST. To participate, click on the website (https://stevejaynes.com/zoom-dial-in) and join the meeting. We use this link for all our fellowships.

Listener-supported podcast.

Thank you to all who help support The More Abundant Life podcast. We are a listener-supported podcast. I want to thank those who generously support the podcast so it stays available. The podcast is heard worldwide by those who want to understand the Bible accurately when they read it. Your support helps maintain the accuracy of the Word available worldwide, as listeners can freely access these podcasts wherever they receive their podcasts. Once again, thank you for supporting me.

We believe the Bible is the revealed Word and will of God. The Bible means what it says and says what it means. We allow the Word of God to speak for itself by applying key principles to interpret the Bible. As a 100% listener-supported podcast, we do not sell any advertising or sponsorships. The podcast is for only those who favour letting the Word of God speak for itself. If you'd like to support the podcast, please visit stevejaynes.com. On the top of every page, there's a donate button.

Don’t forget to rate the show and leave a positive review. An excellent rating could make the show more accessible to a broader audience.

Contact Information

Contact information can be found at the bottom of the website's homepage. To ask biblical questions about what I shared from any of my podcasts, feel free to send your questions or something you'd like to share to my X account. (1) Steve Jaynes (@SteveJaynes) / X