“The Dispensation of the Mystery — Part 2: The Fullness of the Sufferings of Christ Given to Paul for Our Example”

The apostle Paul is our example not only regarding our salvation by grace but also in regards to our living under grace.  In this message, we learn one of the profound consequences of being a member of Christ's Body church, the church of this dispensation of the grace of God.  As members of Christ's Body, we are intimately connected to him, meaning we receive much in spiritual blessing including his resurrection quality of life.  A key verse to examine is in Col. 1 where it is written that we also have received Christ himself:  " . . .  the riches of the glory of this mystery, Christ in you the hope of glory."  The benefits of this are on many levels, some of which we consider here in this message although others will be reserved for a future time.  But the other side of this is in the area of suffering.  If we are intimately connected to Christ, then he is also intimately connected to us.  So as we suffer in this world, he does as well.  That is a major teaching of Pauls and we examine it in this message today.