Category: The Church the Body of Christ

Training Replacements #11

Friday, June 20, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

The Lord Jesus Christ has not been on planet Earth physically for 2,000 years. However, He did send the Holy Spirit to take His place. Firstly, the Holy Spirit came upon the Little Flock, Israel’s believing remnant, in Acts chapter 2: He enlightened the people of God as touching prophecy (today’s Scripture). Secondly, the Holy Spirit’s ministry moved over to Paul’s ministry and the Gentiles in chapter 9, after unbelieving Israel had fallen and mystery had interrupted prophecy.

Acts 26:16-18 describes our Apostle Paul’s commissioning: “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I [the Lord Jesus Christ] have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee [‘apostle’ = ‘sent one’], To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

First Corinthians 4:1,2 likens Paul unto a “steward”—a household manager who distributes his master’s goods throughout the estate as his master directs. Paul delivers (“dispenses”) to us information the Lord Jesus Christ directly gave to him: this is the 13 Pauline epistles, Romans to Philemon, or what the Bible calls “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1,2). Here is how Christ lives His life in and through us as members of the Church the Body of Christ. Unless we know God’s will to and about us, we cannot work with Him by faith in accomplishing His will. If we do not hold firm to that sound doctrine, our lives and ministries are simply the works of sinful flesh.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Training Replacements #10

Thursday, June 19, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Notice the phraseology of our King James Bible in Galatians 2:7: “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;….” These are two separate and distinct Gospel messages, one given to Peter (Peter’s Gospel) and another given to Paul (Paul’s Gospel). Modern English versions do an extremely great disservice to their readers by retranslating it as “the gospel to the uncircumcision” and “the gospel to the circumcision”—thus teaching that Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel, but to different groups. We know this is wrong. Their Gospels themselves were opposites.

Whereas Gentiles blessed of God through Israel’s fall was the central point of Paul’s apostleship and Gospel (Romans 11:11-14), Gentiles blessed of God through Israel’s rise to kingdom glory was the heart of Peter’s apostleship and Gospel (Acts 3:19-26). Paul learned nothing from Peter, but, the very reverse was true: Peter learned something from Paul. Even at the end of his earthly life, Peter struggled to understand that radical dispensational change that transpired when prophecy gave way to mystery (2 Peter 3:15,16).

Failing to make these distinctions between our Apostle Paul and Israel’s 12 Apostles, we will assume God is training us to replace Israel. NO! In the grand scheme of things, both prophecy and mystery, both Israel and the Church the Body of Christ, both entities and programs are necessary to fill the Heaven and the Earth with Christ’s life, God’s life.

The same Holy Ghost who revealed Christ’s doctrine to the 12 in prophecy (today’s Scripture), reveals to us Christ’s doctrine through Paul in mystery: “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;…” (Ephesians 3:4,5). Here is Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon….

Reaping and Sowing #11

Saturday, May 31, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

What we do now will literally make a difference in eternity, one way or the other. Not only will we reap what we sow, others will reap what we sow too. For instance, when we believers arrive in Heaven, we will see all the people we influenced for the Lord’s glory (as in 2 Corinthians 1:13,14 and 1 Thessalonians 2:19,20)—it will even be souls we never heard of or expected! Whether missionary work funded, Gospel tracts distributed, Bible sermons preached, or Christian literature written, our ministry labors according to sound doctrine will reach far beyond this lifetime and out into forever.

Similarly, once unbelievers wake up in Hell, they will see all the people they influenced for the Devil’s glory. Their books, religions, lectures, television and radio broadcasts, schools, and so on, all contributed to the damnation of the souls they now meet suffering torments with them. Some of the most diabolical, heretical, and apostate teachers of church history existed during the first few centuries after Christ. Their theological systems are still with us today—especially in many of our “Christian” schools which yield graduates who fill our pulpits, classrooms, and bookshelves with utter worthlessness.

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting [overturning, overthrowing] of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker [disease]: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:14-18). False teaching invented hundreds of years ago still traps people in spiritual kindergarten and still leads people to Hell—“increase unto more ungodliness.” Let us be aware of and avoid sowing this bad seed. Also, let us mark and plant the good seed, that we receive a good harvest as opposed to a bad reaping.

Saints, we now close 14 full years of “333 Words of Grace!” 🙂

Reaping and Sowing #10

Friday, May 30, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

Two more excellent cross-references to today’s Scripture (or, better yet, Galatians 6:7-9) are as follows. As before, these point to the Judgment Seat of Christ of Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, and 2 Corinthians 5:9,10—reward (stemming from good—gold, silver, precious stones) versus loss of reward (originating from bad—wood, hay, stubble).

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free” (Ephesians 6:5-8). “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Colossians 3:22-25).

These passages are directed to and are about servants (employees) in the secular world, indeed, but they are just as applicable to all of us Christians because we in the spiritual world are God’s servants (Romans 6:22) or the Lord’s servants (2 Timothy 2:24). It is the same grace living, the same fundamental grace principles. Again, we can sow to the flesh or sow to the Spirit, and the reaping will be proportional to it (check Galatians 6:7-9 again, plus Galatians 5:13-26 and Romans 8:1-15). There is a short-term result (victorious Christian living or death of the Christian life) as well as a long-term harvest (reward or loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ).

We now summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Reaping and Sowing #9

Thursday, May 29, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

Again, the old farmers’ words of wisdom are, “We reap what we sow, we reap more than we sow, and we reap later than we sow.” Our works lead to specific ends, those ends are more multiplied than we originally supposed, and those results might not arise for a long time. This third point will be most evident at one of two judgments in the ages to come.

The first judgment on the Bible timeline will be the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10). At that time, the earthly service of the members of the Church the Body of Christ will be evaluated. What was the sort (quality, type) of the doctrine we put into our inner man? Was it gold, silver, precious stones—rightly divided Scripture? Or, was it wood, hay, stubble—empiricism/scientific method, church tradition, intuition? What men found “scholarly,” impressive, or “godly” on earth might be worth nothing at the Judgment Seat of Christ! If it was not grace teaching and grace living, it will indeed be burned up! Based on our maturity level, Christ will determine what governmental ranks we will fill in Heaven as individuals.

The other judgment is the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). At that time, all the lost souls of the ages stand before Jesus Christ—the very Christ they refused—to be sentenced to the Lake of Fire. Doubtless, there will be degrees of punishment, the severity of their penalty dependent on two factors—how much spiritual light the individual rejected (Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:22,24; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12,14) and how much influence that person had in the world (Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:46,47; James 3:1).

In the natural realm, seeds planted in the ground might take many years to sprout (and this is because environmental conditions have to be just right to maximize survival). Likewise, the outcomes of our stupid choices are not readily apparent—it might take days, weeks, months, decades, or centuries. Above all, they will be fully realized either at the Judgment Seat of Christ (believers) or the Great White Throne Judgment (unbelievers)….

To Be Seen and Heard #20

Sunday, April 6, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?” (NO!)

It bears many labels—showing off, publicizing, theatrics, advertising, pageantry, performance, being flashy, headline-seeking, flaunting, pontificating, acting pretentiously or ostentatiously, showboating, grandstanding, wishing for a pat on the back or head, wanting applause or award, making a fair shew in the flesh, being “thirsty” (slang), aiming to be seen and heard of men. Someone is in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference!” They crave approval, recognition, approbation, regard. We would be wise not only to decline the invitation to join them but also to stay as far away from that meeting as possible.

Foreshadowing the future Antichrist, blasphemous King Herod Agrippa I attempted to be seen and heard as God’s replacement in Acts chapter 12. He silenced God’s preachers (verses 1-4) before God hushed him (verses 20-23)! “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (verse 24). Likewise, today, man’s standing ovations cease, clapping fades, trophies tarnish and melt, certificates tatter and burn, social clubs vanish, online personal profiles shut down… all are drowned out as God commends and praises His people for faithful service rendered to Him. Brethren in Christ, heart faith in sound Bible doctrine should underlie everything we say and do. Christian living is not blindly following people, denominations, religious organizations, et cetera. Outward shows do not matter, as we are not to desire man’s approval anyway but rather God’s praise. All that counts forever is to be seen and heard of God, not seen and heard of men.

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). “But he that glorieth [boasts, finds value in], let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth” (2 Corinthians 10:17,18). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

-FINIS!-

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

To Be Seen and Heard #19

Saturday, April 5, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Remember, the Antichrist of the ages to come will be the utmost fulfillment of Romans 1:25. He will be seen and heard, people worshipping and serving him instead of the living and true God of creation (Daniel 7:11,25; Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Revelation 13:5,6: “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Though Antichrist will be seen and heard, that will be short-lived. The Lord Jesus Christ will be seen and heard as His radiant and thunderous return through the skies extinguishes Antichrist and the remainder of Satan’s evil world system! “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [hear!], and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [see!]:…” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). “And I saw heaven opened, and behold [look!] a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war…. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [listen!], that with it he should smite the nations…” (Revelation 19:11,15).

Some are so desperate for attention and relevance they are on a crusade to attack those who are at the center of attention, for they would otherwise be ignored or forgotten. These desperate individuals are Satan, sinful man, and all fallen angels, who would be “nobodies” had it not been for their publicized revolt against their Creator God. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, we are neither at the center of attention nor should we care to be. No one needs to know about us. Read John 3:26-31. When John the Baptist was asked if he was concerned that people were leaving him to follow Jesus Christ, John was at peace, for he knew he was nothing whereas Christ was everything: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” We give a hearty “Amen!”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

To Be Seen and Heard #18

Friday, April 4, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Unfortunately, certain individuals make sure they are the largest monetary donors at their local church… just to have their names placed on the public bulletin board. Others will gladly compromise with false doctrine to get a pat on the head or slap on the back from eminent “scholars” who have those same perverted views. Indeed, temporary membership in some elite manmade club is far more important to them than God’s eternal approval. Look and listen closely, for you will see and hear them on a daily basis. They broadcast on “Christian” radio and television shows, strut in pulpits, write books and “worship” songs, organize ministry projects, and teach at seminaries (Bible cemeteries).

In our computer-based world, man is more obsessed than ever with growing a “fan base.” For example, a “social-media influencer” is someone who believes his or her opinion about a product, idea, and so on, matters to such a high degree that they strive to advertise it so everyone knows. For the sake of making a name and money for themselves, they are flashy, pretentious, ostentatious, showy, flamboyant, outrageous, extravagant. There is nothing wrong with a woman looking nice with makeup or jewelry. Nevertheless, if she is wearing these simply to turn heads or make headlines, she has failed (!) miserably (!) to put more focus on the inner man (soul with sound Bible doctrine) and less on the outward man (temporary physical body) (1 Timothy 2:9,10; 1 Peter 3:1-4).

We must face it: man loves man. He loves looking in the mirror and he enjoys hearing himself. Recently, I was watching “Christian” television (HA!). One program featured a famous false teacher at the heart of the “health and wealth” movement (“prosperity theology”). Two other women were with her discussing shallow topics on the set. Ironically, she announced, “Are we doing it to glorify God or for ourselves?” Here are some pertinent details I omitted: as she moved her lips (“to be heard”), she was wearing her usual excessive makeup, abundant jewelry on her face and hands, and an expensive outfit (“to be seen”)!

Again, let us be on guard….

To Be Seen and Heard #17

Thursday, April 3, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Romans 16:17,18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” A false teacher uses charming words to form beautiful dialog to attract a following: their own heart, not our Lord Jesus Christ, is served. Philippians 3:19 marks them as “enemies of the cross” and says “whose God is their belly.”

Romans 1:25 is consummated in Daniel chapter 7: “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame… And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” (verses 11,25). Chapter 11, verse 36: “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

Second Thessalonians 2:3,4: “…that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” This Antichrist (not just “against Christ” but “replacement Christ”) will be seen and heard, “whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (verses 9,10). In verse 11, they believe a “lie” (cf. Romans 1:25). All that Lucifer or Satan planned (our present evil world) climaxes in this one man….

To Be Seen and Heard #16

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Those who desire to be seen and heard have to contribute—even if their contribution is worth nothing. They must do or say something—though it is pointless or meritless. “Freedom of speech” is an expression recognizable and regularly mentioned here in the United States, but it is a constitutional right that should be exercised responsibly. Just because we have the right to say it does not automatically mean we should say it. I can tell everyone I meet, “I am an idiot!” Yet, would it be sensible for me to do so? Of course not! Likewise, we have the liberty to teach false doctrine, but is it proper or worthwhile?

In Paul’s farewell epistle to Timothy, 2 Timothy, the Apostle penned in verses 3 and 4 of chapter 4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” These people are not interested in wholesome, healthy, reliable teaching worthy of their trust. Instead, their agenda is to locate and accumulate teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear (namely, a lie). Why would people prefer to hear lies? The lie feels good. It gives them a sense of false hope, confirming what they have already made up their mind to believe. To trust the truth would mean recanting the lie, so they dare not change their ways!

The ultimate lie is to substitute the creature for the Creator, man being seen and heard instead of God. Second Timothy chapter 3, verses 2 and 4: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;….” Of course, this is Romans 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Here is our present evil world, leading to the one final lie yet to come….