The Bible: The Big Picture, pages 8-10

This sermon continues a study through "The Bible: The Big Picture," focusing on the essential principle of rightly dividing the word of Truth as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15. We establish that while all of Scripture is for every believer's benefit, not all of it is addressed to every believer in every age. God's revelation has unfolded progressively across time, and faith has always been required for salvation, but the content of that faith has differed according to what God revealed at each point in history. The sermon emphasizes that salvation has always been by grace through faith, never by works, and that in the current dispensation of grace, salvation is entirely apart from any human effort or merit. Works-based additions to the gospel -- whether water baptism, law-keeping, or any other requirement -- corrupt the pure grace of the gospel. The sermon also introduces the theme of Christ as the creator over all creation, both in heaven and on earth, with the expectation that all things will one day be gathered together under His authority.