Thanks. I've heard all about dispensationalism. I just am not convinced.
Just what is it that you are not convinced of? It is one thing to be unaware of the truth. No doubt, the so called "church" we see all over the place today comprised of hundreds of denominations has kept the mysteries to which we are stewards (1 Corinthians 4:1-2 KJV), just that...mysteries. But to reject the truth after being shown is quite another.
The world was ripe for God's judgment at the stoning of Stephen (the last straw-so to speak), but rather than judgment coming (the wrath to come) God saved the chief of sinners (Acts 9 KJV, 1 Timothy 1:13-16 KJV), His biggest enemy (Galatians 1:13-16 KJV) and through His apostleship/his "office" (Romans 11:13 KJV, 1 Timothy 2:7 KJV, 2 Timothy 1:11-12 KJV) by the unscheduled appearance(s)/revelations from the risen, glorified Lord Jesus Christ to and through him~God began a mystery body, time, gospel and destination.
1 Corinthians 4:15-17 KJV For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Without the form of sound words in Romans-Philemon (2 Timothy 1:13 KJV) how do you know that you have any hope at all (Ephesians 2:11-12 KJV)? How would you know what God has done for you?
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV says study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
"needeth not to be ashamed" implies a judgment somewhere. And it's called the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV) which is only for those who are saved/ in the Body of Christ.
Paul says he is the wise master builder according to the grace of God that was given unto him and that you should take heed how you build thereupon. Your work will be made manifest for the day shall declare it. If it abides the fire you will receive a reward. If not, it will be burned. You shall suffer loss yet still be saved yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 KJV For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Your loss. That is, if you're saved~ Are you?
Paul filled up that which was behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh for His body's sake, which is the church:
Colossians 1:23-25 KJV If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Colossians 1:26-28 KJV Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Paul became a prisoner of Jesus Christ for YOU Gentiles.
Acts 22:21-24 KJV And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. 22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. 23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, 24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
Ephesians 3:1-6 KJV For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 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; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Unto Paul, was this grace given that he should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ:
Ephesians 3:7-9 KJV Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Again, what is it you are not convinced of? Standing in the form of sound words of the apostle Paul to the church, the Body of Christ doesn't make one very popular. Is that part of your struggle?
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
2 Timothy 1:8-10 KJV Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
I'm guessing that you have a stricter definition of being "saved" than I do. But regardless, I still don't think the church service is intended to make sure everyone is saved.
That remains to be seen. Let's find out. How is one saved in this age?