Simply By Grace Podcast

Charlie shares a message on Col. 2:16-23 and gives examples of how churches fall from grace into legalism. Many churches create rule after rule squeezing out grace. Paul warned of these types of churches and warned not just about legalism but to not be swayed by anything other than Christ.  So what is your attitude about the Law (Mosaic Law) and how does it apply in your life today? Are you still trying to earn God's favor and righteousness by doing things like keeping rules? If you're in a legalistic church, what can you do, where should your attitude be? How should we respond to legalism?  

Do you find yourself in difficult circumstances? You may be going through some type of suffering be it from COVID reprecussions or some other infirmity. Dr. Bing walks us through 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and describes how to use grace to help us through trying times. Grace is not just a theological term, but becomes practical when we need help. It is when we feel weak that we can find the strength that God provides through the grace of the Lord Jesus. His grace is sufficient.

The last in this series on Ecclesiastes, Dr. Bing takes us through the warnings about watching your words, knowing that a fool's voice is known by his many words and a wise person by few.  Honor God by the things we say. 

Ecclesiastes written by Solomon as an honest perspective about the world. Some things are still a puzzlement to him though and he mentions the word vanity 38 times. Solomon expresses it as a form of futility. In this chapter Dr. Bing walks us through Solomon's view on work and how work can often be futile.   So how do you make work worthwhile? What attitude and perspective should you have on work? We all have to work, but there are extremes, laziness to making it your entire life. So let's look at why work can be a vanity or futility and how to have a proper perspective on this gift God has given us.

"under the sun"...this phrase appears 29 times in the book of Ecclesiastes, and it is used by Solomon to describe what life is like in the human dimension without God. It's what life looks like here in our world.   In this chapter Dr. Bing walks us through Solomon's observation that there's injustice in the world. From shootings to pandemics, iniquity is there. If there is a good God, why does he let bad things happen?  Why would he allow them? How do we deal with it?   It's not until the end of the book that Solomon describes how to view life differently, from God's perspective.

Ecclesiastes is really about when we don't really understand life, we should trust God anyway.   Dr. Bing takes us through chapter 2 and in it he talks about the timing of events in our life, not just why, but when. We seem to question why things happen, but not often think about when.   For example, how do we make sense of the timing of tragedy or challenges in life? Let's remind ourselves of life's vanity (incomprehensibleness) and see what the wisdom of Solomon helps us understand God's timing in our lives.

We all want to have a good life, we all want to chase a good life. Do we ever really catch the good life by chasing after wordly things like a better home, location, cars, or other possessions?  Most people don't find the good life by catching success, but by rejoicing in something that's beyond this world. People look for fulfillment and some people try to fill that emptiness with many things. So what do we fill our life with?

Dr. Bing begins walking us through Ecclesiastes and addressing questions like, How do we find success to significance? How do we find meaning in our life?   Most people live a life of quiet desperation, yet we should number our days with wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Don't just count your days, make your days count. Don't just measure success, measure significance in the eyes of the Lord.   By following the wisdom of King Solomon in the scriptures, we can find true significance and meaning in our lives.

That’s the name of a new book written by pastor Gary Johnson of Westport Baptist Church in Indiana. In this interview with Pastor Gary, Charlie explains why he likes this book so much: It is clear, simple, and useful to someone without theological training or a deep knowledge of the Bible. Pastor Gary reviews his religious background that did not give him peace until he searched the Scriptures and came to understand and accept the teaching about eternal security. This interview also discusses some of the key Bible passages and the objection that eternal security encourages people to sin. You will enjoy hearing Gary’s heart and hopefully will get his book and share this podcast and video with others. Here is where you can hear more from pastor Gary: Podcast: Westport’s Words of Hope & Grace - One Verse At a Time (Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Lys2GdE8McfzsE4TxNbua, also available on: Youtube, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, Amazon Music, Deezer, Podchaser, and Podcast Addict). Book: You Are Eternally Secure: Count the Cost, But Know the Promise; Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Eternally-Secure-Count/dp/B0FKHNGXTC, or from Gary Johnson. Contact: pastorgary.westportbaptist@gmail.com #gracelifeministries #eternalsecurity #simplebygrace

Chapter 4 of Paul's epistle to the Galatian church is a declaration of the freedom believers have as sons of God, not slaves. The author reveals his heart's affection for his readers and his desire for them to live in the freedom that Christ brings. To illustrate the contrast between the Law that enslaves and the gospel of grace which liberates, Paul uses the analogy of two women in Genesis: Sarah and Hagar. Each had a son, but they were incompatible, so Hagar and her son had to be cast out. So too, the Law and grace are incompatible when it comes to how we are saved and sanctified. Believers are of the free woman, not the slave. #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries #longstoryshort #winterbibleschoolnewzealand

This final session covers chapters 5 and 6, where Paul exhorts his readers to stand strong in grace and resist those who want to enslave them to the Law. Should they go back to the Law, they will fall from grace, meaning they will no longer be under the blessings that come from God's promises because they are depending on their own efforts. If they really want to fulfill the Law, they should love one another. The liberty they have in the gospel of grace should be controlled by love, not license. Don't resort to legalism--stand strong in grace! Don't try to live by the Law, but live by the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit. Chapter 6 includes other exhortations that show how to display the love of Christ towards others. Paul's example was to boast only in the work of the cross, not in the work of his flesh. #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries #longstoryshort #winterbibleschoolnewzealand

As Paul continues his defense of his gospel of grace, he rebukes the Galatians for their inconsistent thinking that they can be sanctified, or finally justified, by works not faith. This leads to an explanation of the purpose of the Law. It was not given to sanctify us, but to expose our sin and lead us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Law did not replace the promise of God to Abraham to provide a Seed who would be our Savior. Since the promise comes by grace, not Law, faith is the chief principle for living, just as it was for salvation. #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries

As the Apostle Paul continues to defend his gospel of grace through faith in Christ alone, he explains how he did not compromise his message and ministry with the legalists. He uses Titus and an incident with Peter as examples. Paul had to rebuke Peter when Peter would not eat with Gentiles and thus Peter implicitly endorsed the Law as necessary for the Gentiles. This leads to a marvelous exposition of Paul's defense of justification through faith. It also allows him to declare that his life is defined by Christ living in and through Him, thus grace extends beyond initial salvation into sanctification. Paul will not neglect the grace of God! #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries

Galatians is a critical Bible book that shows how the gospel of grace is easily corrupted by the intrusion of works. Its emphasis on the grace of the gospel is one reason why Martin Luther called this book his "Katherine," who was his wife. In chapter 1, the Apostle Paul expresses his surprise and concern at how the readers had so soon been corrupted from his gospel to a different gospel. He argues that he received his gospel from Jesus Christ Himself. He did not change his message to win the approval of others. This message is needed today because the gospel of grace is still in danger of corruption by those who teach works or the law is a necessary component of salvation. #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries

In this very theological discussion based on GraceNotes no. 106, Charlie shows how the context helps us understand the assurances of the believer's future found in Romans 8:28-30. The surrounding contexts speak of the believer's future sharing in the glory of God through Christ in His millennial rule. The key to understanding the message of verses 28-30 is seeing our futures from God's timeless perspective. To Him, the past, present, and future are seen at once since He lives in "one eternal now." That is why the believer's glorification is as certain as his justification. It is as good as accomplished because God knows those who are His. His will does not work in exclusion of man's free will, but in congruence with it. The assurances of our future with Christ are as sure as God's Word and purposes. #AssuranceofSalvation#FreeGraceTheology#LordshipSalvation#SimplybyGrace

This GraceNotes episode begins a series of messages on the assurance of salvation. This is such an important subject because so many people struggle with doubts about their salvation. In this episode, from GraceNotes no. 73, we will see that Free Grace theology is the only theological perspective that can give a believer full assurance of salvation. Three alternate views are explained. First, Reformed Calvinism believes that the elect can be sure of their salvation, but the problem is, no one can be sure they are one of the elect until they die having persevered in their faith and obedience to the end of their life. Another theology, Arminianism, holds that a Christian can be sure of salvation if they are living obediently. However, they cannot be sure of future salvation because thatw obedience is not guaranteed. A third perspective can come from both theologies. It is Lordship Salvation, which teaches that we are saved by committing ourselves to Jesus as our Master, which is proven by our genuine faith, turning from sins, and our full commitment. However, since it is impossible to gauge these things, full assurance becomes unattainable. Free Grace is the only view that gives full assurance of salvation because it depends on God's work and performance, not the believer's. This view is the most biblical and allows for peace and confidence in the Christian's life.#AssuranceofSalvation#FreeGraceTheology#LordshipSalvation#SimplybyGrace

Flipping the question "What must I do to be saved" (Act 16:31) to "What must I do to be unsaved?" is a way to see all the things that have been accomplished in an individual's salvation. In order for someone to lose their salvation, there are many things that would have to be undone or reversed, if it was possible. Charlie duscusses twenty-two results of salvation that a believer would have to undo in order for a person to lose their salvation. Of course, Charlie believes Christians cannot lose their salvation, so a discussion of the irreversible results of salvation help us appreciate what God has done by His grace. It is hard to listen to this description of God's blessings given to us at salvation and believe that they can be lost or denied. This is a good listen for any who want to defend eternal security or help others find their security and assurance of salvation. #EternalSecurity #LoseSalvation #GraceLifeMinistries #SimplyByGrace

In Romans 11:22 some think that the Apostle Paul is warning that if an individual believer does not continue to live in God's goodness, but abusees that privilege, that believer will bt "cut off" or lose their salvation. That view, however, neglects the context. Paul is not addressing individuals, but the fate of two different peoples: The Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews are the natural branches that were broken off by the Lord because of their unbelief in the Messiah. God then turned to the Gentiles and when they believed, be grafted in these unnatural branches to enjoy the blessings given to the Jews. However, Paul warns, if the Gentiles do not continue in faithfulness to God's goodness, they can also be broken off from the blessings. This message is not a message to individual believers about losing their salvation. It is a warning to Gentiles as a group to not neglect the grace of God given to them in the gospel. #EternalSecurity #SimplyByGrace #GraceLifeMinistries

There is a different gospel being preached, one that differs from the gospel of grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. It is called Lordship Salvation, and many people will not recognize its subtlety--until they know what to look for. This episode explains what Lordship Salvation teaches about Faith, Repentance, Lordship, and Discipleship, then shows their erroneous thinking about these important issues. Also covered are the negative consequences of this perversion of the gospel. It affects one's assurance, motivation, Christian living, and interpretation of key Bible passages. The failure to see the distinctions between salvation and discipleship, or justification and sanctification, is a crucial error of the Lordship view. Listen and be equipped. #LordshipSalvation #GraceLifeMinistries #FreeGraceGospel #SimplybyGrace

Where do you get your self-image from? Is it the opinion of others, society, or something someone told you in the past? When we meet God's grace, it changes everything. We view ourselves as in Christ, fully accepted by God. It is by grace that we are who we are and are able to do what we do. There is no room for self-glorification. The Apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners, but he recognized that the grace of God working in him was able to accomplish much. He had a new identity and a new power through Christ. We must see ourselves through the eyes fo God's grace. #SimmplybyGrace#GraceLifeMinistries