Simply By Grace Podcast

A study on Philippians 4:10-13. 

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Dr. Kenny Hodges was associated with Emmanuel Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, for 50 years, most of that time as lead pastor. This church had a long legacy of Free Grace teaching. Did it lead his people into sin, as so many claim is the result of Free Grace teaching? You'll be surprised at the results of Kenny's doctoral project (or maybe not!). Join Kenny as he discusses the results with Dr. Charlie Bing. Kenny has a ministry called "The 2 Circles" which you can visit online at The2Circles.org. At its core is a clear presentation of the gospel truth distinguishing between establishing a relationship with God through salvation, and enjoying that relationship through fellowship. On his web site you can also access his podcast and weekly Bible study.

Ever lost that lovin' feelin'?  It's easy to do if you don't work at it, many relationships start out hot, but fizzle out quickly. The churches in Revelation chapter 2 are somewhat like this. They lost focus and their first love quickly. It's easy to do if you don't work on the relationship; so how do we return to that relationship.  Charlie spoke at a training session at a church recently and dealt with the book of Revelation and the 7 churches spoken of in chapter 2. Are they literal churches or something else, and what lessons do they teach us today?

Many times those raised in the church will turn and go their own way as teenagers. Some get so entrenched in the prodigal life and drug culture, they don't make it back. But Jeremy Vance's Grace Story is a testimony to how God's grace restored his soul and his relationship with his parents. From there, Jeremy followed God's will all the way to become pastor of Faith Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and president of the Free Grace Alliance. You can see the church web site to hear his messages here https://faithchurchmanitowoc.org/media/past-sermons and get his books Companions with Christ and John, Jesus, and Me here https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=jeremy+vance&crid=18LVCMHLPDS7E&sprefix=jeremy+vanc%2Caps%2C127&ref=nb_sb_noss. Join the Free Grace Alliance here https://www.freegracealliance.com/.

Please share his story, leave us a comment, and rate this podcast.

Charlie recently spoke at a conference on Hebrews at a church in the U.S..  In this lecture he walks us through the end of Hebrews chapter 11 where the writer talks about the nature of faith and the many examples of faith. In it, Charlie answers a number of questions; how are we supposed to live? Do we live by faith as Hebrews instructs? What does living by faith mean? What does faith mean?  

If you want Charlie to speak at your church, please visit us on our website at conferences on the home page.

Charlie recently spoke at a church and provided a 30 minute overview of the book of Hebrews. More specifically who the readers were and what persecution they were under, who Christ is and why the author is emphasizing His nature, His attributes, and His sacrifice.  The author of Hebrews spends and inordinate amount of time on emphasizing that Christ is superior to anything that came before. 

Find out why though; why does the writer spend so much time doing this, what is the purpose for them and to us today?

For further reading checkout gracenotes #39, How do we explain Hebrews 6:4-8

Have anxiety about recent events or worry about what's happening in your own sphere of influence? 

Charlie had a recent speaking event where he spoke about having peace. We have peace with God on a universal scale through Christ, but that doesn't mean we have peace in our own hearts. 

Many escape into their hobbies, which isn't necessarily a bad thing; others delve into drugs. What is our first resort when trouble occurs? How do we respond?
Charlie brings insight into how to deal with this and what the proper response and attitude should be. So, what can we do to keep focus and have peace within ourselves? 

As a street fighter in his youth, Raheel knew how to beat up people. Though raised in a nominal Christian home, a small minority in Muslim Pakistan, he ended up in a denominational seminary with questionable beliefs including salvation by works. When he discovered the gospel of free grace, he shared it so aggressively that he earned the title "The Punching Pastor." He has since learned to mellow and now ministers through his translation and podcast editing skills. But life is hard as a Christian minority in a poor Muslim country, yet Raheel has a vision to share the gospel with his country and give them a much needed online seminary and a new Bible translation. In this Grace Story you will hear a different perspective from the other side of the world. We hope it moves you to pray for Raheel and the people of Pakistan, and maybe even help. Raheel's email is

cleargospel@gmail.com

.

In this podcast we catch-up with Charlie in a sermon while on the road. He covers an overview of Revelation with a focus on chapter 1 which is in itself an overview of the rest of the book. There are several views of how to interpret Revelation but it's largely a futuristic viewpoint.  Many find the book a challenge to understand; some going so far as to say we can't know what it's saying. God certainly has given us some challenges but the key to interpreting Revelation is to understand the Old Testament. Almost everything is based on this as there are over 300 references to it.  While some of the visions are difficult to understand, they will likely become clearer as we approach Christ's return.

But the importance of this book cannot be understated. It is ultimately a vision of the future designed to encourage us and give us hope. So find out how knowing the end game can help us in our daily Christian walk.

Raised as Christians, Matthew and Emily later found themselves in a church that preached Reformed Calvinism. They were usually happy, but questions about their salvation haunted them and eventually became tortuous, especially for Emily. When she turned to the internet for answers, Emily discovered there was another theological system out there that had the answers to her questions. She and Matthew studied new truths that took them from doubts to certainty and joy. Theirs is a Grace Story you will not want to miss. Maybe you or someone you know is struggling with assurance of salvation and Calvinistic beliefs. Listen, share, comment, and rate this story. You can contact the Kuchers at EmilyKuchers@gmail.com and Matthew at kuchers.1@gmail.com.

For more information on Calvinism, visit our bookstore at GraceLIfe