New site for Bible Reflections

Thanks for journeying with Tell City Nazarene Church. 

This blog will return to being my own reflections on life and my work. 

For more, Bible Reflections go to BibleReflections4you.blogspot.com.

I will be back. 

CSA

TCN's Biblical Journey December 28th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Revelations 19-22

The end of the Bible we see a new heaven and new earth (we won't just be in heaven). But as Jesus ends the scriptures he pauses and gives one more call, "Come... Come,, Come... and let him take the free gift..."(Revelations 22:17). 

Even here Jesus is calling to those who need him to come and receive freely. This is Jesus call, come and I will save you.

TCN's Biblical Journey December 27th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Revelations 15-18

This is the portion of Scripture that causes people to think that everyone in heaven will be playing harps (Rev. 15:2). Yet these people seem to be a specific group and it isn't said that playing harps are the only thing they will be doing in eternity. 

As for myself, being given a harp and the ability to play it for part of eternity would be wonderful, but I can't see scriptures saying this is what is going to be going on for eternity. Let's be careful not to take mythology as scripture. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 26th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Revelations 11 - 14

Who are the two witnesses? Moses and Elijah (Symbols of the LAw and prophets?) or are they Enoch and Elijah the only two men never to have known to have died?

We don't know for sure. 

What I do see is that after a time it seems they lose their power and they die. This to the world shows that men can conquer the people of God, yet though they have been killed the story isn't over. Which reminds me that though it appears the people of God may be losing God isn't defeated.  

TCN's Biblical Journey December 25th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Revelations 7-10

"These came out of great tribulation..."(Rev 7:14). Yes, for some they face terrible tribulation and persecution for their Christian faith. Jesus didn't promise otherwise, yet we see that God has promised this will not be the end for them. They have a better life to come and seem to be given a special place in God's future economy. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 24th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Revelations 3-6

Revelations 3 looks at the last three churches addressed in the book of REvelation. Each one had specific issues from one another and from those before. The one thing they all have in common is a promise from God to those who did what was right.

Sardis- the dead church- most aren't walking as Christ would have them, but some are undefiled.

Philadelphia - The victorious church- Everything seems to be going well for them, yet they are warned to continue to hold fast.

Laodicea - The lukewarm church - They are good for nothing and don't even know it. Jesus is pictured on the outside looking in and they need to let him in.

TCN's Biblical Journey December 21st

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is  3 John, Jude, & Revelations 1-2

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, not the end times, not the Anti-Christ, not anything else though there may be other things to learn, this book is intended to reveal JESUS. Using this final book of the Bible as anything but to uplift and reveal Jesus will lead people astray. 

This book is written in an apocalyptic style and can honestly be interpreted many ways intelligently. Grace should be given to those who interpret differently than you do unless it is leading them away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

When we look at the Old Testament, we see Jesus' first coming more clearly since he has come. Many well educated and learned people didn't see Jesus though they had the same scriptures we do. The difference is we see it after the fact (as they say, hindsight is 20/20). When it comes to the second coming, we are in the same place they were, let's be humble. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 20th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is 1 John 3-5 & 2 John 


One way one might summarize 2 John is to say walk in truth and love and don't let anyone lead astray. This may not seem like much of a letter and in one way it isn't, but as with much of the New Testament writings, the message it carries supports the teachings of the Jesus and the church. 

Another point carried in this letter is that it is addressed to a woman. Though some want to say this may be symbolic of the church, I disagree. As in other places in the New Testament women are addressed as equals in the church, though the culture around them didn't see them as such. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 19th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is  2 Peter 2-3 and 1 John 1-2

There are many people who say that we are always are in sin. They say, "we sin in word, thought and deed every day." The proof they say is here in 1 John 1:8 which says "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." This seems to tie it up and we might as well throw in the towel and enjoy our sins. 

Okay, they may not say the last part but some live that way. 

The problem with this scripture being a proof text for this idea is the next two verses, which say, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us." 

Verse 9 says Jesus cleanses us from our sins how can we be cleansed and yet still have sin? We can't. Does this mean we can't or won't sin as Christians? No, but if we do Jesus can forgive us (see chapter 2:1-2). 

The verse here in 1 John 7-9 can be seen like this:
Verse 7 - We have to admit our sins to be saved
Verse 8-  We come to Jesus admitting our sins and he cleanses us
Verse 9-  We remember where we came from thus keeping our relationship with Jesus right. 

(Chapter 2:12 If we mess up we ask for forgiveness)

This is a progression you can't take verse 7 and place it after verse 8. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 18th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is 1 Peter 3-5 & 2 Peter 1

One of the great accusations against Christianity is that it is nothing more than made up fables. Yet in 2 Peter 1, Peter here reminds the follower of Christ that they did not follow carefully crafted fables/stories but witnessed these things themselves. The question I have is why would Peter have to say they weren't following fables if all they were doing was spreading Jesus moral teachings as some claim? Peter knew that the claims of Jesus were miraculous, but that they were true and for everyone. 

Side note: Every one of the witnesses/apostles suffered greatly and all but one died by martyrdom. This is a testimony that they all believed it was true when all it would take was an admission that they lied to save them.

TCN's Biblical Journey December 17th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is James 4-5 & 1 Peter 1-2

As I look at 1 Peter 1:2 I see two wondrous concepts. First, God chooses us because of His foreknowledge. Second, we can only be obedient because of the saving power of Christ. 

First, since God knew we would accept Jesus he chose us. This isn’t we were chosen and had no choice in the matter. God who lives outside of time, thus He chose us as a response to the fact that we choose him. Or to say it another way, it happened at the same moment for God, who is in every moment (if this is hard to comprehend just skip it).

Second is the idea that full and true obedience to Jesus can only happen if we are saved. Yes, we can do some good things which God may be glad we did, but honest obedience can only come from the heart. A heart changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. 


Think of it as asking two fighting children to apologize to each other. They may stop fighting and even say words of apology to each other, but until their attitude changes on the inside, their words and actions are not sincere. God wants sincere obedience not obedience only out of fear of punishment or because we are being forced. To say it another way, a police officer isn’t surprised when a car slows down to the speed limit when he is spotted, but he is pleased when the driver was going the correct speed when he doesn’t know he is being watched. The only way we can have a change of heart is through Jesus and then true obedience can follow. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 14th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Hebrews 13 & James 1-3

James the brother of Jesus and head of the church in Jerusalem writes and reflects much of Jesus' teaching as are found in the Sermon on the Mount. Though not a believer until after the resurrection, James teaching speaks with the authority of Jesus. James in the book never refers to his earthly relationship to Jesus but only refers to himself as a servant.

There is a lot in this book. If you are confused or don't think you see it all, James gives the answer in verses five, ask God for wisdom. Personally, though James says if you lack wisdom you should ask I can't help think that a need for all of us to ask is implied. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 13th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Hebrews 9-12

Here again in chapter ten the author is saying that the Old Testament systems and sacrifices are not enough to make people pure. The author again says they were symbols of what was to come. Jesus work did not need to be repeated but his work only needed once to take care of what we need to be made holy. 

The next part of this chapter gives a call to preserve in the Christian life. The write says we need to live right and to encourage one another to live right (verse 24). In this context, we find the admonishment keep meeting together as believers or to put it more simply, keep going to church regularly.   

After the admonition to live faithfully in Christ, we are given a warning that if the knowledge of Christ doesn’t change us then there isn’t anything else for us to look to. There are no other ways to salvation according to scripture, no other way to get right with God. The author warns that God’s judgment fell on those who ignored the Old Testament commands then it's going to be worse for those who ignore Jesus. 

Finally, we are commanded to live by faith, which shall be shown by example in the next chapter and a warning that if we stop we will be destroyed, ouch.

The one thing that stands out to me at this time is the promise of verse 36, a reminder that our present problems are not all there is, “Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (NLT).

TCN's Biblical Journey December 12th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Hebrews 5-8

The writer of Hebrews is looking at Jesus as being greater than the Levitical priesthood and is beginning to lay that foundation here is chapter five. The writer makes it clear that a person doesn't take on priestly duties themselves but God gives it to them. Jesus now is a priest by God's call and after the order of Melchisedec.

The interesting fact is the author points out that a priest is taken from among his people. This confirms that Jesus was, in fact, human which the author will look at more later but also the Son of God and thus divine. One of the reasons for the incarnation is laid out in verse two so that he can have compassion on the ignorant. Jesus walked as we did though without sin. Though God knows what we go through in a way we will never understand, Jesus gives us the assurance he does. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 11th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Hebrews 1-4


Often a teacher or Pastor will mention the "writer of Hebrews." The reason for this is the authorship of the book isn't contained in the book itself.  The book is filled with Pauline reasoning but there is a different tone which causes some to believe it wasn't written by the apostle himself but one of his associates like Apollos or Aquila. The fact that the destruction of the temple isn't mentioned argues for an early date of its creation as the destruction of the temple could have been proof that God was done with the old system of animal sacrifices. 

Setting all the arguments of its authorship aside, the book is a beautiful picture of how God in the Old Testament was preparing the Children of Israel and the world for Jesus. The Author makes it very clear from the beginning of the first chapter that God is now speaking through His Son, Jesus. 

TCN's Biblical Journey Dec. 10th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Titus 1-3 and Philemon

If you have a problem group, you send your strongest leader to deal with it. A weak leader will be quickly destroyed by a group of strong-willed people. Titus had been sent to Corinth, which tells me that Paul had great confidence in this young man. This letter isn't filled as much with sentimentality but gives Titus a lot of practical advice.

The first major piece of practical advice is the qualifications for leaders (elders/bishops). Motivational speaker John Maxwell has often said that "everything rises and falls on leadership." Though I don't think it is as simple of having the right single leader (leadership is more than one person), it is true that the head person does have a lot of influence. If the main leader is wrong then it is harder for those under them to make as big an influence as they might.

Look at the qualifications. This is the list which bishops/elders need to meet, but if we are honest isn't this the list (life) every Christian should be aiming for? 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 7th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is  2 Timothy 1-4

If you had one last letter you could write to a person who was like a son to you what would you write? This is the book of 2 Timothy. Knowing this may be Paul's final word to Timothy we can see in chapter 1 both the sadness but also the determination of Paul. Paul is letting Timothy know that holding on the Faith is worth it. 

TCN's Biblical Journey December 6 - Christmas with Timothy?

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is  1 Timothy 3-6

If you look over the scripture we have today you might wonder what this has to do with the Christmas season (this was the time of Year I studied this passage). The truth is that if we live right and treat each other right then we are living the spirit of Christmas.

When we consider the Bible, there is much said about caring for the poor and to help those who are in need. Charles Dickens in his timeless classic The Christmas Carol tied the season of Christ’s birth to the care for those in need. It reminded us that there is a time for celebration and feasting but not at the expense of ignoring the poor or worse exploiting them.

The two extremes in the Christian community are to give everything away to others and to give opportunities to others to improve themselves. One side looks at the wealthy that God blessed and say, “That is the way it should be.” The other looks at Jesus warning about choosing God or money and Jesus words to the rich young ruler “Sell all you have and give to the poor” and proclaim, “This is the way we should live.” Society swings between these two extremes. Political parties thrive on claiming to represent one or the other, as with most people and man Christians want others to live to the standard rather than live the standard out themselves.

So, what is the truth? What does God want? As with many things in life both extremes are wrong. What God wants is a balance of giving without hope of return and of giving opportunities. God is a God of balance.

When we come to chapter 5 of First Timothy Paul gives Timothy a list of practical applications to taking care of issues in the church, specifically when it comes to the spending of church money.
In the early church we see that they took care of those in need, specifically widows in Acts 6:1-7. In that scripture, they deal with an improper dealing which was happening in the church. The surprising thing that happened is when the church dealt with the issue of fairly helping those in need the church grew.

So let's see what this chapter tells us about how to treat others and ourselves.

Verses 1-2
Treat older men as fathers (not as a stupid old man)
This doesn’t mean you can’t correct them but you should do it respectfully. We seem to have lost this.

Younger as brothers

Older women as mothers

Younger women as sisters (with all purity)
This is not a command to not look for a women to marry how could you if you thought of them as sisters, but to treat them as such until the relationship changes.

Verses 3-16 Recognized widows-
What to consider before helping them (continually serve as their source of income).
      1No other help available (family should do the work first)
      2 Faithful in church
      3 Old enough not to have other opportunities (the idea was not to give anyone capable the opportunity to have idol time which could lead to temptation. Idol hands…)
      4 A person of character

Interesting side note in verse 16 we see that Paul specifically talks to women about widows in their family. From reading historical information and personal experiences, women sometimes have trouble with other women in their family. Paul is saying don’t dump them on the church if you can help them.

Verses 17-20
Elders-Pastors in the church
Support them financial, don’t be quick to believe accusation made (they will be, one accusation doesn’t make proof). Correct publicly.

Verse 21 Don’t show favoritism or partiality.

Verse 22 Don’t promote quickly, don’t participate in sins of others this would be directly or indirectly, stay pure (Greek word here indicates not mixed with guilt or anything condemnable.).

Verse 23 right after telling Timothy to stay pure he says it was okay to use wine as a medicine there are some commentators who believe this meant to mix the wine with the water which would serve to purify it.

Verse 24 Everything is going to be found out- bad and good. This carries the idea that God we can trust God’s judgment in ever area even in those areas we feel are forgotten.

TCN's Biblical Journey Dec. 5th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is 2 Thessalonians 2-3 and 1 Timothy 1-2

2 Thessalonians 2 looks at the mystery of what is called the End Times. Every End Times scholar interprets this scripture differently depending on their outlook. However, I want to highlight what I believe Paul was trying to emphasize, don't worry about it.

Paul at the be beginning of the chapter says don't be shaken or worried and the end of the chapter he tells the believers to be concerned about doing and living right. If we are living as God wants us to live and doing what God wants us to do, then it doesn't matter when Jesus is coming back or what is happening before then. 

TCN's Biblical Journey Dec 4th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is 1 Thessalonians 3-5 and 2 Thessalonians 1


"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22


Two Sentences but 7 verses, it may seem a little weird but when you consider how much is in these two sentences it makes sense. There are seven entire messages a pastor could preach on in these verses. 


Here is my summary:
"Rejoice always,
(Rejoice in the Lord not in the circumstances because God never changes and not just on Sunday)

 pray continually,
(This is an attitude of prayer and continually means continually)

 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
(Yes, God wants you to give thanks because of him not necessarily the circumstance)

Do not quench the Spirit. 
(Kinda like, don’t bite the hand that feeds you)

Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, 
(Don’t treat preached messages with contempt, but do see if they line up with scripture if they do apply them. Don’t dismiss what you don’t like)

reject every kind of evil." 

(Evil, the word here is related to pain, thus reject things which cause pain in others and yourself. Wrong actions always cause pain to you eventually so reject them.)

TCN's Biblical Journey December 3rd

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Colossians 3-4 and 1 Thessalonians 1-2

"I'm not a role model!"

Charles Barkley made this statement 25 years ago. The very fact that I am quoting it today makes the point that yes, he was. We may not like it but we are a role model for people around us. No as Christians, it shouldn't be our goal but it happens. I or you may never be on the level of an NBA Hall of Fame, but in some ways, we may be more of a role model to those that know us best. 

Paul reminded the people in Thessalonica that they had become followers Paul and Silas and the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6). When he says this he didn't give the typical response which I hear today, "Don't follow me follow Christ." Paul understood that people naturally follow people that they look up to. Paul knew he wasn't perfect but understood that he was a role model for Christians and embraced it (1 Cor. 11:1).

Every Christian is called to be Jesus to the world around them. This doesn't mean that we turn into a parody of Jesus but that we live as he would if he were us, which in some ways He is. This is to be because this is what God wants, but we have to realize we are also an example to those around us.