TCN's Biblical Journey November 28th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Ephesians 1-4

Are we predestined?
Do we even have a choice in this matter of salvation? 

This has been an argument for many over the years. Some have read the first chapter of Ephesians and say, Yes we are destined by God and we don't have a choice. Others, including myself, say that we do have a choice. 

So how can I reconcile what is said here with the idea of having a choice? First, I do believe God does know who will be saved as he lives outside of time. Secondly, we who live in time have a choice and God has determined those who make the choice to accept Jesus as Lord are destined to be saved. I see this in verse 13 because it says "Having believed, you were sealed"(NIV).  First belief then salvation is what I see here. 

I strongly disagree with those who believe mankind is predestined to be saved, yet both those who believe this and myself are trusting in Jesus as the source of our salvation. This being the case, we are brothers in Christ and will be together in heaven and when we are there it won't matter who was right.  

TCN's Biblical Journey November 27th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Galatians 3-6

  Paul is addressing the false teaching from those that said salvation was through obeying all the Jewish laws and traditions. Salvation, Paul is arguing, is not a result of our earning it but only through faith in Jesus work on the cross.

  Paul here is chapter 3 of Galatians is laying out that our own works can't save us. We aren't perfect so we can't save ourselves, it has to come through faith in Jesus's work on the cross. Paul isn't giving permission for us to live any way we want but tell them and us that our own actions can't save us.

TCN's Biblical Journey November 26th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is 2 Corinthians 12-13 and Galatians 1-2

Love and tolerance are important virtues is the Christian faith but also is the steadfastness in the Faith (the truths of Salvation). Paul makes it very clear in Galatians 1:8-9 he has no tolerance for those that pervert the gospel of salvation. He says not that he is cursing them but he will allow them to be cursed.

The words are strong because the end results are so catastrophic. Paul is saying if they refuse to teach the truth of the gospel (salvation through faith in Christ) then they are going to hell. The idea here is if someone refuses to change let them go and don't follow them.

These words aren't words filled with hate as some would read them but a warning. Like hollering at a child getting ready to fall into traffic. We yell because we are concerned and we want the child to know the danger. If we didn't care we wouldn't say a word.

The abuse of this chapter is found in those who condemn everyone who doesn't agree perfectly with their interpretation of the Bible. It is those churches or people who say you don't agree with me then your going to hell. There are areas where we can disagree and need to be tolerant, but there are also groups which say they are Christian but they preach as Paul would put it "another gospel."

TCN's Biblical Journey October 23rd.

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is Corinthians 8-11

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12)

It isn't the amount you give its willingness. If you don't have a lot but give your 10% even if it's only $5,  you have given more than the person has given a million but has only given 3%.  What matters to God is never the amount but the heart, the willingness. Remember, the widow who Jesus said gave more, though all she gave was the minimum (Mark 12:43). 

A Warning: Often especially in affluent societies, it is easy to think you have less than you really do. The statistics say that even the poor in the West is richer than most of the rest of the world. Paul was amazed at the giving of the poor in Macedonia and praised them. He didn't refuse to let them give because they were poor but reminded the rich that they could do so much better. 

TCN's Biblical Journey October 22

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is 2 Corinthians 4-7

Why would Paul tell the Corinthians not to lose heart (4:18)? 

Paul is telling the Christians this because when looking on the outward situations at times appears that things are going badly. Paul reminds them that God's work is taking place on the inside and what really matters isn't what we see but what we don't see. Troubles faced in this life are just temporary. 

This being said pain and troubles are painful and troublesome. Paul isn't saying, "Just get over it!" Paul is saying that what we need is to keep it in perspective. Yes, this is bad. Yes, this is hard, but it will be worth it.  Like surgery to save your life. It may be painful now, but the rewards are longer life, except with God is everlasting life. 

TCN's Biblical Journey October 21st

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is 1 Corinthians 16 and 2 Corinthians 1-3

"Greet one another with a holy kiss" (1 Cor 16:20b). I think the key word here is holy not kiss. In some cultures it is perfectly acceptable to give a kiss as a greeting, I wasn't brought up in those cultures and I'm very uncomfortable with it. Regardless, I don't believe this is causing me to point out that the emphasis here is on holy greetings not on the method.

In our greetings to one another ought to be holy be they a kiss, a handshake, or a polite nod. If we are greeting people for any other reason perhaps we shouldn't. This may confuse some of you, but consider the person who introduces themselves to someone just to get some personal recognition or as a means to manipulate (it happens) isn't a holy greeting. This type of greeting is self-serving and not the holy greetings which should take place in the church.

To put it another way, our dealings with other people should be holy, from the greetings to the end.

TCN's Biblical Journey October 20th

Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey

With Pastor Charles Areson

Today's reading is 1 Corinthians 12-15


"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant" (12:1).  Yet, how much ignorance, division, and strife have taken place here because of this chapter is huge. 

Considering what Paul taught about the weaker brother, I would suggest that though we may disagree at the interpretation of this passage if we are looking to serve God and trying to do his purpose that we need to err on the side of grace. Those that practice these gifts (as they see them) aren't trying to serve the Devil and those who believe the times for the gifts have passed aren't denying God's power or the Scriptures. Do people who interpret these in some ways abuse them (the proven false healer who ties healings to money for example)? This does not mean everyone who sees them differently are bad people. 

We are one body. We are not the same. Also, God can use people who aren't as mature, as educated, or who have some things completely wrong to do his work. The disciples originally completely misunderstood Jesus purpose, yet Jesus sent them out to teach before his crucifixion. 

Does this mean we shouldn't teach truth as important? No, we should, but maybe we shouldn't make our brothers our enemies. We may not feel right about letting them teach in our churches or have leadership, but we can love them in Christ and send them where they can fit.