Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20 

Ever wonder where the sayings "a fly in the ointment" and "a little birdie told me" come from? Charlie explains what they really mean from the original context of Ecclesiastes. This passage is part of the admonitions and advice that Solomon leaves the Hebrews in his old age. It gives us guidance in how to live in a world that seems full of  "vanity" or enigmatic meaninglessness. There is wisdom about how to recognize the value of a wise person, how to apply wisdom at work, in our words, and even in our criticisms of others. This message is part of a series that Charlie preached at Bayside Community Church in Tampa. You can find the series of messages in previous podcasts. Also, see the full outline of Ecclesiastes in Charlie's Old Testament Introductions and Outlines on the GraceLife.org web site https://www.gracelife.org/resources/bibletools/OldTestamentOutlines.pdf

These are all part of Jonel Arcedera's story as he grew up in the Philippines. Oh, and he sold ballut on the streets. What's ballut, you say? You'll find out in this fascinating interview with the Field Director of Word of Life, Philippines. Jonel's parents abandoned him when he was two years old, but he survived on the streets and became a "christ" in the world of cockfight gambling. Through it all, God's grace kept him safe and changed his life when he heard the gospel of grace. Now he is with Word of Life, Philippines, which has multiple ministries and sees thousands come to Christ as Savior every year. Find out more about this ministry or contact Jonel at

Jonel Arcedera 

All the Old Testament prophets spoke of the coming Messiah, but now that He has appeared, what He says is even more authoritative because He is God's final Word. In keeping with the theme of Hebrews, that Jesus Christ is preeminent over all things, we start with who He is as God's final revelation, the Creator, and our Redeemer. If He is God's full and final revelation, we should more diligently heed what He says. Jesus has promised a rewarding future in the kingdom if we do not neglect our spiritual progress. On the other hand, there will be serious consequences for those who do not mature. As believers, we must listen to Him. For more context, you can see GraceNotes no. 15 about interpreting Hebrews https://www.gracelife.org/resources/gracenotes/?id=15&lang=eng. Charlie unpacks this passage at Bayside Community Church in Tampa. 

He has been named one of the top 12 expository preachers in the English-speaking world. That claim is backed up by a congregation of 10,000 people at the church he has pastored for over 40 years, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in the Dallas area, and his large listening audience around the world. Dr. Tony Evans has a multi-dimensional outreach. He is the founder and president of The Urban Alternative and the Tony Evans Training Center. He has served as chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys football team and the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. He is published prolifically with over 100 books and booklets and remains in high demand as a preacher of the Word. Tony's story is mostly a story of ministry, but ministry from the perspective of a clear gospel of grace (see his book, Totally Saved). His new Tony Evans Study Bible is becoming popular with those who value Free Grace interpretations. Charlie and Tony enjoy a chat about their pasts and Tony's ministry story. You can find out more about his ministries and resources at TonyEvans.org.

Whoever wants to be a disciple must follow Jesus Christ's example of giving His life to do God's will. Believers should not seek life in their personal pleasures or pursuits, but will find true life when they give their lives away to God. The language of this passage about saving and losing the soul is actually talking about losing one's essential life, not one's salvation. This interpretation comes from a consistent use of the word sometimes translated "soul" but is better translated "life." Charlie explains what it means to find life by losing it and how this leads to gaining rewards from the Lord. This message was preached at a Free Grace Alliance regional conference at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Starkville, MS. This passage is also discussed in Charlie's book, Grace, Salvation, and Discipleship available in the GraceLife.org bookstore https://gracelife-ministries.square.site/product/grace-salvation-and-discipleship/6?cs=true&cst=custom.

If we compared Jon McCray’s spiritual journey to a plane ride, an early experience with a legalistic church kept him on the runway by turning him off and away from Christianity. In college he took a philosophy of religion class and came to the realization that there is a God. Now he’s taxiing for takeoff. Then a friend took him to a good church and Jon found the wind beneath his wings to get air bound as a believer. But he reached cruising altitude when he discovered the Free Grace message. A committed student of the Word, he now has a popular YouTube channel called Waddo Ya Meme? Check it out and you will see and hear him cover a lot of current social and cultural issues as well as his biblical views on the gospel of grace. Almost 300,000 followers can't be wrong!

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/.

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