Sound Teaching  This is the teaching site of the West Side church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials were written and prepared by Stan Cox |
By Stan Cox, on May 5th, 2012
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:103-106).
It is a wonderful thing to have opportunity to read, study and meditate on God’s word. Those who give themselves to such study, with the purpose of sharing the fruits of their study with others, are to be commended. In Romans 10:15, Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah in describing the preacher of the gospel. Isaiah’s words, found in Isaiah 52:7 are:
“How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”
We are blessed this week to have the opportunity to hear brother Chip Foster proclaim the sweet words of Jehovah in our hearing. The gospel of our Lord is the “power of God unto salvation” (cf. Romans 1:16). Please take advantage of every lesson, and rejoice in the easy availability of His will for man. We are truly living in times of blessing, and look forward to our week together!
By Stan Cox, on April 25th, 2012
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
Surveys show that most consider the Bible to be Holy, but not particularly relevant to our time and society. However, the Holy Spirit affirms that it is capable of perfecting those who read it (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Audio
By Stan Cox, on March 6th, 2012
Joshua instructed the people to rely upon God’s guidance as they entered the promised land for the first time, for “You have not passed this way before.” The same admonition is relevant to our lives as we contemplate such varied things as our salvation, marriage, raising kids, and even the eventuality of death.
Audio
Powerpoint Slides
By Stan Cox, on December 31st, 2011
Today, a new year begins. Thus an perfect opportunity to make some new year resolutions regarding your service for the Lord. One of the best that can be made is to be more consistent and devoted in your Bible reading schedule.
Over the years I have suggested and supplied a number of different reading plans. Reading the entire Bible in a year is a good plan. Some may want to read through the book of Psalms or Proverbs. Others may want in the next several months to read through the New Testament, or a portion of it.
I have come across a website that allows you to pick the book or books you want to read, and the time you want to take to do so. If you wish, a daily email can be sent with the reading, or links to audio on the internet, where you can listen to the passage you have chosen rather than reading it. The best part about the site is its versatility. It is easy to use, and even the most technologically timid can utilize the site. So, my suggestion would be to check it out today or tomorrow, and use it (or some other schedule) to help you to be regular and dedicated in your reading of the word of God.
The URL to the website is:
mybibleplans.com
By Stan Cox, on October 23rd, 2011
Sermon by: Bob Ward
Bob explains why, despite the best efforts of athiests and secularists, the Word of God stands. It is unassailable, and cannot be touched by the efforts of man to destroy it.
Audio
By Stan Cox, on May 7th, 2011
Kris Braddock’s first sermon in our Spring gospel meeting is a comparison of the Christian’s world view and that of a secular society, as it impacts the environment. The Bible shows man to be the pinnacle of God’s creation, given the responsibility of stewardship in the world. In contrast, society today paints man as simply an animal, and often refuses to accept the preeminence of man over the earth.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on April 16th, 2011
A few days ago MSNBC carried a discussion between Time Magazine’s World Editor, Bobby Ghosh and MSNBC show host Chuck Todd.
Ghosh, who was apparently being presented as some type of expert on the matter, was quoted as saying that the Koran is held by Muslims to be more sacred than Christians regard their Bible to be. Note the dialogue:
Continue reading » In the News: The Difference – Christians VS Muslims
By Stan Cox, on December 19th, 2010
We are nearing the end of an old year, and the beginning of a new one. Each year I encourage the brethren to read their Bible completely through. You can do this by simply sitting down and starting with Genesis… Ending with Revelation.
However, there are a number of schedules to help organize the readings in a way to allow concurrent readings in the Old and New Testament. One of the best of these has been prepared by Mark Roberts, the preacher for the West Side congregation in Irving.
He allows churches to make unlimited copies to supply to their members. We appreciate this, and have put copies of this reading schedule in the foyer. Please take one, and set aside time in 2011 to read your Bible through!
By Stan Cox, on September 26th, 2010
I recently came across a wonderful quote from Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Prize winner, an former President of South Africa. He wrote or said:
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
This has a wonderful spiritual application. God’s word is unchanging. The epistle of Jude states that it has been “once for all delivered to the Saints” (verse 3). As such, it serves as a standard by which we can examine and compare ourselves.
One of the great dangers of any Christian is to, with time, begin to drift away from God. Societal influences, changes in circumstances and the passage of time can lead to subtle changes that may not even be noticed by the careless Christian. He may believe himself to be every bit as faithful to God as in the past, not recognizing that he has left the moorings, and has changed the profession of his faith.
However, a careful and frequent comparison between his faith and God’s word will catch any drift, thus saving him from an unfortunate apostasy! “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
By Stan Cox, on July 21st, 2010
At the age of 18 years old, swimmer Kim Linehan held the world record in the women’s 1500 meter freestyle in 1981. A hard worker, Linehan had an extensive exercise regimen, and swam 7 to 12 miles every day. Once, when asked the hardest part of her workout, she said, “Getting in the water.” (as quoted in Reader’s Digest, June 1981).
There are many applications to draw from this illustration. For example, I find it to be true when writing. Either when writing for the bulletin, Watchman Magazine, or the newspaper, the most difficult part for me is getting started! In fact, I will often procrastinate, waiting for inspiration to strike, when I would be better served putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), and just start writing!
The same is true with regard to gaining a knowledge of God’s word. Most would like to become familiar with God’s will. They want the ability to quickly bring a passage to mind, or easily comprehend the writer’s intent in each book or epistle. But, the task seems daunting, unattainable.
But it is not! You may ask, what is the hardest part of gaining knowledge? The answer, “Opening the book!” Open it up, and begin reading. Pay attention, ask questions, be curious. It will take time, but once your Bible is open, you will never want to close it again. “When you read, you may understand…” (cf. Eph. 3:4).
By Stan Cox, on July 13th, 2010
Consider the following quote:
“For the postmodern and mystic, … words are only symbols for a subjective interpretation of and experience with the “Living Word.” (Randall Price, Searching for the Original Bible, page 27).
This quote accurately describes the attitude of the majority of religious people in our day. The Bible, while a comfort and precious object, has little bearing on their daily walk. Their view is that a relationship with Christ is sufficient, and that it can be obtained on their own terms.
But, in truth, our understanding of Christ, and our relationship with Him depends upon His written word. It is the “word of life” we are to be “holding fast” (cf Philippians 2:16). It is that which perfects a man (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It must be known and obeyed.
By Stan Cox, on July 4th, 2010
We have the ability to understand God’s word when we read it.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on May 9th, 2010
The sermon examines the proper attitudes toward God’s word.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on February 17th, 2010
By Stan Cox, on January 13th, 2010
 I came across a quote recently about the reliability of the New Testament text. In other words, we can be sure that the original words have been preserved for us today.
“God has given us 5,656 manuscripts containing all or parts of the Greek NT. It is the most remarkably preserved book in the ancient world. Not only do we have a great number of manuscripts but they are very close in time to the originals they represent. Some partial manuscripts of the NT are from the second century A.D., and many are within four centuries of the originals. These facts are all the more amazing when they are compared with the preservation of other ancient literature” (Edward Glenny)
What we have preserved for us today is the true, complete and inspired word of God!
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