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 January 3rd, 2010
 I have put on the back table in the foyer a very good daily Bible reading schedule that will help you read through the entire Bible in a year’s time. Best of all, you only read on the weekdays, so you aren’t behind! It starts tomorrow.
I do not know of a better habit to form than daily Bible reading. The commitment is no more than 30 minutes a day. Those who have a fast reading rate can finish the reading in 20 minutes or less each day.
Remember the words of the apostle Paul, written to his son in the faith, Timothy. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Read His word. God will bless you with wisdom in this New Year!
By Stan Cox, on December 20th, 2009
 Just about every year at this time I ask you to consider a systematic Bible Reading schedule for the New Year.
There are many such schedules available, both online and in printed form. If you are interested, let me know and I will hook you up.
Perhaps the best schedule is a bit more challenging. Read the New Testament, once a month, every month, for a year. The simplest way to do this is to divide the New Testament into 28 or 29 sections. Take the total number of pages, divide it by 28 or 29, and read that many pages (to the nearest chapter) each day. You can miss a day or two, and still finish on time each month using this method.
This is a bit challenging, but doable. Maybe you will want to try it in 2010?
By Stan Cox, on May 15th, 2009
This seventh sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 reveals the only legitimate way we can find common ground religiously.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on February 9th, 2009
The Bible is the best selling book of all time. It is the divine mind of God revealed, and should be respected, revered and studied diligently by men. However, in a recent survey, 64% of all Americans said they do not read their Bible because they are too busy. What kind of attitude do you have, as a Christian, toward God’s word?
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
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By Stan Cox, on January 23rd, 2009
I recently came across the following quote: “Where God places a period, let no man put a question mark.”
I understand the quote to mean that men must accept the decree of God in all things. This is something that is rarely seen in the world today. A premium is placed on skepticism and independence of thought. These things are considered virtuous, and have certainly helped to fuel discovery and advancement in human learning.
However, truth does not need discovery in the realm of religion. The mystery “has been revealed” (Colossians 1:26). The faith has been “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Further, it is impossible for man to determine for himself the proper path. “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
It is certainly appropriate to question what God’s will is. We should study our Bibles daily, and use our God given intelligence to determine what it is that God has revealed to us. What we do not have the right to do is to question why God has said what he has said. Or, whether the words contained in scripture are beneficial to man in today’s society. May we say as the Psalmist, “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments” (Psalm 119:73).
By Stan Cox, on July 2nd, 2008
God’s existence and voice are sounded out in various ways. As discussed in this lesson, through His creation, His Word, His Son and His People.
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By Stan Cox, on October 25th, 2007
AOTS Number 79
This Old Book, the Bible is God’s Word. It is given to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It contains all that is needful to make a man completely furnished to a righteous and fulfilling life.
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By Stan Cox, on July 7th, 2007
In 1 Chronicles 28, King David called all of the leaders of Israel, (captains, stewards and men of valor), to himself, and explained to them that Solomon had been chosen by God to follow him on his throne, and to build the temple. He told them that God had promised to establish Solomon’s kingdom “forever”, “if he is steadfast to observe My judgments and My commandments, as it is this day” (vs. 7).
In verses 8-10, he first addressed the leaders of Israel, and then Solomon, enjoining them to seek God and His will. Notice the passage:
Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.
The phrase “be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God” is especially instructive to us.
Continue reading » Seeking the Lord
By Stan Cox, on June 29th, 2007
AOTS Number 65
The Word of God can be a beacon to us, directing us to safety. However, just as a Captain must submit to and heed the directions from the lighthouse, we must humble ourselves before God’s word.
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By Stan Cox, on June 19th, 2007
AOTS Number 57
The Bible is loved by many, but it is also the most attacked book and teaching in the history of mankind. However, those who attack the word are always defeated in their attempts.
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By Stan Cox, on June 17th, 2007
The Bible is the most unique book in the world. This is because it is, in truth, a divine product. It is the inspired word of God.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
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By Stan Cox, on May 18th, 2007
 HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s media regulator has rejected calls to reclassify the Bible as an indecent publication following more than 2,000 complaints about its sexual and violent content, including rape and incest.
“The Bible is a religious text which is part of civilization. It has been passed from generation to generation,” Hong Kong’s Television and Licensing Authority (TELA) said in a statement issued late Thursday.
It said it would not submit the Bible to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification.
The regulator received 2,041 complaints against the Bible this week, following an uproar over a sex column in a student magazine that was classified as “indecent” by authorities for asking if readers had ever fantasized about incest or bestiality.
A Web site launched soon afterwards campaigned to have the Bible similarly classified, citing passages with sexual and violent content it claimed went beyond that of the sex column.
But TELA said in its statement the Bible “had not violated standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable members of the community.”
Publications classified as indecent in Hong Kong can only be bought by people aged over 18 and must be sealed in a wrapper with a statutory warning notice.
Reuters, Friday, May 18, 2007
Analysis:
This is a typical attempt made by the ungodly to justify their lasciviousness and sin. The Bible has been called pornographic, violent and offensive. It is not. However, it records the lives and sins of those who are sometimes pornographic, violent and offensive.
The interesting thing to note is that while the Bible is plain in speech, it is never provocative, nor does it make prurient appeals and stoop to lurid speech or descriptions.
When sin is committed, sin is reported. When the sin is especially egregious and offensive, these things are noted while a righteous and appropriate tone is always present.
The “sex column” in the student magazine was intended to shock, and to appeal to the prurient nature of the young people who read it. Whether you agree with the censorship being practiced by the Hong Kong governmental agency, to claim the two are comparable is ridiculous, as rightly determined by the TELA statement.
Understand, the students did not really have an objection toward the Bible. They just wanted their truly objectionable material to be tolerated. This is the way of sinners. When they make objections, saying, “Well if this is so, then this is too…” (and doesn’t that sound familiar), their claims in no way justify their own actions. Put it this way, if indeed the Bible is pornographic… that doesn’t make their material acceptable! This is the logic of the devil and his minions.
By Stan Cox, on May 8th, 2007
AOTS Number 27
When the Bible refers to itelf as inspired of God, it means that the Holy Spirit’s product is both verbal and plenary in its inspiration.
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By Stan Cox, on April 3rd, 2007
AOTS Number 2
How do you make a New Testament church? By planting the seed, God’s word.
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By Stan Cox, on January 26th, 2007
Podcast Number 37
The Catholic church contends that it, as an institution, is the final arbiter and authority for all matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare and condition of man. A careful reading of the scriptures shows this claim to be invalid. God intended His word to be the final standard man must submit to religiously.
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