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 March 28th, 2012
The sermon is an expository treatment of 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 emphasizing the nature of our hope, serving as motivation for our aim to always “be well pleasing to Him.”
Audio
By Stan Cox, on August 10th, 2011
Because of who God is, He deserves every expression of good will and praise we can offer. He is our Creator, and is a caring and just Being.
There is no better reason for our devotion and praise than His efforts to secure our Redemption. As our text shows, His mercy led Him to bring us to reconciliation through His Son, Jesus.
Specifically, we have hope through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This hope is living and sure. Jesus is a forerunner. His victory over death assures us that we too one day will transformed to eternal life (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
That eternal life is a wondrous thing, here described as “incorruptible and undefiled”, and “reserved in heaven.”
As always, however, the Holy Spirit reveals the conditional nature of that hope. It is not reserved for all men. It comes only for those, “who are kept by the power of God through faith” (vs. 5).
He has chosen to save, through Jesus, all who believe (cf. John 3:16). One day Christ will come again, and that hope will be realized. Will you be among the elect, ready to claim your reward?
By Stan Cox, on May 12th, 2011
Sermon by Kris Braddock: Kris examines the confused and sorrowful reactions of Jesus’ disciples in the time between his death and resurrection. The lesson is resolved with the realization of hope in Jesus’ victory over death. A great final lesson for our meeting.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on April 24th, 2011
A careful consideration of Philippians 3 reveals the necessity of surrendering ourselves to Christ, and then diligence in a life of obedience to the Master, pressing on in the hope of the resurrection and eternal life.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on October 28th, 2010
By Stan Cox, on June 29th, 2010
On July 4, 1776, the fathers of our country signed a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Today, Americans celebrate that significant event with picnics, fireworks and parades.
Over 2,000 years ago, just a few days following the Jewish observance of the Passover feast, Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. His victory assures those who are His an independence and freedom that far surpasses that enjoyed by Americans.
“And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! … But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:17,20).
It’s great to be an American. But, it can’t compare to the freedom we have in Christ!
By Stan Cox, on March 2nd, 2010
By Stan Cox, on October 27th, 2009
This series is entitled “A Refutation of the A.D. 70 Doctrine.” It was preached at the West Side church on three consecutive Sundays, on October 11, 18, 25, 2009.
The series was not intended to be an extensive review of the doctrine, also known as Realized Eschatology. Such an undertaking would require much more time than reserved for this series. Instead, Stan examined what the Bible teaches about the end times, introduced the error, and established a few clear principles that clearly show this peculiar doctrine to be false.
This post contains links to all the materials available from the series.
- Lesson 1 – Bible Eschatology PPT MP3
- Lesson 2 – Introduction to Realized Eschatology PPT MP3
- Lesson 3 – Refuting Realized Eschatology PPT MP3
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By Stan Cox, on October 19th, 2009
This is the second lesson of three designed to refute the A.D. 70 Doctrine. This doctrine asserts that all prophecy was consummated at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Hence, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the end of the world all have already happened.
Lesson 2 is an introduction to Realized Eschatology with a special emphasis placed upon the error of Max R. King. He wrote The Spirit of Prophecy in 1971, and his writings and teachings are what have had the most impact upon churches of Christ.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on October 19th, 2009
This is the first lesson of three designed to refute the A.D. 70 Doctrine. This doctrine asserts that all prophecy was consummated at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Hence, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the end of the world all have already happened.
Lesson 1 in this series is a positive statement of Bible teaching regarding the end times.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on January 16th, 2009
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Here Paul answers an apparent question regarding the status of those who die prior to our Lord’s second coming. What will happen to those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus?”
The answer is one that will bring comfort to all those who are Christians (cf. 18). The dead in Christ will be raised in the day of judgment!
The assurance Paul offers is established in the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In His resurrection, he claimed victory over death, and became our forerunner. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (20). This sentiment is expressed in verse 14 of our text.
Paul concisely states the coming events of that day:
- The Lord will descend from heaven;
- The dead in Christ will be resurrected;
- Those Christians who are alive will be transformed and taken;
- We will be forever in the presence of our Lord.
The text does not indicate a “rapture” of the saints; it is rather an explanation of the ultimate end of all Christians at the Judgment Day.
By Stan Cox, on July 6th, 2008
The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, not only affirms the fact of Christ’s resurrection, but notes that the lives of those who reject that fact are futile and dissolute.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on May 24th, 2008
1 John 1:1-3
In John’s introduction to his first epistle, he quickly affirms two basic facts. First, that the gospel of Christ was authentic. He states that he was an eyewitness to that which brings eternal life. He heard it, saw it, gazed upon it, and handled it.
An examination of the gospels underscores the truthfulness of this declaration. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The apostles not only heard of that resurrection, they saw and touched the Lord. They recognized His victory over death. Paul wrote, “…by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:21).
Second, that the gospel of Christ brings eternal life. He declared it to his readers that they might also “have fellowship with us.” Because it is authentic, it means Jesus truly is the Savior. He died for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead. His victory over death supplies for us the same hope!
By Stan Cox, on April 13th, 2008
In John 2:12-25 we have recorded two statements of Jesus that involved the temple in Jerusalem. The two sentences are very different, but both teach important lessons to us, His disciples.
“DO NOT MAKE MY FATHER’S HOUSE A HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE!” (VS. 16).
It is believed that secular pursuits were commonly seen in the court of the Gentiles, the outermost part of the temple complex. The part of that court located south of the temple proper was a very large area. There, Jesus found some selling livestock, and others changing money.
Both of these seemed to be logical. When Jews traveled to Jerusalem there would be a need to change their currency to that used locally at Jerusalem, and many would have need of livestock to offer as sacrifices during their worship to God. It is reasonable to assume that these business men appealed to such practicality as “authority” for their practices; and the merchandising seems to have become so ubiquitous as to have been generally accepted by the Jews.
Continue reading » Jesus and the Temple
By Stan Cox, on September 23rd, 2007
 In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “Ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Columbus had proven that there was indeed “more beyond.”
Source Unknown.
Columbus did not know the half of it. So many today make the same denial with regard to life after death. They live their lives, “under the sun” (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:3), without any reference to God or eternity. But, there is life after death! As the Hebrew writer wrote, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28). For those saved, there is truly “Plus Ultra”… More Beyond!
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