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 27th, 2012
Paul, in greeting the Corinthians in his first epistle to the church there, identifies himself as an “apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.” This was his common greeting, necessitated by the Judaizers who constantly attacked his legitimacy as an ambassador of the Lord.
The letter is written to “the church of God which is at Corinth.” This is not a proper name for the church, but rather a phrase designating ownership. The church belongs to God. The church consists of those who have been called out of the world, separated through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As such, it is proper only to refer to it as belonging to God, or Jesus (cf. Romans 16:16).
The Greek word ekklesia, from which the English term “church” derives, denotes sanctification. The church is called out, or separated from the world. This is accomplished when an individual, by calling “on the name of Jesus Christ”, is cleansed from sin. He is reconciled to God, and is rightly called a saint. This sanctification, as pointed out here by Paul, is accomplished in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice makes us holy, and separates us from the world.
By Stan Cox, on January 1st, 2012
A word study on the terms: Reconciliation, Redemption, Justification, Propitiation and Sanctification as they relate to the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Audio
Powerpoint Slides
By Stan Cox, on September 7th, 2011
Invitation delivered by: Ron Doss
Romans 6:15-17 is the text used to point out that Christians should not continue to sin. Rather, we are molded by the gospel of Christ to become far different. A new creature, transformed by God.
Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on March 10th, 2011
In his epistle to the Philippian church, Paul identifies himself and Timothy as “bondservants of Jesus Christ.” The term is from the Greek doulos, and indicates subservience and submission. They were slaves to Christ. On another occasion, Paul wrote, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Their purpose was to please Christ, and Him alone.
In the same text, Paul identified the Philippians as “saints.” The Greek word is hagios, and indicates holiness and consecration. The Philippian brethren had been separated by Christ to live righteously before Him. This call to holy living is a call Jehovah has always made to His people, “For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44).
Every Christian should consider himself a slave to Christ. Emulating Paul’s example, he should consider his standing with God a call to holy living. In so doing we please Him, and secure for ourselves the hope of heaven.
By Stan Cox, on February 19th, 2011
Paul begins his epistle to the Ephesians with a few long sentences that are challenging to understand because of their complexity. One sentence covers verses 3-6. Another verses 7-10.
The first two verses of the epistle, however are simple.
Paul starts by identifying himself as an apostle of Christ, and affirms that his apostleship was from God rather than usurped. This was a common claim made by the apostle due to attacks levied by Judaizing teachers.
Paul next identifies his readers as saints. The term signifies a special relationship with Christ, as those who are separated to a life of godliness. Paul regarded the Christians in Ephesus to be faithful to God.
To such brethren, Paul pronounces a blessing. Grace and Peace. There is nothing difficult here, but the sentiment is sublime. God’s undeserved favor, extended ultimately through the death of His Son, is the means through which true Peace is obtained. This shows that the ultimate gifts can come only from God, and, that God indeed has granted such gifts to those who proclaim their fidelity to Him.
By Stan Cox, on September 26th, 2010
A few short truths to take from Paul’s introduction in his second letter to Corinth:
First, Paul’s apostleship was genuine. Here he states as fact what he argued strongly in other places, his apostleship was from God (cf. Galatians 1:1).
Second, the church at Corinth is described as “the church of God.” This is not a denominational name, but a description. It affirms that the church at Corinth belongs to God. It is in this same way (and only in this way) that congregations may identify themselves as churches of Christ (cf. Romans 16:16). The phrase indicates ownership.
Third, the designation “saints” applies to all Christians. It is not limited to a few. All of us, when separated from the world, are called to a holy life. We are sanctified, hence, we are saints. Our lives should demonstrate that calling (cf. Titus 2:11-12).
Fourth, true grace and peace comes from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” We have a peace “which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Great things can be learned from every verse in God’s wonderful word.
By Stan Cox, on March 7th, 2010
Using Peter’s first epistle, this sermon describes an aspect of God’s call to Christians. We are to be holy in all our conduct.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio AM (Part 1): Click Here .
Sermon Audio PM (Part 2): Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on February 27th, 2010
Jude 1-2
Even the salutations of scripture contain wonderful lessons for the discerning reader. For example, in our text Jude describes himself as at “bondservant of Jesus Christ.” The word literally indicates a slave, and shows clearly the concept of submission and subservience. We are all to be bondservants of our Lord, submitting wholly to His will.
Jude refers to his readers as “sanctified by God the Father.” The word sanctified literally means to be set apart. God separates us from the world when we obey the gospel. But, the concept of sanctification requires that we live a life worthy of that separation (cf. Ephesians 4:1).
Finally, among the first words of Jude is the phrase, “preserved in Jesus Christ.” As Christ is our Savior, we are “more than conquerors” (cf. Romans 8:37). There is nothing on this earth, or under the sway of the devil, nor the devil himself that is able to separate us from Jesus Christ. As our Savior, he is “able to keep” what we have committed to Him “until that Day” (cf. 2 Timothy 1:12).
“Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.”
By Stan Cox, on June 21st, 2009
The Sermon begins with the passage from 2 Timothy 2:20-21. Vessels of Honor includes:
- The man who purges himself of sin
- The man who is sanctified
- The man who is meet for the Master’s Use
- The man who is prepared unto every good work
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Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on January 6th, 2009
Colossians 1:1-2
Even in Paul’s short greetings much can be learned. Here he succinctly defends his apostleship, saying he obtained his office “by the will of God.” For a more complete defense, see Galatians 1:10-20.
He identifies his fellow worker Timothy, his “son in the faith” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2), and then immediately identifies his readers as “saints” and “faithful brethren in Christ.”
The word saint refers to one who has been “set apart”; in this case, from the world by God. The word indicates not only a privileged status with God, but also is a call to holy living. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). The second phrase also indicates their holiness as he specifies that they were faithful brethren.
His greeting is a blessing upon them. Grace and Peace to them from God and His Son. Grace refers to the unmerited act of redemption that God supplied to man in the death of His Son. Peace refers to the well-being that is the result of that gift. The greeting is very concise, but was full of meaning to the Colossians, and is to God’s children today as well!
By Stan Cox, on August 5th, 2008
Romans 12:1-2
The earnest exhortation of the apostle was for his readers to give themselves as sacrifices to God. Rather than the presentation of slain animals, the Christian is enjoined to present his body as a “living sacrifice.”
Paul means for us to live holy lives, in service to God. He indicates that such is a reasonable response. In other words, because of what God has done for us in the giving of His Son, it is reasonable for Him to expect a life of dedicated service in return.
He further explains in both the positive and negative. “Do not be conformed to this world.” The world is at war with God. To love the world is to show allegiance to the wrong master (cf. 1 John 2:15). “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The new birth is not just an initial obedience to certain commands. It puts to death the old man, and brings to life a new one. Such a new birth must be seen in our daily lives.
By Stan Cox, on August 19th, 2007
Sermon by Guest Speaker Joshua Cox. Christians are to shine as lights in the world. This indicates that the Christian’s influence, shown in various aspects of his life as lived for God, should serve to give glory to God and influence others for good.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
By Stan Cox, on January 13th, 2007
 First there was the LP sized Laser Disc, then the VHS—Beta battle (won by VHS). Now we have DVD’s, and already released HD DVD’s and Sony’s Blue Ray discs, that will be fighting a battle for supremacy for the next few years.
There were a number of reasons why VHS systems won out over Betamax (despite the Betamax tapes being slightly superior in technical quality). But, one of the primary reasons is that the pornographic distributors chose VHS. It seems that SONY (the manufacturer of Betamax) did not want its product to be associated with pornography, and so pornographers went with the alternative.
“Quite famously in the war between Betamax and VHS the latter won especially because the adult industry preferred it.” (Aaron McKenna, TGDaily.com)
If you can believe it, it is probable that the same thing will happen again.
Continue reading » In The News: HD DVD VS Blu-ray Disc
By Stan Cox, on December 3rd, 2006
Podcast Number 29
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:1 admonishes Christians to purify themselves from filthiness,
and perfect holiness. This lesson describes and explains how this can be accomplished.
To listen to this Podcast, click here .
To subscribe to the podcast feed, click here .
By Stan Cox, on October 8th, 2006
There is much to be learned about the Redemption of man in the short salutation Paul gives to the Romans in the beginning of his epistle (Romans 1:1-7).
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
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