Author: Stan Cox
Jesus and Healing
In John 5, we read of the healing of a man who had been lame for a long time. It is an interesting narrative, and one of the first times in Jesus’ ministry that He came under fire by the Jews, who were angry at Jesus for healing this man on the Sabbath day.
Our interest comes from verses 2-4. “Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had” (John 5:2-4). Notice that the healing of an individual came if he was the first to step into the pool at the appointed time. Continue reading “Jesus and Healing”
Praise the Lord
We are disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. We believe as did Peter and his fellow apostles that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This faith in the Sonship and Deity of Jesus is an indispensable aspect of our discipleship. It also has great ramifications, specifically in the area of authority, and the legitimacy of receiving worship from man.
Jesus has been given “all authority…in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). This indicates the Father’s intention to establish in His son a new covenant and new kingdom. We are told in the last days that God has “spoken to us by His son, who He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus is uniquely God’s means of redeeming men to Himself. Continue reading “Praise the Lord”
Mining the Scriptures: John 1:35-42
Our text refers to the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of the first of Jesus’ inner circle, (The twelve apostles).
One of two disciples of John was named Andrew. When John identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” We are told that both of them began to follow Jesus, and Andrew told his brother Simon about the Lord. He told his brother, “We have found the ‘Messiah’”, and brought him to meet Jesus.
It was Jesus who gave the name Peter to Simon. Note verse 42, “Now when Jesus look at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone).”
Later in Jesus’ ministry Peter confessed Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). Peter, one of our greatest examples of discipleship!
God Resists the Proud
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).
Pride is the great blight upon the world in our time. It is the cause of sin. It is the cause for wars and fighting, as each person puts himself and his desires before others.
God desires out faithfulness and submission. He has given us a great promise if that is forthcoming. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
The key for us to spend an eternity in the presence of God is for us to transform from selfish ambition to a selfless love. Love for God and love for our fellow man. This requires us to humble ourselves before Him, repenting of our prideful, willful lives, and determining to live for God and Him alone.
James has a the simple recipe. “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:9-10).
Sermon: The Righteous
The world needs righteous people to improve and protect culture and humanity. It needs to be righteousness as defined by God. The sermon declares how the righteous help.
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Sermon: Gospel Preaching
A treatment of the proper attitude and actions we should take as Christians in seeking to share the gospel message with others. We must be tactful and show love for others, but never compromise our defense of truth!
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Sermon: Empty and Swept
A discussion of Matthew 12:43-45 explaining the main purpose of Jesus’ teaching here, and making several applications regarding the need to grow spiritually lest we fall from the faith!
Thorn in the Flesh
You have heard of it, have you ever wondered what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” really was? The reference is to the first 10 verses of 2 Corinthians 12. Let’s consider a bit of context:
First, Paul referred to himself in the third person, by writing, “I know a man in Christ…” He referred to an occasion fourteen years previous where he had received a vision from the Lord. Interestingly, an examination of Paul’s timeline indicates that this vision is only related here. In other words, there is no indication he had mentioned it before. The nature of the vision is not known by Paul (3), but it is not the only vision he had received or would again receive (1).
His reference to this vision is to establish to the Corinthians his standing as an apostle. Though, as a humble man, such self-referencing was not a comfortable thing. In fact this is what his opponents did, which may have had an effect upon some Christians, necessitating Paul’s boasting of his vision on this occasion. Normally he was reticent, “But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me” (6). Continue reading “Thorn in the Flesh”
Continue Earnestly in Prayer
Among the instructions Paul gave to the church in Colossae was the need for prayer. He wrote, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4).
Persistence in prayer is a teaching consistently emphasized in scripture. One example of this is a parable Jesus taught, recorded by Luke in his gospel. It is commonly called the Parable of the Persistent Widow. A woman makes an appeal to an unjust judge who initially had no desire to help her, but because of her persistent petitions, was eventually moved to do as she asked. “…He said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ Then the Lord said, ’Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily’” (Luke 18:4-8). Continue reading “Continue Earnestly in Prayer”
Mining the Scriptures: Luke 1:57-66
The birth and circumcision of John the Baptist are here described. (Earlier in the chapter we see the significance of John’s conception, re: Zacharias and Elizabeth, 5-23).
The Lord’s blessing upon Elizabeth was a cause for great joy to her neighbors and relatives, who rejoiced with her (58).
It was required of the Jews by law to circumcise male children on the eighth day following birth. At this time they named him John. John was not a family name, so it had to be confirmed by both Elizabeth and Zacharias his name would be John, as directed by the Lord in a vision to Zacharias in 1:13.
At this time, the Lord also loosed the mouth of Zacharias (he had been mute since the vision of 1:5-23. However, though God had indicated to Zacharias the nature of the boy, it was not yet known to the friends and relatives, who rejoiced at the miracle of the return of Zacharias’ voice, and asked in wonder, “What kind of child will this be?” One who would be a great servant of God!
Jacob’s Well
In John 4 we see a casual meeting between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. Jesus was tired, and rested at Jacob’s well while his disciples left to by some food in Sychar.
A woman came by to draw water and Jesus asked for a drink. Since Jesus was a Jew, and the woman a Samaritan, it was not a normal request (“for Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” [9], and so this simple request became a conversation, one that Jesus quickly turned to a spiritual discussion.
This discussion led to Jesus’ declaration (believed by the woman) that He was the Christ! [26] The burgeoning faith of the woman, opened the door to an opportunity for Jesus to share his message with the entire city, bringing faith to many more! [39-42].
Yes, Jesus was a special teacher, but rather than excusing ourselves as being less capable, why can’t we seek to emulate His practice? The next time you have an opportunity to start a conversation, be it with family, friends, or perhaps even a stranger, do it and see where it goes! Can you direct it to spiritual matters? Will this person be convinced and become a believer? Will other opportunities arise because of a simple effort on your part? Yes, all of this is possible!
Sermon: The Chief Cornerstone
In Acts 4:8-12 the apostle Peter admonished the Sanhedrin for rejecting the Christ, whom the Father in Heaven declared to be the chief cornerstone. Jesus Christ is the singular name by which all men are saved!
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Sermon: Do Not Be Ashamed
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. His conviction made him always to be willing to proclaim boldly God’s message. His example is one we seek to emulate (2 Timothy 1:8-12).
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False Prophets Among the People
In his second epistle, the apostle Peter had much to say about the prophets of old. He used them to explain the difference between God’s message and the counterfeit teaching of men, both in old times and now.
In the latter part of the first chapter, he wrote of the blessed nature of prophecy. He noted that Jesus was identified as the Christ, the Son of God, by the fulfillment of the prophecies of old. His conclusion: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Continue reading “False Prophets Among the People”
Understanding Our Choosing
In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul refers to an important and often misunderstood part of our experience as Christians, our being God’s “chosen” or “elect.” Paul wrote in the 13th and 14th verses, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Continue reading “Understanding Our Choosing”
