Author: Stan Cox
The Discerner of Hearts
John 2:23-25 shows us an interesting side to Jesus’ deity, His ability to read our hearts! “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25). This is evidence that Jesus is the Son of God, because men aren’t capable of knowing the hearts of anyone save themselves (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11).
He knows the hearts of men, so He could safely avoid being misled by hypocrisy. Jesus did not commit to those who did not commit to him – an attribute of Deity, as God Himself noted in Jeremiah 17:10, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
We need to recognize that things have not changed. Jesus will judge us in the last day, and there is nothing we can hide from him. Any hypocrisy or falseness is exposed to the Son of God. It is possible to fool men, it is even possible to fool yourself, which is extremely dangerous! It is not possible to fool our Lord.
Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Sermon: Will So Come in Like Manner
A discussion of the second coming of Christ. What it means, and what will happen?
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Sermon: The Words of Elihu
Job’s 4th companion speaks in chapters 32-37 with some powerful words about the Graciousness, Justice, and power of God.
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Mistreating Others
“Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.”
Micah 2:1-2
It has been said that Micah’s prophecy served as a statement of God’s “lawsuit” against his rebellious people. Micah witnessed the destruction of the Northern Kingdom at the hands of the Assyrians, and the chastisement of the southern kingdom of Judah by the same nation. Continue reading “Mistreating Others”
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Peter 2:15-17
Peter continues his description of the character and actions of the false teachers troubling the church by noting their actions as being like Balaam.
Balaam was a prophet during the days of Moses as the children of Israel were in the wilderness of Judea. Balaam’s greed and desire for glory led him to initially disobey God, as the King of Moab wanted him to curse God’s people (Numbers 22). On the way, a dumb donkey kept him from such an evil task (cf. 22:22-34).
The false teachers addressed by Peter have the same motivation, leaving truth for personal gain. In verse 3, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…” Such actions can rightly be described as “madness” – they go against God!
Just as a well or storm clouds promise water, but disappoint us when they are dry or pass by without rain, these false teacher’s disappoint. Their words are useless and corrupt.
They are condemned and will be punished by God in eternity.
Husbands and Wives
A discussion of Ephesians 5:22-23, noting Paul’s obligations to the wife (submission) and the husband (love) in the text.
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“I Am the True Vine”
A discussion of John 15:1-8, discussing lessons learning about the Vine (Jesus) as well as the blessings and obligations the branches (Christians) have, being part of the Vine.
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Graceful Speech, Seasoned by Salt
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).
Paul’s instructions to the Colossians should be heeded by all of Christ’s disciples. Whether it be those outside the body of Christ as indicated here, or our own brethren, unmindful speech is a common cause of strife and rancor. Continue reading “Graceful Speech, Seasoned by Salt”
Silence & Noise
A few days ago we had a power failure for a number of hours in our neighborhood. This is uncommon, as our area has always been consistently powered despite storms, etc. It might have been a problem if it had lasted longer, but we were without light and heat only for a few hours. We opened up the blinds, covered up in blankets, and got along well enough.
It was also a blessing, in a way. I remember waking up that morning to no fan, no beeps, no humming, nothing but silence. It actually was disconcerting at first, but Debbie and I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet. It was also interesting when the power came back on. We didn’t have the lights on, but the beeps, humming and fans revealed our return to modern civilization. Continue reading “Silence & Noise”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:20-21
Peter affirms here that God’s plan for redeeming man was formulated before the creation. This was not an effort to mitigate any mistake, God knew that free will would bring about disobedience. As such, a means of reconciliation between Him and man was necessary. The same sentiment is expressed in Ephesians 1:3-14.
This scheme of redeeming man came to a climax in the first century, the latter days, when Jesus was manifest to man. He came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life, taught His will, died on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended back into heaven. This was done, as Peter wrote, “to you who through Him believe in God.”
Jesus, who humbled Himself even to the point of death (cf. Philippians 2:8), was given glory by His Father, as He raised Jesus to sit at His right hand on heaven’s throne. In this it can truly be said that in Jesus, (and in Him alone, cf. John 14:6), reside our faith and hope for an eternity as the redeemed in heaven!
“That Your Joy May Be Full”
In John 15, Jesus begins in the chapter to use the allegory of the Vine and branches to establish both His help to His disciples, and their responsibility to faithfulness and fruitfulness.
In verse 11 of the text, he explains why He told them these things. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Two things to note here. First, Jesus has a great deal of joy to share. “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns” (Isaac Watts). His entire advent on earth was to do what was necessary for man’s reconciliation with God. This joy, if we abide in the Vine, is available to us!
Second, our joy can only be full if we have such a relationship with Him. Men fool themselves into thinking a life lived without our Lord can be a life equally full of happiness and joy. That is the devil’s lie! How can a life lived without God have the same value and joy? The very purpose of life, as established by wise Solomon, “Let us here the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
In John 17:13, Jesus prayed to His Father, “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Sermon: At the Crossroads!
Matthew 7 indicates two “ways” that can be taken. Either to life or destruction. This illustrates for us the consequences of choices we make in life. Applications are made.
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Sermon: God’s National Wife (Hosea 1-3)
A discussion of Hosea 1-3, where the marriage of the prophet Hosea to his unfaithful wife Gomer gives us some understanding of God’s reaction to unfaithful Israel in judging the nation. But, with God’s mercy and grace, salvation comes to the faithful, ultimately through the Christ.
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Sermon: To the elect lady and her children
An examination of the text of 2 John, with applications.
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Invitation: Walk in Love
In Ephesians 5:1-4, Paul contrasts a walk in love with certain sins. Just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, we should have a selfless love for others.
