Author: Stan Cox
Misconceptions in Lystra
In Acts 14 we read of Paul’s healing of a crippled man. Paul was preaching, but his message was not yet well known to many. So, when the man was healed the superstitious Lycaonians assumed Paul and Barnabas were gods. They thought Barnabas was Zeus, and Paul was Hermes since he was the chief speaker.
This indicates clearly the purpose of miracles. They do not identify truth, but do identify that those who perform those miracles are legitimate. Now, since the inhabitants of Lystra had no true knowledge of God or His Son, they did not know what these powers represented. Their ignorance led to supposition. This is always the case. And, since men do not know the things of God without his revelation, their suppositions were without merit. As Paul said about his own people in Romans 10, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:2-3 ). Continue reading “Misconceptions in Lystra”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:16-17
After admitting that he was chief among sinners (15), Paul then writes that despite his low state he received mercy from God. This truth can be seen both in his conversion in Acts 9, and in his many personal explanations of that conversion to Christ.
Here he states why that mercy was shown to him. So that in him Jesus Christ’s longsuffering could be demonstrated. If God was willing to save the most violent and zealous enemy of the faith, and then use him as a preeminent apologist for that same faith, it is obvious that anyone who accepts Christ can be forgiven. This is a truth that gives hope to all.
It is for this reason in verse 17 Paul praises God so graciously in this spontaneous expression of praise. He is eternal and immortal — without beginning or end. He is invisible—indicating His spiritual and divine nature. And He is wise to an extent that defies comparison.
For these reasons He is worthy of the praise of our lips and pens.
Countercultural Chrisitianity
I have been considering the fact that the Christian faith is, by definition, countercultural. Consider the words of Peter, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12 ).
Christianity is not arrived at by birth or heritage. You aren’t Christian because your parents or grandparents are. And you aren’t a Christian if you do not adhere to the teaching of the Master, Jesus Christ. You must put Him on in faith, and remain steadfast in your life to attain the narrow gate and difficult way that leads to life.
That means there are “few” that find the way to heaven. This makes true Christians a subculture (a small group in a larger culture). But it makes true Christians countercultural as well. The term defined: “a culture with values and customs that are very different from and usually opposed to those accepted by most of society” (Brittanica).
Too many Christians identify primarily as Americans, or Texans, or Republicans, or Democrats, or white, black, or brown, etc. All of these MUST take a back seat to our faith in our values and decisions we make!
Sermon: Beloved
The apostle Peter warns his readers of dangers associated with the delay of Christ’s second coming in 2 Peter 3:1-18. He tells them to be mindful; do not forget; be diligent; and beware. Each exhortation is discussed
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Sermon: Better Than the Angels (Hebrews 1:1-9)
A discussion of Hebrews 1:1-9. Jesus is better both as a spokesman for God, and as a Divine Being, compared to God’s servants, the angels.
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Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Our text begins here, and the thought ends in verse. It is an admonition against walking in a disorderly fashion. The word disorderly means, “irregularly (morally), : — disorderly (Strong). It seems in the context that such a disorderly walk came about through idleness. As Proverbs 18:9 says, “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”
Paul offers himself up as an example to follow, an example of one who was industrious! He did not impose upon the generosity of others. Instead, he worked. His purpose in working was to assure his ability to independently preach the gospel, without fearing resentment and false claims of manipulation.
Finally, this in no way indicated that Paul did not have a right to be supported. His right is clearly stated by him in 1 Corinthians 9. However, “to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (9), he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-4).
Paul was industrious, we should be the same! After all, Idleness is the Devil’s workshop!
Is Your Agenda God’s Agenda?
The book of Haggai covers a time after the return of the remnant to Jerusalem. The temple had begun to be built, but after a long period of time it had not been completed. Why? Because the personal lives of the people had interfered! This is clear from the admonitions that come from the pen of the prophet in this short book.
Consider this famous reference at the beginning of the book:
“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built’”’” (Haggai 1:1-2).
The same problems exist in our time. It is not that people do not love the Lord, or have their hearts set fully to do evil. Often it is simply that living your life day to day gets in the way of serving God. Regardless, it is never acceptable to put your agenda before the Lord’s!
As Haggai related from Jehovah, “Consider your ways!” (5,7). What you want and need from life will not be fully realized unless and until you put God first!
Sermon: Wise Words About the Tongue
A discussion of wise sayings about the tongue taken from assorted verses from the book of Proverbs, chapters 12-17.
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The Kingdom of God Must Be Spiritual
A discussion of Luke 17:20-37, showing that the Jews perception of the coming kingdom was mistaken. The kingdom Christ established was a spiritual, not a physical kingdom
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The Call To God’s Eternal Glory
A study of 1 Peter 5:10, noting that you must step out of self, into Christ, and through to Judgment to enjoy the eternal glory of God.
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An Open Door
There are a number of occasions where the apostle Paul used the metaphor of a door to refer to an opportunity. For example, when Paul and Barnabas gave a report to the church in Antioch, Luke records, “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Paul himself wrote to the Corinthian church, saying in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” He wrote again in 2 Corinthians 2:12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed to Macedonia.” Continue reading “An Open Door”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12
As we previously pointed our in verses1-7, Paul had a great love for the Thessalonians which led to his ministry to them. The though continues in these verses, as he declares his affection, and his willingness even to die in his efforts to share with them the “gospel of God.”
The Thessalonians were well aware of Paul’s efforts, as he had labored diligently among them. Further, his secular worked was a testament to his love, so that he would not be a financial burden to the brethren there. (Though note, such support was certainly scripturally defensible, cf. 1 Timothy 5:18).
But Paul, in every way wanted only to benefit his brethren. Thus he always acted in a way to protect his reputation, that his work of ministry would not be hindered. He acted, “devoutly and justly and blamelessly” among them.
Paul’s concern was not for himself — only for them! His hope for them was a worthy walk, and an eternal reward.
The Elect Lady
It is an interesting question: Was John referring to an actual lady in 2 John 1, or was he referring to the church to which he was writing? I’m not sure the question is answerable, but it does not matter to his expression of love.
The word elect simply means chosen. So, the one to whom he wrote was either a Christian, or represented Christians. The little children are either actually the woman’s personal children, or referenced individual Christians in that church.
Regardless, there was a tender promise John made to her regarding God. “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth in love.” (3)
There was an admonition given to her that applies to us all. “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning; that we love one another” (5).
There was a universal warning concerning false teaching, given to her. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [the doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (10-11).
All these sentiments we too must heed!
Our Civil Responsibilities
Christians, unlike other groups, have only a secondary allegiance to our country. Also unlike other groups that does not mean that we are in any way unpatriotic, or lacking gratitude for the nation in which we live. It also does not mean that we condone disobedience to the laws of the land, either civilly or criminally. Continue reading “Our Civil Responsibilities”
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 2:1-10
In the first three verses here, Paul expressed his concern and diligence in encouraging his brethren. Specifically those in Laodicea and Colosse. He did this in his ministry by sharing his understanding of God’s will, in which are “hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (3).
In verses 4-10 he contrasts the Divine wisdom with the foolish philosophies of men. What he refers to as “persuasive words.” They have persuasive power to the uninformed, but are false. We are to walk in God’s word, not “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (8).
This is an important warning that Christians need to hear today. We are complete in Christ. He is the preeminent One, the “head of all principality and power” (10). To place our trust and faith in any man rather than the Lord Jesus Christ is foolish and Paul wrote that it “cheat”-’s us out of our standing with God!
