Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: I Am the Son of God
Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God is true, and verified by the works that He did while on earth. This truth is established in John 10:22-39
The Patternists: “They Understood the Words”
The eighth chapter of Nehemiah is a wonderful narrative to help establish the importance of knowing and following the will of the Lord.
On this occasion, following the rebuilding and defense of the wall which had been erected to protect Jerusalem, the remnant of Judah (released from captivity), gathered together for a reading of the law. There were a number of times during Israel’s history where a renewal of the covenant between God and His people were made. It happened prior to Moses’ death in Moab (Deuteronomy 29). It happened again as Joshua neared his death (Joshua 24). When the lost law was found again during the reign of Josiah, he made the people commit to the covenant (2 Kings 23).
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Sermon: Chosen: The Stone & His People
An exegesis of 1 Peter 2:4-10, establishing the attributes of both Jesus Christ, as the living, chief cornerston, and those who are his, living stones making up the Lord’s house.
Conveyed into the Kingdom
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
WHO? God. He is the one to whom we owe our inclusion in the kingdom. It was God’s intention from before the world began to redeem us through the sacrifice of His Son (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6).
WHAT? Conveyed. The word is defined by Thayer: “to transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another.” It is otherwise rendered “translated” (KJV), and “transferred” (ESV). Being in the kingdom separates the Christian from all others. He is granted all the privileges of citizenship.
WHEN? Already. Note the word conveyed is in the past tense. Those who are Christians are already in the kingdom. That means that the kingdom is already in existence. Those who believe it is yet to be established are wrong.
WHERE? The kingdom of Christ. The bondage of sin puts us into the domain of the wicked one. However, to be in the kingdom of Christ removes us from the reach of the Devil. We belong to the Lord. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). So long as we are citizens in good standing, the Devil can’t touch us.
WHY? Why are we in the kingdom? Because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ! Any who respond in faith to the gospel of the Lord are automatically worthy of citizenship in the Kingdom of God! Christ died for all, and is the Savior of those who believe! Have you believed the gospel Christ?
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Sermon: Lessons from a Wayward Son
In the parable of the prodigal son, (Luke 15), an examination is made of the motivation and actions of the son which led to his return to his father. Applications are made.
Sermon: I Am the Good Shepherd
Lesson 26 is series:
In John 10, Jesus describes Himself as the Door to the Sheepfold, and the Good Shepherd. The lesson examines the implications of these statements.
Sermon: Shake Hands and Be Friendly, Brethren!
Because of the circumstances of the day, it is a challenge for us to maintain our familial affection and closeness as a congregation. However, it is important to our spiritual welfare, and it is required of us by God.
Sermon: Pierced to the Heart (Acts 2 & 7)
Speaker: Ian Tilley
Two sermons, two groups pierced to the heart (Acts 2 & 7), and yet two different responses to the gospel of Christ. We can’t determine the results of our preaching, it is simply our place to plant the seed!
That Which is Perfect
The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians serves as a parenthetical discussion of the importance of love, within the greater context of spiritual gifts. In the twelfth chapter, Paul admonished the Corinthians not to turn their use of spiritual gifts into a contest. The gifts all emanate from the Holy Spirit, and He gives the gifts “to each one individually as He wills.” (11). Since this is so, no man should be seeking to elevate himself above another based upon the gift the Holy Spirit has given him. Nor should any Christian perceive his own gift to be insignificant or unneeded.
Paul ends the chapter with these questions, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way” (29-31).
So, what is that better way? It is the way of love. Tongues and prophecy without love do no good (cf. 13:1-2). Even charity or self-sacrifice, if love is not present will be of no profit (cf. 13:3).
The Patternists: Solomon’s Heart Turns from the Lord
“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites — from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love.” (1 Kings 11:1-2).
This passage is one among several that should give pause to every Christian of marrying age. Love is a powerful thing. Over the years, I have witnessed many Christians who have had their hearts turned away from God because of matters of the heart.
Much discussion has been had regarding whether a Christian should marry a non-Christian. Is it a sin? Is it allowed? Is it best?
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God’s Longsuffering and Mercies
Psalm 106 details the many rebellions and examples of disobedience committed by the Israelites against God. He dealt with their disobedience, even to the point of allowing them to be subjected by their enemies. However, it is amazing how many times God restored His people because of His love for them.
“Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies” (Psalm 106:43-45).
In the same way, we can receive pardon, no matter how badly we have grieved our God. It is required that we cry out to Him with a penitent spirit. If we do, we too can expect that for our sake He will remember His promises to us, and “relent according to the multitude of His mercies.”
As the Psalmist concludes, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the Lord!” (106:48).
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).
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Sermon: Paul’s Instructions for All
The apostle Paul exhorts Titus to instruct every group in the church in sound doctrine. The lesson examines exhortations to Older men, Older women, Young women, Young men and Bondservants.
Sermon: Jesus Heals a Blind Man
The lesson covers John 9, when Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath day, and then healed his soul as well! He deals with the Pharisees who took issue with His healing on the Sabbath.
The Preeminence of Christ
Colossians 1:9-18 expresses the preeminence of Jesus Christ, and our required response to Him. There is much to be found in the text, and we can examine it line by line. Remember, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (15).
We must seek to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (9). As Christ is the “head of the body” (18), His will is our mandate. We can’t know how to act without diligently applying ourself in study of His word (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).
The Patternists: What is the Rapture?
The word rapture is used to describe a transformation of believers who will be taken from the earth prior to the millennial reign of Christ. It is a central tenet of Premillennial doctrine. It also is lacking in any scriptural basis.
The problem is not in the idea that at Christ’s second coming the righteous will meet HIm in the air. In fact, this truth is taught clearly in scripture. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
The problem is that many seek to differentiate this event from the resurrection of the wicked to eternal condemnation. The Premillennial view is that the righteous will be snatched away, and the wicked will remain on the earth, to be judged at a later time. This is demonstrably untrue.
First, note the context of Paul’s words to the Thessalonians. His essay was an answer to a question they were asking. They wanted to know what would happen to those who die before Christ’s coming. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (vs. 13).
There is no mention of the wicked in 1 Thessalonians 4 because the question directed to Paul regarded only the righteous. In that day, both the living and dead who are righteous will be caught up together in the air.
Jesus taught about His second coming in judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. There He clearly tells us that the granting of an eternal reward for the righteous will occur on the same occasion that God sentences the wicked to the “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (vs. 41). His conclusion regarding the wicked, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” The idea of the wicked being left behind, with tribulation, a physical reign, great battles and another coming of Jesus yet future, is found only in the imaginations of men.
This is clearly established by Peter, who also wrote about Jesus’ coming. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
The second coming of Christ is certainly a rapturous event for the righteous. However, the idea of a rapture as a separate event that takes place long before the ending of the physical universe is not true! When Christ comes, that will be the end! Rapture for the Christian. Grief for the wicked. Destruction for the physical universe. That is the event to which Paul refers in 1 Thessalonians 4.
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