Author: Stan Cox

God chose to save the world through the gospel, the truth concerning the advent, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father reigning on His throne.  When we hear that gospel, our actions or lack thereof will determine whether we are saved . What must we do?

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Note:  PPTX presentation and verses supplied by Emberly Cox, age 9.

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Peter uses in several words and phrases to describe God’s people under Jesus.  (1 Peter 1).  Anyone who professes to be a Christian needs to ask if these descriptions fit!

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It is important to note that Jesus was not a usurper. He did not come to earth to “glorify Himself.” In fact, His coming was an act of humility, to do the will of His Father. While on earth He “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8). Because of His obedience, we are told “God has also highly exalted Him” (2:9).

The Hebrew writer quotes two references to the Messiah (Psalm 2:7; 110:4) to establish this truth. He is, in fact, the Son of God. Likewise, He has been given a priesthood “according to the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Jerusalem) in the days of Abraham, and “the priest of God Most High.” (Genesis 14:18).

Consider this truth. Jesus alone has God’s approval as Mediator between God and man. This is true because Jesus alone is ordained by the Father as the High Priest of Christians, (cf. John 14:6). It is true because of His obedience to His Father’s will. This obedience is fully demonstrated in His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. Read verse 8, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

We recognize the opportunity for us to worship God as individual Christians. For example, we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” And in James 5:16, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” These verses are examples of personal worship to God, as we praise His name in our devotions toward Him.

There is also an idea of collective worship in the New Testament. From the very beginning of the church we are told the new converts, “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). An explicit example of this worship is given in Acts 20:7, when the disciples in Troas “came together to break bread.”

A term used for such worship is “corporate” worship. The word corporate in this context means “group.” Simply put, worship that God calls us to do together. As we look severally at the different acts of worship authorized by God, we begin here with some introductory thoughts. Continue reading “Corporate Worship: An Introduction” →

After giving specific admonitions first to wives then husbands in 1 Peter 3, Peter continues with more general admonitions which apply to us all: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).

These admonitions are summed up on the call of all Christians to love one another. In this both Peter and John are in agreement, “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:10-11). Continue reading “Inheriting a Blessing” →

Our text continues the discussion of Jesus Christ as our legitimate and superior High Priest. In these verses, the writer establishes the qualifications for High Priest. He notes that the position is one who serves as a spiritual leader in man’s relationship as it pertains to God. His qualifications allow him to be compassionate towards men, and to appease God. It is important to note that it is God who appointed these men to serve; it was not a self-proclaimed position.

In this way, Jesus qualifies as our High Priest. He too is our spiritual leader. One important part of His office is that he too can be compassionate because of His humanity, (4:15). However, His sacrifice for the sins of man are greater because He Himself was guiltless “who committed no sin… who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:22,24).

Jesus too was ordained as priest by the Father. It was not by His own authority. He was called by God. “Called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek’” (5:10).

An interesting phrase is found in Amos 2:4 regarding the punishment the Lord was to bring against His people. “Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Judah and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept His commandments.”

This passage indicates an important point about the longsuffering of God. One that has an application to us today. God is gracious and loves us very much. As such He is always willing to forgive transgressions that we commit against Him and His law for us. This forgiveness is contingent upon our repentance, but is available to us even after multiple transgressions. This is an aspect of God that we His children are to emulate, (cf. Luke 17:3-4).

However, at some point God’s longsuffering comes to and end with regard to persistent, unrepented sin. Thus our expression, “for three transgressions, and for four…” As it applies to us, we have no way of knowing when His longsuffering will be spent, but we know that is the day we are to experience God’s final judgment. “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” (2 Peter 3:10).

We examine a series of “test” questions to determine what constitutes effective and acceptable discipleship, as we make a claim to be God’s children.

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A discussion of discipleship, taken from Matthew 12:33-37, with a special emphasis on the control of the tongue as we contemplate God’s judgment.

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I recently came across a sermon outline by Joe Price which stated four danger signs to recognize regarding a failure of faith. There are two basic components to fighting our adversary the devil. Our diligence as we seek to grow and mature as God’s children, and the protection and strength He supplies to us. Paul wrote of God’s protection in Ephesians 6, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (10-13). He has given us the armor we need to be fully protected against the devil and his wiles if we but implement it in our lives. Continue reading “Signs of Danger” →

In Daniel 8 the prophet received a vision. It is interesting in its specificity, and in the secular corroboration of the vision. We will not go into details regarding the vision itself, but want to spend a few moments analyzing the interpretation of it.

After Daniel saw the vision we are told that Daniel sought the meaning, then heard a man’s voice saying, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” This is when the angel Gabriel approached Daniel who was prostrate but at Gabriel’s touch stood upright.

Daniel’s vision was about the future, and Gabriel named by name both the Medo-Persian empire (which Daniel lived to experience in part) and the Grecian empire (which came after Daniel’s death). Continue reading “The Vision of the Ram and the Goat” →

Paul uses Christ’s position as the Christian’s High Priest to encourage faithfulness to God. The points are these:

Jesus has passed through the heavens. This references His leaving the earth to return to God’s right hand, receiving His exaltation. He is the Son of God. (This declaration is another indicating His divine nature, as it makes Him equal to His Father). See John 5:18.

His efficacy as High Priest comes not only because of His deity, but also because of His humanity. As a man he was tempted as we are, so He can sympathize with us as we pray. We note that Jesus did not sin, but that does not indicate anything other than his strength and righteousness. He was a man with the same physical frailties and desires as our own. Temptations were suffered by Him, (cf. Matthew 4:1-11) and yet He did not sin.

These truths are why we may be confident of Jesus as our mediator. This is why the Hebrew writer called upon his readers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need” (16). Praise God for sending His Son to earth for us!

In Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, he referenced his brother in a very favorable light. Let’s look at some of the words he used.

In verse 1 he called Philemon a “beloved friend and fellow laborer.” He noted the faithfulness of Philemon as a child of God in verses 5 and 6, and let Philemon know he prayed for him continually (4). He talked of the great joy and consolation he received from Philemon’s love (7), and noted his positive influence toward other Christians (7).

As he made his request to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf, his positive expressions continued. He said he had “confidence” saying that he knew “you will do even more than I say” (21).

From these words we can see that Philemon was a righteous and good man, who was quick to express love to his brethren. While Onesimus had wronged him by running away, Paul was confident because he knew Philemon’s character that Philemon would receive him back with love rather than censure.

It also says something about Paul. He was not a flatterer, he was an encourager who was always willing to show what God desires His children to be. May we emulate the love these men had for each other in our relationships.

Both the word Flee and the word Pursue are used in 2 Timothy 2:22-23. We discuss the significance of these words, and show certain things that should either be pursued, or run away from!

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A Discussion of 2 Peter 1, showing the importance of prophecy to establish proof regarding the Messiah, and to guide Christians through their sojourn on earth.

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