Author: Stan Cox

A peculiar aspect of our culture is a tendency to shy away from any reference to militancy as a positive characteristic. I suppose that there has been so much violence that people are uncomfortable even entertaining the concept of a legitimate use of force — i.e., a defensive application.

And yet, scripture commonly makes use of the concept.  For example, Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith…”  In another place, Paul described the characteristics of the mature Christian in militaristic terms, exhorting the Ephesians: “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” (Ephesians 6:10-13). Continue reading “A Militant Faith” →

In Psalm 76, the poet proclaimed of Jehovah, “You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once you are angry?  You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth” (7-9).

An angry God is a truly awful sight.  When you consider His power, and that it is “a righteous thing with God” to take vengeance on those who do not obey Him (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), it makes clear that we should seek rather to please Him.

Lest any take from this the idea that God is hateful or capricious, we emphasize that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  He loves us, and desires the salvation of all.  Alas, not all will come to Him.  Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

In short, God is always ready to bless those who serve Him.  But, there is reason to dread the awesomeness of our God if we choose rather to disobey.  Fear Him!

Invitation by Stan Cox

The Apostle Paul expresses a mature and spiritual perspective toward’s death in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.  One we would do well to emulate.

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I came across a quote from 1970 by a denominational writer that indicates a problem that, in my opinion, is applicable to the Lord’s church today. The quote is below, with some of my own comments after.

“…(We) of the late twentieth century contribute to the falsifying of the church’s proper function through our subjectivism … (The present) is possibly the most subjective period in all of church history. Today everybody talks in psychological terms. We enjoy nothing better than to probe our inner life and its real or imagined frustrations. We wallow in our misery. We go to psychologists, we go to psychiatrists, we go to counsellors. This predilection has been called “navelwatching” by some people; that is, we enjoy nothing better than to sit down narcissistically and look at our own psychic navels. This delightful activity allows us to become completely involved in ourselves. We enjoy our problems. Someone has called our epoch “the Age of Analysis” . . . and it is that, for we want to solve all our problems by subjective concentration upon them.”

John Warwick Montgomery

So much of the Christian’s responsibility is focused outward. We can become so entranced by our own spiritual “navels” that we leave the greater commands to “love God” and “love our neighbor” undone. It seems to me important to focus on God’s commandments, and our responsibilities to Him and others, and spend less time focused inwardly – “paralysis by analysis.” Now, I am not objecting to examining ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5), but rather noting the destructive tendency to focus on self rather than others.

Are your insecurities, feelings, musings, captivating your attention? Does they lead to missed opportunities to do the Lord’s work? Does your faith consist predominately of introspection – whether of your failings or your strengths? If so, perhaps you need to look outside of yourself, and get busy doing “the work” (cf. James 1:25).

Some thoughts that came to my mind while reading the quote above:

1. Truth is objective, not subjective.
2. Selflessness is seen in our actions toward our fellow man.
3. The spiritual works of evangelism and edification are indicators of a faithful, zealous Christian.
4. Intellectualism does not equate to strength in faith (“…and the common people heard Him gladly” Mark 12:37).

Third in a series on the life of Jesus. A discussion of the Beatitudes, which begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12.

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The lesson consists of a series of 7 questions all Christians should ask themselves before making any decision that could impact their spiritual lives and standing with God.

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In Peter’s first gospel sermon (Acts 2:14-39) he identified Jesus Christ as the anointed of God.  One argument he used is a prophetic promise God made to King David.  Peter affirmed that David, as a prophet of God, has received a sworn oath from Jehovah that “of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne” (30).  Peter’s argument consisted of a mix of prophetic scripture, and Divine logic

1. David was not referring to his own resurrection. Peter’s readers were aware of the fact that to that day David’s tomb remained with them (29).
2. However, the prophecy indicated One who would be resurrected, and exalted to God’s right hand “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (34-35, cf. Psalm 110:1).
3. Peter and the other apostles who spoke on that day were all eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus! He was the one of which David wrote (32).

Conclusion — Jesus is God’s anointed!

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (36).

Invitation by Stan Cox

Scriptures such as 1 Peter 3:22, Philippians 2:5-10, Acts 2:32-33 and Hebrews 1:1-3 all teach that God has exalted Jesus to His right hand.  He is both Savior and Lord!

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The description given of the Lord’s church in the New Testament differs markedly from the denominations today. His church, however, exists and is identifiable in our time.

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A discussion of John 8:1-11, where Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Go and sin no more.” Dicussion centers on true repentance and a holy life.

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Invitation by Stan Cox

In James 5, we have a description of rich, wicked people who were oppressing Christians.  Whether the wicked rich, or any other, if we live for God we will overcome such persecution, and live eternally in joy!

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Sermon by Bob Ward.

An examination of Cornelius’ conversion shows a man who had an honest heart, accepting of truth, and desirous of the salvation of friends and family.

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Sermon by Brantley Gallman.

A survey of the book of Acts shows the benefits of offering encouragement to brethren.

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Consider the following words by Paul, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (Titus 3:8).

We will leave aside for a moment whether a failure to “maintain good works” will have an impact upon the salvation of the negligent Christian.  My question is this… If Paul wanted Titus to “affirm constantly that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” why do men today speak evil of those who do just that?

Men trumpet the joy and release they feel when they stop worrying about obedience, and just trust in the “finished work of Jesus.” They disparage their “destructive” upbringing, among a group of legalists who constantly emphasized, “OBEY, OBEY, OBEY!”  They call such “patternists” destructive and evil.

It seems the American version of “Christianity” will not put up with men like Titus, especially as they diligently follow Paul’s instructions.

Nevertheless, Paul contends that such constant calls to faithfully obey God are “good and profitable to men.”  As such, the diligent evangelist will endeavor to remind men “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1).

Remember Paul’s words, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation” (Psalms 35:9).

The Psalmist rejoiced in the protection Jehovah afforded him from his enemies.  “All my bones shall say, ‘Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?’” (vs. 10).  While this protection certainly shows both the strength and mercy of God, it pales when compared to the spiritual protection He offers to all who name His name.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

We are so blessed to have God on our side.  In this uncertain and ungodly time – where the faith of Christian is demeaned, and the degradation of morals has led to an epidemic of selfishness, anarchy and violence – we place our confidence in the Almighty.  “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).  Fear God and serve Him.  Rejoice in His salvation!