Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: Rejoice in Goodness
Stan uses the book of Psalms to explain the passage in 2 Chronicles 6:41, where at the dedication of the temple, King Solomon asked God to “let Your saints rejoice in goodness.”
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Sermon: One Long Sentence (Ephesians 1:3-6)
An exegesis of Ephesians 1:3-5, which the apostle Paul, in one long sentence teaches three important points about God’s plan for redeeming man.
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Burdens and Loads
There is a text in Galatians 6 that begins in verse two by saying, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Later in the same context, verse five, he said, “For each one shall bear his own load.”
Now it is obvious to anyone who accepts the inspiration of scripture that there must be a difference between a burden and a load. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself, and if the two are the same, the thought produced is nonsensical. There are two aspects of the writing that serve to give us the true sense of Paul’s teaching. The first is an understanding of the definitions of the two words. The second and most important is the context, both immediate and remote. Let’s consider. Continue reading “Burdens and Loads”
Soundness
The question, “what is sound?” is an interesting one. It may have to do with doctrine, congregations, minds, individuals, etc. Some may object to the adjective, but it is a biblical concept. In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul exhorted his younger friend to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” The reason for such an admonition? “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Continue reading “Soundness”
Mining the Scriptures: Luke 1:46-56
Our text reflects Mary’s praise to God while she visited her relative Elizabeth in the preceding verses.
In the first three verses she gave thanks for God’s consideration for her. She was to give birth to the prophesied Messiah, the son of David, “Immanuel” (cf. Matthew 1:23), and she praised the Lord saying, “And holy is His name” (49).
Verses 50-55 are a statement of Christ’s purpose in being sent. God’s plan for redeeming man from their sins. God’s mercy is shown to those who fear Him. He resists pride and willfulness, but shows His mercy to the lowly, exalting them; and the hungry, feeding them. As Mary said, “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever” (54-55).
Verse 56 says Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning to her own home. John the Baptist and Jesus were about 6 months different in age (cf. 36, 41, 56-57).
Godliness
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Paul’s words here contrast with bodily or physical exercise which has a much more limited profitability to a man. While it may make his body strong, it has no effect whatsoever upon his standing with God, making it a much less profitable action.
However, consider godliness. The term (eusebeia) is well defined by Vine as “piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him.”
Doing what is “well-pleasing to God” is good in every way. It impacts your relationships with others, your standing with God, and your hope of eternal life. In effect, it is good for right now, and for eternity as well!
I like the phrase “Godward attitude” in Vine’s definition. Godward, looking and acting in the direction of God. That really is the definition of discipleship! One who desires to be a Christian should have as a characteristic behavior an effort to do God’s will always!
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Sermon: King, Rod, Priest, Judge (Psalm 110)
A discussion of Psalm 110, the Psalmist identifies the coming Christ as one who would serve as both King and Priest, and rule with a rod (indicating authority and strength).
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Sermon: Some Simple Christian Instructions
The text of Colossians 4:2-6 is used to show that we as Christians ought to acts as diligent disciples of Jesus Christ. This is a short 10 minute invitation talk.
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Sermon Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Josh Cox discusses Matthew 5:3, where Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Sermon: Fasting
Dennis Craig discusses the spiritual benefits of fasting by an examination of texts in the Bible.
“Oh what a weariness”
Church attendance, Bible study, prayer, gospel meetings, concern for brethren, sacrificial giving, volunteer duties, self-sacrifice, benevolence, hospitality, etc., etc., etc. It is a substantial commitment to become a Christian.
Of course, anything of importance and value takes commitment. A sports fan will spend hours and money following his team. Travels to away games, purchasing clothes and trinkets to “represent” their favorites. The cost of season tickets. Hours spent at the stadium. The tedium of traffic congestion, etc., etc., etc. And yet, it is not considered burdensome, rather these are sacrifices born out of devotion and interest. Continue reading ““Oh what a weariness””
Exaltation through Humiliation
Philippians 2:5-11 contains the ultimate example of God’s reward offered to the humble, in the person of His own Son. It is a strong example of a paradox. What seems to be counter to reason is shown to be God’s way in the text, both for Jesus, and for us as well.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).
Note the instruction, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (5). God has always blessed the humble, while men have a tendency to reward pride and arrogance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3,5). Also, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, cf. Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Continue reading “Exaltation through Humiliation”
Mining the Scriptures: Mark 1:32-34
Mark 1 details certain miracles Jesus performed early in his Galilean ministry in Capernaum. The chapter mentions his casting out an unclean spirit (21-28, and healing Peter’s mother-in-law (29-31). It also mentions in our text — healing the sick, and casting out demons.
It also mentions how it captured the imaginations of the people. In verse 28, “And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.” Verse 33, “And the whole city was gathered together…”
Finally, it notes that in casting out the demons, “He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him” (34). (Cf. James 2:19). The simplest and most entertained explanation of this act on His part is that He did not desire or need the testimony of the wicked demons. His words, (see Mark 1:25) were authoritative and severe. I.e., “be muzzled.” The testimony of these evil beings did not serve Jesus purpose, (cf. Mark 3:22).
To Boast Or Not To Boast
Fourteen years before writing 2 Corinthians, Paul had be “caught up” (to snatch or catch away) to Paradise. This was a forceful action. In other words, Paul did not work or earn this passage, he was transported. It was a wonderful thing, a blessed gift or privilege. While wonderful, it was not a legitimate thing to boast about because it was a gift from God.
So, while Paul mentioned it as another proof of his choosing by God, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:5, “Of such a one (Paul’s oblique reference to himself) I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.”
Paul’s explanation, though a bit hard to understand, establishes a very important truth. Our standing with God is based upon a given gift, not our own merited works. There is a big difference between required obedience, and the mercy of God. Jesus told His disciples, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10).
Paul was only willing to boast in a way that would bring God the glory. Consider his conclusion, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Sermon: False Prophets
A study of Jeremiah 23 that seeks to answer two questions: 1) What is a false prophet; 2) How much damage can be done by a false prophet.
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