Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem
Discussion and applications from Matthews account in Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
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Purpose in Your Heart
The Christian life is a life of commitment. For example, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (1:4). When we become Christians, we have to change! “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
God does His part in our conversion. We are saved by His grace and love. Our faith brings access through Jesus Christ. But that access is only granted if we truly have purpose in our heart! It is seen in repentance, and obedience. God will not grant forgiveness, unless we repent (cf. Luke 13:5). That new life will not begin unless we submit to baptism (see Romans 6:4 above). Continue reading “Purpose in Your Heart”
Mining the Scriptures: Titus 3:1-2
At the end of chapter 2, Paul tells Titus to speak to his charges with “all authority.” In chapter 3 he begins by writing certain charges of which Titus should remind them.
First to be subject to rulers and authorities. While Christianity is radical, and we must obey God rather then men when there is a conflict between men and God’s will, in general we are be obedient to our civil government. This is made clear in Romans 13:1-7, as well as Jesus’ willingness to pay taxes to Caesar, cf. Matthew 22:15-22.
Obedience in general should be characteristic of the child of God. To parents, to civil authorities, in the church itself.
They were to be ready to do good, and to refuse to treat others badly. “To speak evil of no one.”
Their character needed to be Christlike, (peaceable, gentle, humble), towards all men. Not living like the Gentiles, rather having the character of their Lord (cf. Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7, et al).
As Christians, we are to be different than we were, and than others continue to be.
Sermon Minute: Today is the Day!
Today is the day that God wants us to embrace Him. It is unwise to delay!
The Need for Commendation (And Social Media)
Social media has shown me that many people need the psychological boost that comments, likes and follows bring them on social media. Of course, there are other reasons for coveting such things (making money, spreading a message), but the primary one in non-commercial postings is validation and expressions of love and support.
This is not new! Paul addressed it several times in his letters. Consider his words to the Corinthians. “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).
Efforts to gain support and sympathy, whether through social media, letters, emails, speeches, etc. ultimately have no legitimate merit. If such help in the area of acceptance, praise and support, they nevertheless have no bearing on the rightness or wrongness of the person being supported. Put it this way, an evil man can have as much such support as a good man. This is demonstrated clearly in politics. Partisanship will allow the politician to locate a group that is fully supporting him, while another group would not. Interestingly, on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) online friends often even praise evil. Continue reading “The Need for Commendation (And Social Media)”
Continue Earnestly in Prayer
Paul wrote to the Colossians about prayer, asking for their prayers personally, “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3-4).
However, his thoughts on prayer teach us a few important things, that are worth examining beyond Paul’s personal benefits from such intercessions. First, there is the phrase, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it…” (4:2). The idea of continuing in prayer, and the idea of vigilance is important when making petitions to God. He loves us! The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us this. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” We need to understand the importance and efficacy of prayer, and not to be discouraged if our petitions are not answered by Him immediately. It comes in His time.
Second, we can’t emphasis too greatly the importance of offering thanks to God. “…being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (4:2). Christ illustrated the importance of thanksgiving in his words about the lepers He healed. “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).
God deserves vigilant prayer with thanksgiving! Heed Paul’s words!
Sermon: The Day of Atonement
A discussion of the Day of Atonement mentioned in Luke 16, with applications to our atonement as Christians under the New Covenant.
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Sermon: Forgive the Offender
The apostle reveals the primary purpose of church discipline (to save the soul) in 2 Corinthians 2:3-11).
Sermon Minute: Protecting Children From An Immoral World
As parents and a society, do we protect our children from evil, or do we instead let them wallow and be harmed by immorality?
Sermon: Secret Sins
The text of Psalm 19 notes the frustration of the Psalmist who is concerned with falling into secret sins. Such sins are discussed, with ways to avoid them.
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“For I Am Ready”
The text of Acts 21:13 shows Paul expressing his willingness, no matter the consequence to obey God and travel to Jerusalem. His example is for us to emulate.
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Sermon Minute: Drowning in the Sea of Sin
The gospel does not condemn us. We are drowning in a sea of sin, and the gospel is a life preserver that when heard can be grasped or refused.
They Are Just Like Us!
One of the best aspects of God’s word is the willingness of the Holy Spirit to reveal the faults of His people as well as their positive attributes. This helps us greatly, as we do not improperly elevate the efforts of men, knowing they are subject to frailties and sin as are we.
Because of this, the emphasis of salvation by grace has value for us as does the realization that the imperfection of all men preclude salvation by merit. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
These things are born out by the imperfections of Adam, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s children, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and a host of others throughout the Old Testament. They were all great men, to be honored and respected, but that is all they were — men. Subject to the same failures and mistakes that trouble us all. Continue reading “They Are Just Like Us!”
It Takes All Kinds
This important lesson is illustrated in 1 Kings 18. The prophet Elijah was in conflict with King Ahab. The conflict had led Elijah to proclaim a drought in the land which lasted for several years. “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). This was in response to Ahab’s sin.
During the drought (just before Elijah’s prayer brought it to an end, and before Ahab knew it was about to end), the Lord told Elijah to go and present himself to Ahab. Continue reading “It Takes All Kinds”
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:3-7
Our text gives three illustrations to examine truths that come with discipleship.
First is the necessity of enduring hardship. We are described as soldiers, and our discipleship should mirror that. Just as a soldier suffers loss and sacrifice as he gives himself over totally to serving his country, the Christian must do the same to be a faithful disciple (cf. Luke 14:26).
Second, you must carefully follow Christ’s “rules” or requirements to win your crown. An athlete who competes only wins his reward if he is not disqualified by cheating. A violation of the rules is equally problematic to a disciple of Christ (cf. Matthew 7:21-23).
Finally, developing skills to help others will first benefit you! Just as a farmer who plants crops to sell to and feed others, first feeds himself with his produce, the Christian is the first to benefit from his efforts to bring others to Christ! (cf. James 1:25).
Important truths to consider, and to understand! (cf. 7)
