Author: Stan Cox

God is eminently fair. He is both merciful and just. As we acknowledge our salvation is dependent upon His grace, extended in His Son Jesus, we must also note that He rightly requires obedience on our part. That is His right, and it is fair of Him to demand our allegiance.

When rebellious Israel proclaimed God to be unfair in His dealing with them, He replied clearly:

“‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).

While God does not enjoy condemning men, He is fair! Those who do not turn from their iniquity (repent) will be condemned for their sins. We must get a “new heart and a new spirit.” For us, that means being born again! (cf. John 3:3-5).

Fairness goes both ways. God is fair in rewarding those who practice righteousness. He is pleased to grant the godly eternal life. And yet, though it saddens Him, it is fair of Him to condemn the ungodly to eternal death.

Earlier this week I came across a website critiquing the “restoration movement.” This particular author was writing from a Calvinist’s point of view, and was very critical of the three “sects”, The Christian Church, the Disciples of Christ, and the Church of Christ. He accused members as being theistic humanists, because of their “Arminian” belief in “so-called free will.” He claimed that although progress has been made, these denominations still had not discovered the grace of God.

I would like to respond.

Continue reading “God’s Sovereignty and Free Will” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The apostle Paul, in Acts 19:8 is said to have boldly proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It saved through persuading the hearts of men.

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Have you ever wondered why a flight attendant, when talking about the oxygen masks, says to put on your own mask first before helping your child to put his or her mask on? Simple! You have to be able to breathe in order to help someone else!

There is a similar instruction that Paul gave to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

You can’t expect to be effective in saving the souls of others if you are not spiritually strong yourself. It is a matter of priority. You need to be able to breathe (spiritually), before you can expect to effectively help someone else!

So, if you want to be effective in preaching the gospel message, understand that the best teachers are those who let their “light so shine before men, that they may see [their] good works and glorify [their] father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

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In the introduction to Robert Shank’s book, Life in the Son, William Adams wrote:

“Some will consider that ‘unity’ is more important than truth and that, right or wrong, conformity to tradition and popular opinion is the only wise course. Men so easily become enslaved by a vested interest in the status quo, and many will refuse to venture the risk of honestly searching for truth at the possible expense of comfort.”

His words were a response to Shank’s view of the possibility of apostasy. Though he personally believed Calvin’s doctrine concerning the perseverance of the saints, he was impressed by Shank’s arguments.

He states a valid truth. Many times people believe as they do because “everyone else does,” or because “that is what we’ve always taught!” To such people, Bible teaching that contradicts their traditions is to be rejected simply because it differs from what they hold as precious.

There is no conflict between the unity called for in the Bible, and the pursuit of truth. In fact, True unity can be obtained only as we embrace the truth. Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to “all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

May we be fair-minded as the Bereans, who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

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Proverbs 13:15 tells us that the way of the transgressor is hard. Sin promises happiness and enjoyment, but ultimately delivers only sorrow. This is a lesson that is important for all to learn.

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Saul’s encounter with Jesus in Acts 9, and the events that followed are discussed in this lesson.

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Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

Josh uses the Lord’s parable of the Wheat and the Tares, recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, to establish the importance of preparation for the day of judgment.

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Sermon by Brantley Gallman.

Brantley examines a number of different lessons to be learned from the Old Testament narrative regarding King Jehu. (2 Kings 9 & 10)

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Sermon by Josh Cox.

Josh discusses the proper attitude toward sin that should be present in every child of God.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Colossians 4:5-6, the Apostle calls for wisdom, and graceful speech.

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It is interesting, and rather disheartening to note that brethren can quickly become complacent with regard to false doctrine. Typically, when a false doctrine is introduced, it is dealt with by those who uphold the truth, sides are taken, and the issue fades. Unfortunately, those who hold to the error are seldom fully expelled from fellowship with God’s people. This was the case with Israel, which failed as a nation to eradicate idolatry. As such, the worship of foreign gods was a constant sin of the nation throughout its history. It seems that we have not learned from history. In this generation, God’s people continue to fellowship those who bring error into the camp. As Paul wrote, “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 4:3-4).

Continue reading “Fellowship and the “Days” of Genesis” →

The term in the title “diss” is common slang in our time. It is a shortened form for the word disrespect. In this article, I’m less concerned with the mongrelization of the English language, and more concerned about the disrespect so many show to the Almighty.

Interestingly, men have always been, and are especially now, sensitive to others showing disrespect for them. It is insulting, and has led not only to arguments and fisticuffs, but even to national wars! When a fight between two teenagers is broken up, the reason for the spat is commonly stated: “He dissed me!”

While we may be sensitive to others showing a lack of respect for us, we often lack awareness of how our actions can “diss” God! In Leviticus 10:1, Nadab and Abihu, priests of God and sons of Aaron, offered profane (unauthorized) fire before God in the burning of incense. What was God’s response? “So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (vs. 2).

What was God’s motivation for killing them? They “dissed” Him! God said, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified” (vs. 3).

Next time you think about doing your own thing, just assuming that God will approve of your willfulness, you had better think twice. You don’t want to diss God!

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Weeds are the bane of anyone who desires a pretty lawn. They are an unsightly blight upon what would otherwise be a unmarred expanse of pretty green. Too, when they proliferate, they choke out the grass.

In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, he notes that some seed fell among thorns (weeds). He states the thorns “choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).

Fortunately, Jesus specifies what these things are, three in number (cf. Mark 4:19):

1. The cares of this world. Our focus is not to be on food and clothing, but upon the kingdom of God! (cf. Matthew 6:33).
2. The deceitfulness of riches. Life is not about money and possessions. Whoever thinks so is like the foolish rich man of Luke 12). “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (vs. 20).
3. The desires for other things. No matter our desire, the lack of contentment is an enemy to those who seek to live for God. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Pull up the weeds (thorns) in your life, and become fruitful in your service to the Lord!

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Acts 8 records the conversion of the Samaritans, as a result of Philip’s ministry in that region.

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