Tri-Annual Singing!
June 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Author: Stan Cox
Minister, West Side church of Christ since August of 1989 ........ Editor of Watchman Magazine (1999-2018 Archives available online @ http://watchmanmag.com) ........ Writer, The Patternists: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatternists
Invitation: The Importance of Prayer
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The first few verses of 1 Timothy 2, show that prayer for the governing authorities is important so that we might continue to serve God in peace.
From the Preacher’s Pen: A Good Man
On Wednesday a family friend passed from this life to his reward. His name is Jay Bowman, and I have known him since I was 9 years old. Jay came to preach for the small Westridge congregation in Odessa where my family and I had recently started to attend.
A number of years ago, Jay contracted Parkinson’s disease, and over the last several years his health had declined. He broke a hip a month ago, and from that point deteriorated rapidly. He was buried in Lubbock yesterday.
You probably have heard of his brother Dee Bowman. Dee holds lots of meetings, and is well known as a charismatic and interesting speaker. Jay was not as well known, but labored faithfully for congregations in Odessa, Abilene and Midland, TX before retiring. His Parkinson’s affected his voice, and made it difficult to preach full time.
Jay, and his wife Glenda were greatly respected and loved by many, including my family. Jay was a very quiet and unpretentious man. He was a true scholar, one of the preeminent Greek scholars in the brotherhood. He was a capable speaker, though almost an opposite in style to his brother. Most of all, he personified what it means to be a Christian man. He was kind, compassionate and good. I have often said that his example served as a primary motivation for me to become a preacher. He will be missed.
His wife Glenda, son Philip, and Philip’s wife and kids, live in the Lubbock area. I would appreciate your saying a prayer for the family at their great loss.
Invitation: The Judgment Seat
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In numerous places in scripture, there are references to a Judgment Seat. Pilate sat on one (John 19), as did Gallio (Acts 18). Paul reveals that one day Jesus will sit on the Judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-11), so we should aim to please Him!
Sermon: Wood of the Vine
In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of wood cut from a vine to describe the unfaithfulness of Judah, which would be met by God’s judgment. The lesson has direct applications for us today.
The Boasts of the Wicked
When discussing the existence of God, a question is inevitably asked, “If God exists, why does he allow evil to prosper?” The answer to the question is a simple one. God has given us the wonderful gift of free will. The unfortunate byproduct of that gift is that some will choose to do evil. The very fact that the ungodly do not “play fair” makes it sometimes seem that they hold the upper hand.
It is unfair, and we desire God’s intervention. When we do not see His hand in what we deem a timely manner, we sometimes ask as the Psalmist, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (10:1).
Psalm 10 is actually a wonderful passage to read for answers to this conundrum. Consider the following:
Invitation: Why the Bible Was Written
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
If one accepts what the Bible says about itself, he must recognize it was written to bring faith, and therefore, salvation to mankind. Accepting the Bible demands obedience to its call.
Sermon: David’s Mighty Men
Sermon preached by Jonathan Hinds.
Lessons learned from David’s mighty men, as revealed in 1 Chronicles 11.
Invitation: The Glory of the New Covenant
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul contrasts the Law of Moses with the unveiled glory of the New Covenant. The gospel of our Lord is transformative to those who hear and abide in it!
Sermon: The TRUE Daniel Plan
There is a new diet book out called, The Daniel Plan. It references a passage from Daniel 1:8, where Daniel refused the diet of the king of Babylon. There is a true plan found in the book of Daniel, which if followed, will bring spiritual benefits and health.
Sermon: Sorrow for Sin
You cannot experience the joy of salvation unless you have felt the proper sorrow for your sins. One purpose of preaching is to bring sorrow to the sinner, that he might repent.
Sermon: Spring 2015 Meeting Sermons – Heath Rogers
Below are the links to the audio and powerpoint presentations from Heath Rogers, who held a meeting at the West Side church on May 9-14, 2015.
Lesson 1: “Whom Are You Seeking?”
Lesson 2: Help in Times of Trouble
Lesson 3: Lessons from Hezekiah’s Prayer
Lesson 4: Making Evangelism a Priority
Lesson 5: The Grace of God
Lesson 6: Mediocrity
Lesson 7: A Man After God’s Own Heart
Lesson 8: Can We Understand the Bible Alike?
Lesson 9: The Second Coming of Christ
Whatadinosaur!
Those in our Apologetics class on Wednesday night saw the placemat brother Hatch brought from Whataburger. You may have heard my response, “Here we have it, definitive evidence that man and dinosaurs inhabited the earth at the same time!” A T-Rex devouring a Whataburger, when the Whataburger restaurants were not established until 1950!
For those not in the class, here is a short recap of our study about dinosaurs. First, the creation account, if accepted as historical narrative, requires a relatively young earth, and the co-existence of men and dinosaurs. It may be that most dinosaurs (reptiles) became extinct because of the flood and possible climate changes that followed, but the creation week of Genesis 1 accounts for all life that has existed upon earth.
Evolutionists dismiss evidence that men and dinosaurs walked the earth together, but evidence (both direct and indirect in nature) does exist. A few examples:
Invitation: Pursue Peace
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The text of Hebrews 12:12-17 expresses our responsibilities toward one another as Christians. We pursue peace, lest we lose a brother to the world.
Sermon: Godly Ambition VS Selfish Ambition
In James 3, the Holy Spirit contrasted godly wisdom and the wisdom of the world. A main consideration is the character of the individual. We must not only be right, we must also be good!
Sermon: the Righteousness of God
God’s righteousness is not an act of will, it is an attribute of character. Put differently, God is not righteous because He chooses to be, but because it is His nature. This truth has enormous implications for man.
