Author: Stan Cox

In Colossians 3:5, the apostle Paul told the Christians there to “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.” The reason for this admonition? “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience…” (vs. 6).

The phrase “members which are on the earth” is an interesting one. These things “members” are aspects of a person that precludes him from serving God acceptably. Specifically, while these things could be considered sinful themselves, they are also the attitudes and characteristics that lead a person to sinful actions. These “members” are characteristic of a lustful, lascivious, hateful and greedy person. So, Christians should “put them to death.” Continue reading “Put to Death Your Members Which Are on the Earth” →

Two possibilities were acknowledged by Paul while in prison.  He could die (be executed) or he could be spared and continue his ministry.

Which was best for Paul? For him, it was to die. This is true for every faithful Christian. It is not a death wish to acknowledge the preference for eternity. Here we are limited in our fellowship with God. Beyond death is the reward of eternity in God’s presence, without the troubles and trials of life.

Which was best for the Philippians? It was for Paul to live. They needed him. As an apostle, a preacher of the gospel, and their companion in the faith, Paul helped supply their spiritual needs.  His loss would challenge them spiritually. “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (24).

Because others needed Paul to remain, his confidence was that he would be released to do his work. He trusted that God did not want his life to end, and if God did not want it to end, he had faith his work would “continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith” (25).

I write this as a concise primer, a reminder, a help to anyone who wants to share the gospel with the world, or who themselves have not accepted God’s supreme gift to mankind. It is a bit barebones for space purposes. If any questions arise, you can talk to, email or message me and I will be sure to answer you ASAP.

First, God created man to be different from all other life. We are told we alone are created in the image of God, (cf. Genesis 1:27). This does not mean that we physically look like God (if so, we would not be unique). It means that we alone are created with a soul. We alone have been given free will, and we can choose to obey or disobey God. Both have consequences. Continue reading “God’s Scheme for Redeeming Man” →

In Ephesians 5:15-16 the apostle Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” It is an interesting passage, expressing the need to live our lives as God directs, and expressing the motivation for our discipleship. Consider the following: Continue reading “Walk Circumspectly” →

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalms 119:9).

Our encouragements to read and study God’s word are constant.  That is because they are important. It only takes a few minutes to consider why:

1. God is in control.
2. God requires us to do His will in order to please Him.
3. His will is wholly contained in scripture which is readily available to all, and we are encouraged to use it!

It is like being able to take an open book test in school.  Even the smart kids are going to take advantage of the open book.  However, religiously many feel free to guess, to assume, to opine, to invent—all when God’s word is easily opened, and God’s will is easily found.

So, consider these truths while thinking about whether you are interested in reading the Bible through in this next year. It only take a few moments a day.  It shouldn’t be the sum total of your Bible study in the new year, but it is a good place to start.

A simple examination of the text. The pronouns regard God in the first instance, and His Son in the last three.

God gave Jesus a place of preeminence in the world. This is best demonstrated in the church, which is figuratively described as His body. As the head is to the body, so is Christ to the church. He is the authority, He is the guide, He is the director.

As the church (His body) does His will on earth, it accomplishes everything God intends. This is our purpose as we live here — do Christ’s will, and accomplish His purpose.

Another truth in the metaphor of the head and the body is that there is one of each. One head and multiple bodies is a monster. There is only one body, on church (cf. Ephesians 4:4).

One body with multiple heads is a monstrosity as well. For any to exalt themselves by taking authority that belongs to Christ is wrong. He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

Christ fulfills us completely. His power, goodness, might, love & preeminence empower us in all things  (1 Corinthians 15:58).

An application of Matthew 7:7-12, as it applies to mistakes we can make as parents in raising our children. All Christian parents need to take heed!

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Our last 9am sermon of the year looks forward to a prosperous and zealous year 2024 from the members at West Side.

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As Christians, we are to emulate the goodness and love of Jesus Christ as we interact with enemies, and those who disappoint or use us.

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A short examination of the text of Romans 11, as the apostle notes the way in which both Jews and Gentiles are redeemed under the New Covenant.

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The first epistle of John is a wonderful letter, giving us insight into God and His beneficent Person as it relates to men.

God is Light

For example, John wrote in (1:5), “This is the message which we have learned from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is not darkness at all.” There are many truths impacted by this declaration.  First, we rejoice in God’s light, as it is the illumination of eternity! (cf. Revelation 2:23).  While hell is described as a horrendous place of eternal darkness (cf. Jude 13), heaven is place of light, without the need of outer illumination.

However, the chief point of John in his epistle is that for us to walk as God would have it (“in the light”, cf. 6), we must have fellowship with God.  Or, explained differently, walking in darkness severs our fellowship with God (6).

God is Love

In 1 John 4:8 the apostle also writes, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”  Another declaration about God.  It helps to establish God’s nature, especially as we read what love is like in Paul’s discourse of 1 Corinthians 13.  “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (13:4-8).

This does such a good job of describing God, but it also indicates the importance of the concept in our faith, and the type of people we are to be!  As John put it, our love for God is the litmus test regarding our fellowship with Him. “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:4-6).

God is Life

Finally, John wrote, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).  The Supreme Being in the universe, the One who created us, and all things material, is the One who is from eternity, the One true God.  As Jesus wrote, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” says the Lord, “Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).  God is eternal, and so is the Giver of eternal life. We must come to Him to have eternal life!

This context is divided into two different passages so that first the event can be examined, and then the message Paul proclaimed (verses 14-21) can be addressed later.

When Peter came to Antioch of Syria, he and Paul had an encounter caused by Peter’s sin. Though by this time the inclusion of Gentiles into the kingdom was established (Acts 15), there was still opposition to it that Peter reacted to by “separating himself [from the Gentiles] fearing those who were of the circumcision” (12).

This was a public sin, and Paul responded publicly, admonishing Peter “before them all” (14). Peter’s actions were public, and they had led others, even Barnabas, to be “carried away with their hypocrisy” (13). Public sin can and often must be dealt with publicly. A little leaven leavens a whole lump (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6).

Apparently, this admonition left no hard feelings, as Peter wrote approvingly of Paul in his own epistle at another time (cf. 2 Peter 3:15-16). A penitent soul does not harbor resentment for admonition.

I get this question just about every year, and I know that some Christians do not understand it either. So, here is a simple, concise explanation.

We rejoice at the birth of our Lord. We think of it often, but do not set aside a special day of remembrance because Jesus did not tell us to.

Jesus did establish a memorial for His death, as recorded in Matthew 26, and we remember His death each first day of the week, following the example of the Christians in the first century (cf. Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

But to do something that has not been explicitly authorized by God is to presume to know His will when He has not revealed it to us. No one can rightfully do so. “…Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 11:2). In fact, we are told, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

So, to be clear, we do not in any way object to the birth of Jesus. It was a wonderful event, bringing joy to mankind (cf. Luke 2:13-14). However, we respect the mind of our God, and as a church (congregation) we refuse to speak or authorize a practice that He has not spoken on.

Christmas is a religious holiday started by men. It is not found in scripture. So, we pass.