Author: Stan Cox

An interesting aspect of an examination of Moses’ excuses to God when he was charged with the task of leading the Israelites is that the excuses are common to each of us.

* Who am I?
* What shall I say?
* Suppose they will not believe me?
* I am slow of speech and tongue?
* Please send someone else!

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

In 2 Kings 5, we learn of Naaman, a Syrian general and honorable man, who was stricken with the disease of leprosy. An Israelite maiden was a servant of Naaman’s wife, and told her mistress of the prophet Elisha, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy” (3).

Inquiries were made, and eventually Naaman made his way to Elisha’s house. Rather than meeting with the man, Elisha simply sent a messenger to him with the following message: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean” (10).

Continue reading “Men Displeased with God” →

“The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad!” (Psalm 97:1).

There is good cause for rejoicing in the realization that the Lord reigns over our world. The Psalmist expresses the greatness of that reign by writing, “His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” (4-5). We rejoice not only because of His power, but also because, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (2).

God is all powerful, and wholly good. He is beneficent, and those who belong to Him will be protected. “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (10-11).

It is important to note the contrast between those who belong to Him (His saints) and the wicked. It is not possible to rightly claim to be His if our lives are characterized by sin. “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:6).

We have the wondrous promise that God will reward the righteous. The Psalmist concludes, “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His name” (12). All praise to the Almighty!

Jesus often taught by parable. A parable is a story told, using simple objects or situations, to illustrate a spiritual principle. Such illustrations can be extremely powerful, and this is certainly the case with his Parable of the Sower. The parable is included in all of the synoptic gospels, (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:2-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-15).

The accounts reveal that the disciples were first confused about the meaning of this parable. Fortunately for us, Jesus gave to them and us a clear explanation of his words. Consider the following important points that can be derived from this parable. Citations will be from the account recorded by Luke:

Continue reading “The Parable of the Sower” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Colossians 4:2-6, Paul requested prayers, that he might be able and effective in the preaching of the gospel. He expresses that we need to have the same desire.

Audio

Psalm 50:21 reveals that God is not at all like us:

* He does not think like us
* He is not limited in knowledge
* He is not limited by time
* He is not limited in power
* He does not sin like us

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera

In Luke 18:16-17, Jesus commented on the innocence of the little children, noting the importance of becoming as a child to enter the kingdom of God.

Audio

Our text describes a group of men called “magi,” or wise men, from the east who had observed astronomically a sign which led them to believe the King of the Jews had been born. We can only speculate concerning the nature of that star. It is evident that the sign convinced both these wise men and Herod the Great that the promised Messiah had come.

Herod was a usurper of the throne of Judah, and no doubt this event caused him great anxiety. He was “troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (3). This was the first, but not the last time that the Savior would experience the opposition of men who were more concerned with their status than with the truth.

The place of Jesus’ birth was predicted by Micah (5:2). It was Bethlehem of Judea, the home town of Jesus’ earthly father Joseph. Herod’s inquiry of the scribes was for the purpose of locating and killing the child he perceived to be his rival (cf. 2:13).

Sermon by Bob Ward.

The lesson is a scriptural discussion of the topic of friendship.

Audio

Sermon by Josh Cox.

The text of Matthew 10, where Jesus commissioned his apostles to spread his gospel is used as a parallel to express our own responsibilities to preach the good news.

Audio

In his salutation to the seven churches of Asia, identified by name in chapters 2 & 3, he pronounces blessings upon them from the Father “Him who is and who was and who is to come”, the Holy Spirit “the seven Spirits who are before His throne”, and the Son “the firstborn from the dead.”

(Note: some believe the phrase “seven Spirits” refers to the spirits of the seven churches, but it seems the context is referring to each person of the Godhead, in turn. As such, the number seven would have symbolic significance as a reference to the Holy Spirit).

Regardless, John affirms Jesus as our Lord and Savior (6), and promises His second coming (7). The central theme of the book is our victory through the power of God. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End… who is and was and who is to come, the Almighty” (8).

The book of Joshua contains a wonderful summary of his leadership of Israel. Joshua was a man of great character and loyalty to God. During his service to God and His people, the nation took possession of the land of Canaan, obtaining the inheritance God had promised to Abraham and his descendants.

While each individual is responsible for his own relationship with God, a good leader can exert influence to keep men faithful to the Almighty. Joshua is an example of such a man. As he ascended to the leadership role, God promised him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (1:9). Of course, that favor was contingent upon his loyalty to the Lord, “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (1:7).

Continue reading “Joshua: A Godly and Successful Leader” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

2 Peter 1:5-11 talks of the need of continual spiritual development as a child of God.

Audio

You see many short pithy sayings splashed across Facebook and other internet pages these days — words that are an attempt at wisdom or profundity, sometimes accompanied by a provocative picture to illustrate the point. Many such sentiments are more foolish than wise, more obtuse than profound. Occasionally, though, you come across something pretty good. Like this short, uncredited tidbit:

“I refuse to entertain myself with the things
for which my God went to the cross.”

These words present an attitude of militant loyalty that is sorely lacking among Christians today. We need to understand that entertaining ourselves with sinful things is traitorous action toward God! As James wrote, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (4:4).

The next time you are tempted to see that sexually provocative movie, read that racy novel, gaze upon that immodestly dressed woman, hang out with those ungodly “friends” from school or work, or purchase that “sexy” outfit, consider how by so doing you are allying yourself against the Almighty! It is neither smart nor safe to provoke a jealous God! “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’”? (James 4:5). Well, do you think the Scripture says it in vain? Or not?

The narrative of 2 Kings 7, where the lepers’ felt need to share the good news of God’s victory over Syria is used to express our obligation to share the gospel with the world.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides