Author: Stan Cox

Romans 5:6-8 states, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

It is interesting that Paul compares (in an unfavorable fashion) a “righteous” man and a “good” man to us as sinners. While we desire to be known as righteous, and can be, the reality is that we all have sinned, and as such appear as unrighteous before God.

And yet, God sent His son to die in our place. Both at the time of Christ’s sacrifice and today as well, men respond to that love and gift of grace with indifference and even a rebellious spirit.

In the very next chapter, Paul reveals the proper response to the love shown us by Christ. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certinaly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1b-2).

May all of us who have responded the Lord’s gospel remember the call of Christ, to live “soberly, righteously and godly in the present age” (cf. Titus 2:12).

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In 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, the apostle Paul refers to himself as a fool. However, he was willing to be considered as such, that he might preach the gospel of Christ.

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Apathy among the people of God is always a lamentable state. We must be zealous for our God!

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Luke 23:13-24, the narrative reveals Pilate’s conversation with the Jews, noting that Pilate recognized the innocence of Christ. Christ died, not because He was guilty, but because of OUR sin (1 Peter 2:21-25).

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The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Without going into specifics about what IS “rightly dividing the word of truth”, there are a few evident conclusions from this short text.

First, consider that a worker who does NOT rightly divide the word of truth has reason to be ashamed. This stands in contrast to the popular, but uninformed view that God is not concerned with our understanding or heeding His will for us. He is! And for the one who is willfully ignorant, it is appropriate to say, “You should be ashamed of yourself!” Consider prayerfully that such shame is in the eyes of God, not man.

Second, consider that the admonition to rightly divide indicates the possibility of dividing the truth in a wrong or illegitimate way. Too often religious disagreements are attributed to the fact that “we just see things differently”, or “these are just equally valid interpretations.” Spiritual truth is no more subjective than the solution to a common math problem. We are not free to believe what we wish, we are commanded to believe God’s will!

Third, it takes diligence to rightly divide the word of truth. I recently read an article that bemoaned the loss of respect for the “expert.” In our egalitarian society, every person seems to believe his opinion on any matter is as valid (true) as any other, no matter how uninformed he may be. As a preacher, I have actively studied God’s word for over 35 years. And yet, it is common for individuals who are completely ignorant of what the Bible teaches to argue as if they are equals in understanding God’s will. It is not necessary to get a university degree to know God’s will for man, but it does take diligent study.

I encourage you to diligently study the Bible, so that you may receive God’s approval. In so doing, you will equip yourself for “every good work” (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

(Note: This passage alone is sufficient reason for the articles here on the Patternist Facebook page. If we take this admonition seriously, our first question should be HOW to rightly divide the word of truth). These efforts serve to assist in that pursuit.

To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Matthew 6:9-13 contains a model prayer given by Christ to His disciples.

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In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul establishes certain building blocks of Christian character.

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No doubt we all had a wonderful time with family and friends this past Thursday. Thanksgiving, as a national holiday, is certainly appropriate and beneficial. However, if it alone is a day where the giving of thanks by our nation takes priority, it is woefully inadequate. Christians especially should be quick to thank our Lord for the many physical and spiritual blessings we receive at His hand. Below is a quote I found on the subject. I commend it to you.

“Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday, but what are you doing for me today. The past is meaningless and so is the future. They live for the present. Those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future.”

Source unknown

“Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:3-5)..

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Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Jeremiah discusses the concept of Thanksgiving, and notes the consequences of ingratitude, using the text of Deuteronomy 8:11-ff.

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The lesson consists of two parts, describing what the Bible teaches on the subject of the Lord’s Supper, and dealing with certain issues (number of containers, evening observance, etc.) by an appeal to the authority of God’s word.

Audio 1 Audio Part 1
Audio 2 Audio Part 2

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The following sermon was preached in two parts, in the AM and PM services.

The practice of Institutionalism has caused a large and unfortunate division among God’s people. Those who practice it violate the authority of scripture.

The lesson discusses the dangers of 4 aspects of the Institutional question, showing the contrast between such practices and the pattern established in scripture. These four aspects are:

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Audio (Part 2)

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The Hebrew writer references a list of unnamed individuals whose steadfastness (along with those who are named in previous verses) constitute a wonderful influence for us to do right and serve Jesus Christ steadfastly ourselves.

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In John’s opening words, he affirmed himself to be an eyewitness of the resurrected Christ, and that His resurrection is the basis of his readers’ standing with God. As Paul wrote, the gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16).

In verse 4 he states, “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” Actually, manuscript authorities differ on whether the word is “our” or “your.”

If “our”, the apostle would have reference either to himself (as he used the editorial “we” to begin the epistle (cf. vs. 1), or to the common joy both he and the readers would experience through the reality of their fellowship in Christ. If “your”, the meaning would be the same, but directed to his readers alone.

Regardless, our contemplation of the redemptive acts of Jesus brings great joy to our lives as Christians. Because we believe in Him, we have fellowship together, and the hope of heaven. There is no greater source of joy available to us!

In the last 100 years, our nation has been involved in numerous wars. The first World War was believed by many to be the “war to end all wars.” Surely mankind learned its lesson from the atrocities and loss of life. Alas, no. The second World War erupted only a few decades after, followed by America’s involvement in the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, two separate wars with Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and our present undeclared war with Muslim Militants. Other, minor conflicts pepper our nation’s history over the last century.

It seems war is inevitable. Even though many have wearied of the loss of life and economic privation that accompanies warfare, evil men remain resolute in their desire to subdue, conquer, and press their ideologies upon others. This demonstrates a universal truth. Peace is not attained unilaterally. It takes a willingness on the part of all, to be established and maintained.

Continue reading “Wage the Good Warfare” →

Here’s a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry … be happy.
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry … be happy.

Bobby McFerrin

The song has a catchy tune, and with certain caveats, properly expresses the attitude that Christians should exhibit toward their lives here on earth. Notice the following passages:

Continue reading “Don’t Worry … Be Happy!” →