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

Sermon: The Worship of the Samaritans

The worship of the Samaritans did not please God. This was because it was motivated by an imperfect fear of Jehovah, was characterized by form over substance, and constituted a compromise of God’s will for man. The applications to us are evident.

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Powerpoint Slides

Sermon: The Cowboy Bible

“What must I do to be saved?” is the most important question anyone can ask. This is a first principle lesson contrasting the beliefs concerning what someone must do to be saved that appears on the inside cover of “The Cowboy Bible” with what the scriptures actually teach.

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Powerpoint Slides

Sermon: Caleb Followed the Lord Fully

Numbers 13 & 14 reveal the faithfulness of Caleb. He followed the Lord his whole life, with his whole heart, despite the opposition and danger that accompanied his service. He serves as a wonderful example to us.

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Invitation: A Zealous Practice of Love

Image Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

A discussion of Colossians 3:14-25 indicating that the love we express (the bond of perfection), must be in accord with Christ’s will, and practiced zealously.

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Sermon: “They had been with Jesus”

The sermon uses the text of Acts 4:5-14, (the example of Peter and John’s preaching) as an example to us. When we are with Jesus (in fellowship with him):

  1. It will be noticed by others
  2. Our confidence will be placed in Christ
  3. We will have boldness

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Powerpoint Slides

Sermon: “Let us go on to perfection”

The lesson uses Hebrews 5:11 – 6:3 to establish 3 reasons why we should mature spiritually as Christians. They are:

  1. We should mature by reason of time (5:12)
  2. We should mature by reason of use (5:13-14)
  3. We should mature because it is God’s will for us (6:3)

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Powerpoint Slides

The Damage Done by Adultery

I recently came across a fine article written by Rusty Miller, which appeared in the June 2003 issue of Abundant Life Magazine. The article was titled “Adultery’s Consequences”, and noted the damage that the sin of adultery wreaks upon society, the church, children, marriage and the soul. The article was a bit longer than the space allotted here, so I would like to take the main points, and concisely summarize them.

Teaching such as this is needed because of the frequency of the sin. It is certainly a societal problem, but how many times have we seen Christian families devastated by the sin of adultery? We wonder how a man or woman could behave in such a treacherous way. Lives and souls are destroyed by sexual infidelity. Consider the following:

Continue reading “The Damage Done by Adultery”

Invitation: Godliness is Profitable

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

1 Timothy 4:7-8 indicates that when we exercise ourselves toward godliness it profits us during this life (a wonderful benefit), but most importantly in the life which is to come!

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Sermon: Hagar and Sarah

A discussion of Galatians 4:21-31. To make your appeal to the Old Covenant, you align yourself with Hagar and Bondage rather than Sarah and freedom. As Christians, we are children of the free woman!

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Sermon: This Side or That Side

A discussion of Bible baptism, based on the command of Peter in Acts 2:38.

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From the Preacher’s Pen: Shortsighted

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I am typing this short article while away from home, and handicapped by having left my reading glasses behind. As such, my near-sightedness is making it difficult to complete the task.
Naturally, I am reminded of Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:9, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” The things to which Peter refers are: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

Consider that when Peter wrote these words there was no relief for a short sighted person. While I can pick up my glasses, they had no remedy. Such words would be especially poignant to one who suffered from near-sightedness, but would be a vivid picture to all. The Christian without his virtues is severely handicapped. It is difficult for him to accomplish his life’s purpose to serve God, and receive the reward.

In contrast, Peter writes, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 8). Peter promises the clear-sighted Christian an entrance “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (vs. 11). This requires diligence on our part (cf. vs. 10), and it certainly takes work to mature through the process of adding to our faith. What about it? How hard are you working to for such spiritual focus?

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Invitation: The Motivation of Admonition

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

2 Corinthians 2:4 explains Paul’s motivation for admonishing the Corinthians. When we receive admonition, it is good to remember why our brother feels compelled to correct us.

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Sermon: Words of Wisdom

The book of Ecclesiastes contains several miscellaneous words of wisdom in its pages that have beneficial applications to the Christian’s life.

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Sermon: Soldiers of Christ

The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier to describe the Christian’s relationship to Christ. Several important lessons can be derives from the word picture he draws.

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Special Study: The Christian and Ethics

This lesson was given at the Woodmont church of Christ, quarterly study on September 20, 2014. The subject is ethics, with a contrast between the humanly devised philosophies, and the objective Bible standard of right and wrong. Four examples are discussed in application of the principles: 1) Abortive types of contraception; 2) Extramarital Sexual relationships; Corporal Punishment; 4) Slavery.

The materials consist of an 80 minute lecture, a 30 minute Question and Answer period, and the Powerpoint presentation utilized in the initial presentation.

Audio (The Christian & Ethics – 80 minute lecture)

Audio (The Christian & Ethics – 30 minutes Question & Answer)

Powerpoint Slides

Article (DOCX) (The Christian and Ethics)
Same article in PDF Format (The Christian and Ethics)