Tri-Annual Singing!
October 17, 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
From the Preacher’s Pen: Offering the Invitation
It is our practice at the end of every sermon to offer an invitation to those in attendance to come forward, and express any spiritual need they may have. It may be that they desire to be baptized in water “for the remission of sins” (cf. Acts 2:38). It may be that they wish to acknowledge some public sin, and show their penitent spirit to the brethren (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11). It may be that they need the prayers of the saints for comfort and strength (cf. James 5:16). Frankly, I couldn’t bring myself to step down after giving an exhortation from God’s word without offering an opportunity for those who heard it to respond to the message.
I don’t understand why some others have ceased the practice. Surely when we preach our desire is to elicit a response from our listeners? Even if a particular message is designed more for edification than exhortation, it may be that one of which we are not aware has a need to unburden his soul.
A favorite scripture is God’s tender invitation to close the New Testament. Coupled with the promise of the Lord’s second coming, and the further promise of a reward to the faithful (cf. vs. 12), the apostle John pens these stirring words, “And the Spirit and the bride say ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). The words express the intent of every lesson I preach. May the Lord come quickly, and may we all be prepared for that day!
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Salvation
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This ninth in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Salvation, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Marriage
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This eighth in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Marriage, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Benevolence
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This seventh in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Benevolence, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Evangelism
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This fifth in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Evangelism (what it is, and how it is to be done), and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Discipline
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This fourth in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Discipline, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Worship
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This third in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Christian worship, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Organization
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This second in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about the organization of the local church, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Authority
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (NASB).
This first in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes the fact that the Bible is God’s standard, and should be respected and submitted to in order to be pleasing to God.
Invitation: Distorting the Gospel of Christ
Invitation delivered by: Joel Duque
Using a recent personal experience to illustrate the point, Joel contrasts what the scriptures teach regarding baptism, and the need for steadfastness, with what is commonly taught in the denominations.
Sermon: The Sin of Partiality
Sermon preached by Joshua Cox:
James 2:1-13 teaches us not to be partiality. The lesson describes and discusses the sin of partiality.
Invitation: Walk Circumspectly
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Ephesians 5:15-17, the apostle Paul calls for a careful, circumspect walk. We must walk in accord His will, redeeming the time!
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.
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.
