Author: Stan Cox

This one is hitting close to home. The San Antonio city council is considering adopting an ordinance that will update their non-discrimination policy. This new ordinance will, if enacted, effectively ban anyone who expresses their faith from involvement in city business. Following is the text of the proposed ordinance:

“No person shall be appointed to a position if the city council finds that such person has, prior to such proposed appointment, engaged in discrimination or demonstrated a bias, by word or deed, against any person, group or organization on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, or disability.”

The ordinance adds two new categories to protected status — sexual orientation and gender identity. It also uses the words “demonstrated a bias”, without defining what rises to the level of bias. It is open ended, showing that such “demonstrations” have no expiration date.

Continue reading “In the News: Demonstrating a Bias” →

The question is as old as the Kingdom itself, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (cf. Acts 2:37). When confronted with the reality of sin, those convicted of their guilt desire to know what they must do to be saved from condemnation.

An examination of God’s word reveals five things to be done for a person to be saved. So, Christians have often referred to the five steps to salvation. This phrase has been ridiculed as simplistic, legalistic, PATTERNISTIC. What it is, is scriptural.

1. HEAR. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
2. BELIEVE. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness…” (Romans 10:10).
3. REPENT. “Repent…for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).
4. CONFESS. (That “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Acts 8:37) “…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
5. BE BAPTIZED. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

The process of passing from death to life begins when an alien sinner hears the good news of Jesus Christ, and is completed when he arises from the waters of baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

For those who object to such a listing of steps to salvation, we ask two simple questions. Are any of the listed steps unnecessary? Did we leave any steps out? In reality, this teaching approach has led to the salvation of multitudes. The gospel is sublime, but simple.

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Paul admonished the Colossians, “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).

The admonition does not mean that we are to SAY we are doing what we do in His name. Jesus asked, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). The key to doing “all in the name of the Lord” is to do what HE tells us to do.

The phrase “in the name of the Lord” is an indication that what we do is authorized by Jesus. It can’t be done “in His name” unless it is His will. No man has the right to go beyond the pattern established by Jesus.

There is a consequence to accepting Jesus as your Lord. If He is your Lord, He has authority over you. This limits your actions to what He allows and approves. As Paul, you must say, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

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Many religious people are willing to accept that Jesus Christ is the Lord of their lives. However, they are resistant to accepting the consequences of that pledge. As Lord, Jesus is to be obeyed without hesitation or questioning.

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Jesus promised in His sermon on the mount that if we seek first the kingdom of God, all the necessities of life would be added to us (cf. Matthew 6:33). This lesson does not emphasize the promise, rather what does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God.

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In Luke 17:5-10, the apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith. In response, Jesus challenged them with suggestions to follow that their faith might increase. The lesson discusses those suggestions.

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The circumstances of Jesus’ birth are established forthrightly by Matthew and Luke. While modernists struggle with the concept of a child being born of a virgin, the believer accepts God’s intent, purpose and ability to bring this event about.

Matthew reveals the following in this short section of his gospel:

1. After Joseph and Mary were betrothed (a type of engagement), Mary became pregnant.
2. At this time Mary was a virgin, the conception was the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. Joseph was informed of God’s plan, and scuttled his plans to put away Mary (as he obviously had thought from her pregnancy that she had been with another man).
4. God’s plan was that the virgin would bear a son named Jesus, who would be the Savior of mankind (vs. 21).
5. The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). That prophecy refers to the child as “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” Thus, Jesus was declared from birth to be God on earth (cf. John 1:14).
6. In answer to the vision from God, Joseph did not have sexual relations with his wife until after she gave birth to Jesus.

This account marks the beginning of the events leading to the ultimate redemption of mankind (cf. John 17:3).

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 is used to show how continued faithfulness is necessary for us to be saved eternally.

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I have a mild case of arthritis. It is, I suppose another indication of my descent into middle age and beyond. My mind persists in the self-image of a young man, but my body knows that to be an delusion. My arthritis affects mainly my hands. A couple of weeks ago I suffered a mild jamb of the index finger on my left hand. The finger is still giving me fits. The other joints are less painful, but are continuously stiff and sore.

Pain is irritating. We have all types of medication, mild and strong, designed to lessen or alleviate it. But, all know that pain serves and important purpose. I recently read an article about a little girl (12 years old) who suffered from CIPA, a congenital condition that affects the way signals travel from her central nervous system. Because of her condition, she can not feel any pain. On the surface, that might be considered a blessing, but it is very dangerous. She would not have pain symptoms should her appendix inflame or rupture, would not notice a cut or break, and would never know about a raging infection or other painful condition.

God created our bodies. They are amazing machines. They even have the ability to diagnose and combat the problems they encounter, often without any conscious thought on our part. My arthritis pain irritates me. But, the alternative is rather scary to consider! As the Psalmist wrote, “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).

Webster’s Dictionary defines progressive as, (a) of, relating to, or characterized by progress; (b) making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities. In relation to politics and societal trends, a progressive is interested in change. He wants to try new ideas, take advantage of new technologies, and is always trying to make the world a better place by replacing old ideas and ways with new ones.

One antonym of progressive, as supplied by Webster, is the word conservative. Again, speaking politically and societally, the conservative is wary of change. He embraces the way things have been done in the past, declaring them tried and true. He does not believe that change is for the better, and rejects new ideas and technologies as merely novel, fearing unknown consequences should they be adopted.

Continue reading “Progressive VS Conservative” →

In Exodus 14:13, Moses told the people of God to, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” We must be discerning to know when to press forward, and when to stand still. The phrase is used several times in scripture.

No audio was recorded of this lesson.

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The conversion of Lydia and her household (Acts 16) is contrasted with a modern, evangelical example of Baptism.

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The other day I came across a motivational message for exercise and weight loss. The message was one of “tough love”, stating, “If you’re tired of starting over… stop giving up!”

As someone who has struggled with my weight most of my adult life, (and is trying yet again to get down to a healthy number), the message resonated. The sentiment is rather harsh, but anyone who has tried and failed to lose weight, stop smoking, or break any bad habit knows that ultimately, the success that some enjoy is directly attributable to their will. While challenging, the message gives hope as well. If this time you can stick to it, you can overcome previous disappointments and achieve your goal. While education, strategies and support all may be integral — in the end it takes perseverance to accomplish your goals.

The lesson is an important one as it applies to our spiritual standing with God. The Christian walk is a lifetime endeavor, and some do not exercise the will to live it consistently and zealously. They may become apathetic, or may be overcome by temptation. Some may become weary of “starting over” even to the point of chucking it all and returning to the world. We may understand and empathize about the difficulties of living our lives for God, but ultimately there is no excuse for failing. In the end, it is a simple matter of will.

Paul wrote, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). In other words, “stop giving up!”

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The talk contrasts the wisdom of God with the words of men. (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

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The Psalmist asked in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The lesson seeks to answer the question, by suggesting that the righteous can:

• Continue to keep faith in God
• Continue to pray
• Be careful not to be consumed by anger
• Overcome evil with good
• Remember that they are living for heaven
• Obey God rather than men

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