Author: Stan Cox

Immediately following Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples following His resurrection, He ascended into heaven. With His ascension came the angel’s promise that Jesus would return, “in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (11).

There are several truths to note regarding Jesus’ promised second advent. First, note that his coming (as with his ascension) would be a visible event. The apostle Paul affirmed this as true in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Second, this second coming of Jesus will be a coming in judgment upon the world. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10, Paul writes that when Jesus comes, it will be to take vengeance upon the disobedient, and to give eternal rest to the faithful.

Third, when Jesus comes a second time, it will mark the end of the physical universe. Peter weighs in on this truth, affirming it in 2 Peter 3:8-13. The immolation of the universe is cause for us to live lives of “holy conduct and godliness.”

The promise of Jesus’ coming is sure. The angel’s words must be heeded. We must prepare for that day, lest we, as the foolish virgins, be shut out when the bridegroom comes! (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).

A recent online article from The Telegraph reported that the recently elevated Pope of the Catholic church has made efforts to reach out to agnostics and atheists. (for Telegraph article, click here .)

His words were given in response to some editorials that had appeared in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The paper’s founder, Eugenio Scalfari (an agnostic), had asked whether, “the Christian God forgives those who do not believe and do not seek faith.”

Continue reading “In the News: Pope Francis and Atheists” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The apostle Paul, in Galatians 5 talks about the conflict that exists in every man, between the lust of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He also explain how to win the war against the flesh.

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“Expedient” is defined as: a means of attaining an end. When choice is granted us by God, we often use the term “expedient” to designate that choice.

Using Ephesians 5:19 for an example, the Holy Spirit authorizes us to speak “to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” The authorization to sing comes with choices, or expediencies. We can utilize song books, or project the notes and lyrics on a screen. We can get the proper pitch, using a pitch pipe. We can appoint a man to start the song, and maintain the proper tempo. All of these things are choices that expedite, help carry out, the command to sing.

Paul wrote, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” (1 Corinthians 6:12). Not everything that is allowed (lawful) helps in carrying out God’s commands. However, in order for something to expedite the carrying out of such commands it must FIRST be LAWFUL!

Expedients are choices allowed within a thing authorized by God. In contrast to the choices mentioned above, a mechanical instrument of music is not an expedient to singing. It is not a choice made to aid in carrying out God’s command to sing. Instead, it is an ADDITION to God’s command, something different.

If song books or four part harmony are used in carrying out the command, all we do is sing. However, when an instrument is used, we sing AND PLAY.

The difference is stark and easily comprehended. For a thing to be EXPEDIENT it must first be LAWFUL.

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Colossians 3:1. “If then you were raised with Christ…” There is a consequence to our being raised with Christ. Things that are expected of us as a result of the blessing we have received from our Lord. We are to seek the things above, that are of Christ.

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Deuteronomy 8:11-18. The text introduces the question, Is there room for God in your life? A comfortable life can be dangerous, as we forget God. Truly, we are sufficient only in God, because only God is sufficient!

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Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The invitation was based upon Proverbs 12:2-3. Men are not established by sin. Rather, the foundation is to be found with God.

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The sermon begins in Daniel 3, and demonstrates that Our God is able to:

• Give and sustain life
• Save our souls
• Deliver us
• Reward us
• Punish the disobedient

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Powerpoint Slides

Speaker: Jonathan Hinds

The lesson uses the text of Malachi to admonish us as the priests of God (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). It is possible to despise the name of God, to weary him by our apathetic response of faith. We must take care to worship him with reverence and zeal.

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Powerpoint Slides (will be uploaded soon)

Speaker: Dennis Craig

Certain responsibilites and privileges follow one who becomes a Christian. The sermon discusses these things that follow becoming a child of God:

• Rejoice for Salvation
• Be Holy
• Study God’s Word
• Pray to God
• Assemble with the Saints
• Pepare for the Future

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The lesson uses the text of 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 to establish the folly of elevating men as followers of Christ. Christ alone is to be exalted. To exalt men may lead to division or a departure from truth.

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Sometimes when Jesus gives authority through His word, what He commands is specific in nature. In these instances, no discretion is available to His disciples. It is their place simply to heed and obey His command.

As we demonstrated in our article on the general nature of authority, the principle can be plainly demonstrated in God’s command to sing. In Ephesians 5:19 Paul wrote, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” When it comes to musical worship in the Lord’s church, God specified singing.

While the command to sing is generic in that it allows various styles and types of singing (unison, chanting, four part harmony), it is specific in that it identifies the type of worship – singing as contrasted to playing mechanical instruments of music.

The pattern of musical worship in Christian adoration to God is limited to that specific act. New Testament scriptures command us to sing. New Testament examples of worship reveal that Christians sang. The assertion that the commands to, and examples of Christians singing could lawfully include the use of mechanical instruments of worship is both illogical and without scriptural basis. It is an addition and iniquitous (cf. Matthew 7:21-23).

When adding to God’s specific pattern, innovators are forced to the simplistic cry, “It doesn’t say we can’t!” They have gone beyond the pattern, and rest their hope in God’s acceptance of that willful act. This hope is vain.

Apostasy is the end of those who do not fully understand this simple principle.

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As you know I spent the last week preaching a gospel meeting in Lubbock at the Indiana Avenue church of Christ. The brethren there have long stood for truth, and were very accepting of the lessons I preached while there.

In addition to their kind reception of the preaching, they were hospitable to Debbie and I. This is the same group that adopted Josh when he was going to school at Texas Tech, and who are opening their arms and hearts to Kahley Paulsel as she begins her time there. I have a great fondness for all of them.

It is a wonderful thing to have such a kinship and affection with the faithful, wherever you go. All of us have received warm welcomes when traveling, even when meeting other Christians for the first time. In 3 John, the apostle commended Gaius for his hospitality, “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church” (3 John 5-6a). We are so grateful that there are many of Gaius’ ilk among the people of God in our generation.

I also appreciate the brethren here at West Side, as many of you exhibit the same willingness to be hospitable. It is important for each of us to examine our hearts, and our practice to ensure that we are pleasing God. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:8-10).

Here John identifies the life and light of Jesus as something that shines in the darkness, but that “the darkness did not comprehend it.” Jesus’ time on earth was destined to end in a violent death for this very reason. He was the “light of the world”, but man hates the light, and refuses to come to it, “lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).

The word “comprehend” means to “seize or possess.” Some think it means that the world was unable to contain the light. Others that the world would not embrace the light. Both concepts are certainly true. Jesus was rejected by both the Jews and the Gentiles while on earth. He is likewise rejected by the worldly today. However, regardless of the efforts of the enemy, the light is not extinguished.

Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:37).

Any who reject Jesus do so at their own peril. It is inevitable that all will eventually acknowledge Him. “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:11-12).

In a Fox News (internet) story from August 30, writer Todd Starnes reported:

“The National Park Service began enforcing a policy recently that required churches to obtain special use permits in order to baptize in public waters. As part of the same permit process, the NPS also mandated that churches give the Park Service 48 hours advance notice of pending baptisms.” (story link here)

Missouri Baptists complained vociferously about the restrictions, as it impacted their practice (for generations) of baptizing in area rivers.

Continue reading “In the News: Baptism Permits?” →