Author: Stan Cox

The Sermon explains Bible teaching regarding salvation by Grace. In so doing it refutes Calvinistic and Neo-Calvinistic concepts of Grace.

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(Image: 45 year old Asia Bibi of Pakistan)

Consider the unfairness of the following scenario. You are a single member of a minority religious group, working at your job as a farmhand in a field. You are asked by your supervisor to go and fetch water for the other workers. You do as asked, but when you bring the water, your fellow workers refuse to drink it, calling the water unclean because you are the one who fetched it. A few days later you are set upon by a mob, still angry over the initial incident. The authorities are called, and they take you away for your own protection. Later, some in the mob claim that you are guilty of blasphemy against their religion. So, the authorities arrest you, and imprison you on that charge. You go to court, and though no evidence is presented to show the charge is true, you are nevertheless found guilty and sentenced to death. You are married, and have five children.

Continue reading “In the News: Death Sentence for Blasphemy” →

No doubt many of you voted in the mid-term elections on Tuesday. The day marked a pretty impressive political victory for the Republican party, which made significant gains in both houses of congress, in state legislatures, and in governorships across the nation.

It is not our place or purpose to comment on the election results. I have my opinions (and I feel free to posit them privately). However, there are a couple of thoughts that arise in observation of the events of the day. These thoughts have a spiritual application that is appropriate for this space.

Continue reading “In the News: Mid-Term Elections” →

In Romans 10:15, the apostle Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah (52:7), writing, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

I am not sure how beautiful Mo Hafley’s feet are, speaking literally. However, they certainly are precious to us, as they have brought him to us for the purpose of proclaiming that wonderful gospel.

In store for us is a week of edification and spiritual feasting. I want to personally encourage every member here at West Side to take full advantage of the preparations made by brother Hafley. Attend each preaching service, listen intently, and invite others to come as well.

Welcome, Mo! We are so pleased that you have come to preach to us the gospel of Christ!

(John 4:1-15)

After Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 3), He left Judea, and traveled through Samaria on His way back to Galilee. Many took a circuitous route between the two regions to avoid the Samaritans, who were despised by the Jews. However, Jesus determined to cross through Samaria, and immediately struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in the city of Sychar.

Jesus’ disciples had departed into the city to buy food, and upon their return (vs. 27) marveled that he had talked with the woman. Jesus’ actions, and the content of the conversation itself, made clear that His purpose in coming to earth was to save all men, not just the Jews.

Continue reading “Living Water” →

Paul begins his epistle to the Galatians in a manner typical to him. In the first few verses he defends his apostleship, and asks blessings upon his readers.

His defense of himself is especially appropriate in that the churches of Galatia had been influenced by Judaizing teachers. These false teachers not only advocated false doctrine, they also sought to destroy the reputation of Paul at every opportunity. Their chief tactic was to claim that since Paul was not one of the original apostles, he had usurped the position. In response, Paul declared that his apostleship was “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father…” (vs. 1). The truth of this is evident in the reading of his conversion (Acts 9).

In praying for Grace and Peace for the Galatians, Paul identified Jesus as the Savior. He expressed the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice, “that He might deliver us from this present evil age.”

In that Jesus accomplished this wonderful objective, Paul rightly noted that He is solely worthy of “glory forever and ever. Amen” (vs. 5, cf. Revelation 5:1-7).

Many believe that it is impossible for man to know real truth. In fact, that there may not be such a thing. However, in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, we see Paul affirm that God has revealed the mystery “truth” to mankind in Jesus Christ.

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This lesson describes some wonderful applications we can make from the narrative of David’s battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

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This sermon by Josh Cox examines the text of 2 Peter 1:5-11 to determine the characteristics that make for Spiritual Maturity. (Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love).

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Tommy Davis preached this lesson, a word study covering all the Hebrew and Greek words that are translated “redeem” or “redemption” in the Bible.

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Because of sin’s nature, it is necessary that blood be shed as payment. Jesus died and shed his blood as a vicarious sacrifice. The sermon describes the concept of blood sacrifice, and establishes why it is necessary.

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There are numerous momentous decisions made by Bible characters that had far reaching implications for themselves, their descendents, and even all of mankind.

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Jesus’ sermon on the mount is not the only time in scripture where pronouncements of blessings are given. There are also beatitudes that can be found in the book of Revelation.

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(John 3:9-15)

Jesus’ explanation of the new birth should have been sufficient for Nicodemus, but it was not. In verse 9, Nicodemus, reacting to Jesus’ declaration, “You must be born again”, answered by asking, “How can these things be?”

It may be helpful to consider Nicodemus’ reluctance to accept Jesus’ teaching in light of his standing as a ruler of the Jews. In chapter 7, John revealed Nicodemus to be one of the Sanhedrin, as he intervened on Jesus’ behalf before that august body. So, Nicodemus was a “ruler of the Jews” (verse 1), who accepted Jesus as a “rabbi” (verse 2), a teacher of the law of Moses. As he was a Pharisee and ruler, it made no sense to him for Jesus to say he had to be born again to enter the kingdom.

Continue reading “Answering Nicodemus” →