Author: Stan Cox

Exodus 3 & 4 Record God’s call to Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. Moses’ initial excuses to avoid the responsiblity are similar to excuses many Christians use today. God’s answers are instructive for us in application.

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In reading a debate from 1928 on the subject of Premillennialism, I came across the following from the pen of H. Leo Bole. This is found in his first negative of the proposition, “The Scriptures teach that Israel (fleshly descendant of Abraham through Jacob) shall be nationally restored.”

“… An important rule for the correct understanding of God’s word is this — namely, the Scripture must be its own interpreter. This rule requires that when there is a question concerning the meaning of any Scripture, that the true sense must be searched out and ascertained from other Scriptures that speak more clearly on that point. All Bible scholars recognize two classes of Scriptures–plain and simple Scriptures, and obscure or difficult Scriptures. The obscure and difficult Scriptures must be interpreted by the plain and simple Scriptures.”
(http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/rboll/up/UP01N.HTM)

For example, Revelation 20:1-10 should be interpreted with Mark 9:1 in mind. If that is done, the erroneous view that Jesus has yet to establish an earthly 1000 year kingdom will not be seriously considered. This example could be multiplied with the various false doctrines that have troubled religious people throughout the history of the Lord’s church.

The apostle Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of the slave Onesimus serves as an object lesson in this textual study of that book.

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The sermon describes 8 different problems that could damage a local congregation of Christians. Things like: Cults of personality, false doctrine, unfaithful elders, hypocrisy and worldliness.

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A Study of Psalm 101. The Psalm reveals the resolution of the King of Israel to reign with justice and righteousness in the Kingdom. His resolve, and attitudes toward both the wicked and just serve as an object lesson for Christian’s today.

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Christ demands commitment from those who would lives their lives as His disciple. This is evident in His teaching on many occasions.

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Acts 1:1-5

The books of Acts is the second volume written by Luke to his friend Theophilus. Luke was a companion of Paul in his missionary journeys and a physician (cf. Colossians 4:14).

He describes himself in his first work (the gospel of Luke) as one who had a “perfect understanding of all things from the very first” regarding the teaching and actions of Jesus. He gave that as the motivation for his first missive to his friend.

Luke finished his gospel with an account of Jesus’ ascension, and takes up the narrative at that exact place in the book of Acts. He relates again the promise of Jesus that his disciples would be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and preach first the gospel of the kingdom in Jerusalem.
Later in the book we read of the fulfillment of this promise (cf. chapter 2), one of the most important events in the history of God’s dealings with mankind.

The book of Acts is a book of history. It recounts the first gospel sermon, the establishment of the Lord’s church, and the spread of the Christian faith in the first century. It is a message all men should read avidly.

A scenario arises where something objectionable is said or done. Some profanity, perhaps a dollop of gossip, maybe an unkind word. A Christian has the temerity to object, perhaps mildly, saying that such should not be said or done.

The response? A rolling of the eyes, and an invitation to just, “Get over it!” The world has no compunction about offending the Christian. Sometimes even other Christians may look askance at the one audacious enough to stand for what is right.

My answer? I will not “Get over it.” I am offended, and I refuse to go along to get along. Such raised objections are not an example of self-righteousness, (as the world believes), but the cry of those who are pilgrims in a land that is increasingly hostile to their faith, and that is leading more and more of God’s people to ungodly compromise. If someone doesn’t continue to speak up, all of us will “Get over it”, and the Devil will have won!

The Christian Chronicle is a newspaper that reports on events and activities among institutional churches of Christ. Though it claims not to be, it is also an instrument of digression, often reporting favorably or editorializing upon practices and doctrine without Biblical authority.

One example of this is the editorial in the September 2010 edition of the paper, titled “Church camp: An idea worth exploring” (page 30). The editorial relates the large number of letters that had come in, in response to a the Chronicle’s request that readers share their “favorite church camp memories.”

Continue reading “In the News: Church Camp?” →

The lesson uses passages from Proverbs to explain the importance of wisdom. The lesson is especially beneficial to the young.

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The Bible reveals the devil to be a personal and imposing adversary, with devices that need to be recognized and resisted.

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This lesson combines a scripturally based dramatic enactment of the day of judgment (seen from the viewpoint of a Christian) interspersed with numerous scriptures describing that event. The sermon was preached by Dennis Craig.

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The eighth lesson in a continuing series titled “Simple Answers to Troubling Questions.

The sermon asks the question, Can the General Theory of Evolution be true? The sermon contends that evolutionary theory does not adequately explain the origin of the universe, the evident design present in the universe, and the existence of morality.

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Those who are suffering, sorrowful, guilty of sin, and are seekers of truth, all turned to Jesus during His ministry on earth, to sit at His feet, and receive what they needed for healing, comfort, forgiveness and enlightenment. We can and should do the same today.

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The above title is that of a book written by Robert L. McDonald. He wrote this exposé of the Masonic Lodge in 1974, having diligently researched a number of authoritative Masonic works written by 32 and 33 degree Masons such as Albert Pike and Albert G. Mackey.

It is interesting that most of the Masons brother McDonald talked with were ignorant of or disagreed with the things he uncovered. This is evident from the following quote, from page 10 of his book:

“As we read from these Masonic authorities, I want to make it very clear that I am not charging all Masons with believing what is found in these authentic books. Most Masons, with whom I have talked for any length of time, inform me they do not believe some particular point as covered in the documented material.”

(Masonry and the Christian, page 10)

However, brother McDonald made an important point in the same paragraph:

Because one is a Mason and happens to be uninformed about a particular point of Masonry, it doesn’t mean that such is not propagated in Masonry.

(ibid.)

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