Author: Stan Cox

The sermon is based on the text of Colossians 2:8. The philosophies of man may defraud us of that which has the greatest value. True value is found only in Christ, as He is the giver of our hope!

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A Christian should exhibit righteousness in character and life in all relationships. This includes the workplace. The lesson details the responsibilities of both an employee and employer.

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The sermon describes and establishes the identity and nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Titus 3:9-11

In our text the apostle Paul counsels his charge to avoid divisiveness. He obviously makes a distinction between contending for the faith, and being contentious. While one difference may be attitude or demeanor in the midst of controversy, in this case Paul refers to the content which brings about the division.

“Foolish disputes, geneologies, contentions, and strivings about the law” are named as “unprofitable and useless” by the apostle. Whatever these things are, Titus was not to engage in any dispute about them. Some things we are not to fight about!

What things? Simply put, silly stuff of no consequence that serves no purpose other than to create fussing and fighting among Christians. When men seek to promote and elevate their opinions and speculations to the level of faith, they are guilty of causing strife.

Paul says such men are “self-condemned.” We are not to be patient with such individuals. What they do is obviously wrong, and after the “first and second admonition”, they are to be rejected from the fellowship of God’s people.

Recently I have been listening to Dr. Donald Kagan’s lectures on Ancient Greek history. Kagan is a professor at Yale University, and his university course is available both in audio and video on the internet.

In his lectures, he often references the similarities and differences between ancient Greek culture, and the Judeo/Christian ethic, both of which have been extremely influential to modern western culture.

From the Greeks we received democracy as a viable form of government. As a culture, their contributions to the world in the realms of philosophy, literature, language and literature are well documented. The Greek culture, though pervaded by their mythology, was nevertheless a very secular society. In other words, while they recognized and worshiped the gods of their mythology, they considered those gods to be only tangentially involved in their lives. As such, they trumpeted the potential and accomplishments of man. The gods were not the center of Greek culture; man was.

Continue reading “Andra VS Elohim” →

I came across a short poem the other day, and I wanted to share it with you.

Only one life
‘twill soon be past

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

The epistle of James echoes the first refrain, stating that our life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14).

The second sentiment expressed in the poem likewise has its foundation in scripture. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Soon this life will end and all that will remain is eternity. The only thing that will matter is the answer to this question, “Have you served Christ? Well? Have You?

Stan

Matthew 4:18-22

After being tempted by the devil (vs. 1-11) we find in this passage the beginning of Jesus’ preaching ministry (vs. 17). He immediately began to assemble his disciples, and recorded in this passage is his recruitment of Peter, Andrew, James and John. Each of these disciples were fishermen, and Jesus met them as they tended their nets on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Matthew was added to the disciples in chapter 9, and the full list of the twelve is given in chapter 10.

One interesting aspect of this text is Jesus’ play on words as he addressed Peter and Andrew. The Greek states that Peter and Andrew were “fishers” (halieus). Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (halieus anthropos) (vs. 19).

Using the illustration, we are to “lure” men with the gospel of Christ (cf. Romans 1:16). We seek to entice them, and capture them for Christ. In so doing, we benefit them spiritually, as their souls are saved.

Brethren, it is fine to be a fisherman. But it is a far better vocation to be a fisher of men. Christ expected it of his apostles, and he expects it of us as well.

(Editor’s Note: The following article was the first article written by me, that appeared in the local bulletin here 20 years ago. I hope you enjoy it).

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(Article excerpted from the well-known fishing magazine, The Catfish Chronicle)

The West Side Fishing Club, a member of the Fishing Clubs of Texas, has had its charter revoked. Although the members are still meeting regularly, they are no longer recognized by their Parent Organization.

Continue reading “The West Side Fishing Club” →

Justin Carrell sent me a link to a press release by the ADF (Alliance Defense Fund). The subject of the release was a decision made by a New Hampshire court which would require a mother to stop homeschooling her 10 year old daughter, and put her in public schools.

This is one of the scariest things that I have read in quite a while, and I felt it important to share it with you. Following are the facts, and the reasoning behind the court’s decision.

Continue reading “In The News: Government Abuse of the Family” →

Next Sunday will be the 20th anniversary of my first lesson preached as the evangelist for the West Side congregation. On September 3, 1989 I was a 27 year old, with a wife (same one that I have today), and two small children (Josh — age 4, and Kendra — two months shy of 3 years old).

I don’t believe my sermons that first week were recorded. On September 10th we began a gospel meeting with Ardy P. Brown. September 17th, I began a series of four lessons on True Devotion (I still have the outlines somewhere). The lesson that day was titled: Listening to Heaven (More Bible Study). That lesson, and every lesson since have been recorded and are still available to listen to either on tape or CD. (There are a few exceptions where someone forgot to hit record, or a tape broke, etc.). I don’t expect you to go back and listen to any of those early efforts.

Continue reading “Twenty Years, Next Week” →

Paul, as a preacher, should be emulated by Christians. He preached plainly the whole counsel of God, despite persecution and a lack of support. And he did it all with joy and zeal.

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A couple of weeks ago I was handed a copy of an email that has been making the rounds on the internet. The email was written by an elder at the institutional Green Lawn church of Christ in Lubbock, TX, and mentioned a rather scary situation that had occurred at a prison in Snyder, TX.

I have since received at least 3 copies (forwarded) in my email box, the latest of which was titled, “The Muslims are here!”

The email was definitely disturbing. The post noted that shortly before three members of the Green Lawn congregation began worshiping with some Christian prisoners, they were asked by about 15 other inmates for permission to join the group. They readily agreed, but it turned out the men were antagonistic, continually interrupted the service, and threatened violence. The elder wrote in the post that the men were Muslim.

The email, as these things do, went viral. That means, like a virus, it has spread quickly. Unfortunately, people forward these messages without checking them out.

Continue reading “In The News: The Muslims are Here” →

The divine wisdom of God has established the roles of men and women in the home. The husband is the head, and must be deferential and loving in his treatment of his wife. The wife is submit to the leadership of her husband in the home (Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7).

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Jesus was plain in His preaching (cf. John 10:22-28), as were the apostles (cf. 2 Cor. 3:12). We should strive to be as well. The sermon describes 5 areas where plain speech is needed in teaching others:

• How to be saved from sins
• The Nature of the Church of Christ
• Assembled worship is required of Christians
• Christians are called to godly living
• A Judgment is coming!

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Love is of the utmost importance in any relationship. This is especially so in the relationships sustained with the brethren. The Christian needs to have a fervent, sincere love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, that abounds, and knits them together in unity.

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