Author: Stan Cox

Minister, West Side church of Christ since August of 1989 ........ Editor of Watchman Magazine (1999-2018 Archives available online @ http://watchmanmag.com) ........ Writer, The Patternists: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatternists

Sermon: Jesus, My Lord

Jesus is to be the Lord of our lives. This indicates that he has all authority, and that we will have no other to whom we declare or show obedience and faithfulness.

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Sermon: Attitudes Toward Your Brethren

A topical lesson detailing proper attitudes we should have toward other Christians, including:

  • Love
  • Cooperation
  • Appreciation
  • Submissiveness
  • Hospitality
  • Peaceableness
  • Gentleness
  • Forgiveness

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Sermon: At Ease in Zion

Too many Christians are apathetic in their Christian walk. Rather than working diligently in our Lord’s service, they are “at ease in Zion” (cf. Amos 6:1)

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Sermon: The Paradox of the Suffering Savior

Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 4.

A seeming paradox of the Christian faith is seen in the fact that our Lord secured for us victory through his suffering and death on the cross. It is precisely because His enemies killed him that we can call ourselves “more than conquerors.”

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Sermon: Instruments Opposing the Church

The Lord’s church has many enemies, some without, and more damaging, others within. The lesson details 7 “instruments” opposing the church.

  • Persecution
  • The World
  • Mammon
  • Discord
  • Division
  • False Doctrine
  • Lukewarmness

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Sermon: Jesus and the World

In his gospel, the apostle John uses the term world in various ways. The term world sometimes refers to the physical universe, sometimes humanity, and sometimes those who are hostile to Christ. The gospel reveals Christ’s relationship to each of the three.

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Sermon: What Saul Saw When Blind

Though physically blinded on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus, for the first time in his life, saw some very important truths.

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Sermon: Unity – Is It Based in Diversity? Or Truth?

The sermon used the recent rift in the Episcopal church to teach a lesson on the importance of Biblical unity. The scriptures clearly teach that unity is based on the truth of God’s word.

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Sermon: How Well Do You Listen?

This lesson emphasizes the importance of heeding and obeying God’s word, that you may be blessed, be saved, bear fruit, avoid drifting, and avoid condemnation.

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Texting in Worship

Brethren, I recently came across a good article written by Rick Holt, an elder for the Mt. Baker church of Christ in Bellingham, Washington. In it, he discusses present day problems with inattentiveness and disruption in worship. I have intended to address this myself, and would like for you to consider the following quote from the article.

My, my, how times have changed, or have they? These days, the schools still deal with the same problems, but a new set of hindrances have been introduced including the use of cell phones, text/pix messaging, playing games, etc. These problems occur not only at schools, colleges, and secular jobs, but during the worship of God on the first day of the week, and specifically, at the Mt. Baker church of Christ. Brethren, I have seen people writing notes then laughing to the point of bending over so as not to be seen (which didn’t work, by the way), games being played, manicures being done, no participation in the singing, the week’s working schedule being written out, and giggling during the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Did I just say that…pretty blunt, wasn’t I? Is this what God purposed before the foundations of the world…worship in this manner? Where is your heart? Why have you come to services? This is not play-time! You are in the presence of God, gathered with the saints (Heb. 13:22-29).

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In The News: Chocolate Jesus?

ImageI came across a recent article indicating that Catholic churches in Germany were upset because an entrepreneur had begun selling chocolate Jesus figures, covered in gold foil. The picture at right is an actual example of the figure.

I went to the web site advertising the item, and was blown away by some of the reasoning behind selling the product. Note the following quotes from the site:

…In our time, Santa Claus has replaced Jesus for most people. Unfortunately!

From today on, however, “Sweetlord ®” and the “Original Chocolate GoldJesus ®” are being made to change this!…

…Eating Jesus?

The idea to eat Jesus may first appear shocking to some people – but is it really? Apparently, the tradition to include representations of Jesus in dessert preparations – apart from flesh and blood (altar bread and wine) – goes back centuries both in the old and new world. Among the most prominent examples are the American King Cake and the German Christstollen….

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Sermon: The Problem with Redefining

When people arbitrarily redefine terms, it allows for all types of sin. If you can redefine life, you can justify abortion. If you can redefine murder, it allows for assisted suicide. If you can redefine marriage, it allows for homosexual unions. If you can redefine adultery, it allows you to to keep a wife after an unlawful divorce. Men may redefine, but it does not change God’s will!

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Sermon: Salvation is On the Other Side of the Water

Using the examples of Noah and the flood, Israel at the Red Sea, and Naaman dipping in the Jordan, we establish that Salvation and cleansing come “through” the water. Application: Baptism is necessary for salvation.

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In The News: Man Pregnant Again!

inthenewsThis headline seems like it should be on the front page of the National Enquirer, (and it probably was), but it is being reported as legitimate by national news agencies such as ABC News.

Barbara Walters was granted an exclusive interview with Thomas Beatie and “his” wife Nancy on Friday, November 14th, on 20/20 Magazine. It was the first public interview granted since the birth of their daughter Susan. Beatie has since announced that “he” is again pregnant.

You notice the quotations around the words “his” and “he” in the paragraph below. As Matthew Gilbert of the Boston Globe reported:

Of course, it’s a little inflammatory to call Beatie “a pregnant man.” The more accurate description would be “a pregnant female-to-male transgender who identifies as a man but whose female reproductive organs are intact,” but that probably wouldn’t sell as many tabloids or draw as many viewers to “Oprah,” “20/20,” or, tonight at 9, the Discovery Health documentary “Pregnant Man.” When it comes to grabbing eyes, detailed descriptions can be inconvenient.

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The Death of General John Sedgwick

ImageAn eyewitness of account of Union General John Sedgwick’s death on May 9, 1864, told by his chief of staff, describes clearly the danger of overconfidence.

It seems that the previous evening, at one place on the battlefield, several officers had been cut down by sniper fire. The general was warned of the danger by his chief of staff, but in the process of instructing his men walked to that place.

Sniper fire broke out from 1,000 yards away, and bullets whizzed by. Others ducked, but the general admonished them, saying, “What! what! men, dodging this way for single bullets! What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” According to his chief of staff, the admonition was repeated a second time upon another fusillade of bullets, then suddenly the general was hit below his left eye, and quickly died.

Overconfidence can often lead to disaster, and this is true with regard to an individual’s spiritual standing as quickly as any other. As the apostle warned:

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
(1 Corinthians 10:12)