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: Why?

1 Peter 3:15 tells us as Christians we are to always be ready to give an answer for our hope. Are you able to tell why you do the things that you do religiously. Well, are you?

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Sermon: Worldliness and It’s Cure

In James 4:1-10, James points out that pride leads to worldliness. Therefore, the cure for worldliness is humility.

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Sermon: The Power of God

The gospel is God’s power of Salvation, both in the conversion of men, and in the maintaining of their standing before God.

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A Disturbing Trend

Recently our church received in the mail an invitation to a beach party for area college students, hosted by the Altamesa Church of Christ, College Ministry. The brochure read:

Activities include: 3 Beach Volleyball courts (bring your own team of 6 people), Tug-of-War, Frisbee Throw, Bocce Ball, and more! Come for fellowship, Devotional, Burgers and Roast Pig! Excellent opportunity to meet new friends for the summer!

The brochure went on to mention that the singing group “The Light” from ACU would be performing, asked for an R.S.V.P. to the Church office, and informed that the church would be charging $8 per person for the event.

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Sermon: The Old and New Covenants Contrasted

The Hebrews epistle describes differences between the Old Covenant, and the New Covenant. Such differences establish clearly the superiority of Christ and his covenant.

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AI – Evidence of Design

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” (Psa. 139:14).

In the June 29, 2001 issue of the Daily Texan (The University of Texas’ daily student newspaper), staff writer Devin Griffiths reported on an Austin based company, Cycorp, which is a leading force in the development of AI, (artificial intelligence). Simply put, AI is the capacity of a computer to reason and learn on its own, without any outside help. Readers may be familiar with the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which had as a lead character a thinking, feeling, lying, and ultimately killing computer named HAL.

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Sermon: Jehoshaphat in the House of Ahab

Guest Speaker Dennis Scroggins goes to 2 Chronicles 18, to establish through the story of Jehoshaphat and Ahab, the danger of compromising with evil.

Lesson 9 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series

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Sermon: Is Marriage for Life?

Guest speaker Dennis Scroggins establishes from scripture that God hates divorce, and intends for a marriage to last for a lifetime. One man, one woman, for a lifetime is the teaching of scripture. We need to emphasize this rule in our preaching.

Lesson 8 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series

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Sermon: What Is Your Life?

Guest speaker Dennis Scroggins ranges from James chapter 4 to Ecclesiastes to establish the ephemeral nature of our temporal lives, their purpose, and the vanity of life lived without God.

Lesson 7 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series

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Sermon: Recognizing the Tares

Guest Speaker Dennis Scroggins alludes to the parable of the tares, from Matthew 13:24-ff to point out that often, the ungodly are not manifest immediately. If we are able, through righteous judgment, to determine what is detrimental, we are able to deal with error. But, we must be sure to judge righteously in these matters.

Lesson 6 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series.

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Sermon: God’s Discipline

Guest Speaker Dennis Scroggins delivers a balanced treatment on the subject of discipline. Discipline is a necessary part of every Christian’s life, God’s dealings with mankind, and the work of the local church. It must be present, and is tempered by love and compassion.

Lesson 5 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series

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Sermon: Zeal Without Knowledge

Guest Speaker Dennis Scroggins establishes that Zeal alone, if it is not guided by a knowledge of God’s will for man, is not sufficient to save a man.

Lesson 4 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series.

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Defending the Truth

It is extremely important that brethren everywhere contend for the truth and refute error. When such is done, because so many are tolerant of error and antagonistic toward the truth, there will be conflict. Some will say “Who set you up as brotherhood watchdogs, or arbiters of truth, or modern day prophets.” We have heard such, and the whining we hear when the false teacher is exposed is indicative of the whiner’s arrogance. Concerning the intellectual arrogance that can beset Christians, Paul warned, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us; a sphere which especially includes you” (2 Corinthians 10:12-13). Paul also wrote, “…Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:1-2).

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Sermon: Give Me Strength

Guest Speaker Dennis Scroggins describes the strength that Christians obtain as we contemplate the providence and care of God.

Lesson 3 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series.

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Sermon: How Is It You Do Not Understand?

Guest speaker Dennis Scroggins uses the Lord’s admonition to note that many people (both religious and worldly) do not understand or accept the teaching of scripture.

Lesson 2 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series.

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