Author: Stan Cox
Graceful Speech, Seasoned by Salt
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).
Paul’s instructions to the Colossians should be heeded by all of Christ’s disciples. Whether it be those outside the body of Christ as indicated here, or our own brethren, unmindful speech is a common cause of strife and rancor. Continue reading “Graceful Speech, Seasoned by Salt”
Silence & Noise
A few days ago we had a power failure for a number of hours in our neighborhood. This is uncommon, as our area has always been consistently powered despite storms, etc. It might have been a problem if it had lasted longer, but we were without light and heat only for a few hours. We opened up the blinds, covered up in blankets, and got along well enough.
It was also a blessing, in a way. I remember waking up that morning to no fan, no beeps, no humming, nothing but silence. It actually was disconcerting at first, but Debbie and I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet. It was also interesting when the power came back on. We didn’t have the lights on, but the beeps, humming and fans revealed our return to modern civilization. Continue reading “Silence & Noise”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:20-21
Peter affirms here that God’s plan for redeeming man was formulated before the creation. This was not an effort to mitigate any mistake, God knew that free will would bring about disobedience. As such, a means of reconciliation between Him and man was necessary. The same sentiment is expressed in Ephesians 1:3-14.
This scheme of redeeming man came to a climax in the first century, the latter days, when Jesus was manifest to man. He came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life, taught His will, died on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended back into heaven. This was done, as Peter wrote, “to you who through Him believe in God.”
Jesus, who humbled Himself even to the point of death (cf. Philippians 2:8), was given glory by His Father, as He raised Jesus to sit at His right hand on heaven’s throne. In this it can truly be said that in Jesus, (and in Him alone, cf. John 14:6), reside our faith and hope for an eternity as the redeemed in heaven!
“That Your Joy May Be Full”
In John 15, Jesus begins in the chapter to use the allegory of the Vine and branches to establish both His help to His disciples, and their responsibility to faithfulness and fruitfulness.
In verse 11 of the text, he explains why He told them these things. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Two things to note here. First, Jesus has a great deal of joy to share. “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns” (Isaac Watts). His entire advent on earth was to do what was necessary for man’s reconciliation with God. This joy, if we abide in the Vine, is available to us!
Second, our joy can only be full if we have such a relationship with Him. Men fool themselves into thinking a life lived without our Lord can be a life equally full of happiness and joy. That is the devil’s lie! How can a life lived without God have the same value and joy? The very purpose of life, as established by wise Solomon, “Let us here the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
In John 17:13, Jesus prayed to His Father, “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Sermon: At the Crossroads!
Matthew 7 indicates two “ways” that can be taken. Either to life or destruction. This illustrates for us the consequences of choices we make in life. Applications are made.
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Sermon: God’s National Wife (Hosea 1-3)
A discussion of Hosea 1-3, where the marriage of the prophet Hosea to his unfaithful wife Gomer gives us some understanding of God’s reaction to unfaithful Israel in judging the nation. But, with God’s mercy and grace, salvation comes to the faithful, ultimately through the Christ.
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Sermon: To the elect lady and her children
An examination of the text of 2 John, with applications.
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Invitation: Walk in Love
In Ephesians 5:1-4, Paul contrasts a walk in love with certain sins. Just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, we should have a selfless love for others.
All or Nothing?
Recently a Christian who had been disfellowshipped took issue with the discipline, wanting some type of social interaction, saying, “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.” Unfortunately many hold this view almost exclusively regarding religious matters.
Socrates, the well known Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying, “Moderation in all things.” In fact, the Bible teaches moderation as well, just not in all things. The concept of temperance contains moderation. Things like gluttony and covetousness and drunkenness occur because people take things too far! Continue reading “All or Nothing?”
Grace Teaches Us
Paul wrote to Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us…” (Titus 3:11-12a). It is a simple principle. God has granted His great mercy to us, and we are so blessed by this extended grace. We learn from this largesse that He loves us, He is good, He is omnipotent, He is eternal. Knowing Him by His grace, we are aware of our own obligations to be who He desires for us to be. Consider the following: Continue reading “Grace Teaches Us”
Mining the Scriptures: James 2:1-4
Here we have a general command of James, which is produced by the characteristic of love. If indeed we want to heed Christ’s imperative: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12), James’ admonition must be obeyed. “…Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”
Although the context gives the example of material wealth (not preferring the rich man over the poor), there is nothing in the admonition which would limit it to this case. An understanding of Galatians 3:28, which affirms the value of every soul, shows that any partiality shown, whether it be wealth, gender, race or culture is in fact becoming “judges with evil thoughts.”
The gospel of Christ is for every man. All have the same value to Him, and so should have the same value to us. Those who are vulnerable, disenfranchised, poor, desolate — whatever their state — as we consider their souls, should be cherished by us.
“Indeed I have all and abound”
In the book of Philippians we see Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment. Things were dire. His continued life was dependent upon a capricious Caesar. He was under house arrest.
His brethren in Philippi rallied to his aid in sending by the hand of Epaphroditus necessities during his imprisonment. It is this to which Paul here responds, “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).
It was good and pleasing to God that the Christians in Philippi send aid to Paul. For it, he was greatly appreciative. However, the phrase “Indeed I have all and abound” is especially interesting to me.
No doubt their aid helped. Yet Paul was in prison, and still in danger of losing his life. Paul’s abundance did not depend upon physical aid, but his relationship with God. Even facing death he wrote, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23-24).
What about you? Can you withstand any circumstance in life if you are guaranteed heaven? May we all look to eternity!
Sermon: When Adversity Hits
A discussion of Lamentation 3:19-33 reveals 5 principles that we should remember when adversity strikes, whether a consequence of our own sins, or the vagaries of a fragile life.
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Sermon: “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly”
In John 10:22-30, Jesus was surrounded by a probable hostile group of questioners, who demanded He clearly reveal whether or not He was the Christ. Jesus’ revealed their prejudice against Him and claimed, “I and My Father are one.”
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Sermon: Adamant Stone (Ezekiel 3:7-9)
God provided Ezekiel with His will and protection. He supplied for Ezekiel a forehead that was harder than that of rebellious Israel. A forehead of adamant stone, harder than flint.
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