Author: Stan Cox

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Paul’s words here contrast with bodily or physical exercise which has a much more limited profitability to a man. While it may make his body strong, it has no effect whatsoever upon his standing with God, making it a much less profitable action.

However, consider godliness. The term (eusebeia)  is well defined by Vine as “piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him.”

Doing what is “well-pleasing to God” is good in every way. It impacts your relationships with others, your standing with God, and your hope of eternal life.  In effect, it is good for right now, and for eternity as well!

I like the phrase “Godward attitude” in Vine’s definition.  Godward, looking and acting in the direction of God.  That really is the definition of discipleship!  One who desires to be a Christian should have as a characteristic behavior an effort to do God’s will always!

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

A discussion of Psalm 110, the Psalmist identifies the coming Christ as one who would serve as both King and Priest, and rule with a rod (indicating authority and strength).

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The text of Colossians 4:2-6 is used to show that we as Christians ought to acts as diligent disciples of Jesus Christ. This is a short 10 minute invitation talk.

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Josh Cox discusses Matthew 5:3, where Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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Dennis Craig discusses the spiritual benefits of fasting by an examination of texts in the Bible.

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Church attendance, Bible study, prayer, gospel meetings, concern for brethren, sacrificial giving, volunteer duties, self-sacrifice, benevolence, hospitality, etc., etc., etc. It is a substantial commitment to become a Christian.

Of course, anything of importance and value takes commitment. A sports fan will spend hours and money following his team. Travels to away games, purchasing clothes and trinkets to “represent” their favorites. The cost of season tickets.  Hours spent at the stadium.  The tedium of traffic congestion, etc., etc., etc.  And yet, it is not considered burdensome, rather these are sacrifices born out of devotion and interest. Continue reading ““Oh what a weariness”” →

Philippians 2:5-11 contains the ultimate example of God’s reward offered to the humble, in the person of His own Son. It is a strong example of a paradox. What seems to be counter to reason is shown to be God’s way in the text, both for Jesus, and for us as well. 

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Note the instruction, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (5).  God has always blessed the humble, while men have a tendency to reward pride and arrogance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3,5). Also, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, cf. Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Continue reading “Exaltation through Humiliation” →

Mark 1 details certain miracles Jesus performed early in his Galilean ministry in Capernaum. The chapter mentions his casting out an unclean spirit (21-28, and healing Peter’s mother-in-law (29-31). It also mentions in our text — healing the sick, and casting out demons.

It also mentions how it captured the imaginations of the people. In verse 28, “And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.” Verse 33, “And the whole city was gathered together…”

Finally, it notes that in casting out the demons, “He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him” (34).  (Cf. James 2:19). The simplest and most entertained explanation of this act on His part is that He did not desire or need the testimony of the wicked demons. His words, (see Mark 1:25) were authoritative and severe. I.e., “be muzzled.”  The testimony of these evil beings did not serve Jesus purpose, (cf. Mark 3:22).

Fourteen years before writing 2 Corinthians, Paul had be “caught up” (to snatch or catch away) to Paradise.  This was a forceful action. In other words, Paul did not work or earn this passage, he was transported. It was a wonderful thing, a blessed gift or privilege. While wonderful, it was not a legitimate thing to boast about because it was a gift from God.

So, while Paul mentioned it as another proof of his choosing by God, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:5, “Of such a one (Paul’s oblique reference to himself) I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.”

Paul’s explanation, though a bit hard to understand, establishes a very important truth. Our standing with God is based upon a given gift, not our own merited works. There is a big difference between required obedience, and the mercy of God. Jesus told His disciples, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10).

Paul was only willing to boast in a way that would bring God the glory. Consider his conclusion, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

A study of Jeremiah 23 that seeks to answer two questions: 1) What is a false prophet; 2) How much damage can be done by a false prophet.

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An exchange by Jesus with the Jews in Mark 11:27-33 supplies for us some very important truths about Bible authority, and the only legitimate source for our faith!

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May 4-9, 2024

Brother Brett Hogland, from the Southside congregation in Blue Springs, MO has blessed our congregation with 8 powerful and scriptural messages.  We have been blessed by his efforts this week.  Below are all of the sermon audio, sermon video and Powerpoints from the lessons he shared with us.

• Saturday – Learning From A Faith Failure

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• Sunday  – Overcoming Bitterness

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• Sunday  – Ellipsis

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• Sunday at  – Prescription For A Worry Free Life

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• Monday – If They Do Not Hear Moses and the Prophets

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• Tuesday – Salvation By Grace Through Faith

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• Wednesday – Love Abounding In Knowledge

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• Thursday – Faith Is The Victory

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The prophet Samuel served as the last accepted judge of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel. In chapter 8 of the text we are told that when he became old he appointed his sons as judges, but their behavior was unacceptable to the people who asked for a king. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5).

We find an interesting statement by the Lord in 1 Samuel 8:7, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” God had established the system of appointing judges, and by insisting for a king, the people basically had rejected God’s design. That in and of itself serves as an important lesson for us. Put simply the churches of today constitute changes to God’s design under the New Covenant. Denominationalism, the Social Gospel, instrumental music, women preachers, etc., all can be explained in this same way. “They have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Saul” →

We are often told the importance of counting the cost  before becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. While we want everyone to make the commitment, the idea that it is an important and substantial decision must not be forgotten.  Consider the words of Jesus Himself, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—  lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-33). Continue reading “A Simple Evaluation” →

Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus.  He refers to Him as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Thus, we have an introduction to God’s scheme of Redemption for man.  The Redeemer would descend from Abraham, through Isaac, the son of promise (Genesis 12:3), and come from Judah, a descendent of King David (Jeremiah 23:5-6). This listed genealogy is an important piece of evidence that Jesus is our Christ, the Redeemer come from God.

Matthew’s observation of this lineage coming from Joseph, Jesus’ legal father, indicates that this lineage was used by Matthew to express Jesus’ legal right through genealogy to ascend to the position of King, as a descendent of David. The genealogy does not contain all  Jesus’ predecessors, only 42 Generations, which served his purpose, and through its artificial grouping of 3 sets of 14 generations served the important purpose of establishing a means of easy memorization. See Luke 3 for a different approach.