Author: Stan Cox
An Example of the Social Gospel
An example of the social gospel being implemented among institutional churches of Christ appeared in my email inbox the other day. It is from India, and is being bankrolled by numerous sponsoring churches in America.
The author of the email is Mani Padigipalli, an Indian preacher and doctor. He reports the following: “After four years of hard work and difficult inspections from the federal government, we are all set to send bi-vocational workers into different countries in the world. Yes, you read it right—we are all set to send workers into the world from India.” (Note: their initial efforts will be in several Arab countries. They have targeted workers that speak Hindi and Urdu, and are familiar with Islamic culture. Continue reading “An Example of the Social Gospel”
Sermon: Wise Parents
The book of Proverbs, a book of wisdom, is appealed to in showing principles of parenting that will help moms and dads raise children faithful to the Lord.
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Sermon: Better Than the Angels
An appeal is made to the contrast the Hebrew writer makes in the first chapter of his letter. He clearly shows the superiority of Jesus to the angels of God.
Five Questions About Christmas
On Thursday I was given the honor of participating in a video program that is being produced and hosted by Samuel Omaka, a preacher in Nigeria and friend of Kyle Campbell. Samuel sent me five questions, which I share below. I hope the material answers some questions you may have.
What is Christmas?
The simple definition is that it is a festival, observed each year on December 25th, intended to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed by billions of people the world over, many religiously. However, many secular people and even some who claim to know Christ, do not celebrate it religiously. They may, however, use it as a time to be with family, eat together and exchange gifts.
Was Barnabas an Apostle?
The question is an interesting one, as Luke uses the Greek term apostolos in Acts 14:4,14 to describe both Paul and Barnabas. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out” (14:14).
However, it must be noted that the Greek term is a general term, defined by Thayer: “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.” As a general term, it is necessary to go to the context of any passage to determine the way in which the term is used.
For example, there is a specific way the word apostle is used to establish the office of apostle in Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” In this sense, there is a distinction between the office held by some, and the description given to Barnabas in Acts 14.
Extreme Responses to Preaching
In Acts 13 & 14, the Holy Spirit records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. The men traveled to Cyprus, and the established churches in Galatia before returning to Antioch in Syria to give a report of their efforts.
The journey was momentous. The response to the preaching of the gospel was interesting to say the least. Paul and Barnabas were very successful in converting souls, both Jew and Gentile, to the Lord. For example, on the isle of Cyprus even the proconsul Sergius Paulus was converted (13:12). In Antioch of Pisidia (13:48), Iconium (14:1), Lystra (14:21-22), and Derbe (21), many souls were saved.
However, the journey was characterized by extreme and inappropriate responses to their efforts as well. Consider the following: Elymas the sorcerer interfered in their efforts to share the gospel with Sergius Paulus in Cyprus (13:8). Some Jews in Antioch of Pisidia spoke blasphemies against them, and persecuted them (13:45,50). An attempt was made to stone them in Iconium (14:5), and they actually did stone Paul in Lystra (14:19).
At the other extreme, in Lystra the city began to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! This seemed to upset the men even more than the persecutions. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes… saying, ‘Men and brethren why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you…” (14:14-15).
The only appropriate response to the gospel is to believe! Any other response is extreme and wrong.
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Sermon: Build and Grow
Justin discusses the call to add to our faith and love by becoming more Christ like day by day.
Sermon: God is Calling
The Bible clearly establishes that God does not compel us to serve Him. Rather He calls us to Him through His gospel, and those who respond to Him are granted salvation.
The Jerusalem Summit Meeting
In Acts 15, the Holy Spirit reveals the first major doctrinal conflict that troubled God’s people. The question to be answered was, “Do you have to be circumcised according to the custom of Moses to be saved?” The conflict came about because of the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas, which was opposed by some from Judea who claimed that such circumcision had to take place. In other words, one had to become a Jewish proselyte to be saved.
The disagreement reached a head at Antioch, and it was determined that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders about the question, which they did.
“Men with the same nature as you”
A superstitious population in Lystra sought, with the blessing of a pagan priest, to worship Paul and Barnabas. Paul had healed a man who was crippled from the womb. As a result, the people began to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes “because he was the chief speaker” (Acts 14:12).
Paul and Barnabas’ response is enlightening. They tore their clothes, ran to stop the worship, and said, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them” (Acts 14:15).
What was meant by the words, “men with the same nature as you”? Simply that they weren’t different. This is important. All men are the same, in the eyes of God. Each are equally guilty because of the sins they have committed (Romans 3:23). All are equally dependent upon God’s grace for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). All have been granted access to “repentance to life” by God (Acts 11:18). All who come to Christ are considered of equal value (Galatians 3:28). All who practice ungodliness will suffer the same fate (Romans 1:28-32).
With that known, no man is worthy of worship. No man is to be respected and feared above God Himself (Matthew 10:28). Instead, as Paul and Barnabas exhorted those in Lystra, we must all turn “to the living God” (Acts 14:15).
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Fall 2022 Meeting with Kyle Campbell
Our Fall Meeting, 2022 with Kyle Campbell, November 5, 2002. A series of fundamental lessons answering fundamental questions.
The theme: “Can you show”
Lesson 1: Can You Show That There is a God? (Saturday)
Lesson 2: Can You Show that the Bible is the Word of God? (Sunday 9AM)
Lesson 3: Can You Show that Jesus Rose from the Dead? (Sunday 10AM)
Lesson 4: Can You Show What the Bible Says? (Sunday 11AM)
Lesson 5: Can You Show That the Bible Can be Understood? (Monday)
Lesson 6: Can You Show How We are Saved? (Tuesday)
Lesson 7: Can You Show What Worship Is? (Wednesday 10AM)
Lesson 8: Can You Show What the Church Does? (Wednesday PM)
Lesson 9: Can You Show That Chrisitans are Moral People (Thursday)
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Sermon: Anchors of Faith
Aaron Collier shares some valuable insights concerning Faith and its applications.
Sermon: The Authority of Christ
In this lesson, the premise that all authority resides in the Lord Jesus is affirmed.
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Sermon: Jeremiah’s Lament
The book of Jeremiah clearly expresses the anguish of the prophet as he sought to warn a rebellious nation of the coming consequences of their sin.
Sermon: God’s Covenant with Abraham
First in a series of lessons dealing with principles of Authority. God’s covenant with Abraham establishes the promises God made an fulfilled, ending with the establishment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Christ. (Note: The video consists only of the slides and audio. Video of the speaker was not available).
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