Author: Stan Cox

A Discussion of the words and phrases used by Peter in his first epistle to describe Christians.  Each phrase has its own lesson.

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After admonishing the Hebrew Christians for their lack of zeal in pursuing the knowledge God wanted them to embrace, and warning of the possible consequences, Paul here reaffirms his love for them. He states that even though he spoke harshly in admonition and warning, he was confident they would grow and gain their salvation.

The primary basis for this confidence is God’s love and longsuffering toward His children. It was not too late for them. He acknowledged their present love and service toward one another. This is interesting in that is shows faithfulness in one area does not ensure safety before God. Doing some things well is not enough if other things are being neglected.

Paul desired that the same diligence they showed in some areas be present in all aspects of their Christian walk, and that it be maintained “until the end.”

This final exhortation is for continued zeal. Remember the possibility that we can be faithful for a while, then falter. We can become lukewarm (cf. Rev. 3:14-22). To do so is to forfeit our inheritance!

The similarities of Elijah and John the Baptist is an example of Biblical Typology.  An examination of their similarities also have great application to all Christians.

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A discussion of the necessity of repentance, and what it is.  This truth is seen throughout the Bible.

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Neglecting the elementary principles of God’s word, and failing to grow in the word makes a Christian vulnerable. Verses 4-8 are a crystal clear warning of the possibility of apostasy. This directly contradicts the preeminent doctrine held to by many, commonly called “once save always saved.”

Consider: The full context of Hebrews shows a letter written to faltering Christians, whose return to the Old Law with which they were familiar was a return to a system that could not save.

In our verses, we read of individuals who were enlightened by the gospel, and “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come”, indicating they were Christians. The phrase “if they fall away” is not an impossible hypothetical (an absurd concept), but a description of what will happen should their faith weaken as warned.

What is referred to is the possibility of one who once was saved losing his salvation eternally. Verses 7 and 8 note the distinction: Bearing good fruit brings praise, bad fruit rejection, “whose end is to be burned.”

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul described the characteristic walk of worldly people. He refers to them here as “the rest of the Gentiles” (17). For the Jew, Gentiles were considered to be unclean (cf. Acts 10:16). God declared that under the new covenant the important thing was not your nationality, but whether you have faith in Jesus Christ. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). Therefore Paul’s reference here to the Gentiles is not to the physical Gentile but the man who has not been washed or sanctified before Him.

His description of them? They were futile in their thinking, with darkened understanding. They had given themselves over to lewdness, uncleanness and greediness.

This type of behavior is antithetical to being a Christian, an inward Jew. This is why in verse 20 of Ephesians 4, Paul wrote, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” Christ teaches us that when we are separated to God through faith, we are to live our lives as a “new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (24). Learn from Him!

An examination of 2 Corinthians 1:3-14, as the Apostle Paul gives instructions to the young evangelist Timothy concerning his faith and ministry.

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A discussion of Ephesians 4:17-24 as the apostle describes the New Man in Jesus, contrasting him with the old man before our conversion.

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The Preaching of the gospel has a very important place in God’s scheme of redemption. As Paul wrote, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

Preaching is the means by which the gospel is spread throughout the world. The apostles as Christ’s ambassadors initially proclaimed that message on Pentecost. As the church grew persecution scattered the early believers, and we are told that they “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Men like Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, etc., all serve as examples both of the need and efficacy of preaching the gospel of Christ.

The Bible shows two general purposes for preaching. As we have already shown, the preaching of the gospel to the lost brings faith to the hearts of men. As John noted, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Continue reading “Corporate Worship: Preaching” →

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

The description given by John in this text seems to categorize all sin into at lease one of three groups. A practical consideration of this seems so. Every sin I can think of can be categorized as a consequence of illicit desire (brought from what we see, what we feel, or pride). Continue reading “Lust of the Eyes & Flesh, the Pride of Life” →

Our text is a clear warning of the possibility after becoming a child of God to so falter as to lose our soul. The Hebrew writer uses several clauses to establish a bonafide conversion to Christ. They were once enlightened; they had tasted the heavenly gift of salvation; they had experienced fellowship with the Holy Spirit; they had experienced God’s word, and “the powers of the age to come.” It is absurd to contend this is something less that having been saved by God’s grace.

And yet, there is the possibility of such a one falling away. And further, (in this case through negligence) to wander so far away from God as to be unredeemable. As the Hebrew writer put it, “they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (6:6).

This shows the reason for explicit calls to be steadfast in our faith. We should not consider our reconciliation with God an endpoint, but rather the beginning of a journey to heaven. We are saved because we are reconciled to God. Such as salvation is given us through God’s mercy, and no one can take it away from us. However, it is possible for us through neglect or rebellion to forfeit that standing in our lives (cf. 4:1).

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity” ( Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).

This text clearly indicates God’s expectation and desire that we enjoy our time here on the earth. He does not require on principle for us to suffer. In this particular context, He shows that the times of our youth are to be greatly treasured. Follow your passions and interests, and have fun!

However, consider this one statement of warning. “But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” This establishes two important truths. First, God expects faithfulness to Him above all things. Second, you don’t have to be worldly to enjoy your life on the earth. This is the devil’s lie. The end of sin is destruction and death, not fun and frolic!

There is no value in sowing your wild oats, or following your own heart into sin. A life lived without God is a life of vanity and ruin. God does not want that for you in this life or in eternity! Serving God both brings joy and is “man’s all” (12:13).

In Luke 7, we find a centurion in Capernaum, whose character is assessed by the inhabitants of the city, by himself, and ultimately by Jesus Christ.  He was described as a loving, humble man, full of faith.  How will we be assessed?

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In the Old Testament God gave the command for the Israelites to tithe to support the nation, especially the Levites and Priests in their duties. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD” ( Leviticus 27:30-32).

The most significant point for us as we consider giving in the New Testament is the statement that the tithe “is the Lord’s.” God’s people have a responsibility to return a portion of what the Lord has blessed us with back to Him. It is the Lord’s! As Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Continue reading “Corporate Worship: Giving” →

Luke 7 records in Jesus’ ministry a visit to the city of Nain. Nain was located southwest of the sea of Galilee about 8 miles south of Nazareth. There is no indication it was a large city, but verse 11 of the text indicates that when Jesus entered the city, he brought both His disciples, “and a large crowd” with Him.

The city is only known from this account, where Jesus raised a young man from the dead. His mother is famously known as “the widow of Nain.” Perhaps the most significant aspect of this notable miracle Jesus performed is the motivation behind it. We are told the young man was the only son of his widowed mother, and “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her” (13). Continue reading “The Widow of Nain” →