Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: How Do I Apply God’s Truth in My Life?
When the truth falls on a good heart, the response of faith leads to total commitment. May we all examine ourselves to ensure we are faithful to His will!
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Sermon: Progress in Philippi
(A discussion of Acts 16). When the gospel falls on good hearts, fruit is borne, despite any opposition.
The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned plea for holiness on the part of God’s people, as the proper response to the gift of grace they have received from God. This plea was necessary because of the failures the Corinthians had already experienced in their walk. These failures were clearly enumerated in his first epistle to them.
In chapter 5 of his second epistle, he speaks of the assurance of the resurrection. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1). He notes the reality of judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (10). He affirms that Christ “died for all” (15). That God “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (18-19).
The Fragrance of Christ
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul poetically refers to the knowledge of Christ (which he preached) as a fragrance. He wrote, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (15).
It is interesting to note that in the NKJV the word “fragrance” is used in verses 14 and 15. But, the word “aroma” is used in verse 16. These are two similar, but different Greek words.
“Fragrance” comes from the Greek (euodia) and refers to a sweet or good scent. The KJV translates it “sweet savour.”
However, “aroma” is from the Greek (osme), and simply means a smell or odor. The KJV translates it “savour.” Why the difference?
Verses 14 and 15 refer to the objective reality. The gospel of Jesus Christ is sweet. It is good. There is no disputing this truth. Jesus died on the cross for mankind. His death was an expression of God’s grace, and love toward man.
Verse 16 refers to the subjective perception individuals have about the gospel of Christ. “To the one [those who are perishing] we are the aroma of death [a stench] leading to death, and to the other [those who are being saved] the aroma of life [a sweet scent] leading to life.”
The good news of the gospel is a sweet smell. But, the most important question is, “How does it smell to you?”
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Sermon: The Law of the Heart
Speaker: Tommy Davis
A discussion of the difference between the Old Law (written on tablets), and the New Law, written on the hearts of men.
Sermon: The Trials of a Christian
Speaker: Thackery Scroggins
Christians are beset with trials and temptations. What could be an advantage for the devil can instead bring maturity, if handled correctly.
Sermon: The Empty Tomb
A discussion of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The eyewitness testimony, and the significance of the event.
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Sermon: The Will of God, Your Sanctification
A discussion of holiness as it relates to sexuality, taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
The Patternists: Why is Discipline Lacking?
The New Testament is rather clear about the importance of discipline among God’s people. Consider the following passages:
(Titus 3:10-11), “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”
(Romans 16:17), “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
Continue reading “The Patternists: Why is Discipline Lacking?”
The Danger of Assumption
When the wicked in the world engage in evil without suffering consequences, what do we think? Do we think that this not fair? Do we think that God is not fair? Do we think that God is evil? Some have gone beyond thinking it, and have actively said as much.
God has something to say on the matter. In Psalm 50, He speaks to the wicked regarding their evil works. Consider His words:
“These things you have done, and I kept silent;
You thought that I was altogether like you;
But I will rebuke you,
And set them in order before your eyes.
“Now consider this, you who forget God,
Lest I tear you in pieces,
And there be none to deliver:
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”
(Psalms 50:21-23)
It is a mistake to assume that God is anything at all like the wicked. Though He does not always work in ways we understand, we know two truths absolutely. One, those who “forget God” will eventually pay for their sin, (cf. Romans 1:28-32). Two, the one who “orders his conduct aright” will be saved by God (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7).
God is righteous in character and judgment. In the end, righteousness will prevail!
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Sermon: Hate Speech
God condemns the use of any type of hateful speech. However, there is a difference between what is actual hate speech, and what our culture determines to be hateful.
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Sermon: Effectively Approaching People
Justin shares some practical considerations as we seek to share the gospel of our Lord with those who need it.
Having His Children in Submission
Having discussed the question, “Does one child constitute children” in Paul’s list of qualifications, we now turn our attention to the qualification itself, listed in 1 Timothy 3:4-5.
“One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)”
The Patternists: Are Repeated Warnings Tedious?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul clearly showed his respect for and confidence in this fine congregation. They were faithful, loving and active in the work of the Lord. There are few notes of admonition in his letter. His primary intent is to thank them for their fellowship and love.
However, he makes an interesting statement in the first verse of the third chapter. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.” While there was no need for him to admonish them, there was a need for him to warn them again about things he had already addressed. In doing so, he contributed to their safety – “but for you it is safe.”
Continue reading “The Patternists: Are Repeated Warnings Tedious?”
Causing Grief
In 2 Corinthians 2, the apostle Paul gives instructions to the church to “forgive and comfort” the man who had been disciplined by them. It’s almost certain that the man under consideration was the man guilty of fornication, referred to in 1 Corinthians 5. They had done as Paul commanded, and withdrew fellowship from him. The text obviously intimates the man’s eventual repentance, and now Paul calls upon the Corinthians to forgive him, and receive him back into their fellowship.
Why would they hesitate to bring him back? Because his sin and rebellion had caused them grief! He hadn’t personally grieved Paul, as Paul was not part of that congregation, but all of them in Corinth, “to some extent,” had been caused grief by him.
The word grief here, (lupeo), means to make sorrowful, to offend, (Thayer). Two simple, but important points are here made.
First, no matter the trouble, sorrow and offense we endure from a man who is caught and remains in sin — we are called to forgive and comfort him upon repentance. It is not right for us to hold sin against another. We are to express our love to them and receive them back, regardless of the grief they may have caused us.
Second, when you sin, your sin causes grief to others. It may be slight, it may be great, but your actions impact your brethren! Sin is characteristically selfish and self-centered. You’re not only hurting yourself. Something to think about!
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