Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: Biblical Leadership
The first of three lessons establishing what God considers the most important attributes for a Christian to have to be an effective leader, in the church and in life.
Sermon: Judas Iscariot, Betrayer
A discussion of John 13:18-30, where Judas Iscariot is identified by Jesus as His betrayer.
Glorifying God’s Word
There is an interesting phrase from the pen of the apostle Paul, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). The phrase is, “that the word of the Lord may…be glorified.” Paul was asking that these faithful brethren petition God on his behalf. It was his desire that through his efforts, the word of the Lord would spread swiftly. That is, that many would hear and repeat it. Also, that it would be glorified. By this Paul meant, as noted by Thayer, that through his efforts the value of the word of God would become evident or made manifest.
A similar statement is made by the Lord regarding our influence. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We extol the greatness and righteousness of God whenever we live in accord with His will. Men see it, and “glorify” Him.
The Patternists: “All that the Lord has spoken”
Exodus 19 chronicles the arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai, where Moses was to receive God’s commandments on the mount. The Lord instructed Moses to tell the people, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” (Exodus 19:5-6).
Moses relayed God’s message to the people, and they responded in a commendable fashion. “Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do…’” (Exodus 19:8). We know, of course, that they reneged on that promise many, many times through the course of their history as a nation. But, the words remain a basis of the covenant God held with them. He promised a special place for them, above all people, conditioned upon their obedience. They promised that obedience to “all that the Lord has spoken.”
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Good Testimony Among Those Who Are Outside
1 Timothy 3:7 states that in order to be qualified to serve as an elder, a man “must have a good testimony among those who are outside.” Unlike some of the other qualifications, there is a reason stated for this qualification, “lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
This qualification is straightforward. “Must” is an imperative. It is absolutely necessary because of the importance and nature of the position of elder. “Good” means pleasing, commendable. “Report” in the context of this verse is described by Thayer, “In an ethical sense, of testimony concerning one’s character.” “Are without” has reference to “those who do not belong to the Christian church” (Thayer).
This does not mean that false accusations will not be made by those antagonistic to the church (even Jesus suffered the same). It does mean that any true accusations that would sully a man’s reputation in the world would disqualify a man, lest he bring reproach to the people of God. He must not be worthy of blame! “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
If he lacks character, Satan will snare an elder. He will use the man for his own purposes, and hinder truth.
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Sermon: What is Fair?
An examination of Ezekiel 18, which give us much insight as to the grievous nature of sin, and how our righteous God deals with both those who pursue sin, and those who pursue righteousness.
Sermon: Being a Place for Growth
Speaker: Justin Carrell.
It is important for our congregation that we be a safe and welcoming place, that each of us are able to confess our failings, and grow spiritual as we love one another.
A Stone’s Throw
A few weeks ago my son Jeremiah preached a lesson titled, “The Distance Greater Than a Stone’s Throw.” The principles found in that lesson are worthy of examination, and I would like to adapt his teaching in this article.
The reference is to Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal, (Luke 22 & Matthew 26). Matthew reveals that after entering the garden, Jesus, Peter, James and John walked a bit further into the garden. There, Jesus left the three of them, and “He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw” (Luke 22:41), where He began to pray to His Father. He was in agony. After finding them asleep, Jesus said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26: 40-41).
The Patternists: In Spirit and Truth
In John 4, the apostle records Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. She asked Him about proper worship, and asked whether the Jews or the Samaritans had it right. Her question was concerned with location. Was Jerusalem the right place? Or was the mountain located adjacent to the well the proper place to worship God?
Jesus’ answer was Jerusalem. “We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). More importantly, Jesus indicated an impending change, in covenant and worship. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
Quiet Resolve and Confidence
“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved” (Psalm 62:1-2).
Christians who have a full and correct understanding of the nature of grace and faith have a great confidence in their salvation. It is God who accomplishes their redemption, so they can be sure that their service to Him will be rewarded in the end. This brings patience and comfort as they await the day where the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (cf. Matthew 25:21).
Others, who place their trust in something other than God, have no such assurance.
“Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:9-10).
Remember:
“In God is my salvation and glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” AND “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work” (Psalm 62:7-8, 11-2).
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Sermon: Vain Things
The writer of Ecclesiastes recognized something we must learn as well. There is no intrinsic value in wisdom, pleasure or possessions. If we do not serve God, our life is lived among vain things.
Sermon: A Lesson on Service and Humility
In John 13:1-17, Jesus taught by example a lesson on service and humility by washing the feet of His disciples. There are lessons for us as well.
The Patternists: Turning Your Heart from God
King Solomon serves as a cautionary tale to all Christians concerning the necessity of staying true to God’s will. Most are aware that Solomon began his reign as King of Israel in a commendable way, as a young man asking God for wisdom, that he might be a capable king. We are told, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore”; and “he was wiser than all men” (1 Kings 4:29,31).
Solomon built a temple to the Lord and placed the ark of the Lord in it. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon prayed, saying “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You” (1 Kings 8:23).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Turning Your Heart from God”
Not a Novice
The word novice, found in 1 Timothy 3:6 comes from a Greek word that is used only here in the New Testament. It is the word (neophytos). Thayer defines the term: newly planted… a new convert, neophyte… one who has recently become a Christian.
It is necessary that a man be a Christian for some time in order to serve as an elder. One who is newly converted is not qualified to serve. Why is this? It is simple, living in the world does not equip a man to serve as an overseer of the Lord’s people. Becoming a Christian does not automatically change that truth, as experience and effort is required to grow in the faith sufficiently to be so equipped.
(1 Peter 2:2), “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”
(Hebrews 5:14), “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
In our context (1 Timothy 3:6), the Holy Spirit states that being a novice may lead one to be puffed up with pride. Consider what may happen to a babe in Christ who is appointed as an elder. He has not yet learned humility, and could easily become inordinately “proud” of such an honor. One who has experience and knowledge would not be so vulnerable to the same vice of pride that plagued the devil and led to his condemnation.
We need “meat-eaters” to serve as elders, not babies!
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Big Bang Theory Debunked
I just finished reading an article titled, “We now know the big bang theory is (probably) not how the universe began.” It was written by Ethan Siegle, who is a Ph.D. astrophysicist, and the author of the book “Starts with a Bang.” The article seeks to show that the idea of the universe having its origin with a big bang, expanding from a a state of “infinitesimal sizes and infinite densities and temperatures”, is not a valid explanation for the beginning of the universe.
The big bang theory has been used for decades as the explanation for the existence of the universe as we observe it today. It has had almost universal acceptance among naturalists, as it has been the most effective naturalistic explanation for things being the way they are.
