Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: Jehoiakim’s Knife
The evil king Jehoaikim, when warned of coming judgments, did not fear nor repent. His rebelliousness brought destruction upon him and Judah.
Sermon: Assurance
Speaker: Josh Cox
As faithful Christians, we have assurance due to our relationship with Christ. Josh Cox discusses how to properly live in that hope.
That They May Distinguish My Service
Shortly after Rehoboam became king of Judah, the scripture reveals that he “forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel along with him” (2 Chronicles 12:1). The specific sins of the nation are stated in 1 Kings, as they “built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel” (1 Kings 14:23-24). God chose to chastise the king and the nation by raising up the king of Egypt against them. Shishak, the Egyptian ruler, invaded Judah with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and a large number of his people.
The Patternists: Carrying the Ark
The ark of the covenant had a long history with Israel, serving as the point of interaction between God and the nation from the time the tabernacle was erected in the wilderness (cf. Exodus 40:17-21,34).
In the building of the ark, rings were set at each of its four corners, and poles of acacia wood, overlaid with gold were put into the rings, “to bear the ark.” (Exodus 37:3-5). After the establishment of the priesthood as found in the book of Leviticus, it fell upon the Levites to care for and bear the ark as the tabernacle was moved from place to place (Numbers 1:49-53; 3:31). The actual directions given concerning the packing and carrying of all the furniture in the tabernacle is revealed in Numbers 4, ending with these instructions, “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry” (15). The poles were inserted into the ark to allow it to be carried, without touching it or the holy things stored upon it. Not only was the Levite family of Kohath not to touch the ark, God told Moses, “But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die” (20).
Able to Teach
The Greek word didaktikos is found twice in scripture. The first mention of the term is in the list of qualifications for elders, located in 1 Timothy 3:1. The second mention is also penned by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:24. In both places the term is translated “able to teach” in the NKJV.
Thayer defines the term, “apt and skillful in teaching.” Vine agrees “skilled in teaching.”
Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2 are personal. He wanted Timothy to be skilled in teaching as a “servant of the Lord.” He also explains why. In this way, Timothy would be able to correct “those who are opposition” so that “they may know the truth” and that they may “come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil.” (vs. 25-26).
The same need is present among elders. As they are given the responsibility to feed the flock (as pastors), they are in need of an ability to teach. Also, Titus wrote that an elder must be able “by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).
All should strive to be “able to teach.” It is obvious that this attribute is a relative one. Ability varies, and one may be apt, or able to teach though not as capable or as talented as another. Too, ability increases with study and the acquiring of knowledge (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14).
Obviously, an elder must be a competent teacher. It is part of his ministry, and he can’t do his job without it.
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Hospitable
The New Testament admonishes Christians to be given to hospitality. It does so through command, as well as giving examples of this commendable behavior.
For example, Gaius was commended by John in 3 John 5-6, “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well.”
Elders are required to be hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). As is the widow to be supported by the congregation (1 Timothy 5:10). Lydia is a wonderful example of a hospitable woman, “And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us” (Acts 16:15). So, hospitality is not only an attribute of the mature. Even babes in Christ can and should be hospitable.
The word is familiar to us, and means essentially the same in both our modern English and in the New Testament Greek. The word is philoxenos, a compound word. Philo (love) and xenos (stranger, guest). As a love for guests is properly shown in doing for them, hospitality consists of entertaining, feeding, and expressing love by having such into your home.
The show of hospitality is an expression of much of what it is to be a Christian. Are you hospitable?
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Sermon: Learning from Israel’s Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7)
We learn of the consequences of sin, and the need to separate ourselves from ungodly men and worldly things, by looking at the narrative of Israel’s defeat at the hands of the men from Ai.
Sermon: Propitiation and Atonement
Speaker: Tommy Davis
Tommy discusses the Bible terms used to express and explain man’s reconciliation to God
The Problem of Pride
In James 4, the writer discusses sin present in the lives of some Christians — specifically strife and worldliness. Notice verses 1-4:
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
The Patternists: Reformation VS Restoration
The Reformation Movement is well known. The term refers to the efforts of men like Martin Luther, beginning in the 16th century, who sought to reform certain practices of the Catholic church. These men believed such practices were in violation of scripture. Interestingly, before being branded as heretical by the Catholic church, Luther was a priest in that organization. He wasn’t seeking to leave it, he simply wanted to make it better by making changes.
The term “reform” is defined as: “make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.”
Continue reading “The Patternists: Reformation VS Restoration”
Of Good Behavior
The Greek word kosmios is interesting, occurring only twice in the New Testament, both times in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. In (2:9) it references the manner of dress appropriate for a Christian woman, and is translated “modest.” In (3:2), it is a qualification for an elder, and is translated in the NKJV “of good behavior.”
Thayer defines the term, “well arranged, seemly, modest.” Trench describes the term in this way, “The well-ordering is not of dress and demeanor only, but of the inner life, uttering indeed and expressing itself in the outward conversation.”
This characteristic is important for an elder, but not for elders only. One’s dress and demeanor can be said to accurately reflect the Lord only if it is seemly. The Christian is always to act, dress, speak in ways that are appropriate. This takes thought, effort and self-control.
You have heard the criticism, “Well that was completely inappropriate!” The Christian who shows good behavior always does what is seemly or appropriate for the situation. He always says the right thing, he always takes the appropriate action, always makes the proper decision. It is a part of his character. This trait comes naturally to some, but it certainly can be added through the process of growth and maturity (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-7).
What you are on the inside is exposed by your outward actions. Good behavior starts in the heart!
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Sermon: The Curious Case of Micah and His Idols
Micah was one in Israel (like many others) who did what was right in his own eyes (cf. Judges 17:6). His willful, uninformed worship of God teaches us much about the dangers present in our own day.
Sermon: The Death of a Grain of Wheat
A discussion of the illustration Jesus used to emphasize the necessity and glory of His death (John 12:20-26)
The Patternists: David and the Temple
In 1 Chronicles 17:1, David showed a sincere heart in his desire to build a permanent Temple to honor God. “Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.”
Interestingly, it seems that Nathan’s response to David was presumptuous. That is, it came from Nathan himself, rather than from God. Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you” (17:2). Much of Nathan’s words were accurate. David was certainly a righteous king, and in general his reign was in accord with God’s purpose. However, it was wrong for Nathan to assume God would desire for David to build the temple.
Sober-Minded
The Greek word sophron, translated “sober-minded” in 1 Timothy 3:2, is found a total of four times in the New Testament. It is twice used as a qualification for the office of elder, in 1 Timothy 3:2, and Titus 1:8 where it is translated “sober.” It is also used as a wanted characteristic for older men “sober”, and finally as a wanted characteristic for older women, where it is translated “discreet” (cf. Titus 2:2,5).
Thayer defines the term: 1) of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; 2) curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.
While the attribute certainly applies to intoxicants, the application is much broader in scope. It is common to hear men described by an overriding trait. Some are hot-headed, others are frivolous, still others may be described as sensitive. A sober-minded man or woman is in control of their passions and desires.
Consider how important such an attribute is in the area of leadership. Being in control of one’s passions. Clear-headed amidst controversy and provocation. The ability to set aside selfish desires, and to act righteously despite any inclination to prejudice or volatility. It is not surprising that an elder is to show himself to be sober-minded. Oversight could hardly be effective otherwise.
The attribute, however, is one that is needed by all. Maturity helps in developing this trait, which is why Paul suggests it should be present in all older Christians.
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