Author: Stan Cox
Tender Mercies
In Colossians 3:12, one of the characteristics that Paul indicated the elect should “put on” is “tender mercies.” The KJV and Young’s literal translation put it most literally, “bowels of mercy.” The ASV and ESV have it “a heart of compassion” and “compassionate hearts”, respectively.
It is not surprising Paul would use such biological terms to indicate the seat of empathy. We do the same, which is why the newer translations use the word heart to translate the phrase. We talk about broken hearts, tender hearts and smitten hearts. Here, the apostle is talking about the need for the child of God to be compassionate, and to express that compassion to others.
Paul used the same words in Philippians 2:1, indicating that such compassion is the appropriate response of a child of God who has experienced consolation in Christ.
Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Philippians, said it well. He notes that bowels of mercy indicate legitimate compassion, not merely outward action:
“Though I know that to put on, and to be clothed with, are figurative expressions, and mean to assume such and such characters and qualities; yet there may be a higher meaning here. The apostle would have them to feel the slightest touch of another’s misery; and, as their clothes are put over their body, so their tenderest feeling should be always within the reach of the miserable. Let your feelings be at hand, and feel and commiserate as soon as touched.”
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Sermon: Philosophy
Paul warned against the deceitful words of philosophy that come from misguided men. Our lesson examines four different philosophers, contrasting them with the truths found in God’s word.
Sermon: The Life of Paul
An examination of the apostle Paul’s life, discussing his persecution of the church, his conversion, his work, and his reward.
The Patternists: The Bearer of Bad News
Jeroboam was rewarded by God with the 10 tribes which made up the northern kingdom of Israel. He became their king, according to the prophet Ahijah, because the reign of Solomon led to Israel forsaking Jehovah, and engaging in idolatry, cf. 1 Kings 11:29-39. His tenure as king was conditioned upon his obedience to God. The prophet Ahijah shared with Jeroboam these words from God, “Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in my ways, do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, I will give Israel to you” (38).
Jeroboam responded to Jehovah’s gift of the northern kingdom by rebelling against Him. Just as Solomon led Israel into idolatry, Jeroboam encouraged the northern Kingdom he ruled to worship gold calves he had fashioned for them.
Love in Deed and Truth
A common theme of the apostle John in his letters is the need to love your brothers and sisters in Christ. He states in 1 John 3:10, “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” Love is the characteristic that distinguishes God’s people from the rest of society. “We know that we have passed from death to live, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (3:14).
The concept of love can be nebulous. When someone says, “I love you,” what do they mean? What kind of love is it? Is it philanthropy? (A love of mankind in general)? It is fondness? Is it romantic attachment? Consider the young lady seeking to kindly dissuade the young man who seeks to woo her, “I love you, just not in that way.”
In the call to love your brother, the great apostle clearly establishes what is intended by the words. He writes in 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” This does not mean that it is wrong to proclaim our love for our brother, rather that we are to show that love through action! Anything less is below the standard established by the Holy Spirit.
So, the next time you want to profess your love for your brother in Christ, express it through actions that accord with God’s call to righteousness. It is easy to talk the talk, but God expects us to walk the walk!
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Sermon: Sinful Lusts
Defining it, determining its origin, discussing who is vulnerable, and a discussion of the admonitions against the lust that brings sin and death.
Sermon: Choosing a Good Local Church
Speaker: Josh Cox
A discussion of the scriptural guidelines that should be considered when considering which local congregation of Christians to join.
The Patternists: The Model Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in His sermon recorded in Matthew 5-6. The prayer is found in 6:9-13:
“In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.”
This prayer rather unfortunately has been designated as the Lord’s Prayer. I say unfortunately because it has become the practice of many to recite it as a prayer to God, rather than offering prayers “in this manner.”
Turn to Me with all your heart
“‘Now, therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:12-13).
The date of Joel’s writing is undetermined. Many speculate, but no one knows for sure. All that his known is that his warning to God’s people is for them to repent of their sins, and turn themselves back to Him.
The language used in this passage teaches us the nature of true repentance. “Turn to Me with all your heart…” indicates that repentance requires full submission to the Lord. You can’t have true repentance if you reserve the “right” to do as you will in any matter. “I will repent, but…” has no place in the Christian’s confession.
In order for repentance to be accepted by God it must be fully sincere. The phrase, “So rend your heart, and not your garments” shows this perfectly. Too often men make a show of sorrow, to lead men to think they are truly repentant. The Jews of Jesus day did this, disfiguring their faces while fasting (cf. Matthew 16:6), and praying on the corners of the streets “that they may be seen by men” (Matthew 6:5). When men see actions, God sees the heart.
Repentance must be total and heartfelt. If it is, God is “gracious and merciful” and just to forgive!
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Sermon: The Tents of the Righteous
The Psalmist stated in Psalm 118:15, “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous…” Tents were familiar to the Jews and Christians in the first century. The use of the image in scripture teaches some good lessons.
Sermon: I Am the Son of God
Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God is true, and verified by the works that He did while on earth. This truth is established in John 10:22-39
The Patternists: “They Understood the Words”
The eighth chapter of Nehemiah is a wonderful narrative to help establish the importance of knowing and following the will of the Lord.
On this occasion, following the rebuilding and defense of the wall which had been erected to protect Jerusalem, the remnant of Judah (released from captivity), gathered together for a reading of the law. There were a number of times during Israel’s history where a renewal of the covenant between God and His people were made. It happened prior to Moses’ death in Moab (Deuteronomy 29). It happened again as Joshua neared his death (Joshua 24). When the lost law was found again during the reign of Josiah, he made the people commit to the covenant (2 Kings 23).
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Sermon: Chosen: The Stone & His People
An exegesis of 1 Peter 2:4-10, establishing the attributes of both Jesus Christ, as the living, chief cornerston, and those who are his, living stones making up the Lord’s house.
Conveyed into the Kingdom
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
WHO? God. He is the one to whom we owe our inclusion in the kingdom. It was God’s intention from before the world began to redeem us through the sacrifice of His Son (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6).
WHAT? Conveyed. The word is defined by Thayer: “to transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another.” It is otherwise rendered “translated” (KJV), and “transferred” (ESV). Being in the kingdom separates the Christian from all others. He is granted all the privileges of citizenship.
WHEN? Already. Note the word conveyed is in the past tense. Those who are Christians are already in the kingdom. That means that the kingdom is already in existence. Those who believe it is yet to be established are wrong.
WHERE? The kingdom of Christ. The bondage of sin puts us into the domain of the wicked one. However, to be in the kingdom of Christ removes us from the reach of the Devil. We belong to the Lord. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). So long as we are citizens in good standing, the Devil can’t touch us.
WHY? Why are we in the kingdom? Because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ! Any who respond in faith to the gospel of the Lord are automatically worthy of citizenship in the Kingdom of God! Christ died for all, and is the Savior of those who believe! Have you believed the gospel Christ?
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Sermon: Lessons from a Wayward Son
In the parable of the prodigal son, (Luke 15), an examination is made of the motivation and actions of the son which led to his return to his father. Applications are made.
