Author: Stan Cox
Sermon: Better Than the Angels (Hebrews 1:1-9)
A discussion of Hebrews 1:1-9. Jesus is better both as a spokesman for God, and as a Divine Being, compared to God’s servants, the angels.
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Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Our text begins here, and the thought ends in verse. It is an admonition against walking in a disorderly fashion. The word disorderly means, “irregularly (morally), : — disorderly (Strong). It seems in the context that such a disorderly walk came about through idleness. As Proverbs 18:9 says, “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”
Paul offers himself up as an example to follow, an example of one who was industrious! He did not impose upon the generosity of others. Instead, he worked. His purpose in working was to assure his ability to independently preach the gospel, without fearing resentment and false claims of manipulation.
Finally, this in no way indicated that Paul did not have a right to be supported. His right is clearly stated by him in 1 Corinthians 9. However, “to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (9), he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-4).
Paul was industrious, we should be the same! After all, Idleness is the Devil’s workshop!
Is Your Agenda God’s Agenda?
The book of Haggai covers a time after the return of the remnant to Jerusalem. The temple had begun to be built, but after a long period of time it had not been completed. Why? Because the personal lives of the people had interfered! This is clear from the admonitions that come from the pen of the prophet in this short book.
Consider this famous reference at the beginning of the book:
“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built’”’” (Haggai 1:1-2).
The same problems exist in our time. It is not that people do not love the Lord, or have their hearts set fully to do evil. Often it is simply that living your life day to day gets in the way of serving God. Regardless, it is never acceptable to put your agenda before the Lord’s!
As Haggai related from Jehovah, “Consider your ways!” (5,7). What you want and need from life will not be fully realized unless and until you put God first!
Sermon: Wise Words About the Tongue
A discussion of wise sayings about the tongue taken from assorted verses from the book of Proverbs, chapters 12-17.
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The Kingdom of God Must Be Spiritual
A discussion of Luke 17:20-37, showing that the Jews perception of the coming kingdom was mistaken. The kingdom Christ established was a spiritual, not a physical kingdom
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The Call To God’s Eternal Glory
A study of 1 Peter 5:10, noting that you must step out of self, into Christ, and through to Judgment to enjoy the eternal glory of God.
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An Open Door
There are a number of occasions where the apostle Paul used the metaphor of a door to refer to an opportunity. For example, when Paul and Barnabas gave a report to the church in Antioch, Luke records, “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Paul himself wrote to the Corinthian church, saying in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” He wrote again in 2 Corinthians 2:12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed to Macedonia.” Continue reading “An Open Door”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12
As we previously pointed our in verses1-7, Paul had a great love for the Thessalonians which led to his ministry to them. The though continues in these verses, as he declares his affection, and his willingness even to die in his efforts to share with them the “gospel of God.”
The Thessalonians were well aware of Paul’s efforts, as he had labored diligently among them. Further, his secular worked was a testament to his love, so that he would not be a financial burden to the brethren there. (Though note, such support was certainly scripturally defensible, cf. 1 Timothy 5:18).
But Paul, in every way wanted only to benefit his brethren. Thus he always acted in a way to protect his reputation, that his work of ministry would not be hindered. He acted, “devoutly and justly and blamelessly” among them.
Paul’s concern was not for himself — only for them! His hope for them was a worthy walk, and an eternal reward.
The Elect Lady
It is an interesting question: Was John referring to an actual lady in 2 John 1, or was he referring to the church to which he was writing? I’m not sure the question is answerable, but it does not matter to his expression of love.
The word elect simply means chosen. So, the one to whom he wrote was either a Christian, or represented Christians. The little children are either actually the woman’s personal children, or referenced individual Christians in that church.
Regardless, there was a tender promise John made to her regarding God. “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth in love.” (3)
There was an admonition given to her that applies to us all. “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning; that we love one another” (5).
There was a universal warning concerning false teaching, given to her. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [the doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (10-11).
All these sentiments we too must heed!
Our Civil Responsibilities
Christians, unlike other groups, have only a secondary allegiance to our country. Also unlike other groups that does not mean that we are in any way unpatriotic, or lacking gratitude for the nation in which we live. It also does not mean that we condone disobedience to the laws of the land, either civilly or criminally. Continue reading “Our Civil Responsibilities”
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 2:1-10
In the first three verses here, Paul expressed his concern and diligence in encouraging his brethren. Specifically those in Laodicea and Colosse. He did this in his ministry by sharing his understanding of God’s will, in which are “hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (3).
In verses 4-10 he contrasts the Divine wisdom with the foolish philosophies of men. What he refers to as “persuasive words.” They have persuasive power to the uninformed, but are false. We are to walk in God’s word, not “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (8).
This is an important warning that Christians need to hear today. We are complete in Christ. He is the preeminent One, the “head of all principality and power” (10). To place our trust and faith in any man rather than the Lord Jesus Christ is foolish and Paul wrote that it “cheat”-’s us out of our standing with God!
Christ is a Stumbling Stone!
This what the apostle Paul claims, when he wrote to the Romans about the failures of the Jews, “Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 9:32-33).
Paul here referred to Psalm 118:22-24, a clear reference to the Messiah of Israel, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:22-24).
And so we see Paul’s point. The Jews, did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God. This was predicted by the psalmist, so it was no surprise. Yes, Jesus is the Savior, He is the King, He is a wonderful Teacher, He was God on the earth, He is our eternal Intercessor.
This is the means of salvation the Jew AND ALSO for the Gentile. Faith in Christ is what makes Jesus positive to you, rather than you being one who stumbles “at that stumbling stone.” Paul stated the “fragrance of Christ” was an aroma of death to those who reject, but a precious “aroma to life” for those who are being saved, (2 Cor. 2:15-16a). What is He to you?
Women Leaving the Church
I just finished reading an article on my phone from USA TODAY titled, “Americans are become less religious. None more than this group.” The emphasis of the article was the departure of many from Christianity (especially younger people), and the fact that for the first time in American history, more women are leaving their faith than men.
Two statistics from the survey: Those who nominally identify as Christians in America are 63%, down from 90% in the early 1990’s. Second, “Among generation Z, however, the pattern has flipped (regarding men and women leaving their childhood faith): 54% of those who’d left the church are female. Meanwhile, nearly four in 10 Gen Z women identify as religious unaffiliated, compared to a third of Gen Z males. Continue reading “Women Leaving the Church”
Sermon: Why Become a Christian?
We are to become Christians because of the nature and consequence of sin; because of who Christ is; because of the certainty of death and judgment; and because of the benefits to our lives, both here and in eternity!
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Sermon: The Return of the Remnant (Ezra)
A discussion of the book of Ezra, giving an overview, and examining several points of importance suggested by the book.
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