Author: Stan Cox
War and Making War in the Church
Webster defines the word polemic – “An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another. The art or practice of disputation or controversy.” Describing the etymology of the word, “When polemic was borrowed into English from French polemique in the mid-17th century, it referred (as it still can) to a type of hostile attack on someone’s ideas. The word traces back to Greek polemikos, which means “warlike” or “hostile” and in turn comes from the Greek noun polemos, meaning “war.”
This Greek noun polemos is used in James 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” (James 4:1-2).
The Blood of the Cross
God’s plan for redeeming man has been referred to as a scarlet thread that runs throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the primary thrust of scripture is God’s effort to deal with the sin of man.
It is prophesied in Genesis 3:15 when Satan, in the guise of the serpent, was told by God, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
Why Can’t You See?
Have you even wondered why, when you share the truth with those who are caught in denominational error, that they just can’t see it? Some will claim that the truth is not clear enough to be understood alike, but that’s not it. Paul told the Corinthians what the problem is in these cases:
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Whether it be the one taken in religious error, the one who no longer retains God in his knowledge (cf. Romans 1:28-32), or the immoral, they don’t understand because they have been blinded by the influences of this world.
It is not surprising that this would happen. The devil is active, and men are surprisingly willing to believe what they want rather than what they should. All men are susceptible. You and I are susceptible.
Do you have a blindspot? Is there some truth from God’s word that you resist because you have carnal biases and preferences? You don’t? Are you sure?! Am I?!
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.”(Psalm 119:2-3)
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Sermon: The Function of Hope
Sermon by Jeremiah Cox
Hope serves to supply us with joy, stability and focus. It motivates us to purity and steadfastness. Hope is the anchor of the soul!
Sermon: Looking at Parallels
The Holy Spirit uses comparisons, like comparing the lifetime committment of marriage to the Jews relationship with the law (Romans 7), and Jesus relationhip to the church to establish truths in the husband/wife relationship. The Hebrew writer does the same in Hebrews 9, teaching an important lesson about Christ’s sacrifice.
Why Do Some Christians Not Grow?
The need for growing spiritually is well established in the New Testament. Those who remain babes in Christ remain as vulnerable to spiritual dangers as their physical counterparts are to the temporal dangers of life. They are weak, and undiscerning, which make them easy fodder for the devil and his minions.
“For he who lacks these things [attributes of the spiritually mature] is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
Knowing the importance of spiritual development and growth, it is disheartening when we witness a Christian who is stagnant spiritually. It happens far too often.
“You will know them by their fruits”
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:15-16).
Jesus affirmed a truth regarding false prophets (and false teachers) that many Christians have forgotten. It is not all about their motivation or heart, it is about their fruits! When people say, “He is a good man” despite the fact that he preaches a distorted gospel, the correct response is “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (18).
I Like Normal
Some people like to “shake things up” to “keep everyone on their toes.” I must confess that I have never been one of those people. I don’t like the “new normal.” I like normal!
Just how much I like normal has been reinforced to me in the past several months. I like knowing what is upcoming each Sunday. I like shaking hands with the brethren, and visiting (sometimes an hour) after services are over. I like having brethren over to my house. I like the routines we have established. In fact, I like tradition!
While I was willing to do whatever was necessary, I didn’t like the threat of shutting down our worship. I didn’t like having to have truncated worship services, of cancelling classes, of meeting outside with a threat of rain or high temperatures. I haven’t liked the frustration of depending upon fickle technology to share Bible teaching with my brethren who are stuck at home. The unknown often causes frustration and anxiety.
Each day that passes means a day closer to normality. Whether it will be another two months or two years, I honestly can’t tell. I do know this, the Christian’s normal is putting God first, no matter what the world throws at us. I like that. I pray that you do too!
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
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Sermon: The Church of ME!
A self-centered, and willful individual is destructive to the people of God. Diotrephes was such a man (cf. 3 John 9-10). It is worth time to examine the way that self-centered people see their relationship with God and His people.
Sermon: The Desires of Disciples
An examination of the proper desires of God’s people. For example to be lovers of God rather than the world, and to Honor and Obey Him, no matter the sacrifices that must be made.
Sermon: Not Carnality, But Christ
The text of Colossians 3 contrasts the life of the self-indulgent with the better life of a child of God who practices self-denial. Let us choose Christ rather than the fleshly lusts!
Sermon: Diligence
Diligence in serving God, the Brethren, Family and Others. These are the hallmarks of faithful disciples.
Worship Schedule During COVID Pandemic
All services have resumed as normal. Following is our schedule, along with the precautions being followed to protect the congregation and any visitors.
Sundays
- 9:00 am worship hour
- 10:00 am Bible Classes for all ages
- 11:00 am worship hour (The Lord’s Supper will be served during this hour)
Wednesday
- 7:30 pm Bible Classes
Precautions
- Social distancing to be practiced at all times. (The auditorium is large enough to allow for sufficient space between families).
- Hand Sanitizer located at each entrance and in common areas.
- Masks to be worn by all attending while in the building (exceptions only for preaching, and those with health issues that require no mask).
- Sanitized, individual containers for the Lord’s Supper emblems, to be taken to seat before worship.
- Contribution baskets in foyer, and overflow areas.
All visitors are welcome. Single use masks are supplied as needed. (Check credenza left of center as you enter the foyer).
Sermon: Using Euphemisms
The use of Euphemisms can be healthy and helpful. In fact, euphemisms are often found in scripture. However, when they are used to mask profane thoughts and ugly words, they are sinful!
Sermon: The Cost and Reward of Righteousness
Joseph, in Genesis 39, shows us that righteousness sometimes comes with consequences. Remember, it may cause conflict on earth, but it guarantees a heavenly reward!
