Author: Stan Cox
“Oh what a weariness”
Church attendance, Bible study, prayer, gospel meetings, concern for brethren, sacrificial giving, volunteer duties, self-sacrifice, benevolence, hospitality, etc., etc., etc. It is a substantial commitment to become a Christian.
Of course, anything of importance and value takes commitment. A sports fan will spend hours and money following his team. Travels to away games, purchasing clothes and trinkets to “represent” their favorites. The cost of season tickets. Hours spent at the stadium. The tedium of traffic congestion, etc., etc., etc. And yet, it is not considered burdensome, rather these are sacrifices born out of devotion and interest. Continue reading ““Oh what a weariness””
Exaltation through Humiliation
Philippians 2:5-11 contains the ultimate example of God’s reward offered to the humble, in the person of His own Son. It is a strong example of a paradox. What seems to be counter to reason is shown to be God’s way in the text, both for Jesus, and for us as well.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).
Note the instruction, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (5). God has always blessed the humble, while men have a tendency to reward pride and arrogance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3,5). Also, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, cf. Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Continue reading “Exaltation through Humiliation”
Mining the Scriptures: Mark 1:32-34
Mark 1 details certain miracles Jesus performed early in his Galilean ministry in Capernaum. The chapter mentions his casting out an unclean spirit (21-28, and healing Peter’s mother-in-law (29-31). It also mentions in our text — healing the sick, and casting out demons.
It also mentions how it captured the imaginations of the people. In verse 28, “And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.” Verse 33, “And the whole city was gathered together…”
Finally, it notes that in casting out the demons, “He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him” (34). (Cf. James 2:19). The simplest and most entertained explanation of this act on His part is that He did not desire or need the testimony of the wicked demons. His words, (see Mark 1:25) were authoritative and severe. I.e., “be muzzled.” The testimony of these evil beings did not serve Jesus purpose, (cf. Mark 3:22).
To Boast Or Not To Boast
Fourteen years before writing 2 Corinthians, Paul had be “caught up” (to snatch or catch away) to Paradise. This was a forceful action. In other words, Paul did not work or earn this passage, he was transported. It was a wonderful thing, a blessed gift or privilege. While wonderful, it was not a legitimate thing to boast about because it was a gift from God.
So, while Paul mentioned it as another proof of his choosing by God, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:5, “Of such a one (Paul’s oblique reference to himself) I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.”
Paul’s explanation, though a bit hard to understand, establishes a very important truth. Our standing with God is based upon a given gift, not our own merited works. There is a big difference between required obedience, and the mercy of God. Jesus told His disciples, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10).
Paul was only willing to boast in a way that would bring God the glory. Consider his conclusion, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Sermon: False Prophets
A study of Jeremiah 23 that seeks to answer two questions: 1) What is a false prophet; 2) How much damage can be done by a false prophet.
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Sermon: The One Question
An exchange by Jesus with the Jews in Mark 11:27-33 supplies for us some very important truths about Bible authority, and the only legitimate source for our faith!
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Spring Meeting 2024 with Brett Hogland
May 4-9, 2024
Brother Brett Hogland, from the Southside congregation in Blue Springs, MO has blessed our congregation with 8 powerful and scriptural messages. We have been blessed by his efforts this week. Below are all of the sermon audio, sermon video and Powerpoints from the lessons he shared with us.
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Saturday – Learning From A Faith Failure
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Sunday – Overcoming Bitterness
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Sunday – Ellipsis
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Sunday at – Prescription For A Worry Free Life
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Monday – If They Do Not Hear Moses and the Prophets
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Tuesday – Salvation By Grace Through Faith
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Wednesday – Love Abounding In Knowledge
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Thursday – Faith Is The Victory
The Rise and Fall of Saul
The prophet Samuel served as the last accepted judge of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel. In chapter 8 of the text we are told that when he became old he appointed his sons as judges, but their behavior was unacceptable to the people who asked for a king. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5).
We find an interesting statement by the Lord in 1 Samuel 8:7, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” God had established the system of appointing judges, and by insisting for a king, the people basically had rejected God’s design. That in and of itself serves as an important lesson for us. Put simply the churches of today constitute changes to God’s design under the New Covenant. Denominationalism, the Social Gospel, instrumental music, women preachers, etc., all can be explained in this same way. “They have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Saul”
A Simple Evaluation
We are often told the importance of counting the cost before becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. While we want everyone to make the commitment, the idea that it is an important and substantial decision must not be forgotten. Consider the words of Jesus Himself, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-33). Continue reading “A Simple Evaluation”
Mining the Scriptures: Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus. He refers to Him as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Thus, we have an introduction to God’s scheme of Redemption for man. The Redeemer would descend from Abraham, through Isaac, the son of promise (Genesis 12:3), and come from Judah, a descendent of King David (Jeremiah 23:5-6). This listed genealogy is an important piece of evidence that Jesus is our Christ, the Redeemer come from God.
Matthew’s observation of this lineage coming from Joseph, Jesus’ legal father, indicates that this lineage was used by Matthew to express Jesus’ legal right through genealogy to ascend to the position of King, as a descendent of David. The genealogy does not contain all Jesus’ predecessors, only 42 Generations, which served his purpose, and through its artificial grouping of 3 sets of 14 generations served the important purpose of establishing a means of easy memorization. See Luke 3 for a different approach.
All in the Name of the Lord Jesus
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
Regarding our obligation (rather than our blessings) and our stewardship this is what it is all about. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Paul got it, too many religious people today do not.
Two points to make here. First, our entire purpose in life, “whatever we do in word or deed” is to be done because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion is not an avocation, it is our job! “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Second, we have to do it Jesus’ way, not our own. That is what the phrase “in the name of the Lord” means! (cf. Matthew 7:20-21). The one accepted by God is the one who “does the will of My Father in heaven.” This means it is not sufficient to “be sincere.” It means that serving God in a way that suits us, or going to a denomination that fits our lifestyles or preferences, is not legitimate.
We have a responsibility to Jesus to serve Him in His way, to do His bidding!
Praise to God
“O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isaiah 25:1).
“I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalms 18:1-3). Continue reading “Praise to God”
Mining the Scriptures: Revelation 1:12-16
In Revelation 1, John saw a vision while “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”, on Patmos, while in exile. Jesus spoke to him in the vision, first in verse 11, then in verse 17-20.
John describes the one (the Lord) who spoke to him in verses 12-16. He saw seven golden lampstands, and in their midst was the Lord, with fine garments, a head and hair white like wool, eyes like a flame of fire, feet like fine brass, a voice as the sound of many waters, and holding in His right hand seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword proceeded out of His mouth, and His countenance was shining like the son.
This picture indicates the perfection of Jesus (the number seven), His purity (the color white, the eyes like a flame of fire, the fine brass purged from impurities ), His message (His voice as the sound of many waters), and His place (the One who influences and convicts, seen in the stars and the two-edged sword).
Truly, Jesus is the great Redeemer of all mankind!
“I Am Not Worthy”
Jacob prayed a prayer to God concerning meeting his brother Esau, from whom he had taken a birthright and blessing. Before the meeting, Jacob said, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children” (Genesis 32:10-11).
Of course, Esau’s own profane behavior was part of the reason why he was rejected, and Jacob was chosen (cf. Hebrews 12:16). But, it seem that here Jacob realized there was cause for Esau to be angry, and that he had mistreated his brother due to his deceit. I think that Jacob’s description of himself is one what we should all consider. “I am not worthy of these least of all the mercies and of all the truth which you [God] have shown your servant.” It is very similar to Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:9, calling himself unworthy because, “I persecuted the church of God.” And yet, God blessed both of them. Jacob was received kindly by Esau (cf. Genesis 32:4,9), and Paul was made an apostle to the Gentiles. Because of God’s mercy! (1 Corinthians 15;10).
God’s mercy comes to each of us as well. None of us can approach our Lord as “worthy.” But, His love for mankind brings out His mercy and grace. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).
Sermon: The Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus
Many people, while accepting the validity of Jesus’ death on the cross, fail to understand the importance and significance it plays in our lives. An examination of 1 Corinthians 15 helps.
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