Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Author: Stan Cox
Minister, West Side church of Christ since August of 1989 ........ Editor of Watchman Magazine (1999-2018 Archives available online @ http://watchmanmag.com) ........ Writer, The Patternists: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatternists
COVID-19 (28) God is Our Refuge and Strength
During times of national and global distress, Psalm 46 is the believer’s friend. The Psalmist wrote:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (1-3).
Those who place their trust in God have no need to fear, no matter the dangers that lurk. Surely what we are suffering through today does not compare to the removal of the earth or the casting of the mountains into the sea? God’s helps those who are His. We can trust Him.
Continue reading “COVID-19 (28) God is Our Refuge and Strength”
Sermon: Give a Defense
The lesson examines Peter’s admonition to be ready to defend the hope that lies within you. (1 Peter 3:15).
Sermon: Why Jesus Came
There are a number of answers which Jesus Himself supplied while on earth. This lesson examines the reasons Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago.
Sermon: King Abijah
A discussion of Abijah’s war speech, and his ultimate victory, described in the text of 2 Chronicles 13. From this we learn the important truth: God determines the Victors!
COVID-19 (27) How to Know God
There are a couple of interesting verses in 1 John 4 that are worth talking about. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (7-8).
John’s claim is fairly radical. It is a way of defining what love truly is. Understand that most everyone thinks they know what love is. Because they hold their own definitions, and their definitions conflict with that of God’s, they will go so far as to call Christians unloving, when they are exhibiting true love!
COVID-19 (26) You, Me, Them
Paul wrote to the Galatians, urging them to remain true to the gospel. He was concerned by the fact that they had turned away from the simplicity of His will to another gospel (cf. 1:6-9), which was in fact a perversion. As Paul put it in chapter 4, “I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain” (4:11).
In this part of his discussion, he notes three distinct groups. He refers to the Galatians as “you.” He talks about himself “me.” He also refers to the Judaizing teachers who were leading them astray as “them.”
Sermon: An Object Lesson – Why Repentance is Important
1 Chronicles 21 records a sin of pride committed by King David in requiring a census to be made in Israel. God’s punishment, and David’s response give us some important lessons about the necessity of repentance.
Sermon: 6 Reminders from Galatians
There are a number of important concepts Paul reminds us of in his letter to the Galatians. Things like not living for the approval of others, and the fact that our worth is inseparable from our Lord.
State Guidelines for Churches
Here is the link to the state guidelines we mentioned.
Sermon: A Different Way of Thinking
Sermon: Preached outside during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jesus’ thinking about religion and faith was very different from those seen among the Jews and Gentiles in the first century. Interestingly, in the denominations today you still see a very different view of religion and faith from that held by our Lord.
COVID-19 (25) The Power of Patience
It was inevitable. Six weeks ago when the government started encouraging people to stay home, just about everyone was on board. The virus is extremely contagious, and we all were concerned about our health, and the health of our loved ones. But, as time has passed, people have started getting antsy. Many have lost their jobs, the economy has almost completely shut down, and the protests have begun. Whether you believe that there is legitimacy to the claims of government overreach, or you believe that protesters are acting selfishly and dangerously, it is clear that the patience of the American populace is wearing thin.
Protests have taken place in Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Kentucky, Wyoming, Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. In Lansing, Michigan, almost 5,000 people showed up at the state Capitol on April 16th to protest the governor’s strong stay at home order. There has long been a debate over governmental regulation vs. personal liberty. The pandemic is putting these discordant views into sharp relief.
COVID-19 (24) Who is Responsible?
You might be getting tired of the news. I know that Debbie is! Her level of tolerance for talking heads and dispute is much lower than mine. Regardless, I have been watching a lot of news on TV, as well as reading articles from various sources, that seek to establish who is responsible for either the good or bad as government tries to deal with the pandemic.
What I have seen is that almost everyone wants credit for the good, and almost no one wants to take responsibility for the bad! The blame game is always being played in politics, and few in that realm want to let a good pandemic go to waste.
COVID-19 (23) I Guess God is Needed After All!
In my time on earth, I have been amazed and saddened by the increasingly secular bent of our world. I freely admit that there are many problems with the religion that has been historically practiced in America. Sectarianism has been the norm, leading to conflict, confusion and division. However, there always seemed to be an acknowledgment of God in our country, and a recognition of the importance of faith.
Continue reading “COVID-19 (23) I Guess God is Needed After All!”
Sermon: Learning Lessons from the Dead
A discussion of Luke 16:19-31 (The Rich man and Lazarus)
COVID-19 (22) Processing a Pandemic
I came across a gem this morning from Warren King. He shared a chart (see the picture accompanying this article), with the premise “Who do I want to be during COVID-19? Though Warren didn’t make the chart, he shared it on Facebook. In the comments, a point was made that the chart mirrored the process that we go through when grieving. The five famous steps of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
In this chart are listed three ways people are handling the pandemic. Fear, Learning and Growth. The process is seen over and over again in life, and is certainly valid here. I would like to share a few thoughts about what is noted in the chart.
