Author: Stan Cox

A discussion of the fact that truth comes from God, and the Devil is the father of lies. Therefore, if we are to be children of God, holy and sanctified, we must emulate God in this.

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A Discussion of Hebrews 11 & 12 as we look to these Old Testament characters whose faith teaches us important lessons!

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Most of Acts chapter 2 contains Peter’s gospel sermon. It was at this time God kept His promise to establish the Messianic kingdom, and was the first time the declaration of the ratified gospel of Jesus was preached.

As such it is a significant event and significant message. In examining the first part of the lesson, we note first of all the gospel is proclaimed to be heeded by men (cf. Romans 1:16; 10:17). While some were wrongly thinking that these men who were preaching in tongues were drunk (cf. vs. 13), Peter revealed what was actually in play.

Their baptism in the Holy Spirit and the signs accompanying this event was prophesied in the Old Testament, and Peter brings their minds to this passage (cf. Joel 2). Not only was this a sign that the apostle’s words were to be obeyed, but it also was an indication that God’s ultimate blessing to all men had come. “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (vs. 21).

Peter had an arresting thought he shared in his first epistle, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (4:17-19). Consider the ramifications of this text.

First, we know that any man who is saved is “scarcely saved.” It has nothing to do with how righteous a man may strive to be. The reason for this is sin. The universality of sin is declared by inspiration, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As the cost of that sin is our separation from God, man himself is incapable of securing his standing with Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Continue reading ““If the righteous one is scarcely saved”” →

In 1 Peter 4:3, Peter wrote, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” As we consider this command, we have a tendency to try and figure out what is not included in this description.  In other words, I am not supposed to do some things that the world engages in, but that doesn’t mean I can’t…, and then we give reasons why our particular desire can be enjoyed.

People will excuse all sorts of vices, simply because they think that Peter surely didn’t mean to include our particular predilection in his words.

Rather, I think it is important for us to look at it from the other direction. If I am not to live as the world lives, what all does that entail? It is possible that I am imbibing in worldly activities, enjoying worldly proclivities, acting in worldly ways. I need to examine myself and my life because it is really important I not do such things. I don’t want to be in the same boat as them (the Gentiles). “They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (5).

 Our purpose is not to try to see what we can do in life, without going too far. It is to recognize how antithetical to God the world has become, and to draw near to Him!

As we begin our new class this morning, I will start writing an article on each lesson to serve as a supplement to what we cover in the class.

The text of Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” This is the reading of the NKJ translation. The RSV puts it this way, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The Amplified Bible (a translation and commentary in one) gets the general idea correct here in stating the obvious, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].” Continue reading “(1 of 13) Iron Sharpening Iron” →

A short discussion of  1 Timothy 6:6-10.

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Sin is deceptive, with its allurements promising joy, but actually delivering bondage and destruction. A good understanding of this will help us to make good choices.

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We share a biographical sketch of the first man, ADAM, and learn things taught by the texts concerning the man, who serves as a Type of Jesus Christ.

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Most are familiar with these words. It happened during a feast held by the last King of Babyon, Belshazzar. The Bible states that Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:2). There is some dispute by scholars as to this meaning, with some believing this indicates that Belshazzar was a descendent of the great king. Regardless, Belshazzar knew what had happened to Nebuchadnezzar because of pride (as stated in 4:19-37), and refused to learn the lesson Nebuchadnezzar had learned.

In chapter 5, we have the details given by the prophet regarding Belshazzar’s feast. It was a great feast for “a thousand of his lords” (5:1). It was a pretentious display of the king’s wealth, and in verse 4 we read, “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.” Continue reading “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” →

One interesting aspect of our text is Jesus’ description of Nathanael’s character. “Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit” (47).

We can see such genuineness in Nathanael’s acceptance of Jesus’ ability to know the unknowable. Philip had brought Nathanael to see Jesus, and Nathanael was initially skeptical.  His words in verse 46 should not be considered derision, but an honest observation of troubles in the city of Nazareth at that time.

However, when Jesus was able to identify Nathanael without having met him personally, Nathanael proclaimed, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (49).

Note that Jesus was a bit dismissive of the Divine power He had demonstrated. Not that it was invalid, or that Nathanael was too credulous, but rather as he told the man, “You will see greater things than these” (50). Every sign that Jesus needed to supply proof of His divine nature has been supplied! Praise God!

The text of Mark 10:32-34 states the beginning of the final stage of Jesus’s life as he began his journey to Jerusalem where he would be crucified.

“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:  ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;  and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again’”

As Jesus had already spoken to them twice about His eventual death, no doubt his determination to go directly to the source of his opposition (Jerusalem) was both amazing (“they were amazed”) and troubling (“they were afraid”) to His disciples. For a third time Jesus declares His impending death, this time to the twelve as He took them aside. Continue reading “Jesus Predicts His Death” →

It seems that Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written very near the end of the apostle’s life. He had been imprisoned a second time, and did not hold out hope that he would be set free.

There are two statements Paul made that are interesting here. We will take them in reverse order. In verses 9-16, Paul asked Timothy to come to him quickly. He asked this because he was almost entirely alone. He wrote in verse 11, “Only Luke is with me.” Paul was feeling the isolation after a long life of service to the Lord. He longed to see his old friend. Demas had gone back into the world, Alexander the coppersmith had hurt him deeply, and other fellow companions were doing their own ministerial works in other places. Paul needed Timothy.

The other statement precedes his call to come, stated in verses 6-8. Though Paul was lonely and in the midst of trials, his eye remained on the prize! He was ready to die, and knew his time among them was coming to a close. Because he was a faithful steward of the work Jesus had given him to do, he could write with confidence, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” (8).

We should have the same outlook. No matter how tiresome and disappointing this life may become, we have hope in God!

The Bible’s call to sanctification requires for the elect to advocate and help the poor, helpless and vulnerable.  The Bible also reveals that God considers the unborn to be a human child.

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In scripture there is a versatile metaphor used by the Holy Spirit. The idea of a door. Let’s see what we can learn from it.

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