Category: Christ

An examination of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus found in the gospel of John. They show aspects of our Lord’s character, person and place as the Son of God.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Galatians 6:12-16 Paul reveals that our glorying must be solely in the cross of Christ. This is because our redemption is based solely upon whether we are His!

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In scripture there are a number of type/antitypes found that accurately show the superiority of Christ and His covenant with man. An example is found in Colossians 2:16-17, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

The law (vs. 14) and the things that surrounded it are referred to as a “shadow of things to come.” That is another way of describing “type.” Paul wrote, “but the substance is of Christ.” That is equivalent to “antitype.”

So, Paul’s comparison of shadow and substance rightly describes the type/antitype relationship. Type is to antitype as shadow is to substance.

With that in mind, we place our faith in Jesus Christ. It is in Him that the substantive fulfillment of God’s scheme of redemption for man can be found!

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Lesson 1 of 8.
Speaker: Stan Cox

The series begins with a discussion of the parable as a form of teaching commonly used by Jesus in His ministry. The lesson serves to introduce the week’s series.

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Peter wrote, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). He was referring to the necessity of bearing up under persecution. We are no better than our Lord. He suffered despite the fact that He was without sin (cf. vs. 22-23). So, Peter wrote, “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (vs. 20).

In the text we see a reason for Jesus’ willingness to suffer for us. “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully” (vs. 19). Certainly this was the case with Jesus. He did not deserve the indignities he suffered while among men. However, He willingly endured them because of His Father’s will for Him. It was God’s plan to send Jesus to earth to die for our iniquities. Jesus could not, in good conscience, refuse to submit to His father’s will. Instead, He “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). We are to emulate Him.

Continue reading “The Suffering of Jesus – Our Example” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Colossians 1:13-20, Paul describes the preeminence of Jesus Christ. He is not only our Savior, He is our Lord.

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Matthew 14:53-58 records Jesus’ rejection by the citizens of Nazareth. This led Him to say, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house” (57). They thought they knew Jesus. They had watched Him grow up, knew Him to be “the carpenter’s son”, and could not reconcile the miracles and teaching of Jesus with their own flawed perception of the man.

Interestingly, they acknowledged Jesus had “wisdom” and had performed “mighty works.” But, they were unwilling to accept the obvious, that Jesus was the Messiah as He claimed to be. They instead insisted that their existing perceptions of the man were correct, despite the evidence to the contrary. So, “they were offended at Him” (57).

After Jesus explanation as to why they were not accepting Him, Matthew records, “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (vs. 58). They saw sufficient proof, but it had not swayed them. Further efforts to establish His credentials would be futile (cf. Luke 16:31), and so He did not try.

The same is true today. People reject Jesus as the Messiah, not because of a dearth of evidence, but because of their own preconceptions. Some believe religion to be mere superstition; others place their trust in science; many deny the possibility of a supernatural resurrection from the dead. The proof matters not, they will not believe. Regardless, the proof that Jesus is the Christ is abundant and sure!

The typical Premillennialist believes that it was Jesus’ intent while here on earth to establish His kingdom, and reign on a physical throne in Jerusalem. They believe that He was thwarted in His intent by the rejection of the Jews leading to His death. Therefore, He will not be able to establish His kingdom until He comes again. The truth is far different:

First, Jesus came to the earth to die. He knew He would die, and that death was a part of God’s plan. This is clearly seen in His own words. After Peter declared Him to be the Christ, He said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22).

Second, the Kingdom of Christ is not a physical kingdom. Again note the words of our Lord, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). The Premillennialists claim that when Jesus comes again, He will come with an army to fight a physical battle. They are wrong.

Third, the Kingdom of Christ has already been established. Paul asserts that truth. To the saints in Colosse he wrote, “He [God] has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).

Fourth, when Christ comes again, that is it! There will be no 1,000 year reign, as He is reigning now. Peter described His future arrival, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 Paul states that he has nothing to offer except for Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. While the religious world offers so many other things, the only thing we have the right to offer is the gospel of our Lord!

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In Luke 10:38-42, Luke narrates an occasion in Jesus’ ministry when he went to the house of Martha. At that time, Mary was commended for sitting at Jesus’ feet to hear His teaching.

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A number of scriptures are examined to show that the Kingdom of Christ was established following His death and resurrection, upon His exaltation in Heaven.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The Apostle Paul and other eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus have absolutely no doubt that He is the Christ!

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The sermon is a discussion of the great mystery discusssed by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:16.

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“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

John’s words reveal two different (though connected) blessings we have as believers in Jesus Christ. And, as we will later emphasize, these blessings are only available to those who are believers in Him (cf. John 14:6). Having said that, the terms used by John are challenging, and need to be explained to those who are not familiar with the language of scripture.

Continue reading “Advocacy & Propitiation” →