Category: Grace

I recently came across a poem titled, “God is Mighty Kind”, written by Carl Flynn. The poem states that although we suffer in this life, God is merciful, and grants us bountiful blessings. Note the following verse:

“For every dark and stormy day
A week of days are fair;
However chill the clouds and gray
‘Tis always bright somewhere.

This is something to remember. Especially when we become burdened from time to time with the cares and trials of our lives. No matter how bad it may be at any one time, we all have been wonderfully blessed by our God in heaven. Remember the promise, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Stan

The Apostle Paul used Sarah and Hagar to express some important truths concerning the change in law from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The application is important here. 1) Do not allow yourself to be entangled in bondage to the law; 2) Do not use the Liberty of Christ as a liscense to sin.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Below is the material used in our recently completed Vacation Bible School.  Any who would like to use this material for their own school or studies are more than welcome.  The materials were created by members of the West Side congregation.  (Please note the acknowledgments at the end of this post).
This class consists of five lessons taught at West Side from June 23-27, 2008.  Stan Cox taught the adult class of the 2008 Vacation Bible School.

The VBS followed the theme:  “Growing in Grace.”

Right click on each item to save it to your hard drive. Resources in this course of study include Powerpoint presentations and Audio files in the mp3 format of the adult class, and classbooks used in the childrens’ classes.
Lesson 1 – Growing in Grace Through Jesus

* A Loving Relationship With God
* Cultivating a Relationship With God
* Relationship Myths
* How the Relationship is “Entered”
* Conclusion: Press On!

Lesson 1 – Growing in Grace Through Jesus (PPT)

Lesson 1 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 2 – Growing in Grace Through The Knowledge of God’s Word

* What We Get from God’s Word
* Facts About the Bible
* Get A Plan (Just Do It!)
* Our Desire to Know God and His Word
* Conclusion: Live the Word!

Lesson 2 – Growing in Grace Through a Knowledge of God’s Word (PPT)

Lesson 2 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 3 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Disciplines

* Prayer
* A Formula for Prayer – A.C.T.S.
* Keep a Journal
* Memorize Scripture
* What Is Your Focus?
* Conclusion: Discipline Yourself!

Lesson 3 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Disciplines (PPT)

Lesson 3 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 4 – Growing in Grace Through Obedience

* Examples of Authority
* The Authority of Christ
* Obedience
* Conclusion: Obey God!

Lesson 4 – Growing in Grace Through Obedience (PPT)

Lesson 4 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 5 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Maturity

* The Example of Jesus
* Growing as a Christian
* Exemplify Christ in…
* Conclusion: Live a Life of Sobriety and Purity!

Lesson 5 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Maturity (PPT)

Lesson 5 – Audio (mp3)

Note:  In addition to the Powerpoint and Audio of the Adult class, other materials were prepared for the VBS.  Primary among these was a curriculum written by one of the members of the West Side congregation, Tracy Gallman.  Sister Gallman did a wonderful job with the lessons, and they were published in booklet form using the Microsoft Publisher program.  The adult class powerpoints were developed using this curriculum as the base.  Links to the booklet, as used by students from 3 grade through high school, another version for 1-2 graders, and other materials are listed below.  Feel free to use, and feel free to modify the materials to personalize for your congregation if you desire to utilize the material.  However, please do not alter the content, and please give proper credit to sister Gallman for the material, and sister Jade Calvert for the art work.

* VBS Student Book (Grades 3 through 12) (Microsoft Publisher)
* VBS Student Book (Grades 1 through 2) (Microsoft Publisher)
* VBS Circular (Advertisement) (Microsoft Publisher)
* VBS Bookmarks (Microsoft Publisher)

On April 1, 2008, an article was posted to the website of Plain Truth Ministries. (To read the article, click here). The article was written by Monte Wolverton. It is titled, “Is It a Sin or is It Just Stupid?”

The article quotes a survey study by Ellison Research, which it states is a “Christian research firm” located in Phoenix, AZ. The survey sampled over 1000 adults, and came to the conclusion that most Americans believe in sin.

However, Americans vary widely in what they believe to be sin. Consider the following:

• 81% believe adultery is sin.
• 74% believe that racism is sin.
• 65% believe using hard drugs is sin.
• 41% believe that smoking marijuana is sin.
• 41% believe getting drunk is sin.
• 14% believe drinking alcohol is sin.
• 56% believe having an abortion is sin.
• 52% homosexuality is sin.
• 30% believe gambling is sin.
• 4% believe that dancing is sin.

Continue reading “In The News: Is It a Sin or is It Just Stupid?” →

Titus 2:11-15

Our text contains a wonderful explanation of grace, and what it means for man.

First, grace brings salvation. Man can not save himself, he can not earn his redemption. But, God freely gave His son to die in our stead. This is grace. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, allowing us to be spared an eternity in hell.

Second, grace is available to all men. It is not limited only to the Jew. All men have access to the saving grace of God.

Third, grace does not excuse us from personal responsibility. The idea of cheap grace, so popular today, is false. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” (Rom. 6:1-2). Rather, Paul says that grace teaches us to deny worldly lusts, and live “soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

Finally, as recipients of grace, we have hope as we look for the second advent of our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Christ came to earth, taking on the form of man, and suffering humiliation and suffering, that we might be forgiven, and gain access to the blessings of fellowship with God.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Christ’s prayer to His father recorded in Matthew 26 reveals a man with pain and sorrow, burdened but willing to suffer the death of the cross for the redemption of mankind.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

As Christians we can and should have confidence in our spiritual standing and ability to stand. The confidence does not come from self, but is based in the accomplishments of Christ, and the grace of God.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Romans 6 establishes that the Grace of God is not a license to sin. The child of God, who has died to sin and been raised to walk in newness of life, must become a slave to righteousness.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Title: The Amazing Grace of God

The grace of God is truly amazing. However, the concept of grace is commonly misunderstood even by religious people. In this podcast, Stan Cox plainly reveals what the Bible teaches about Grace.

To listen to this Podast, click here . (5:30 min., 5.1 MB)

To subscribe to the podcast feed, click here .

We sing that beautiful song, Amazing Grace. (And the sentiment is a worthy one.)

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
Thru many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘Twas grace that brought me safe thus far
and grace will lead me home.

I am afraid that many really do not understand what this song is saying or what the grace of God truly is. I would like to attempt to clear up these difficulties.

In order to do this, we need to first define the term “grace.” The word “grace” means undeserved or unmerited favor. Grace is the opposite of Merit. This idea is best borne out with regard to the salvation of man. If any man believes that he can in any way earn or merit his salvation he is sorely mistaken. Paul stated in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Once a man sins, he forfeits his right to an eternity with the Father. In effect, he separates himself from God. When this takes place, a man is without recourse outside of God’s grace. There is nothing that he can do to earn his way into heaven.

However, God loves man and does not wish Him to spend eternity in Hell. In order to spare man this final, deserved punishment, He made a way of escape. He gave us an opportunity to miss hell and reach Heaven. That is not to say that all men will go to Heaven. Unfortunately, most men reject that extended grace.

We cannot emphasize too greatly the power of the grace of God. The Apostle Paul, this time in the Ephesian epistle, chapter 2 and verses 8-10, wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” This passage teaches us many things. First of all, we are saved by the Grace of God. It is an undeserved gift from Deity. Second of all, this grace grants us salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Third, it teaches us that man can not “merit” or earn his salvation. Salvation is not of works. This we have already discussed and hopefully shown to be true.

One thing that this passages does not teach us, however, is that obedience is not necessary to be saved or justified. Too many read this passage, seeing Paul state that salvation is not of works, and assume that means that obedience has nothing to do with salvation. Nothing is further from the truth! Paul is simply pointing out that when a man dies, if he goes to Heaven, it is because God gave Heaven to him as a gift, not because he earned it by his works. However, we must understand that obedience is man’s way of accepting this proffered gift. You do not earn your salvation by works, but that does not mean that works of righteousness, or obedience are not necessary. James understood this, and wrote in his epistle, chapter 2, verses 21-24, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

Let us never forget that we are saved only because God extended his grace in love, by sending His Son. Let us never forget that if we make it to Heaven, it will not be because we earned or paid our way there, but rather because of that freely offered gift. And let us never forget our part of this salvation equation. The extension of grace teaches us that we have certain responsibilities to our God. Notice what Paul told Titus in Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…” The gift has been offered, and it is up to us to accept it through the obedient faith described by James in his epistle.

Sheila Taylor Wells, columnist for the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, recounted a true story in her December 22, 1994 column. She gives the source of the story as Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. Miss Lamott stated that this is the best true story of giving she knows.

An 8-year-old boy, whose younger sister had leukemia, was told that without a blood transfusion, she would die. His parents explained that his blood was probably compatible with hers, and if so, he could be the blood donor. They asked him if they could test his blood.

Sure, he said. So they did, and it was a good match. Then they asked if he would give his sister a pint of blood, that it would be her only chance of living. He said he would have to think about it overnight.

The next day, he went to his parents and said he would donate the blood. So they took him to the hospital where he was put on a gurney beside his little sister. Both were hooked up to IVs. A nurse withdrew a pint of blood from the boy, which was then put in the girl’s IV.

The boy lay on his gurney in silence while the blood dripped into his sister, until the doctor came over to see how he was doing. Then the boy opened his eyes and asked, “How soon until I start to die?”

Sheila Taylor Wells ended her column by saying, “That’s the best story of giving I know, too, and it’s also the best love story I’ve ever heard.”

I must confess that the story immediately brought tears to my eyes as well. That was a generous little boy, and he obviously loved his little sister very much. Also, I found it interesting that Mrs. Wells made the connection between giving and love. When a truly heroic example of giving is seen, invariably the motivation is love.

I have to say, though, that this story is not the greatest example of giving I know. That recognition is reserved for God sending his Son to the world to die. I might would be willing to give myself to save the life of another, but I doubt I would be willing to give one of my children for the same purpose. But God did, and once again, His motivation was love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Perhaps you got a bit misty eyed when you read the above story of the little boy. That’s understandable. But I would like for you to think back to the last time that the contemplation of what God has given brought tears to your eyes. Are you touched by His great sacrifice?

If so, what will you give in return?

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul succinctly stated the means by which man is saved:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Though a simple passage, these words of Paul have been twisted by many to say something Paul never intended to say about the grace of God.

Continue reading “Grace” →