Category: Subject Index

Lesson 2 of 5 in Lectureship Series: Controversy Among the People of God

Speaker: Stan Cox

This lesson examines controversies that have troubled God’s people in the last 150 years. This is especially an examination of the Lord’s church in recent history, here in America. Issues discussed include the Missionary Society, Instrumental Music, Premillennialism & the Grace/Unity movement.

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Lesson 1 of 5 in Lectureship Series.

Speaker: Stan Cox

This lesson introduces the theme, establishing the reality of controversy (as Satan does his work), and correct response of the Christian. It examines how God’s people in the first century handled the controversies that erupted.

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Invitation by:  Josh Jackson

The text of John 15 is discussed to indicate the necessity of expressing our love for Jesus, by being obedient to Him.

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A number of Frequently Asked Questions about the Lord’s church, answered in this sermon.

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A peculiar aspect of our culture is a tendency to shy away from any reference to militancy as a positive characteristic. I suppose that there has been so much violence that people are uncomfortable even entertaining the concept of a legitimate use of force — i.e., a defensive application.

And yet, scripture commonly makes use of the concept.  For example, Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith…”  In another place, Paul described the characteristics of the mature Christian in militaristic terms, exhorting the Ephesians: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13). Continue reading “A Militant Faith” →

In Psalm 76, the poet proclaimed of Jehovah, “You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once you are angry?  You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth” (7-9).

An angry God is a truly awful sight.  When you consider His power, and that it is “a righteous thing with God” to take vengeance on those who do not obey Him (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), it makes clear that we should seek rather to please Him.

Lest any take from this the idea that God is hateful or capricious, we emphasize that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  He loves us, and desires the salvation of all.  Alas, not all will come to Him.  Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

In short, God is always ready to bless those who serve Him.  But, there is reason to dread the awesomeness of our God if we choose rather to disobey.  Fear Him!

Invitation by Stan Cox

The Apostle Paul expresses a mature and spiritual perspective toward’s death in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.  One we would do well to emulate.

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I came across a quote from 1970 by a denominational writer that indicates a problem that, in my opinion, is applicable to the Lord’s church today. The quote is below, with some of my own comments after.

“…(We) of the late twentieth century contribute to the falsifying of the church’s proper function through our subjectivism … (The present) is possibly the most subjective period in all of church history. Today everybody talks in psychological terms. We enjoy nothing better than to probe our inner life and its real or imagined frustrations. We wallow in our misery. We go to psychologists, we go to psychiatrists, we go to counsellors. This predilection has been called “navelwatching” by some people; that is, we enjoy nothing better than to sit down narcissistically and look at our own psychic navels. This delightful activity allows us to become completely involved in ourselves. We enjoy our problems. Someone has called our epoch “the Age of Analysis” . . . and it is that, for we want to solve all our problems by subjective concentration upon them.”

John Warwick Montgomery

So much of the Christian’s responsibility is focused outward. We can become so entranced by our own spiritual “navels” that we leave the greater commands to “love God” and “love our neighbor” undone. It seems to me important to focus on God’s commandments, and our responsibilities to Him and others, and spend less time focused inwardly – “paralysis by analysis.” Now, I am not objecting to examining ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5), but rather noting the destructive tendency to focus on self rather than others.

Are your insecurities, feelings, musings, captivating your attention? Does they lead to missed opportunities to do the Lord’s work? Does your faith consist predominately of introspection – whether of your failings or your strengths? If so, perhaps you need to look outside of yourself, and get busy doing “the work” (cf. James 1:25).

Some thoughts that came to my mind while reading the quote above:

1. Truth is objective, not subjective.
2. Selflessness is seen in our actions toward our fellow man.
3. The spiritual works of evangelism and edification are indicators of a faithful, zealous Christian.
4. Intellectualism does not equate to strength in faith (“…and the common people heard Him gladly” Mark 12:37).

Third in a series on the life of Jesus. A discussion of the Beatitudes, which begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12.

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The lesson consists of a series of 7 questions all Christians should ask themselves before making any decision that could impact their spiritual lives and standing with God.

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In Peter’s first gospel sermon (Acts 2:14-39) he identified Jesus Christ as the anointed of God.  One argument he used is a prophetic promise God made to King David.  Peter affirmed that David, as a prophet of God, has received a sworn oath from Jehovah that “of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne” (30).  Peter’s argument consisted of a mix of prophetic scripture, and Divine logic

1. David was not referring to his own resurrection. Peter’s readers were aware of the fact that to that day David’s tomb remained with them (29).
2. However, the prophecy indicated One who would be resurrected, and exalted to God’s right hand “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (34-35, cf. Psalm 110:1).
3. Peter and the other apostles who spoke on that day were all eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus! He was the one of which David wrote (32).

Conclusion — Jesus is God’s anointed!

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (36).

Invitation by Stan Cox

Scriptures such as 1 Peter 3:22, Philippians 2:5-10, Acts 2:32-33 and Hebrews 1:1-3 all teach that God has exalted Jesus to His right hand.  He is both Savior and Lord!

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The description given of the Lord’s church in the New Testament differs markedly from the denominations today. His church, however, exists and is identifiable in our time.

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A discussion of John 8:1-11, where Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Go and sin no more.” Dicussion centers on true repentance and a holy life.

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Invitation by Stan Cox

In James 5, we have a description of rich, wicked people who were oppressing Christians.  Whether the wicked rich, or any other, if we live for God we will overcome such persecution, and live eternally in joy!

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