Category: Subject Index

We all can be inconsistent in speech, sometimes saying what is needful and helpful, and sometimes sinning with our tongue. This “ought not to be so” (cf. James 3:10). Some good and bad speech is discussed in the lesson.

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In the previous verse, the apostle John affirmed that Jesus, the Word, came to earth and lived among us. He now states that John the Baptist testified that Jesus is indeed the Son of God (cf. vs. 34).

John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, prophesied about in Isaiah 40:3, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (vs. 23). His ministry heralded the coming of the Christ.

The apostle now affirms that we have received the unmerited favor of God in the sending of that Christ, Jesus (16). Just as Moses was the means through which God gave Israel His law, Jesus is the means through which God grants salvation by Grace (17). It is through Jesus that God is manifested to man. Without Jesus, we can not know God. With Him, all things are made clear, including His plans for our redemption.

In this short article we wish to deal with a presupposition commonly made in our day. It has been stated (in Josh McDowell’s, The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict) as anti-supernaturalism.

The bias can be expressed in several ways. The most common is the belief that there is no God. If God does not exist, all that remains is a natural explanation for the existence both of the universe, and life on earth. Another belief is that while there may be a god, this god has no interest or involvement in the affairs of men. His existence is unproven and unprovable, and therefore we are still left with naturalism as an explanation for everything.

Continue reading “Anti-Supernaturalism” →

A Successful Life
(Psalm 119:59-60)

“I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”

Take Inventory
“I thought about my ways…”
(1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Luke 15:17)

Go to the Right Source
“And turned my feet to Your Testimonies”
(Romans 1:16; Proverbs 16:25; Psalm 119:105)

Do Not Delay
“I made hast and did not delay”
(Colossians 3:23; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Acts 16:33)

Do the Will of God
“to keep Your commandments”
(Matthew 7:21; 1 John 5:3; Hebrews 5:8-9)

A successful life will be rewarded by the Almighty! “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

The latest cover for Vanity Fair Magazine has been revealed, and features former Olympic decathlete Bruce Jenner, who now gender identifies as a woman. The caption — “Call Me Caitlyn.”

With surgical advancements, some have determined to change their physical characteristics from male to female, or female to male. With hormonal therapy, augmentation, amputation, reconstruction — it is possible to mask a person’s sexual characteristics, and look like the opposite sex. The first time I became aware of this was way back in 1975 when a man named Richard Raskind had what is referred to as sex reassignment, or sex change surgery. From that point on known as Dr. Renee’ Richards, he petitioned to play in the ladies bracket of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in 1976, and was denied. He sued, and won, and actually played in both singles and doubles in 1977. He played on the women’s tour through 1981.

Continue reading “In the News: “Sex” and “Gender”” →

God has promised a crown of life to those who obey Him. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

There are number of references to that crown, with it described as:

• An imperishable crown(1 Corinthians 9:25)
• A crown of joy/rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
• A crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4)

In the passage from Revelation 2:10, there is the implication that our crown may be taken away. Thus, the exhortation, “Be faithful until death.” May we all run the race of life in such a way as to obtain the “imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

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Affixing labels is sometimes helpful. It can aid in quick identification. Politically, the terms liberal and conservative give a general, albeit imprecise, picture of the convictions a person holds.

The same can be true regarding spiritual beliefs. However, the spectrum is broad, and what may be “liberal” to one man may be extremely “conservative” to another. The terms are relative.

Instead, why not consider the following three possibilities:

1. A person who binds where God has loosed…
2. A person who binds where God has bound, and looses where God has loosed…
3. A person who looses where God has bound…

Of the three, only the second, “A person who binds where God has bound, and looses where God has loosed,” is acceptable to God. We have no right to be more restrictive than God, nor do we have the right to be more permissive. It is our place only to obey His word, which thoroughly equips us “for every good work” (cf. 2 Timothy 3:17).

To obey may lead some to say we are liberals, or more probably for others to say we are conservatives. The less kind may call us legalists or antis! But, to obey is to please God, and that is our purpose. (cf. Galatians 1:10).

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The first few verses of 1 Timothy 2, show that prayer for the governing authorities is important so that we might continue to serve God in peace.

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On Wednesday a family friend passed from this life to his reward. His name is Jay Bowman, and I have known him since I was 9 years old. Jay came to preach for the small Westridge congregation in Odessa where my family and I had recently started to attend.

A number of years ago, Jay contracted Parkinson’s disease, and over the last several years his health had declined. He broke a hip a month ago, and from that point deteriorated rapidly. He was buried in Lubbock yesterday.

You probably have heard of his brother Dee Bowman. Dee holds lots of meetings, and is well known as a charismatic and interesting speaker. Jay was not as well known, but labored faithfully for congregations in Odessa, Abilene and Midland, TX before retiring. His Parkinson’s affected his voice, and made it difficult to preach full time.

Jay, and his wife Glenda were greatly respected and loved by many, including my family. Jay was a very quiet and unpretentious man. He was a true scholar, one of the preeminent Greek scholars in the brotherhood. He was a capable speaker, though almost an opposite in style to his brother. Most of all, he personified what it means to be a Christian man. He was kind, compassionate and good. I have often said that his example served as a primary motivation for me to become a preacher. He will be missed.

His wife Glenda, son Philip, and Philip’s wife and kids, live in the Lubbock area. I would appreciate your saying a prayer for the family at their great loss.

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In numerous places in scripture, there are references to a Judgment Seat.  Pilate sat on one (John 19), as did Gallio (Acts 18).  Paul reveals that one day Jesus will sit on the Judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-11), so we should aim to please Him!

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In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of wood cut from a vine to describe the unfaithfulness of Judah, which would be met by God’s judgment. The lesson has direct applications for us today.

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Powerpoint Slides

When discussing the existence of God, a question is inevitably asked, “If God exists, why does he allow evil to prosper?” The answer to the question is a simple one. God has given us the wonderful gift of free will. The unfortunate byproduct of that gift is that some will choose to do evil. The very fact that the ungodly do not “play fair” makes it sometimes seem that they hold the upper hand.

It is unfair, and we desire God’s intervention. When we do not see His hand in what we deem a timely manner, we sometimes ask as the Psalmist, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (10:1).

Psalm 10 is actually a wonderful passage to read for answers to this conundrum. Consider the following:

Continue reading “The Boasts of the Wicked” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

If one accepts what the Bible says about itself, he must recognize it was written to bring faith, and therefore, salvation to mankind. Accepting the Bible demands obedience to its call.

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Sermon preached by Jonathan Hinds.

Lessons learned from David’s mighty men, as revealed in 1 Chronicles 11.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul contrasts the Law of Moses with the unveiled glory of the New Covenant. The gospel of our Lord is transformative to those who hear and abide in it!

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