Category: Subject Index

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Jude 3, Jude indicates that the faith was once for all delivered. The Bible was authored by the Holy Spirit, and through Divine providence has been protected in its integrity until today.

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In order to be effective in the work of evangelism, we must diligently equip ourselves through a study of God’s word, and take advantage of every opportunity to share it with others!

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Powerpoint Slides

Jesus spoke the truth about Himself, His purpose in coming to the earth, and His Kingdom. He serves as a wonderful example to us. Our words should be accurate, honest and trustworthy!

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Powerpoint Slides

I came across an old chart as I was cleaning out my office last week. It was from a workbook titled, Cottage Meeting Manual, by Maurice Tisdel. The title of the chart was “God’s Law of Procreation.” The information on the chart I will summarize in this short article.

The first column considers the vegetable kingdom. God’s word reveals that the first plants came about through God’s creative work. “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth’; and it was so” (Genesis 1:11). From that point on, however, as observation reveals, new plants have propagated through the seeds of their “parent” plants. Each seed produces a plant of the same “kind” as the plant from which the seed came. There are no exceptions to this rule. It is observable, the result of natural law.

Continue reading “God’s Law of Procreation” →

In Ezekiel 16, the Lord spoke to Jerusalem, expressing His disappointment at her ingratitude and rebellion, in response to His care and nurturing. He stated, “I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful” (vs. 7). Using the figure of marriage, He later said, “I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine” (vs. 8).

Their response was disconcerting. He charged, “But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it” (vs. 15). In fact, Jerusalem was so corrupt that God said, “You are the opposite of other women in your harlotry, because no one solicited you to be a harlot. In that you gave payment but no payment was given you, therefore you are the opposite” (34).

Continue reading “Brazen” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, the apostle Paul notes that God is the sole judge of faithful stewardship. Therefore, we must please Him!

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In the New Testament, the term fellowship (from the Greek, koinonia), is consistently used to refer to a joint participation in the spiritual.

• In 1 Corinthians 1:9, Paul uses it to refer to our relationship with Jesus Christ.
• In 2 Corinthians 6:14, he admonishes Christians not to be yoked together with unbelievers and evil.
• In 2 Corinthians 8:4, he attributes the word to the important spiritual work of benevolence to saints who were suffering.
• In Galatians 2:9, he talks of the “right hand of fellowship”, indicating the apostles’ endorsement of his preaching to the Gentiles.
• In Philippians 1:5, he notes that their support of his work in preaching to the lost was “fellowship in the gospel”.
• John speaks of the spiritual relationship we enjoy as children of God, and with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ in 1 John 1:6-7.

Today when religious people use the term they are more likely to be talking about recreation, eating and fun. Putting an (inappropriately) weighty term upon a trivial activity does not make it more credible or important.

Paul wrote, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

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An exegetical examination of the rather difficult chapter of Matthew 24. Deals with the destruction of Jerusalem and the final judgment of Jesus Christ.

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A discussion of Matthew 25:31-46 which deals with the final judgment of the world by the Lord.

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Sermon by Josh Cox.

A discussion of the concept of predestination as defined and explained by scripture.

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Sermon by Josh Cox.

God’s word is the most important possession we have on this earth. It is the means of gaining access to eternal rest and reward.

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John had an important and urgent message to share with the elect lady and her children. As such, he wrote this short epistle to warn of the deceivers who would lead them to forfeit their reward.

However, in the final few lines of his letter, he wrote of a preference to communicate with them “face to face.” Letters could not adequately express either his love for them, or the urgency of his warnings.

Each of us know the truth of Paul’s words. We read fondly the letters of love and devotion sent my family and friends. However, our “joy” is full when we see them in the flesh.

Too, the electronic correspondence of our generation is a pale facsimile of personal communication. “LOL” is an inadequate imitation of the laughter and love we share when we are together. Speaking “face to face” is the better way.

In previous decades, American society generally shared the same values that are currently held by Christians. Sexual promiscuity, moral excesses, and other vices were frowned upon. Even those who engaged in them understood that they were morally wrong, and hid their actions from plain sight. As time has passed, however, societal values have diverged from the Christian norm. Because of this:

Continue reading “Christian Ethics” →

In doing some internet research on the subject of ethics, I came across an article by Rohana R. Wasala, a practicing Buddhist. In his article, titled Ethics and the non religious essence of Buddhism (lankaweb.com), Wasala advocated Buddhism over other religions, noting that Buddhism is not a religion in the traditional sense, in that it has its origin not in a supernatural being, but rather in a philosophy of self.

Interestingly, the author bemoans the fact that Buddhism, as practiced popularly, is not the same as “Pristine Buddhism.” To contrast the two, he states that Pristine Buddhism is free from the element of worship and prayer. He then stated that in contrast, “Unfortunately, Buddhism in popular practice is a different thing. It is today displayed by most followers as a religion.”

Continue reading “In the News: Non-Religious Ethics” →

A recent question to “Dear Abby”:

Q: My question is very simple, Abby. Who determines right or wrong in your life, your opinions, your column? This will tell me all I need to know about your wisdom or advice.

A: Actually, I think your question is anything but “simple,” and the answer is: I DO.

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11/12/14)

Abby’s response to the question is indicative of current views regarding ethics. It was also characteristic of an earlier age. The book of Judges describes the condition of Israel in this way, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6). The statement was made as an explanation of the practice of idolatry, a heinous and treasonous practice against their God.

The problem with me deciding what is right and wrong, is that I am not the true arbiter of morality. God is! So, if I self-determine my ethics, I am destined to make mistakes. As the wise man stated, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Paul mourned the sins of Israel, saying, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).

Instead, may we admit as did the prophet, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).