Sound Teaching

In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul clearly expressed the serious nature of the work of preaching the gospel. He expected Timothy to take the work seriously, and accomplish the will of the Lord.

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Jesus’ statement, “I am the bread of life” was not easily received by His followers. Some who accepted that He was God, nevertheless rejected Him because His teaching and life did not suit their preconceptions.

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Debbie and I are beginning a new stage of our lives about now, as Jeremiah graduated from high school yesterday evening. Kaleigh is leaving for school (in Nacogdoches) in August, so things will definitely be different around the Cox house.

Jeremiah is staying at home at least for the first couple of years, but will be going to school and working (if he can find a job)! So, the hatchlings are all about out of the nest.

If you see Debbie dabbing at her eyes from time to time, it is definitely at least a mild case of empty nest syndrome. As for me, I am excited about what is to come, Lord willing. Change can be good!

I am proud of my kids, and I think they know that. (I try not to tell them that too often, as I don’t want their heads to swell). I am most proud of the fact that they are all here this morning (assuming no sickness, since they are all healthy at the time of this writing), and are striving to serve God. I also am proud of what they are doing with their lives.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).

In verse 7, Paul states again a common claim, that his appointment as a preacher and apostle was from God. Paul was not a usurper, God had chosen him to be a vessel to the Gentiles, to teach them His precious gospel (cf. Acts 9:15-16).

Verses 5 and 6 reveal an important fact about Jesus Christ. He alone is the Mediator between God and man. This mediation is a function of His person, and His redemptive work. Jesus is here affirmed to be a man — “the Man Christ Jesus.” He is also the One through which redemption comes, “who gave Himself a ransom for all.”

When Jesus came to earth as a man, he was tempted as we are, (cf. Hebrews 4:15), “yet without sin.” In His death, payment is made for our sin, and reconciliation with God is possible. It is because of this that the Hebrew writer wrote, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16).

Why do we pray, “In Jesus name”? Because it is through Jesus we have access to the Father! He is our Mediator.

I remember when researchers supposedly discovered what was claimed to be a “gay gene.” It was all over the news, and trumpeted to such an extent by homosexual activists that it is now commonly believed that homosexuals “do not choose” their lifestyle.

Of course, it wasn’t true. As the researcher who supposedly discovered the “gay gene” noted, “Homosexuality is not purely genetic… environmental factors play a role. There is not a single master gene that makes people gay….I don’t think we will ever be able to predict who will be gay” (Dean Hamer).

Continue reading “In the News: One Point Four Percent” →

Paul’s introductory words in his second letter to the Thessalonians is typical of his letters in that it contains an invocation to God on their behalf, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1).

There are two things to note in these first two verses. First, the inclusion of Silvanus in the salutation. The name is found only here, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians 1:19 and 1 Peter 5:12. However, the man is readily identified by the Greek variation of the name, Silas, one of Paul’s travel companions.

The more interesting phrase is “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It clearly indicates that such phrases are not proper names, but descriptions of a group. This group lived in Thessalonica, and were “in” God and Jesus. This means they had a relationship with the Father and the Son. This was a congregation of Christians.

This is the biblical use of the term church, and does not in any way coincide with the denominational use of the term in our time.

A week ago yesterday, the 89 year old radio evangelist Harold Camping was proven to be a false teacher… again.

His prediction that Christians would be raptured on May 21st, 2011 did not come true. Actually, that was a second false prediction, as he initially had claimed September 6, 1994 as being the date of the rapture. He later claimed a mathematical error to be the problem when it did not happen, but in the weeks leading up to May 21st, declared with 100% certainty that his math was now correct, and his interpretation sure.

Continue reading “In the News: May 21, 2011 (The Aftermath)” →

The sermon uses the text of 1 Peter 1:13-16 to make the point that Holiness begins with the mind of man. As we gird up the loins of our mind, rest our hope on the grace of God, and determine to leave the lustful thoughts of the past, we are able to present ourselves as holy unto God.

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This sermon helps to identify, both positively and negatively, the scriptural concept of the church, contrasted with common denominational misconceptions.

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There are a couple of intervals of time each year that I identify as “meeting season”. Most congregations have their gospel meetings in the spring and fall. It can be a busy time, but there is much opportunity for edification.

While most of the area meetings are over, we still have an opportunity for spiritual growth with our upcoming Vacation Bible School (June 20-24). The adults will have a class, with curriculum mirroring the material studied by the children. We are scheduled to meet from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm each evening during this summer series.

Consider this your special invitation from me to come. The elders, in their wisdom, have included the entire congregation in their plans for edification through this effort. You will be blessed, both by seeing the enthusiasm and growth of the children, and by your participation in the studies.

There are so few opportunities to meet together in the course of a year. Each one is precious, and should be experienced if at all possible. So, can I count on seeing you there? Mark your calendars!

Last Thursday night I was asked to give the benediction at the end of the Castleberry High School athletic banquet. I think the organizers of the event only intended a closing prayer, but I took a few moments to say a few things, and read a passage from Numbers 6:24-26:

The Lord Bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

This is perhaps the best known benediction of scripture. The term benediction, is not found in scripture, but is defined by Webster, “an expression of good wishes, the invocation of a blessing.”

Continue reading “A Benediction” →

The apostle Paul had worked tirelessly for the conversion and edification of the Thessalonians. For this reason he was thankful to God that these faithful brethren responded to his preaching with fervor.

He was especially thankful that they had received his words, not as the words of mere men, but “as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectively works in you who believe” (13).

In this, three things are understood. 1) Paul spoke by inspiration. The Apostle Peter agreed with this assessment, categorizing the teaching of Paul as scripture (cf. 2 Peter 3:16). 2) His words were effective to their salvation. What Paul preached was “the gospel of Christ”, “the power of God unto salvation” (cf. Romans 1:16). 3) They had proven themselves worthy by their response to the gospel. Specifically, Paul referred to their perseverance in the face of persecution at the hands of the Jews (vs. 14-16).

This serves as an example to all Christians. As the word of God works salvation in those who persist in obedience, we do well to be steadfast in our profession.

According to Premillenialist and radio personality Harold Camping, the rapture was supposed to take place on May 21st, and the final judgment will occur on October 21st of this same year.

Read the following from the first page of the “We Can Know” website:

“This web site serves as an introduction and portal to four faithful ministries which are teaching that WE CAN KNOW from the Bible alone that the date of the rapture of believers will take place on May 21, 2011 and that God will destroy this world on October 21, 2011.”

Also

“Learn about the Biblical Timeline of History, the correct method of Bible interpretation, the End of the Church Age and God’s command to believers that they must depart out of the churches. Study the proofs that God has so graciously given in His Word showing us that these dates are 100% accurate and beyond dispute.”

We have studied our Bible, and are not surprised to be alive and here on May 22nd. The reason we are not surprised is that the Bible does not teach the doctrine of the rapture, and the Bible does not contain a timeline indicating that “we can know” the time our Lord will return in judgment upon the earth.

Continue reading “In the News: May 21, 2011 (Yesterday)” →

This sermon examines the shameful nature of sin, and makes the point that when we sin, the Lord’s gaze is upon us. We may seek to rationalize, hide, lie about or cover up our sin, but our sin will find us out.

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Fourth in an ongoing series on authority. This lesson explains what hermeneutics is (the methodological system of interpreting the Bible), and explains that our methodology is not arbitrary or contrived, but is a simple consequence of what the Bible claims to be.

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