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By Cox, Stan, on January 27th, 2012
John 4:25-26
At the end of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4, the woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus’ response was His most direct self-affirmation to date in His early ministry, as He said, “I who speak to you am He.”
Other words and phrases had earlier been used, by Jesus and others, that intimated His position. The first example, of course, was the angel’s words to the virgin Mary, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).
Continue reading » “I who speak to you am He”
By Cox, Stan, on September 13th, 2011
John 4:16-24
Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well was astounding in both circumstance and content.
The Jews hated the Samaritans, and the feeling was mutual. The conflict had its origin in the divided kingdom, and the animosity only grew through the centuries until the time of our Lord. It is important to note that the Samaritans were the remnants of the northern Jews who had been taken into Assyrian captivity, and had intermarried with other races upon their return to Samaria. The mingling of races, combined with the Samaritans acceptance of pagan gods led to a mongrel race and religion.
The Samaritans had built a temple upon Mount Gerizim, adjacent to Jacob’s well. It is this mountain to which the woman referred, “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship” (vs. 20); and is the setting and context for the conversation recorded in John 4.
Continue reading » True Worship
By Cox, Stan, on September 13th, 2011
(John 4:1-15)
After Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 3), He left Judea, and traveled through Samaria on His way back to Galilee. Many took a circuitous route between the two regions to avoid the Samaritans, who were despised by the Jews. However, Jesus determined to cross through Samaria, and immediately struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in the city of Sychar.
Jesus’ disciples had departed into the city to buy food, and upon their return (vs. 27) marveled that he had talked with the woman. Jesus’ actions, and the content of the conversation itself, made clear that His purpose in coming to earth was to save all men, not just the Jews.
Continue reading » Living Water
By Smith, Jeff, on July 2nd, 2011
While it is true that almost everyone in America knows of Jesus Christ, far fewer actually know him.
The lingering images of Jesus Christ tend to be revived only twice a year and more by custom than faith, of course. In the early winter, people shower each other with gifts while being reminded that the babe in the manger is the reason for the season. Then in the spring, many of them take a few moments one Sunday morning to contemplate the crucified and risen savior.
Continue reading » Away From the Manger
By Smith, Marc, on April 7th, 2011
What Exactly IS the Mission of Christ and His Church? This seems like such an obvious question, yet there is so much confusion about such a simple and straight forward question. Is it possible to quickly walk through the clear steps listed in scripture, the book, chapter and verse, so to speak, to make easy understanding of this subject? I believe it is easy to do, if we give it even a few minutes of thought. Remember, every Christian is supposed to be able to describe this (1 Peter 3:15). Have you felt guilty because you never gave this even a little time to work this out? Continue reading » Doing the First Works: The Mission of Christ and His Church
By Rogers, Heath, on February 15th, 2011
Paul tells us that Jesus “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8, emphasis mine, HR). We understand that Jesus came to this world to die for our sins because no one else could accomplish this task. He was our only hope. However, someone might ask, “Why did Jesus have to die on a cross?”
Death by crucifixion was the most painful manner in which a person could be put to death. Suspended from the ground, the weight of the victim’s entire body pulled against metal spikes which were driven through the hands (wrists) and the feet. The victim would writhe in pain as he slowly died of asphyxiation. Continue reading » Why the Cross?
By Cox, Stan, on November 4th, 2010
The Apostle John once wrote, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith." (1 John 5:4)
It is faith that saves our souls. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16).
Just about everyone accepts that faith saves, but an important question often remains unasked. What, or who is it I must believe in? Now the simple answer is, you must believe in Jesus. John stated in his gospel, "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" (3:16).
Continue reading » Video Script: What Must We Believe? (8)
By Cox, Stan, on October 29th, 2010
In a court of law, one of the types of evidence that receives the greatest weight is eyewitness testimony. A lawyer, in an attempt to mitigate the impact of such testimony, will try to “impeach” the witness, claiming that because of prejudice or character deficiency his testimony is unreliable, and should be ignored.
In parallel, one of the strongest evidences pointing to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the eyewitness testimony. The apostle Paul wrote about the eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ in 1 Corinthians 15. He listed in order the apostle Peter, then the rest of the 12 apostles, then a group of over 500 Christians, then the apostle James, then the 12 again. Over 500 people who saw Jesus alive after he had died on the cross, and had been in a tomb for three days. This is powerful testimony.
Continue reading » Video Script: The Unimpeachable Witness (4)
By Cox, Stan, on October 28th, 2010
By Cox, Stan, on October 26th, 2010
In Genesis 12, the Bible records two promises made by God to a man named Abram (later God renamed him Abraham). “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”
The first promise was kept when God established the nation of Israel. The Israelites left Egypt, gained their sovereignty and dwelt in the land of Canaan, a land that had also been promised by God.
Continue reading » Video Script: Is Jesus the Messiah? (3)
By Cox, Stan, on September 7th, 2010
(John 3)
This article consists of an analysis of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, recorded in John 3. As the conversation is lengthy, and I desired to include the entire context in this one article, it too is rather long.
Born Again (John 3:1-5)
Jesus, in John 3, had a conversation with a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus. While it is obvious by Nicodemus’ words he was impressed with Jesus, it must be noted that he was ignorant of who Jesus truly was, and was a bit cautious in his approach.
Nicodemus referred to the Lord as a “rabbi” (teacher), and acknowledged that the miracles Jesus performed marked Him as a man from God. However, the fact that John revealed the ruler’s approach to be “by night” indicates that Nicodemus may have desired not to be seen talking with such a controversial man.
Continue reading » "You Must Be Born Again"
By Cox, Stan, on August 2nd, 2010
John 2:1-11
In John 2:1-11, the apostle records Jesus’ miracle at the wedding feast in Cana. There are many important things to note regarding this event, where our Lord first “manifested His glory” (cf. vs. 11), but we are here most interested in the words spoken on this occasion. Specifically, we wish to examine Jesus’ words to His mother, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come” (vs. 4).
The remainder of Jesus’ spoken words in the text consist of His instructions to the servants, which led to the miracle itself (cf. vs. 7,8). The words are straightforward, and need no further explanation, so we will focus our comments on His words in verse four.
Continue reading » “My Hour Has Not Yet Come”
By Cox, Stan, on April 2nd, 2010
John 1:35-51
The gospel of John records several short conversations Jesus had as He began to attract disciples at the beginning His ministry. These conversations are contained in verse 35-51 of John 1.
Andrew
One of John the Baptist’s disciples was Andrew. Two things led him to begin following Jesus. First, John proclaimed Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” Then, as Andrew heard Jesus speak, he became convinced that he had found “the Messiah.”
We do not have the words Jesus used that convinced Andrew that He was the anointed One. However, we do have words of Jesus available to us, that clearly show the truthfulness of Andrew’s conclusion.
Continue reading » The First Disciples of Jesus
By Cox, Stan, on March 25th, 2010
Matthew 4:1-11
The three synoptic gospels (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; and Luke 4:1-13) record the temptation of Jesus following His baptism in the Jordan River. Mark records only that He was in the wilderness for forty days, and there tempted by Satan. Matthew and Luke record three specific temptations, and agree exactly in both the nature of the temptations and Jesus’ response to them. We will use Matthew’s account here.
The temptation of our Lord was a necessary part of his experience on earth. The Hebrews writer said that “in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God” (2:17). As such, in that He “has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (2:18).
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, and after fasting for forty days, “the tempter came to Him.” Both Matthew and Luke record the words of Jesus in response to those temptations of Satan.
Continue reading » The Temptation of Jesus
By Cox, Stan, on March 22nd, 2010
By Cox, Stan, on March 15th, 2010
By Cox, Stan, on February 15th, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Immediately following Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, recorded in Matthew 3, Mark 1 and Luke 3, Luke states, “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age…” (vs. 23).
The baptism of Jesus signified the end of His time in anonymity. He left Nazareth (the city of His youth) behind (cf. Mark 1:9), and traveled by foot 60-70 miles to be “baptized by John in the Jordan.” With this act of obedience, Jesus began His public ministry and His inevitable trek toward the cross at Calvary.
Of the three baptism accounts recorded in the gospels, only Matthew records the conversation between John and Jesus. When Jesus presented Himself to John to be baptized by him, the text says that “John tried to prevent Him, saying ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’” (vs. 14). Before noting Jesus’ response, it is important to note a few things about John’s reaction to Jesus’ presence at the Jordan.
Continue reading » Jesus and John at the Jordan River
By Cox, Stan, on August 1st, 2003
In the Old Testament, the concept of sanctification and holiness was broad. It included not only living in accord with God’s standard of morality, but, for the Jews, it also included the ritualistic requirements of the covenant He had with Israel.
The book of Leviticus contains many laws required of the Israelites that they might be undefiled before Jehovah. It was necessary that they observe these laws, both moral and ceremonial, in order to be considered clean and worthy of worshipping Him. Concerning these laws, Jehovah said, “Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37).
The holiness of God demanded obedience on the part of the Jews. They were to be holy in their conduct, because God was holy. “For I am the Lord you God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). It is interesting that in this particular context, the Lord had commanded the Jews to refrain from eating unclean animals. Later, this aspect of God’s law changed.
Continue reading » Holiness as Defined by Christ
By Cox, Stan, on October 1st, 2002
In Matthew 21:25, Jesus asked the elders of the Jews the question, "The baptism of John; where was it from? From heaven or from men?" The question put the elders in a difficult position. If they said it was from "heaven" (divinely authorized), then Jesus could admonish them for disobedience. "Why then did you not believe him?" (vs. 25). If they said it was from men to excuse their disobedience, they would run afoul of the people who counted John a prophet.
In this simple exchange a fundamental truth regarding the nature of authority is revealed. If a practice is authorized by man, it is in fact not authoritative at all. If however it is authorized by "heaven", men must heed it.
Continue reading » The Simple Gospel: Christ, The Source of All Authority
By Smith, Jeff, on September 1st, 2001
Just what happened on the mount of transfiguration?
The events themselves are simple enough to reconstruct with the inspired account of the beloved physician, Luke. In his gospel narrative, we learn that Christ led Peter, James and John up into the mountain to pray, where his appearance was transfigured into something glorious and majestic. Through drowsy eyes, the three apostles witnessed both this transformation and a subsequent conversation that Jesus had with Moses and Elijah, lawgiver and prophet respectively. Their discussion concerned our Lord’s impending death in the city of Jerusalem.
Aroused and impetuous, Peter offered to construct three tabernacles for the Christ and his two Old Testament friends, indicating his notion that they were equally deserving of this special treatment. Just then a voice came out of the cloud and corrected the apostle, "saying, ‘This is my beloved son. Hear him.’" The lawgiver and prophet had disappeared and Jesus alone remained before them.
Continue reading » Walking Worthy: The Mount of Transfiguration
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