Author: carycox

Posts on this blog will mostly be: Glory of God focused Christ-exalting Gospel-centered

Resurrection Hope – Ezekiel 37

Cary Cox, from Ezekiel 37:1-14. In Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, we see a God who does the impossible, for his great glory! God raises the dead to life and restores our hope in him. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have new life, new hope and the promise of new bodies at the resurrection!

A Better Priest Part 3 – Hebrews Study 19

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 7:26 – 8:13. Jesus is a better priest, offering a better sacrifice in a better place, as part of a better covenant, based on better promises! See the beauty of Christ and the new covenant!

A Better Priest Part 2 – Hebrews Study 18

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 7:11-25. We continue to look at how the story of Melchizedek points to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. We see how the Christian relates to the Law of Moses – its priesthood and whole system of approach to God. Christ alone is our approach to God.

A Better Priest Part 1 – Hebrews Study 17

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 7:1-10. The author of Hebrews digs deep into the early chapters of Genesis, showing us a great picture of Jesus Christ our Priest from the story of a mysterious priest-king named Melchizedek. Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the priests given in the Law of Moses; He brings us to God!

The Unbreakable Word of God – Hebrews Study 16

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 6:11-20. An example to imitate: Abraham’s patient, persevering faith. Holding on to hope till the end, through all the tests and difficulties of life. Trusting in the unbreakable word of God! The anchor of our soul!

Falling Away – Hebrews Study 15

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 6:4-12. One of the most serious warnings in the Bible: Apostasy. Falling away from the faith of Christ forever. There is no cure for apostasy. Who are these who fall away? Is this a real danger? Is there any biblical basis for assurance of salvation?

The Danger of Spiritual Immaturity Part 2 – Hebrews Study 14

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 5:11-6:1. As the writer of Hebrews leads up to his infamous warning about falling away from the faith, he shows us what leads to apostasy. How do we live a life that is apostasy-proof?

Hearing From Our Men – Clint, RJ and Steve

3 men in our congregation teach God’s word and share their hearts with the church. They speak about the call to come to Jesus, the love of the Father for us, and the believer’s love, zeal and ministry to one another.

The Danger of Spiritual Immaturity – Hebrews Study 13

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 5:11 – 6:3. The writer pauses his teaching on Christ’s priesthood to give a serious warning. He will warn against apostasy – turning finally from the faith. But first, he tells us what leads to apostasy: prolonged spiritual immaturity, which is caused by laziness in the things of God. When we fail to grow up in Christ we are walking on dangerous ground.

Jesus Our High Priest Part 2 – Hebrews Study 12

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 5:1-10. Encouraging truth about Jesus, who meets the qualifications to serve as our high priest and bring us to God. Jesus represents his people before the Father in tender love and mercy.

Jesus Our High Priest Part 1 – Hebrews Study 11

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 4:14-16. A great truth to believe – Jesus is our great high priest who brings us to God! A great comfort to our souls – He is sympathetic toward us and sinless before God! A great call to action – Let us draw near to God through Jesus! God is the prize, and we may come to him!

Enter God’s Rest Part 2 – Hebrews Study 10

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 4:1-13. Though there is a great promise of God’s rest for us, there are also serious warnings about unbelief. God’s word judges us perfectly; it lays us bare before God. We must hear the promise and heed the warnings, and strive to enter God’s rest through faith in Jesus Christ!

Enter God’s Rest Part 1 – Hebrews Study 9

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 4:1-11. A promise still remains to enter God’s rest through faith in Jesus Christ! God rested on the seventh day, satisfied and happy with his finished work of creation. Now we who believe enter this salvation, in part now and in full forever!

 

Do Not Harden Your Heart – Hebrews Study 8

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 3:7-19. Israel could not enter the promised land because of unbelief – God swore they would not enter his rest. The writer of Hebrews warns Christians not to repeat this mistake of hardening our hearts at God’s better word – Jesus Christ. He calls us to watch out for the poison of unbelief in the church congregation by devoting ourselves to daily ministry to our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Favor With God – Christmas 2016

Cary Cox, from Luke 1-2. The “Christmas Story” is an announcement of God’s favor – his free choice of grace, his decision to bless – those who do not deserve it, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Follow Mary’s example of believing God’s word! Those in Christ are blessed, beloved and favored by God!

Jesus is Better Than Moses – Hebrews Study 7

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 3:1-6. Moses was the mighty prophet and miracle-working leader who represented God to Israel. He was a faithful servant in the house of God, whose name became synonymous with God’s law. But Jesus reigns over God’s house as the Builder! He is the greater Moses, the fulfillment of all things, the final and perfect word from God. Christ is enough, and he alone satisfies our souls!

Jesus Became Just Like Us – Hebrews Study 6

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 2:10-18. While Hebrews chapter 1 teaches that Jesus is superior to angels and fully God, chapter 2 is just as adamant that Jesus became lower than angels and is fully man. This passage boldly describes the incarnation of Jesus – he became just like us, to rescue his brothers and sisters!

 

Our Glory Restored in Christ – Hebrews Study 5

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 2:5-9. Mankind was created for glory – to rule over God’s creation in his image. But because of our fall into sin, this is not our present experience. We are a mere shell of our former glory, ruled by addictions and sin and death. But Christ stepped into our humanity and destroyed death through his death and resurrection! He restores us to God’s purpose and we will reign in him!

Don’t Neglect This Great Salvation – Hebrews Study 4

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 2:1-4. The first warning of the book of Hebrews calls us to pay close attention to the gospel of Jesus so that we do not drift away through spiritual neglect. Are we growing, or drifting? Do we treasure Christ and the preaching of God’s word? God uses the proclaimed gospel to strengthen us and keep us in the faith.

Better Than Angels Part 1 – Hebrews Study 3

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 1:4-14. Jesus is better than angels, and the word God has spoken in him is superior to the old covenant word delivered through angels. Scripture does not hesitate to say that Jesus is superior than any other religion, system or way. Christ is our life!

The Perfect Superiority of Jesus – Hebrews Study 2

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 1:2b-3. Jesus is the full and final word from God, and the author of Hebrews gives seven reasons why. Creator, Sustainer, Perfect Sacrifice – Jesus is better than all the worship of the old covenant, and anything that may tempt us today.

God Has Spoken By His Son – Hebrews Study 1

Cary Cox, from Hebrews 1:1-2a. God is a speaking God, who has chosen to reveal himself to his people through his Son, Jesus Christ. God has spoken, and we must hear what he has said. What is revealed about God in Christ?

The Gospel in Real Life – The Letter to Philemon

Cary Cox, from the book of Philemon. Paul’s shortest letter gives us an amazing story of the transforming grace of God in Christ! The Lordship of Christ calls us to gospel faithfulness in everyday, “messy” situations.

The Family of God – Christ Our Life 17

Cary Cox, from Colossians 4:7-18. In Paul’s closing greetings, we are reminded of the great and diverse family of God in Christ. The Lordship of Jesus is expressed through lives lived out together for his glory. Forgiveness, redemption, failures and victories – what a privilege to be part of God’s family!

Christ is Lord Of the Heart – Christ Our Life 16

Cary Cox, from Colossians 4:2-6. We have seen Jesus as preeminent over the church and the household. Now we see what Christ’s Lordship looks like over the individual heart. He calls us to walk with him in prayer and to give ourselves to the gospel mission.

Christ is Lord in the Home – Christ Our Life 15

Cary Cox, from Colossians 3:18-4:1. It’s easy to talk about being Christ-centered. But what about when we go home? God wants us to wear our “church clothes” (compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness and love) in our marriages and families! Jesus deserves the preeminence in all things, including our households. In this passage, the word of God speaks to each of us and calls us build homes that give him glory.

Put On Your Church Clothes – Live Out the Transformation Pt2 – Christ Our Life 14

Cary Cox, from Colossians 3:12-17. Paul showed us what “dirty clothes” to remove each day – things that are bound up with this world and sin. Now he calls us to put on our “church clothes” – the way of living that distinguishes his people from the world and gives him glory. Do you have your church clothes on?

Live Out the Transformation Pt1 – Put Off – Christ Our Life 13

Cary Cox, from Colossians 3:1-11. It is impossible to live the Christian life without experiencing the miracle of conversion. But since believers are united with Christ through conversion, we are empowered to live Christ-centered lives. This involves “changing clothes” each day: putting off things that do not honor Christ, and putting on lives that are consistent with Christ-centeredness. First, we look at the “dirty clothes” to remove.

The Substance and the Shadows – Christ Our Life 12

Cary Cox, from Colossians 2:16-23. Paul blasts the empty legalism and mystical experiences of the false teachers in Colossae. They are pressuring the believers and judging them as inferior, but Paul exposes their Christ-less teachings and calls the church to continue to hold to Christ.

Complete in Christ – Christ Our Life 11

Cary Cox, from Colossians 2:10-15. Paul gives Christ-centered encouragement to a church facing distracting from false teachers. For those who are in Christ, we are alive to God, forgiven of all sins and victorious over demonic powers. Praise the Lord!

The Christ-Centered Life – Christ Our Life 10

Cary Cox, from Colossians 2:6-10. Believers are called to walk out the faith we have received by living Christ-centered lives. But this Jesus-focused life is lived out in the context of a war! We must guard against Christ-less worldviews and stand strong in the gospel. All these competing worldviews are empty; the grass is not greener on the other side! Jesus is our all; we are complete in him!

Strengthened by the Mystery Revealed – Christ Our Life 9

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:24-2:5. God’s word is an unfolding revelation throughout Scripture. Little by little God revealed his plan. At the coming of Christ God’s mystery was revealed to the church! His mystery concerns Christ at the center of all things, and his presence in the church (his people, including even the Gentiles!). As the church believes and proclaims the mystery of Christ we are strengthened and encouraged.

The Hard Work of the Gospel – Christ Our Life 8

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:23 – 2:5. We are saved by grace, but saved to serve. Paul’s testimony gives us confidence that Christ is worth living for, suffering for, dying for. Don’t waste your life! Christ calls us to hard work in his gospel, for the church, for his glory!

The Preeminence of Christ Part 4 – Christ Our Life 7

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:21-23. Christ not only died to restore the entire broken universe, he died to reconcile his people to God through his death on the cross! Paul warns the Colossians to continue in the faith. Christ is enough, and his people must cling to the gospel until the end!

The Preeminence of Christ Part 3 – Christ Our Life 6

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:20. The whole universe is being reconciled to God in Christ. Does that mean all people will be saved?! No, peace will be made in all the universe through Christ, whether through salvation or through judgment. Christ will reign as the center of the newly restored universe, forever!

The Preeminence of Christ Part 2 – Christ Our Life 5

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:18-19. Jesus is not only Lord of all creation; he is also supreme over the new creation: the church, the resurrection and our future life with him, forever! God has exalted Christ to the highest place. He is preeminent over all. But are we treating him as supreme in our hearts and homes?

The Preeminence of Christ Part 1 – Christ Our Life 4

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:15-17. One of the clearest passages in Scripture focusing on the person of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus? He is the image of God, the Ruler and Creator and Sustainer of all things! Everything is made for his glory and pleasure, and he is first place over all!

Grow Up in Christ – Christ Our Life 3

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:9-14. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is full of Christ-centered encouragement for us! He shows us how to pray deep, gospel-focused prayers for the church and how to preach truth to ourselves and others! God has done great things for us in Christ! He makes us alive and calls us to grow up in him.

A Snapshot of Life in Christ – Christ Our Life 2

Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:1-8. When we say, “Christ Our Life,” what do we mean? What does this life in Jesus look like? In Paul’s greetings to the Colossians we see a description of life in Christ.

Intro to Colossians – Christ Our Life – 1

Cary Cox, from Colossians. An overview of the book of Colossians and an introduction to the new preaching series, Christ Our Life, which will cover Colossians and Hebrews. In this first message we see the story, the problem and the answer for the church at Colossae. Jesus is enough!

Pray for Laborers for the Harvest – Marwan Aboul-Zelof

Church Planter Marwan Aboul-Zelof preaches from Matthew 9 about the ministry, motives and mission of Jesus Christ, and shares about his family’s missionary work in the Middle East. We go out in the mission for the sake of lost souls, and for the sake of the glory of Christ!

Kingdom104 – Kingdom Come – The Consummation

Cary Cox, from Revelation 11 and Romans 8. A look at the Day in human history that is quickly approaching, when the kingdom of God will be physical, visible, unchallenged and forever! What will happen at the consummation of God’s kingdom?

Kingdom101 – The King is Dead – Mat27 26-54

Cary Cox, from Matthew 27:26-54. Jesus Christ is mocked, beaten and crucified. Stand in awe at the foot of the cross!