Author: carycox

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

Kingdom100 – The King Condemned to Die – Mat27 1-26

Cary Cox, from Matthew 27:1-26. See Jesus standing in the place of sinners. The innocent One taking the guilt and condemnation of the world! See true repentance and faith (Peter) contrasted with false repentance that does not save (Judas).

Kingdom99 – Jesus (and Peter) on Trial – Mat26 57-75

Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:57-75. See Jesus, full of poise and strength, walk right into the dark storm as he faces his trial. See Peter fail during his “trial.” The rooster crows and the tears fall. There is repentance and restoration. We are weak but Christ is strong! He stood in our place and bore our condemnation.

 

Kingdom98 – But The Flesh Is Weak – Mat26 31-56

Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:31-56. Jesus tells the disciples that they will all fail him this very night, yet they disagree with him! In this passage we come face to face with our pride, our weakness, our frailty and our guilt. And we see the glory and strength of Jesus Christ!

Kingdom97 – The Last Supper – Mat26 17-30

Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:17-30. A look at the glorious moment in history when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and spoke of himself as the great sacrifice for God’s people in the new covenant.

Kingdom96 – Poured Out Love – Mat26 1-16

Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:1-16. Jesus is the Passover Lamb who will pour out the love of God in his shed blood on the cross. We also see the church’s response: Poured out love, pictured in the extravagant act of a woman’s devotion. From Mary’s “What can I give?” to Judas Iscariot’s “What will you give me?,” we look at the value of Christ and the call to pour out our all for him.

Kingdom95 – Standing Before the King – Mat25 31-46

Cary Cox, from Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus tells his disciples that he is coming back as the great King to judge the world! Salvation is by grace through faith, but judgment will be according to works. Our works will be evidence on that day that we are his. Particularly, Jesus teaches that how we treat his brothers – other disciples – is how we treat him!

Kingdom93 – Are You Ready? Olivet Discourse Pt3 – Mat24 36

Cary Cox, from Matthew 24:36 – 25:13. Jesus calls for a response to his teaching on the end of the age: Be ready! He defines readiness in terms of present obedience when he comes. A great day of judgment is coming. Are you ready for his return?

Kingdom92 – Tribulation, Abomination and Consummation – Mat24 15-36

Cary Cox, from Matthew 24:15-36. We continue our study of the Olivet Discourse. The entire age between Jesus’ first coming and his return is an age of tribulation for the church. The gospel is advancing, but the church must endure great waves of suffering. Jesus speaks of the abomination of desolation and his glorious return.

Kingdom91 – Endure to the End! – Olivet Discourse Pt1 – Mat24 1-14

Cary Cox, from Matthew 24:1-14. Jesus’ Olivet Discourse has baffled interpreters throughout church history! We look at the main views before diving into the first 14 verses, where Jesus calls his church in every age to endure to the end through both tribulations and victories. Stay calm in faith, endure to the end and advance the gospel!

Kingdom90 – Hypocrites Snakes and Sons of Hell – Mat23

Cary Cox, from Matthew 23. In his final public words to the nation of Israel, Jesus blasts the wicked and unbelieving religious leaders in a series of seven “woes.” His words are strong and shocking as he rails against their hypocrisy, and calls his church to be a humble and genuine people of faith. Jesus walks away from the temple after pronouncing the coming judgment of God against the nation.

Kingdom89 – Trick Questions – Mat22 15-46

Cary Cox, from Matthew 22:15-46. Having been blasted by Jesus for their unbelief, the Pharisees and other religious leaders of Israel plot to trap him in his words through a series of trick questions. See the heart of man that naturally resists Christ; but see the glory and wisdom of Jesus shining in his words! See the glory of the God-Man!

Kingdom88 – Judgment on Fruitless Israel Pt2 – Mat22 1-14

Cary Cox, from Matthew 22:1-14. In the parable of the wedding feast Jesus continues his pronouncement of judgment from God on unbelieving and fruitless Israel. He also continues to speak of a new people of God who will enter the kingdom, the Jew/Gentile church! Finally, even the church is warned: we must come to God the proper way, on his terms! We must come repenting of sin, believing on Christ and producing the fruit of obedience and righteousness.

Kingdom87 – Judgment on Fruitless Israel – Mat21 33-46

Cary Cox, from Matthew 21:33-46. In the last few days of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry he is pronouncing judgment on Israel for their unbelief and lack of fruit. Led by their wicked leaders, they have officially rejected their Messiah. In the parable of the two sons Jesus gave the indictment against them. They did not believe the one God sent. And now in the parable of the vineyard and tenants Jesus gives the shocking verdict: The kingdom is being taken away from them and given to a people who will produce the fruit!

Kingdom86 – Faith and Fruit in the Kingdom – Mat21 18-32

Cary Cox, from Matthew 21:18-32. Jesus curses a fig tree as a picture of the judgment of God he is pronouncing on unbelieving and fruitless Israel. God is calling forth a new-covenant people who repent of sin, have faith in Christ, and produce fruit to the glory of God.

Kingdom85 – The Entrance of the King – Mat21 1-17

Cary Cox, from Matthew 21:1-17. See Jesus present himself to Israel as their promised Messiah-King, riding humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey! See him strike at the heart of their faithless worship as he cleanses the temple and makes a statement of the coming judgment of God on unbelieving Israel! Here is our King!

 

Kingdom84 – To Serve and to Give – Mat20 17-34

Cary Cox, from Matthew 20:17-34. To Serve and to give! Jesus said this is why he came. He is on the way to Jerusalem, looking to the cross. But the disciples are still looking toward personal gain and glory. Jesus again calls them (and us) to humility and self-denial in his kingdom. Just as Christ himself came to serve and to give his life for many! He is both our Ransom and our Example.

Kingdom83 – The Generous Grace of God – Mat20 1-16

Cary Cox, from Matthew 20:1-16. Disciples of Jesus will be rewarded, but God is in charge of how he distributes his blessings. Jesus calls his disciples away from a mindset of works, entitlement and earning blessings, and points us to the generous and sovereign grace of God!

Kingdom82 – Money and Treasure – Kingdom Values – Mat19 16-30

Cary Cox, from Matthew 19:16-30. Jesus challenges our concept of our own goodness, and reveals the impossibility of being saved apart from a miracle of God’s grace. He calls us to abandon lesser treasures and come follow him. Christ is the great and all-satisfying Treasure!

Kingdom81 – Marriage and Children – Kingdom Values – Mat19 1-15

Cary Cox, from Matthew 19:1-15. Jesus explains that marriage and children are to be treasured and valued in his kingdom. The world is quick to abandon both when things get difficult or inconvenient, but Jesus calls his people to see them differently. We view marriage and children with God-centered eyes, eager for him to be glorified.

Kingdom80 – Life in the Kingdom Community Pt2 – Mat18 15-35

Cary Cox from Matthew 18:15-35. What do we do when a brother or sister in the church sins against us? When we are hurt, offended and upset, what will we do next? Jesus gives very clear instructions for how his church is to deal with sin in the camp. He gives us the tools to fight for joy, peace and unity in his kingdom community!

My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation – Christmas 2015

Cary Cox from Luke 2:21-35. Simeon, an older, Spirit-filled saint, sees the baby Jesus in the Temple. In seeing the Child, his eyes see the great salvation of God for his people. There is encouragement and a challenge to parents, and to older Christians who may feel like there is no place for them in the church. This word calls all of us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the salvation from God!

Kingdom79 – Life in the Kingdom Community Pt1 – Mat18 1-14

Cary Cox from Matthew 18:1-14. What is life like in the church while we wait on Christ’s return? Jesus gives practical teaching about life in his kingdom community. We can enter the community only through miraculous conversion, which humbles us before God like a child. And this conversion transforms relationships in the church. We love and welcome and forgive each other. Jesus gives serious warnings about harming his disciples!

Kingdom78 – The Beautiful and Difficult Life of Faith – Mat17 14-27

Cary Cox, from Matthew 17:14-27. Followers of Jesus can expect both glories and heartaches, joy and suffering, victory and failure in this beautiful and difficult life of faith. The kingdom of God has come, and innumerable glories are ours! Yet our experience is incomplete as we await the fullness of the kingdom at Christ’s return. We are, therefore, both satisfied in Christ and unsatisfied as we yearn for the glory that is coming.

Kingdom77 – The Glory of Christ – Mat17 1-13

Cary Cox from Matthew 17:1-13. In the account of Jesus’ transfiguration the disciples are encouraged by a glimpse of the great glory of Jesus Christ – and so are we! He will suffer for our sins, but he cannot be defeated, for he is the glorious King who reigns forever! And those who are in Christ will one day share his glory and shine like the sun!

Kingdom76 – The Christ and the Cross – Mat16 21-28

Cary Cox from Matthew 16:21-28. Now that the disciples have confessed Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus points them clearly to his mission: the cross. The concept of a suffering Messiah is unthinkable to them, but Jesus speaks not only of his cross, but theirs and ours! Embracing God’s will by denying self is what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus.

Kingdom75 – You Are the Christ – Mat16 13-20

Cary Cox from Matthew 16:13-20. Matthew’s gospel has built to this great moment: Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus declares that he will build his church. What role will Peter and the apostles play? What about us?

Kingdom74 – Jesus the Tireless Teacher – Mat16 1-12

Cary Cox, from Matthew 16:1-12. Another glimpse of Jesus. He is tired and worn, suffering rejection from Israel. Yet he patiently teaches and warns and lovingly rebukes his disciples. He won’t quit on his people till he brings us to maturity!

Kingdom73 – Lord of the Gentiles – Mat15 21-39

Cary Cox, from Matthew 15:21-39. In 3 snapshots, Matthew gives us glimpses of Jesus ministering among Gentiles! This looks ahead to the Gentiles being swept into the kingdom of God through the gospel, through humble, persistent faith in Christ. Jesus is not only the Messiah for the Jews, but also the Savior of the world! There is now one, multi-ethnic people of God in Christ.

Kingdom72 – The Lord of Worship – Mat15 1-20

Cary Cox from Matthew 15:1-20. Jesus authoritatively rebukes and instructs on which worship is empty and which is acceptable to God. Our problem is not unwashed hands, but a defiled heart! We look at hypocrisy, traditions of men and true worship.

Kingdom71 – Who Is Jesus Pt2 – Mat14 22-36

Cary Cox from Matthew 14:22-36. Matthew continues to focus on the identity of Jesus. We see Jesus walking on the waves, speaking the holy name of God about himself, enabling Peter to walk on the water, calming the storm, and receiving worship from the disciples! Truly, this is the Son of God!

Kingdom70 – Who is Jesus Pt1 – Mat14 1-21

Cary Cox from Matthew 14:1-21. Herod misunderstands who Jesus is, but his true identity is being revealed to his disciples. Jesus is the Messiah, gathering to himself a new kingdom people! See him as the Bread from heaven, who gives us life by offering his flesh for us on the cross! See him giving up his vacation time to minister in compassion to hurting people!

Kingdom69 – Sorting Fish – Mat13 47-58

Cary Cox from Matthew 13:47-58. In another parable of the coming judgment, Jesus speaks of a great day of separation, when the righteous and the wicked will be sorted. Disciples of Jesus will grow in understanding and maturity, teaching others what they are learning. The wicked will be offended and give in to unbelief, cutting themselves off from the blessings of the kingdom.

Kingdom68 – The Hidden Worth of the Kingdom of God – Mat13 44-46

Cary Cox, from Matthew 13:44-46. Through two short parables Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is the great Treasure, though its infinite worth is hidden from many. In our sin we treasure other, lesser, things. But when God opens our eyes to the exceeding beauty and glory of Christ and his Kingdom, we are forever captivated! Have you seen the Treasure?

Kingdom67 – Parables of the Unexpected Kingdom – Mat13 24-43

Cary Cox from Matthew 13:24-43. We see the persistent disciples coming to Jesus for explanation of truth while the crowds walk away confused. God is giving light to his people. Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven: it will start small and look insignificant, but grow steadily until the glory of God covers the earth! God will let the wicked continue to live on earth with the righteous until the end of the age – the harvest – when separation and judgment comes. These truths were surprising to Jesus’ hearers, but encourage his disciples to endure to the end. Glory is coming!

Kingdom66 – Parable of the Sower – Reactions to the Kingdom – Mat13 1-23

Cary Cox, from Matthew 13:1-23. Jesus begins his teaching in parables, both revealing and concealing truth according to God’s plan.  Many look promising at first, but do not endure to the end or produce fruit. Which soil are you?

Kingdom65 – Jesus Rejected and Received – Mat12 38-50

Cary Cox, from Matthew 12:38-50. Jesus continues to rebuke the leaders of Israel who are rejecting him and his ministry. They demand a sign and he points to his death and resurrection. Not all reject Jesus, however! Some receive him and become part of his true family – the church!

Kingdom64 – Resisting the Holy Spirit – Mat12 15-37

Cary Cox from Matthew 12:15-37. Matthew’s logic is this: God loves Jesus, chose Jesus, sent Jesus and anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. God backs Jesus and his ministry. Therefore to reject Jesus is to reject the Holy Spirit of God himself! Jesus warns of the unforgivable sin.

Kingdom63 – Jesus Points Israel to Himself – Mat12 1-14

Pastor Cary Cox from Matthew 12:1-14. In a showdown with the Pharisees, Jesus points them to himself as the one who is lord of the Sabbath, greater than David and the temple, and the authoritative interpreter of the Law! All of Israel’s worship is fulfilled in Christ!

Kingdom62 – The Invitation to Rest – Mat11 28-30

Pastor Cary Cox from Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s rest, pictured throughout Scripture. God is seen as the happy and satisfied God who delights in his work and creation, and calls us into the shared enjoyment of his delight. This is his rest, and it is given to those who come to Jesus in faith.

Kingdom61 – The Need for Revelation – Mat11 25-27

Pastor Cary Cox from Matthew 11:25-27. In these 3 short verses we see Jesus breaking out into praise, glorifying God for being the Sovereign Lord who both hides and reveals spiritual truth! We are born in a state of blindness and we desperately need God to reveal truth to us. This is done only in Christ.

Kingdom60 – The Requirement of Repentance – Mat11 20-24

Pastor Cary Cox from Matthew 11:20-24. In this short passage we see that repentance is not optional, but is required by Jesus as the response to his gospel. What is repentance and how do we know we have repented?

Kingdom59 – Not What We Expected – Mat11 1-19

Pastor Cary Cox, from Matthew 11:1-19. Jesus responds to the doubts of John the Baptist. Christ is not the Messiah everyone expected, but he calls us to trust him and not give up when we do not understand. God won’t “dance to our drum,” but does things his way. We must take him on his terms in humility, trust and love.

Kingdom58 – Sent Out Pt3 – A Christ Centered People

Pastor Cary Cox, from Matthew 10:34-42. We are a sent-out people that can expect persecution. But we are also a Christ-centered people. Jesus demands first place in our lives and hearts, a claim only God can make! Is there part of our lives that we are not surrendering to Christ?

Kingdom57 – Sent Out Pt2 – A Persecuted People

Pastor Cary Cox, from Matthew 10:16-33. Jesus not only sends his disciples out on mission, he also tells us to expect persecution, hatred and even death! Whatever we face, we must preach his truth in love and endure to the end. To do this, we rest in God’s sovereignty and steadfast love!

Kingdom56 – Sent Out Pt1 – Mat10 1-15

Pastor Cary Cox from Matthew 10:1-15. Jesus sends out his 12 apostles for kingdom work. Disciples of Jesus are a people who are sent out with the mission of Christ and the kingdom of God. Are you living intentionally for the cause of Christ?

We Will Give Ourselves Continually

Pastor Cary Cox from Acts 6:4. A call to joyful commitment to Christ and his people. No matter what discouragement or opposition may come, by God’s grace we will give ourselves continually! We look at the devotion of the leaders of the church, and to the devotion of the church body. May the Lord fan into flame the gift of God that is in us, that we may respond to his love and grace by giving our all!

Prayer – The Example of Jesus

Our elders, TJ Wood and Mickey McCall, preach a 2-part series on prayer. In this podcast Mickey McCall looks at the prayer life of Jesus Christ, calling us to a life of prayer. We are encouraged that Christ continues to pray for us!

Kingdom55 – Kingdom Authority Pt4 – Mat9 18-38

Pastor Cary Cox, from Matthew 9:18-38. Our final look at chapters 8-9, where Matthew has grouped Jesus’ miracles together to show us his authority and his identity as the Messiah. See the compassionate Shepherd of God’s people! See his power over death, sickness and demons! Respond with faith in Jesus, taking up your cross as a disciple.