Blog https://www.cogginsbaptist.org Mon, 18 May 2026 23:44:09 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Church https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-church https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-church#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:18:06 -0400 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-church These days, ‘diversity’ is receiving a lot of press, as they say. But the world’s brand of diversity is vastly different from Christ’s will for His local churches. 

The World’s Diversity Christ’s Teaching

Tries to force the world into conformity. | Is concerned for the unity of local churches.

Divides people who were together.       | Unifies the church in service to Christ.

Race, politics,&status used to categorize.| Accepts all who repent and believe the gospel.

Creates an elite class & rejects others.| Removes superficial divisions for the glory of Christ.

At Coggins Church, we’ve been studying the division among the Corinthian Christians. Paul is addressing each problem area one at a time, often showing that the root problem is pride. Some in the church find a way to elevate themselves at the expense of others in just about everything the church does, and the use of spiritual gifts is no exception. The answer, says the Apostle, is to grasp and embrace both the unity and diversity of Jesus Christ Himself, and to extend this understanding to the interpersonal workings of the local church. 

The Holy Spirit brings unity out of diversity. The Spiritual gifts work together, equipping the local church to accomplish the will and work of the Savior, as demonstrated in the Book of Acts. Jesus Christ established the one organization in history where true diversity and unity not only can happen but do happen, the church. 

Christ Himself is the model of unity with diversity for every local church. This is the point of 1 Corinthians 12:12 in the Bible. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” There is no innate division in the person of Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, Jesus, though God’s Son, has a real human nature and a real human body. Referring to local churches, verse 12 says that just as Jesus’ human body had many parts [members]and yet was one body, the local church is to be one spiritual organism with many gifted people [parts]. Christ, not the world, not personal elevation, is the local church’s model for unity amidst diversity.

Love you, folks, 

Pastor Scott

]]> These days, ‘diversity’ is receiving a lot of press, as they say. But the world’s brand of diversity is vastly different from Christ’s will for His local churches. 

The World’s Diversity Christ’s Teaching

Tries to force the world into conformity. | Is concerned for the unity of local churches.

Divides people who were together.       | Unifies the church in service to Christ.

Race, politics,&status used to categorize.| Accepts all who repent and believe the gospel.

Creates an elite class & rejects others.| Removes superficial divisions for the glory of Christ.

At Coggins Church, we’ve been studying the division among the Corinthian Christians. Paul is addressing each problem area one at a time, often showing that the root problem is pride. Some in the church find a way to elevate themselves at the expense of others in just about everything the church does, and the use of spiritual gifts is no exception. The answer, says the Apostle, is to grasp and embrace both the unity and diversity of Jesus Christ Himself, and to extend this understanding to the interpersonal workings of the local church. 

The Holy Spirit brings unity out of diversity. The Spiritual gifts work together, equipping the local church to accomplish the will and work of the Savior, as demonstrated in the Book of Acts. Jesus Christ established the one organization in history where true diversity and unity not only can happen but do happen, the church. 

Christ Himself is the model of unity with diversity for every local church. This is the point of 1 Corinthians 12:12 in the Bible. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” There is no innate division in the person of Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, Jesus, though God’s Son, has a real human nature and a real human body. Referring to local churches, verse 12 says that just as Jesus’ human body had many parts [members]and yet was one body, the local church is to be one spiritual organism with many gifted people [parts]. Christ, not the world, not personal elevation, is the local church’s model for unity amidst diversity.

Love you, folks, 

Pastor Scott

]]> How Christians Defeat Death https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/how-christians-defeat-death https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/how-christians-defeat-death#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:01:05 -0400 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/how-christians-defeat-death When a student of the renowned apologist, Josh McDowell, asked him, "Why can't you refute Christianity?" His answer was noteworthy, he said, "for a very simple reason. I'm unable to explain away an event in history -- the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Dr. Harold Wilmington, Liberty University, writes, "the resurrection of Christ is the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence of the Christian faith." If a man two thousand years ago, named Jesus of Nazareth, was crucified by the Roman Government and three days later arose from the dead, we had better sit up and take notice. And so the world did and still does in many respects! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of human history. 

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:12

Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead? I mean a person who died in faith who will someday be raised again in the likeness of Christ. Do you live in the hope of the resurrection? These believers in Corinth were like many today. They were saved out of a culture that is anti-God and anti-Christ, thus they were confused about many of the Biblical teachings of the newfound Christian Faith.

The Consequences of Not Believing in the Resurrection Must be Faced (1 Cor. 15:12-19).

If there is no resurrection of the dead, Paul reasons, then that means Jesus did not arise. But he presses them to consider what they are saying if they follow this thinking to its conclusion. In other words, a dead savior cannot save. If God will not resurrect His people, then preaching the gospel to the world is meaningless, the Apostle maintains. Dr. John MacArthur explains Paul’s point: "Without the resurrection, the good news would be bad news, and there would be nothing worth preaching."

In fact, Paul takes it a step further by warning that the gospel is meaningless without hope of being resurrected to eternal life. John MacArthur again writes, "If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then sin won the victory over Christ and therefore continues to be victorious over all men.” If the doctrine of the resurrection is false, it would make the apostles and preachers of the resurrection false witnesses (liars).

"To deny the resurrection is to call the apostles and every other leader of the New Testament church not simply mistaken but willfully mistaken, that is, liars (J. MacArthur).” Generally speaking, no one would die for a lie. Only one of the apostles died a natural death, and he was in exile. Why would Jesus' apostles suffer so horribly for falsehoods and fables? If the Corinthians Christians are right, then the dead in Christ have perished, and that is contrary to their own stated beliefs, and therefore, Christians would be the most pitiable people. It is good for us to see a glimpse of what it would be like if Jesus had not risen, and there was no possibility of our being raised either. But the wonderful fact is that God did raise Jesus from the dead, and He will raise us as well on that day, if we trust in Jesus.

The Corinthians Believed in the Resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-11)

These Christians believed in the resurrection of Christ. The strange twist in the church at Corinth was that many did not believe that God could or would raise others. They, doubtless, were confused because of the pluralistic philosophies of the day. Paul proves that God can resurrect the dead because He has already raised Jesus from the dead. In other words, what has happened can and will happen again. 

The Evidence for Christ's Resurrection is Conclusive and Convincing (1 Cor. 15:1-11; Acts 1:3).

God did raise His Son from the dead (Rm. 4:24-25; Jn 14:19; Acts 5:30-31). Jesus’ victory over death, Paul explains, is proof that every believer will be resurrected as well. We know that our resurrection is secured because we have a living Savior who promised to do it for us. Since God raised Jesus from the dead, He will also raise us from the dead.

Perhaps you are asking, "What is this concrete evidence?” Here are a few realities that should shake your life to its core. Jesus’ tomb was empty. Too many people knew the location of the tomb for them all to have been fooled. Even the guards were forced to attest to the fact that Jesus' tomb was empty and thus were paid to say someone stole Jesus’ body. Here are a few corresponding facts. The Roman seal was broken - automatic crucifixion upside down. The large stone was removed. (uphill). The guards fled, knowing the penalty was death. The women came and found the tomb empty. Peter and John found the tomb empty.

There were eyewitnesses to Jesus’s resurrection.

1. Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John  (Jn 20:11-17).

2. The other women  (Mt 28:9-10).

3. The temple guards  (Mt 28:11-15).

4. Peter  (Lk 24:34; I Cor 5:5).

5. Emmaus disciples  (Mk 16:12-13).

6. "The Twelve"  (I Cor 15:5; Mk 16:14; Lk 24:36-43).

7. Over 500 brethren at once -- some still alive at the time of the writing of I Corinthians (15:6).

8. James and Paul  (I Cor 15:7-8).

Yes, my friend, the evidence is conclusive and convincing for those who really long for the truth. Do you doubt Christ’s resurrection? Are the so-called arguments against Jesus enough to secure you? I ask you to cast them aside because they are weights that will sink your soul. Be as the Disciple Thomas, though a doubter, he believed, and fell at the feet of Jesus and confessed to Him, "My lord and my God!”

Let’s Pray Together, Pastor Scott

]]> When a student of the renowned apologist, Josh McDowell, asked him, "Why can't you refute Christianity?" His answer was noteworthy, he said, "for a very simple reason. I'm unable to explain away an event in history -- the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Dr. Harold Wilmington, Liberty University, writes, "the resurrection of Christ is the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence of the Christian faith." If a man two thousand years ago, named Jesus of Nazareth, was crucified by the Roman Government and three days later arose from the dead, we had better sit up and take notice. And so the world did and still does in many respects! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of human history. 

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:12

Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead? I mean a person who died in faith who will someday be raised again in the likeness of Christ. Do you live in the hope of the resurrection? These believers in Corinth were like many today. They were saved out of a culture that is anti-God and anti-Christ, thus they were confused about many of the Biblical teachings of the newfound Christian Faith.

The Consequences of Not Believing in the Resurrection Must be Faced (1 Cor. 15:12-19).

If there is no resurrection of the dead, Paul reasons, then that means Jesus did not arise. But he presses them to consider what they are saying if they follow this thinking to its conclusion. In other words, a dead savior cannot save. If God will not resurrect His people, then preaching the gospel to the world is meaningless, the Apostle maintains. Dr. John MacArthur explains Paul’s point: "Without the resurrection, the good news would be bad news, and there would be nothing worth preaching."

In fact, Paul takes it a step further by warning that the gospel is meaningless without hope of being resurrected to eternal life. John MacArthur again writes, "If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then sin won the victory over Christ and therefore continues to be victorious over all men.” If the doctrine of the resurrection is false, it would make the apostles and preachers of the resurrection false witnesses (liars).

"To deny the resurrection is to call the apostles and every other leader of the New Testament church not simply mistaken but willfully mistaken, that is, liars (J. MacArthur).” Generally speaking, no one would die for a lie. Only one of the apostles died a natural death, and he was in exile. Why would Jesus' apostles suffer so horribly for falsehoods and fables? If the Corinthians Christians are right, then the dead in Christ have perished, and that is contrary to their own stated beliefs, and therefore, Christians would be the most pitiable people. It is good for us to see a glimpse of what it would be like if Jesus had not risen, and there was no possibility of our being raised either. But the wonderful fact is that God did raise Jesus from the dead, and He will raise us as well on that day, if we trust in Jesus.

The Corinthians Believed in the Resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-11)

These Christians believed in the resurrection of Christ. The strange twist in the church at Corinth was that many did not believe that God could or would raise others. They, doubtless, were confused because of the pluralistic philosophies of the day. Paul proves that God can resurrect the dead because He has already raised Jesus from the dead. In other words, what has happened can and will happen again. 

The Evidence for Christ's Resurrection is Conclusive and Convincing (1 Cor. 15:1-11; Acts 1:3).

God did raise His Son from the dead (Rm. 4:24-25; Jn 14:19; Acts 5:30-31). Jesus’ victory over death, Paul explains, is proof that every believer will be resurrected as well. We know that our resurrection is secured because we have a living Savior who promised to do it for us. Since God raised Jesus from the dead, He will also raise us from the dead.

Perhaps you are asking, "What is this concrete evidence?” Here are a few realities that should shake your life to its core. Jesus’ tomb was empty. Too many people knew the location of the tomb for them all to have been fooled. Even the guards were forced to attest to the fact that Jesus' tomb was empty and thus were paid to say someone stole Jesus’ body. Here are a few corresponding facts. The Roman seal was broken - automatic crucifixion upside down. The large stone was removed. (uphill). The guards fled, knowing the penalty was death. The women came and found the tomb empty. Peter and John found the tomb empty.

There were eyewitnesses to Jesus’s resurrection.

1. Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John  (Jn 20:11-17).

2. The other women  (Mt 28:9-10).

3. The temple guards  (Mt 28:11-15).

4. Peter  (Lk 24:34; I Cor 5:5).

5. Emmaus disciples  (Mk 16:12-13).

6. "The Twelve"  (I Cor 15:5; Mk 16:14; Lk 24:36-43).

7. Over 500 brethren at once -- some still alive at the time of the writing of I Corinthians (15:6).

8. James and Paul  (I Cor 15:7-8).

Yes, my friend, the evidence is conclusive and convincing for those who really long for the truth. Do you doubt Christ’s resurrection? Are the so-called arguments against Jesus enough to secure you? I ask you to cast them aside because they are weights that will sink your soul. Be as the Disciple Thomas, though a doubter, he believed, and fell at the feet of Jesus and confessed to Him, "My lord and my God!”

Let’s Pray Together, Pastor Scott

]]> How Will You Make It Through 2026? https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/how-will-you-make-it-through-2026 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/how-will-you-make-it-through-2026#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:17:42 -0500 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/how-will-you-make-it-through-2026 I am not big on New Year’s resolutions; are you? James, the Lord’s half-brother, had a good point when he wrote: “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”  James 5:12 (ESV) It seems best to acknowledge what we ought to do and do it. James is more concerned about making promises to God and to each other that we either do not or cannot fulfill. The teaching is that those who follow Jesus Christ are to be people who do the will of God rather than merely promise to do it. 

With that James 5:12 thought in your hearts, I want to encourage you to make prayer even more prevalent in the moments of your life in the coming year. Are you planning a new business venture, getting married, starting a family, facing surgery, or a spiritual mountain? Decide now to pray about it, not once or twice, but more times. 

Ponder the promise of Jesus Christ after placing a curse on a worthless fig tree, “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. [22] And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:18–22 (ESV)

If we pray more, we will believe more, and as a result, receive more answers to the needs we experience. Let’s Pray Together, 

Pastor Scott

]]> I am not big on New Year’s resolutions; are you? James, the Lord’s half-brother, had a good point when he wrote: “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”  James 5:12 (ESV) It seems best to acknowledge what we ought to do and do it. James is more concerned about making promises to God and to each other that we either do not or cannot fulfill. The teaching is that those who follow Jesus Christ are to be people who do the will of God rather than merely promise to do it. 

With that James 5:12 thought in your hearts, I want to encourage you to make prayer even more prevalent in the moments of your life in the coming year. Are you planning a new business venture, getting married, starting a family, facing surgery, or a spiritual mountain? Decide now to pray about it, not once or twice, but more times. 

Ponder the promise of Jesus Christ after placing a curse on a worthless fig tree, “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. [22] And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:18–22 (ESV)

If we pray more, we will believe more, and as a result, receive more answers to the needs we experience. Let’s Pray Together, 

Pastor Scott

]]> The Attraction of ‘Big-box' Churches https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/the-attraction-of-big-box-churches https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/the-attraction-of-big-box-churches#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2026 13:21:58 -0500 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/the-attraction-of-big-box-churches From the moment these churches open, they offer attendees more than the average community church. Why call them ‘Big-box Churches?’ For years, we have watched large chain stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart arrive in cities, towns, and villages, offering ‘more for less.’ It doesn’t take the average consumer long to realize that the motto is true; more can be purchased for less. And thus the switch is quickly made from hometown hardware store to the global purchasing power of the chain. Clothing shops, hardware stores, variety and specialty venues start closing because they cannot compete with the streamlined, cut-down, mass appeal of the chain store and its slick advertising. Over the years, these large-scale operations managed from HQ, with their cheap, imported goods, have been nicknamed ‘Big-box Stores’ because that is how they receive their large quantities of imported goods. I have observed parallels between this phenomenon and that found in some in the mega-church movement — orders from HQ, instant funding, slick marketing, aggressive competition, and imported preaching and/or doctrine. There you have it, Big-box churches. Before the doors open, the competition for attendees and members begins. They boast of a full staff, programs for everyone, big budgets, and buildings from the very first Sunday, when it took most local community churches decades to build what they have.  

When I was a child, I enjoyed watching the old TV show The Little Rascals. If you are age forty or older, The Little Rascals needs no introduction. For those not familiar, the storyline was filled with the hilarious antics of a small gang of typical poor American children growing up in the mid-to-late 30’s in San Francisco, California. Despite their terrible poverty, these children managed to get into lots of exciting situations. In my favorite episode, the little darling of the gang, Darla, falls for the little rich boy who is moving into the neighborhood. The whole club gathered to watch as the big moving truck was being unloaded into the beautiful home. The newcomer boy had it all, the clothes, the hair, the house, but the thing that caught Darla’s attention was the bright red firetruck the movers just placed on the drive for the little boy! This wasn’t a small toy fire truck. It was a fire truck that a child could pedal and drive. The truck sat two, and Darla noticed. Leaving Alfalfa, her regular interest, Darla approached the new kid quickly, acquiring the second seat for herself just behind the driver. Alfalfa scorned, and the others of the gang humiliated, they were not deterred! They decided to build their own fire truck and make it long enough to seat the whole club. The result is fifteen minutes of hilarity!     

When I observe the Big-box churches as they enter a community, this scene comes to mind. The new kid moves in with a big budget and a smug invitation, which, unfortunately, has the same effect on some of the Lord’s people that the fire truck had on Darla — better toys means better boys! Let’s go!

By this time, you may be thinking, “Are you just crying bitter grapes?” Not at all. My thoughts go to Philippians 1:15-18, rejoicing in the proclamation of the gospel! Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (ESV)

Paul was encouraged that, despite the wrong motives and methods of these people, the message of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ was being preached. But, this is not to say that all was well, nor that Paul agreed with the people he references. Far from sour grapes, my aim about the Big-box churches is not to pick on them or envy them, but instead to emphasize what the average church can offer, which is very often missing from the mega-church. Perhaps you are part of a smaller local community church, and you feel discouraged that the things talked about above are or may happen to your congregation. Maybe you are asking yourself, What can our church do when people are pulled away by the hundreds, being lured with the attraction/competition model? Most likely, there is very little the average church can or should do. But beloved, all is not lost! 

Christ our Lord has not called His churches to compete with one another. He has called us to holiness, to worship, to preach the gospel, to baptize those who believe, and to teach them to obey Christ’s commandments. Let’s put our attention on these things. Notice the early church’s practice, When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-10 (ESV)

What do we have to offer, you ask? We have everything — everything that matters!

  • We have the Word of God taught and preached.
  • We have the Gospel of Jesus.
  • We have Biblical worship.
  • We have the Communion of the church.
  • We have Genuine Prayer.

As we grow in numbers, we will add ministries of all sorts, but these make a church. Christ calls His churches to be faithful disciples, live godly lives, and take the gospel to the lost. 

Let’s Pray Together, 

Pastor Scott

]]> From the moment these churches open, they offer attendees more than the average community church. Why call them ‘Big-box Churches?’ For years, we have watched large chain stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart arrive in cities, towns, and villages, offering ‘more for less.’ It doesn’t take the average consumer long to realize that the motto is true; more can be purchased for less. And thus the switch is quickly made from hometown hardware store to the global purchasing power of the chain. Clothing shops, hardware stores, variety and specialty venues start closing because they cannot compete with the streamlined, cut-down, mass appeal of the chain store and its slick advertising. Over the years, these large-scale operations managed from HQ, with their cheap, imported goods, have been nicknamed ‘Big-box Stores’ because that is how they receive their large quantities of imported goods. I have observed parallels between this phenomenon and that found in some in the mega-church movement — orders from HQ, instant funding, slick marketing, aggressive competition, and imported preaching and/or doctrine. There you have it, Big-box churches. Before the doors open, the competition for attendees and members begins. They boast of a full staff, programs for everyone, big budgets, and buildings from the very first Sunday, when it took most local community churches decades to build what they have.  

When I was a child, I enjoyed watching the old TV show The Little Rascals. If you are age forty or older, The Little Rascals needs no introduction. For those not familiar, the storyline was filled with the hilarious antics of a small gang of typical poor American children growing up in the mid-to-late 30’s in San Francisco, California. Despite their terrible poverty, these children managed to get into lots of exciting situations. In my favorite episode, the little darling of the gang, Darla, falls for the little rich boy who is moving into the neighborhood. The whole club gathered to watch as the big moving truck was being unloaded into the beautiful home. The newcomer boy had it all, the clothes, the hair, the house, but the thing that caught Darla’s attention was the bright red firetruck the movers just placed on the drive for the little boy! This wasn’t a small toy fire truck. It was a fire truck that a child could pedal and drive. The truck sat two, and Darla noticed. Leaving Alfalfa, her regular interest, Darla approached the new kid quickly, acquiring the second seat for herself just behind the driver. Alfalfa scorned, and the others of the gang humiliated, they were not deterred! They decided to build their own fire truck and make it long enough to seat the whole club. The result is fifteen minutes of hilarity!     

When I observe the Big-box churches as they enter a community, this scene comes to mind. The new kid moves in with a big budget and a smug invitation, which, unfortunately, has the same effect on some of the Lord’s people that the fire truck had on Darla — better toys means better boys! Let’s go!

By this time, you may be thinking, “Are you just crying bitter grapes?” Not at all. My thoughts go to Philippians 1:15-18, rejoicing in the proclamation of the gospel! Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (ESV)

Paul was encouraged that, despite the wrong motives and methods of these people, the message of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ was being preached. But, this is not to say that all was well, nor that Paul agreed with the people he references. Far from sour grapes, my aim about the Big-box churches is not to pick on them or envy them, but instead to emphasize what the average church can offer, which is very often missing from the mega-church. Perhaps you are part of a smaller local community church, and you feel discouraged that the things talked about above are or may happen to your congregation. Maybe you are asking yourself, What can our church do when people are pulled away by the hundreds, being lured with the attraction/competition model? Most likely, there is very little the average church can or should do. But beloved, all is not lost! 

Christ our Lord has not called His churches to compete with one another. He has called us to holiness, to worship, to preach the gospel, to baptize those who believe, and to teach them to obey Christ’s commandments. Let’s put our attention on these things. Notice the early church’s practice, When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-10 (ESV)

What do we have to offer, you ask? We have everything — everything that matters!

  • We have the Word of God taught and preached.
  • We have the Gospel of Jesus.
  • We have Biblical worship.
  • We have the Communion of the church.
  • We have Genuine Prayer.

As we grow in numbers, we will add ministries of all sorts, but these make a church. Christ calls His churches to be faithful disciples, live godly lives, and take the gospel to the lost. 

Let’s Pray Together, 

Pastor Scott

]]> Is Celebrating Thanksgiving Day in the Bible? https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/is-celebrating-thanksgiving-day-in-the-bible https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/is-celebrating-thanksgiving-day-in-the-bible#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:40:16 -0500 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/is-celebrating-thanksgiving-day-in-the-bible

Is Celebrating Thanksgiving Day in the Bible?

Read Ephesians 5:1-21 meditatively.

Recently, I read an article stating that Thanksgiving isn’t a biblical holiday because the Bible does not mention it. I laughed out loud! At best, this is a shallow assessment! Okay, I admit, technically, it is correct to say that the Bible doesn’t mention the American holiday we call Thanksgiving. On the other hand, that is only a surface-level statement. To argue such is to narrow the Christian's call to develop thankfulness to God in the home to the shores of America. That Thanksgiving Day was made an American national holiday is a thing to be commended, not critiqued. It is important to recognize that the practice of setting aside a day for giving thanks to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was already well established among the Christian Separatists we call “the Pilgrims.” My intention here is not to prop up the American holiday of Thanksgiving but to encourage Christians to grasp their calling to be the people in this fallen world who are characterized by giving thanks to the true and living God (1 Chronicles 16; Luke 17:18; Philippians 4:6) and to practice this act of worship in their homes and in the church buildings. 

It matters not if the American holiday we call Thanksgiving is derived from the Bible; the spirit of it is present on every page. The feast days of the Old Testament were not meant to be merely special “holy days” (Colossians 2:16-19). These divinely appointed special days were instituted by God to teach His people how to worship Him and seek Him for salvation. God’s people, Israel, were to be different from the people groups around them. Their worship was different. Their beliefs were different. Their relationships were different. Their home life was different. This is true because their God was different. God’s people do not take their direction from the surrounding culture, which the Apostle Paul says is not “thankful” (Romans 1:21-22). God’s redeemed people take their instructions from God’s revelation found in His Word, the Bible (John 17:13-19; 18:37). 

It is my prayer for you that this year will be a year filled with thanksgiving to God and honoring Him for giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our offering for our sins and our Savior forever!

Love You All In Christ,

Pastor Scott

]]>

Is Celebrating Thanksgiving Day in the Bible?

Read Ephesians 5:1-21 meditatively.

Recently, I read an article stating that Thanksgiving isn’t a biblical holiday because the Bible does not mention it. I laughed out loud! At best, this is a shallow assessment! Okay, I admit, technically, it is correct to say that the Bible doesn’t mention the American holiday we call Thanksgiving. On the other hand, that is only a surface-level statement. To argue such is to narrow the Christian's call to develop thankfulness to God in the home to the shores of America. That Thanksgiving Day was made an American national holiday is a thing to be commended, not critiqued. It is important to recognize that the practice of setting aside a day for giving thanks to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was already well established among the Christian Separatists we call “the Pilgrims.” My intention here is not to prop up the American holiday of Thanksgiving but to encourage Christians to grasp their calling to be the people in this fallen world who are characterized by giving thanks to the true and living God (1 Chronicles 16; Luke 17:18; Philippians 4:6) and to practice this act of worship in their homes and in the church buildings. 

It matters not if the American holiday we call Thanksgiving is derived from the Bible; the spirit of it is present on every page. The feast days of the Old Testament were not meant to be merely special “holy days” (Colossians 2:16-19). These divinely appointed special days were instituted by God to teach His people how to worship Him and seek Him for salvation. God’s people, Israel, were to be different from the people groups around them. Their worship was different. Their beliefs were different. Their relationships were different. Their home life was different. This is true because their God was different. God’s people do not take their direction from the surrounding culture, which the Apostle Paul says is not “thankful” (Romans 1:21-22). God’s redeemed people take their instructions from God’s revelation found in His Word, the Bible (John 17:13-19; 18:37). 

It is my prayer for you that this year will be a year filled with thanksgiving to God and honoring Him for giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our offering for our sins and our Savior forever!

Love You All In Christ,

Pastor Scott

]]> Let’s Make Praise Natural In Our Church https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/let-s-make-praise-natural-in-our-church https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/let-s-make-praise-natural-in-our-church#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:19:17 -0500 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/let-s-make-praise-natural-in-our-church Let’s Make Praise Natural In Our Church

I don’t know if it disturbs you as much as it does me, but when someone asks for praise, usually after prayer requests, we are tongue-tied. I know I even feel ashamed and embarrassed about it. I want to help us get over that problem, and I have several ideas. But I realized I need to pray for the Holy Spirit’s help. 

For one thing, it would help if we had some Bible verses related to praise. And also some hymn verses prepared, whether memorized or picked for the occasion. Not just the occasion, but doesn’t the Bible say, “His praise should continually be in our mouth?”  

Psalm 34:1–3

[1] I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

[2] My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

[3] Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! (ESV)

In other words, it should come naturally to us because He is worthy. 

WAIT! Isn’t that a song? We’ve already got some songs memorized!

“Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness…morning by morning new mercies I see.” “Amazing Grace…I once was lost but now I’m found!” “To God Be the Glory… great things He has done!” “In Christ alone my hope is found!” 

We could all go on and on if we just thought about it. We should PRACTICE PRAISE more so that we are ready to exercise it at any time! If we started practicing praise more often, it would roll more naturally from our tongue!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Virginia Ryalls 

]]> Let’s Make Praise Natural In Our Church

I don’t know if it disturbs you as much as it does me, but when someone asks for praise, usually after prayer requests, we are tongue-tied. I know I even feel ashamed and embarrassed about it. I want to help us get over that problem, and I have several ideas. But I realized I need to pray for the Holy Spirit’s help. 

For one thing, it would help if we had some Bible verses related to praise. And also some hymn verses prepared, whether memorized or picked for the occasion. Not just the occasion, but doesn’t the Bible say, “His praise should continually be in our mouth?”  

Psalm 34:1–3

[1] I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

[2] My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

[3] Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! (ESV)

In other words, it should come naturally to us because He is worthy. 

WAIT! Isn’t that a song? We’ve already got some songs memorized!

“Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness…morning by morning new mercies I see.” “Amazing Grace…I once was lost but now I’m found!” “To God Be the Glory… great things He has done!” “In Christ alone my hope is found!” 

We could all go on and on if we just thought about it. We should PRACTICE PRAISE more so that we are ready to exercise it at any time! If we started practicing praise more often, it would roll more naturally from our tongue!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Virginia Ryalls 

]]> Is The Gospel Woke? https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/is-the-gospel-woke https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/is-the-gospel-woke#comments Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:23:29 -0400 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/is-the-gospel-woke Is The Gospel Woke?

It’s Liberation Theology and There’s Nothing Just About It.

Great pressure is now being applied to the Evangelical and Reformed world to socialize the gospel. Groups, writers, seminaries, mission organizations, denominations, churches, and pastors are being marshaled to correct the injustices and ills of Western societies. This is all being done in the name of “applying the gospel.” For some, it is no longer enough to proclaim the gospel as it is contained in Scripture, that is, in its simplicity. But now, ministers and churches are suffering profound implications if they do not join the leftist agenda of so-called equality and reparations. It seems many of the guardians of the Faith have already bought into this. Is this the gospel? If so, why then did the early church not do the same? Rome was filled with injustices and inequalities, the correcting of which neither Jesus nor Paul, nor any of the Apostles, included as a gospel mandate. 

Is the WOKE movement in churches and denominations these days the gospel? Or, is it what was called in the early twentieth century ‘The Social Gospel’ rejuvenated? Suddenly, it seems, the gospel is not the simple historical and theological content of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. It may be observed in passages such as James 4 that the gospel has ramifications toward the injustices of a culture, but nowhere is it demonstrable that the Church is to include the correction of such into the great commission. Christ commissioned His Church to go throughout the world preaching the gospel, the contents of which Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 15.

What we are actually witnessing is a rebirth of liberalism (see Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen) in Evangelical and Reformed institutions. From the very beginning, this emphasis has not set well with me. It has had an activist flavor to it from the outset. Christ calls us to be disciples, not activists, and there is a chasm of meaning between the two! At first, I thought we were simply watching young evangelicals repeat a mistake, namely, the Social Gospel initiative of the early Twentieth Century. The longer I have followed this movement and its spokesmen, the more I have become convinced that it has a more left-leaning origin. By this, I am not accusing anyone in particular of being “leftist.” I am simply asking that the good men and women, who I attribute pure motives, who are buying into this movement, stop and investigate its real origins. Compare these findings with the New Testament mission of the Church. This initiative is strongly political, which its defenders accuse others of placing too much emphasis upon. 

According to The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Liberation Theology is “More of a movement that attempts to unite theology and sociopolitical concerns than a new school of theological theory. It is more accurate to speak of liberation theology in the plural, for these theologies of liberation find contemporary expression among blacks, feminists, Asians, Hispanics, Americans, and Native Americans.” According to D.D. Webster, there are at least four distinguishing factors that play strongly in the origin of the so-called Liberation Theology. The first factor is immediately significant. Webster points out that Liberation Theology is a post-Enlightenment theological movement whose ideas can be traced to people such as Kant, Hegel, and Karl Marx. As Marxist ideology sought advantage over America through its southern border, Communist ideology was sown into the religious beliefs of South American cultures. 

Secondly, Webster notes that Liberation Theology has been greatly influenced by European radical theologies like Metz, Cox, and Moltmann. Of course, this factor supports the premise of the above comments that South America was fed communist ideology using its deep Christian (Catholic) beliefs. One might say that theology was weaponized, as is often done by radical regimes. 

Thirdly, Webster notes that it is, for the most part, a Roman Catholic theological movement. Once again, this lends support to the first notion that liberation, i.e., the socialist practice of dividing a culture into many feuding parties warring for their “rights” (i.e., dominance). By this concept, they break apart a cohesive society to the point that a militaristic communist party will be able to force the many small parties into submission, thus parlaying itself into power. This entrance was facilitated through Roman Catholic theology simply because of the prevalence of Roman Catholicism in Latin America. The people’s Faith is used against them, and they do not realize it. This is shown in Webster’s fourth factor, noting how Liberation Theology has been uniquely situated in Latin America. It is taught by theologians who espouse this ideology that their people have been victimized by colonialism, imperialism, and multinational corporations. This movement is distinctively anti-capitalist, as should be expected considering its origin. 

To the Christian who learns the facts, it becomes clear that ‘Liberation Theology’ does not liberate. It is not a theology, but an ideology. Neither is it just, nor even about justice. It was a strategy to fragment an existing government, in America’s case, capitalism, so that it could be overthrown by a new government, socialism. It is a political movement that uses religious sentiment to fuel its movement and make ‘converts.’ 

Defenders of the WOKE Gospel may assert that I have overplayed the link between Marxist Liberation Theology sown in South America and the new WOKE Gospel. But wait, consider one more thing. Even if I am pushing the comparison between the Social Justice Gospel and Liberation Theology too far, a thoughtful, reasoned, and objective person must admit that if these are not the same, the similarities are too numerous and too dangerous to overlook. There is only one Gospel (Galatians 1), and all those who preach a different one are to be accursed in our eyes. 

Serving HIM Together, 

Pastor Scott

February 27, 2019

]]> Is The Gospel Woke?

It’s Liberation Theology and There’s Nothing Just About It.

Great pressure is now being applied to the Evangelical and Reformed world to socialize the gospel. Groups, writers, seminaries, mission organizations, denominations, churches, and pastors are being marshaled to correct the injustices and ills of Western societies. This is all being done in the name of “applying the gospel.” For some, it is no longer enough to proclaim the gospel as it is contained in Scripture, that is, in its simplicity. But now, ministers and churches are suffering profound implications if they do not join the leftist agenda of so-called equality and reparations. It seems many of the guardians of the Faith have already bought into this. Is this the gospel? If so, why then did the early church not do the same? Rome was filled with injustices and inequalities, the correcting of which neither Jesus nor Paul, nor any of the Apostles, included as a gospel mandate. 

Is the WOKE movement in churches and denominations these days the gospel? Or, is it what was called in the early twentieth century ‘The Social Gospel’ rejuvenated? Suddenly, it seems, the gospel is not the simple historical and theological content of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. It may be observed in passages such as James 4 that the gospel has ramifications toward the injustices of a culture, but nowhere is it demonstrable that the Church is to include the correction of such into the great commission. Christ commissioned His Church to go throughout the world preaching the gospel, the contents of which Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 15.

What we are actually witnessing is a rebirth of liberalism (see Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen) in Evangelical and Reformed institutions. From the very beginning, this emphasis has not set well with me. It has had an activist flavor to it from the outset. Christ calls us to be disciples, not activists, and there is a chasm of meaning between the two! At first, I thought we were simply watching young evangelicals repeat a mistake, namely, the Social Gospel initiative of the early Twentieth Century. The longer I have followed this movement and its spokesmen, the more I have become convinced that it has a more left-leaning origin. By this, I am not accusing anyone in particular of being “leftist.” I am simply asking that the good men and women, who I attribute pure motives, who are buying into this movement, stop and investigate its real origins. Compare these findings with the New Testament mission of the Church. This initiative is strongly political, which its defenders accuse others of placing too much emphasis upon. 

According to The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Liberation Theology is “More of a movement that attempts to unite theology and sociopolitical concerns than a new school of theological theory. It is more accurate to speak of liberation theology in the plural, for these theologies of liberation find contemporary expression among blacks, feminists, Asians, Hispanics, Americans, and Native Americans.” According to D.D. Webster, there are at least four distinguishing factors that play strongly in the origin of the so-called Liberation Theology. The first factor is immediately significant. Webster points out that Liberation Theology is a post-Enlightenment theological movement whose ideas can be traced to people such as Kant, Hegel, and Karl Marx. As Marxist ideology sought advantage over America through its southern border, Communist ideology was sown into the religious beliefs of South American cultures. 

Secondly, Webster notes that Liberation Theology has been greatly influenced by European radical theologies like Metz, Cox, and Moltmann. Of course, this factor supports the premise of the above comments that South America was fed communist ideology using its deep Christian (Catholic) beliefs. One might say that theology was weaponized, as is often done by radical regimes. 

Thirdly, Webster notes that it is, for the most part, a Roman Catholic theological movement. Once again, this lends support to the first notion that liberation, i.e., the socialist practice of dividing a culture into many feuding parties warring for their “rights” (i.e., dominance). By this concept, they break apart a cohesive society to the point that a militaristic communist party will be able to force the many small parties into submission, thus parlaying itself into power. This entrance was facilitated through Roman Catholic theology simply because of the prevalence of Roman Catholicism in Latin America. The people’s Faith is used against them, and they do not realize it. This is shown in Webster’s fourth factor, noting how Liberation Theology has been uniquely situated in Latin America. It is taught by theologians who espouse this ideology that their people have been victimized by colonialism, imperialism, and multinational corporations. This movement is distinctively anti-capitalist, as should be expected considering its origin. 

To the Christian who learns the facts, it becomes clear that ‘Liberation Theology’ does not liberate. It is not a theology, but an ideology. Neither is it just, nor even about justice. It was a strategy to fragment an existing government, in America’s case, capitalism, so that it could be overthrown by a new government, socialism. It is a political movement that uses religious sentiment to fuel its movement and make ‘converts.’ 

Defenders of the WOKE Gospel may assert that I have overplayed the link between Marxist Liberation Theology sown in South America and the new WOKE Gospel. But wait, consider one more thing. Even if I am pushing the comparison between the Social Justice Gospel and Liberation Theology too far, a thoughtful, reasoned, and objective person must admit that if these are not the same, the similarities are too numerous and too dangerous to overlook. There is only one Gospel (Galatians 1), and all those who preach a different one are to be accursed in our eyes. 

Serving HIM Together, 

Pastor Scott

February 27, 2019

]]> Don’t Hold Back in 2025! https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/don-t-hold-back-in-2025 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/don-t-hold-back-in-2025#comments Fri, 03 Jan 2025 17:00:00 -0500 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/don-t-hold-back-in-2025 We’ve all heard the saying, “Most people who quit and walked away from a goal would be shocked if they knew how close they were to success.” Ecclesiastes, no doubt, instructs that ‘there is a time to persevere and a time to cease laboring at a thing.’ But having acknowledged The Preacher’s wisdom, the admonition to not give up too quickly should never be ignored. The harsh reality is that which impedes one’s success at a thing is most regularly self. This principle holds in the things of God’s kingdom. For all the blame we lay on the Devil, usually, he has little to do with our sins and spiritual failings. James, the Lord’s half-brother, wrote about this regarding prayer when he penned, “You have not because you ask not, and when you ask you desire only to consume to satisfy your lusts” (James 4:1-4). No wonder he refers to them as “Adulterers and Adulteresses.” But my purpose here is not to take on the prophetic tone of James, but more like the ‘voice of the beggar who tells another where food may be found.’ 

This Advent we worked through the messianic theme of ‘comfort’ in the Book of Isaiah. If you couldn’t attend this Christmas, I encourage you to listen to all five of these studies on our YouTube Channel: cogginschurch@youtube.com . One of the main features in Isaiah we emphasized was that though God announced coming judgment for the sins arrogantly committed against Him, He followed all such warnings with profound promises of His love and plan for His covenant people. 

Isaiah uses“Awake, Awake” several times in an inspired play on words. When these are compared, a powerful, life-changing message appears. The first time we read “Awake! Awake!” it is spoken from the mouths of God’s people to Him (Is. 51:9). They are crying out to God to wake up from sleep and come speedily to help them. Don’t misunderstand, this is not the cry of faith, but of accusation. God’s people feel like God is idle, not protecting them, and not working on their behalf — not keeping His covenant. They believe this because of the tragedy they are experiencing as a nation. 

Then we read the commands twice more: “Awake! Awake!” (Is. 51:17;52:1,11). The difference, and the message, this time becomes hauntingly clear. This time God speaks. The Lord speaks through Isaiah in reply to Israel and Judah’s accusation that He has not blessed them. God returns the cry to His covenant people, saying, in essence: ‘You are the ones who sleep and are in dire need to awaken to the covenant promises given you.’ You see, God’s people already had His presence, power, and future blessings in His covenant. It was they who had neglected Him, not He that neglected them. 

Beloved, what may we take away from this for the coming year of 2025? I take from this, and I encourage you to do this as well, that we must stop allowing our sins, lack of faith and trust, and our love for self to keep us from experiencing the success that our Lord Jesus Christ has for us. Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians that all of the promises of God, in Jesus Christ, are ‘yes and amen’ (2 Cor. 1:20). Let’s pursue His best for Coggins this year — together. 

Serving Him Together, 

Pastor Scott     

]]> We’ve all heard the saying, “Most people who quit and walked away from a goal would be shocked if they knew how close they were to success.” Ecclesiastes, no doubt, instructs that ‘there is a time to persevere and a time to cease laboring at a thing.’ But having acknowledged The Preacher’s wisdom, the admonition to not give up too quickly should never be ignored. The harsh reality is that which impedes one’s success at a thing is most regularly self. This principle holds in the things of God’s kingdom. For all the blame we lay on the Devil, usually, he has little to do with our sins and spiritual failings. James, the Lord’s half-brother, wrote about this regarding prayer when he penned, “You have not because you ask not, and when you ask you desire only to consume to satisfy your lusts” (James 4:1-4). No wonder he refers to them as “Adulterers and Adulteresses.” But my purpose here is not to take on the prophetic tone of James, but more like the ‘voice of the beggar who tells another where food may be found.’ 

This Advent we worked through the messianic theme of ‘comfort’ in the Book of Isaiah. If you couldn’t attend this Christmas, I encourage you to listen to all five of these studies on our YouTube Channel: cogginschurch@youtube.com . One of the main features in Isaiah we emphasized was that though God announced coming judgment for the sins arrogantly committed against Him, He followed all such warnings with profound promises of His love and plan for His covenant people. 

Isaiah uses“Awake, Awake” several times in an inspired play on words. When these are compared, a powerful, life-changing message appears. The first time we read “Awake! Awake!” it is spoken from the mouths of God’s people to Him (Is. 51:9). They are crying out to God to wake up from sleep and come speedily to help them. Don’t misunderstand, this is not the cry of faith, but of accusation. God’s people feel like God is idle, not protecting them, and not working on their behalf — not keeping His covenant. They believe this because of the tragedy they are experiencing as a nation. 

Then we read the commands twice more: “Awake! Awake!” (Is. 51:17;52:1,11). The difference, and the message, this time becomes hauntingly clear. This time God speaks. The Lord speaks through Isaiah in reply to Israel and Judah’s accusation that He has not blessed them. God returns the cry to His covenant people, saying, in essence: ‘You are the ones who sleep and are in dire need to awaken to the covenant promises given you.’ You see, God’s people already had His presence, power, and future blessings in His covenant. It was they who had neglected Him, not He that neglected them. 

Beloved, what may we take away from this for the coming year of 2025? I take from this, and I encourage you to do this as well, that we must stop allowing our sins, lack of faith and trust, and our love for self to keep us from experiencing the success that our Lord Jesus Christ has for us. Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians that all of the promises of God, in Jesus Christ, are ‘yes and amen’ (2 Cor. 1:20). Let’s pursue His best for Coggins this year — together. 

Serving Him Together, 

Pastor Scott     

]]> Do You Feel Like Running? https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/do-you-feel-like-running https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/do-you-feel-like-running#comments Thu, 19 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/do-you-feel-like-running Starting well has its challenges but continuing takes perseverance. Pastor John MacArthur, a former college track runner, illustrates this truth well. 

“The race started wonderfully--our first runner ran such a great opening quarter-mile leg that as he passed the baton to me, we were tied for the lead. I ran as hard as I could, and as I passed the baton to our third runner, we were in first place. I thought we had an excellent chance to win--our fourth runner was especially fast. 

Our third runner took off like lightning around the first curve and down the backstretch. And then the unthinkable happened. He stopped suddenly, walked off the track, and sat down on the grass. I ran over to him, thinking he must have pulled a muscle. When I reached him, he didn't look like he was in pain, so I asked what was wrong. I'll never forget his reply. All he said was, "I don't know--I just didn't feel like running today."

Sadly, many people are like that runner. Somewhere along the way they stopped pursuing a deep, loving relationship with Christ, walked off His path of righteousness, and sat down to rest in their self-righteousness and the ease of worldly pleasures. But allegiance and love to Christ demand a lifelong commitment. As our Lord Himself said, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).”

When a person finds himself in a spiritual malaise he can be tempted to drop service for Christ so that he may, “give himself a break.” There are, indeed, times when the Lord calls His servants away to rejuvenate. But every believer must give prayerful consideration to the Lord’s will in this matter. In serving Christ there is both power and purpose, two things greatly needed in a spiritual slump.

As lovingly as I know, allow me to encourage you to do one thing – just one. Take 15 minutes, today, to get alone with God. After praising and thanking Him for being awesome and gracious in giving His Son Jesus, pause quietly for a minute or two. Then break the silence with this question, “Lord, how in Your service do you want me to invest my life?” The Apostle Paul asked, “Lord what will you have me do?” After his dramatic conversion he was told to go and wait and, “he would be told what to do” (Acts 9:5, 6). Paul obeyed and direction came through another of God’s servants, Ananias. 

Do you feel like running today?       

Love You All, 

Pastor Scott

]]> Starting well has its challenges but continuing takes perseverance. Pastor John MacArthur, a former college track runner, illustrates this truth well. 

“The race started wonderfully--our first runner ran such a great opening quarter-mile leg that as he passed the baton to me, we were tied for the lead. I ran as hard as I could, and as I passed the baton to our third runner, we were in first place. I thought we had an excellent chance to win--our fourth runner was especially fast. 

Our third runner took off like lightning around the first curve and down the backstretch. And then the unthinkable happened. He stopped suddenly, walked off the track, and sat down on the grass. I ran over to him, thinking he must have pulled a muscle. When I reached him, he didn't look like he was in pain, so I asked what was wrong. I'll never forget his reply. All he said was, "I don't know--I just didn't feel like running today."

Sadly, many people are like that runner. Somewhere along the way they stopped pursuing a deep, loving relationship with Christ, walked off His path of righteousness, and sat down to rest in their self-righteousness and the ease of worldly pleasures. But allegiance and love to Christ demand a lifelong commitment. As our Lord Himself said, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).”

When a person finds himself in a spiritual malaise he can be tempted to drop service for Christ so that he may, “give himself a break.” There are, indeed, times when the Lord calls His servants away to rejuvenate. But every believer must give prayerful consideration to the Lord’s will in this matter. In serving Christ there is both power and purpose, two things greatly needed in a spiritual slump.

As lovingly as I know, allow me to encourage you to do one thing – just one. Take 15 minutes, today, to get alone with God. After praising and thanking Him for being awesome and gracious in giving His Son Jesus, pause quietly for a minute or two. Then break the silence with this question, “Lord, how in Your service do you want me to invest my life?” The Apostle Paul asked, “Lord what will you have me do?” After his dramatic conversion he was told to go and wait and, “he would be told what to do” (Acts 9:5, 6). Paul obeyed and direction came through another of God’s servants, Ananias. 

Do you feel like running today?       

Love You All, 

Pastor Scott

]]> I Grew Up In Church But, ... https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/i-grew-up-in-church-but- https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/i-grew-up-in-church-but-#comments Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:00:00 -0400 https://www.cogginsbaptist.org/blog/post/i-grew-up-in-church-but- "I Grew Up In Church But,..." 

When Jacob Met His Father’s God

The Patriarch Jacob was like many who grew up in the church. He knew about God. He'd watched his parents worship and build their lives around the biblical faith. He wasn't opposed to it. He sort of believed it too. But in reality, Jacob had not come to God himself. He was coasting off his father's faith if the truth were told.

Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. [11] And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. [12] And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! [13] And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. [14] Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. [15] Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” [16] Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” [17] And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. [19] He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. [20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, [21] so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, [22] and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” Genesis 28:10–22 (ESV)

Do you fear God? Do we as Christians and as a Christian Church fear God? Should believers fear God? Didn’t Jesus die so that we wouldn’t have to fear God anymore? What does it mean to fear God? Are there different kinds of fear toward God? Can we fear God and rejoice in His love simultaneously?

Expositors generally agree that the central theme in this story is the reality of the ongoing activity of God on earth for His glory and the good of His people. This work of God is ever-present. God’s invisible supervision on behalf of His people never ceases. God never sleeps nor does He pause His work in this world. His angelic agents are furiously and faithfully executing, defending, answering, protecting, and carrying out the will of the King of Heaven twenty-four hours a day. 

Jacob, as well as every one of us, never left or ceased to be in God’s presence but he (Jacob) was very often unaware of it. Nor had this lack of awareness made his belief in the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac, invalid or insincere. But, as with Job, Jacob had not, up to this point, experienced the presence of God as intimately as he did here at Beth-el. Scripture says here that when Jacob awoke he was “afraid” and exclaimed that this place was “awesome” because God was there and he did not know it. At once let us acknowledge together that the importance of the place was secondary to the Person. This spot was important to Jacob because the “Almighty God” had met with him there. The terms “afraid” and “awesome” literally mean “dread” in the sense of trembling awe and veneration. 

Whether or not this is Jacob’s conversion remains to be proven but what we can agree on is that it was certainly here at Beth-el that Jacob met God, “the Fear of Isaac” his father (Genesis 31:42). After truly meeting God, for Himself, his worship of God was forever changed. Perhaps you have worshipped God from afar, through a parent or grandparent when if you were, to be honest, you haven’t come to God yourself. When we are young, we learn about God from the adults in our lives but there comes a time when we must meet God ourselves to be saved. It is fearful but it is life-changing.

Genesis 28:10-22; Psalm 31:19; 128; Acts 9:31

Love you all, 

Pastor Scott

]]> "I Grew Up In Church But,..." 

When Jacob Met His Father’s God

The Patriarch Jacob was like many who grew up in the church. He knew about God. He'd watched his parents worship and build their lives around the biblical faith. He wasn't opposed to it. He sort of believed it too. But in reality, Jacob had not come to God himself. He was coasting off his father's faith if the truth were told.

Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. [11] And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. [12] And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! [13] And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. [14] Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. [15] Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” [16] Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” [17] And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. [19] He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. [20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, [21] so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, [22] and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” Genesis 28:10–22 (ESV)

Do you fear God? Do we as Christians and as a Christian Church fear God? Should believers fear God? Didn’t Jesus die so that we wouldn’t have to fear God anymore? What does it mean to fear God? Are there different kinds of fear toward God? Can we fear God and rejoice in His love simultaneously?

Expositors generally agree that the central theme in this story is the reality of the ongoing activity of God on earth for His glory and the good of His people. This work of God is ever-present. God’s invisible supervision on behalf of His people never ceases. God never sleeps nor does He pause His work in this world. His angelic agents are furiously and faithfully executing, defending, answering, protecting, and carrying out the will of the King of Heaven twenty-four hours a day. 

Jacob, as well as every one of us, never left or ceased to be in God’s presence but he (Jacob) was very often unaware of it. Nor had this lack of awareness made his belief in the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac, invalid or insincere. But, as with Job, Jacob had not, up to this point, experienced the presence of God as intimately as he did here at Beth-el. Scripture says here that when Jacob awoke he was “afraid” and exclaimed that this place was “awesome” because God was there and he did not know it. At once let us acknowledge together that the importance of the place was secondary to the Person. This spot was important to Jacob because the “Almighty God” had met with him there. The terms “afraid” and “awesome” literally mean “dread” in the sense of trembling awe and veneration. 

Whether or not this is Jacob’s conversion remains to be proven but what we can agree on is that it was certainly here at Beth-el that Jacob met God, “the Fear of Isaac” his father (Genesis 31:42). After truly meeting God, for Himself, his worship of God was forever changed. Perhaps you have worshipped God from afar, through a parent or grandparent when if you were, to be honest, you haven’t come to God yourself. When we are young, we learn about God from the adults in our lives but there comes a time when we must meet God ourselves to be saved. It is fearful but it is life-changing.

Genesis 28:10-22; Psalm 31:19; 128; Acts 9:31

Love you all, 

Pastor Scott

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