Category Archives: Church

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Ch11 True Praise

True Praise

By David Cox

[ch11] v1 ©2012 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be reproduced for non-profit purposes.




Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Deut 10:20-21

What is praise? How is it different from worship? (according to the Bible of course). Well, praise is to say something good about somebody. If a mother rises at 5:00 AM every day to prepare a good breakfast for her kids, does other beneficial things, then her children may “praise her” for the good that she has done them. When they do this publicly, then that is praise. So in praise, we publicly recognize the acts of God for humanity which are good, great, and excellent, and in so doing, reflect God’s benevolent character.

Psa. 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. In a sense, God dwells in these “praises of men”. God is highly pleased when men praise Him. The Psalmist presents God as living or inhabiting in the midst of these praises.

Psa 148:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. We are to praise our God because He is worthy to be praised (2Sam 22:4; 1Chr. 16:25). Praise begins and focuses on God. Praise does not start out as something emotional (although it can get emotional), but it is a spiritual activity of the will, something we are obligated to do. Praise is spiritual, and is created by the mind and soul meditating on God before seeking to be moved by the emotions (it neither excludes the emotion nor exalts them but allows them when it is appropriate). Continue reading →

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ch13 Why we are Independent

Why we are Independent

by David Cox
[ch13] v1 ©2008 www.coxtracts.com
You may freely print this tract for non-profit use



Why we are not part of a denomination or ecclesiastic hierarchy

At times people ask me, “Why aren’t you part of a denomination group?” Others agree that they are not part of a denomination either, but they are part of church fellowships that come to be almost the same thing. A denomination is a hierarchy over local churches where they supervise from above the local church.

The Biblical Model

The Bible presents a model for churches that is each church is a local independent church, autonomous, not making hierarchies or authorities over churches.

The Dominion of Peter. The Catholic Church declares that they are the biblical authority over every church with Peter as the first pope, and all “legitimate” churches have to be subject under their pope, “the Victor of Christ.” Peter was the worse apostle with many errors because he is the only one who Jesus himself said “Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me” Mat 16:23. Moreover, Paul had to rebuke Peter over his doctrine and poor conduct because of his errors (Gal 2:11). The poor example of Peter teaches us that men are not reliable. We have to base ourselves on an inspired Bible, not men, nor on the apostles. It is against the will of God that we follow men that “draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). Then Paul, being a missionary who was not one of the apostles, corrected the principal figure among the apostles. Paul, working outside of an official commission by the apostles, was nonetheless recognized (Gal 2:9) by “the pillars” of the faith (James, Cephas, and John) even though he had no formal relationship with them. This is not to boast of his independence, but rather to realize who has authority in the church. It is not a spiritual father (guru) (Mat 23:8-10), nor the principle people in the church, nor the church as a human organization (where we historically came from), but rather who adheres best to Scriptures.

The Independence of Paul. Paul came after Peter and was a novice when the Apostle Peter was well established among the Apostles, but Paul was authorized directly from God. False teachers were coming from Jerusalem saying that all had to be circumcised in addition to believing in Christ (Acts 15:1-2). The church in Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas leading them, confronted this heresy, and in the end, they went to Jerusalem to rebuke it. By being “the Jerusalem mother church” (Acts 11:19-21) did not make them immune from rebuke or doctrinal examination. The discussion and logic of Scriptures were what had/has the authority of God, and not any “mother church.”

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ch43 Time to leave your church?

When is it time to leave your church?
By David Cox
[ch43] v1 ©2011 www.coxtracts.com
You may freely reproduce this tract for non-profit purposes



Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.

Every good Christian will have a serious relationship with a group of brethren (a local church) of the same faith and practice that you have, and if you have incorporated yourself into their activities and fellowship, leaving will be difficult, and it should be. Your reasons for leaving should be taken because of definite events, attitudes, practices, or doctrines in that church that make you feel that you are “not the same as they are”, that they do not have the same love of Christ as you, because they do not follow Christ according to Scripture (in teachings, doctrine, practices, attitudes, etc), there is a rupture between you that forces your physical separation from that group. You should first try to examine your own spirit, to see if you are wrong, then talk with leaders in the church group to try and resolve the problem. After prayer, no resolution, you need to go to the pastor or leaders and tell them you are troubled, and will seek another church. Continue reading →

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ch47 The Christian and His Money

The Christian and his Money
By David Cox

[ch47] v2 ©2011 www.coxtracts.com/ch47
You may print and photocopy freely this tract

A tract on the correct attitude of a Christian towards his money and wealth. TOPICS: The Danger of Covetousness | Covetousness is an idol | The requirement for Leaders | The False Prophet and his Covetousness | Conclusion

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ch22 Pastorless Flocks

Pastorless Flocks

Is it biblical for a church to be without a pastor?
By David Cox
[ch22] v1 ©2006 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely reproduced for non-profit use



The argument goes something like this. “Pastors are bad because they are dictators, and this is not biblical, then we should not have pastors. According to us, the Bible teaches that each church should have a plurality of elders where none is over any of the others, and no one is ‘in charge’, but everybody is equal. Each mature brother in the church should work as his heart leads him. The church won’t have economic problems like this…” This is like never going to another doctor because you went to one that made matters worse and overcharged you. Find a good doctor but don’t cross off all doctors! For those who assert that the ministry of pastor is not biblical, there is a simple answer, why does the word then occur in the Bible? Is it not a biblical concept? The word and concept are completely biblical, so why do people reject it? Continue reading →

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ch28 Difference between sheep and goats?

Do you know the difference between a sheep and a goat?
Profile of goats
By David Cox
[ch28] v1 ©2008 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely reproduced for non-profit use.


“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” Mat 25:32-33

The Bible describes the truly saved ones as sheep. But it also speaks of goats among the sheep. The difference between the two is tremendous. Have you considered how you fit into one of these categories, sheep or goat? Continue reading →

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ch18 Supporting your Pastor

Supporting your Pastor

Supporting your Pastor:

Suggestions for churches and members about supporting their pastor
By David Cox
[ch18] v1 ©2008 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely reproduced for non-profit use



And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 1Th 5:12-13 Continue reading →

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ch15 Congregating because we Love

Congregating because we Love

Congregating because we Love is a tract about why we attend church. Our relationship with our brethren in Christ is highly integrated with our salvation. This tract, Congregating because we Love, explains part of that. Congregating because we Love

By Pastor-Missionary David Cox
[CH15] v2©2013 www.coxtracts.com
You may freely reprint and copy this tract for free distribution




Psa 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. 

Psa. 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

Salvation is often misunderstood. When God saved us, He made us part of the redeemed and the body of Christ. Salvation unites us with the community of the redeemed, the community of faith, with the saved by Jesus Christ. Believers get together the day God chose (Sunday) for the purposes He chose. Salvation is not something isolated from the present until after death, but is something that is active, dynamic, and fills our life from the moment of salvation until our death and for all eternity.

The life of every believer should be centred in communion with the other redeemed in the church, and afterwards in heaven. Heaven is to live together with God and the rest of the redeemed. God had his purposes in saving us, and the main purpose is to form us into part of His work (extending the kingdom of God) for His glory. We should shine our best for God before the world. Continue reading →

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ch45 Grading a Bible Teacher

Grading Your Bible Teacher

Grading a Bible Teacher is a guide for understanding the false or bad teacher of the Bible from a true man of God.

Grading a Bible Teacher

By David Cox v1 © 2011
[ch45] www.coxtracts.com
Permission is given to photocopy for non-profit use




For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2Tim 4:3

Today it is in fashion to reject the traditional local church and a good pastor in order to sit under expert Bible teachers. Typically these are charismatic personality teachers, that people just love to hear. From hearing their followers, “everybody should leave their local churches and come study with these great teachers.” The Bible has a response to this, and it is the model for learning which God has given us, in a local church with a qualified pastor. Continue reading →

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ch31 3Bs of success: buildings, bodies, and bucks

The 3Bs of Success: Buildings, Bodies, and Bucks

Revealing Modern Goals, evaluating our ideas about success
By David Cox
[ch31] v1 ©2006 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely printed as long as it is not altered.
ch31 3Bs of success: buildings, bodies, and bucks




In our modern world, the church has, unfortunately, become like the world instead of having a godly influence in the world to restrain sin in the world. The church of our day has lost its “saltiness.” The most disappointing part of this trend is to see what happens in the name of the Holy God of the heavens in modern churches. Money and fame has become the focus. Today the most important church employee is the church accountant! They are elevated to a “ministry” position and extremely well paid. We can do without a pianist, but not without a church accountant! The modern focus is in three areas, Bodies, Buildings, and Bucks. We can add boasting (fame and glory) here also. We are taught that a preacher is not important, and his ministry is insignificant before God and man if he does not have great success in these four areas. Foreign and strange is the idea of a humble man of God serving in a small backwater of America, where only faithfulness to God’s call is important. Continue reading →