Cortez church of Christ

06/09/2026

Unearthing Jesus

Finding Jesus means finding His Word. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through His spoken and written message. The prophet Jeremiah declared, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). God's Word is not merely information to be read; it is spiritual nourishment to be received and treasured.
Jesus Himself is called “the Word” (John 1:1, 14). Therefore, when we seek to know Christ, we must turn to the Scriptures that testify of Him. Jesus told the Jews, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me” (John 5:39). The Bible reveals His character, His teachings, His sacrifice, and His will for our lives.
Finding God's Word requires diligence. The psalmist rejoiced, saying, “I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil” (Psalm 119:162). Just as a treasure hunter searches for hidden riches, Christians should seek God's truth with eager hearts.
When we find and obey God's Word, it lights our path (Psalm 119:105), strengthens our faith (Romans 10:17), and draws us closer to Jesus, the source of eternal life.

Finding Jesus means finding His Word. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through His spoken and written message. The prophet Jeremiah declared, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your w

06/02/2026

The Bible teaches that those who go to heaven are those who have been reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NASB). Salvation is not earned by good works but is received as a gift of God's grace through faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith... not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Those who repent of their sins and place their trust in Christ receive forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus promised, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The apostle Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
The evidence of genuine faith is a transformed life that seeks to follow Christ (James 2:17). While believers still struggle with sin, they are clothed in Christ's righteousness and adopted as God's children (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:15–17). Therefore, heaven belongs to those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The Bible teaches that those who go to heaven are those who have been reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the F

05/29/2026

05/26/2026

In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the desire for “just one more thing.” God had already given them dominion over creation and freedom to eat from every tree except one—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16–17). Yet the serpent appealed to their desire for more. In Genesis 3:1–5, Satan questioned God’s word and suggested that God was withholding something beneficial from them. He told Eve, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).
The temptation was not merely about fruit; it was about seeking more wisdom, more power, and more independence than God had already provided. Eve saw that the tree was “good for food,” “pleasant to the eyes,” and “desirable to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Adam willingly joined her in disobedience. Their pursuit of one forbidden thing brought sin, shame, and separation from God into the world (Romans 5:12).
This account reveals how Satan often tempts people by convincing them that God’s provision is not enough and that fulfillment can be found outside of obedience to Him.

n the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the desire for “just one more thing.” God had already given them dominion over creation and freedom to eat from every tree except one—the tree of

05/19/2026

The Bible teaches that God distinguishes between deliberate sin and sins committed in ignorance, while still holding all people accountable for sin. Under the Old Covenant, God provided specific sacrifices for unintentional sins. Leviticus 4 describes offerings made when a person sinned “unintentionally” against God’s commandments. This revealed both God’s holiness and His mercy toward human weakness. Numbers 15:27–29 likewise states that forgiveness was available for those who sinned unknowingly, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners among them.
In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledged ignorance as a factor in human sinfulness. While hanging on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The apostle Paul also testified that he had previously acted “ignorantly in unbelief” when persecuting Christians, yet he received mercy from God (1 Timothy 1:13).
However, ignorance does not make sin harmless. Acts 17:30 says that although God overlooked times of ignorance, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. Scripture teaches that God is compassionate toward those who sin unknowingly, yet He still calls every person to repentance, truth, and obedience through Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that God distinguishes between deliberate sin and sins committed in ignorance, while still holding all people accountable for sin. Under the Old Covenant, God provided specific sacri

05/05/2026

God’s character is marked by perfect justice and impartiality. Scripture consistently teaches that He does not show favoritism based on status, wealth, ethnicity, or outward appearance. In Acts 10:34–35, Peter declares, “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” This truth reveals that God’s judgment is rooted in righteousness, not human distinctions.
Similarly, Romans 2:11 affirms, “For God shows no partiality,” emphasizing that all people are accountable before Him. Whether Jew or Gentile, all stand equal in their need for grace and in their responsibility for sin. God’s fairness is also seen in Deuteronomy 10:17, which describes Him as “the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”
This impartiality carries practical implications for believers. James 2:1 warns against showing favoritism, calling Christians to reflect God’s character in their treatment of others. Because God values each person equally, His people are to do the same—honoring others without bias or prejudice.
Ultimately, God’s lack of partiality magnifies His mercy. Salvation through Christ is offered to all, not earned by privilege but given by grace, inviting every person to come in faith.

God’s character is marked by perfect justice and impartiality. Scripture consistently teaches that He does not show favoritism based on status, wealth, ethnicity, or outward appearance. In Acts 10:34–

04/28/2026

Returning to God is a central theme throughout Scripture, marked by repentance, humility, and renewed trust. In Joel2:12–13, the Lord calls, “Return to me with all your heart… rend your heart and not your garments.” This shows that true return is not outward ritual but inward transformation. Similarly, Isaiah 55:7 urges the wicked to forsake their ways and turn to the Lord, who “will have mercy… and abundantly pardon.”
The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32 beautifully illustrates this truth. When the son returns after rebellion, the father runs to him, showing God’s readiness to forgive and restore. This aligns with 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.”
Returning to God also involves renewed obedience. In James 4:8, believers are told, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This promise assures that God responds to those who seek Him sincerely.
Ultimately, returning to God is not about earning favor but responding to His grace. Through repentance and faith, believers are restored to fellowship, experiencing the fullness of His mercy and love.

Returning to God is a central theme throughout Scripture, marked by repentance, humility, and renewed trust. In Joel2:12–13, the Lord calls, “Return to me with all your heart… rend your heart and not

04/21/2026

The fall of man is the biblical account of humanity’s first sin and its consequences. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, despite His command (Genesis 2:16–17). This act of rebellion introduces sin, shame, and separation from God into the human experience. As a result, the ground is cursed, pain and toil enter life, and humanity is expelled from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:16–24). The Apostle Paul later explains the broader impact: “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12).
Yet even in judgment, God reveals His plan for redemption. In Genesis 3:15, often called the “protoevangelium,” God promises that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head, pointing forward to Christ. Redemption is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who reverses the effects of the fall. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides forgiveness of sins and restores relationship with God (Ephesians 1:7).
Thus, while the fall brought sin and death, redemption through Christ offers grace, life, and hope for all who believe.

The fall of man is the biblical account of humanity’s first sin and its consequences. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, despite His comm

04/14/2026

James 2 presents a clear and challenging teaching on the relationship between faith and works. James argues that genuine faith is not merely intellectual belief but is demonstrated through action. In James 2:17, he writes, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This means that a claim to faith without corresponding obedience or compassion lacks substance.
James uses practical examples to illustrate his point. If someone sees a brother or sister in need and offers only kind words without meeting their physical needs, such “faith” is empty (James 2:15–16). True faith responds with action. He also points to Abraham, whose willingness to offer Isaac showed that his faith was active and complete through obedience (James 2:21–22). Likewise, Rahab demonstrated faith by protecting the spies, proving that her belief led to courageous action.
Importantly, James is not contradicting salvation by grace, but emphasizing that authentic faith naturally produces good works. Works are not the cause of salvation but the evidence of it. As James concludes in 2:26, “as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” True faith lives, moves, and reveals itself through what we do.

James 2 presents a clear and challenging teaching on the relationship between faith and works. James argues that genuine faith is not merely intellectual belief but is demonstrated through action. In