The “Kingdom of God,” sometimes called the “Kingdom of Heaven,” is a very broad subject. There is one application of the Kingdom of which each and every one of the elect family of God are members (Mat. 13:38). There is another application of the Kingdom which deals with the fact that the children of God who have…
By Elder Chris McCool, Pastor The world’s theory of success can be summed up in the immortal (and false!) words of Ricky Bobby from the movie “Talladega Nights”: “If you’re not first, you’re last!” As many people do, he lived his life always promoting himself and putting others last. Jesus, on the other hand, taught…
Abraham was a wanderer who never built any permanent cities, but rather dwelt in tents. But as he moved around the Middle East, he often encamped near some larger cities. In this message, Pastor Chris McCool expounds upon the types and shadows of these cities and shares with us how they reflect the present journey…
by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor Up to this point, Jesus has been teaching his disciples gently about His true purpose in coming to earth, and walking beside them in the way. But here we read that He “went before them, and they were amazed,” and then He taught them in plain words about what He…
In the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, a rich young man came running to Jesus with an urgent question: what must I do to inherit eternal life? Rather than rebuke him outright for his misunderstanding about how to get eternal life, Jesus answered him according to his way of thinking. In doing so,…
By Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (November 15, 2020) One of the primary implications of the Cross was the renewed emphasis on charity (love) instead of Law: legalism will destroy the Kingdom of God, whereas love will enrich it! Thus teaches Jesus in this passage, using the example of marriage and children in the Kingdom. Please…
By Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (11/1/2020) When we aren’t sure where to go, the best place to go is to Jesus. In this sermon, Pastor Chris McCool points us to Paul’s admonition to “know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” What we need most of all in this sin-cursed, tribulation-filled world is to know…
By Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (November 1, 2020) In this message, Elder Chris McCool continues his exposition of Mark 9 as Jesus teaches some lessons to His disciples about the implications of His upcoming death, burial, and resurrection. While they did not fully grasp all that He was teaching them, nonetheless He showed them how…
By Elder Chris McCool, Pastor Slowly but surely, Jesus was gently leading His disciples into an understanding of the true purpose of His incarnation: the Cross of Calvary. In illuminating their minds about the Cross, He taught them many lessons about the implications of the Cross. In this message, Pastor Chris McCool explores one of…
We certainly live in tumultuous times, don’t we? We often lament our present circumstances, and sometimes even become depressed about what is going on in and around our lives. What should we be focused on in such troubled times? Well, let’s look at what was a comfort to the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote the Philippian…
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (October 25, 2020) Have you ever tried to work out your problems on your own, just to meet with failure? The disciples tried that, many times. In this case, they were unable to help a demoniac child whose father desperately sought help. But Jesus gave the father the greatest command of…
by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (October 4, 2020) In a world where there is so much turmoil, it is easy to lose focus and become anxious – terrified, even! What do we need to see when we are in the midst of perilous times? Isaiah was living in such a day – in fact, this…
