Gooch Lane Church of Christ Podcast

“Follow Me” is not a suggestion. As Jesus spoke these words throughout His time on earth, it was His command that would bring the hearer into fellowship with Him. Fulfilling this command means emptying oneself of pride through self-denial; it means a willingness to give everything to the Lord by taking up one’s cross; it means faith is totally Christ-centered. How, though, does one actually follow Jesus? This study will focus on what discipleship entails as well as those things that can derail real discipleship.

A sermon recording given by Greg Chandler on October 9, 2022

In this study, we will meditate on the psalm's reflections on how to live one's life despite the limits of mortality and the wickedness surrounding us. Most importantly, we will meditate on what the eternal God considers a well-lived life. 

A sermon recording given by Greg Chandler on October 2, 2022.

Crucifixion is one of the most brutal forms of execution the world has known. For hours or days, the one crucified endured excruciating pain, longing for death to come quickly. Knowing this, it might seem strange that Jesus told His hearers that they must "take up their own cross" and follow Him. What did Jesus mean by this command and how does one take up a cross daily?

A sermon recording given by Greg Chandler on October 2, 2022.

When Jesus explained how to come to Him, He stated that the first requirement is to deny self (Mark 8:34). This is not an easy command and requires a deep understanding of what God has done to save humanity from sin. When this is understood and appreciated, it is then that self-denial can be practiced. This study will focus on God’s great gift to humanity, what self-denial means, and suggestions for how this can become a way of life. 

A sermon recording given by Greg Chandler on September 25, 2022.

For the past 2,000 years, artists have sought to capture their impression of Jesus on canvas. These paintings range in detail and vary depending on the culture of the painter. While knowing how Jesus looked is of little consequence, it is of utmost importance to know who He is and what He values. Like the artists’ renditions, numerous “pictures” have emerged to explain this, with some capturing the wrong perspective. One of these occasions occurred as Jesus walked with His disciples and allowed Him the opportunity to rebuke a false picture while explaining who He is and what He expects.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on September 18, 2022.

How important is Jesus to your faith? While on the surface this seems like an easy question for Christians to answer, it requires a deep reflection on the entirety of one’s life, including attitude, belief, and actions. If not very careful, it is easy for Christians to become followers of Christ in name only, while giving allegiance to something else. This study will focus on the need for Christ to always be front and center, as well as the need to never allow Him to be replaced by what is good, but inferior.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on September 11, 2022.

Part of our salvation sermon series, geared toward those who are unfamiliar or new to the faith. This lesson focuses on the role of baptism in salvation, and whether it is essential.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on September 4, 2022. 

Many words in the English language have two or more meanings. Because of this, the context surrounding the word is necessary to determine which definition should be employed. This is especially true when it comes to words used within the Bible so that the inspired writers’ words are not used in an unintended way. An excellent example of this is the word “fellowship.” In this study, the biblical meaning of the word fellowship will be explored in relation to both Christians and churches. This sermon will focus on a number of passages, so if you would like to prepare ahead of time, go to a concordance and scan the various passages in which the word fellowship is used.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on September 4, 2022.

Many of the “books” in the New Testament are really letters that were written to churches. Within these letters, there is much instruction on the purpose of a church and the work God has given it to carry out in His name. Primitivism asserts that the instructions that were true for churches in the 1st century are still true in the 21st. Still, how can a church know the way to go about fulfilling these commands from God?

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on August 28, 2022.

A quick scan of the beliefs of different churches will demonstrate there is much diversity of thought about how a church should operate. There is a wide variance of opinion on everything from worship to leadership to work to finances concerning what a church should do. Is this vast diversity what Christ intended, or did He set a standard in place for all churches to follow? This study will focus on what picture emerges from the New Testament in relation to church design and practice and if it stands as a pattern for churches in the 21st century.

A sermon by Greg Chandler on August 21, 2022.