Gooch Lane Church of Christ Podcast

The final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry witnessed an onslaught of opposition from Jerusalem’s religious elite. Motivated by anger, envy, and fear, they worked to bring both Jesus’ work and his life to an end. Amid the clamor, the Gospel of Mark records a thoughtful conversation between Jesus and a scribe, concluding with Jesus’ words that this man “was not far from the kingdom.” This sermon will explore this rich passage and discuss what Jesus’ statement meant concerning this man’s salvation. It will also examine what people of every age must understand about entering God’s kingdom.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on February 8, 2026.

Kingdom citizenship is a serious challenge; it calls one to examine every thought and action, aligning them with the values and mission of the King. It also demands careful consideration of every word spoken—and with the average American speaking over 13,000 words a day, that demand is especially daunting. One area of keen interest to the King is how His people speak of others; He forbids any form of hurtful language, including the pervasive sin of gossip. This coming Sunday, a sermon entitled “Kingdom Detractors: Gossip” will explore God’s teaching on this topic and offer practical thoughts on how His people can refrain from such talk.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on February 1, 2026.

To put the kingdom first, the mission of the King is paramount. Faithful citizens trust that God's plan is both good and right; thus, they seek to implement it in its purity. However, there is a temptation to meddle with this plan (often with honorable intentions) and thereby show a lack of trust in the mission entrusted by the King. Citizens must remain vigilant to ensure this never happens.

This sermon will primarily explore the plan God has given to churches. The study will cover both what He expects and the dangers of mission creep and contraction.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on January 25, 2026.

Authority is an important concept, no matter the relationship under consideration. Those in authority promote an atmosphere where people can flourish when their actions are motivated by a desire for the well-being of others. God, the great King and Creator, holds humanity’s well-being in the highest regard; thus, the commands He has given are intended to help His human creation flourish. This sermon will explore this idea and discuss the proper way to view these commands. Far from being restrictive or burdensome, their purpose is to restore humanity to the grand standard God established at creation.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on January 18, 2026.

When Jesus commanded us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” he showed those who follow Him that true commitment to God means giving Him his rightful place of authority over every aspect of life.

Yet what does such a life look like? This sermon will place Jesus’ statement in its original context and help us better understand how the Sermon on the Mount teaches citizens of God’s kingdom to live for Him.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on January 11, 2025.

Royalty is quite literally a foreign concept for Americans. Living in a country founded on anti-king sentiment, citizens of this constitutional republic have grown accustomed to the ballot box rather than royal decree. God, however, is not a democratically elected leader; He cannot be removed after four years in office. God is King!

In our first sermon of 2026, this ancient principle will be examined. Focusing on Psalms 93–100, the sermon will demonstrate the psalmists’ appreciation for the Lord’s royalty and, through their writings, provide insight into how this King is to be viewed and treated by His 21st-century citizens.

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on January 4, 2026.