Zion Primitive Baptist Church

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 4, 2025)

In our study of Nehemiah, we have come to the point where the work of rebuilding the walls and repairing the gates has finally been completed. At this point it would be tempting for Nehemiah to relax his guard, sit back and revel in his own faithfulness and ingenuity. But Nehemiah knew that he owed all praise to God for the near-miraculous completion of the walls in fifty-two days! Join us today as we see him and his companions rejoicing in the faithfulness of God, even as they continue to be wary and on guard against the schemes of the enemy.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 27, 2025)

As we began to see yesterday, when all else fails, the enemies of the Kingdom of God will sometimes resort to threatening those who are engaged in the work of the Kingdom. When we paused the message, we were learning that one of the most important ways to combat threats – indeed, ALL of the assaults of Satan! – is to test it by the word of God. Nehemiah responded appropriately, rebuffing the threats by measuring them by what “thus sayeth the Lord.” Join us today as we conclude our examination of opposition through threats against the people of the Kingdom of God.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 27, 2025)

In our study of the Book of Nehemiah, we are continuing to look at the closing days of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and in particular examining the ways in which the enemies of the Kingdom of God launch their desperate assaults. We have looked at opposition through compromise, and we have looked at opposition through slander. Today, we begin looking at opposition through threats. The threat against Nehemiah’s life was actually a conspiracy among enemies both within and without the Jewish leaders. Join us today as we begin to look at the ways in which threats can hinder the work of the Kingdom.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 25, 2025)

As we began to see yesterday, slander can be a very effective tool in Satan’s toolbox! In this case, the enemies of the Kingdom of God began to spread lies about Nehemiah and his colleagues in an effort to get the King of Persia to stop the great work of the Kingdom. This type of assault is still very effective today! Too often, slander begins to spread both within and without the church, and much damage is caused thereby. So how do we deal with slander? Join us today as we begin to see how Nehemiah calmly faced this assault, and ultimately did not let it hinder his great work in the Kingdom of God.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 13, 2025)

As we continue to deal with the last-minute attacks of the enemies of the Kingdom of God, we come to another weapon in Satan’s arsenal: slander. Sanballat and his henchmen began to spread lies about Nehemiah and the Jews, and even wrote an open letter to the king and others that accused them of rebellion. Slander is indeed a very effective tool that is often used against God’s people. Join us today as we begin to look at what slander is, and how to deal with it.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 6, 2025)

As we began to see yesterday, Satan often mounts his strongest attacks as the finish line is in view! One of his most dangerous tactics is the temptation to compromise. In this chapter, we have begun to see how the enemies of the Kingdom of God are watching the work of the Kingdom and looking for openings, and in this case began to tempt Nehemiah to meet with them and compromise. But Nehemiah knew that there is no basis for cooperation between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of men! Join us today as we see how Nehemiah resisted the persistent temptations to compromise the work of the Kingdom of God.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 6, 2025)

As we continue our study in the book of Nehemiah, we have come to the point where the walls are almost completed. Often when we see the “finish line” in view, we tend to let down our guard and “slack up.” But rather than slacking up in his diligence, Nehemiah knew he had better focus even more intently! It is often at the moment of near victory when Satan mounts his most subtle attacks! The first way that he does this is through temptation to compromise. Join us today as we begin looking at opposition through compromise.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 25, 2025)

As we saw in the first half of this sermon, the regenerated child of God stands without condemnation before God because of the finished work of Christ. Today, we continue along this line of Paul’s reasoning by seeing that there are those who are “after the flesh” (i.e., unregenerated) and those that are “after the Spirit” (i.e., regenerated). It is this distinction that makes us debtors no longer to the flesh and to the Law, but to the Spirit and Christ, to live in a way that pleases Him because of what He has done for us! It is NOT our conduct in life that carries eternal consequences, but our condition in Christ as a result of His finished work on the cross! Join us today for the conclusion of this sermon.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 25, 2025)

In Romans 8, Paul opens the chapter with the glorious declaration that there is therefore NOW no condemnation to those who are “in Christ Jesus.” That phrase “in Christ Jesus” refers to our condition as regenerated children of God, and NOT to our conduct. Because we have been born again, the Law no longer claims us and no longer condemns us! Join us as we begin to see that we stand without condemnation before God because of the perfect work of Christ on the cross.

Download Audio File

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 6, 2025)

As we move on toward the end of Chapter 7 of Romans, Paul continues to teach us about the Law in our lives. In these verses, we learn that the biggest problem is that the Law is spiritual but we are carnal. Paul tells us of the continual struggle between the two “laws” that he sees in his life: the law of God, and the law of Sin. Join us as we deal with the problem of the Law in our lives.

Download Audio File