by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 3, 2026)

As we began to see yesterday, Romans 14:17 shows us some of the characteristics of the Kingdom of God on earth, which is the church. We learned that the Kingdom is NOT about “meat and drink,” or carnal matters, but it is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Join us as we conclude this sermon about the characteristics of living in the Kingdom.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 10, 2026)

In our exposition of Romans, we are looking at the problem of disunity due to stronger and weaker brethren in the church, which is the visible aspect of the Kingdom of God on earth. As we look at verses 17 and 18, we see some characteristics of this Kingdom. Join us today as we begin looking at these characteristics and how we are to pursue them on a daily basis.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached May 3, 2026)

As we continue in our study of the weaker and stronger brothers in Romans 14, we come to verse 17. This verse sums up very well what the Kingdom of God is all about. It is NOT about “meat and drink,” but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Join us today as we begin examining what the Kingdom is all about.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 26, 2026)

When we paused the sermon yesterday, we were examining how the conscience affects our daily walk with God. Today we continue our study of the weaker versus the stronger brother by looking at how our liberty in Christ as the “stronger brother” can be used in such a way that we offend the conscience of our weaker brother, and thereby destroy our weaker brother to the Kingdom of God on earth. Join us as we learn more about how we should act toward our weaker brothers and sisters in the church.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 26, 2026)

As we continue looking at principles of pursuing peace, we come to the important role of the conscience in our discipleship. Prior to regeneration, no child of God has an actual “conscience”; rather, he or she may have a general sense of “right and wrong” as taught by society and culture, but there is no guiding light within them to teach them how they ought to live. However, in the new birth, God writes His laws in their hearts and they go forward in life with a conscience. Today, we explore this idea of “conscience” and its role in our daily walk with God. Join us for the first half of this important sermon.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 19, 2026)

As we began to see yesterday, the only way to counteract the problem of disunity within the church is to actively pursue peace with one another. First, we must “receive” one another, and not strive with one another. We must also avoid judging, or condemning, one another based on these nonessential differences. Join us today as we continue looking at the principles regarding pursuing peace.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 19, 2026)

As we have seen, in Romans 14 Paul has set forth the inherent potential for conflict due to the presence of weaker and stronger brethren in the church. But he doesn’t just describe the problem: he prescribes the solution! He sums up the solution in verse 19: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Join us today as we begin looking at principles for pursuing peace.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 12, 2026)

As we began to see yesterday, there are many things that are not essentials of the faith, and upon which it is okay for Christians to disagree. Paul gives us two examples: the eating of meat, and the observance of holy days. We began looking at the eating of meat in the first half of this sermon, and learned that “meat” has nothing to do with our eternal salvation. Likewise, there is no commandment to observe any special days, yet this should not be a matter upon which we divide. Join us today for the conclusion of this message about liberty in the nonessentials of the faith.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on April 12, 2026)

As we continue studying the issue of disunity in the church in Romans 14, we turn from the unity required in our essential beliefs to the liberty we have in nonessential beliefs. After reviewing a few of the essentials, we learn that there are many things that are NOT core beliefs of the church, and that we are free to differ on these matters. We have liberty in Christ. Join us today as we delve into Paul’s teachings on this important issue.

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by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on March 15, 2026)

As we began looking at Romans 14, we saw that Paul is teaching us about the potential for conflict between “weaker” and “stronger” Christians. In the first half of this sermon, we discussed the overall problem of disunity within the church, and we began to see that there is a constant need for loving tolerance among the membership. However, this tolerance does NOT extend to matters that are essential beliefs! In the words attributed to Augustine, “In the essentials, unity; in the nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” Join us today as we continue looking at some of the things that we cannot compromise on, even though it may cause divisions within the church.

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