COG Messenger

In his last message from a series of three sermons, pastor Rod Reynolds concludes an in-depth study of the biblical concept and use of the term “born again,” and how it's linked to the stupendous purpose for human existence that few understand.

http://www.cogmessenger.org/sabbath-services/ ~ This sermon explains the spiritual foundations of Christianity and precisely why Jesus Christ was crucified. It also answers the question, was Jesus Christ's work finished on the cross - did he go to Heaven to retire after finishing his work as a human? . . . Photo by Bruno Monginoux: "Etretat Cliffs (Normandy, France)" https://www.flickr.com/photos/landscape_photography/1617675978/in/set-72157594322742168 under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Vital lessons concerning how to deal with sin and becoming what God wants us to become

What did Paul mean when he wrote to the Galatians "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"? . . Photo by Paul Kendall: "Winter Sunset 2013" http://kendallartworks.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sunset-Sunrise/i-GQvK4xx/0/XL/20JAN2013_Sunset3-XL.jpg

Learn the truth about the biblical description of giants. Were they actually giant humans and did they really exist?

Is it true that you cannot know much about God? Is God’s nature so shrouded in confusion and mystery that we cannot have a fair understanding of his nature and of his person? In this sermon, Rod Reynolds explores the Biblical answers to the question, what can we know about God and how can we know it?

Some of the most influential American leaders are known to have been Freemasons including John Hancock, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. How should Christians view Freemasonry? Is it only a charitable fraternal foundation that does good works, or do the good works and noble goals of Freemasonry serve as a cloak to mask a corrupt philosophy that leads its adherents in to spiritual darkness and deception? In this sermon, Rod Reynolds provides an assessment of Freemasonry from the perspective of the Bible.

The Bible makes it plain that there is a way of life that is referred to as the way of peace. Yet, few know the way of peace. Certainly the world, with its chaos, confusion, strife and conflict, is not at peace. In this message are revealed ten steps in the way of peace that you can apply in your life.

Most Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God, yet there are various ideas and teachings about Jesus. Some teach that Christ was and is less than fully God. We need to clearly understand the Bible's answer to the question, "Is Jesus God?" ~ www.cogmessenger.org . . . Photo by Kim Seng: "Sunrise Coral Cove Park at Beach by Rocks and Shells" https://www.flickr.com/photos/captainkimo/14346905900/ used under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Most fundamentalist Christians will tell you that in order to have salvation you have to believe in Jesus Christ. And they will tell you that if you believe in Jesus then you can be saved. But what does it really mean to believe in Jesus Christ? Is a mere profession of faith sufficient? . . . Photo by Nolan Day, "Fire In The Sky" https://www.flickr.com/photos/-daze-/5419488245/ used by permission.

Is preaching the gospel message still a part of the mission of God's Church, or is the work of proclaiming the gospel finished? Photo by Jrm Llvr: "Coincidence" https://www.flickr.com/photos/jrmllvr/8742655564/ used under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Jesus said he who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6). How can this promise be fulfilled in you? Photo by Moyan Brenn: "Spiritual" https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/15756503205/ Used under a license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/.

How can you have Christ in you, and what does it mean for your present and future?

God's promise is that he will establish on earth a new age of universal peace, justice, abundance, through his mercy and righteousness

The blessing of Truth is of paramount importance to every person. God wants to and will grant everyone access to it.

Christians have both many reasons and an obligation to give thanks to God. All nations are called upon to acknowledge and be thankful to God, for He is the ultimate source of every blessing, but genuine Christians especially should "Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).

Photo by James Marvin Phelps: "Golden Afternoon" https://www.flickr.com/photos/mandj98/12467078054/ used under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/

Pastor Rod Reynolds discusses how the precious knowledge of the truth can change you, and the world around you, if you do what you know.

It's been said that there is more confusion about Acts 15 than almost any other chapter of the Bible. How are we to understand what was at issue? What was the actual decision reached, and how was it reached?

God offers "living water," i.e., Eternal life, His life and Spirit, to anyone who thirsts

A future age is coming when all nations will know and serve the true God.

Photo by James Marvin Phelps: "Upper Tahquamenon Falls" https://www.flickr.com/photos/mandj98/2857327092/in/set-72157607325471841 used under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/

In its prophetic significance the Feast of Atonement has to do not only with the removal of sin, but also the removal of the chief instigator of sin, the enemy of God and of mankind, Satan the devil.

Many people assume that this is God's world, that God is fully in control, and that all that happens in the world is in accordance with God's will. But the reality of the situation is not quite that straightforward or simple. Whose world is it that we're living in? Is it really God's world?

The Bible foretells of a New Age to come, the evils of the present age a thing of the past. The Feast of Trumpets is, in its significance a portrayal of events that through God's intervention will usher in that new age.

Even when we face sickness and death, God is aware of our plight, and if we maintain our faith, we are safely in his hands. In this sermon, Rod Reynolds explains what the Bible says concerning death – what death is and what is the hope that lies beyond the grave for all human beings.

Does the New Covenant allow us to substitute human ideas of right and wrong – to substitute human tradition – in place of God's commandments regarding how to worship him, and how we ought to conduct ourselves as Christians? ~ http://www.cogmessenger.org/ . . . Photo by Kim Seng: "Bass Harbor Lighthouse in Maine" https://www.flickr.com/photos/captainkimo/14251644870/ used under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

God is extremely merciful and far more gracious than many people give Him credit for, and you can be a recipient of that grace. God is not looking for ways to destroy us; He wants to save us. Indeed, all of us are already recipients of God’s grace in more ways than we realize. . . . Photo by James Wheeler: "Cogburn Beach Rocks" http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_wheeler/9519096917/

There is a book unlike any other. A book with answers to questions vital to every human being. There are specific reasons you should study the Bible outlined in this message.

There are many Churches that claim to be Christian. The claim to be a Christian Church implies that its teachings are consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and that Christ’s example is followed by the Church making the claim. How many Churches fit that description? How may you become part of the true Church?

Does the Biblical story of Lazarus and the rich man prove that some people go to Heaven when they die and others go to Hell? This sermon explains what this story means and what the Bible teaches about life after death. . . . Photo by James Wheeler: "Mountain Top Sun Star" http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_wheeler/7117200007/

One very popular notion is that the Gospel is exclusively a message about Jesus Christ and the fact that he died for our sins and was raised from the dead. Another idea is that the Gospel is exclusively a message about Christ coming in the future to establish the Kingdom of God. And there are many variations of these and other themes that tend to limit and confine the Gospel within certain narrow parameters, leading to a false idea of what the gospel is.

In this sermon, Rod Reynolds discusses why the Feast of Pentecost is significant to Christians, and why it is an important Holy Day to observe. The annual Holy Days, Festivals and even the weekly Sabbath are set aside for a purpose, and each of these days fits in with God’s plan of salvation for humanity. Through these special days, we have the opportunity to learn wonderful details about God’s plan.

Is the law revealed in Scripture a curse, bondage, not relevant for a Christian because it's been replaced by Christ? Are the ten commandments outmoded "Old Testament" law that can be safely ignored, as many believe? The Bible speaks of the commandments as the "law of liberty." Which is it? The law of liberty, or of slavery?

Is salvation only open to a few who have been selected in advance, but closed to everyone else? What does it mean to be "called"? The surprising answers to these questions reveal how God deals with human beings. . . . Photo by James Wheeler: "Misty Morning Sunrise" http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_wheeler/8983389912/

To be a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ, rather than one in name only, requires abiding in his word. That's what Jesus Christ himself said. That means a real disciple of Christ, a real Christian, is one who abides in -- continues in, or lives according to -- the teachings of Christ. And one of the teachings of Christ is that we are to live "by every word of God."

How does the Bible define one who is a "Christian?" What steps can you take to ensure you are a real Christian? Photo by Moyan Brenn: "Aurora borealis" https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/13027146284/ Used under a license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/.

Many people are stumbling along in spiritual darkness because they are either unaware of or have rejected the light that would show them the true path. In the world there is a deep enmity toward the law of God, however the reality is that this law is a blessing and will bring joy, liberty, and peace to you if you keep it. . . . Photo by James Wheeler: "Barnet Marine Park" https://www.flickr.com/photos/james_wheeler/9741782607/ used under this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

The pure of heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). But our hearts are by nature corrupted by the leaven of sin. How can you have a pure heart, so you can see God?

How are we instructed to pray to God, and what benefits may we expect?

For one to be a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ Bible study is essential, as Jesus said "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31). In this message are keys intended to guide you in how to effectively study the Bible and properly understand its teachings.

Christ's disciples are expected to study God's Word daily. The source of godly wisdom is the Word of God, the Scriptures, the Bible. “…the Holy Scriptures …are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Effective Bible study then can lead you to eternal salvation (Proverbs 3:21-23; 4:5-6, 13). This message can guide you in studying the Bible effectively.

Examination of Scriptural teaching regarding salvation and the idea of "going to heaven"

Immediately on the heels of the Feast of Tabernacles, is another Feast, with its own prophetic meaning. In order to understand fully how God's plan of salvation for mankind will be fulfilled, the prophetic meaning of this feast period cannot be overlooked.

How often have you thought about the rewards God promises to those faithful to Him? When you think about it the magnitude of God's promises to us are staggering, if we repent of our sins and prove faithful. We are told that those who are Christ's will be resurrected at his coming. In this flesh we are born, grow up, and even if all goes well, soon enough we reach the point of death. Often people spend years pursuing pleasure and happiness, but in the end look around and say, "Is this all there is?" Happily, for those who know and obey the truth, this is not all there is. In this message, "What Will it be like to be in the First Resurrection?", we catch a glimpse of the magnificent promises God makes regarding those who are privileged to be in the first resurrection.

To whom does God give the authority to make judgments, and what does "binding and loosing" mean, how does it apply, from a Scriptural standpoint?

How important is doctrine to the life of a Christian? What does Scripture say?

Once having received the Spirit of God, one must nurture it, and stir it up to retain it and bear the fruits of God's Spirit as he would have us to.

Prophets and the faithful down through history have risked and not infrequently forfeited their own safety, comfort, property and lives for the sake of truth, or to save the lives of others. Godly character is often forged in the crucible of extreme trials.

Guidelines from Scripture that may be of help in properly keeping the Sabbath without going to extremes God does not intend