Charles Cooper - Three Crowns Plus

The Historical Context For centuries, Christian theology blurred the lines between salvation and reward. The Reformation recovered salvation by grace through faith—but in doing so, the church often lost sight of the doctrine of rewards . Every parable, every miracle, and even the story of the rich young ruler came to be interpreted as salvific rather than sanctifying. The Two Kingdoms Explained Th...

Dr. Charles Cooper contrasts reward and salvation , teaching that salvation is received by faith, while reward is earned through faithfulness. He shows that Jesus’ call to the rich young ruler was not a demand for moral perfection but a divine test of allegiance—an invitation to trade temporary wealth for eternal rulership.   Key Themes The Main Thing: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righte...

Dr. Charles Cooper presents Jesus’ “investment seminar” to the rich young ruler, teaching that heaven’s treasure is eternal compensation for earthly obedience . Salvation is by grace alone, but rewards must be earned through faithfulness. Cooper dismantles common misconceptions about treasure in heaven, emphasizing that Jesus was not describing mansions, perks, or a celestial economy—but divine ho...

Dr. Charles Cooper draws a powerful parallel between the rich young ruler’s emotional distress and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Both men faced a decisive moment: whether to obey God’s will despite the cost. One submitted; the other walked away with profound regret.   From that contrast, Dr. Cooper identifies five values of the rich —values that still challenge believers today. 1. Poss...

Dr. Cooper begins by contrasting sentimental ideas of heaven with the biblical reality of evaluation and reward. He explains that though our sins are forgiven, our lives will still be assessed for faithfulness before the Bema Seat of Christ. He identifies six cultural and theological reasons the doctrine of rewards has fallen out of focus in the church—and why recovering it is essential to genuine...

In this message, Dr. Cooper shifts from the question of eternal life to its cost . Using the lawyer’s test in Luke 10:25–37, he shows that “to inherit eternal life” was ancient covenant reward language —it referred to sharing in the blessings and rule of God’s coming Kingdom.   Key Themes & Insights A Question of Reward, Not Salvation The lawyer’s challenge wasn’t ignorance; it was a theological t...

In this episode, Dr. Cooper reframes the rich young ruler’s question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” —showing it was never about entering heaven but about living a kingdom-worthy life that God rewards. He begins by defining eternal life as a measure of quality, not duration. Every soul—believer or unbeliever—will live forever, but only those who live righteously will experience eternal...

In this second episode, Dr. Cooper reframes the question “Does God hate?” by showing that divine hatred reflects rejection of what is false rather than emotional anger. Using the prophet Amos as a starting point, he illustrates how God condemned Israel’s feasts, offerings, and songs because they lacked justice and compassion. The problem wasn’t the rituals themselves—it was the absence of kingdom-...

In this thought-provoking opening episode of the Does God Hate the Rich? series, Dr. Cooper challenges one of the most ingrained ideas in American Christianity—the link between wealth and divine favor. Drawing from Scripture and cultural history, he asks whether our pursuit of prosperity aligns with—or opposes—the heart of God. From the story of the rich young ruler to the parables of the rich foo...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) The Gospel of God: The Great Separation Question : Will there be negative consequences for unfaithful disciples? The Gospel of God: Is the promise of the final permanent physical manifestation of God on the earth in Sovereign Power. Judgment vs. Deliverance Repentance vs. Faith The failure to recognize the distinction between the GG and the GC results in interpretati...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) The Gospel of God: The Great Separation Question : Will there be negative consequences for unfaithful disciples? The Gospel of God: Is the promise of the final permanent physical manifestation of God on the earth in Sovereign Power. The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Is the promise of spiritual salvation through faith in the atonement sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Judgment vs....

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) The Gospel of God: Crown of Thorns and Crown of Gold Gospel of God : the promise of the final permanent physical manifestation of God on the earth in sovereign power. Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee...From that time, Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt 4:12, 17 A baptism of repent...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) The Gospel of God: Crown of Thorns and Crown of Gold The Gospel of God: the promise of the eschatological permanent physical manifestation of God on the earth in sovereign power.  [Jude 14-15] Mark 1:14-15 – The Three Pillars of the Gospel of God The Time is Fulfilled The Kingdom of God has come near Repent and believe the gospel Repentance is God's requirement for b...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) The Gospel of God: Crown of Thorns and Crown of Gold  The Gospel of God: Crown of Thorns and Crown of Gold εἰσέρχομαι: a--move into; b—happen; c—begin; d--begin to experience Luke 7:1; Romans 5:12; Luke 9:46; and Luke 22:40 “It is necessary to go through many hardships to participate in the sovereign administration of God.”  Acts 14:22 (COOP) Matthew 25:20-21 The man...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) "How to Enter the Sovereign Administration of God" Multiple Conditionalities to Enter the Kingdom of God: 1. Suffer to Enter it - Acts 14:21-22 2. Lose it - Matthew 21:43 3. Difficult/Rich - Mark 10:23 4. Inherit it - I Corinthians 6:9 5. Worthy to Enter it - 2 Thes 1:5 6. Born of Water/Spirit - John 3:5 7. Must Seek it - Matthew 6:33 To Receive the Righteousness of...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) "Understanding the Gospel from God the Father" Mark 1:14-15 [7.9.23] The Kingdom of God: Realm vs. Rule The Sovereign Administration of God Jude 1:1-5 – the physical manifestation of God Vv. 14b-15 “Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones (1) to execute judgment on all and (2) to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they h...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) "Understanding the Gospel from God the Father" Mark 1:14-15 [7.2.23] What Time is It? – The Year of God's Jubilee Luke 3:3 Luke 24:44-49 What is the Kingdom of God? Kingdom (Greek: βασιλεία): Realm or Reign? Kingly Rule – reign, rule, sovereignty, kingly power Sovereign Administration – join the Biden Administration. Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) "What is the Good News of God" Mark 1:14-15 [6.25.23] The Good News of God: "The time is fulfilled" (Πεπλήρωται ὁ καιρὸς) Mark 1:15a (CSB) ὁ καιρὸς : time; period of time, moment; Opportunity Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, (Grand Rapids, Mich.:Eerdmans, 1990), 232. Luke 16:14-16 What Time Is It? Luke 4:16-19 Four Peculiarities: Chronology Deletion and Subst...

Disciples Disciple (Reproduce) "The Gospel of God" Mark 1:14-15 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15 (CSB) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1 (CSB) τοῦ εὐαγγελίου = __________________________. I am amazed that...

Disciples Disciple "The Gospel of God" The Focus of Christ's Pre-Easter Message and Ministry Matthew 28:16-20: Make Disciples vs. Make Converts The Great Commission is not ____________! John F. MacArthur is incorrect! Jesus Gave Four Explicit Predictions of Death:  Only the 12 __________ it.  God Prevented their ___________ of it.  Jesus Never Explained _________. The Gospel of Christ – Pre-Easter...

The Gospel of Christ Four Prophetic Predictions   Prediction One: Matthew 16:21-23, Mark 8:31-38, Luke 9:22-25 Conclusions:   1. Six months before his death.                         2. First time the Twelve ____________.                         3. Only the Twelve __________________. Prediction Two: Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43b-45 Conclusions:         1. The Twelve were ______________...

What's the Difference: The Gospel of God Vs The Gospel of Christ? Mark 1:1   vs. Mark 1:14-15 The Good News of the Kingdom of God – Luke 4:40-44; 9:1-2 7 Conditions or Traits to Enter the Kingdom of God A______________________________ B______________________________ C______________________________ D______________________________ E______________________________ F______________________________ G____...

The Gospel of Christ is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin so that a person can go to heaven when he or she dies. This is the popular way of saying it. Yet, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are far more concerned about the Gospel of God. Listen as I develop the biblical basis for this claim.

Confusion about the relationship between works and salvation comes from a misunderstanding about the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ. If one does not understand the difference, he or she will certainly not understand many passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and some parts of John. The Gospel of God is the core of the message of Jesus Christ.