Gooch Lane Church of Christ Podcast

In 1857, John Henry Hopkins penned the words to the famous song, “We Three Kings of Orient Are” to describe the journey of the wise men to see the newly born Jesus. There are just a few problems with the song; we don’t know how many wise men there were, they were not kings, and they were likely not from the Orient. Still, their importance in the storyline of Jesus is essential. Through them, we fi...

The concept of love can, at times, be rather hard to pin down. We use the word rather flippantly (“I love ice cream”) and rather oddly (“I fell in (or out) love”). While this may be the case in our culture, the Bible clearly explains what love is and what it entails. It also plainly states that a spiritual community must be animated with love for God and for one another. Using I Corinthians 13 as...

This study will explore the meaning and purpose of intercession by exploring the idea through both the Old and New Testaments. We will not only see the blessing in Christians interceding for one another but also see the greatest blessing of heavenly intercession on our behalf. A sermon given by Greg Chandler on December 4, 2022.

On average, Americans spend over $12,000 per year on health costs. Much of this is because our bodies are not behaving as they should, and we seek medical help in finding a way to fix what is not working properly. It is no surprise that the apostle Paul often went to the body as a way of describing Christians in relationship to Christ and to one another. Like the different parts of the body, Chris...

What will you do if your faith is challenged by the highest levels of government? Three young men in ancient times set an outstanding example for those of the modern era; when told to bow the knee in homage to one inferior to God, they resolutely refused. In this study, we will see the qualities that allowed these young men to remain faithful then are the same qualities that allow Christians to st...

Alan Fox, one of the men we support in Johannesburg, South Africa, presents a lesson. A sermon given on November 20, 2022.

Citizenship is a raging topic these days and a reminder of the emphasis humans place on secure borders. For Christians, however, it is a very different outlook. At baptism, we become citizens of a kingdom that transcends borders and bloodlines; we become citizens based on the blood of Jesus Christ. By this great display of God’s grace, we are given the opportunity to represent the King both by the...

Peace is a tenuous concept on the world stage; elections, political conflicts, and wars often destroy this precious commodity. Personal peace can also prove tenuous; as challenges and difficulties arise, peace can easily be forfeited for anxiety. However, there is a way to find a lifetime of peace despite the problems that may arise. In this study, we will explore what God promises about peace and...

A report on the work in Malawi given by Larry Vinson on November 6, 2022.

Road trips often begin with great excitement, but grow monotonous a few miles into the journey. Imagine a 1000+ mile trip, not by car through beautiful scenery, but rather by chariot through the desert. Such was the case for a man who had traveled to Jerusalem to worship and was now returning home. As he traveled, he read from the book of Isaiah and grew confused by the reading. Through God's serv...

Most people can relate to longing for joy, but coming up short in the search. Though many things are tried that one believes should produce joy, they are found to be elusive. Ironically, the way to joy is discussed quite openly within the Bible, with many facets of joy in view. How, though, does God tell us that we can find joy? This study will be a companion to last week's sermon. If you missed i...

The concept of joy fills the pages of the Bible and is considered an essential feature of being part of God’s redeemed people. However, a deeper study of joy reveals that it is not always an easy idea to understand; still, it is a topic that…well…brings joy to the student! One intriguing mention of joy is found in association with our Lord’s work for our salvation. The Hebrew writer states, “Who f...

Feeling content is what most people desire yet finding it can prove elusive. Often, the idea is held that if one can get enough in the bank or pay for a house or land a good job contentment will soon follow. While this may sound reasonable on the surface, it is far different than what Paul believed as he wrote “I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content.” Finding this attitude requ...

“Follow Me” is not a suggestion. As Jesus spoke these words throughout His time on earth, it was His command that would bring the hearer into fellowship with Him. Fulfilling this command means emptying oneself of pride through self-denial; it means a willingness to give everything to the Lord by taking up one’s cross; it means faith is totally Christ-centered. How, though, does one actually follow...

In this study, we will meditate on the psalm's reflections on how to live one's life despite the limits of mortality and the wickedness surrounding us. Most importantly, we will meditate on what the eternal God considers a well-lived life.  A sermon recording given by Greg Chandler on October 2, 2022.

Crucifixion is one of the most brutal forms of execution the world has known. For hours or days, the one crucified endured excruciating pain, longing for death to come quickly. Knowing this, it might seem strange that Jesus told His hearers that they must "take up their own cross" and follow Him. What did Jesus mean by this command and how does one take up a cross daily? A sermon recording given b...

When Jesus explained how to come to Him, He stated that the first requirement is to deny self (Mark 8:34). This is not an easy command and requires a deep understanding of what God has done to save humanity from sin. When this is understood and appreciated, it is then that self-denial can be practiced. This study will focus on God’s great gift to humanity, what self-denial means, and suggestions f...

For the past 2,000 years, artists have sought to capture their impression of Jesus on canvas. These paintings range in detail and vary depending on the culture of the painter. While knowing how Jesus looked is of little consequence, it is of utmost importance to know who He is and what He values. Like the artists’ renditions, numerous “pictures” have emerged to explain this, with some capturing th...

How important is Jesus to your faith? While on the surface this seems like an easy question for Christians to answer, it requires a deep reflection on the entirety of one’s life, including attitude, belief, and actions. If not very careful, it is easy for Christians to become followers of Christ in name only, while giving allegiance to something else. This study will focus on the need for Christ t...

Part of our salvation sermon series, geared toward those who are unfamiliar or new to the faith. This lesson focuses on the role of baptism in salvation, and whether it is essential. A sermon given by Greg Chandler on September 4, 2022. 

Many words in the English language have two or more meanings. Because of this, the context surrounding the word is necessary to determine which definition should be employed. This is especially true when it comes to words used within the Bible so that the inspired writers’ words are not used in an unintended way. An excellent example of this is the word “fellowship.” In this study, the biblical me...

Many of the “books” in the New Testament are really letters that were written to churches. Within these letters, there is much instruction on the purpose of a church and the work God has given it to carry out in His name. Primitivism asserts that the instructions that were true for churches in the 1st century are still true in the 21st. Still, how can a church know the way to go about fulfilling t...

A quick scan of the beliefs of different churches will demonstrate there is much diversity of thought about how a church should operate. There is a wide variance of opinion on everything from worship to leadership to work to finances concerning what a church should do. Is this vast diversity what Christ intended, or did He set a standard in place for all churches to follow? This study will focus o...

Churches that opt for acapella singing instead of using instruments are often looked upon with curiosity in modern culture. After all, since David used instruments and God talks about instruments in Heaven, surely He doesn’t mind if we use them now. Is this, however, how to determine authority for worshiping God? Is this how Christians in the first century reasoned in seeking to offer God the wors...

A sermon given by Greg Chandler on August 7, 2022