Sample Funeral Message for an Older Person by Tony Cooke
Prayer Scripture Reading John 14:1-3, 6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not […]
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The Reality of Heaven by Tony Cooke
Facing the death of a friend or loved one is always challenging. There are usually very mixed emotions. There is sadness that a person is no longer with us. But […]
The Purpose of Funerals by Tony Cooke
Understanding the purpose of funerals can be very helpful as a Pastor plans to minister to a grieving family. More than an opportunity to present a message about heaven, a […]
11 Great Stories About Going Home by Tony Cooke
Story #1: Certainties When the great Christian and scientist, Sir Michael Faraday, was dying, some journalists questioned him as to his speculations about life after death. “Speculations!” he said, “I […]
The Hurt, The Help, and The Hope by Tony Cooke
We are here today as the people of God to find comfort in the Presence of God and the truth of Scripture, and especially to surround this family with our […]
Death: Friend or Foe? by Tony Cooke
Whenever death occurs, there is naturally an element of sorrow and grief which is present. Even when a person has faith, and this family does, there is still a sadness […]
What Death Brings
What Death Brings Rev. Tony Cooke Today, we have heard wonderful testimony of a woman who love and served the Lord. We have heard reflections and memories of a genuine […]
Do’s and Dont’s for Funerals by Tony Cooke
Do’s DO work with the family and the funeral home director in planning the funeral service. If you know the family is challenged financially, let them know they don’t need […]
Sample Committal Service by Tony Cooke
Scriptures Revelation 1:17-18 17 Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. […]
Passover and Beyond
Most Christians know that there is somewhat of a correlation between the Passover of the Old Testament and Communion in the New Testament. Passover was instituted when God was about to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Communion was instituted when God was about to deliver us from the bondage of sin. … read more
Christ Our Passover
In the New Testament, there is an ordinance we celebrate known as Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, in which we look back and remember what Jesus did for us on Calvary. We remember his broken body and shed blood, and thank God for what He did for us and for all that means. … read more
Communion: For Better or Worse
We need to realize that the things of God are holy and sacred and are to be revered and respected. To do otherwise is dangerous, and the Corinthians blundered right into the danger zone. The conduct of the Corinthians regarding communion was a large part of the “more harm than good” that was taking place. … read more
Declarations of the Table
Isaiah 46:6-7 speaks of those who build their own god and then fall down and worship it. They have to carry their god from one place to another. When they cry out to their god it cannot answer them or save them out of their trouble. 1 Samuel 5:1-5 tells the story of Dagon falling when the Ark of the Covenant was placed next to it. Falls gods simply can’t measure up to or stand in the presence of God. … read more
How He Gave
Many people around the world know, from an intellectual standpoint, that Jesus died on the cross. Intellectual “knowing,” though, doesn’t necessarily change one’s life. Even those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior have various levels of understanding and insight into what Christ’s death means to them. … read more
The Blood Still Speaks
This is an illustrated sermon. It not only includes a message, but also involves a dramatization of a courtroom scene portraying the victorious redemption brought to the believer through the shed blood and broken body of the Lord Jesus Christ. … read more
A Place Called Home
There is within the heart of people a capacity to have a yearning and a very deep sentiment for a place that is called “home.” Many things divide and separate people, but this yearning and desire for a place called home is a universal, common denominator. … read more
A Table for Two – A Table for All
This is an illustrated sermon. It not only includes a message, but also involves a dramatization of a courtroom scene portraying the victorious redemption brought to the believer through the shed blood and broken body of the Lord Jesus Christ. … read more
Surviving the Pressure Cooker: How One Couple Overcame Ministry Stress to Create a Successful Marriage by Maria Foslien
I had never lived on my own before marriage and quite frankly I had a lot of growing up to do. Here in America my issues were easily skirted. Even with fast food, washers and dryers, prepackaged meals and microwaves I struggled with the daily demands of motherhood and marriage. We moved over to the former Soviet Union in 1993 to do mission work. …read more
Facing Personal Crisis While Maintaining Public Ministry by Rev. Dean Hawk
Back in early 90’s my wife, Kim, and I faced a family crisis. We were crushed, gasping to catch our emotional breath, and wounded by an attack of the enemy. What we faced is irrelevant. Sorry, no juicy details. However, you can probably fill in the blank with any number of difficult situations or tragedies which have rocked your own world. …read more
IRS Letter
Humor Section (cont) The IRS actually received the following letter: Gentlemen: Enclosed you will find a check for $150. I cheated on my income tax return last year and have […]
How My Worst Moment Produced New Ministry in Our Church by Tony Rea
How My Worst Moment Produced New Ministry in Our Church Tony Rea Tony Rea and his wife, Terese, are the founding pastors of Community Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The […]
Are You a Workaholic? by Rev. Dean Hawk
Hold on to your hat! You may be sick and not even know it. Most workaholics are just like many of the other addicts who live in denial of the obvious symptoms and claim to be “normal.” In Philippians chapter two Paul references a man named Epaphroditus who became sick and almost died due to his work in the ministry. Even today in our culture we see the same patterns repeated by people in every occupation but especially those who serve in full time ministry. …read more
Do the Scriptures Forbid Women to Preach?
Its aim was to build a new man in Christ Jesus, and to this inspired manhood was left the utmost liberty in respect to externals. This view is corroborated by the whole testimony of history. The modern Church is totally different from the assemblies of the first Christians. The civil state has been revolutionised since the time of Christ. …read more
A Word to the Wise Rev. Marty Blackwelder
First of all, I would like to qualify the content of the following paragraph by saying that my comments are not meant to be a criticism but are merely an observation. As I look around today in our modern Christianity, I am acutely aware of the fact that something is missing in our spiritual leadership and subsequently in the members of a new generation of believers that sit under our influence. …read more
The Role of Women in the Ministry, Part 1 by Beth Jones
I was raised as a Roman Catholic; our church leaders were priests and nuns—and the option of being a nun was never on my radar. When I became a born-again Christian, it was dramatic. Jesus radically changed my life! I loved Him. I loved following Him. …read more
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