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
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
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:402020-11-23 18:25:22Communion: For Better or Worse
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:392020-11-23 20:19:04Declarations of the Table
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:392020-11-23 19:29:38How He Gave
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
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:372020-11-23 20:19:38A Place Called Home
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:372020-11-24 09:07:58A Table for Two – A Table for All
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:262014-10-15 19:06:26Surviving the Pressure Cooker: How One Couple Overcame Ministry Stress to Create a Successful Marriage by Maria Foslien
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:252014-10-15 19:06:25Facing Personal Crisis While Maintaining Public Ministry by Rev. Dean Hawk
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 Tony Rea Tony Rea and his wife, Terese, are the founding pastors of Community Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:062014-10-15 19:06:06How My Worst Moment Produced New Ministry in Our Church by Tony Rea
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:052014-10-15 19:06:05Are You a Workaholic? by Rev. Dean Hawk
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:042023-04-07 10:03:58Do the Scriptures Forbid Women to Preach?
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:042014-10-15 19:06:04A Word to the Wise Rev. Marty Blackwelder
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
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:032014-10-15 19:06:03The Role of Women in the Ministry, Part 1 by Beth Jones
Every one of us maintain multiple relationships. Some of them are great, some are good, some are bad, and a few may be downright ugly! Regardless of the state of our relationships, understanding and applying God’s Word to our life and relationships will help us find a higher degree of personal peace and fulfillment. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:022014-10-15 19:06:02Wired for Relationships By Pastor Jim Herring
If you want to start a fight in church, initiate a conversation about women preachers and within 45 minutes, you can split that church four ways! As every woman in a high profile role in the church knows, there are many different views on this subject. Those views often carry strong emotions. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:022014-10-15 19:06:02The Role of Women in the Ministry Part 2 by Beth Jones
The Cross is always the path for believers who have decided to walk the straight path with Jesus. The Cross is never enjoyable, but it always results in resurrection. Therefore, believers today must be willing to face the Cross and believe for resurrection power to flow through them — even if it means they have to suffer the brunt of a changing society that has no tolerance for people who hold to an exclusionary faith or to fixed moral absolutes. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:012014-10-15 19:06:01The Winds of Change by Rick Renner | Excerpt from A Light in Darkness, Volume 2
Have you ever noticed that there are those in life, athletics and even business, that seem to have a fragrance of victory about them? It is as if they walk in an atmosphere and with the mindset of a perpetual winner. There is an air, a confidence and an expectation of success that seems to surround all that they do. We, as Christians, should have this kind of confidence. When you are part of a team that has a tradition of winning, you expect to win. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:06:012014-10-15 19:06:01A Winning Tradition by Mark Bintliff
It goes without saying that there is much that needs improvement in churches. Those of us who lead certainly need to be receptive to those needed changes. However, we live in a time when people are often looking for what they want, rather than what God has given. Chuck Colson said; “We live in a therapeutic age where everything is measured by how much I get out of it. …read more
Just like a seed that is planted in the ground, the devil wants to uproot truths of God’s Word before they bear fruit in us. So don’t be surprised by the challenges that come. Don’t let the difficulties conquer you. Don’t give your place of authority in Christ Jesus over to the devil by surrendering to the circumstances. In the midst of the raging storm, refuse to let go of God’s Word, for He will not relax His hold on you. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:05:592014-10-15 19:05:59Weathering the Storm Without Being Weathered
Unfortunately, this question has arisen in the both the tax-exempt and for-profit world too many times in the last few years as large, respectable audit firms have failed to serve their function to fully inform the financial statement users about the activities of the organizations audited. Large publicly traded companies have failed under the shadow of accusations of audit failures. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:05:592014-10-15 19:05:59Where Was the Auditor?
Vocational Callings in the Body of Christ Jen Tringale Jen ministers with a specific anointing to bring clarity and focus to the purpose of God in people’s hearts, and she […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:05:582014-10-15 19:05:58Vocational Callings in the Body of Christ by Jen Tringale
Agricola knew of 40 soldiers who were devout Christians and skilled in battle. In an attempt to force them to renounce their faith, Agricola said to the 40 men, “Either offer sacrifice to the gods and earn great honors, or, in the event of your disobedience, be stripped of your military rank and fall into disgrace.” The soldiers were thrown into prison to think about what Agricola had said. They encouraged themselves that night by singing psalms and praying. …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
Wired for Relationships By Pastor Jim Herring
Every one of us maintain multiple relationships. Some of them are great, some are good, some are bad, and a few may be downright ugly! Regardless of the state of our relationships, understanding and applying God’s Word to our life and relationships will help us find a higher degree of personal peace and fulfillment. …read more
The Role of Women in the Ministry Part 2 by Beth Jones
If you want to start a fight in church, initiate a conversation about women preachers and within 45 minutes, you can split that church four ways! As every woman in a high profile role in the church knows, there are many different views on this subject. Those views often carry strong emotions. …read more
The Winds of Change by Rick Renner | Excerpt from A Light in Darkness, Volume 2
The Cross is always the path for believers who have decided to walk the straight path with Jesus. The Cross is never enjoyable, but it always results in resurrection. Therefore, believers today must be willing to face the Cross and believe for resurrection power to flow through them — even if it means they have to suffer the brunt of a changing society that has no tolerance for people who hold to an exclusionary faith or to fixed moral absolutes. …read more
A Winning Tradition by Mark Bintliff
Have you ever noticed that there are those in life, athletics and even business, that seem to have a fragrance of victory about them? It is as if they walk in an atmosphere and with the mindset of a perpetual winner. There is an air, a confidence and an expectation of success that seems to surround all that they do. We, as Christians, should have this kind of confidence. When you are part of a team that has a tradition of winning, you expect to win. …read more
Why Church? by Rich Huston
It goes without saying that there is much that needs improvement in churches. Those of us who lead certainly need to be receptive to those needed changes. However, we live in a time when people are often looking for what they want, rather than what God has given. Chuck Colson said; “We live in a therapeutic age where everything is measured by how much I get out of it. …read more
Weathering the Storm Without Being Weathered
Just like a seed that is planted in the ground, the devil wants to uproot truths of God’s Word before they bear fruit in us. So don’t be surprised by the challenges that come. Don’t let the difficulties conquer you. Don’t give your place of authority in Christ Jesus over to the devil by surrendering to the circumstances. In the midst of the raging storm, refuse to let go of God’s Word, for He will not relax His hold on you. …read more
Where Was the Auditor?
Unfortunately, this question has arisen in the both the tax-exempt and for-profit world too many times in the last few years as large, respectable audit firms have failed to serve their function to fully inform the financial statement users about the activities of the organizations audited. Large publicly traded companies have failed under the shadow of accusations of audit failures. …read more
Vocational Callings in the Body of Christ by Jen Tringale
Vocational Callings in the Body of Christ Jen Tringale Jen ministers with a specific anointing to bring clarity and focus to the purpose of God in people’s hearts, and she […]
The 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Agricola knew of 40 soldiers who were devout Christians and skilled in battle. In an attempt to force them to renounce their faith, Agricola said to the 40 men, “Either offer sacrifice to the gods and earn great honors, or, in the event of your disobedience, be stripped of your military rank and fall into disgrace.” The soldiers were thrown into prison to think about what Agricola had said. They encouraged themselves that night by singing psalms and praying. …read more