Random Articles
What is Death?
(Copyright 08-30-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, Even when we face sickness and death, God is aware of our plight, and if we maintain godly faith, we are safely in his hands. Scripture tells us, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28). Jesus said, “For as the Father raises the dead and makes alive, even so the Son of man […]
God Is Gracious
(Copyright 08-16-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, I did not post a sermon or send out a newsletter last Sabbath because some other matters came up requiring my attention, and for lack of time I was not able to complete the editing of the sermon I had planned on posting for the Sabbath. I have completed it now, however, and for this Sabbath I have edited and posted a sermon titled “God is Gracious.” There are many ways in which God’s grace is revealed and demonstrated throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. […]
New Covenant Law
(Copyright 08-24-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, It’s commonly taught among professing Christian churches that some or all of the commandments of God, especially the ten commandments given from Mt. Sinai, are not applicable to Christians. Christ, we are told, has “replaced the law,” including the ten commandments, thus they are no longer obligatory for Christians. An example of this general idea is found in how the Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary interprets the meaning of Colossians 2:14: “The law (including especially the moral law, wherein lay the chief difficulty in obeying) is abrogated to the believer….” “The […]
Did Jesus Break the Sabbath?
(Copyright 08-02-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, It’s been asserted that Jesus broke the Sabbath, and hence we are free to disregard it as well. But did Jesus break the Sabbath? The basis for the idea that Jesus broke the Sabbath is the accusations made by Jesus’ enemies among the Pharisees and scribes. Because Jesus performed miracles of healing on the Sabbath and did not honor their manmade rules regarding Sabbath observance, the Pharisees accused him of breaking the Sabbath. But did he in fact, break the Sabbath? To many who consider themselves Christians, not to mention those who […]
Jesus and James
(Copyright 07-19-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, While most people who have an interest in the subject, even if they are not nor claim to be converts to Christianity, believe that Jesus Christ actually existed as a human being in the early first century (A.D.), some few claim otherwise. Yet, there’s much evidence, even from various extra-biblical sources attesting to his existence and certain facts relating to what is recorded in Scripture about him. Our faith in Christ rests primarily on the Bible, which we believe to be the word of God. But it is of interest what […]
Was Peter the First Pope?
(Copyright 07-26-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, Last Sabbath I posted a sermon that I had edited titled “Jesus and James.” However, after posting the sermon and sending it out, I realized I had neglected to include a link to the sermon in the newsletter. It’s not difficult to find any article or sermon posted on our website as we have a searchable index listing them, and also an archive page that includes a number of sermons from previous years, most of which have not been edited. As explained in a previous post I have been working […]
Why Keep the Sabbath?
(Copyright 07-05-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, Most professing Christian Churches keep Sunday as their day of worship. Have you ever stopped to ask why? Where in the Bible is Sunday commanded to be kept as a weekly day of rest and worship? If you keep the Sabbath on the day commanded by God for it to be kept, the seventh day of the week, according to the sacred calendar, the way God counts days as recorded in Scripture, has anyone ever asked you why you keep it as noted? Would you be able to give a clear […]
Why Study the Bible?
(Copyright 07-12-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, Of all the countless books that have been written, is there any that reliably answers the most fundamental and important questions of life? Why do we exist? What is our nature? Is there a God, and if so, what is God like? What does God expect of us? Can we know the true God? Does God love us? Is there a path that can put an end to violence, unnecessary suffering and sorrow? What happens when we die? Is there a way to eternal life, and if so, what is […]
Lazarus and the Rich Man
(Copyright 06-21-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, The Bible tells us that Satan “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). How does he do this? One of the main tools that he uses is false religion, false teachers, false prophets, impostors, including those who come in the name of Christ, calling themselves “Christians,” but sowing lies, confusion, false doctrines, twisting the Scriptures to lead people into error (Matthew 24:4-5; Acts 20:29-30; II Corinthians 11:13-15; II Peter 3:16-17; Jude 1:4-5). So, the vast majority of people today professing Christianity are victims of deception, confused about Biblical doctrine, and believing concepts […]
Become a Part of the True Church
(Copyright 06-28-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, 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. It ought to be obvious to anyone who seriously considers the matter that not all Churches that claim to be Christian really are following teachings consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ found in the Bible. If one comes to that conclusion, perhaps he may wonder, “How can I be a […]
God’s Law is a Blessing
(Copyright 04-19-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) The world as a whole is groping in darkness and blindness for a path to happiness, peace, safety and life. In the world many don’t realize they can’t see. They don’t realize they are blind and walking in darkness. They think they are walking in light and that they know the path to a better, fuller, happier life. Yet, they keep falling into pits. They keep stumbling into snares. And the result is a world full of unhappiness, misery, suffering and death. At the same time, they have nothing but contempt and scorn for […]
Miracles of World War II
(Copyright 06-14-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Dear Friends and Brethren, June 14, 2025, is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army, established officially by an act of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, less than two months after the Revolutionary War had begun with the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. Many individuals from that time to now have served sacrificially in times of peace and war, in the Army and other military services of the United States, nearly a million total estimated to have been killed in the nation’s wars, with many more seriously […]
Significance of the Passover
(Copyright 04-13-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) In considering the Passover it’s most important that we understand the spiritual lessons behind it. God has used history and religious symbolism to weave a pattern of spiritual instruction for us to learn. Learn about the Passover and some of its multi-faceted symbolism and spiritual lessons. Unless otherwise noted Scripture taken from the New King James VersionTM Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Sermon Link: Significance of the Passover | COGMessenger ————————————————————————————-Reprinted with permission from: Messenger Church of Godhttps://www.cogmessenger.org/————————————————————————————-
Purity of Heart
(Copyright 04-14-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) The pure of heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). But our hearts are by nature corrupted by the leaven of sin (Romans 7:14; 8:7). The Feast of Unleavened Bread pictures the removal of the spiritual leaven that corrupts us, so we can have pure hearts. How is that accomplished? How can you have a pure heart, so you can see God? Unless otherwise noted Scripture taken from the New King James VersionTM Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Sermon Link: Purity of Heart […]
Principles of Cleanliness
(Copyright 04-06-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) You’ve probably heard it said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Although reputed to be an ancient saying rooted in Hebrew literature, the phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the Bible. However, the principle of cleanliness is found throughout the Bible and is linked with “godliness,” or being holy. Words relating to cleanliness or its opposite, uncleanness, are found hundreds of times throughout the Scriptures. Cleanliness, then, is a concept very important to God, and integral to the life of a Christian. In this message, explore with us the concept of cleanliness, […]
Unlocking the Mystery of Mankind’s Destiny
(Copyright 03-30-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) As human beings our lives are largely consumed by those things that we think are important at any given time. In reality, however, often those things we think are so important are of fleeting significance and will soon be forgotten. Those things that truly are important, however, and that are of lasting significance, are commonly given scant attention. The true destiny God desires for human beings is not only a subject about which most people know virtually nothing, but it’s also a subject to which most people give little thought or concern. We’re told […]
Why Do We Keep the Passover?
(Copyright 03-22-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) It’s widely acknowledged among Biblical scholars and historians that Jesus and the early Apostles kept the Passover — as the historical and Biblical evidence clearly shows. Is there any reason for Christians to keep the Passover today? YES! Find out why! Unless otherwise noted Scripture taken from the New King James VersionTM Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Sermon Link: Why Do We Keep the Passover? | COGMessenger ————————————————————————————-Reprinted with permission from: Messenger Church of Godhttps://www.cogmessenger.org/————————————————————————————-
Fulfilled Prophecy a Proof of God and the Bible
(Copyright 03-16-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) How do we really know God exists? How do we really know that God answers prayers and keeps his word? How do we really know even what his word is? Many people, in reality the vast majority, live their lives with little or no knowledge of or regard for the true God. There are many who scoff at the idea that God actually intervenes in a decisive way in the affairs of men and nations (2 Peter 3:3-4). Fulfilled prophecy is one of the primary proofs not only that God exists, but of his identity […]
Love God
(Copyright 03-17-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Jesus was asked the question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” (Matthew 22:36). Jesus answer, as recorded in Matthew 22:37-38, was, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” We see then that the first and greatest requirement for a Christian is that we love God. And not just that we love God, but that we love him totally, with all our heart, mind and being. This means that we must love God […]
Spiritual Significance of Washings and Sacrifices
(Copyright 03-09-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) We are told in Scripture that the “law,” which often in the New Testament refers to not just a law code but to the Old Covenant system, “was our tutor to bring us unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24, NKJV). In the King James Version is “schoolmaster” in place of tutor. The Greek word is “paidagōgós,” and the role includes not only instruction, but “guardianship,” both training of and constant attendance to the conduct and safety of a child. As Paul goes on to point out, those who are faithful to Christ are no longer under […]
Where Was the Passover Sacrificed?
(Copyright 03-13-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Was the Temple in Jerusalem the only Jewish temple in ancient times? Was it acceptable to sacrifice the Passover lambs just anywhere? Was the Passover a “home sacrifice,” as some contend? Correct answers to these questions can help us have a more complete understanding of the history of the Passover institution and how it was administered under the Old Covenant. The Temple in SamariaDuring the latter days of Solomon’s reign, the kingdom of Israel was led into idolatry, as Solomon built “high places” (places of worship) for foreign gods of his wives, and his […]
Covenant Promise and Prophecy
(Copyright 03-02-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) God made promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob concerning their descendants. These promises included physical blessings to specific peoples, or nations, and to the entire world. And the fulfillment of many of the prophecies concerning these nations was to occur at the “end time,” that is, near the time in which we are living now. Understanding how these promises have been, are being, and will continue to be fulfilled is an important key to understanding Bible prophecy. The fulfillment of these prophecies not only is a powerful testimony to the existence of God, […]
Repentance
(Copyright 02-23-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Repentance(Copyright 02-23-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Repentance according to Scripture is necessary for salvation. Genuine repentance from a Scriptural standpoint is not just remorse, although it includes that, but a change in the way you think, and behave, and are – to a different way – to become a different person. Repentance from sin is a “change of mind [that] involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). In this message, we examine repentance from the standpoint of one’s attitude towards God, neighbors, and self. This work is licensed […]
Fundamentals of Prayer
Fundamentals of Prayer – Part 1(Copyright 02-09-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) Prayer is an essential element in spiritual vitality. It’s in prayer that we develop the close personal relationship with God that makes his spirit a power in our lives. We repent in prayer. It’s in prayer that we labor for the salvation not only of ourselves but of others. It’s in prayer that we give praise and thanksgiving to God and seek of him those things of which we have need. It’s vital to pray–and to understand how to pray, when, for what. Even if you have been praying […]