Old Carroll Primitive Baptist Church

06/24/2026

June 21, 2026: Though we were a “little flock” this morning due to a number of members being on vacation or other travel, our acapella singing of many sweet hymns this morning was robust and spirited as we raised our voices in great praise of our precious Lord and Savior. After a few hymns, Elder Jonathan Cook, our Pastor, shared a few prayer requests and asked if anyone else had any additional prayer requests to bring before the church. Brother Gary Black then provided a humble and sweet prayer and then we continued with the singing of more hymns. After a number of additional hymns were sung, Elder Cook made a few brief comments about the importance of honoring our fathers, especially our Heavenly Father, and then he shared a few additional prayer requests prior to offering an opportunity for the church to add any other prayer requests. Next, Brother Joe Anderson provided a very heartfelt prayer on behalf of the congregation to open our worship service. This was followed by the selection and singing of “How Deep The Father’s Love” for our opening hymn.

Next, Brother Kelson Brewer came forward to introduce services using Ecclesiastes 1:14-18 as his primary text, with additional support from Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 and 17-26, 5:18 and 12:13, Luke 18:18-22, Mark 10:21, and several other scriptures. Brother Brewer began by stating that he wanted to speak this morning regarding what is the duty of man and where does man find joy? He then began to read his primary text and comment as he went. He then declared that the nature of this fallen world is that nothing in it is perfect and all in this world stands in need of constant repair as it continues to deteriorate. He further commented that while the Bible normally presents wisdom and knowledge as good things, in this primary text, King Solomon strangely declares that in much wisdom is much grief and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow. He then reflected on all the great things that King Solomon had made and the riches and wealth he possessed yet King Solomon viewed it all as “vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” In other words, Brother Brewer added, it was like trying to grab and hold on to smoke. He then taught that King Solomon hated life because the benefits of all he had done would fall to others that had not worked for it, which King Solomon also declared to be vanity and a great evil. He then explained that it is good for a man to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruits of his labor when that man wisely recognizes that it is his portion from the hand of God. He then declared that to King Solomon the conclusion of the matter was that the whole duty of man was to fear (i.e., to reverence) God and keep His commandments for He is the Creator and everything we get comes from Him. He then encouraged us to not put our faith and hope in what we can do but rather we should place our faith and hope in God and the finished work of Jesus. Next, he reflected on the story of the rich young ruler and how during his encounter with Jesus it was revealed to him that he was more attached to his worldly possessions than he was in following God. He then proclaimed that there is nothing wrong with having wealth in this world as long as the attachment to that wealth is not over God. He then warned us that if we place our faith and hope in worldly possessions we will be lost, afraid, and have sorrow. Our faith, he continued, is not in worldly things but rather our faith and hope is in the finished work of Jesus Christ who died for us. Lastly, Brother Brewer encouraged us to keep our eyes on the Lord and recognize what He has given us for we are here for a short time while heaven is our real home.

Elder Cook then presented a very powerful sermon using Genesis 40:1-23 as his primary text, with additional support from Genesis 39:1-23, Luke 22:19-20, Isaiah 63:3-4, Psalm 103:12 and 75:8, John 13:36, 6:48 and 2:15, Hebrews 9:16-17, 1st Peter 2:21-25, and various other scriptures. Elder Cook began by stating that, like Daniel, we too need to purpose in our heart to do things according to what the Word of God says and then to stick to that decision in spite of our own perceptions. Another man that purposed in his heart to follow God was Joseph, Elder Cook continued, and his life reflected many of the types and shadows of Jesus Christ. He then briefly reflected on the background of Joseph’s life leading up to the time and events of his primary text (e.g., his coat of many colors, his dreams and subsequent betrayal and captivity by his jealous brothers, his being sold into bo***ge, his elevation to second in command in Potiphar’s house until Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of sexual misconduct, his imprisonment and subsequent rise to assistant to the keeper of the prison). In all of Joseph’s adversity, Elder Cook added, God was with Joseph and God mercifully and providentially made to prosper all that Joseph did. He then emphasized that Joseph was punished and suffered for sins which he did not commit just as Jesus was punished and suffered for our sins which He did not commit - - both endured a downward journey until they were raised up. He also mentioned that just as there were two malfeasants crucified along with Jesus, there were two notable men in prison with Joseph; Pharoh’s chief butler and chief baker. Both the chief butler and the chief baker had troubling dreams which they did not understand, he added, but which Joseph (knowing that interpretations belong to God) was able to interpret for them. He then taught that after the chief butler told Joseph his dream (which involved the pressing of grapes into Pharoah’s cup and serving it to Pharoh’s hand), Joseph was able to share the good news to the butler that in three days he would be restored to his former position as chief butler. He then reflected on how Joseph asked the chief butler to remember him to Pharoah once he was restored to his former position, but instead the butler forgot Joseph for two years - - God never forgets us and He removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west. Having heard the favorable outcome of the butler’s dream, Elder Cook continued, the baker also excitedly shared his dream with Joseph (which involved three baskets of bread which the baker carried upon his head having been eaten by birds) but Joseph then shared the tragic news to the baker that he would not be restored to his former position as Pharoah’s chief baker, but rather Pharoah in three days would hang him upon a tree. He then declared that this story is all about Jesus, both the butler and the baker. The butler’s dream, he taught, was about vines, the pressing of grapes, and a cup which all pointed toward the cup of the new testament of the Lord’s blood which was shed for us when He had trodden the winepress of the Father’s wrath alone - - the winepress in scripture is symbolic of God’s judgement and the cup which Jesus drank for us. He then declared that upon the cross Jesus experienced the full cup of the wrath of God the Father for us, even down to the bitter dregs. No one else could trodden out the winepress alone except Jesus - - Peter (and the disciples) could not do it, we cannot do it, our parents cannot do it, and the preacher cannot do it. He further declared that while the unredeemed will have to face the judgement of God, the elect of God will not have to face that judgement because of what Jesus has done for us. He then taught that when we see blood there is redemption thus the butler had to be restored. He then taught that the Baker did not have a good outcome as the bread represents the body of Christ which was broken and given for us, for He is the bread of life - - His body had to die upon the tree of Calvary because “for where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator” and He had to give it all. He then declared that the worship service is not entertainment but rather is giving and sacrificing our time to be in the house of God to give Him all praise, honor, and glory - - the world has made a mockery of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ just as did the money changers back in the time of Jesus. We are to follow His example wherever we go, Elder Cook added, for the Lord knows the intent of our hearts and He knows us intimately. He then encouraged us in whatever we do to stop and ask ourselves, “Would Jesus pleased with what I am doing?” He then commented that both Jesus and the baker died upon a tree and both had to die but, the butler was redeemed by blood, thus we also being redeemed by the blood of Jesus should walk according to His Word. He also commented that both the butler’s dream and the baker’s dream covered a period of three days just as Jesus was in the tomb for three days and three nights. He then explained that when we examine types and shadows in the Old Testament, they are not an exact match or perfectly aligned with what we is see in the New testament, but rather are similar in type. In summary, Elder Cook proclaimed that the example of the butler was one of blood and redemption and the example of the baker was one of sin in the body and how Jesus took our sin in His body and we are now set free, and free indeed.

We then selected and sang “All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name” for our closing hymn as we shook hands and exchanged hugs of affection one with another. Brother Luis Bernal provided a very lovely and humble prayer on behalf of the congregation to close services.

After services a few remained to enjoy an extended time of conversation and sweet fellowship with one another.

06/22/2026

June 14, 2026: This morning our acapella singing of many sweet old hymns lifted our spirits greatly with wonderful praise of our dear Lord and Savior. After a few hymns, our Pastor, Elder Jonathan Cook, shared a few prayer requests and asked if anyone else had any additional requests to bring before the church. After prayer by Brother Zachary Cornine, we continued with the singing of more hymns. After our hymns, Elder Cook again shared a few prayer requests before providing another opportunity for us to add any additional prayer requests or praise reports that we had. Next, Brother Luis Bernal provided a very sweet and humble opening prayer on behalf of the congregation, followed by the selection and singing of “O Worship The King” for today’s opening hymn.

Brother Brian Dixon then was called on to introduce services and he chose Philippians 2:5-11 as his primary text, with additional support from Isaiah 53:3, Romans 8:3, Hebrews 2:7-9, Matthew 28:1-6 and 23:12, Acts 1:9-11, 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18, Philippians 2:3-4, 1st Peter 5:6, and several other scriptures. Brother Dixon began by reading his primary text and stating that it was his desire to focus on the humility of Christ and the exultation of Christ. He then taught that the prophet Isaiah, speaking of Jesus, referred to Him as a man of sorrows who was rejected, despised, and esteemed not by His own creation, yet He was humble, smitten, spat upon, and went to the cross for us. He then declared that Jesus was the spotless lamb of God, without sin, yet was made in the likeness of sinful flesh for us - - the great God of glory stepped down from the glory of heaven and became flesh for us. He further declared that Jesus was humble, made a little lower than the angels, and walked among us on this earth so that He could die. He then taught that after the resurrection (and before dawn) when the Mary Magdalene and Mary approached the empty tomb where Jesus had laid for three days and three nights, the angel of the Lord answered unto the women, “Fear not” and then the angel delivered the gospel message unto them that, “He (i.e., Jesus whom they sought) is not here: for He is risen” - - Jesus was exalted in the resurrection by His own power. He further taught that Jesus later ascended back to the glory of heaven, is a risen Savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords reigning on His throne today and will return in like manner as He ascended into heaven. Jesus, he added, has conquered Satan and death and He has all power. He then proclaimed that Jesus, by Himself, successfully has purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of God the Father, and now reigns from a position above the angels, above His creation, and above us - - He is King. He then provided us with the comforting words that Jesus will be exalted one more time when He descends from heaven with a shout and, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God - - Jesus is deserving of our praise and our worship for He is the great God of all glory. He then encouraged us to humble ourselves before both God and our brethren and then reminded us that Jesus said, “whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Lastly, Brother Dixon declared that we too shall be exalted one day and therefore we should look unto Him as our pattern, for He is our great High King, High Priest, and High Shepherd, and He is deserving of our praise, humility and service.

Next, Elder Cook then presented a edifying sermon using Revelation 4:1-8 as his primary text with additional support from Revelation 1:10, 14:2 and 5:6, 1st Kings 19:12 and 22:19, Psalm 11:1-4 and 9:3-6, Job 26:6-12, Daniel 7:9, Ezekiel 1:16, Isaiah 6:1, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 12:1-2, and various other scriptures. He began by providing key background information leading up to his primary text and commented on how the ways of the Lord are so often the exact opposite of the ways of the world. He then reflected on Jesus’ assessment of the church of Laodicea as lukewarm and neither cold nor hot and how Jesus added that He “will spue thee out of my mouth.” This focus on earthly matters, he added, then transitions to a focus on heavenly matters with the introduction of the primary text. He then read his primary text and began commenting as he went. He first reminded us that the Book of Revelation repeats the same pattern seven times about the time of Christ, the drama about the battle of good and evil between the church and the world and the Devil, the judgement of God, and the Lord’s victory. He then taught that the great voice of the Lord is described in scripture as a trumpet, as many waters, and as a small still voice. He then taught that it was necessary for the Apostle John to be “in the Spirit” to see the amazing things of heaven and the throne which the Lord was about to show him - - such things are beyond our natural capability to fully understand or describe. He also reminded us that where there is a throne, there is a Kingdom, and where there is a Kingdom, there is a King, and where there is a King there is a host of people with the King. He then admitted that he is not capable to adequately describe to us the amazing attributes of the throne of God and all that surrounds that throne. He then declared that this world will be destroyed but there is a place that will never be destroyed, the Lord’s throne in heaven. He then emphasized that the things of heaven (e.g., angels, cherubim, seraphim) are real and the four holy beasts before His throne day and night that rest not saying “Holy, holy, holy” are real and one day we will get to that place - - that place is also a place of judgement for all the wicked of all time. He then declared that there is coming a day when God the Father will tell Jesus to go and bring His bride home, the fruition of our adoption will take place, and we are going to be with Him and sup with Him forevermore, while and this evil and wicked world will come to a perpetual end, not to bother us anymore - - there is no one like our God. He then proclaimed that we don’t become angels as some may say, but rather we are the redeemed of God, a prized possession and the apple of His eye whom He looks at with great love. He then reflected on how Job was able to see clearly many of the capabilities and attributes of God and also how Joshuah was able to witness not only many mighty works of God but also witnessed many of the failures of men - - but God sees it all. He then warned that so often people get complacent and forget about the Lord and wonderful mercies and kindness of God. He then encouraged us, especially the children, to learn from the older and wiser members of the church. Elder Cook then briefly reflected on both the dream that Daniel had regarding the throne on which sat the Ancient of days and the vision that the prophet Ezekiel had regarding the spirit of a living creature that was in a wheel within a wheel - - both were given a glimpse of heavenly things of the Lord. Likewise, he continued, the prophet Isaiah also saw a vision of the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple as the seraphim covered their faces and feet as they declared, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.” Next, he proclaimed that God’s His glory is extended unto us when the Lord changes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh, washes us in His precious blood such that we are white as snow, and we glorify our Father in heaven - - there is no one like our God and no kingdom like this unending kingdom of which we are a part. Jesus, he added, is our great King, our great victor, our great older brother that loves us more than we can imagine - - He is our husband, brother, friend, and our all-in-all. He then warned us to not over-spiritualize these scriptures, making them something they are not. He then clarified that while there are nine fruit of the Spirit identified in scripture there are seven Spirits of God which reflect the completeness of His attributes. Lastly, Elder Cook encouraged us to run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who endured the cross for us and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
We then selected and sang “Praise Him! Praise Him” for our closing hymn as we shook hands and exchanged hugs of affection with one another. Brother Samuel Cornine then provided a tender prayer on behalf of the congregation to close services.
A number of Brethren remained for an extended time of sweet fellowship after services.

06/21/2026

The sermon today: 6/21/26 Gen 40 "The Butler and the Baker"

Genesis 40

06/21/2026

06/08/2026

June 7, 2026: On this warm and somewhat humid Spring morning, we lifted our acapella voices to praise our great and glorious Savior, Jesus Christ. After the singing of several hymns, Elder Jonathan Cook, our Pastor, shared a few prayer requests prior to asking if anyone else had any additional prayer requests to bring before the church. Brother Zachary Cornine then offered a sweet prayer before we continued with our hymns. After the singing of more hymns, Elder Cook again opened the floor for additional prayer requests or praise reports and then Brother Kelson Brewer was called upon to provide an opening prayer on behalf of the church. We then selected and sang “He Died For Me” as our opening hymn for this morning’s worship service.

Elder Cook then presented a powerful sermon using Numbers 21:4-9 as his primary text, with additional support from 2nd Corinthians 5:21, Numbers 21:17-20 and 11:5, Psalm 78:25, John 3:8-16, 1:11-13 and 10:10, Revelation 5:9, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:3 and 5:12, 1st Corinthians 15:45 and 22, and various other scriptures. Elder Cook began by reading his primary text and then commenting that there were four main points of interest that he wanted to discuss: the fiery serpent, the serpent itself, the brass, and the pole. He then provided some circumstantial background information by reminding us that this incident happened shortly after Moses sinned against the Lord when he twice smote the rock (which is Christ) instead of speaking to the rock as God had instructed. He also reminded us that the king of Edom had refused to allow Israel to pass through his land, thus causing their already arduous journey to become much longer and even more burdensome as they had to compass the land of Edom. Because of these difficulties, he continued, the people of Israel became very discouraged in the way and began to murmur and complain because they had to journey in a way that they did not want to go. He then mentioned that often when we are faced with situations where we are not allowed to go the way we want to go we make the mistake of turning to those that love us the most and care about us the most and take it out on them, which is exactly what the people of Israel did as they sinfully argued with Moses and, ultimately, with God. He then reminded us of how our paths can often be altered unexpectantly in ways we have never even imagined. He then exhorted us not to be discouraged in the way because the Lord has us, knows what is ahead, and already has seen passed whatever storm we currently are in. Though the people spoke against God and Moses and also falsely claimed that they neither had bread nor water, Elder Cook declared, God had provided for their needs all along such that they were given to eat what the Psalmist David referred to as “angels’ food” (i.e., manna). He then declared that sin requires judgement and God sent fiery serpents among the people in judgement and many were bitten and many died as a result, thus there were three categories of people within Israel: those that were not bitten, those that were bitten, and those that were bitten and died. He then commented that Jesus is revealed all through the incident contained in his primary text. He then reflected on the fact that the people recognized and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord and asked Moses to pray that the Lord would remove the serpents. He also taught that God’s answer was to make that remedy in the image of exactly what was killing them and to place it on a pole. If bitten, he continued, all they had to do to live was to look upon the brass serpent that was placed on the pole. He also informed us that later this same pole became an idol in Israel until King Hezekiah destroyed it along with many other idols in the land. He then taught that brass, a symbol for judgement, that was used in the brass serpent became the remedy for the sins of the people and was made from combining two metals (i.e., copper and zinc) just as Jesus, who is the remedy for our sins, combined two natures for Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man. He further taught that in scripture Jesus compared Himself to the brass serpent in the wilderness when He stated, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,” pointing to His eventual crucifixion at Calvary. Elder Cook then declared that in this comparison the remedy in the wilderness (i.e., the brass serpent being lifted up) benefitted only the elect of God (i.e., Israel) that had been bitten (convicted of their sin) and looked upon the remedy for that sin, just as in like manner the lifting up of Jesus upon the cross benefits only the elect of God convicted of their sin that look upon Him, their remedy - - in neither case were the dead able to benefit from that remedy, nor was the rest of the world able to benefit from that remedy. He then differentiated that the serpents on the ground had venom in them, but the brass serpent did not. He then proclaimed that Jesus died for the elect of God, not the whole world, and there is nothing that can prevent Him from giving the elect of God eternal life - - in His sovereignty, God is not dependent on man to bring, hear, or receive the gospel in order to bring eternal salvation to His elect. We are not trusting in the work of men, but rather we are trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the gospel, he added, is to share the good news that Jesus Christ died for us and to bring comfort to the sin-sick soul of His people when we believe the gospel and are saved here in time. Just as the bitten of Israel looked upon the brass serpent and lived, he added, we too can look upon Jesus for a more abundant life now. He then reminded us that when no one else could do it, Jesus, the worthy Lamb of God, was able to take and open the Book of Life and has redeemed us by His blood out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation, thus showing election and redemption by His grace and by His work. He then emphasized that the life which we each now live we do so by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me - - election is personal! He then declared that we are eternally saved by a sovereign decree of God in a covenant before the foundation of the world by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - - every single elect child of God will be in heaven and immortal glory whether they hear or don’t hear the good news of the gospel - - the true gospel is not a “scare ye, scare ye” doctrine but rather the true gospel is a “comfort ye, comfort ye” doctrine and should always bring comfort rather than fear. He then declared that Jesus had to become an image or likeness of sinful flesh and just as fire had to be used to form the metal for the brass serpent, Jesus had to take the fiery judgement for our sins upon Himself on the cross. He then declared that Jesus, who knew no sin, had to take judgement on the cross and to take on the image of sin so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him - - He is our anti-venom and there is life in the Lord Jesus Christ. He further declared that like the wind that “bloweth where it listeth,” the Holy Spirit brings the new birth when and where He sovereignly moves and after that comes faith, followed by belief. He also declared that the world which Jesus loved and for which He died is the entire world of His elect people. He next taught that Adam was made a living soul and in him all die, whereas the last Adam (i.e., Jesus) was made a quickening Spirit and in Him all shall be made alive. Lastly, Elder Cook declared that if we had been left in our original totally depraved state there would be no hope for us at all, yet we have hope for Jesus is our secure and steadfast hope - - sin was injected in the garden by Adam and the remedy was delivered by Jesus at Calvary.

Next, we selected and sang “That Little Old Church” and a verse of “Amazing Grace” as our closing hymns as we shook hands and exchanged hugs of affection one with another, followed by a tender closing prayer by Brother Bruce Black.

After services we reassembled in the lunchroom and, after Brother D.J. Haycraft asked for the Lord’s blessing upon our food, we all enjoyed a delicious meal and time of sweet fellowship together.

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06/07/2026

Preaching on Numbers 21

06/07/2026

Good morning dear friends, we are trying out a new microphone for our live stream this morning. Please feel free to chime in and let us know how things are sounding. We hope you can join us online, however it's more precious if you can join us in person! God bless you. 

06/06/2026

Pictures taken by Sister Wanda at the Black Rock Meeting House, June 6 2026.