sermon: Corporate Faith
Unity in Doing God's Will
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Given 25-Apr-11; Sermon #1044A; 78 minutes
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Richard Ritenbaugh focuses on the antonym of “corporate,” namely “individualistic,” which is the belief that society should be constructed for the sake of individuals rather than for the collective herd. The American Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were crafted to limit government power, force, and regulation. Ironically, although the federal government was formerly restrained in its activities, it has become tyrannical and confiscatory in its practices. Individualism has fostered the philosophical stance of humanism and to some extent libertarianism, hedonism and Epicureanism, based upon satisfying the self. Sadly, although there is a way that seems right to every man, the termination is often death. Corporate faith requires that we lay aside our individualism and join our brethren doing God’s work. On the Days of Unleavened Bread, we cooperatively and collectively respond to what God has done for us, refraining to eat leavened bread and commencing to eat unleavened bread, demonstrating our corporate connectedness; our corporate acts at this time are indistinguishable from our individual acts. Walking through the Red Sea and marching around the walls of Jericho demonstrate two major instances of corporate faith in which our forebears followed God’s instructions to the letter. When one member of the group failed to follow through, as in the case of Achan, disastrous consequences followed. It seems that corporate faith and enthusiasm work well at the beginning of a project, but fade as familiarity begins to breed contempt. As the churches in Revelation 2-3 progress through the years, zeal began to flag. We must strive to continue the bond of unity. Individual spiritual gifts are to be used for the edification of the whole body.
Topics: (show)
Achan Acts 2:42 All things in common Ayne Rand Be all you can be Bill of Rights Corporate faith Corporate Emerson Ephesians 4:1-12 Existentialism Exodus 13:3-10; 14:10-31 Faith chapter Frank Sinatra I Corinthians 12 Hebrews 11 H. L. Mencken Holy convocation Humanism Individualism Jefferson Joshua 6:1-21 Just do it Kierkegaard Multi-culturalism Objectivism Obligation Offering Old English Proverbs 14:12 Red Sea Sartre Schopenhauer Spiritual gifts Thine Thoreau Thou Thy 10th amendment Tradition Unleavened bread Wilderness wandering
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