Playlist: Alone (topic)
Could You Stand Alone?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWould we have the same courage to stand spiritually as the brave unarmed man who resisted the tanks of the Chinese Red Army in Tiananmen Square?
Friendship
Sermonette by James BeaubelleTrue Proverbs 18 friends are those who stick with us in this life and will wait for us as we finish our spiritual race.
Unsharpened
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThe church of God may have focused too intensely on elusive esoteric principles and neglected the basics, such as developing solid relationships.
Lonely, But Not Forsaken
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven Jesus had to cope with feelings of anxiety and loneliness in Gethsemane before His crucifixion, a time when He experienced separation from His Father.
The Elijah Syndrome
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeElijah fell into a dilemma of either fearing God or fearing man, and ended up fearing Jezebel rather than God, thinking he was alone in his zeal for God.
The Path to Magnificence
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe have not been uninformed about the enemy's tactics, nor about our capacity to endure. God will never forsake us, and we should never forsake one another.
Isolation
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityGod uses isolation as a tool for a plethora of reasons—some for protective purposes, some for quarantine, some for correction, some for punishment.
Overcoming Discouragement and Depression
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven loyal servants of God have had to contend with depression and discouragement. Antidotes include rest, refocus, right expectations, and obedient actions.
Our Divine Fellowship
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloUnless our primary relationship is with God, positive relationships with our brethren will be impossible and we will feel alone in our spiritual battles.
Antidote For Disunity!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe will become united as we draw closer to God. If we regard a brother in Christ as a competitor rather than as a trusted ally, unity will be impossible.
Prayer and Persistence
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPersistence in prayer does not mean an incessant pestering God into action. God always looks at our petitions from the vantage-point of His purpose.
Lamentations (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe expressions of sorrow in the Psalms far outnumber expressions of praise, indicating that the Hebrew culture has almost made the lamentation an art form.
What Do The Mentally Strong Avoid?
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsAmy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, compiled a list in Forbes, identifying the things mentally strong individuals don't do.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's selection of Eve as a companion to Adam took into account the need for a helper as a counterpart—like himself, but standing opposite as complementary.
Prophets and Prophecy (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAlthough by no means a wild man, John the Baptist experienced alienation from people, especially the entrenched religious and political leaders.
Is Jesus the Only Way?
Sermonette by Craig SablichWe all have working acquaintances with unbelievers, but to enter a close relationship with someone not yet called of God is dangerous and foolhardy.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Pharisees were missing a sense of proportion, avoiding sin, but not lightening the burdens of their flocks by applying justice, mercy, and faith.
Living Stones
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingI Peter 2:9 reveals how precious we are to God, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a living stone fitted to join our spiritual siblings.
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is presumptuous to cast aspersions on Thomas, using the cliché 'Doubting Thomas,' as he was braver than most of us would have been in his circumstances.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Ten)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe statement, 'it is not good for man to be alone,' is the first declaration that something was not good. Being alone denotes separateness.
John (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe book of John provides a plethora of signs corroborating Christ's authenticity and also shows how to live as God would live if He were a man.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Five)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe sanctification process is slow and methodical with no dazzling pyrotechnics. Each of us are given a basic set of gifts to serve our spiritual siblings.
Titus (Part Six)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe have the commission to be witnesses to a corrupt society. It is in the closeness of the crowd that we have the greatest potential to grow spiritually.
What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsRadical feminism has tried to empower one gender by disabling and marginalizing the other gender, creating a pathological, dysfunctional society.
Why Are We Afflicted?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAffliction is a necessary aspect of life, yielding strength of character, while ease and comfort weaken us. Christ was perfected as High Priest through suffering.
The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.
Rejoice and Serve!
Sermonette by Bill OnisickConsuming second tithe (not within our gates) is understood to be for foodstuffs, for entertaining spiritual siblings, and making them happy and joyful.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingChrist shows His compassion and concern for those who have become distracted and fallen into error, providing an example to us to show mercy to others.
Why Did the Jews Hate Jesus?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe elites' jealousy over losing political power fueled their hatred of Jesus. Conflict between those who have power and those who want it is a way of life.
Dancing With the Devil's World
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Unlike most Millennials, obsessed with acceptance by their peers, Jesus did not mind being a loner because He loved the things His Father taught.
Life as a Shepherd
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWhat would it be like to live the life of a shepherd 3,000 years ago in Bethlehem, tending the flocks from pen to pasture?
Much Greater Than Ourselves
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsNone of the heroes of faith faced their challenges by themselves, but were aware of God's protection and power, a power much greater than themselves.
The Book of Daniel (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSin, the real opiate of the people, makes us oblivious to danger, giving us a debased and reprobate mind. It is not static, but leads to destruction.
Do You Take Sin Seriously? God Does!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe demise of an institution can result from the irresponsibility of its constituents; if one member sins, the whole body experiences the effects.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we are all sinners, we have earned only death; justification is not earned, but must come through faith and believing God as did our father Abraham.
Dating (Part 1): The Purposes of Dating
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsA key ingredient in dating is faith in God's purpose. The relationship one has with God takes precedence over any relationship with any other human being.
Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSome of us, facing the stress of the times, may simply be going through the motions but losing every vestige of faith. We must strengthen our convictions.
Lamentations (Part Six; 1989)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLamentations 3 looks at the horrible affliction of the people and sees good coming from tribulation because it has been God's tool of correction.