Playlist: Obligation (topic)

listen:

Recognizing Our Obligation

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

How different would our lives be if God had not called us? God's intervention in our lives improved their quality exponentially, and we must respond in kind.


Debt and Obligation

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We live in a time when people have acquired a weak sense of obligation to family, society, or nation. Because sin cannot be undone, all are debtors to God.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Justification does not 'do away' with the law; it brings us into alignment with it, imputing the righteousness of Christ and giving access to God for sanctification.


Passover (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The annual reaffirmation of the covenant through the Passover is at the core of an on-going relationship with the Father and Son, beginning the perfecting process.


Grace Upon Grace

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Forgiveness is only the beginning of the grace process, enabling us to grow to the stature of Christ. Paradoxically, grace puts us under obligation to obey.


Elements of Motivation (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because we have been bought with an awesome price, we have no right to pervert our lives, but are obligated to look upon our bodies as vessels in His service.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The yoke of bondage Paul refers to in Galatians was a combination of the code of regulations added by the Pharisees and Gnostic ritualism, not God's Law.


The Awesome Cost of Salvation

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Although God never intended the Old Covenant to endure eternally, the spiritual law (shared by both the old and new covenants) lasts forever.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.


Hebrews (Part Nine): Chapter 1: Jesus' Exultation and Christianity's Claims

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews 1:3 and Psalm 2 explain how Jesus becomes something He previously was not. Because of Christ's qualifications, Christianity has a claim on all mankind.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is doing more than merely saving people; He is producing children in His image. The difference between the covenants is in the quality of the faith.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The doctrinal changes made by the leaders in the Worldwide Church of God worked to destroy the vision of God's purpose through obscuring the real reason for works.


Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our pilgrimage to the Kingdom will not be easy; we will suffer fatigue from difficult battles with serious consequences. We fight the world, Satan, and our flesh.


Self-Government and Responsibility (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our experiences prepare us to be a better judge or king. Though we may exercise righteous judgment, we dare not pass judgment nor justify sin in ourselves.


Hebrews (Part Eight)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ's priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood because Christ tenure is eternal rather than temporal, guaranteeing both continuity and quality.


Themes of Ruth (Part Three): Redemption

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus redeemed us with His shed blood from the penalty of our sins, but He also works as our High Priest, continually redeeming us until we are resurrected.


Christ's Female Ancestors

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Luke records four female ancestors of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Three out of the four were Gentiles and 3/4 also had glaring sexual problems


Sin (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Thoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.


Freedom, Liberty, and Bondage

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Grace places limits on our freedom, training us for the Kingdom of God. Our behavior must be clearly distinguishable from the non-believers in society.


Deuteronomy (Part 7)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Sanctification is an incremental process in which we systematically destroy the sin within us as our forebears were asked to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan.


The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The meal offering represents the second Great Commandment, love toward fellow man. Our service to others requires much grinding self-sacrifice and surrender.


All in All (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

While we are not yet 'all in all' with God's purpose for us, we will, if we yield to our calling and sanctification, become at one with God.


Faith (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

At the time of the end, sin will be so pervasive and so compelling that our only resource for enduring its influence will be our relationship with God.


'But I Say to You' (Part Five): Oaths

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must grow in personal integrity, providing a witness for the truth to those around them, not needing the crutch of an oath to guarantee our integrity.


The Philadelphia Syndrome

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

The Worldwide Church of God considered itself to be the 'Philadelphia era,' but the fruit has been misplaced trust, idolatry, competition, and exclusivity.


Counting to Pentecost: A Simple Approach

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

According to the Scripture, the count to Pentecost must begin on the day after the Sabbath in the Days of Unleavened Bread, even in 'anomalous' years.


Being a Christian

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

Micah provides a formula for being a Christian: 1.) Doing justly, 2.) Exercising mercy and 3.) Walking humbly. These demand total commitment, not a pretense.


Why We Do Not Vote

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christians have been called out of this world's politics, voting included. As ambassadors of Christ, we cannot participate in the politics of another country.