Playlist: Tradition of Pharisees (topic)
The Pharisees (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHaving their origin in the days of Ezra, the Scribes and Pharisees were extremely zealous for the law, separating themselves for this exclusive purpose.
The Pharisees (Part 2)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is less impressed in our rote compliance to a set of rules than thoughtful application of godly principles extending justice, mercy, and faith.
The Pharisees (Part 3)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough the Pharisees imposed harsh regulations, they found loopholes for themselves while proudly and hypocritically displaying their piety for show.
Beware the Leaven
Sermonette by Mike FordThe Jews establishes a fixed date for Shavuot in contradiction to the instruction for counting to Pentecost. This is part of the leavening of the Pharisees.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Galatians, Paul took issue with the Halakhah, not God's word. Halakhah was a massive collection of human opinion that placed a yoke on its followers.
Matthew (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus explains that what truly defiles a person—evil thoughts, murder, adultery—comes from their heart and mind, not from eating with unwashed hands.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke grievous to bear (Acts 15:10) was not God's law, but an entire package of Pharisaic regulations that had been elevated to the level of God's law.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Eight): Romans 10
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFrom the days of Sinai on, the ancient Israelites fixated on the notion that they were God's chosen people. This perspective proved counterproductive.
Elements of Judgment (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We need to learn to judge in a godly manner, putting merciful restraints on our tendency to condemn or jump to conclusions. One size does not fit all.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe 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.
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We dare not 'do away' anything that is part of God's mind, or we will not be in His image. Acts 15 did not give Gentiles exemption from keeping God's Law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul never taught any Jew to forsake the Law of Moses, but he did warn against Pharisaical additions for the expressed purpose of attaining justification.
God, Obama, and Religous Tolerance
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)President Obama endorsed the mosque at Ground Zero, pleading tolerance. Yet God is a jealous God, ordering the extermination of all competing religions.
Clean and Unclean Meats
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Nothing about the clean and unclean food laws has changed from the beginning; those statutes continue to transcend the Old and New Covenants.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist will empower us, but will not live our lives for us. The marching orders for our pilgrimage derive from God's Word, containing His holy law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe days, months, and times of Galatians 4:10 do not refer to God's Holy Days (which are not weak or beggarly), but to pagan rites the Galatians came out of.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRighteousness consists of applying the Law's letter and/or intent. Sin constitutes a failure of living up to the standards of what God defines as right.
Passover (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAt the time of Christ, because of historical deviation, some kept Passover at home at the start of the 14th and others kept it at the Temple at the end of the 14th.
Eating Out on the Sabbath
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the gray areas of applying God's Law, extending mercy and easing of burdens trumps legalism and hairsplitting.
Lamentations (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe people suffering under the Babylonians had basked in the privilege of being God's chosen people while also trashing the terms of the Covenant.
Love and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod expects works from all He has called. We show our faithfulness and loyalty to God by our works or conduct - what we produce by what we have been given.
Passover (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Passover is to be kept on the twilight of the 14th, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th. The Word of God supersedes tradition and heritage.
Law and Spirit Together
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOver-emphasis on law produces rigidity and loophole hunters, while over-emphasis on spirit produces emotional imbalance, permissiveness, and lack of structure.
Are We Ever Good Enough?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is necessary to begin with a conviction of sin in order to experience a need for Jesus Christ and to receive the joy in the forgiveness of sin.
Hypocrisy: The Last Sin of America
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHaving its roots in a Greek word denoting 'actor', hypocrisy suggests pretending or deceiving—a filthy inside disguised by a clean outside.
Matthew (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Pharisees and Sadducees, who normally opposed each other, joined forces against their common enemy, Jesus. They should have recognized Him as the Messiah.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe tares and wheat must coexist until the harvest when the fruit will become clearly seen, at which time a separation and judgment will take place.
John (Part Thirteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe myriad opinions of the crowd concerning Jesus were all conditioned from their perspectives and traditions, but hardly ever from God's perspective.
The Healing of a Man Born Blind (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must accept that there are some things for which we do not know the answer, and not all the things we 'know' are necessarily true.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath reminds us that God is Creator and that we were once in slavery to sin. The Sabbath is a time of blessing, deliverance, liberty, and redemption.
Matthew (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus didn't break the Sabbath, but he did break extra-legal fanatical human custom applied to the Sabbath apart from God's Law.