Playlist: Thorn in the Flesh (topic)
When Will God Answer?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod does not delay because of indifference, but wants to provide maximum opportunity for repenting, overcoming, and building character.
Anointing With Oil
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingBeing anointed is no guarantee of healing unless it is part of God's will. Sometimes a thorn in the flesh may produce some undeveloped character.
Trials: Much Needed Experiences
Sermon by John O. ReidGod uses trials to test our hearts, but He never places a trial before us to tempt us. God uses trials we bring on ourselves to draw us closer to Him.
Why Does God Allow Us to Be Afflicted?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn God's hands, trials and afflictions are tools to produce refined character and joy, and to move us away from worldly choices and back to His purpose.
Do We See Ourselves As God Sees Us?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Praying without gratitude is like clipping the wings of prayer. Thankfulness is not natural to carnal human nature which loves to grovel as a timid worrywart.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPrayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.
Unanswered Prayer
Sermonette by James BeaubelleEven though we often must wait for a response, God listens closely to our prayers from the heart and is looking out for our best interests.
The Grand Secret!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod reveals a grand secret through David: namely, that spiritual growth will come to people who set the Lord before oneself continuously.
Contentment
Sermon by John O. ReidMany people live in a state of discontent. Tragically, what they set their hearts upon often displaces the love for family and a relationship with God.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ecclesiastes 7 contains a series of 'this is better than that' observations. Wisdom seems to carry more sadness and sorrow than mirth or foolishness.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughStewardship of our bodies is (like the Levitical maintenance of the temple) an aspect of holiness, strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ.
A Contrite Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe contrite or brokenhearted person finds special favor with God, and a humble or contrite spirit is indeed a precursor to forgiveness and spiritual healing.
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.
Answered Prayer Through Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFor prayer to be successful, our petitions must be specific and synchronized to God's will, but we must patiently and humbly accept God's timetable.
Is God a Magician?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTechnology makes us susceptible to the 'quick fix' mentality, expecting miraculous solutions to all problems, making us susceptible to false miracles.
Countering Presumptuousness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughKorah, Dathan, and Abiram were not content with where God had placed them, but, in a spirit of pride, wanted to arrogate to themselves the office of Moses.
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.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe purpose of prayer is not to overcome God's reluctance, but to help in yielding to His will. 'Prayer changes things' is only true if it conforms to God's will.
Job: Things Left Unsaid
Sermon by David C. GrabbeEven the accuser of the brethren made no accusations against Job, the first of several curious absences—things left unsaid—in the book of Job.
Suffering Disgrace For Christ's Name
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can always expect new challenges, including persecution, and must never be content with standing still, but must press on to spiritual maturity.
Trumpets, Christ's Coming, and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause the exact time of Christ's return is not known, we must always be ready, as though His return is imminent. Those not prepared will be blindsided.
Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe group that one fellowships with is less important than the understanding that there is one true church, bound by a spiritual, not a physical unity.
Faith (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.
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.
Warning of Judgment, Urgency to Prepare!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe need to prepare physically and mentally for God's expected judgment—a terrible thing for those not aligned to His divine purpose for humanity.
Facing Times of Stress: Always in God's Presence
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can maintain spiritual contact using David's tactic of continually maintaining the Lord before him in his thoughts, prayers, and meditations.
Facing Times of Stress: Contentment
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we trust God, we do not have to worry about the future. Having abundance and having need both have their unique problems and difficulties.
Prayer Does Make a Difference
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod does not hear a prayer of pride, selfishness, and self exaltation, but He listens to prayers of supplication and intercession for the saints.
Diligence in the Face of Trials
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are in the battle of our very lives, facing the three formidable fronts of the world, Satan, and our own flesh. We must be strong in the Lord.
The Greatness of God's Power
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul emphasized the power of God living in us through the Holy Spirit to enable us to develop into His family. Through God's power, we will triumph over death.
Made Alive by Exceeding Greatness!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod granted humans a limited measure of power and dominion at creation, but not until the Day of Pentecost of 31 AD did their potential become fully operative.
Acts (Part Nineteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul encountered persecution but also saw his work bear fruit. He was driven from the synagogue, but paradoxically won over its leader, Crispus.
Acts (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe people of Lystra and Derbe mistake Paul for Hermes and Barnabas for Zeus. When Paul convinces the crowds that he and Barnabas are not gods, they are rejected.
Keep Your Heart With All Diligence!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist does not remove His people's trials, but He provides help for those going through them, using the cleansing power of the trial to heal their minds.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasGod's promises to give us the desires of our hearts, His Holy Spirit, wisdom, and spiritual gifts to edify the Body all come with strings attached.
Never Again: God's Purpose For Bad Memories
Sermon by David F. MaasAfter God forgives our sins, He still allows residual memories of these transgressions to remain in our memories, evidently to help us in overcoming.
Hands That Hang Low
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThose caught in the throes of chronic depression, unable to cope with the stress of horrendous events, need the sympathetic understanding of brethren.
The Great Flood (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe 'giants' in Genesis 6 could have been large for average human beings, but the giant aspect should be applied metaphorically as the movers and shakers.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.
Matthew (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughMatthew 11 focuses upon the ruminations of John the Baptist, who, even though he was close to Christ, may have misunderstood the nature of Christ's mission.