Playlist: Self Importance (topic)

listen:

The Heart's Self-Absorption

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

II Timothy 3:1-5 contains 19 characteristics of carnality. The common denominator is self-absorption and pride, placing the self above others.


Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Three): Attitude

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Job had not achieved spiritual maturity, but had assumed the arrogant stance of attempting to debate the Creator on his own level.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.


Countering Presumptuousness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Korah, 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.


Presumptuousness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Individuals arrogating to themselves the authority to change doctrine are on extremely dangerous ground, presumptuously setting up idols in place of God.


Living by Faith: Human Pride

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our human nature is pure vanity with a heart that is desperately deceitful and wicked, motivated by self-centeredness, a deadly combination for producing sin.


The Danger of Trusting in Oneself

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Those wise in their own eyes, including philosophers, politicians, educators, and religious leaders, have failed in their quest to make the world better.


Pride, Humility, and Fasting

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The intent of fasting is to deflate our pride—the major taproot of sin—the biggest deterrent to a positive relationship with God. Humility heals the breach.


Are You Living An Illusion?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Religious narcissists, who identify with the servant who received ten talents, cherry-pick Scripture to enhance their self-love and support their views.


Faith and Spiritual Focus

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Fasting is not for pressuring God or attempting to put Him in debt, but instead to reveal what we really are, clothing us with the humility to yield to Him.


Wrong Will Eventually Be Set Right

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God frequently turns things around with an element of surprise, defeating human will, replacing it with understanding of the benefits of His will.


Titus (Part Six)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We 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.


The Book of Daniel (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When the commands of a secular state conflict with God's commands, we face the same dilemma as was faced by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.


Absalom: A Study in Narcissism

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Probably the biblical character best exemplifying the narcissistic personality is David's son, Absalom, clearly a spoiled son in a dysfunctional family.


Thou Shall Not Covet

Sermon by John O. Reid

Because virtually every sin begins as a desire in the mind, the command against coveting (lustful cravings) could be the key to keeping the other commandments.


The March Toward Globalism (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

As parents, we can protect our children from death and destruction if we discourage the self-absorptive pulls through correction and discipline.


Four Warnings (Part Two): Beware of False Prophets

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's people will know false teachers by their fruits. Even as helpless sheep, we must exercise vigilance detecting the fruits of their preaching.


Seeking God in the Mundane

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Pentecostalism, with its sensationalism, is dangerous to a true believer. God is more interested in quietness and meekness than in bombastic displays of power.


Amos (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Amos, like a circling hawk, makes dire pronouncements on all of Israel's enemies but reserves the harshest judgment for Israel, who should have known better.


Perfect, Gentle Courtesy (Part 3)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Parents are obligated to teach God's laws to their children. According to Emily Post, good manners are to the family what good morals are to society.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Six)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Like the four groups of seeds exposed to various qualities of soil, many have heard the true gospel, but few have remained faithful after the onslaught of hardship.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.


Right Out of the Gate

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

God has called many to be the bride, but only a relative few have been chosen. We have the honor of having God as our friend just as much as Abraham.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Job, we must surrender to God's will and purpose for our lives, realizing that both pleasant and horrendous times work for our spiritual development.