Playlist: Division (topic)

listen:

Division, Satan, Humility

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Throughout the course of Biblical history, whenever sin appears, confusion, division and separation are the automatic consequences.


Satan, Division, and Humility

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Competition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.


The Zero-Sum Game

Commentary by Mark Schindler

Despite the often wrong-headed propaganda promoted by the mainstream media, voices of common sense and logic occasionally manage to ascend to power.


Humble Your Hearts and Be No Longer Stubborn

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

The peace that passes all understanding comes from yielding to God's will, asking Him for a soft, pliable heart to replace the hard heart of stubbornness.


Unity (2006)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the symphony orchestra, only as an instrumentalist submits to the leader, working with the other members of the ensemble, can unity be accomplished.


Antidote For Disunity!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We 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.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

John warns Gaius of the treachery of Diotrephes, who had initiated a mutiny against God's true ministers, putting out of the church those who did not follow him.


Psalm 133 (1998)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Unity comes only through the initiation of God. If we would follow the suggestions in Romans 12, we could do our part in promoting unity in God's church.


Unity and Unleavened Bread

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As members of Christ's body, we must function for the good of the whole body, not competing with other parts. We must continually function as a son of God.


Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because of our lack of self-discipline and willingness to guard the truth, we have allowed our theological base to deteriorate under the persuasion of the world.


Of One Accord

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Confusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.


Unity

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Each member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father


Two Loaves, Baked with Leaven

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The leavening indicates that the wave loaves speak to this life rather than the resurrection. It is accepted by God only because of the other sacrifices.


Troubling the Household of God

Sermon by Mark Schindler

If we allow the old, carnal man to dictate how we speak or make other decisions, we will trouble the household of God and inherit nothing but the wind.


Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has placed us all in the body where it has pleased Him. We dare not imitate Satan by letting self-centered goals eclipse God's purpose.


The Christian and the World (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must realize we are walking on a razor's edge, with the Kingdom of God on one side and the world with all its sensual magnetic charms on the other side.


A Search for Identity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God gave His approval for the destruction of the Worldwide Church of God into numerous groups, allowing heresies so He could see who really loves Him.


Differences of Opinion

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Satan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.


Understanding Unity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must separate ourselves from the world, sacrificing ourselves to God's purpose to become at one with God, waiting for Him to unify us to others.


Knowing God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To fulfill one's purpose, one must be singularly focused on what one wants to accomplish. Divided minds result in no productivity or even devastation.


Reconciliation and Unity

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

It is foolish and pointless to use the same charm, social skills, and duplicity toward God as we use to deceive others and, sadly, even ourselves.


James and Unleavened Bread (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The epistle of James stresses both faith and works, emphasizing those factors necessary for growth, enabling us to produce a bountiful harvest of fruit.


Grace, Faith, and Love

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride condemned Satan to a fate of manipulating rather than serving. This presumptuous self-centered trait creates disunity and ultimately destruction.


Debate

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Bible takes a very dim view of argument, debate, discord, and strife. In all matters of contention, we must strive to put ourselves above the fray.


Unsharpened

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

The church of God may have focused too intensely on elusive esoteric principles and neglected the basics, such as developing solid relationships.


Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Every form of government fashioned by carnal human beings, including democracies and constitutional republics, are riddled with fatal flaws.


Unresolved: The Way We Were

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

All unresolved—and that includes hidden—sins occupying the deep, dark recesses of our memory possess the ability to create a gap between us and God.


Envy: The Most Precious Daughter

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

It is easy to follow in Satan's footsteps, courting his daughter Envy, reaping the disquiet which accompanies her. Envy comes from pushing God from our thoughts.


A Badly Divided Nation

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our country is divided politically and culturally more than at any other time since the Civil War and the population as a whole has become more callused.


Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.


The Wisdom of Men and Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The pressures and conflicts that the church has undergone is part of the spirit of the time that has embroiled religious and political institutions worldwide.


Facing Times of Stress: Persecution

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Persecution involves a wide spectrum, ranging from torture, physical beating, social excommunication, imprisonment and death. Our boldness should match Paul's.


John (Part Twenty-Six)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

While the other accounts of Jesus' trial and crucifixion seem to show passivity, John shows Jesus totally in charge, purposefully and courageously moving.


John (Part Seventeen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The shepherd and door analogies in John 10 depict the close relationship of Jesus with His flock as the security and stability provided by His protection.


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.


Satan (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan uses lies and disinformation to promote self-satisfaction over obedience to God. The way to the kingdom is through self-denial, even suffering unjustly.


What's Your Source?

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

No matter how finely tuned is one's baloney detector, wrong-headed thinking etches wrong concepts into minds around the world, even in the church of God.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In our quest for unity, we can never compromise with the truth. True love between brethren is impossible without an equal pr greater love for the truth.


Faith (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The hallmark of Christian character is humility, which comes about only when one sees himself in comparison to God. Pride makes distorted comparisons.


Passover and New Creation

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

God has a two-phased project, first a separation process, followed by a unification process, in which all will be gathered and unified into Christ.


The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Bitterness divides one member of Christ's Body from another. Individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to justify leaving a congregation.


Reluctant Leaders

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Do we as God's called-out ones find ourselves reluctant heirs to the throne or priesthood? We are all commoners, not yet equipped for rulership.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The strife between this world's belief systems shows that God did not originate them. False teachings are dangerous because they can erode the faith.


Four Warnings (Part Four): Founded on the Rock

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Mixing the solid foundation of Christ's teachings with the sand of worldly philosophies and traditions ends in calamity. We must build on the Rock.


The Spirit of Antichrist

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

All of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.


What Does God Really Want? (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The priorities in Matthew 6:33 indicates that the primary emphasis should be on repentance and overcoming rather than mastering a technicality.


Faith and the Calendar (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The real issue in the calendar controversy is not astronomical, but faith in God's sovereignty, providence, and His right to assign responsibility.


Preventing the Warfare State

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Satan has taught mankind the craft of war between nations, within families, in politics, and in sports. We must resist being dragged into partisan battles.


Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The 'people of the lie' do not believe they have any major defects and, consequently, do not have any need to examine themselves, let alone change.


Paul's Letter to Titus (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The last two chapters of Titus emphasize the importance of sound doctrine to neutralize the negative worldly aspects of culture and the attending heresies.


Satan (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To resist the Devil is to resist unlawful desires, not allowing him to manipulate our emotions. Satan works on fear of being denied something pleasurable.


Lessons From Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

If God's Law has not been written in our hearts, the corporate entity in which we find ourselves will not save us from the wrong side of the judgmental cut.


Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Grace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.


The Reality of Evil

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The best weapon against the evil of our human nature is to develop the mind of Christ within us to displace our carnal nature.


It Takes a Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As Christians, we need to form warm, productive, quality relationships with our brethren, actively ministering to the needs of one another.


A Pre-Passover Look

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must thoroughly examine ourselves, exercising and strengthening our faith, actively giving love back to God, to avoid taking Passover in a careless manner.


The Christian and the World (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

There is a clear demarcation in God's mind regarding which is the true way and which is not. We were formerly children of Satan until God rescued us.


Vanity (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon's statement that all of life is vanity is only true if one is not privy to God's ultimate purpose for mankind. Paul describes what God is doing.


Satan (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The spirit in man is initially good, but capable of being influenced by the spirit of this world, and surcharged with Satan's negative attitudes.


Satan (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The origins of our adversary, Satan the Devil, and his host of fallen angels or demons. God has promised us protection if we yield to and obey Him.


Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Though the Old and New Testament are complementary to one another, the emphasis of justice in the New Testament switches from national to personal in scope.


Love's Importance and Source

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is the source of real love; mankind by nature does not have it. It is only by knowing God that we can have this love. Godly love is a cycle that God initiates.


Focus on the First

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

We need to be less concerned about world events and more concerned about our relationship with God. The more serious conflict is the one within our heads.


Jesus and the Feast (Part Two): Belief in the Spirit

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the last day of the Feast, Jesus proclaimed Himself as the One who will dispense God's Spirit, amplifying the promise He had made to the woman at the well.


Who Do You Trust? (Part One)

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Cynical finger-pointing has destroyed confidence in every human institution, whether political, educational, scientific, and religious.


The Two Wave Loaves of Pentecost

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The offerings of the Old Testament are like divine parables, acted out to teach about the Messiah, unveiling a beautiful picture once we understand the symbols.


Fault Lines

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

The blame game has escalated from everywhere, including the political left and right, not unlike tectonic plates colliding, causing a major earthquake.


It IS All About Government

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Every form of human government established on this earth has been established as an attempt to declare independence from the sovereignty of God.


Don't Allow Fear to Direct Your Life

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim Myers

Fear and discouragement have infiltrated the church of God, causing many to stop fellowshipping on the Sabbath and some to give up keeping it altogether.


Soldiers of Christ

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Paul enjoins God's people to enlist as soldiers of Christ, enduring hardship, keeping themselves from the world, and putting on armor for spiritual battle.


It is Done! The Perfect Peace of God

Sermon by Mark Schindler

In the peace offering, Christ is the priest, offeror, and offering. Since all parties share the peace offering as a meal, it exemplifies a peaceful communion.


So Far Away

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

When the children of light judge and condemn those living in this world, they become the world and move away from God.


Engage!

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Our daily social interaction has become digital rather than flesh and blood. Social media has divided us into media ghettos. Society has become disengaged.


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

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The three parables in Matthew 25 (The Ten Virgins, The Talents and The Sheep and Goats) all focus on the importance of spiritual preparedness.


Responsibilities of Real Liberty

Sermonette by Mark Schindler

A piece of paper, such as Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, does not really set people free, especially from the slavery of human nature.


The Only Path to Reconcliation

Commentary by Mark Schindler

We must avoid being drawn into political conflicts because resolution and reconciliation is only available through yielding to Jesus Christ.


God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We seriously err if we rely on the secular media to give us spiritual understanding. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth.


Drawing Lines

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

The lines separating morality from immorality are blurred. We must recognize these lines and redraw them where we have allowed them to become blurred.


Trust Issues

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Like people of Micah's time, our people also have serious trust issues, even between close friends and family members.


Thank You for Finishing What You Start!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We should be thankful to God for His Holy Spirit, spiritual blessings, fellowship, as well as God's promise that He will finish what He has started.


A Political Hurricane

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Mass media and social media have been deliberately poking political hot buttons, purposely dividing the people of this nation to take adversary positions.


Assurance (Part Two): Of the Path to Glory

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We can be assured that we are God's heirs and offspring if we are led by the spirit, remaining on the sanctified path of fellowship, growing continually.


The Great Divide

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Resentment unresolved can make us physically and spiritually sick. It raises havoc with our nervous system as well as jeopardizes our salvation.


The Fifth Teacher

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Corinth had four positive teachers, yet a mysterious fifth teacher was also influencing them and instilling beliefs that were the source of all the bad fruit.


Seeking the King

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

It is common to focus on what the King gives and does, at the expense of what the King desires and requires, emphasizing God's grace over obligation.


Disinterestedness: Our Spiritual Iron Dome

Sermon by David F. Maas

Solomon used self-reflexiveness to detach himself and remain disinterested to objectively describe the consequences of an array of life's experiences.


An Overview of the Immigration Problem

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When diversity is given greater importance than unity, one can see the end of unity and cooperation with regard to national goals.


Out of Control

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Diverse cultures separate peoples, causing cantankerousness and hostility, even when these cultures share the same language or share a common language.


Looking Forward

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Richard Ritenbaugh, citing Mark Twain's aphorism, "The art of prophecy is difficult, especially with respect to the future," points out that there are too many variables for any human to predict accurately. We can be thankful that God's prognostications and prophecies are totally trustworthy, many of which have already …


Would Our God Do That?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The distorted perception of Jesus as an effeminate and ineffective Savior fails to understand that He is the so-called stern God of the Old Testament.


Faith, Government, and the Calendar (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The calculated Hebrew calendar reflects God's faithfulness in providing His children a reliable calendar. Concocting one's own calendar is presumptuous.


The Christian and the World (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Help in following God comes from displacing the love for the world with the love for God, and setting our hearts on spiritual treasures instead of earthly ones.


Matthew (Part Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The word 'blessed' in the Beatitudes means happy from within, not dependent on circumstances. It comes from having God's spirit and hope for the future.