Playlist: Commitment (topic)

listen:

A Man of Fortitude and Conviction

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Desmond Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. This Sabbath-keeping medic exemplifies total conviction.


Burn the Ships

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Total commitment is not an option, it is a requirement, as Elisha demonstrated when Elijah threw the mantle on him leading Elisha to sacrifice his oxen.


Thank You For Being A Friend

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

True friendship is not just a casual relationship, but a deep commitment of trust, enabling the sharing of our deepest thoughts without fear of betrayal.


What Would You Die For?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Christian martyrs, convicted by God's truth, having an ardent love for Christ, have attained a special place of honor because of their ultimate sacrifice.


How Expensive is Your Religion?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike Ford

we must soberly count the cost before we embark on our spiritual trek. Are we willing to give up our job, our family, or even our life to follow God's plan?


Freedom and Responsibility

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When a culture liberalizes, there will be a corresponding rise in irresponsibility, as people become fickle, rash, undependable, untrustworthy or disloyal.


The Small and Great Standing Before God

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

The greatest, according to Jesus Christ, can be determined by the one who serves the most with an attitude of humility, generosity, and other-centeredness.


Our 'Mental' Deathbed

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Moses asks God to teach us to number our days, realizing that our physical lives are finite, requiring a sense of urgency to get rid of our sins.


The Household of God and Loyalty

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The ultimate shame for a covenant people is to be found disloyal. God will be faithful to His purpose for humankind and will pursue it to its glorious end.


Life, Fortunes, Sacred Honor

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many of the Declaration's signers literally lost their fortunes, properties, and health—even their lives. Are we willing to commit ourselves as fully?


Are You a True Friend of Jesus Christ?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In every platitude and truism about friendship that we have read, all point to loyalty and faithfulness as the most desired attributes.


Dedication is a Necessity

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Devoted dedication to a cause—God's cause—is a vital character quality needed for every Christian. We are required to put Him before all else in life.


The Summertime Soldier and Sunshine Patriotism

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must put our lives, treasure, and honor on the line, picking up our cross daily, declaring our independence from carnality, evil and bondage to sin.


Elite, Special Spiritual Forces Training

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Like a muscle, God's Spirit must be continually used to overcome Satan's attacks in our minds which are, without discipline, hostile to God's laws.


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.


Endure as a Good Soldier

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In God's plan, the development of uncompromising character requires struggle and sacrifice. Our victory requires continual drill, tests and development of discipline.


Deuteronomy (Part 4)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we learn to fear and love God, loyalty, faithfulness and commandment-keeping will naturally follow, and we will instinctively hasten to depart from evil.


Faith (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Faithfulness in a person ultimately rests on his or her trust in God, and if a person is going to be faithful, its because he or she believes what God says.


How Much Do You Value the Kingdom of God?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Martyrdom is not a penalty because a person has failed to qualify for the Place of Safety; rather, it is a badge of honor for those who have overcome.


Choosing to Have a Good Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Bible emphasizes marriage as the primary bond of society. The purpose for the marriage relationship is to depict the marriage of Christ and His bride.


Psalms: Book One (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

David reminds us in Psalm 37 that we should not be concerned about the wicked, whose destiny is to perish, and that the righteous are infinitely better off.


Post-Resurrection Lessons

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the Road to Emmaus, some of Christ's followers were agitated, confused, and in turmoil, being unable to put the scriptures and the physical facts together.


The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Marriage prepares God's called-out ones to collectively become the bride of Christ. God hates divorce but allows it on grounds of adultery and violence.


Hope to the End (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Faith, hope and love are spiritual gifts which safeguard us from discouragement and depression, giving us a mature perspective that will last eternally.


Learning to Navigate

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Are we navigating through life toward God's Kingdom like Jesus Christ? As our example, He has already done the heavy lifting; our job is to follow his lead.


Faith (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Far from being blind, faith is based on analyzing, comparing, adding up from evidence in God's Word, our own experience, and our calling by God's Holy Spirit.


When We Come to Ourselves

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We have been guided supernaturally and must contemplate the significance of this intervention and what it now requires of us.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Abraham embodied living by faith. Through perpetually living in a tent, he demonstrated his complete trust and reliance upon God.


Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The sanctification process requires us to cooperate with God in order to produce Christian works and character, preparing us for the Kingdom of God.


Maintaining Good Health (Part 13)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Commitment to a course of action is essential for physical or spiritual success. Faith motivates and sustains right action, protecting us from the yo-yo like fits of starting and stopping. Shallow or incomplete faith is contrasted with complete or mature faith. Our simple faith must transform into mature or enduring faith, which …


Preparing Your Heart

Sermon by John O. Reid

Because the heart represents what and who we are and how we conduct our lives, the condition of our spiritual heart is of the utmost importance to us.


Looking Back to the Future

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The dwelling in booths and the sacrifices were the context for rejoicing at the Feast of Tabernacles. The booths depict our current lives as pilgrims.


You Are My Friends!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

While it is common on Facebook to defriend/unfriend, Christ's love for His people is a friending with the condition that godly fruit is produced.


One Nation Under God (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We need to follow Nehemiah's example in submitting to God, focusing on the right goals, having wisdom in handling complex situations, and having courage.


Hosea's Prophecy (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Hosea is an account of Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant with God, and the redemptive work of God to rescue His unfaithful spouse from slavery.


The Wonderful Ordinance of Water Baptism

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Baptism symbolizes a burial and resurrection, or the crucifixion of the carnal self. After a person realizes his ways have been wrong, he should counsel for baptism.


Persistence

Sermon by John O. Reid

Persistence is impossible without a transcendent and ardent vision, which prevents us from casting off restraint and gives us the will to keep on.


Flee From Idolatry (Part One): Self-Discipline

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Though Paul's spiritual credentials outstripped all of his coworkers, Paul used none of his rights as an apostle, but gave his life as a sacrifice.


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 …


The Essence of Self-Control

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

A lack of self-control, as well as the cultivation of self-indulgent perversions, will characterize large segments of our society living at the end times.


The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.


Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some of us, facing the stress of the times, may simply be going through the motions but losing every vestige of faith. We must strengthen our convictions.


Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

All of God's people should be watchmen like Habakkuk, living continually by faith, discerning, listening to, and responding to God's instructions.


Trumpets Is a Day of Hope

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.


Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God emphasizes Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles to show the result of doing whatever our human heart leads us to do. The physical cannot satisfy.


Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

There is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.


Tithing: 'Try Me Now!' (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The tithes did not belong to the Levites, but to God who commanded their services on behalf of the people. Refusal to tithe robs God.


Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Misguided theologians have tried to create a false dichotomy between grace and works. We do works of obedience to build character, not to earn salvation.


Doing Righteousness

Sermon by Kim Myers

God's church, because it co-exists with the unrighteousness of the world, is in danger of becoming corrupted or leavened by the world's example.


Indifference and Offering

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert Armstrong used his advertising skill to teach the truth of God, unlike the peddlers of the 'Prosperity' gospel who promise material blessings.


Rock of Salvation or of Offense?

Sermon by Mark Schindler

If we do not fully trust in Jesus Christ as our salvation, we will encounter Him as a stumbling block, offense, or tripping point.


Psalms: Book One (Part Five)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Book One of the Psalms, parallel with the spring season, focuses on the Messianic prophecies, revealing God's plan to redeem Israel by crushing Satan.


Living a Life that Pleases God

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Even as Enoch lived a life that pleased God, the Scriptures identify seven qualities that enable us to live a life that pleases God.


Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Winston Churchill's wartime advice, 'Never give in,' is good advice for us now as we approach the horrible time of the Great Tribulation.


Being Alert to Our Enemy

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Like the cycles of the seasons, the events of prophecy follow natural progressions. God has given ample warnings to His prophets to prepare His people.


Seeing Sanctification as an Exciting Adventure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. Maas

The events in today's news can seem overwhelming, but there are strategies to turn the sanctification process into an exciting adventure.


God's Investment in You

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God wants to protect His investment in us, calling those whom He knows will exercise the zeal, and willingness to sacrifice, to complete the project.


Wilderness Wandering (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

If we yield to God's manipulation of our lives, we will handle stress constructively, developing a relationship with Him, bearing spiritual fruit.


Been There, Done That!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

If we do not make the terrible mistake of forgetting the lessons of previous experiences, they will serve us well in the vortex of change that is upon us.


Impure Language Destroyed

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Poisoned and perverted language will be destroyed in God's kingdom, when purified hearts will speak a pure language.


Our Awesome Destiny

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Understanding is totally different from knowledge. Some people with ample knowledge are incredibly ignorant when discerning the plan of God.


Prophets and Prophecy (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A prophet is one who speaks for God, expressing His will in words and sometimes signs. Standing outside the system, he proclaims God's purpose, including repentance.


Will Jesus Be Ashamed of You?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We are never to be ashamed of God's truth no matter what the consequences. For those who keep this charge, God will reciprocate with honor.


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.


Maintaining Good Health (Part 14)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Proper diet demands responsible choices, and if we do not yield to God's laws governing nutrition, choosing the best foods, we will eventually pay the price.


The Fear of God (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

After the Spirit of God is imparted, removing the fear of men and installing the life-sustaining fear of God, the real dramatic growth takes place.


Real Conversion

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The process of conversion is actually God's workmanship creating a new spiritual being with godly spiritual character- the image of Christ.


Philippians (Part Nine)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Godly righteousness demands humility, a readiness to admit shortcomings, a yieldedness to correction, and a willingness to be refashioned.


Matthew (Part Seventeen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus didn't break the Sabbath, but he did break extra-legal fanatical human custom applied to the Sabbath apart from God's Law.


Matthew (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus resisted Satan with the knowledge of God, resisting appeals to vanity, using power selfishly resisting to lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.