Playlist: Bible Study, Importance of (topic)
Studying the Bible
Sermon by John O. ReidBible study provides a personal means of attaining the mind of God, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe draw closer to God through Bible study and prayer. Here are practical techniques for augmenting our Bible study, gathering our daily spiritual manna.
Metaphors of God's Word
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist says His words are Spirit and Life; they have a quality above human words because their source is divine. If ingested, these words lead to eternal life.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike geodes, hiding magnificent structural and aesthetic designs, the biblical types, emblems, or allegories are deceptively simple on the surface.
Writing Your Own Stories
Sermonette by Craig SablichThe Holy Spirit will bring things to remembrance when hauled before magistrates, but we are responsible for studying and rehearsing the truth.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEternal life is to live a quality life as God lives, having developed a close relationship with God, living by faith and accepting His sovereignty over all.
Keeping Love Alive (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we love another person, we like to think about him/her, to hear about him/her, please him/her, and we are jealous about his/her reputation and honor.
Don't Give Up!
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We must reorient our focus onto God's Word and His message of hope, never giving up our quest for righteousness and integrity in the midst of immorality.
Do You See God Working in You?
Sermon by Kim MyersJob was able to endure the multiple trials and tragic events by seeing the hand of God in his life, realizing that God works in both good and bad times.
Lessons From First-Century Christianity
Sermon by David C. GrabbeEven though the believers of the first century experienced extraordinary events, because of entropy, their zeal atrophied after the shockwaves dissipated.
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.
Finishing Your Gun Lap
Sermon by John O. ReidThe most dangerous lap we encounter is when everyone around us tends to be compromising. Today, what was once aberrant behavior is now considered normal.
Words Versus Images
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSpiritually, relying on images leads to shallowness of thought at best and idolatry at its worst. Virtually everything we know about God comes through words.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Gnostics criticized by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 were guilty of bringing in ritualistic ascetic discipline to propitiate demons.
Hebrews (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.
Psalm 23 (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughSheep are the most dependent on their owner for their well-being. From the viewpoint of the sheep, the quality of care of the shepherd is of utmost importance.
Hebrews 2: God Is Present
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's people must immerse themselves daily in the Scriptures. While sinning Israelites consider God to be absent, He is nevertheless present with His saints.
Faith and Technology
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeAs technology becomes more available, the material world threatens to crowd God out of the picture. The information age will destroy us unless we manage it.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Fifth Teacher
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeCorinth 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.
Freedom, Liberty, and Bondage
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Grace places limits on our freedom, training us for the Kingdom of God. Our behavior must be clearly distinguishable from the non-believers in society.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustification is not the end of the salvation process, but merely the opening to sanctification, where we bear fruit and give evidence of God's Spirit in us.
Four Views of Christ (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the typology of the four living creatures (Revelation 4:6-8) lies the foundation for understanding the gospels as four representations of the same Life.
How to Know We Love Christ
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.
Think on This
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingContrary to false concepts of meditation in Eastern religions, we are mandated to maintain control of their minds, using meditation as a teaching tool.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJeremiah compares studying and meditating upon God's Word to physical eating, enabling a person to receive spiritual energy, vitality, and health.
Hebrews (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews 11 provides examples to bolster faith. The faith described is not blind, but is carefully developed from systematic analysis of available evidence.
No Doubt
Sermonette by James BeaubelleDoubt can be a tool to drive us to seek God and His counsel, where there are plenty of resources to stabilize us from wavering between two opinions.
Guarding Against a Laodicean Attitude
Sermonette by Kim MyersWe cannot not allow ourselves to backslide, allowing pressure from the world's culture to draw us away from the faith once delivered to the saints.
Rock of Salvation or of Offense?
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIf we do not fully trust in Jesus Christ as our salvation, we will encounter Him as a stumbling block, offense, or tripping point.
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has called individuals with different temperaments, giving them a variety of spiritual gifts to work interdependently within Christ's Body.
From Faith to Love
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaPeter provides not only an effective antidote to corrosive heresies, apostasy, and false teachers, but also a practical formula for spiritual growth.
Conforming to This World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is far easier to conform to the world than to Christ. We must yield to God to renew our minds, living in the spirit rather than in the flesh.
The Lures Of Satan
Sermonette by Bill OnisickTrout become smart about the lures in their stream. Likewise, we must be cautious, realizing that the lure of sin, regardless of its disguise, means death.
Communication and Coming Out of Babylon (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod commands us to come out of Babylon, giving us spiritual resources to do so, including faith, vision, hope, and love. These come through knowing Him.
When the Trumpet Blows
Sermon by John O. ReidThroughout Israel's history, the trumpet blast has always meant the onset of war, death, and destruction, ushering in harsh correction for physical Israel.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOld Testament activities picture New Testament realities, elevated to their spiritual intent. The church has been chosen as a royal and holy priesthood.
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.
Happiness is Circumstantial, but Joy is Not!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHappiness is a by-product of our response to God's calling, coupled with our determination to connect with the Father, the Son, and the whole spiritual family.
Don't Cherry Pick God's Law
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersWhile many people like some of God's laws, they like to pick and choose, preferring a blend of their own preferences with some of God's laws added in.
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.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan has attempted to obliterate the sanctification step from the conversion process. Sanctification is produced by doing works pleasing to God.
Don't Take God for Granted
Sermon by John O. ReidWe all tend to allow familiarity to lure us into carelessly taking something for granted. This is particularly dangerous regarding God and His purpose for us.
Love's Basic Definition
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove is not a feeling, but an action—defined as keeping God's commandments, the only means by which we can possibly know Him, leading to eternal life.
Everlasting Consolation and Good Hope
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's saints are not immune to depression. Job, Moses, and Elijah all felt so overwhelmed, they wanted God to take their lives.
The Cunning of Satan
Sermon by Kim MyersThe process of being taken over by sin usually takes place over a lengthy period of time as we allow Satan's deceptive words to corrode our attitudes.
Looking Forward (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhich button would someone have to push for you to leave the truth of God? The doctrines of grace and liberty have been perverted into tolerance of sin.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe architects of the trinity doctrine admit that it is a 'somewhat unsteady silhouette', requiring assumptions and inferences, but unsupportable by Scripture.
Prepare
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWe need to prepare for a grim future by coming out of this world, exercising and toughening up the spiritual aspects of our lives through Basic Training.
The Christian and the World (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughClear vision lights the way spiritually. If the eye of the heart is aimed at spiritual treasure and the glory of God, it will remain singly focused.
The Commandments (Part Nineteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus taught that all outward sin stems from inner inordinate desire. What we desire or lust after automatically becomes our idol.
Philippians (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ, through His voluntary humility, has given us a model of the mindset that we need to have in order to attain membership in the family of God.
In the Woods
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloIn the woods, or out in pristine nature, too many people project safety and serenity, prompting them to take no defense with them against predators.
Teaching Us to Think (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod instructs us to be living sacrifices. Too many drag this change out over decades, thereby self-limiting the process of sanctification.
Enduring to the End
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe antidote to post-Feast blues is to get our heads in God's Word, meditating on the topic of endurance, thinking about what it takes to endure to the end.
Resistance (Part Two): Solutions
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMoses, Jonah, David, and Gideon demonstrated resistance to God's prompts, indicating that they initially feared men more than they feared God.
The Thinking Mind
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the current toxic culture, we have been warned not to be conformed to the world, but to become transformed into the glorious likeness of Christ.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.
Preparing While Waiting For God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWaiting for God is an acquired virtue requiring patience and longsuffering. Times of waiting are times to practice obedience and fellowship with others.
Living by Faith: God's Sovereignty
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Since God is sovereign over His creation, we need to be careful about reviling someone in authority, even someone who may have been appointed to bring evil.
A Quick Survey of American Christianity
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A nation's religions generally determine the moral standards of a nation. The United States is currently afflicted with biblical illiteracy.
To Test You
Sermon by John O. ReidJesus, Joseph, David, and Abraham all endured considerable trials before they qualified for their offices. We must make our calling and election sure.
Overcoming Discouragement and Depression
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven loyal servants of God have had to contend with depression and discouragement. Antidotes include rest, refocus, right expectations, and obedient actions.
Preparing Your Heart
Sermon by John O. ReidBecause 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.
The Purpose of the Ministry
Sermon by John O. ReidThe purpose of the ministry is to train members for service to God, edifying them, equipping them for their job, and bringing them to spiritual maturity.
Preparing to Rule (1993)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSanctification is both a state and a process—a time period between justification and glorification during which overcoming, purification, and holiness takes place.
John (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe woman of Samaria is like each of us, initially hardened, self-willed and skeptical when called, but afterwards zealous when enlightened by the truth.