Playlist: Spirit in Man (topic)
A Primer On Spirit
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Spirit is an invisible force, the effects of which are clear by its manifestations. Spirit can be discerned by thinking through and evaluating its effects.
The Holy Spirit
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeGod's Holy Spirit typically refers to the mind of God and Christ, which is added to our human spirit to create a sound mind by which we witness of God.
Wind and God's Spirit
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)God controls the invisible wind—powerful or gentle—making it an ideal symbol for His Spirit. God's breathing life into Adam foreshadowed giving the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere are varieties of spirit, motivating people to 'go with the flow' and conform to a sheep-like mob psychology. Satan's spirit encourages sinfulness.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn most biblical contexts, 'spirit' refers to the invisible, internal activating dimension of the mind. Synonyms include heart, mind, and thoughts.
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.
Powerful Effects of the Holy Spirit
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are intrigued by supernatural power, and many seek to display it. Yet the Scriptures show the activity of the Holy Spirit in ways that are commonly missed.
Man's Greatest Challenge (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is almost impossible to make sense out of this world if we try to process the voluminous information available in these days of exploding knowledge.
Disinterestedness: Our Spiritual Iron Dome
Sermon by David F. MaasSolomon used self-reflexiveness to detach himself and remain disinterested to objectively describe the consequences of an array of life's experiences.
A GPS for our Spiritual Pilgrimage
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasSince God's thoughts are higher than ours, we must keep an intimate GPS-like dialogue with our heavenly Father so we can stay on the right path to the Kingdom.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'
Using Power Righteously (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When we yield to God's Spirit, we receive the power to do the things God has prepared His firstfruits to accomplish, adding to the capabilities of the spirit in man.
Good, Good, Good Vibrations
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Bill OnisickEvery human has a spirit in us, constituting an invisible force that enables us to think and be motivated, influenced, and encouraged by other spirits around us.
Is Your Soul Immortal?
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prevailing idea is that the soul is the indestructible part of a human being that lives on after death. The Bible reveals a different reality of life and death.
Using Power Righteously (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has singled each one of us out individually, calling us, gifting us with capabilities, and preparing us for eternal life as members of His family.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Six): Sunshine, Fresh Air, Cleanliness
Sermon by David F. MaasThere are striking and insightful parallels between the physical benefits of sunshine, fresh air, and cleanliness and the yet unseen spiritual dimensions.
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.
Do Angels Live Forever? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot assume that angels are immortal and share the same kind of spirit God Almighty has; we cannot assume they are indestructible.
The Right Use of Power
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWith dominion comes responsibility to maintain. The sad history of mankind shows that he has mismanaged his power, bringing about disease, war, and famine.
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.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous scriptural references to angelic beings indicate that the spiritual entities have tangible substance. God is not a universal nothingness.
Pitfalls of Scholarship
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhile we find much biblical scholarship useful and productive, without God's Spirit, most biblical scholarship is at best a mixture of good and evil.
From Pilgrims to Pillars (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe intensity of the heat in both the refiner's furnace and the potter's kiln resembles the fiery trials we must endure for the Refiner to remove the dross.
The Christian and the World (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe entire world is antagonistic to God because of the spirit generated by an unseen ruler. Our Christian duty is to stay awake and keep our guard up.
Satan (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spirit in man is initially good, but capable of being influenced by the spirit of this world, and surcharged with Satan's negative attitudes.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Three)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe natural gift, talent, or ability we receive at our birth provides the raw material God's Spirit uses to transform physical gifts into spiritual gifts.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasIf we stockpile God's Word into our nervous systems, even though our outer man is decaying while our inner self is being renewed, we will nurture our spiritual legacy.
Defining the Human Mind
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The Hebrews used metaphorical extensions such as the terms 'heart' and 'head' to refer to the repositories of the breath of life given to the human soul.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Conclusion)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBecause we will ultimately turn into what we assimilate, we must take back the hijacked tool of meditation to drive out carnal thoughts.
Real Conversion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe process of conversion is actually God's workmanship creating a new spiritual being with godly spiritual character- the image of Christ.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.
Disproving Hell
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of Protestant and Catholic theology is immersed in pagan concepts of hell, reinforced by Dante's Inferno. Here is what the Bible says, without tradition.
How the Human Mind Shapes What We Believe
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThere are numerous fallacious reasoning patterns to which we can all fall prey, seen in a number of incidents recorded throughout the Bible.
The Seed of Eternal Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul provided a decaying kernel of grain as a metaphor of death and resurrection, indicating that the new spirit body will be a completely different body.
Imagining The Garden of Eden (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Garden of Eden was probably prepared or planted after Adam was created so he could see God at work, providing him an example of diligence and satisfaction.
Back to Life (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAll of us who are called by God are so precious in His sight that Jesus Christ, before we were even born, died for us, saving us from oblivion.
Why We Do Not Vote
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChristians have been called out of this world's politics, voting included. As ambassadors of Christ, we cannot participate in the politics of another country.
Sin (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough influenced by Satan and the world, sin is still a personal choice. Christ's sacrifice and God's Spirit provide our only defense against its pulls.
No One Else Matters (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSin has tainted the most faithful leaders. Most (perhaps all) church leaders have skeletons in their closets, but we follow them as they follow Christ.
Handwriting Is On The Wall (2019)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThose espousing transhumanism aspire to correct the 'glitches' of human imperfection through gene splicing, replacing 'inferior' organs with synthetic ones.
All Flesh Shall See the Salvation of God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMoral failure compounds when self-loathing sabotages happiness. Only atonement can turn this depression around, providing the comfort of mental and spiritual health.
Patterns of Resistance
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityOne of man's twisted thought patterns has two parts: (1) We seek to elevate ourselves above God, and (2) we lie to ourselves about the first pattern.
Psalms: Book Two (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe second set of documents and events consists of Book Two of Psalms, Exodus, Ruth, Psalm 147, and the Pentecost season, relating to faith within trials.
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPost-abortion mothers experience guilt, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, and even suicide. The mental health of the immediate and extended family also degenerates.
The Original Sin Question
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Though we inherit the proclivity to sin, neither it nor Satan makes us sin. We are responsible for our own sins and for the consequences—death.
Imagining The Garden of Eden (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil opened the minds of our first parents to evil, the experiential knowledge that comes from sin.
Obeying From the Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFailure to obey from the heart, and not having an accurate picture or appraisal of God, is the chief contributory cause of spiritual depression.
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPurpose-driven churches experience exponential growth through tolerating any belief. These churches would sacrifice any doctrine if it stands in the way of growth.
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDespite the growing popularity of Purpose-Driven churches, national immorality is still increasing. The 'emerging church' grows numerically by suppressing truth.
Everlasting Light
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's Spirit illumines the truth to the core of our beings. We must exemplify light in our testimony and behavior, anticipating our future glory of the New Jerusalem.
A Bed Too Short (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Our society is too connected with the present, too enamored of technology, too surfeited on abundance to pay attention to basic laws of cause and effect.
Four Views of Christ (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Gospels are Christ's biography. They also illustrate the typology of Revelation 4:7 depicting a lion, ox, man, and eagle, giving a picture of Christ's character.
Faith (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAt the time of the end, sin will be so pervasive and so compelling that our only resource for enduring its influence will be our relationship with God.