Playlist: God, Drawing Near to (topic)
God Gives Grace to the Humble
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGenuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.
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.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPrayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.
The Fear of God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must have established some relationship with God before we can rightly fear Him. A holy fear is the key to unlocking the treasuries of salvation and wisdom.
Reconciliation and the Day of Atonement
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRepentance is something we must do with our God-given free moral agency. Reconciliation is an ongoing process that enables us to draw closer to what God is.
When We Come to Ourselves
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have been guided supernaturally and must contemplate the significance of this intervention and what it now requires of us.
The Priesthood of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The firstborn privileges indicate prominence, carrying the birthright promises. In the New Testament, the firstborn did not always correspond to actual birth order.
The Fear of God (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAfter 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.
Fasting
Sermonette by James BeaubelleThe best offering we can present is a humble and contrite heart, attainable through fasting, if done without pride and self-seeking.
Drifting
Sermonette by Bill OnisickHebrews warns us to resist the pernicious pulls of the world and the flesh that cause us to spiritually drift, particularly pride and double-mindedness.
House of Mourning
Sermon by Bill OnisickThe prospect of death makes one more mature and self-aware, illuminating the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 that it is better to go to the house of mourning.
Fast or Famine
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has used famine as one of the tools to get the Israelites' attention when they violated the terms of the Covenant with Him, forsaking His holy law.
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.
Unanswered Prayer
Sermonette by James BeaubelleEven though we often must wait for a response, God listens closely to our prayers from the heart and is looking out for our best interests.
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.
Resistance Is Not Futile
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloSatan salivates over our discouragement, proclaiming that any resistance is futile. But we must actively resist Satan's lies and propaganda.
Deuteronomy (Part 4) (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must seek God as ardently as we would a physical love relationship, spending quality time with Him. If we make no effort, the relationship cools.
A Contrite Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe contrite or brokenhearted person finds special favor with God, and a humble or contrite spirit is indeed a precursor to forgiveness and spiritual healing.
Intimacy with Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan has deliberately designed this world to burn up our precious time, creating an artificial sense of urgency and a perpetual state of discontent.
James and Unleavened Bread (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe epistle of James stresses both faith and works, emphasizing those factors necessary for growth, enabling us to produce a bountiful harvest of fruit.
Spirit of Power!
Sermonette by Levi W. GrahamWhen we submit to God, employing God's Spirit, Satan can be intimidated and forced to flee from our presence just as the demons were terrified of Jesus.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHumility is not low self esteem, but instead it is a proper estimate of our relationship to God, which is a choice to act and behave as a servant or slave.
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.
Building Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.
Faith and Prayer
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConstant, earnest prayer keeps faith alive and makes certain the receiving of the qualities that make us in the image of God. God's purpose comes first.
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.
The Reversal of Human Will
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsNumerous examples in scripture demonstrate a sudden reversal by God, who overturns the pride of human will, revealing His plans to the lowly and the humble.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe receive more of God's Spirit as we respond to His calling, drawing near to His presence and reversing Adam and Eve's fatal errors.
Imagination
Sermon by John O. ReidSatan works on us through our imagination; he broadcasts images to our minds. To counter this, we must resist him, practice humility and draw close to God.
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.
Wrong Will Eventually Be Set Right
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod frequently turns things around with an element of surprise, defeating human will, replacing it with understanding of the benefits of His will.
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.
Prayer and Fervency
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiving faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.
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.
What if You Are Betrayed?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBetrayal is triggered by a root of bitterness resulting from envy, but turning into hatred, a shoot of bitterness manifesting a spirit of murder.
Chronicles: Answered Prayer
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe thesis of Chronicles seems to be that when God's people seek Him in repentance and humility, God comes to their aid; if not, they fail.
Psalms: Book Three (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBook Three of the Psalms addresses the compulsion to fast and to mourn. Judah's faithlessness brought about the horrific destruction of Jerusalem on Av 9.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ecclesiastes deals with quality of life issues for those who have been called, emphasizing responsibility and choice, continually fearing God.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn answer to the question, 'How can a mere human being fulfill the difficult expectations of God?', Jesus instructs us to 'Ask, seek, and knock.'
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasIn the Olivet prophecy, Jesus gave His disciples a pointed warning about rampant deception occurring at the close of the age, engineered by the arch deceiver.
The Pure in Heart
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is the core of our heart that must be cleansed before we can have a pure heart, enabling us to see God as He is.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Eight) Cultivating the Fruit of Faithfulness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe only tangible measures of faith is faithfulness, trust, and loyalty to God. We don't need to ask God for more faith, but rather work on being faithful.
The New World Order Rises
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Beast is a reality, and it is coming to pass in the scope of globalism. Satan has a vast reservoir of people he can work through; we used to be a part of it.
Prayer Makes a Difference
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod expects us to intercede in behalf of others, but we must do this with wisdom, sincerity, and humility, with the help of God's Spirit, according to God's will.
Two Contrary Visions
Sermon by John O. ReidGod has a vision for us, a vision He has been planning from the foundation of creation, an awesome plan to bring us into His very family, giving us His mind.
Hebrews (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews emphasizes the infinite superiority of Christ's priesthood and one-time sacrifice as contrasted to the repetitive Aaronic sacrifices.
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.
The Momentum of Sin
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityBoth David and Eve failed to slow down the momentum of their carnal lusts. The momentum of sin is dangerous, especially when the consequences appear to be far away.
Achieving the Desires of Our Hearts
Sermonette by David F. MaasGod's promise to give us the desires of our heart is contingent upon delighting ourselves in Him, changing our hearts to be in alignment with His attributes.
Our Spiritual Marathon
Sermonette by Bill OnisickIt behooves us not only to accept God's will, but also to earnestly desire it as our will, and not to kick against the goads, as Saul initially reacted.
Are You Running on Empty?
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloThe Parable of the Ten Virgins must become a wake-up call to the church of God that we are 'running on empty,' to quote a Jackson Brown song.
The Reality of the Feast
Sermon by Mark SchindlerUnless we anchor ourselves in God's precepts, we are in danger of succumbing to deadly deception. We must treat God's Holy Days as sanctified times.
Sin and Overcoming (Part 3): The Battle For Eternal Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Laodicean temperament falls far short in promoting the processes of overcoming and repentance. Spiritual growth and godly behavior take tremendous work.
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Numbers 16-18, God performed several miracles to demonstrate conclusively that not everyone is called to the same function and that He remains the Boss.
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDathan and Korah agitated for a democratization of priestly responsibilities. God shows that not everybody set apart is holy in the same way.
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs God's priesthood, we must draw near to God, keep His commandments, and witness to the world that God is God. God is shaping and fashioning His new creation.
Make Sure of Your Focus (1998)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur focus should be to seek God's kingdom, reciprocating God's love, committing ourselves to a life of service, fulfilling His purpose without complaining.
Avoiding Spiritual Burnout
Sermon by John O. ReidThe inability to solve mounting cultural and social problems despite advances in technology puts a strain on anyone who cares about the consequences.
Abraham (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.
John (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe closer we get to God, the more likely we will have persecution, but also the greater and more real He becomes and the more likely we will serve Him correctly.