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Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe epistle to the Hebrews establishes the superiority of Jesus Christ as the church's High Priest, emphasizing the vital importance of our relationship with Him for growth and salvation. Without Him, as He states in John 15:5, we can do nothing spiritually, unable to produce fruit that glorifies God. This absolute need for Christ is clear: if we produce no fruit pleasing to God, we will not be in His Kingdom. Our faith in Him is at the nucleus of salvation, essential for our future in the Kingdom of God. Christ's authority, as described in Matthew 28:18, encompasses all in heaven and on earth, surpassed only by the Father. He is unrestrained in His actions, able to use the entire church or any individual member for His purposes without needing further approval. As the Head of the church, which is His Body, He directs us to carry out His commands, intimately united with every member through spiritual love, providing confident hope that He will enable us to persevere until we join Him in the Kingdom of God. The opening paragraph of Hebrews presents Christ as superior to all others, including prophets and notable figures like Moses and Elijah, whose glory is eclipsed by His infinitely greater glory. He is the ultimate source and channel through whom God is perfectly and finally made known. When He speaks, it is as though the Father speaks, for They are one. The deliberate emphasis on "Son" in Hebrews 1:2 underscores this unity, highlighting that He is the speaker to whom we must listen, surpassing all prior fragmentary messages delivered through prophets or other means. Christ's role as Commander in Chief of the church demands that disciples follow Him, imitating His way of life. Every personality or way of life compared to Him in Hebrews fades in significance, judged as lacking, with Christ always deemed better, a dominant theme throughout the epistle. Our personal calling by God to be part of His purpose and to become one with both the Father and the Son reflects the profound love and individual attention He gives to each member of the Bride of Christ, ultimately forming the Family and government of God.
Hebrews (Part Four): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ was not just an extraordinary man, but also possessed the massive intellect needed to create, design and implementing all manner of life—He was God.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe epistle of Hebrews is so vital to Christians in the first century and now because it explains the unique place and power of Christianity's High Priest.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.
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.
Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe book of Hebrews resonates for the church of God at this time due to the strong parallels between our circumstances and those of the first century church.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Three)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHebrews was written to fulfill several needs of the first-century church. One of the most critical was to explain God's opening of eternal life to the Gentiles.
The Angel and the Apostle
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeHebrews 1-2 establish Christ's superiority over angels, but notably do not mention the Angel of the Lord. Instead, the author handles the Angel differently.
An Intimate Expanding Relationship
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe must trade our impulsive and capricious carnal natures for a controlled, sacrificing nature, imitating Christ in an intimate, expanding relationship.
Hebrews (Part Twelve): Chapter 2, A Mind-Bending Purpose (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To counteract complacency, Hebrews warns against neglecting God's invitation of salvation, which He does not guarantee until sanctification has run its course.
Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.
Islam: Dark Beginnings
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeRelatively few in the Western world know the origin of Islam and the Koran, and fewer still understand the implications. What is the source of this spring?
Hebrews (Part Fifteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Even though we must cooperate in cultivating spiritual fruit, God alone creates character and takes responsibility for creating spiritual offspring.
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.
Right Hand
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamFrom the beginning of civilization, shaking hands has represented a warm greeting, good sportsmanship, a symbol of trust, and binding of a contract.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Nine): Philadelphia
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen Jesus warns us not to let anyone take our crown, He encourages us to endure over the long-haul and not bask in the glory of a brief, victorious accomplishment.