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Free Will or God's Sovereignty?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeMankind's free will operates within the framework of God's sovereignty, much like a reader navigating a story with limited choices. Just as in certain books where options are presented at decision points, we are regularly faced with choices in life, yet often the option we desire is not available, constrained by parameters set by God. Our freedom to choose is real, but it is not absolute; God, as the perfect Parent, hedges us in, limiting our options to guide us along the narrow way. God sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing, counseling us to choose life, yet leaving the decision to us. He does not predetermine our end, only the opportunity and the means to achieve it. This responsibility to choose is integral to His purpose, requiring us to grow in the quality of our decisions within the responsibilities He has given. From the beginning, as seen in Genesis, God imparted dominion to mankind, meaning the ability to respond and make choices in various circumstances, reflecting His image through willing submission to His creative process. Our choices, made daily and weekly, reveal our love for God, demonstrated through obedience to His laws and prioritization of holy time, prayer, and study. Neglect, apathy, or rebellion can lead us to choose death, even if unconsciously, by falling into repetitive patterns without considering alternatives. We must examine our routines to ensure they align with the narrow path God has provided, taking responsibility for our decisions to show Him what we are learning and to have His laws written on our hearts. Even in circumstances beyond our control, as with Job, where others' choices impact us, we are still called to respond in the best way possible. God's sovereignty does not absolve us of effort; He expects us to act within our dominion, to labor in the responsibilities given, and to step forward in faith. He supplies what we cannot do, but we must do what we can, submitting to Him in every situation He creates or allows. Thus, while God is sovereign, He has given mankind the freedom and responsibility to choose, working within the limits He sets, to ultimately hear His approval and enter into His joy.
Bondage and a Freewill Offering
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerA free will offering, when deeply considered, should help us to consider each holy day more deeply the cost of real liberty God has freely given us.
Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part One)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A prophecy in Zechariah concerns prophets or church leaders who, being ashamed of their false teachings, will claim they were farmers rather than ministers.
Why Freewill Offerings?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughOfferings are commanded just as much as tithes, but God gives us the choice to determine just how valuable the physical and spiritual blessings are for us.
Narrow Is the Way
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, becoming a slave of righteousness — maintaining the narrow way — leads to freedom, peace of mind, and ultimately, God's Kingdom.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasMisguided theologians have tried to create a false dichotomy between grace and works. We do works of obedience to build character, not to earn salvation.
Overcoming is a Choice
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must make choices over our entire lifetime. God does the heavy lifting in terms of giving the choices and the solutions for us, but He will not choose for us.
Joshua and the Gibeonites (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWe must be very careful about ascribing human behavior—and especially human sin—to God, concluding that it must be God's will, or it would be different.
Standing With God (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Charles WhitakerSociologists often point to the decline of the twin institutions of marriage and the family as the fount of most American cultural ills.
The Training of His Chosen
Sermonette by Craig SablichGod does not want us to fail, so He adjusts our path whenever necessary. Consequently, He challenges us, testing us with each step of growth.
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe globalist enemies of language, borders, and culture have made themselves enemies of the will of God, who set up boundaries for all the children of Adam.
A Rewired Society (Part Two): A Post-Truth World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe new morality is lawlessness and rejection of all restraints, which ironically makes them abject slaves of sin and candidates for the Lake of Fire.
Why Are We Here and What Is Our Focus?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod has a plan to bring all to Christ, but each in his own order. We cannot have a proper understanding of the plan if we do not keep Christ as the focus.
Are You Light In The Lord?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLight is a revealer of truth and a means to expose error. When we receive God's Holy Spirit with Christ dwelling in us, we become a light to the world.
God's Non-Transmittable Attributes (Part Three): Omniscience
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe apostle John declares in I John 3:20 that God 'knows all things,' confirming the extraordinary greatness of the One we worship.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Eight): Romans 10
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFrom the days of Sinai on, the ancient Israelites fixated on the notion that they were God's chosen people. This perspective proved counterproductive.
Individualism and Unity
CGG WeeklyRather than establishing the differences we possess, God requires individuals to strengthen and grow in our similarities that He establishes as desirable.
Should a Christian Go To War? (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod alone has the prerogative of giving and taking life. As ambassadors of God's heavenly Kingdom, we do not take up arms on behalf of any nation on the earth.