The Beatitudes, Part 7: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThis world lauds warmakers, but God says that peacemakers are blessed. The first step in becoming a peacemaker is to be reconciled to God.
The Peacemakers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people are not in a right relationship with God, peace is impossible. Sin (the breaking of the law or covenant) automatically breaks the peace.
'Sons of God?'
Sermonette by Bill OnisickGod gave Jesus Christ to us to restore peace, reconciliation, and harmony with God. In the Beatitudes, the peacemakers are called 'sons of God.'
The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe world has little or no idea what true peace is or how it is achieved. Yet we can produce godly peace even in the midst of turmoil—and we must.
Shabbat Shalom
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaThe word shalom denotes 'making something whole' or returned to well-being or good health. True biblical shalom refers to inner completeness and wholeness.
God's Rest (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe two principal robbers of peace are pride and the drive to have complete control of our lives. Discontent and imagined victimization led Adam and Eve into sin.
The Gift of Eternal Life
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe difference between living forever and eternal life is that longevity does not equate to quality of life. Living forever while enduring pain lacks appeal.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
Do You Really Want Just Any Eternal Life?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have a natural desire for eternal life, but living endlessly would not be a blessing if our circumstances were miserable. Eternal life means quality of life.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Four): The Peace Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace (or thank) offering was the most commonly given in ancient Israel. It pictures God, the priest, and the offerer in satisfying fellowship.
Matthew (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe word 'blessed' in the Beatitudes means happy from within, not dependent on circumstances. It comes from having God's spirit and hope for the future.
City of Peace
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsParadoxically, Jerusalem has not been a city of peace, but a magnet for conflict, a situation which will not end until Christ returns.
Psalms: Book One (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBook One of the Psalms, parallel with the spring season, focuses on the Messianic prophecies, revealing God's plan to redeem Israel by crushing Satan.
Making Faithful Choices (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGideon began his life as a coward, became a conqueror, and ended a compromiser, all the while needing assurances from God to bolster his flagging faith.
Snapshots (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeAmong the greatest challenges we face is not to let a bad snapshot—or even a whole progression of them—convince us that the journey is not worth continuing.
Numbers (Part One): Journey in the Desert
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod never says the Christian life would be easy or that life would always be fair. Difficulties and tests are given to test our hearts and promote humility.
Until Shiloh Comes
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prophecies about Judah show that, at the end time, Judah would have victory after victory 'until Shiloh comes,' referring to the return of Jesus Christ.
Elisha and the Shunammite Woman, Part II: Serving God's Children
Article by Richard T. RitenbaughComparing God's true ministers to false ministers—and seeing their fruit—reveals how the church must be revived spiritually. And "sneezing" plays a major role!
Elisha and the Shunammite Woman, Part I: Reviving God's Children
Article by Richard T. RitenbaughSome of Elisha's miracles read like parables. There are parallels between modern church history and the second of these miracles in II Kings 4.