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Growth
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Western emphasis on growth has taken root within Christianity. 'Success' for a church is measured in income and membership, which are deceptive metrics.
The Challenge of Growth in the New Eden
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Young people need to prepare themselves now, envisioning themselves as architects, civil engineers, transportation engineers, explorers, and teachers.
Growing to Perfection
Article by Charles WhitakerSpiritual growth mimics our physical growth to maturity. If we continue in the process, we will 'grow into' our potential as God's children.
Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe One who sent forth His Spirit to create and breathe life into the physical world, also breathed on His disciples and endowed them with spiritual life.
Overcoming (Part 2): Self-Justification
Bible Study by StaffA great impediment to overcoming our sins is self-justification. We tend to excuse ourselves for what we do, and this only makes it harder to become like God.
Five Teachings of Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughProtestantism unthinkingly presents grace as "free." However, Scripture shows that God expects a great deal of effort from us once we receive it—it is costly.
Our Stewardship
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAfter we are baptized and become members of God's church, we inherit a new primary job and responsibility—that is to become a steward. A narrower definition consists of managing God's possessions, information, and time. Looking at fuller definitions throughout, we learn how much that God expects from us and what we must account for at the end during our judgement. The importance is demonstrated through the considerable quantity of parables that Jesus gives that covers the subject matter of stewardship, either directly discussed or implied through their content. Matthew 20, Luke 12, and Luke 16 are some of the famous chapters that contain these parables. These stewardship parables display the stakes of doing well in this job; if we do well, we inherit eternal life as first fruits. If we misuse his gifts by becoming poor stewards of the gifts that are entrusted to us, then it shows what our ultimate attitude would be towards eternal life and are not deemed worthy of it. We are given a list of we ten areas that are a good starting point of everything God expects us to manage; we are encouraged to keep close tabs on these responsibilities.
Producing Fruit
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo be made clean only prepares us for producing fruit. If we stand still, simply resting on our justification, the dark forces will pull us backwards.
Titus 2:11-14
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are obligated to dress and keep what is placed in our care, improving what He has given to us. We dare not stand still, but must make effort to grow.
The Beginning of History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerMany believe that history is progress—that mankind, along with his nature, governments, and technology, is on an inevitable course of advancement.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Psalm 73 describes someone seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, but it is not true that people in the world are leading superior lives.
The Impossible Metric
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeMembers, co-workers, and subscribers can all be tallied, yet who save God can track the increase of faith or the building of character of members of a church?
When Our Change Comes
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRepentance and conversion leading to transforming into Christ's image depend on change. Christianity is a force for personal change, leading to universal change.
Our Awesome Destiny (2000)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThrough a miraculous combination of knowledge plus the spirit of God, we realize that our destiny is to be a part of the divine Family.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spirit of the law does not do away with the letter of the law; without the letter, there is no spirit because there is no foundation. Examples show God's will.
Is Your Eye Single?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughIf our goal is wrong, our entire being will be off. Our first priority is to be loyal to God, casting aside all distractions and other interests.