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The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fifteen):The Israel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has shifted His focus from physical Israel to spiritual Israel, the church of God, His elect. While He loves physical Israel for the sake of the patriarchs, His priorities have changed, setting them aside for a future work. Presently, they are not His people, as He works with spiritual Israel to prepare them for His Kingdom. The Israel of God, identified as those who walk according to Christ's rule, are the elect who make up God's true church, His saints. They follow His standards, commandments, and place complete trust in Him. Upon them, peace and mercy are prayed for, as divine mercy results in spiritual peace, enabling a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As members of the Israel of God, there are responsibilities to live according to the terms of the New Covenant, responding with trust, faith, and obedience. This initiates a process of sanctification, purifying and maturing the spiritual Israelite into the image of Christ. Unlike physical Israel, which consistently lacked cooperation with God and descended to enmity, spiritual Israel submits to Him, living by His instructions to reflect His character. The calling as part of the Israel of God requires focusing on heavenly things, setting minds on what is above, and seeking the things of Christ. This mindset, paired with overcoming sin and obeying God's commandments, leads to sanctification and the promise of appearing with Him in glory.
The Israel of God
Article by Charles WhitakerIn Galatians 6:16, the apostle Paul refers to the church as the Israel of God, a name inspired by God Himself who first uttered the word Israel when He changed Jacob's name after a night of wrestling at Peniel. This name reflects how God perceives His church, symbolizing those who prevail with Him. Just as Jacob, once a supplanter, matured slowly into Israel, an overcomer, the church represents those who overcome their carnal nature to inherit the Kingdom of God. Like Jacob, members of the Israel of God struggle to overcome, and those who remain faithful will prevail, qualifying to rule as God, as princes forever with Him. Spiritually, the kings descending from Jacob are those individuals who have overcome, forming a spiritual posterity that will inherit God's Kingdom. Thus, Israel is a fitting designation for God's church, embodying the promise of ruling as God, both in the present and the future, with a new name and a shared journey of overcoming alongside their patriarch Jacob.
Who Is the Israel of God?
Sermonette by Gary GarrettWhile the Old Testament Israelites provided the type of the Israel of God, Jesus Christ is actually God's Israel.
God's Calling and Election
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe church, as the Israel of God, holds a special place in God's heart, being regarded as the apple of His eye. These called ones, the firstfruits, are a special treasure to Him, set apart as a group that is like a gemstone. When He saw this great pearl, He purchased it with His own life, demonstrating how deeply He values these elect. They share a unique relationship with Him, reciprocating His love. As part of His great master plan to create a universal God Family, these elect are the first to be chosen, destined to be the bride of Christ and to govern alongside Him in His Kingdom.
The Faithfulness of God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has a very real concern for us, promising to never leave us. We have to strongly believe in His faithfulness to build a relationship with Him.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Six): New Testament Teaching
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThose who follow Christ are the true Israel, the Elect, and the Chosen, called by God to precede unfaithful physical Israel in the salvation process.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe way that one lives provides testimony and witness. To witness and endure life's various trials, we must have faith in who and what we are.
Servant of God, Act II: God's Gift of Faith
Article by Charles WhitakerThe story of Ebed-Melech goes far beyond a historical vignette. His story is an allegory of God's grace to the Gentiles.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Five)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe sanctification process is slow and methodical with no dazzling pyrotechnics. Each of us are given a basic set of gifts to serve our spiritual siblings.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFalse doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.
Seeking God's Will (Part Two): Faithfulness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we mimic God's character, we will be always faithful. We can translate this trait into practical behaviors, as a foundational part of our character.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Nine): Romans 11
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul poses two questions in Romans 11: Has God discarded Israel for all time? Will God graft physical Israel into the Covenant people of Abraham?
Principled Living (Part Five): Witnessing of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur best witness is often through our unspoken behavior; what we do speaks volumes. God gives us a charge to bear His name with dignity in all our actions.
Deuteronomy: What Is God Looking For?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Deuteronomy constitutes instruction for the Israel of God, serving as a compass and guide, preparing God's people to enter the Kingdom of God.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part One)
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Amos is an astounding prophecy, closely paralleling the conditions in the Western world today. Amos reveals how unrighteousness undermines society.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Two)
Article by John W. Ritenbaugh and Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of God's intimate relationship by covenant with Israel and His church, His people have a greater responsibility to follow His instructions.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part One)
Article by John W. Ritenbaugh and Richard T. RitenbaughPreaching to the ancient Israelites, Amos' indictments parallel today's spiritual decline. God wants His people to repent and avoid impending judgment.
Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDetermining the will of God is difficult to do unless we know the character of God. Holiness is the foundation for all of the other traits of God.
The Priesthood of God (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The jeweled arrangement on the breastplate in Exodus 28, arranged in marching order, symbolizes differences in gifts and responsibilities of the tribes.
The Priesthood of God (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The ephod, the curious girdle, and the breastplate of judgment were part of the high priest's attire that teach us godly principles today.
Approaching God Through Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ is symbolized by the table of showbread in the Tabernacle, having gold utensils and vessels for bread and wine, symbolizing our fellowship with God.
Are You an Israelite?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.
In Search of a Clear World View (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A Christian worldview includes the importance of our calling and the reality of God and His laws. Our worldview determines how we spend our time.
'Go Ye Therefore Into All the World...'
'Ready Answer' by StaffTo understand Jesus' command, we need to examine what else He said to the same people. We should also determine just whom He commissioned to preach.
Deuteronomy and History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Israelites lost their identity when they went into captivity. They failed to teach their children, to keep the Sabbath, and to remember who they were.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIt is not the physical nation, but the spiritual remnant with whom God is working, circumcising their hearts and writing His laws in their minds.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fault of the Old Covenant was with the hearts of the people. Christ took it upon Himself to amend the fault enabling us to keep the commandments.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Deuteronomy is addressed to the Israel of God, a group of God's called out ones who have been convicted that the Law has not been done away.
Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe keep Unleavened Bread because of what God did to bring us out of sin (typified by Egypt). While God compels us to make choices, He is with us all the way.
The Importance of Doctrine
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPeople who try to supplement their spiritual diet with lawlessness or other heresies risk losing their identity, and ultimately their spiritual life.
Guard the Truth!
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughThe true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes provides a testimony to the conundrum of life, showing the result of both bad and good choices, enabling us to effectively use time.