Playlist:

playlist Go to the Relationship with Jesus Christ (topic) playlist

Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.


Jesus Christ Is Our Hope

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Rahab considered the red cord a symbol of her faith and hope that she and her family would be rescued from destruction. Her faith was not wasted but rewarded.


Intimacy with Christ (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must guard our time, not allowing busyness and involvement with activities of the world to prevent us from forming a deep intimacy with God.


Intimacy with Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan has deliberately designed this world to burn up our precious time, creating an artificial sense of urgency and a perpetual state of discontent.


Have You Given Your Heart to Jesus?

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

It behooves God's called-out ones to recognize Jesus Christ as providing the access to God the Father, the Way and the Life.


The Relationship Deficit (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In the unsettling letter to the Laodiceans, Jesus paints a picture of Himself in relation to the church that reveals His people care about other things.


An Intimate Expanding Relationship

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We must trade our impulsive and capricious carnal natures for a controlled, sacrificing nature, imitating Christ in an intimate, expanding relationship.


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.


Christ's Revelation of the Father

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

John 1:1-3 reveals Jesus' pedigree as the Logos (Spokesman), whose function was to declare or reveal the Father. He had existed with His Father from eternity.


How to Know We Love Christ

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.


The Relationship Deficit (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In Laodicea, the people judge, but they are judging according to themselves. They are not seeking the will of Christ, and thus their judgment is distorted.


Running God's Marathon With Christ

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Christ endured many more than three temptations; rather, He was tested continuously, and perhaps the intensity increased as He neared the end of His life.


Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

There is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.


The Relationship Deficit (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Christ is uncertain how much the Laodiceans really desire what He has offered them. Other things are competing for their attention. Will they open the door?


Loving Christ

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Participation in Christ's life is the source of all good. Regardless of what church group we are in, we must establish a relationship with Christ.


Does Jesus See You as His Friend?

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Jesus puts a condition on our friendship: We are His friends if we do what He commands, unlike the assumption that belief on His name is the only requirement.


Approaching God Through Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The brazen altar symbolized total sacrifice. We have to be willing to give up everything, bearing our own individual cross, forsaking all to follow Him.


Choosing to Have a Good Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Bible emphasizes marriage as the primary bond of society. The purpose for the marriage relationship is to depict the marriage of Christ and His bride.


Four Views of Christ (Part 7)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.


Four Views of Christ (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Luke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.


Knowing, Following, and Striving for Christ

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Our goal is to know Christ on a personal basis, knowing the power of His resurrection. This knowledge should be a practical understanding of His power.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.


Our Affinity to Christ

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus has already suffered the things we have, and now serves as our compassionate High Priest and Advocate. He provides the pattern we are to emulate.


Yoked With Christ, Our Helper

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

The Paracletos (Helper or One who goes alongside) clarifies the biblical metaphor of taking Christ's yoke, which eases burdens because He shares them.


The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Marriage prepares God's called-out ones to collectively become the bride of Christ. God hates divorce but allows it on grounds of adultery and violence.


Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Having experienced the turmoil of the Catholic—Protestant clash, the framers of our Constitution did not want any sect dictating religious doctrines or practices.


Knowing Christ (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

When we mortify the flesh, refusing to feed the hungry beast of our carnal nature, we suffer. Suffering for righteousness' sake helps us to know Christ.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.


Without Me, You Can Do Nothing (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

We tend to avoid acknowledging our weaknesses, but at some point, each of us will admit our powerlessness and inability to carry out God's will on our own.


Are We Laodiceans?

CGG Weekly by Pat Higgins

At day's end, ask how much time we spent communicating with God and Christ and how much time They were in none of our thoughts (Psalm 10:4).


Hebrews (Part Thirteen): Chapter 2, A Mind-Bending Purpose (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Jewish converts to the Way, although having had the benefit of Messianic prophecies, did not recognize the powerful significance of Psalm 8.


Do We Know God?

CGG Weekly by Pat Higgins

How can we build a relationship of such intimacy that God and Christ know it is a relationship that will last for an eternity?


Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.


Prophecy in Song

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Far from being just a book about married love, the Song of Songs relates to the present condition of the church of God.


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: Its Background (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews emphasizes that spiritual growth and glorification depends on an individual's relationship with Christ, the centerpiece of the Book of Hebrews.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews' audience consisted of converts from Judaism, suffering estrangement from family and community, excommunicated from the temple.


Without Me, You Can Do Nothing (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Producing fruit is not simply a matter of having Jesus Christ or being forgiven. He says we will not produce anything unless we go on growing in Him.


Keeping Love Alive (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Works demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.


The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Eight): Conclusion (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The offerings have a great deal to do with our relationship with God. How closely do we identify with Christ? Are we being transformed into His image?


Call Upon the Name of the Lord

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Should we only pray to God the Father, given Christ's words in the model prayer and His proclamation that the Father was greater than He?


Are We Opening the Door?

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Some know that Christ is at the door, but they will not rouse themselves from their spiritual lethargy to open it.


Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.


Lessons From Roots (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Fruit is not produced immediately; it is produced only when a plant is both mature and stable enough that mere survival is no longer its top priority.


The Resurrection: A Central Pillar

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ's resurrection is of paramount importance to us, because Jesus alone has the keys to our own resurrection and eternal life as firstfruits.


Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Seven)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our physical bodies have a defense system to keep out invaders. Spiritually, how well do we maintain our defenses against error and contamination?


Prayer and Fervency

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Living faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.


Unity and Unleavened Bread

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As members of Christ's body, we must function for the good of the whole body, not competing with other parts. We must continually function as a son of God.


Be There Next Year

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Members of God's church usually come home from the Feast of Tabernacles with renewed strength. Yet, some fall away each year. Here's how to stay the course.


Five Easily-Neglected Doctrines

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Here are five easily neglected doctrines, which, if carelessly observed or distorted, could jeopardize the salvation of God's people.


Vulnerable

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

While we are all different, we are all vulnerable to something, such as fear of deprivation, harm or shame. In response, we all create protective defense mechanisms.


Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Eternal life is to live a quality life as God lives, having developed a close relationship with God, living by faith and accepting His sovereignty over all.


Maintaining Good Health (Part 12)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The church of God today resembles a patient languishing from a deadly disease, resulting from a diet of spiritual junk food and neglecting the bread of life.


Love Thy Neighbor (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

He who loves God must love his brother, including every fellow human being. Our closeness with God transcends the other human relationships.


The Mystery of the Church (2005)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul's body analogy illustrates the interconnectedness of all members to Jesus Christ and to each other. Not one is unimportant or useless.


All in All

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 'all in all' process has already begun. Our obligation and responsibility is to obey and yield to Christ and God the Father, conforming to their image.