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Choosing the New Man (Part Three)
Article by Charles WhitakerWe have seen that human nature often clings to the old, even in spiritual matters, rejecting the new in favor of familiar deceptions. Christ warns us of this tendency in His parable of new wine in old wineskins, lamenting that many, having drunk old wine, immediately say, "The old is better." This perverse paradox reveals how readily we return to the false ways taught by satan to the first man, Adam, and believed by his family ever since. As true Christians, we have tasted both the old wine and the new, rejecting the walk of the old man for the better way of life that is different from and incompatible with the old ways. We must pray for strength to steadfastly walk in this new path, guarding against the deception of satan that might lure us back to the old man's walk, lest we tragically come to believe, "The old is better."
Choosing the New Man (Part One)
Article by Charles WhitakerAmong the various men described in God's Word, the old man stands as a significant figure alongside his counterpart, the new man. The old man is associated with a past way of life, marked by conduct that must be put off as we embrace transformation. This old man represents our former selves, bound by sin and the ways of the world, as seen in the call to crucify this nature so that the body of sin might be done away with, freeing us from being slaves to sin. In contrast to the new man, who is created by God in righteousness and true holiness, the old man embodies the corruption and ignorance of our previous walk, a lifestyle that must be abandoned to avoid conformity to this world.
What Is Real Conversion? (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughSometimes we are so caught up in our activities that we forget the goal of the conversion process. Where do we want to end up when our lives are complete?
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Five)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe recognize our need to change when we see, not necessarily how we are, but how we compare to and fall woefully short of the perfect righteousness of God.
Are You Alive to God?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEphesians 2 says Christians were spiritually dead. Thankfully, God resurrected us from the grave through the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.
Clothing, Wineskins, and Wine
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe Parable of the Cloth and the Wineskins concludes a much longer narrative. The context and reveals deeper meanings and applications of the parable.
Basic Doctrines: Water Baptism
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughBaptism is one of the initial acts that a new Christian must experience. This fundamental doctrine gives the right frame of mind for continuing in God's way.
Christianity Vs. Cultural Paganism
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan deceives by mixing truth with and falsehood, promoting cultural pagans or tares among the wheat or members of the church of God.
Why Must Satan Be Released?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeSatan refuses to repent, even after suffering 1,000 years of confinement. Upon his release, Satan expertly manipulates the pulls of carnal nature.
Sins in the Balance (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Bible is full of commands to forgive and examples of forgiveness, and none of them stipulates that we wait for the sinner to repent before we forgive.
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur pilgrimage to the Kingdom will not be easy; we will suffer fatigue from difficult battles with serious consequences. We fight the world, Satan, and our flesh.
Four Views of Christ (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.
Self Control
Sermonette by James BeaubelleSelf-control helps us to restrain ourselves from harmful lusts of the flesh, including gluttony, intoxication, sex outside of marriage, and drug abuse.
Values and Conversion
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRepentance involves incorporating God's values, alien to our human nature—ones that will unify us with God and with others who accept His value system.
Human Will
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's children should never emulate the self-willed attitude Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" glorifies. Human nature and godly character are polar opposites.
Passover of the Most High God
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeAmong God's many titles is one that proclaims His supremacy over all others: 'God Most High.' It provides confidence in God's governance of our lives.
Don't Take God for Granted
Sermon by John O. ReidWe all tend to allow familiarity to lure us into carelessly taking something for granted. This is particularly dangerous regarding God and His purpose for us.