Playlist:

playlist Go to the Body of Christ (topic) playlist

Autoimmunity in the Body of Christ

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Misidentifying parts of the Body of Christ as enemies, or even being highly suspicious of them, causes pain and inefficiency throughout the whole Body.


The Church, One Body

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's call to learn from the ant does not teach us to yield to a hierarchical system, but to participate in a community with the goal of edification.


What Does "Discerning the Lord's Body" Mean? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

When Paul talks about the 'the [Lord's] body' without defining exactly what he means, he does so in the middle of a lengthy discourse on the spiritual Body.


Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Twelve)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

As husband and wife are commanded to become one flesh, members of the Bride of Christ become spiritually unified through the indwelling of God's Spirit.


Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Nine)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The marriage relationship and the family structure provide a workshop to learn the intricacies of the God-plane relationship between Christ and the church.


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.


Loyalty to the Body

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

When we consider the value of our calling, we must look at Paul's warning about discerning the Body more soberly, maintaining our loyalty to the Body.


Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Eleven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Our concept of marriage must be positive and more mature, modeled after Christ's attentiveness toward the Church, as opposed to the world's distorted concept.


Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Wives are admonished to submit to their husbands, children to their parents, servants to their overseers, and we all are admonished to submit to one another.


Remember the Christians

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God made the gospel available to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy. The key to breaking down the enmity and animosity is to put on Christ.


Is America a Christian Nation? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The founding of the United States and the other nations of modern Israel was not random or accidental, but purposely orchestrated by our Creator.


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.


What Does "Discerning the Lord's Body" Mean? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

I Corinthians 11:29 says that whoever takes Passover unworthily fails to discern the Lord's body, which is composed of those whom God has called.


Discerning Spirits and Discerning the Body

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Because of the culture of deception fostered by Satan and his children, we must develop discernment to tell the difference between truth and falsehood.


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.


'By What Every Joint Supplies'

'Ready Answer' by Staff

One of our primary duties as Christians is to build strong, loving relationships with our brethren. What are you supplying to the growth of the body?


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.


Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The 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.


Themes of I Corinthians (Part 5)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

I Corinthians gives ready instruction in the order and decorum that is fitting for church organization, as well as the Passover and weekly service.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Neglecting to feed the flock has been detrimental to preaching the gospel to the world. Because of neglect, members succumb to feeling insignificant.


Go Not Out of the House

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

For Passover, Israel was commanded not to go out of their houses. This is also a warning to Christians when we understand the implications of the word 'house'.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.


In the Grip of Distrust

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

As our culture deteriorates, a deep-seated distrust exists, not just of government but of institutions like the church that people once had confidence in.


In Search of a Clear World View (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Each member has been gifted by Christ. We must not go beyond the gifts that have been given to us, but must use them humbly, employing them to edify.


Why Is God Doing This, This Way?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We must learn to see ourselves and our function as God sees us—as a distinct, unique entity, a holy people, a special treasure.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.


The Need for Forgiveness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because it is more blessed to give than to receive, the things we desire for ourselves we should be willing to give to others, including forgiveness.


In Search of a Clear World View (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The responsibility given to the church Christ has called out of this world is to expand His teachings, magnifying them and making them clear and honorable.


In Search of a Clear World View (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The true church is a unique educational institution, teaching the way of God and amplifying His Commandments, in contrast to the churches of this world.


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.


Little Things Count!

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

No act is insignificant because of two natural principles: the tendency toward increase and reaping what we sow. They play major roles in our lives.


A Trustworthy Relationship

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We have been given an incredible privilege to be placed within the Body of Christ. This same privilege applies to our fellow saints as well.


A View of the Work

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Judging the quality of our work by numeric standards is not a measure of spiritual growth, and to equate it with spiritual growth in rank Laodiceanism.


According to the Blessing

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because we do not have an abundance of material blessings, we are gently forced to go back to Almighty God for our sustenance, much the same way as Israel.


The Purpose of the Church

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The function of the church is like a teacher's college, preparing the firstfruits and providing them with the needed education and character development.


Unity and Division: The Blessing and the Curse (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by Charles Whitaker

Unity seems to be 'godly,' while division is 'ungodly.' However, unity and division are not as black and white as we typically think of them.


Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has placed us all in the body where it has pleased Him. We dare not imitate Satan by letting self-centered goals eclipse God's purpose.


It's Not About You

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Baby Boomer generation has taken on characteristics of narcissism, self-absorption, and excessive self-centeredness, leading to rampant materialism.


A Survey of God's Gifts to Us

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The apostle Paul inventories spiritual gifts that God has given for the edification of the church, including ministry of the word and practical service.


Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The group that one fellowships with is less important than the understanding that there is one true church, bound by a spiritual, not a physical unity.


Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unity has to come from the inside out, with God raising a leader which His people, having their minds opened by His Spirit, will voluntarily submit to.


Leadership and the Covenants (Part Thirteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God is at work producing leadership in an organization that will follow Him, calling people into His family, carefully crafting it into a perfect organism.


His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

As the lives of the major biblical figures were predestined, so are our lives. God chooses, moves, and manages the lives of His servants.


Who Are We and Where Do We Fit? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

If we really considered or believed in our hearts that our calling was truly a treasure, we would take extraordinary steps to prevent any loss of it.


Unity (2006)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the symphony orchestra, only as an instrumentalist submits to the leader, working with the other members of the ensemble, can unity be accomplished.


Guard the Truth!

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Biblical wisdom (sagacity, quickness of perception, soundness of judgment) is achievable by anyone called of God because God is the source of this wisdom.


The Faithfulness of God (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God established permanent patterns, electing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as all of those He has called. This election should be our obsession.


God's Workmanship (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Works are not the cause of salvation, but instead are the effect of God's creative efforts at bringing us into His image—a new creation.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The easiest part of God's work is preaching the gospel to the world. Much more demanding is the feeding of the flock, producing life-changing faith.