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On Self-Righteousness
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughSelf-righteousness lies at the root of many other sins. Because we are self-centered, self-righteousness will follow as surely as water runs downhill.
The Heart's Self-Absorption
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughII Timothy 3:1-5 contains 19 characteristics of carnality. The common denominator is self-absorption and pride, placing the self above others.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control
Sermon by David F. MaasIt is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.
Israel, Selfies, and Idolatry
Sermonette by Mike FordThe religious hobbyist Micah practiced his own self-devised hybrid of religion, amalgamating some orthodox truth with abundant noxious, pagan admixtures.
Celebrating Birthdays
Article by Martin G. CollinsAre birthday celebrations as harmless as they seem? How did the practice start? Here is a spiritual principle concerning birthdays that many do not consider.
How Human Nature Came to Be
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhy is human nature so corrupt? Why is it so widespread? How did it come to be? Did God create it this way?
Whatsoever Your Heart Desires
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerWe must not construe the term, "whatever our heart desires," as a pass to sin, but we should use every occasion to grow in thinking and acting like God.
It's Not About You
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Baby Boomer generation has taken on characteristics of narcissism, self-absorption, and excessive self-centeredness, leading to rampant materialism.
What Makes Generation "Me" Tick?
Commentary by David F. MaasOver the past six decades (from the Boomer Generation to the Millennial generation), individuals have grown more narcissistic, entitled and miserable.
Take the Red Pill
Sermonette byIf we were to consciously monitor our thoughts, we would be appalled about the percentage of our day that we are exclusively wrapped up in ourselves.
Are These Your Feasts? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Mark SchindlerThis earth is a prison, and Satan is its jailer. The inmates—mankind—do not realize that there is no free will! A prison takes away freedom.
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.
Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth Ruth and Naomi demonstrated covenant loyalty in this marriages long after the death of their spouses. Ruth faithfully continued to serve her mother-in-law.
Authority: Why So Many Resent It
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPride, the father of all sins, is the source of self-exaltation, self-justification and the despising of authority. It cloaks rebellion in a deceptive appeal.
Humility
Sermonette by James BeaubelleHumility is not an obsequious act we turn on and off at will, but a sober reflection of our true relationship to God and our spiritual siblings.
The Elements of Motivation (Part Six): Eternal Life
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIf you knew you would live forever, how would you live? Biblically, eternal life is much more than living forever: It is living as God lives!
Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJust as a dead person does no works, so a faith that does not include works is also dead. A person in whom living, saving faith exists will produce works.
The Danger of Trusting in Oneself
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThose wise in their own eyes, including philosophers, politicians, educators, and religious leaders, have failed in their quest to make the world better.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must have both perseverance and humility in prayer to keep our vision sharp and clear. Without humility, the doorway to acceptance by God is closed.
Flag of Our Father
Sermon by Mark SchindlerAdam and Eve's act of covering themselves symbolized humanity's tendency toward separation. God's provision of clothing foreshadowed Christ's redeeming work.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Good Samaritan parable teaches that unless one practices doing good rather than just knowing good, his faith will be severely compromised.
Are These the Last Days? (Part 2)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughAccording to the book, 13th Gen: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?, those born between 1961-1981 belongs to the 13th Generation, the 13th since America's Founding Fathers.
Thankfulness (1986)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe need to give thanks for everything, blessings and trials. Christianity ought to be an exhilarating experience, but it depends on our outlook on life.
Worship
Sermonette by James BeaubelleWorship is required for all events in our lives, including the trials that build character within us. Anything that displaces God must be rooted out.
What Do You Fear? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIf we fear things other than God, we stunt our spiritual growth. We stop overcoming because any non-godly fear will involve self-centeredness, the opposite of God.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The paradox of Ecclesiastes 7 shows an unrighteous man flourishing and a righteous man suffering. The solution to this conundrum is found in Psalm 73.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOur 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.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and the Son are two distinct beings, not co-equal as the trinity doctrine proclaims, but with the Son deferring to the Father in all things.
Pride, Humility, and the Day of Atonement
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Day of Atonement, when God commands us to afflict our souls, is a day of self-evaluation and repentance to seek unity with Him and our brethren.
Without Natural Affection
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of lawlessness, love has gone stone-cold. Sin and lawlessness begets more sin and lawlessness, and natural affection and love disappear.
Godly Fear is Humble Reverence
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe fear and trembling before God is more like reverence and awe instead of abject terror. It leads us to total dependence upon God with a desire to repudiate sin.
The March Toward Globalism (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As parents, we can protect our children from death and destruction if we discourage the self-absorptive pulls through correction and discipline.
Parable of the Great Supper
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsIn the Parable of the Great Supper, Jesus exposes and corrects the ignorance of those who, in their pride, misjudge their true moral condition.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.
The Consequences of Affluence
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins'Affluenza' describes the bloated insensitivity caused by trying to keep up with the Joneses, the stress caused by doggedly pursuing the American Dream.
Covetousness
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsCovetousness—wanting something with a deep, greedy, envious burning—has reached epidemic proportions. Covetousness is also idolatry.