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The Doctrine of Israel (Part Two): The Old Covenant
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Old Covenant, established between God and Israel, was inherently flawed from its inception due to the shortcomings of the people. Despite God's perfection and unwavering commitment to His promises, the fault lay with Israel, the second party to this covenant, who lacked the capacity to fulfill their obligations. Their hearts were not set aright, and their spirits were not faithful to God, leading to a stubborn and rebellious nature. They failed to obey His voice, keep His covenant, and even forgot His miraculous works, such as the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna in the wilderness. This internal resistance and lack of appreciation for God's power and deeds doomed the covenant from the start. God attempted to instill fear in the people through displays of His awesome might at Mount Sinai, intending that this fear would deter them from sinning and help them adhere to the covenant's terms. Yet, instead of revering Him, they limited God in their minds, reducing Him to their own level and shrugging off their responsibilities. They never truly invested in the covenant, abrogating it almost as soon as it was sealed, revealing a deep-seated unwillingness to comply despite their initial agreement. Human nature, hostile to God's law and influenced by external forces, further compounded their inability to subject themselves to His will, making it not impossible to keep the covenant in a general sense, but nearly so without a change in heart and spirit. Thus, the Old Covenant was replaced by a superior New Covenant due to the persistent failure of the people to uphold their part in this sacred agreement.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe term "covenant" describes an agreement made by two parties and "testament" to describe the one-sided commitment made by God to improve the promises.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke of bondage Paul refers to in Galatians was a combination of the code of regulations added by the Pharisees and Gnostic ritualism, not God's Law.
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.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is doing more than merely saving people; He is producing children in His image. The difference between the covenants is in the quality of the faith.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustification is not the end of the salvation process, but merely the opening to sanctification, where we bear fruit and give evidence of God's Spirit in us.
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 Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs we participate in the New Covenant, we go through the stages of justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification as part of Christ's body.
Have the Ten Commandments Passed Away?
'Ready Answer' by Earl L. HennMany Protestant denominations teach that God's law is done away, calling it 'the ministry of death.' Butt II Corinthians 3:7 does not support this.
Getting To Know God
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughGetting to know God intimately, by virtue of His enabling us to experience life as He experiences life, makes the New Covenant vastly superior to the Old.
Hebrews (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAfter the change from the Aaronic to the Melchizedek priesthood, it was also necessary to change the Covenant. The flaw was not the law, but the heart.
Why Israel? (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughIsrael failed to keep the covenant with God. However, God withheld one necessary, spiritual ingredient—the key dimension that makes the New Covenant work.
No One Else Matters (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSin has tainted the most faithful leaders. Most (perhaps all) church leaders have skeletons in their closets, but we follow them as they follow Christ.
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We dare not 'do away' anything that is part of God's mind, or we will not be in His image. Acts 15 did not give Gentiles exemption from keeping God's Law.
The Purpose of the Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe function of the church is like a teacher's college, preparing the firstfruits and providing them with the needed education and character development.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Three): A Cycle of Rebellion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIsrael consistently cycles through God's deliverance, apostasy through idolatry and immorality, God's chastening, national repentance, then deliverance again.
Love and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod expects works from all He has called. We show our faithfulness and loyalty to God by our works or conduct - what we produce by what we have been given.