Playlist:

playlist Go to the God's Love (topic) playlist

The Nature of God— What's Love Got To Do With It?

'Ready Answer' by Joseph B. Baity

Culture has so confused the common understanding of love that most people do not know what true, godly love is.


Love God, Love Neighbor

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The outgoing concern toward other beings begins with God the Father to Christ to us. How much we love our brethren may be a good gauge of how much we love God.


No Real Love Without God

Sermon by John O. Reid

We are called to take on the very nature of God, to put on the love of God. Surprisingly, We can rekindle our first love by ardently keeping God's Commandments.


John 3:16: Does God Really Love the World?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God does not love everybody equally. Nowhere does He tell us to prefer the ungodly world. Though He tells us to love our enemies, but not to be affectionate.


How Much Does God Love You?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

I John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.


Love

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

A Bible study on love, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.


The Wholeness of God

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God is a multidimensional personality, a whole Being whose wonderful, perfect attributes work together—and whose traits we are to come to know and reflect.


Where Was God?

CGG Weekly by John W. Ritenbaugh

Almost everybody in America has some knowledge of God, but in most cases, it is so shallow as to be embarrassing. God is in control of His creation.


Is the Love of Many Growing Cold?

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

Jesus foretells that "the love of many will grow cold" at the end time. Is this happening right now, or is there love that is just difficult to recognize?


Love's Importance and Source

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is the source of real love; mankind by nature does not have it. It is only by knowing God that we can have this love. Godly love is a cycle that God initiates.


Love's Emotional Dimension

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love doesn't become 'love' until we act. If we don't do what is right, the right feeling will never be formed; emotions are largely developed by our experiences.


A God of Many Dimensions

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God has 'soft' virtues, which most churches proclaim loudly and often, and 'hard' ones, which get little attention. God has having a range of character traits.


No Greater Love

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Christ says that we can show no greater love than in sacrificing our lives. We must come to the point where we are doing this daily, yet how do we do this?


The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Love is the first of the fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. Here is how the Bible defines what love is and what love does.


Keeping Love Alive (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we love another person, we like to think about him/her, to hear about him/her, please him/her, and we are jealous about his/her reputation and honor.


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.


Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Two): Cultivating Love

Sermon by David F. Maas

The opposite of selfishness is not self-hatred, but mature self-love, loving ourselves as a responsible, caring parent would (or should) love a growing child.


Essence of Love

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

David took all the persecutions from King Saul, and then later showed his mercy to Saul's extended family, he demonstrated the true essence of godly love.


Love's Basic Definition

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love is not a feeling, but an action—defined as keeping God's commandments, the only means by which we can possibly know Him, leading to eternal life.


God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The unity Jesus appeals for with His disciples is not organizational unity, but unity within the divine nature, exampled in the unity between He and the Father.


Israel's Missing Characteristics of God

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

Faithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.


Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Two): Love Exemplified

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The love of Abraham for Isaac serves as an emblem for the love of the Father for His Son and for all the children of Adam and Eve.


God Always Defaults in Mercy

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

As we strive to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect, we should be as merciful as Our Heavenly Father, making mercy our default.


Deuteronomy: What Is God Looking For?

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

Deuteronomy constitutes instruction for the Israel of God, serving as a compass and guide, preparing God's people to enter the Kingdom of God.


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.


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.


The Sovereignty of God: Part Three

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Consider two end-time, dominant forces: the Beast power of Revelation 13 and God. To whom will we yield to in the coming years?


Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part Two)

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

Even though the way God exercises His sovereignty is inscrutable to us , calling the foolish to confound the wise, all He does fits perfectly into His plan.


The Manifold Grace of God

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

God's calling us is just our initial taste of His grace. Grace is unmerited, but it is not unconditional. We have an obligation to respond to God.


Love's Greatest Challenges

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

An irrational fear of loss prevents the development of agape love — we fear that keeping God's commandments will cause us to lose something valuable.


Hosea, Gomer, God, and Israel

Sermon by Kim Myers

To dramatize the perennial harlotry of Israel and the incredible love God exhibits toward His people, He commands Hosea to marry a harlot, Gomer.


By This We Know Love!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

As God's people keep God's law in its spiritual intent, they begin to think like the Father and His Son, both of whom habitually do good.


Harmony with God and the Brethren

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

God's people are like a musical ensemble, each having unique pitches and timbre. As we yield to our Conductor, we also blend with one another, creating harmony.


Living By Faith and God's Grace

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God gives grace from start to finish in a person's relationship with Him. It cannot be limited merely to justification and His forgiveness of our sins.


Living By Faith and God's Sovereignty

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Some may doubt that God is in control, but God's sovereignty over His creation is complete. The course of world events are moving according to His will.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who have made a covenant with God can be corrupted unless they make a concerted effort to know God, realizing He has the right to do as He pleases.


Where God Places His Name (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because we would die from exposure to God's glory, the name of God, reflecting His characteristics, is the only way we can approach God.


The Wrath of God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Love motivates the two intrinsic parts of God's holy character—goodness and severity, as He seeks to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin.


Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Grace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.


God's Wrath and Hell

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Oblivion, not eternal torment in hell fire, is the merciful end for the wicked. God is both good and severe, but His mercy endures forever.


Did God the Father Forsake Jesus Christ?

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Jesus suffered the worst of effects including the temporary separation from His Father because of the Father's love for us, enduring what we should have received.


In Defense of God

Sermonette by Levi W. Graham

As Job reset his mindset from anxious to humble, so we must also re-evaluate our trials, appreciating the great lengths to which God goes to perfect us.


How God Deals With Conscience (Part Five)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Joseph knew and recognized his brothers before they knew him, even as God knows our guiltiest secret sins that we think we have effectively hidden.


How God Deals With Conscience (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We may have guilty consciences like Joseph's brothers and self-pity like Jacob, but we can break through if we acknowledge God as Jacob and Elisha did.


Dating (Part 3): A Love Worthy of Your Life

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Society's interpretation of love is lust or infatuation. Premarital sex leads to long-term devastating effects, and never leads to adjustment in marriage.


The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility: Part Eleven

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's sovereignty and free moral agency set up a seeming paradox. Just how much choice and freedom do we have under God's sovereign rule?


The Second Greatest Commandment

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Jesus said the greatest commandments were Lord toward God and neighbor. There is no connective between the first and second clauses; they cannot be separated.


Our Spiritual Roof

Sermon by Bill Onisick

If we are not performing righteous acts with the right spirit (God's Holy Spirit or the mind of Christ) we will not hit the mark.


River of Life

Sermon by Bill Onisick

I Corinthians 13 describes the assaying instrument to detect the purity of love. Our need for love never ends as we move through the sanctification process.


Deuteronomy and Holiness

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

God has provided the God-plane marriage relationship to teach us how to submit to one another, sacrificing our self-centeredness for the benefit of our spouse.


A True Disciple

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

We must exercise longsuffering and kindness to all, including to those that have done ill to us. We are disciples of Christ if we love one another.


"If I Have Not Charity"

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christianity has both an inward aspect (building godly character or becoming sanctified) and an outward aspect (doing practical good works).


Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Three): Hope Demonstrated

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Abraham's resolute intent to sacrifice Isaac displayed his unreserved devotion to God's purpose for him. We must display the same kind of tenacity.


By This Shall All Men Know You

Sermon by John O. Reid

A native practice involves leaving a young man on a remote island with only a bow and arrows until he learns to become a man, and God does something similar.


No Failsafe Needed

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The free-will God has allowed mankind has led to some tragic consequences or disruptions, but none of these are outside of His control.


The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Kindness goes hand-in-hand with love. It is an active expression of love toward God and fellow man, produced through the power of God's Spirit.


Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's holy law gives love its foundation, stability, and evenness, preventing it from degenerating into a sappy, sentimental feeling.


Psalm 23 (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd.


Childrearing (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.


Potential for Good

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The chief tool we can use to do good (building positive relationships between other people) is to develop and exercise the mind of God within us.


Deuteronomy (Part 3) (1994)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We will not be prepared to rule in the Millennium unless we are experientially persuaded of God's faithfulness to His Covenant and His intolerance of evil.


John (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.