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Unity and Division (Part Two): Who Scattered the Church?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Would a God of unity scatter His own church? Or was it the work of Satan? The conclusion of many impugns God's sovereignty and exempts them from responsibility.


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.


Will the Church of God Be Thrown Down? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The church has Christ as the Chief Cornerstone. As long as there is a church, there will also be at least one living stone upon another.


The Handwriting Is on the Wall (1996): Scattering

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God initiated the scattering of the church for our ultimate good. When the revelation of God was replaced with the wisdom of this world, God intervened.


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

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.


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

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The hardest part of God's work is the feeding of the flock the full counsel of God, to get the called-out ones ready to enter the Kingdom of God.


Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

If we lose sight that Jesus is the head of the Church, we will forget that Christ is currently purifying His Church, sanctifying those called to be His family.


God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's hand was definitely involved in the scattering of the church. We should respond by growing and preparing ourselves for His Kingdom.


Revelation 10 and the Church's History

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Revelation 10 contains the seven thunders and the little book. It serves as an inset, not following a linear time sequence of the book of Revelation.


A Time To Scatter

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

While we yearn for the church to be re-united, until our own personal walk with God is attained and we intently seek Him first, church unity will not happen.


The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.


Is There a True Church?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's true church cannot be found without revelation nor can one join the organization; God calls and places each member in its appropriate place in the Body.


The Mystery of the Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God desires to know whether the spiritual remnants will choose His teaching or assimilating into the world, biting and devouring one another.


Is There a True Church?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many 'church of God' organizations claim to be part of—or even the only—church of God. The Bible reveals specific characteristics of God's church.


God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

How involved in man's affairs is God? Is He merely reactive, or does He actively participate—even cause events and circumstances, particularly in the church?


Principles of Church Leadership

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.


Scattering and Gathering: Images of History and Prophecy (Part Two)

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

Prophecy shows God scattering His people for their sins. It appears He will scatter them into small fragments, perhaps even down to individuals alone.


Christ's Wake-up Call to the Churches

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

God was responsible for our scattering, and He is not impressed with those who arrogantly proclaim they are the only ones doing the work of God.


Church of God Ecumenism

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Until the conditions that led to the scattering have changed, no unilateral ecumenical talks will ever be successful at attaining unity.


United With Whom?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Our relationship with God is the key to unity with the brethren. When we are all just like Christ, we will also all resemble each other—and there will be unity.


Trends in Global Religion

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The world is not very unified religiously, is it? What does this mean for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy? Could this mean we still have a long time to wait?


A Badly Divided Nation

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our country is divided politically and culturally more than at any other time since the Civil War and the population as a whole has become more callused.


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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The largest portion of the great commission demands that the lion's share of time, money, or energy ought to be invested in feeding the flock.


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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To preach to the world and ignore a disintegrating flock is like a husband and wife paying attention to other people while the family is falling apart.


What Does God Really Want? (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The priorities in Matthew 6:33 indicates that the primary emphasis should be on repentance and overcoming rather than mastering a technicality.


Back to the First Century

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Having no central leadership, we have entered an era of seemingly organizational disarray, a crucial time in which we should adjust to what God has done.


The Messenger of Christ

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert W. Armstrong was single-minded about preaching the Gospel. The scattering of the church could have been caused by members making him a type of idol.


The Whirlpool of War

Article by John O. Reid

In God's vast experience, He knows that war produces hatreds that last for generations and destroys people's lives, reputations and potentials.


Avoiding Superficiality

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Success in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.


His Eye is On the Sparrow (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

As God has His eye on the sparrow, He has had His eye on us through the entire process of scattering so the tests we have endured will bear good fruit.


A Search for Identity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God gave His approval for the destruction of the Worldwide Church of God into numerous groups, allowing heresies so He could see who really loves Him.


Worshipping the Temple (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Israel turned the Temple into an idol, making it more significant than God. Similarly, we may esteem the church more than the God it should glorify.


Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God alone chooses the servants through whom He works His will. Sometimes the rationale God uses for selecting His vessels defies worldly wisdom.


A Distant Reflection

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Considering the events and trends exhibited in the modern church of God, will it follow the disastrous example of early second-century Christianity?


Unity (Part 1): God and HWA

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.


CGG Anniversary: Summary and Thank You

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

On this 11th anniversary of CGG, John Ritenbaugh reflects on the expectations, the accomplishments, and the prospects for the future of our part of God's work.


Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Seven)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our physical bodies have a defense system to keep out invaders. Spiritually, how well do we maintain our defenses against error and contamination?


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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The preaching the gospel to the world is at best the beginning of a complex process of creating disciples through steady feeding and encouragement to overcome.


Ruth's Prophecy

Sermonette by Gary Garrett

God alone determines the course of history. His naming of people is significant, and the book of Ruth can be studied through the lens of the characters' names.


Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is not the author of confusion, but throughout the scriptures has used a consistent pattern of appointing leaders over His called-out ones.


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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.


Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert Armstrong, while not infallible or sinless, nevertheless served as the custodian of the truths of God, occupying the role of God's messenger.


First Things First (Part One): Access to God

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The lessons of Abel, Enoch, and Noah in Hebrews 11 are sequential. The lesson of Abel's faith must be understood before Enoch's example can be followed.


The Beatitudes, Part One: The Sermon on the Mount

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Sermon on the Mount is as vitally important today as when Christ preached it. It contains the way we are to live as God's representatives on this earth.


Examine and Come Out

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Old Testament examples were given to show us what God had to do to pave the way for our calling, sanctification, and ultimate glorification.


The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part Two) (2007)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The sheep do not belong to any man or group, but to Christ. It is Christ's responsibility to get the sheep into the Kingdom, not the ministry's.


March 12, 2005: One Year Later

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

On March 12, 2005, Terry Ratzmann entered a church meeting room and opened fire. After 22 rounds had been fired, four people were wounded, and eight lay dead.


Maintaining Good Health (Part 12)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The church of God today resembles a patient languishing from a deadly disease, resulting from a diet of spiritual junk food and neglecting the bread of life.


The Wisdom of Men and Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The pressures and conflicts that the church has undergone is part of the spirit of the time that has embroiled religious and political institutions worldwide.


The Shepherd's Guidance (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

When our lives change, we do not have to fear that things are out of control. As the Good Shepherd, Christ changes our circumstances for our benefit.


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.


The Impossible Metric

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Members, co-workers, and subscribers can all be tallied, yet who save God can track the increase of faith or the building of character of members of a church?


Reconciliation and Unity

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

It is foolish and pointless to use the same charm, social skills, and duplicity toward God as we use to deceive others and, sadly, even ourselves.


The Christian and the World (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must realize we are walking on a razor's edge, with the Kingdom of God on one side and the world with all its sensual magnetic charms on the other side.


Of One Accord

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Confusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Six)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Like the four groups of seeds exposed to various qualities of soil, many have heard the true gospel, but few have remained faithful after the onslaught of hardship.


Are You Running on Empty?

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

The Parable of the Ten Virgins must become a wake-up call to the church of God that we are 'running on empty,' to quote a Jackson Brown song.


Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The 'people of the lie' do not believe they have any major defects and, consequently, do not have any need to examine themselves, let alone change.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has given time to mankind as a gift, manipulating its use for us. The bad as well as the pleasant aspects of life are fashioned for our ultimate good.


Babel: Confusing Wisdom and Rebellion

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

After the Flood, the people grew suspicious of God. Their natural inclination was to defend against another act of God rather than make peace with Him.


The Importance of Doctrine

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

People who try to supplement their spiritual diet with lawlessness or other heresies risk losing their identity, and ultimately their spiritual life.


Faith and the Calendar (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The real issue in the calendar controversy is not astronomical, but faith in God's sovereignty, providence, and His right to assign responsibility.


Importance of the True Gospel

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The way back to unity is to embrace the vision that once kept us focused on the same goal, giving us active, kinetic, dynamic and explosive power.


Lessons from Elijah's Work

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Like Elijah, we must feed ourselves on spiritual food, preparing ourselves for something beyond our current abilities, listening for the still small voice.


Each Other (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

An individual can teach and admonish only if he is in fellowship with others. God's intention that we be connected to the rest of the Body is seen everywhere.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Three): Time

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon reveals that God is solidly in control of time. Knowing that God is sovereign over time should fill us with faith in God's workmanship.


Why Are You Here?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God, following a pattern, routinely calls the lowly and weak to guard against pride. God will transform the weak of this world through His Holy Spirit.


Grace, Faith, and Love

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride condemned Satan to a fate of manipulating rather than serving. This presumptuous self-centered trait creates disunity and ultimately destruction.


The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part One) (2007)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The scattering of the church was God-ordained, providing a test for godliness. The isolating demonstrated by some groups is an abomination and an affront.


Globalism (Part Twelve): It Shall Never Be

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

Though the nations of this world are pushing for global economics and government, God's Word shows that mankind will NOT succeed.


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.


Checklist for Overcoming

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Romans 12-16 provide a checklist for overcoming and promoting positive relationships, developing tender affection. We are mutually dependent upon one another.


Preparing the Bride

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

A Statement of Purpose and beliefs of the Church of the Great God.


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.