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Living By Faith and God's Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's grace is essential to our salvation, serving as the foundation against which we understand His justice. Without grace, there would be no salvation, no calling, no justification, no Holy Spirit, no sanctification, and no creation itself. In terms of our salvation, grace is the key element in God's entire purpose, intermingled with His righteousness in every judgment He makes. Though we are as guilty as those who faced His justice, God's purpose for us is greater, and through His grace, He raises us from spiritual death to life at the time of our calling. As we live by faith, submitting to His purpose, we find that God's grace supports and fills our needs throughout our journey. Grace, derived from the Greek term charis, has evolved to carry a spiritual significance in English translations, suggesting charm, beauty, and favor, as well as a disposition to be generous and helpful. God's grace is freely given, despite every sin being personally against Him and His Son. He owes us nothing, yet as our Creator, He provides life and the hope of something far better through His grace. Our calling and election by God precede any saving knowledge or faith on our part, ensuring that we cannot earn His grace. This grace, alongside faith, is a gift from God, the source of power that enables us to live a righteous life pleasing to Him. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term hesed, often translated as mercy or lovingkindness, reflects God's faithful covenant love and steadfastness, complementing the New Testament use of charis to express His patient and forbearing faithfulness in His plan of salvation. Through His mercies, we are not consumed, as His compassions are new every morning, providing continuous hope and the possibility of salvation. In the book of John, Jesus is described as full of grace, from which we receive a continuous flow of blessings, gifts, favor, powers, forgiveness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healings, and protection, all freely given to meet our spiritual needs as part of His purpose. Without God's grace, there would be no hope or salvation, and it remains the source of power that enables us to overcome and glorify Him as we are created in the image of Christ.
The Manifold Grace of God
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod'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.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace is indispensable to His purpose for us. Without it, there would be no calling, no justification, no Holy Spirit, and no sanctification. Indeed, it is possible that there would be no creation itself without God's grace. It stands as the key element in His entire purpose for our salvation, set against the backdrop of His justice, which would rightfully condemn us due to our consistent disobedience. God's grace is not a one-time event that justifies us before Him; it supports and fulfills our needs all along the way. His purpose for us is far greater than mere judgment, as His righteousness is intermingled with grace, providing mercy even when we are guilty. At the time of our calling, we were dead in sin, but through His grace, symbolized by baptism, we are raised to spiritual life, given a new spirit to fulfill His purpose under the New Covenant. There is a warning, however, that we must not receive God's grace in vain. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, many of whom fell from grace and failed to reach the Promised Land, we too can fall away if we do not remain steadfast. His warnings are given to keep us aligned with His purpose, relying on Him to avoid the pitfalls of unbelief and complacency. God's grace is unmerited divine assistance for our regeneration and sanctification. It is a gift, a power bestowed freely by Him, not because He is obligated or compelled, but because of His unchanging nature and purpose. He owes us nothing but death due to our sins, yet His grace enables us to respond to His requirements, empowering us to move forward, grow, and succeed in the responsibilities He assigns. This grace permeates every aspect of our spiritual life, from beginning to end, as a benevolence that cannot be earned or demanded. It is poured out to empower us, even from the womb, as He plans and designs each part of His family with specific gifts to fulfill His purpose. Every step along our journey is preceded by His grace, ensuring that, like the manna and guidance provided to Israel in the wilderness, He is ever-present to enable us to reach our Promised Land.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace stands as the cornerstone of our spiritual salvation, a divine assistance that is entirely unmerited and unearned. It is not given out of obligation or compulsion, but freely, as an expression of His nature. He owes us nothing but death due to our sins, yet He chooses to bestow grace because He is a giver by character, loving to save and help those less fortunate than Himself. This grace is not a response to our pride or sense of entitlement, but a reflection of His purpose being worked out through His benevolence. Grace, in its spiritual significance, far surpasses its secular meaning, emphasizing spiritual gifts over physical ones. It implies empowerment by God for service and spiritual growth, enabling us to accomplish what He desires. We receive this grace and, in recognition of His abundance, give thanks to Him for His providence. It is through His grace that our salvation is accomplished from beginning to end, as He rescues and saves us, not because we deserve it, but because of His freely given love. Understanding that grace is unmerited helps balance our pride with humility. Every sin we commit is against Him, yet He continues to shower us with wonderful gifts. As our Creator, He gives us life and hope for something far greater, things we do not deserve but are freely provided. Without what He gives, we are nothing, totally dependent on His generosity even for the air we breathe and the water we drink. Spiritually, this dependency is even more profound, highlighting our need to humble ourselves before Him. Salvation comes through His grace, a gift that can be lost if we refuse what He offers. His gracious providence is ever-present, providing for us continuously, as seen in the daily provisions He made for the Israelites in the wilderness. By grace, we are saved through faith, and this salvation is not of ourselves but is the gift of God. Without His grace, we would not have the faith to trust in Him, for it is He who draws us to Himself, an act of grace that is undeserved and unearned, based solely on His design and choice. God's grace extends to every spiritual cell in the body of Christ, equally important regardless of the individual. It is the foundation for all Christian works, though these works cannot earn grace; they are merely the fruit of His creating power. Grace is the gifting power of God that enables us to do what He desires, to glorify Him and serve the body of Christ. Even in overcoming personal and communal struggles, He provides grace to empower us when we humbly submit to Him. In the New Testament, grace, expressed through the term charis, builds on the Old Testament concept of chesed, which conveys God's faithful covenant love, kindness, and mercy. His grace is specific in its expressions—giving us His Spirit, forgiveness, and countless blessings—reflecting His unchanging character. He is faithful to His promises, kind, patient, and generous, giving us hope and confidence that He can shape us into something truly good, not because we deserve it, but because of who He is.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace is the foundation of our relationship with Him, setting the parameters for salvation, without which no one would be saved. He, as the Inventor, equips us with abilities and powers to fulfill His purpose of shaping us into His character and bringing us to His glory. This character development requires our voluntary cooperation over time through experiences He orchestrates, ensuring it becomes permanently ours. Everything in His creative work within us is a gift of His activity, including salvation and faith, as our works are the fruit of His grace, not a means to earn salvation but to glorify Him and internalize His character during sanctification. God's grace supplies empowerment to overcome character flaws, preparing us for union with Jesus Christ. His generous and loving character, expressed through steadfast love in the Old Covenant and specific acts in the New Covenant, continuously flows as a series of benefits, not as a one-time gift. Jesus Christ is the source of this grace, providing a constant flow of blessings, favor, powers, forgiveness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healings, and protection to meet our spiritual needs for His creation. This grace, freely given without obligation, is evident in His provision, akin to the manna in the wilderness, ensuring our every need for His purpose is met. Grace is an enabling power in many forms, flowing from the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit, personally involved in our spiritual creation. It is a catch-all term for the power to accomplish responsibilities and grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. As exemplified by Jesus Christ, grace encompasses salvation, redemption, teaching, hope, instruction, inspiration for godly living, overcoming, and doing good works, continuously flowing as the greatest gift. It represents God's personal, patient, and concerned generosity, freely given to assist us along the way, reflecting His nature of giving despite our self-centeredness. God's grace in justification is crucial, freely given to sinners without obligation, ensuring pride does not enter our relationship with Him. He chooses us while we are still sinners to prevent pride from corrupting the creation process, giving gifts before we need them, empowering us to respond humbly. Justification by grace through faith, not works, is necessary to maintain a right relationship with Him, as seen in Abraham's example, where righteousness was imputed by faith, not earned, ensuring we rely on His gracious provision for salvation.
Living By Faith and God's Grace (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's grace is a profound and essential characteristic shared by both the Father and the Son, evident in Their greatest acts, such as the incarnation, sinless life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ stands as the supreme expression of the Father's grace, yet He does not stand alone as the giver of these priceless gifts. Grace flows from the Father through the Son to humanity, with Jesus Christ as the ordained means by which it most effectively reaches us in our need. This divine assistance is not given out of obligation or as a reward but is freely conferred, reflecting God's character and purpose. Scripture shows that grace is never our due; all He owes us is the death earned through sin, yet He gives grace to work out His purpose. Grace implies divine empowerment for service, accomplishment, and sometimes rescue, enabling recipients to meet God's requirements, glorify Him, overcome challenges, and grow into His image. It is a continuous flow, providing help in every circumstance, as seen in the fullness of Christ from which we receive grace upon grace. God's grace is the single most important aspect of our spiritual and eternal salvation, completely unmerited and without automatic entitlements. He supplies our every need in relation to His salvation and purpose, freely giving toward His glorification and to fulfill His plan of creating us for positions in His Kingdom. The personal involvement of the Father and Son in our spiritual creation through the Holy Spirit is itself one of God's most gracious gifts. This gifting is linked with power, enduing us to meet our responsibilities in submitting to God's creative purposes. God's approach toward His creation is marked by marvelous generosity and magnanimity, giving despite our actions against Him and His creation. He provides this grace with purposeful wisdom, especially to His children, preparing them for His Family Kingdom, testing them yet offering comfort and encouragement. Grace also encompasses justification by faith, a necessary part of being created in Christ's image, ensuring that pride does not drive our relationship with God. Justification is a freely given, unearned gift, aligning the forgiven with God's standard through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works or privilege. We stand in grace, a different spiritual location than before, no longer in sin or death but in a position of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This grace, the single greatest gift, opens eternity to us, representing not just forgiveness but a multitude of unearned empowerments continuously bestowed for us to share the future with the One who gave it.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace is the single most important factor in our lives, ensuring that His judgments never aim to cause us harm or failure, but rather to foster our success in growth. Often, we fail to trust Him in His judgments, yet every judgment He renders is tempered by His holy righteousness, making it impossible for Him to be unjust or unfair, regardless of how it may appear to us. His mind is set to prevent us from stumbling through His judgments; He constantly urges us to grow and overcome, knowing we are capable because He has evaluated us and believes in our potential through His grace. Sometimes, God acts with mercy, which manifests kindness, goodness, and grace, without violating His righteous standard. This grace is evident in His dealings, as seen when He showed mercy to Lot and his family while justly destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. Mercy is not justice, nor is it injustice, as it aligns with His holy character and purpose. His grace flows constantly to us, or we would never succeed; we must acknowledge our sins before Him, humbling ourselves and striving not to sin, yet being thankful that when we do, He is merciful and faithful to forgive rather than impose the death penalty we deserve. God does not want to lose us, yet He ensures we understand the seriousness of sin and the consequences of living carelessly. Upon repentance, He is willing, in His mercy, to make a judgment and forgive, knowing our weaknesses as humans and our tendency to falter despite good intentions. His love for us is deeper than we can imagine, quickly forgiving so we can continue forward. His grace is often underappreciated, but by meditating on His justified right to judge us harshly—as He did with others like Nadab and Abihu—we can grow in our appreciation of His restraint and decision to work with us, helping us overcome and become part of His family. This opportunity to be part of His plan comes out of His will, not ours, and His grace is something even the unconverted can recognize as amazing to a degree. As His children, we must be cautious not to fall from His grace by turning away from Jesus Christ after receiving His blood and Spirit. Such disloyalty, trampling Him underfoot and blaspheming the Holy Spirit, leads to an unforgivable state where faith is lost, and without faith, we cannot please God or be in His Kingdom. His grace, therefore, is both our lifeline and our call to remain steadfast in loyalty and growth.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Four): Favor to Live as God Lives
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's grace is a vital part of the package that includes mercy and favor, working together to guide us and eventually all men toward repentance, salvation, and the knowledge of truth. Through His grace, He extends kindness and favor to those who embody a humble, contrite spirit, as seen in the attitude of the breast-beating publican. His grace is evident in the lives of Noah, who found favor in His eyes, allowing the continuation of His plan even amidst catastrophic times. As we grow in grace and knowledge, leaning on His Word rather than our own understanding, He grants us His favor, shaping our thoughts to align with His way of life and to bear witness to His righteousness. Among the humbly teachable who walk uprightly and reverently fear Him, there is comprehensive insight into His ways and purposes, and His favor enables us to live with outgoing concern in sacrificial service to both God and man. As we count toward the Feast of Firstfruits, we must continue in this privileged walk by His grace, maintaining a first love relationship with Him and each other in truth.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Three): A Faithful Witness to God's Mercy
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's there, let's focus on the incredible reality of God's grace as we approach Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Though He doesn't need us, God counts on His elect to do our job, always mindful of His grace, mercy, and favor working within us through Jesus Christ to live in harmony with Him, following His perfect example of self-sacrifice. His grace literally resides in each of us, making us so special to Him as we unite as one body in Christ. Through His grace, God meticulously brings mere men of faith into His plan, making us part of the growing testimonial of His righteous mercy, offering the possibility of entering His Family. By faithfully using His grace dwelling in us, we align with Him as preachers of righteousness in word and deed, just as Noah did in a time that opposed God's grace. His perfect mercy, completed through the ultimate sacrifice of Himself and Jesus Christ, fulfills His intention to bring men to repentance, salvation, and knowledge of the truth. God's grace provided Noah with the tools he needed to build the ark, patiently moving His plan forward toward the promise of merciful redemption given in the Garden. During this Passover season, we must appreciate how much His mercy is part of His purpose to patiently bring all men to repentance through Jesus Christ. By His grace, faithful servants like Abel, Enoch, and Noah used their God-given gifts to become part of His declaration of perfect judgment tempered by mercy, pointing to the solution amidst a world driven by carnal nature and satan's influence.
The Wholeness of God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod is a multidimensional personality, a whole Being whose wonderful, perfect attributes work together—and whose traits we are to come to know and reflect.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of salvation, works cannot save, but good works are the fruit of God's involvement. Grace frees one; works prove that one has been freed.
God Always Defaults in Mercy
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaAs 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.
Defining Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe entire life of Christ was a manifestation of God's grace, revealing the nature of God by means of a life lived to give us an example to follow.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose 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.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Two)
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerRather than considering God's calling a badge of righteousness, the child of God must consider it to be a call to action, motivating him to yield and glorify God.
God as Father
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is the only perfect example of fatherhood. We need to emulate His virtues, among them being the perfect example of what we want our children to be.
Grace Upon Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughForgiveness is only the beginning of the grace process, enabling us to grow to the stature of Christ. Paradoxically, grace puts us under obligation to obey.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Three
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughConsider two end-time, dominant forces: the Beast power of Revelation 13 and God. To whom will we yield to in the coming years?
Justice and Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSometimes we are disturbed, even angered, because an act of God seems unfair. We have difficulty because we do not understand holiness, justice, sin, and grace.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part One): To the Beaten
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's people may fall into the trap of forgetting the sinful past from which God rescued them and come to look disdainfully on those not yet called.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAt times, God has to ignite our conscience and undermine our self-confidence to get our attention in a similar fashion as he did to Joseph's brothers.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe term 'grace' describes a generous, thoughtful action of God, accompanied by love, which accomplishes His will, equipping us with everything we need.
The Fear of God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.
The Fear of God (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fear of God is the first line of defense, keeping us from profaning God's name, tarnishing the image of the Lord, and defending us from pain and/or death.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Seventeen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Law (including the judgments, ordinances, and statutes), far from being done away, shows us our faults and outlines the way of mercy and love—how to live.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustification does not 'do away' with the law; it brings us into alignment with it, imputing the righteousness of Christ and giving access to God for sanctification.
The Priesthood of God (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A priest, having cognizance of his own weaknesses, has an obligation to empathize with other peoples' weaknesses and bear one another's burdens.
The Glory of God (Part 2): In Christ
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we (following Jesus' example) display the way of God in our lives, bearing His name, and keeping His commandments, God's glory radiates in our lives.
Holiness of God (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo be like God, we need to work on purifying ourselves, purging out sin and uncleanness, reflecting our relationship with God in every aspect our behavior.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Seven
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOne aspect of sovereignty that causes some confusion is predestination. God's sovereignty does not remove a person's free moral agency — we must still choose.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod, as Creator, takes the initiative (as the potter over the clay) for the elect's salvation, enabling us to build the repertoire of habits called character.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding God's sovereignty as a basic doctrine provides a link between knowledge and practice, as well as providing motivation to yield to God's purpose.
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 Christian Walk (Part Four): Mutual Submission in Godly Fear
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAmericans have a hard time submitting to authority and like to consider themselves as sovereigns, having the last say over anything including church doctrine.
Forgiveness and Hope
CGG Weekly by John ReissForgiveness concerns each of us, and without God's forbearance, we would have absolutely no hope for anything beyond this brief, physical life.
Our Precious Calling
Sermonette by James BeaubelleGod has ordained that His chosen grow while residing in an environment of transience and corruption created by Satan and perpetuated by those rejecting God.
What Is Propitiation? (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsChrist's propitiatory sacrifice satisfied both the law and God's holiness, allowing Him to extend mercy to believing, repentant sinners.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ezekiel prophetically warns Israelites today of imminent cultural collapse because of ungodly leadership. We must treasure and appreciate the truth we have.
Deuteronomy (Part 2) (1994)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDeuteronomy, which is to be reviewed every seven years, provides us with vision and instruction for living in our spiritual Promised Land.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.
Potential for Good
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe 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.
Psalms: Book Four: All His Benefits
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll that we have has come from others, especially God. The Day of Atonement points out how needy and dependent on God we are; fasting shows our frailty.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The first use of the word 'grace' in Scripture is in context with the rescuing of Noah, a preacher of righteousness from the line of Seth.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As God sanctified Noah, saving him from the flood, we must trust God to sanctify us, protecting us from the holocaust of fire which will burn this earth.
Malachi's Appeal to Backsliders (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must be careful when we ask for justice, for our request might come back to bite us. Those begging for justice will indeed get what they ask for.
Our Merciful and Faithful Provider
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The experiences of ancient Israel, bad and good, guide us in our spiritual pilgrimage to our Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is a strong foundation.
Moral Purity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe urgency to live righteously, striving for godly character is a continuous, ongoing, and vital pursuit not concluded until our death and resurrection.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Two): Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEcclesiastes was to be read during the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing a state of temporariness, as God's people were commanded to live in temporary quarters.
Forget Not All His Benefits
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaAs long as the nation truly remembers God, He will prosper us. When we forget that foundational principle, He will break the pride of our power.