Playlist:

playlist Go to the Self Focus (topic) playlist

Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Three): Attitude

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Job had not achieved spiritual maturity, but had assumed the arrogant stance of attempting to debate the Creator on his own level.


Control and Self-Control

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Paradoxically, when we yield to God's sovereignty, He wants to cede control over to us, teaching us to develop self-control as an ingrained habit.


Don't Lose Your Focus!

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul urged that we get our focus more balanced, emphasizing love over prophetic correctness, not remaining indifferent to what Christ deemed important.


Doorway to the Kingdom

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Any time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.


The Elijah Syndrome (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God taught Elijah that He is not in excessive displays of power or showy miracles when a voice will suffice.


The Elijah Syndrome (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Though God worked through Elijah in ways that are almost without comparison, God also left a record of a low point in the prophet's life as a lesson for us.


What Makes Generation "Me" Tick?

Commentary by David F. Maas

Over the past six decades (from the Boomer Generation to the Millennial generation), individuals have grown more narcissistic, entitled and miserable.


The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

When things go wrong, an improperly rooted person becomes hard and cynical. This disillusionment happens if our hope or trust are in the wrong place.


The Elijah Syndrome

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Elijah fell into a dilemma of either fearing God or fearing man, and ended up fearing Jezebel rather than God, thinking he was alone in his zeal for God.


Unlovable

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

If God's people do not believe they are lovable, they may deprive others of a blessing by refusing to accept charitable help from a spiritual sibling.


Psalms: Book Four: All His Benefits

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

All 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.


The Feast Is Coming!

CGG Weekly by John O. Reid

What should we have on our minds as we prepare to go to the Feast of Tabernacles this year? What overall message does keeping this festival teach us?


Whatsoever Your Heart Desires

Sermonette by Mark Schindler

We 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.


Human Will

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's children should never emulate the self-willed attitude Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" glorifies. Human nature and godly character are polar opposites.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Without thanksgiving and praise, our prayers degenerate into the 'gimmes' with the emphasis on the self. We must give God thoughtful thanks in every circumstance.


Building Relationships

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

The Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.


Go With Him Two

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

We have all kinds of rights, but not all rights should be exercised if we have opportunities to demonstrate God's way of give to total strangers.


Antidote For Disunity!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We will become united as we draw closer to God. If we regard a brother in Christ as a competitor rather than as a trusted ally, unity will be impossible.


Take the Red Pill

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

If 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.


WHAT?! Me Submit to Someone Else?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Submitting is repugnant to the carnal mind. The church is no place for uncompromising people who demand their own way.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride elevates one above God, denigrating any dependence upon God, replacing it with self-idolatry. We ought to boast or glory in the Lord instead of ourselves.


Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by Staff

James' exhortation about the use of the tongue seems to stop with James 3:12. However, the rest of the chapter provides more wisdom on controlling our speech.


The Poor in Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Nothing that we could ever do could impress God, except for our contrition, acknowledgment of our infirmity, and remorse for our sins which displease God.


What's in It for Me?

Sermonette by Mark Schindler

Because seed-bearing designates fruit that is good for food, it is possible that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not seed-bearing.


Me, Myself, and You

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

This generation promotes self-gratification, self-realization, and self-indulgence, with a plethora of self-help books elevating self interest above others.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride 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.


Lonely, But Not Forsaken

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Even Jesus had to cope with feelings of anxiety and loneliness in Gethsemane before His crucifixion, a time when He experienced separation from His Father.


Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both 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.


Baruch's Complaint (Part Two)

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch, lived during a time of great upheaval. Baruch complained that God's plans against Judah were crimping his own ambitions.


Unity

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Each member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father