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Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMarriage, as a complex social institution, holds vital importance in most people's lives, though not everyone is suited to it. For the majority, the route of marriage is the most likely path, and after baptism, the decision to marry is the most significant one to make, requiring deep consideration both before and during the commitment. The marriage vow marks the beginning of a process of refinement and growth, binding husband and wife more closely while enhancing the development of holy, righteous, godly character. In Genesis 1:27, God created man and woman in His own image, establishing that before Him, they are equal with the same potential to be transformed into His image and inherit His Kingdom. Marriage, therefore, is a union of equals before God. However, Scripture clearly shows that God placed husbands in the position of authority, described as first among equals. Though equal in potential, men and women may differ in mental and physical abilities, emotional makeup, and strength, with distinct natural inclinations and skills, neither being better than the other. Created after God's own body and mind, both possess human equivalents of His qualities, distributed between male and female, affirming that humanity is made after the God-kind. This imbues relationships, especially marriage, with a spiritual quality, underscoring the shared goal of becoming just like God and the serious nature of the bond between husband and wife.
Christian Marriage (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsCohabitation has led to increased divorce, marital violence, and lack of fidelity after marriage. Mass media has shamelessly used sex to promote materialism.
God's Pattern of the Family
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe family structure, with assigned orders of responsibility (not orders of importance implying superiority or inferiority), is paramount to God's plan.
The Perfect Wife
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBiblically ordained marriage roles are at odds or in conflict with cultural expectations, especially the influences of radical feminism and postmodernism.
Wonderful Women
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAccording to God's vision of the institution of marriage, when man and wife follow the rule of submission and sacrificial love, patriarchy is a blessing.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLoyalty and submission to God (not always easy) empowers and guarantees ultimate success and leadership, actually freeing us from the fear of death.
Men and Women, Hats and Hair
'Ready Answer' by Earl L. HennShould women wear hats to church? What is the correct hair length for men and women? Paul teaches on these subjects in I Corinthians 11.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.
Genesis 3:17-19: Consequences for Adam
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAdam sinned, having abdicated his leadership position. His posterity has been cursed with overwhelming toil just to stay ahead. We are perfected by hardship.
Strengthening the Family
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod ordained marriage and the family for the physical and spiritual growth and nurturing of children. God's goal is a Family composed of mature spirit beings.
Fathers Provoking Children
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost families in God's church have a functional father, but even so, extremes of leniency and overbearing strictness do not make an ideal father.
God's Epistle
Sermon by John O. ReidWe as Christians have the obligation or responsibility to provide a light or shining example in a darkened world that generally hates God's way.