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The Priesthood of God (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's purpose for us is to become Kings and Priests under Jesus Christ in His Kingdom, and for this, we prepare to be a royal priesthood and holy nation. Holiness is essential for those who serve Him, as He demands our exclusive worship and allegiance due to His unique and unparalleled nature. Because the Lord is holy, those who serve Him must also be holy, striving for conformity to His character and purpose, regardless of their status within the community. Becoming holy means consecration to work towards the highest standards we know, which are the standards of God our Creator. This consecration involves exercising self-control and self-denial, restraining ourselves from activities or things others may enjoy without consequence. To be holy, one must truly walk the narrow way, keeping the temple of God clean because He dwells within it. This may require separation from old friends and family, which can be painful, but our loyalties must be to Christ, dedicating our time through much study and prayer to maintain an intimate relationship with the source of holiness. Consecration to holiness also means presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, implementing His desires and purposes as a new creation in Christ Jesus. It requires growth in holiness beyond merely being designated as holy by our calling, achieved through actual life experiences within our relationship with Him, as we strive to live as He did when He was flesh and blood. This formidable challenge of attaining holiness is commanded of us, and with His help, some measure of His holiness can be imparted to those in close relationship with Him, becoming part of our nature and the way we live.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Sanctification is a vital process by which God separates certain individuals, objects, and even time for His divine purpose and plan. It serves as the means through which He guides and moves His creation toward His ultimate goal of holiness. In the Old Testament, objects, spaces, and people are often declared holy simply because they are set apart for divine use, with strict rules governing their handling and interaction. While the emphasis there is on the designation of holiness, the New Testament shifts focus to the process of a person becoming holy, making it the central goal of Christian life. This transformation is driven by the recognition of God's absolute holiness, a quality so distinct and admirable that it compels the converted mind to strive to be like Him. Holiness, at its root, signifies cleanliness and purity, both ceremonially and morally. God Himself is the epitome of cleanliness, and sin, by contrast, is defiling and repugnant to Him. To be in His presence or to have a relationship with Him, one must become clean in heart and conduct, aligning with His standards as revealed in His laws. This cleanliness manifests in attitudes and behaviors, reflecting a profound respect or reverence for what is holy, setting the sanctified apart from those who are not. Consecration, synonymous with sanctification, involves a cleansing of one's life—conduct, speech, and thoughts—to meet God's definition of clean. It is through this process that individuals like Noah and Abraham were set apart by Him. Noah, already deemed blameless and just, found grace from God long before the task of building the Ark, empowered by this gift to live righteously and fulfill His purpose. Abraham, similarly chosen, was instructed to walk before Him and be blameless, achieving integrity through faith and humble obedience, thus bridging the vast difference between human imperfection and divine holiness. God's sanctification extends beyond individuals to entire lines of descendants, as seen with Seth, Noah, Shem, and Abraham, forming a protected lineage against Satan's influence. This separation, often marked by enmity and opposition, acts as a spiritual hedge, safeguarding those He has chosen while testing their faithfulness. Notably, only those sanctified by Him, like Noah and his family, escaped the destruction of the Flood, underscoring the profound importance of sanctification in His plan. As His purpose unfolds, He continues to sanctify, expanding from individuals to an entire nation, as with Israel through Moses, demonstrating His deliberate and consistent involvement in setting apart His people for His divine objectives.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Consecration, as a vital aspect of our distinctiveness, calls us to dedicate ourselves fully to God. It is a responsibility of the priesthood, as seen in the commands to remain clean when receiving offerings devoted to Him. Those who are to handle the holy things must consecrate themselves, ensuring they are not defiled, for defilement symbolizes the contamination of sin and its effects. This principle underscores the importance of maintaining purity, as God insists on avoiding contamination due to how easily it can transfer to our character. Human nature attracts defilement, making it essential for us, as a royal priesthood, to be vigilant in preserving our spiritual, moral, and ethical cleanliness. The call to consecration is a daily responsibility, requiring continuous cleansing from the influences of the world. It is not enough to merely observe rituals or commandments; the manner and understanding with which we keep them reveal the true witness of our separation. Through this dedication, we are reminded of who we are—a chosen generation, a holy nation, set apart to make sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ and to show forth His praises. Consecration, therefore, is not just an act but a way of life that protects our holiness and perfects it through our relationship with Him, ensuring we remain unspotted from the world.

Holiness (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Holy things are set apart from the rest, consecrated, sanctified, and transcendentally separate. God wants to transform us into that very image.

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.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Old Testament activities picture New Testament realities, elevated to their spiritual intent. The church has been chosen as a royal and holy priesthood.

Sanctification and Holiness (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Dathan and Korah agitated for a democratization of priestly responsibilities. God shows that not everybody set apart is holy in the same way.

Elements of Judgment (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We dare not 'do away' anything that is part of God's mind, or we will not be in His image. Acts 15 did not give Gentiles exemption from keeping God's Law.

God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God, as our true Shepherd, provides total protection of His called out-ones forever. Being kept in God's name refers to assimilating the attributes of God.

Examples of Divine Justice

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Nadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira, and Uzzah, all aware of the penalties for their actions, rebelled against God's clear and unambiguous instructions.

Psalm 133 (1998)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Unity comes only through the initiation of God. If we would follow the suggestions in Romans 12, we could do our part in promoting unity in God's church.

Anointing With Oil

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Being anointed is no guarantee of healing unless it is part of God's will. Sometimes a thorn in the flesh may produce some undeveloped character.

Completing Sanctification

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

An emphasis on hyper-grace is wrong-headed, denying any need for repentance and overcoming, and totally at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Smyrna: Faithful Until Death

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The biblical city of Smyrna may be one that many know the least about. The city's name reveals the themes that the Head of the church wants us to understand.

Refuge! Refuge! (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The cities of refuge highlight the great importance God placed on the sanctity of life, especially in beings created in God's image.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Wisdom does not give us complete understanding into the ultimate purposes of God, but when accompanied with faith in God, it will brighten our countenance.

Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's command to eat unleavened bread teaches that He rescued His people from the bondage of sin, something they had no power to accomplish of themselves.

The Eighth Day (2019)

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Eight Day (or Last Great Day) has little written about it, but the patterns of Scripture reveal much about the abundance of this holy day.