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playlist Go to the Heart as Source of Action (topic) playlist

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In the Wake of an Unnatural Disaster (Part Three)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the midst of moral devastation in the Western world, where understanding of right and wrong has eroded, the heart reveals itself as the source of action. The tragic incident at Northlake Mall, where a teenager, influenced by a misguided standard, defied authority and met a fatal end, exemplifies this truth. His character, shaped by worldly teachings and personal choices, led him to act according to what was ingrained in his heart, resulting in death. This reflects the broader principle that conduct unveils true belief, as seen in the perfect obedience of the greatest Man who ever lived, who followed His Father's will without fail, even unto death. Our actions, therefore, expose what is truly in our hearts, raising the critical question of whether we genuinely believe God.

The Pure in Heart

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The heart, as understood in both the Old and New Testaments, serves as the core of a person's inner being, encompassing personality, character, intellect, memory, emotions, desire, and will. It is the source from which a person's words and actions spring, reflecting either a God-directed or God-rejecting nature. As highlighted in Jeremiah 17:9, the heart is described as deceitful and incurably diseased by human standards, embodying human nature's tendency toward selfishness and sin. Without divine intervention through His Spirit, this crooked nature persists, driving depravity and difficulty. Jesus reinforces this understanding in Mark 7, emphasizing that defilement comes not from external factors but from within the heart. The sins listed in verses 21 and 22 are not separate from a person but define their impure nature, revealing the inner character. To see God, as urged in Matthew 5:8, the heart must be thoroughly cleansed to become a consistent source of good rather than evil. This purification requires changing its inclinations and attitudes, striving toward a state where every inclination is to act in love and service, reflecting a transformed core. The process of purifying the heart is a lifelong endeavor, involving a cooperative effort with God to transform from wickedness to righteousness. It begins with external actions, symbolized by cleansing the hands, which represent deeds and works. As these actions align with good, the internal nature starts to shift, moving toward purity at the very center of one's being. Jesus demands this inner purity in Matthew 5:8, asserting that true cleanliness is not about external rituals but a spiritual transformation of the heart, essential for seeing God. This purification, while never fully complete in this life, sets a high standard to stretch toward, ensuring that what flows from a pure center manifests as pure actions.

Guarding Our Vulnerable Hearts

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

The heart is central and vital to our existence, much like the human heart that sustains life by pumping blood. In Scripture, the term heart often speaks metaphorically of the inner person and the spiritual life, encompassing the mind, emotions, will, and even the whole person. Its frequent mention underscores God's deep concern for the condition of our hearts and minds. Our actions, works, and deeds—whether good or bad—proceed from what is inside us, from our hearts. What we do in word and deed is a product of who we are internally, revealing our true nature. God searches the heart, looking beyond outward appearances to the reality and condition within, testing us to see what truly resides in our innermost being. Therefore, we must guard our hearts with diligence, for out of them spring the issues of life, shaping our responses and paths in accordance with His will.

The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Seven): The Sin and Trespass Offerings

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The heart is often seen as the source of actions that lead us astray, revealing the deep-seated struggles within human nature. As we grow in discernment, we become increasingly aware of sin's presence within ourselves—envy, jealousy, anger, and even rage and hatred simmer just below the surface, ready to manifest in foolish deeds. Despite our sincere desire to do right, to believe God's Word, and to glorify Him, human nature overpowers us at times, taking us captive and driving us to follow its urges instead of God's will. This internal conflict can be profoundly disturbing, burdening us with guilt and fear of separation from God. Yet, there is assurance in knowing that deliverance from this dual struggle is through Jesus Christ, providing hope and an ultimate end to this battle within.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.

Purifying the Heart

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus advises a repentant Christian to attack sexual sin at its starting point, making it less about sinful acts than about an immoral way of thinking.

Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eight): Death

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 highlight the Bible's attitude toward death, particularly its insistence that we allow the reality of death to change our approach to life.

God is the Strength of My Heart

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Only by combining the head, heart, and will can we attain full growth and maturity, godly character, and a mirror image of Jesus Christ.

Where Is Your Heart?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

What is truly important to us? What do we really need versus what do we merely want? Where are our hearts?

Keep Your Heart With All Diligence!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Christ does not remove His people's trials, but He provides help for those going through them, using the cleansing power of the trial to heal their minds.

Obeying From the Heart

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Failure to obey from the heart, and not having an accurate picture or appraisal of God, is the chief contributory cause of spiritual depression.

Our Hidden Enemy

CGG Weekly by John O. Reid

A terrible, corrupt enemy lurks within us, poised to bring disaster on us if we allow it. It is the human heart, which God calls 'desperately wicked.'

Defining the Human Mind

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

The Hebrews used metaphorical extensions such as the terms 'heart' and 'head' to refer to the repositories of the breath of life given to the human soul.

Controlling Our Thoughts

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

If we desire to live as Christ does, we need to seize control of our thoughts. We can use these three things to help us do this.

Sin

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Our carnal nature will always deceive the self, convincing us that our behavior is not so bad, but Paul realized the addictive, toxic nature of sin.

Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our human nature reflects the nature of malevolent spirits' attitudes. The only way to overcome it is through God's creating a new heart in us by His Spirit.

Who Is Responsible For Sin?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Though Satan influences, the choices an individual make are totally his own, even for those without God's Spirit. We sin when we are drawn away by our own desires.

As a Man Thinks

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

'You are what you eat' is a common expression, yet Jesus teaches that actually we are what we think. Even so, we are not always what we think we are.

Handpicked By God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim Myers

God handpicked us for a specific purpose, just as He did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Noah. God also handpicked second-generation Church members.

Evil Desires

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

All the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.

Conquering Temptation: Learn from Jesus Christ

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

A Christian must face temptation in this world. Our Savior wants us to overcome or conquer it, and He shows us how by His example when Satan tempted Him.

Principled Living (Part Two): Conquering Sin

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ warns that we must do everything possible to annihilate sin - surgically going right to the heart or mind: the level of thought and imagination.

The Christian and the World (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The prince of the power of the air is responsible for influencing the zeitgeist (dominant mindset of the time), pulling us away from God and His law.

The Tenth Commandment (1998)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

One commentator said all public crime would cease if this one law was kept. Another said every sin against one's neighbor springs from breaking this commandment.

Wilderness Wanderings (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Israel's trek was not only a physical journey, but a mental wandering caused by rejecting God's leadership. The potential to sin is a test of resolve.

Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Two)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Human will is not sovereign in the body, but is just another servant, functioning according to the information it receives. We choose according to desires.

God, Satan, and David's Numbering of Israel

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

An apparent contradiction exists between I Chronicles 21:1 stating that Satan moved David to take the census while I Samuel 21:1 says that God did.

Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, Pride of Life

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The half-time show of the recent Superbowl exemplifies the lust of the flesh and the eyes, and the pride of life. Each choice we make changes our brains.

Unsheathe Your Sword! (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

God promises the overcomer, victor, or conqueror the status of son of God. To accomplish this, we must use our sword, God's Word, to vanquish the foe.

Overcoming Hypocrisy

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We are continually in danger of being deceived by our carnal nature, a nature which distracts us from following God, even though we go through the motions.

Original Sin and Holiness

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God gave Adam and Eve a neutral spirit and free moral agency; they chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, predisposing their offspring to sin.

Avoiding the Ruts of Our Carnal Mind

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Bill Onisick

If we could see the traffic of our perpetually wandering minds, we would be embarrassed as to how often it strays from God's thoughts and His laws.

Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The globalist enemies of language, borders, and culture have made themselves enemies of the will of God, who set up boundaries for all the children of Adam.

A Pure Language

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

We don't need to be experts in Hebrew or use Hebrew names to call on the name of the Lord, nor is Hebrew sacred. Pure language comes from an undefiled heart.

The Tenth Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Everyone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.

Is God in All Our Thoughts?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.

God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's mysteries have been in plain sight from the beginning of time, but carnality has obscured them from mankind.

Conviction to Godly Righteousness

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Real repentance and conviction of righteousness should dramatically augment prayer, study, meditation, but most importantly, how we live our lives.

Remaining Unleavened

Article by John O. Reid

We tend to put matters behind us once we are finished with them, but we cannot afford to do this with the lessons we learn from the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Our Battle Against Evil Programming!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Military strategists have desensitized people to accept killing as normal and acceptable, even as Video games condition people to enjoy killing.

Dancing With the Devil's World

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Unlike most Millennials, obsessed with acceptance by their peers, Jesus did not mind being a loner because He loved the things His Father taught.

Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.

Think on These Things (2018)

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Our annual, self-inflicted review of self can be humbling and even painful. We have a measure of control over our carnality which those in the world lack.

What Is the Prophesied 'Pure Language'? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Zephaniah 3 foretells of a "pure language," by which people may call on the name of the Lord. Many believe it will be Hebrew, but the Scriptures reveal more.

Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Both food and information are readily available in the West. What is our approach to them? Our attitude toward and application of them makes all the difference.

Values and Conversion

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Repentance involves incorporating God's values, alien to our human nature—ones that will unify us with God and with others who accept His value system.