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Choosing Not to Remember
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingGod does not forget our sins because He cannot any longer remember them, but because He actively chooses to forget them upon our repentance.
The Price of Atonement
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Day of Atonement centers on the covering of sin through sacrifice, yet the material emphasizes that true atonement under the New Covenant goes beyond covering to complete removal and forgetting. Animal sacrifices under the Old Covenant could only conceal sin, smoothing it over without paying its full cost or erasing it, leaving a yearly reminder rather than genuine cleansing. Because the life of a bull or goat falls short of the value of a human life, such offerings proved insufficient to satisfy the death penalty established for sin. In contrast, the sinless life of Jesus Christ provides the worthy payment that not only covers but fully satisfies the penalty, allowing sins to be forgiven, removed, and forgotten. This outcome appears in the New Covenant promise that their sins and their lawless deeds will be remembered no more. The focus on this forgetting highlights the superiority of Christ's sacrifice, which alone enables God to choose not to remember sins, granting the sinner freedom from guilt and the possibility of eternal life.
Lessons on Remembering
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughLife consists of a set of experiences. We could not develop character unless we could remember the results or consequences of our daily choices.
Sins in the Balance (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeForgiveness is not a feeling that washes over us, but a conscious choice. It does not mean that the offense will never come to mind, nor that all the pain vanishes.
Understanding the Azazel Goat
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe goat for azazel (complete removal) bore the sins of the nation out of sight. Jesus Christ likewise had our iniquities laid on Him, and He bore them.
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeOn the Day of Atonement, the live goat bears the sins of the nation. Many think this represents Satan as the source of sin, yet Scripture reveals the truth.
Do Angels Live Forever? (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEzekiel 28 reveals that Satan's fate will be ashes in the Lake of Fire; it would be inconsistent with God's character for Him to inflict pain eternally.
Conduct of the New Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDriving out the evil must be followed by cultivating goodness and righteousness. An antidote to depression is to get our hearts focused on someone else.
Spiritual Grave Robbers
CGG Weekly by David F. MaasIt is bad enough when we dwell on our own character flaws, but we greatly compound this habit when we dwell on other people's past sins and offenses.
Hebrews (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAfter the change from the Aaronic to the Melchizedek priesthood, it was also necessary to change the Covenant. The flaw was not the law, but the heart.
Hebrews (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEverything about the Priesthood of Christ is superior to the Levitical system, which only served as a type of the access to God that Jesus would fulfill.
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.
True or False Guilt?
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingWe must be able to separate genuine guilt, which is the spiritual equivalent of pain, from false guilt when we call into question God's forgiveness.