Playlist:

playlist Go to the Rivalry (topic) playlist

'I Want To Be First'

CGG Weekly by Ronny H. Graham

Satan challenged God because he wanted to be first. God, on the other hand, competes with no one. Nor does He desire us to compete with each other.


Are You Envious or Content?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike Ford

Envy is a work of the flesh, involving coveting. A significant example of envy is found in the relationship of the two wives of Elkanah, Hannah and Peninnah.


Unity Through Humility

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Competition in the church can lead to disaster, destroying harmony and unity. Competition and pride destroy unity; humility and cooperation enhance unity.


The Jealousy of God

'Ready Answer' by Ronny H. Graham

Deuteronomy 4:24 may strike an astute reader as somewhat controversial, if not contradictory. How can our holy and perfect God be jealous?


Satan, Division, and Humility

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Competition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.


Hannah's Thanksgiving

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Hannah gave up the very thing she asked for. Her willingness to give God her most precious possession stands on par with Abraham's renowned sacrifice of Isaac.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Five): Comparisons

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon provides these comparisons to indicate the choices we should make to live better lives in alignment with God, even in an 'nder the sun' world.


Prosperity's Consequences

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Prosperity is not always an emblem of God's approval. God will not prosper us if it would cause spiritual damage, insulating us from seeking His kingdom.


Overcoming Satan's Competitive Spirit

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

The competitive spirit to dominate a competitor, not confined to athletic contests, militates against God's mandate that we esteem others over ourselves.


The Pursuit of Excellence (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

Excellence is greatly emphasized in athletics and in the business world. Yet none of the excellence sought after today is what Christians are to seek.


All About Edom (Part One)

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The twin sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob, are a classic model of sibling rivalry, and their contentious relationship has had a tremendous impact on history.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.


Unity (2006)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the symphony orchestra, only as an instrumentalist submits to the leader, working with the other members of the ensemble, can unity be accomplished.


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.


Civility and Courtesy

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Societal incivility, discourtesy, and in-your-face attitudes (works of the flesh) have manifested themselves in the church of God, but contradict agape.


Differences of Opinion

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Satan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.


Concerning Edom

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The prophet Obadiah sorrowfully dramatizes God's judgment upon Edom (Esau) for his hatred, haughtiness, and pride, and how and why Edom will be annihilated.


Joseph: A Saga of Excellence (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though Joseph was born into a highly dysfunctional family, he nevertheless had a high batting average when it came to making the right moral choices.