Love's Basic Definition
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove is not a feeling, but an action—defined as keeping God's commandments, the only means by which we can possibly know Him, leading to eternal life.
Love God, Love Neighbor
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe outgoing concern toward other beings begins with God the Father to Christ to us. How much we love our brethren may be a good gauge of how much we love God.
Love's Emotional Dimension
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove doesn't become 'love' until we act. If we don't do what is right, the right feeling will never be formed; emotions are largely developed by our experiences.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughLove is the first of the fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. Here is how the Bible defines what love is and what love does.
First Love (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsChrist's reprimand of the Ephesian church, "You have left your first love," seems odd being said to a church that appeared so busy doing God's will.
Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.
Love Thy Neighbor (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus set the bar very high when it comes to love. We no longer live for ourselves, but to Christ, who commands us to love everyone, including our enemies.
Love's Importance and Source
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is the source of real love; mankind by nature does not have it. It is only by knowing God that we can have this love. Godly love is a cycle that God initiates.
Loving Your Enemy
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaScripture speaks of helping an enemy and "heaping burning coals of fire on his head." This seems to imply revenge, yet the Hebrew idiom indicates otherwise.
Learning to Love One Another
'Ready Answer' by Geoff PrestonEven things like poor health can be a good thing in terms of what God is doing with us, even though on the outside it looks like it's bad.
Love and Fellowship
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFellowship with God is the only antidote to overwhelming feelings of despair, doubt, and self-condemnation.
From Faith to Love
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaPeter provides not only an effective antidote to corrosive heresies, apostasy, and false teachers, but also a practical formula for spiritual growth.
Honor Before Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAgape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.
Rejoice in God's Feast
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God can take satisfaction that He is doing the right thing, and thus His rejoicing can even come from painful judgments. Sacrificing and rejoicing are linked.
Go and Do Likewise
Sermon by Bill OnisickWithout the gift of God's Holy Spirit, it is impossible to understand the kind of love which Christ commanded of His disciples.
River of Life
Sermon by Bill OnisickI Corinthians 13 describes the assaying instrument to detect the purity of love. Our need for love never ends as we move through the sanctification process.
Our Spiritual Roof
Sermon by Bill OnisickIf we are not performing righteous acts with the right spirit (God's Holy Spirit or the mind of Christ) we will not hit the mark.
Lollapolooza
Sermonette by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The word 'lollapalooza' was used in World War II to detect Japanese infiltrators, whose language habits obliterated the r/l distinction common in English.
You Are My Friends!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhile it is common on Facebook to defriend/unfriend, Christ's love for His people is a friending with the condition that godly fruit is produced.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe unity Jesus appeals for with His disciples is not organizational unity, but unity within the divine nature, exampled in the unity between He and the Father.
Offerings (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe give peace offerings today through living sacrifice, keeping God's law out of love and to glorify Him rather than just to perform duty.
Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Three): Hope Demonstrated
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAbraham's resolute intent to sacrifice Isaac displayed his unreserved devotion to God's purpose for him. We must display the same kind of tenacity.
Just What is Mercy?
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaIt is impossible to become perfect without having mercy or compassion. Jesus' command to become perfect includes showing compassion to our enemies.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's holy law gives love its foundation, stability, and evenness, preventing it from degenerating into a sappy, sentimental feeling.
Carrying Water for Jesus Christ
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ted E. BowlingThe parable of the Good Samaritan depicts a way of life God intends all His called-out Saints to follow.
Philippians (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul both appealed for unity among the Philippians and offered encouragement, reminding them that their relationship with one another was through Christ.
John (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn Christ's vine and branch analogy, Jesus presents Himself as the true or genuine Vine, as contrasted to the unfaithful vine (ancient Israel).
The March Toward Globalism (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Neither permissiveness nor harshness are endorsed by God; sound-mindedness in child-rearing requires control and measured justice while avoiding extremes.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Eight) Cultivating the Fruit of Faithfulness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe only tangible measures of faith is faithfulness, trust, and loyalty to God. We don't need to ask God for more faith, but rather work on being faithful.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Nine): Conclusion (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThere must be something to prove we are one with Christ and in union with the Father and the Son. That something is the manner in which we conduct our life.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Eight): Conclusion (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe offerings have a great deal to do with our relationship with God. How closely do we identify with Christ? Are we being transformed into His image?
Patriotism, the Summer Soldier, and Our Times (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of patriotism to God's Kingdom, Jesus set the standard higher than anyone else, sacrificing His life for everyone, even before the Father called them.
Israel's Missing Characteristics of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Faithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur carnal nature's desire to satisfy an addictive self-centeredness can eventually overrule the Christian's loyalty to God and His commandments.