Playlist:

playlist Go to the Scattering, Reasons for (topic) playlist

Unity and Division (Part Two): Who Scattered the Church?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Would a God of unity scatter His own church? Or was it the work of Satan? The conclusion of many impugns God's sovereignty and exempts them from responsibility.


Scattering and Gathering: Images of History and Prophecy (Part One)

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Gathering and scattering cannot be done at the same time, but can be accomplished at different times. God gathers to reverse the effects of calamity.


The Handwriting Is on the Wall (1996): Scattering

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God initiated the scattering of the church for our ultimate good. When the revelation of God was replaced with the wisdom of this world, God intervened.


A Search for Identity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God gave His approval for the destruction of the Worldwide Church of God into numerous groups, allowing heresies so He could see who really loves Him.


Searching for Israel (Part Twelve): The Sign

Article by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Most Israelites are blind to their origins, thinking that only Jews are Israelites. Here is why Israel has forgotten its identity.


A Time To Scatter

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

While we yearn for the church to be re-united, until our own personal walk with God is attained and we intently seek Him first, church unity will not happen.


Redeeming the Time for Unity

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We must be careful about using time carelessly or frivolously. Our use of time will potentially result in something very special or very destructive.


Checklist for Overcoming

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Romans 12-16 provide a checklist for overcoming and promoting positive relationships, developing tender affection. We are mutually dependent upon one another.


Babel: Confusing Wisdom and Rebellion

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

After the Flood, the people grew suspicious of God. Their natural inclination was to defend against another act of God rather than make peace with Him.


His Eye is On the Sparrow (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As God has His eye on the sparrow, He has had His eye on us through the entire process of scattering so the tests we have endured will bear good fruit.


The Messenger of Christ

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert W. Armstrong was single-minded about preaching the Gospel. The scattering of the church could have been caused by members making him a type of idol.


Globalism (Part Six): Tide and Countertide

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Globalism has an equal and opposite counterpart: tribalism. Here is what tribalism is and how it affects the world and the church.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To preach to the world and ignore a disintegrating flock is like a husband and wife paying attention to other people while the family is falling apart.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has given time to mankind as a gift, manipulating its use for us. The bad as well as the pleasant aspects of life are fashioned for our ultimate good.


Been There, Done That!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

If we do not make the terrible mistake of forgetting the lessons of previous experiences, they will serve us well in the vortex of change that is upon us.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The largest portion of the great commission demands that the lion's share of time, money, or energy ought to be invested in feeding the flock.


Avoiding Superficiality

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Success in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The easiest part of God's work is preaching the gospel to the world. Much more demanding is the feeding of the flock, producing life-changing faith.


Worshipping the Temple (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Israel turned the Temple into an idol, making it more significant than God. Similarly, we may esteem the church more than the God it should glorify.


The Beatitudes, Part One: The Sermon on the Mount

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Sermon on the Mount is as vitally important today as when Christ preached it. It contains the way we are to live as God's representatives on this earth.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The hardest part of God's work is the feeding of the flock the full counsel of God, to get the called-out ones ready to enter the Kingdom of God.


The Signs of God

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Jesus Christ is not against signs; the book of John is structured around eight signs. The Old Testament is full of signs that the Pharisees missed.


Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert Armstrong, while not infallible or sinless, nevertheless served as the custodian of the truths of God, occupying the role of God's messenger.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.


How to Survive Exile

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God exiles to punish for sin, separating individuals and groups from Him in order to spur repentance. There is something to exile that God finds very good.


The Greatest Threat

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Despite the instability of its neighbors, Egypt and Syria in particular, Israel's greatest threat is an internal problem: its relationship with God.


March 12, 2005: One Year Later

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

On March 12, 2005, Terry Ratzmann entered a church meeting room and opened fire. After 22 rounds had been fired, four people were wounded, and eight lay dead.


The Shepherd's Guidance (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

When our lives change, we do not have to fear that things are out of control. As the Good Shepherd, Christ changes our circumstances for our benefit.


Faith and the Calendar (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The real issue in the calendar controversy is not astronomical, but faith in God's sovereignty, providence, and His right to assign responsibility.


Sabbathkeeping (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

It is from the proper use of the Sabbath—in fellowshipping with Him and getting to know Him—that we derive true spiritual rest and refreshment.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The preaching the gospel to the world is at best the beginning of a complex process of creating disciples through steady feeding and encouragement to overcome.


Preparing the Bride

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

A Statement of Purpose and beliefs of the Church of the Great God.


The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.


Importance of the True Gospel

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The way back to unity is to embrace the vision that once kept us focused on the same goal, giving us active, kinetic, dynamic and explosive power.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Biblical wisdom (sagacity, quickness of perception, soundness of judgment) is achievable by anyone called of God because God is the source of this wisdom.


Rainbow of Peace

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

As Israel comes to itself, God will gently re-gather His people from their exile, an event which will make reconciliation available to the entire world.


Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God alone chooses the servants through whom He works His will. Sometimes the rationale God uses for selecting His vessels defies worldly wisdom.


Sabbathkeeping (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need to develop righteous judgment about what constitutes a genuine Sabbath emergency and what may be a deceptive rationalization of our human nature.


God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

False doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.


Hosea's Prophecy (Part Five)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Israel demonstrates divided loyalties, vacillating between God and the world, veering more toward the world, resembling a panting dog or a pleasure-bent prostitute.


Hosea's Prophecy (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Modern Israel has a form of religion, but it is empty and unsatisfying because it refuses to obey God and substitutes the traditions of man in its place.


'He Who Has an Ear, Let Him Hear . . .'

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

A man with myopic judgment will take the good times he has as evidence of God's pleasure, and conclude that the bad times must be caused by Satan's persecution.


God's Special Presence and Direct Intervention

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The scattering of the early church strengthened it, allowing fresh seed to be scattered in new fields. The 'bad' thing actually increased the church's power.


Are We Already In Captivity?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Major curses, including economic oppression, famine, pestilence, mental illness, alien invasion, the scattering of modern Israel are yet to occur.


The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part Two) (2007)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The sheep do not belong to any man or group, but to Christ. It is Christ's responsibility to get the sheep into the Kingdom, not the ministry's.


Healing the Breach

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We have been called as an elite unit to work with Christ to help repair the breach caused by ruptured covenants between God and man for all mankind forever.