Playlist:

playlist Go to the God's Calling (topic) playlist

God's Calling and Election

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We have been given something far more valuable than the lottery, namely our calling. We are obligated not to squander this valuable opportunity.


The Miracle of God's Calling

Sermon by Kim Myers

Do we appreciate the miracle of our calling, an event which changed our orientation regarding our belief structure, diet, and moral behavior?


Our Awesome Calling

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus explicitly states that no one can come to Him except through the Father's calling. While most believe they can find God if they seek Him, the Bible disagrees.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the example of a child summoned by a parent to clean up his room, the child's dawdling and complaining are not predestined nor are they part of God's will.


God's Sovereignty, Ecclesiastes, and God's Will

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God knows the end from the beginning, but He does not give us all the details at once, except as they are necessary for us for His purpose to be worked out.


The Sovereignty of God: Part Six

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The overriding issue of life is to whom we will give ourselves in obedience. Will it be ourselves, society, business, Satan or God?


Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part One)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

A prophecy in Zechariah concerns prophets or church leaders who, being ashamed of their false teachings, will claim they were farmers rather than ministers.


Our Precious Calling

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

God has ordained that His chosen grow while residing in an environment of transience and corruption created by Satan and perpetuated by those rejecting God.


Servant of God, Act II: God's Gift of Faith

Article by Charles Whitaker

The story of Ebed-Melech goes far beyond a historical vignette. His story is an allegory of God's grace to the Gentiles.


God Works In Marvelous Ways (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's highest goal is not salvation, but sanctification into godly character, leading to membership in His family as co-rulers with Jesus Christ.


The Sovereignty of God: Part Seven

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

One aspect of sovereignty that causes some confusion is predestination. God's sovereignty does not remove a person's free moral agency — we must still choose.


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.


The Sovereignty of God: Part Three

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Consider two end-time, dominant forces: the Beast power of Revelation 13 and God. To whom will we yield to in the coming years?


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

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

Even though the way God exercises His sovereignty is inscrutable to us , calling the foolish to confound the wise, all He does fits perfectly into His plan.


How God Deals With Conscience (Part Five)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Joseph knew and recognized his brothers before they knew him, even as God knows our guiltiest secret sins that we think we have effectively hidden.


Called To Be Saints (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Our calling to be a holy one - to be a saint - is our real vocation. We must continually evaluate everything through the lens of being set apart for holiness.


Why Is God Doing This, This Way?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We must learn to see ourselves and our function as God sees us—as a distinct, unique entity, a holy people, a special treasure.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.


Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Two)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

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.


Called To Be Saints (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

One of the greatest blessings we have been given as Christians is our calling by God. Jesus declared that only the Father determines who comes to the Son.


Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen

'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid

God's calling and predestination can be confusing, especially the verse that 'many are called, but few are chosen'. Why does God not just choose everyone?


Chosen Instruments of God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Paul was chosen, but Ananias was also chosen. Ananias's role was like a Jew living in Nazi Germany, ordered by God to minister to a repentant SS officer.


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.


Jesus Is God

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ is the Word, by whom the world was created. He has always interfaced between mankind and the Father, having primacy as our Lord, Master, and Ruler.


Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Grace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.


The Wonderful, Powerful Gift of God's Holy Spirit

Sermon by John O. Reid

When we receive God's Spirit, we cannot escape the responsibility of using it, being a light to the world in the correct way of living. Hi Spirit is His power.


God's Creation and Our Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.


The Faithfulness of God (Part Three)

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

God is absolutely faithful to His promises. We attain salvation is entirely by grace; God owes us absolutely nothing.


Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The way that one lives provides testimony and witness. To witness and endure life's various trials, we must have faith in who and what we are.


After God's Own Heart

Sermon by Ronny H. Graham

Though David certainly broke all of God's Ten Commandments, he also repented continually, cognizant of the fear of losing God's Holy Spirit.


The Manifold Grace of God

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

God's calling us is just our initial taste of His grace. Grace is unmerited, but it is not unconditional. We have an obligation to respond to God.


God Wants You

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

We have a special calling as the firstfruits, ultimately becoming God's very offspring, patterning and conforming our lives after Jesus Christ.


Do You See God?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unless we acknowledge God's sovereign authority in our lives, following through with the things we learn from scripture, we, like atheists, will not see God.


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.


Are You Worthy of Your Calling?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to thank God for their salvation, surrender without complaint, ask God for wisdom, and look for opportunities to serve.


What Does God Really Want? (Part 6)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God provides the gift before it is actually needed so that when it is needed, everything is prepared for the person to do as he has been commissioned to do.


God Has Faith in You

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

It can be encouraging to us that our patriarchs and the prophets had serious doubts, but God overrode all their fears in accomplishing His purpose.


Essential Characteristics of Our Calling

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Doctrine and practice be evenly balanced. If the behaviors are detached from principle and doctrine, the weightier matters of the law will be neglected.


God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

For His Own reasons, God has chosen not to reveal His plan to those the world considers wise, but, instead, to work with the weaker sort of mankind.


God's Spiritual Harvest

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Like Christ, we too are firstfruits, represented by the leavened loaves picturing our acceptance by the Father.


Is God's Inspiration of the Bible Imperfect?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When properly evaluated, there are no discrepancies in scripture; God is not the author of confusion. God does not enlighten us until we are mature enough.


The Holy Spirit: The Power of God

Sermon by Kim Myers

The Holy Spirit enables us to become offspring of God, giving us the ability to produce spiritual fruit, the very character, power, and mind of God.


God's Investment in You

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God wants to protect His investment in us, calling those whom He knows will exercise the zeal, and willingness to sacrifice, to complete the project.


Seeking God's Will (Part Seven): Conclusion

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As we walk in the light, we will prove to ourselves and others that God's way is best. Wisdom and understanding will accrue by keeping God's commandments.


Approaching God Through Christ (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Religious bumper stickers fall short of revealing the full counsel of God, which is more complex than 'believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.'


Principled Living (Part Five): Witnessing of God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our best witness is often through our unspoken behavior; what we do speaks volumes. God gives us a charge to bear His name with dignity in all our actions.


Basic Doctrines: Faith Toward God

Bible Study by Staff

What is faith? Is it something we work up or does God give it to us? Do we have the faith to be saved? Do we really trust God?


The Fear of God

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.


Does God Know in Advance If One Will Accept Christ as Savior?

Bible Questions & Answers

Does God know in advance whether or not we will accept His calling? To answer that, the mystery of God's purpose for mankind must be understood first.


'Before the Foundation of the World' (Part One)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

We can praise God because He chose us individually to be part of His people, His Family. His choice happened ages ago, before this present creation.


Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Repentance is a first step, but it is also ongoing throughout our lives. To become a true Christian, we must repent—and then we must make it a continual practice.


Can the True Church Be Found?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The church will continue until it has accomplished its purpose, which means that the true church is still in existence on the earth, and it can be found.


Pentecost and the Mystery of the Church

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God forbids us to make alliances with carnal minds on divisive issues. The only division God desires is a separation from the world and its enticing drives.


Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our exodus from the bondage of sin begins and ends with God. He commanded Israel to mark their escape with unleavened bread because of what He did.


Where Do We Fit?

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

The church exists because of what God has purposed and done, not because anything we have done. When pride exists within us, God can do nothing with us.


Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We have been called, not just to believe in Christ, but also to overcome sin, which takes a great deal of effort. Justification requires a response.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus qualified as High Priest, teaching us about living by faith in the New Covenant, which mandates that we keep His commandments.


The Christian Fight (Part Four)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

While we must express some of our own faith as we come to salvation, most of saving faith is a gift of God. Abel and Enoch illustrate the pattern of faith.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Everything that we go through has been engineered by God. We are His workmanship, created for good works, a response to the faith He has given us.


Recognizing Our Obligation

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

How different would our lives be if God had not called us? God's intervention in our lives improved their quality exponentially, and we must respond in kind.


His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As the lives of the major biblical figures were predestined, so are our lives. God chooses, moves, and manages the lives of His servants.


Why Are You Here?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God, following a pattern, routinely calls the lowly and weak to guard against pride. God will transform the weak of this world through His Holy Spirit.


Firstfruits and the Master Potter

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

The Potter and Clay analogy provides instructions for understanding character-building tests and trials in the life-long sanctification process.


Elements of Motivation (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We can become energized and motivated by our high calling and summons to do the will of God, seeing how vitally important we are to God's purpose.


Can We Win People For Christ?

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

Most of the Christian world believes that it is the duty of believers to 'win people for Christ.' Yet the whole counsel of God reveals a larger reality.


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.


Our Core Business

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

When corporations get rid of their core business, they become less effective. Likewise when we deviate from our core job, we risk returning to the world.


Limited Atonement

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The prospect of atonement and salvation is available to everybody, but only those called by the Father—not by an evangelical altar call—are eligible.


Leadership and Covenants (Part Seventeen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because the world is under the sway of the wicked one, if mankind were left to its own choices, the world would revert to the condition before the Flood.


Wilderness Wandering (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are in various stages of our wilderness journey, not knowing where our journey will take us. The turns give us opportunities to strengthen our faith.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Faith permitted Enoch, Noah, and Abraham to receive God's personal calling. Like our patriarchs, we were called while we lived in the wicked world.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

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.


Taking the Kingdom by Force

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

"The kingdom...suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." Scripture reveals what violence is meant, who "the violent" are, and how they take the Kingdom.


Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though we have the free moral agency to run counter to God's purposes, we court disaster if we presumptuously plan against these purposes.


'Go Ye Therefore Into All the World...'

'Ready Answer' by Staff

To understand Jesus' command, we need to examine what else He said to the same people. We should also determine just whom He commissioned to preach.


'Before the Foundation of the World' (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

We all have a part to play in the construction of the church. The apostles and the prophets laid its foundation, but we are fellow workers, building the edifice.


Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Four): Providence Manifested

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The story of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac encourages God's people that they need never doubt God commitment and ability to give them everything they need.


Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.


Leadership and Covenants (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God is putting us through exercises to create leaders in His image. His covenants are a primary tool in this process.


Deuteronomy Opening

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

The book of Deuteronomy is addressed to the Israel of God, a group of God's called out ones who have been convicted that the Law has not been done away.


Spirituality and True Conversion

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We must guard against the fuzzy, emotional spirituality without a Deity, based upon a worldly syncretism of Eastern and Western philosophical thought.


Our Awesome Destiny (2000)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Through a miraculous combination of knowledge plus the spirit of God, we realize that our destiny is to be a part of the divine Family.


Two Contrary Visions

Sermon by John O. Reid

God has a vision for us, a vision He has been planning from the foundation of creation, an awesome plan to bring us into His very family, giving us His mind.


Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.


One by One Until Done

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

God makes the New Covenant with individuals. The implementation of the New Covenant is incremental, beginning in 31 AD and continuing through the Millennium.


Leadership and Covenants (Part Sixteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Abrahamic Covenant was made with one man, but it impacts all of mankind to the New Heaven and New Earth and beyond, involving billions of people.


Leadership and the Covenants (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are being trained to become leaders, but before we can lead, we must be able to carry out responsibilities, conforming to God's leadership and covenants.


In Search of a Clear World View (Part Two)

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

The true church is a unique educational institution, teaching the way of God and amplifying His Commandments, in contrast to the churches of this world.


Our Divine Destiny

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's called-ones have been given the ability to decipher the scattered concepts, revealing the purpose of their destiny throughout the Scriptures.


Belief and the Firstfruits

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

God has bless,ed the firstfruits with precious belief and knowledge which must be protected, guarded, nourished and exercised so it will not slip away.


The Elements of Motivation (Part Five): Who We Are

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God has summoned us to a unique position. As saints, we have the responsibility to work toward the Kingdom of God and become holy—things only we can do!


The Judgments

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Multiple billions of people have lived and died without even hearing the name of Jesus Christ. But God has distinct periods of judgment and resurrection.


The Purpose of the Church

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The function of the church is like a teacher's college, preparing the firstfruits and providing them with the needed education and character development.