Playlist:

playlist Go to the Work Of God (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The work of God is not limited to preaching the gospel to the world, as many have come to assume. God's work, as revealed in Genesis 1, is the creation of man in His image, reproducing Himself through a process assisted by Jesus Christ and by us through our submission to His purpose. God works to create faith in Jesus Christ within His children, as salvation is by grace through faith, a process largely accomplished through the feeding of the flock rather than merely initial conversion. This feeding builds the faith necessary for our choices and life in preparation for His Kingdom. Preaching the gospel to the world and feeding the flock are more appropriately termed the work of the church, responsibilities assigned by God to those He has called. These duties, while involving God's work in us, are akin to tasks assigned to children in a family to aid their development. The overemphasis on preaching to the world can present God, life, and worship as narrow, detaching many in the Body of Christ from much of His creative activity, since only a small portion is directly involved in this task. True worship of God involves every aspect of daily life, honoring and glorifying Him in all things, not just in limited, weekly observances. Responding to the feeding of the flock directly engages every member in God's creative work every day, actively and personally participating with Him in the creation of His image in us. God's work encompasses a broad spectrum of experiences and challenges, as seen in the varied circumstances He led Israel through in the wilderness, shifting gears to provide a well-rounded education for His people in preparation for His Kingdom. Similarly, He varies the circumstances of the church today, guiding us through different situations to ensure comprehensive growth and preparation.

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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Work of God, as it pertains to the greater church, reveals a complex and often challenging process that God employs for our ultimate good. God, in His sovereignty, scatters the church when necessary, and though this may appear calamitous and frightening, it serves a redeeming purpose in the long run. He uses such actions to test and reveal those who truly have faith in Him, pushing us to abandon misconceptions of a solely benevolent deity and recognize His broader, imaginative resources for bringing about good. Sometimes, what He brings upon His people might be painful, but it is designed to instill a proper fear and devotion in us. God is not merely saving us but creating us in His image through faith and free moral agency, requiring correct doctrines and zealous devotion to produce that image. The scattering of the church, motivated by sin and a loss of faith, indicates that we are not meeting His terms for unity with Him and each other. He has brought this scattering upon us for our own good, as a promise that is not empty but certain, reflecting the principle that blessings follow obedience and curses follow disobedience. We are scattered because of our sins, and we must accept this reality rather than see ourselves as victims. The Work of God includes His historical dealings with Israel as a warning to the church, showing that unwillingness to make sacrifices for unity leads to separation from Him. He scattered Israel and Judah when they failed to learn from their mistakes, and this serves as a stern warning to us now. His current work in the church calls for a redirection of efforts, emphasizing the feeding of the flock over preaching the gospel to the world until we are healed and unified. If we were God, we would not bring new people into a divided church, highlighting the need to address our internal issues first. God's Work is a time of testing for the church, not necessarily to create a fantastic outward work, but to see how we respond in difficult times. He prioritizes the church's spiritual health, urging us to do good especially to the brethren, as failing to care for the church disqualifies one as a Christian. His ultimate goal includes healing the breaches within us, as promised for the future, where those who repent and align their lives with Him will play a part in restoring the church.

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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the eyes of God, the Work of God holds profound importance, encompassing both the preaching of the gospel to the world and the feeding of the flock within the church. Neglecting the spiritual nourishment of the flock severely hampers the effectiveness of spreading the gospel, as the health of the church body directly impacts its ability to carry out this mission. Each member of the church, as part of the body of Christ, is vital to this work, with God placing every individual exactly where They intend for the good of the whole. The church, described as a living organism, must function in unity, with each part cooperating under the direction of the Head, Jesus Christ, to fulfill Their will and purpose. God empowers every member of the body with gifts for the common good, expecting each to use these gifts to strengthen the church and produce fruit. This power, accessible through faith and alignment with Their will, enables members to overcome challenges and contribute to the body's spiritual health. The flow of God's spirit through individuals is regulated by their willingness to use what they have been given, emphasizing personal responsibility in the collective Work of God. Without this active participation, the church cannot effectively represent God or bring glory and honor to Them. The condition of the church, likened to the Temple, is tied to the spiritual state of its individual members, and everyday life and prosperity are directly connected to the quality of this relationship. God calls for a return to the faith once delivered, urging devotion to first things—placing the health of the body of Christ above all else. Only when the church is spiritually strong can efforts to preach the gospel succeed, as directed by God through Their timeless instructions.

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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Work of God is far more extensive than merely preaching the gospel to the public. It requires diligence and earnest effort, as we must hurry to show ourselves approved unto God. God's charge is to be quick and diligent in our efforts, to do our best in the tasks He assigns. At this time, when the church is falling apart, we must consider whether preaching the gospel to the world is what He desires, or if He wants us to focus on repairing the damage within the church. The priority, even in the best of times, is to direct our energy toward works of kindness, especially to the brethren, the household of faith. Failing to care for our own within the church is a denial of the Christian faith, leaving us worse off than the unconverted. According to God, the brethren have first priority over the world, particularly in times of spiritual crisis within the church. If there is a spiritual problem, the administration must shift gears to address it first, emphasizing the feeding of the flock over external preaching. The greatest breach lies between us and God, caused by a loss of faith and devotion, a neglect of duty that has led to confusion and uncertainty. God is deeply concerned about this split, describing it as vast as the ocean, questioning who can heal such a divide. Individually, repairing our personal breach with God contributes to closing the gap in the church's protective wall, restoring a right relationship with Him. The Work of God includes being a repairer of breaches, restoring the right way starting with oneself. As we turn back to God, He offers hope that the breaches will be repaired, providing protection, peace, and security once more. God's messages urge us to hold fast to what we have been given, to remain faithful to the relationship with Him, and to go back to the zeal and devotion we once had. He calls us to recapture the faith once delivered, to rebuild our relationship with Him through repentance and a change of heart, trusting that He will hear and save the church.

Works of God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The works of God encompass a far broader range of activities than merely preaching the Gospel. His works are vast in multitude, scope, and magnitude, inspiring awe and enveloping everything. They are honorable, glorious, righteous, and enduring, as seen in memorable events like the Transfiguration, the Flood, the miracles of the Exodus, and the sun standing still for Joshua. These works plant themselves in our minds, guiding us to react properly and make right decisions on our journey with Him. God's works also reflect His graciousness, compassion, and providence. He provides food and sustenance for our lives and remains faithful to His covenant daily. His power is evident in historical acts like giving Israel the land of Canaan, and it will be shown again to all the world in granting His spiritual Israelites the inheritance of the Kingdom of God on earth. His works are true, just, and reliable, never motivated by insignificant reasons but always aimed at the highest level of good, love, and righteousness, even when they lead to destruction for a greater purpose. God's works are eternal, with consequences that align with His long-term fulfillment of purpose, including the inward renewal of man day by day. Though often invisible to the carnal eye, His works are constant and active, never ceasing, as He upholds all things by the word of His power. If He were to withdraw His sustaining will, the creation would fall apart instantly. He is always working to provide a suitable environment for abundant life, ensuring we can continue to live, grow, and learn toward the Kingdom of God. Salvation stands as a primary work of God, evident in both physical deliverance and spiritual redemption. He is in the salvation business, working tirelessly as Savior, Creator, and Sustainer, with every action designed to further this process. Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated this zeal, recognized by even the Samaritans as the Savior of the world, consumed with accomplishing God's work beyond just preaching the Gospel. His mission, as He declared, is to bring His brothers and sisters to holiness and redemption, not resting until this is accomplished. The work of God also involves instilling belief in Him, which is not merely an emotion but an action encompassing the sum of biblical instructions for salvation. Believing God's words and putting them into practice instills His holy, righteous character within us, leading not to legalism but to holiness. This is God's ongoing work—recreating Himself in us by bringing us to holiness, a labor that never stopped even after the physical creation on the seventh day. We are called to partner with Him in these works, to align ourselves with His commandments and live by the rules He set, driven by the fear of the Lord as the foundation of wisdom. His works surround us in every aspect of life, from the food we eat to the trials we face, and we must open our eyes to see and understand them as always for our benefit. Jesus Christ emphasized the urgency of working the works of Him who sent Him while there is life, for night comes when no one can work. We, too, have a finite time to engage in God's work, and it is time to act with the same dedication He shows.

Where Is God Working?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In these restless days within the church of God, we often ponder what God is doing now and where He is working. Truly spiritually significant aspects such as character, conversion, humility, and a willingness to yield to God cannot be measured by human standards. Before determining where God is working, we must first understand what He is doing: He is creating men in His image, working salvation, and instilling belief in those whom He has called. These efforts are interconnected, all part of the same work, focusing on transforming the human heart through a growing relationship with God. The manifestation of this work varies widely throughout history. Sometimes God performs large and powerful external works, but the absence of humanly impressive events does not mean He is inactive. During Christ's ministry, He healed multitudes, yet later in the scriptural record, such miracles disappear, suggesting God may be working on more than just physical relief, emphasizing spiritual healing, character, and discipline through trials. God often allows physical conditions to persist for the sake of spiritual growth, as His grace is sufficient without supernatural manifestations of power. His work is generally not in the dramatic or spectacular but in the still, small voice, a truth that contrasts with the human desire for dazzling displays. Those who belong to God will recognize His voice, even if it seems subtle. God works in the lives of individuals He has called into a relationship with Him, and this work cannot be charted or measured on graphs. Instead, it will be evident in unity with God and, consequently, unity with each other. His work in the lives of His children, to whom He has given His Spirit, will be seen in the fruit it produces: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The best indicator of where God is working is where His mind and character are being inculcated, and where His children respond by allowing that spirit to transform their lives as they shed the carnal nature and embrace the new.

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.

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.

A View of the Work

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Judging the quality of our work by numeric standards is not a measure of spiritual growth, and to equate it with spiritual growth in rank Laodiceanism.

Magic Doesn't Work (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

While God is consistently depicted as working, magic seemingly provides a shortcut that bypasses overcoming and growth, attaining something for nothing.

This Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Be Preached

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Regardless of what human instrument God uses, it is the Father who preaches the gospel. If He is not the source of everything in the effort, it is a work of man.

Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

If we lose sight that Jesus is the head of the Church, we will forget that Christ is currently purifying His Church, sanctifying those called to be His family.

The Impossible Metric

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Members, coworkers, and subscribers can all be tallied, yet who but God can track the increase of faith or the building of a church member's character?

'This Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Be Preached'

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

Many fail to understand that Matthew 24:14 is a prophecy and instead read it as a commission. God will ensure His gospel is preached; we follow His lead.

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.

Seeds and Seasons (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God has been planting seeds of truth through His servants for millennia. These seeds are awaiting watering by His Spirit in the future.

The Spirit and the Way

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We are being judged by our works, based upon what we know and what we are doing with this knowledge. The more we know, the more God expects from us.

Preparing the Bride

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

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

Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Four)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

John 6 has always been a difficult chapter to explain. However, Jesus' teaching is clear. Here is what it means to us.

In the Grip of Distrust

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

As our culture deteriorates, a deep-seated distrust exists, not just of government but of institutions like the church that people once had confidence in.

Pentecost - The Beginning - All in All

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

We must look beyond our own calling, realizing that the sacrifice of Christ was for all men, with the hope that they will be added to the family of God.

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.