Filter by Categories
The Case Against Pride
Sermonette by James BeaubelleThree symptoms of pride include (1) lying to protect our self-image; (2) competitiveness; (3) believing our personal ideas are more valuable than God's Truth.
Pride, Humility, and Fasting
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride stands as a formidable barrier to seeking God, as illustrated in Psalm 10:4, where the wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God, for God is not in all his thoughts. This resistance to God is rooted in pride's ability to generate self-sufficiency, blinding individuals to their need for Him. Pride deceives one into believing they are all right as they are, ignoring the reality of their dependence on God. It fosters a mindset where self and human achievements are exalted, leaving no room for the recognition of God's greatness or necessity. The destructive nature of pride is further revealed in its fruits, which resist unity with God. As seen in Ezekiel 28:17, Satan's heart was lifted up because of his beauty, leading to corruption and opposition against God. Job 41:34 identifies him as a king over all the children of pride, highlighting his role in generating this sin among humans. Pride motivates actions that damage relationships, such as taking advantage of the weak (Psalm 10:2), speaking with an unruly tongue that curses and lies (Psalm 59:12), and displaying arrogance and wrath (Isaiah 16:6). It underlies hardness of heart, as with Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 5:20, making one resistant to God and others rather than tenderhearted. Moreover, pride deceives by fostering faulty evaluations and self-exaltation, as shown in Obadiah 3-4, where Edom's pride led them to believe in their unassailable position, ignoring God's power. This deception is echoed in Satan's ultimate vanity, believing he could defeat God, ignoring the reality of his created status and God's superior might. Such prideful self-sufficiency separates one from God, resisting the humility needed for at-one-ment with Him.
God Gives Grace to the Humble
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGenuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.
Living by Faith: Human Pride
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur human nature is pure vanity with a heart that is desperately deceitful and wicked, motivated by self-centeredness, a deadly combination for producing sin.
Patterns of Resistance (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Joseph B. BaityIt is natural, as age increases, for a person to feel the end creeping up on him or her, and we begin asking how, when, where, and what is to be our end.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Six): Complacency and Laodiceanism
Article by John W. Ritenbaugh and Richard T. RitenbaughThe prophet Amos preached a warning message from God against the complacency of the Israelites toward God and His way. Our nations should heed his warning.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are mandated to live by faith, being given trials of faith in order to chisel our character. We must totally and unreservedly accept God's sovereignty.
How Does God Help Us? (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe trials we go through are part of His providence, putting us into humility and determining what really motivates us.
God and Reality
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhat God puts us through is designed to reveal reality to us. Accepting His doctrine without looking for loopholes will keep us true.
Humble Your Hearts and Be No Longer Stubborn
Sermonette by Bill OnisickThe peace that passes all understanding comes from yielding to God's will, asking Him for a soft, pliable heart to replace the hard heart of stubbornness.
Living By Faith: Humility
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paradoxically, God stoops to us when we humble ourselves. Humility produces honor from God; if we humble ourselves, He will hear us.
Faith (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.
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.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.
Countering Presumptuousness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughKorah, Dathan, and Abiram were not content with where God had placed them, but, in a spirit of pride, wanted to arrogate to themselves the office of Moses.
Deuteronomy (Part 5) (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, humble obedience and dependency upon God strengthens us, while prideful self-sufficiency weakens us.
Don't Be a Politician
Sermon by Mike FordJesus proved that one cannot become a leader through political intrigue, but by assuming the position of a humble servant. God sets Himself against the proud.
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.
The Two Reports
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)We must not complacently think our days are prolonged, but learn to sigh and cry for the abominations, thoughtfully numbering our days.