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The Household of God and Loyalty
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLoyalty to God stands as a profound obligation, reflecting an enduring commitment that persists despite obstacles. Many have strayed from this faithfulness, as seen in the significant decline of church membership over the decades. This disloyalty mirrors a broader societal trend where religious commitment wanes, and many who believe in God do not actively participate in worship. True loyalty to God requires a heartfelt response, a free and willing allegiance of the heart, as God desires sincerity and truth in service. God's faithfulness to His covenant with His people is unwavering, maintaining loyalty to those who love Him and keep His commandments. His determined loyalty is evident in His gracious covenant-relationship, expressed through loving kindness, justice, and righteousness. Because of God's loyalty to us, nothing can separate us from the intimate, loving relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. As a response, God's people are obligated to be freely loyal to Him, performing His commandments as a faithful and dutiful act. This loyalty is not blind but based on truth and the Word of God. God's faithfulness in His dealings with us demands a total response of loyalty in both character and actions. Even when human beings falter in their loyalty, God's steadfast commitment to His covenant remains, ensuring He never abandons His purpose for mankind. Loyalty to God also extends to relationships within the household of God, where true loyalty requires humility and outgoing concern for others, ensuring that nothing separates brethren from being loyal to one another. This loyalty, rooted in faithfulness, is what God delights in, and it forms the foundation of enduring commitment within His family.
Loyalty to the Body
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWhen we consider the value of our calling, we must look at Paul's warning about discerning the Body more soberly, maintaining our loyalty to the Body.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Loyalty to God is a foundational principle of living a life by faith, requiring us to fully accept His sovereignty. Unlike satan and his demons, we must, by faith, remain loyal to our Creator God as He works out and governs His purpose for each one of us personally. Jesus Christ, as our Savior and High Priest, is deeply concerned with every aspect of our lives, overseeing them with personal involvement. He is not a distant idea but a real personality, always present, never further than a thought away. Our sins are against Him personally, as He died to remove them, making us worthy to stand before the Father through His righteousness. We must accept His personal participation in our lives without allowing human nature to resist or rebel due to impatience or pride. All things were created for His purpose and pleasure, and it is His joy to set goals for us, working to fit us into His program. Our responsibility is to yield to His will, even when it is difficult, recognizing that His creation reflects a mind concerned with perfect outcomes for us. Unlike satan, who could not accept this, we must trust that He knows what He is doing, has made us part of His pleasure, and fully accept whatever He brings upon us for His purposes, even when it causes discomfort. Living by faith means allowing Him to mold and shape us according to the counsel of His will, submitting to Him as the potter shapes the clay. He has every right to form us into whatever He chooses, determining every detail of our lives without obligation to explain His actions. His sovereignty is absolute, irresistible, and infinite, and our trust must rest in Him, knowing He participates in our lives and is ultimately responsible for what happens. We must be willing to turn our lives completely over to Him, even when His decisions are painful or do not align with our desires, trusting that everything He does is according to the pleasure of His will and out of loving concern for us. God's purpose and plan include us, as He predestined from the beginning, and no one can turn Him aside. We must have faith in His awesome power, even when He chooses to put us through difficult circumstances, as seen in the varied experiences of His servants throughout history. Our goal is to believe Him in a way that produces trust and a reverent fear, driving a burning desire not to disappoint Him. He is always true to His character, faithful to His love for us, and committed to carrying out His responsibility. If we trust Him, His power and pleasure will work for our good, leading us to salvation.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLoyalty to God is of paramount importance, carrying the promise of great rewards from Him, while disloyalty to His assignments brings severe consequences. Subjection to God is not enslavement but a path to freedom and success in life, preparing us for leadership in the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ exemplified this loyalty by always doing what pleased the Father, demonstrating that loyal subjection to God's truth produces freedom and even victory over death. In contrast, Adam and Eve's choice to subject themselves to satan rather than God led to death, illustrating the dire results of disloyalty. Success and leadership stem from following God's instructions, as seen in various life examples. Subjection to Him, regardless of the human authority over us, is ultimately an act of faith in Him, even in difficult circumstances. Jesus Christ subjected Himself to the Father even unto death, showing that loyalty to God's will, though challenging, yields ultimate triumph. Our destiny is to follow in His footsteps, imitating His righteous subjection to produce leadership in our own lives. Subjection to God is required of all, regardless of role or situation, and is the foundation for blessings of order, peace, and accomplishment. Righteousness, defined as doing what God assigns, is wisdom that produces peace, especially within family relationships. Loyalty to Him, by always doing what He commands, shows we are God-centered, not self-centered, and brings His approval and the fulfillment of our heart's desires. This practice of loyalty, above all in marriage, uniquely prepares us for the Kingdom of God.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs wives are admonished to emulate the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman, husbands must emulate the sacrificial spirit of Jesus Christ.
God Hates? (Part Two)
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAlmighty God loves righteousness—something which Gods saints should emulate. Conversely, God abhors, disdains, and hates evil, particularly the Nicolaitans'.
Where God Places His Name (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause we would die from exposure to God's glory, the name of God, reflecting His characteristics, is the only way we can approach God.
The Wrath of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLove motivates the two intrinsic parts of God's holy character—goodness and severity, as He seeks to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin.
Choices and a Man After God's Own Heart: Turn, Turn, Turn
Sermon by Mark SchindlerHonoring our free choice and understanding our weaknesses, God alters time and chance for us, using our mistakes as tools to enhance our godly character.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Six): Sardis
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe letter to the church in Sardis reads like an obituary, warning us who are alive but lacking zeal to repent and become serious about our calling.
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe 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.
Seeking God (Part Two): A Foundation
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughChristians need to have a conscious plan in seeking God. Here are several essential qualities that must be included in any successful course of action.
How Much Does God Love You?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughI John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.
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.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Sermon by Ryan McClureIt is solely God's prerogative to test and to prove, while Satan's function is to tempt, to trip up, and to destroy. God tests but does not tempt.
Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDetermining the will of God is difficult to do unless we know the character of God. Holiness is the foundation for all of the other traits of God.
The Manifold Grace of God
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod'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's Epistle
Sermon by John O. ReidWe as Christians have the obligation or responsibility to provide a light or shining example in a darkened world that generally hates God's way.
Faithfulness
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsPertinent scriptures and comments on the seventh fruit of the Spirit, faithfulness.
Where Is Your Heart?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhat is truly important to us? What do we really need versus what do we merely want? Where are our hearts?
Deuteronomy (Part 4)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we learn to fear and love God, loyalty, faithfulness and commandment-keeping will naturally follow, and we will instinctively hasten to depart from evil.

Deuteronomy: Fear
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people allow fear to rule them, they lose their mind. Fear of God, however, is not mind killing, but inspires a reverential awe of the Creator.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Four)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEven though Christians have been called to follow Christ, their journey to the Kingdom of God is preparation for leadership under Him.
Deuteronomy (Part 5)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's faithfulness is the foundation of our faith. We cannot live by faith unless we believe we have a God who is faithful in everything He does.
Sovereignty and Its Fruit: Part Ten
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOnce we accept God's sovereignty, it begins to produce certain virtues in us. Here are four of these byproducts of total submission to God.

All Nations Before Him Are As Nothing!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod used the unconverted Israelites as His instrument of removal of the Canaanites, but showed them the fruits of war, including captivity for disobedience.
Sovereignty and 'Once Saved Always Saved'
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine fail to see that God has a more extensive and creative plan for mankind than merely saving him.
Resistance (Part Two): Solutions
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMoses, Jonah, David, and Gideon demonstrated resistance to God's prompts, indicating that they initially feared men more than they feared God.
Pentecost and the Mystery of the Church
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod 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.
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.
Mephibosheth
Sermonette by James C. StoertzWhen confronted with the treachery of Absalom, Ziba and Mephibosheth seemed to express divided loyalties just as we do when we yield to our carnal minds.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Nine)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe loyalty of the Laodiceans did not extend far beyond loyalty to self. Loyalty and friendship are inextricably bound together.
Revelation 2-3 and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.
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.
Asa
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAsa left a few things undone, losing steam in his later years and playing it safe. Idolatry was so ingrained in the land that Asa grew weary in well-doing.
Eternal Security (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSome of the harshest criticism we receive is for our position opposing the doctrine of eternal security and stating that works are required for salvation.
Stewardship
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA steward is responsible for the supervision or managing of something entrusted into his care by a superior. As God's stewards, have been entrusted with much.