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Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God consistently raises up leaders to guide His people and establish doctrine within His church, following a clear and unchanging pattern. From the beginning, as seen in Genesis, God worked through individuals like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Shem, and Abraham, each chosen as a singular leader to represent Him. This pattern continues through Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, where God appointed one man at a time to lead, ensuring order and avoiding confusion among His people. In the wilderness, Moses was established as God's direct representative, and challenges to his authority, as seen with his family and others like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were met with severe rebuke, demonstrating that rejecting God's chosen leader is akin to rejecting God Himself. This principle underscores that respect for the office, not the man, is paramount, as God works through His appointed ambassador despite human flaws. Throughout history, as evident in the book of Judges, God raises up leaders like Gideon, and after their time, the people often stray until another leader is appointed. This cycle reveals periods of confusion when leadership is unclear, yet God remains faithful, eventually making His chosen one known to unify His people. The pattern persists that God brings the people to the leader by His Spirit, as seen with David, where the people of Judah and later Israel voluntarily submitted to him after recognizing God's appointment through his works. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the chief Apostle, faithfully delivering the Father's message, and He, in turn, appointed Peter as preeminent among the twelve, first among equals. Peter's role is emphasized repeatedly, from being the first disciple called by Christ to speaking on behalf of the group, leading on the day of Pentecost, and being the one through whom God expanded His work to the Gentiles. This consistent focus on Peter illustrates God's pattern of working through one primary voice to maintain clarity and unity. God's method of raising up a leader ensures that doctrine is established without confusion, as He does not send multiple voices speaking different messages to the same group at the same time. When the work grew, God divided spheres of influence, assigning Peter to the Israelitish world and Paul to the Gentiles, each respecting their designated area to maintain order. This hierarchical structure, though often resisted by human nature, is God's design to keep His church unified under the leadership He appoints. Ultimately, God raises up leaders by His appointment, revealing their authority through their fruits, and the people are called to submit to God through these leaders, not to the men themselves, but to the office that represents Him. This pattern, steadfastly followed by God, provides the foundation for unity and the establishment of truth within His church, guiding His people to make choices that align with His purpose.

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, God's Servant

Sermonette by Jarod Ritenbaugh

God chose Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as His servant, despite his carnal nature and the terrible acts he committed against God's people. In Jeremiah 25:9, the Lord declares that He will send for Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, to bring destruction upon the land and its inhabitants, making them a horror and an everlasting desolation. Similarly, in Jeremiah 27:6-8, God states that He has given all lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, along with the beasts of the field to serve him, and nations that refuse to serve him will be punished by the Lord. Furthermore, in Jeremiah 43:10, God affirms that He will send for Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, to set his throne above hidden stones in Egypt, spreading his royal canopy over them. Through these instances, it is evident that God made Nebuchadnezzar His instrument of punishment, acting as the executioner while God served as judge and jury. Despite human perceptions of Nebuchadnezzar's villainy, God saw fit to work through him, demonstrating that He chooses whom He will to accomplish His purposes, looking not on outward appearance but on the heart, as seen in I Samuel 16:7.

What's Wrong with Leadership Today?

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

God is the one who raises up leaders or takes them down, allowing them to enter office or preventing them from doing so. He rewards the righteous and overthrows the wicked, holding leaders accountable for maintaining justice and providing wise guidance. Leaders are tasked with protecting the innocent and executing justice against those who oppress the poor and helpless. A direct correlation exists between a leader's integrity and the security of their tenure, as righteousness guards the upright, while wickedness leads to their downfall. Throughout the scriptures, leaders like Ezekiel and Jeremiah demonstrate the courage of conviction, maintaining their beliefs despite opposition, often at great personal sacrifice. God examines the integrity of a leader, as seen when David is noted for shepherding Israel with integrity of heart, and Solomon is exhorted to walk in integrity to preserve his throne. A good leader, as taught by Jesus Christ, does not lord over others but serves humbly, recognizing that true greatness comes through service. Furthermore, a faithful leader is diligent in small matters, proving themselves trustworthy to be entrusted with greater responsibilities, always acknowledging that it is ultimately God at work in their leadership.

Does God Cause Pandemics?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

Today, disasters are rarely attributed to God's wrath, but Scripture contains many instances of God sending calamities on sinful people, even pandemics.

What Does God Really Want? (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we want to be like our Savior, then we will live the way He lived, keeping God's commandments — which exemplify the highest form of love.

No Time to Think!

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The media attempt to hypnotize the citizenry to hate Donald Trump and love Hillary, pretending to explain complex situations by two second sound-bites.

Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

God's people must let go of the world's solutions, involving party spirit, revolutions, and power struggles, placing their trust in the sovereignty of God.

Ministerial Misleading

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

The biblical illiteracy of the American people is illustrated with the 'clergy' who have been instrumental in the passage of same-sex 'marriage' laws.

A Course Correction?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump could indicate God's sovereign intervention in world affairs, leading to Christ's return.

Our Heavenly Citizenship

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

The rampant disorder in America may encourage God's people to choose political sides, but doing so may place them in a position of opposing God's will.

Authority and Government

Sermon by John O. Reid

Too many feel that they are above the law, but paradoxically, laws proliferate when corruption prevails. We must be subject to all law, God's and man's.

Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

Mark 1:14 describes Jesus' gospel as "the gospel of the kingdom of God." This statement has far-reaching implications for our beliefs and conduct.

Don't Meddle and Always Be Ready to Answer

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Satan seeks to distract God's people by enticing them to meddle in governmental matters, thereby endangering their relationship with God.

'Christianity Today' and Trump

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Donald Trump is not a paragon of virtue but is a change from the doctrines entrenched in Washington. Personal morality is not enough to remove anyone from office.

The Same Plumb Line

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

A former president was sexually immoral, lied with impunity, and misused his position. The same is true of the current one. Will we apply God's standard equally?

We Still Need a Sense of Urgency

Sermon by Kim Myers

God's selecting a particular candidate does not necessarily mean He has given America a reprieve from the results of her sins. We still need a sense of urgency.

It IS All About Government

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Every form of human government established on this earth has been established as an attempt to declare independence from the sovereignty of God.

Our Heavenly Citizenship

'Ready Answer' by Austin Del Castillo

Members of the church must focus on their identity in Christ and producing spiritual fruit even during such tumultuous times, not governments of men.

Structure and Sovereignty in Daniel 2-7

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Daniel chapters 2-7 form a chiastic (X shaped) structure. Chapters 2 and 7, 3 and 6, and 4 and 5 are paired and mirrored, reinforcing significant themes.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Two): Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ecclesiastes was to be read during the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing a state of temporariness, as God's people were commanded to live in temporary quarters.

The Book of Daniel (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When the commands of a secular state conflict with God's commands, we face the same dilemma as was faced by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Things Which Cannot Be Shaken

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

All worldly institutions will be shaken, including America. Only the everlasting word of God and ultimate establishment of the Kingdom will never be moved.

The Book of Daniel (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The circumstances surrounding Nebuchadnezzar's dream set the stage for God's revelation of His power, plan, and prophetic intentions (through His servants).

Faith Over Fear

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When it looks like things are out of control, God is busily at work behind the scenes. If we replace anxiety with faith, God will grant us divine peace.