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The High Places (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe idolatrous worship at high places was a critical issue in the histories of Israel and Judah, with paganism especially prevalent among the northern ten tribes after their separation from the house of David, and also present in the southern Kingdom of Judah. Once Jeroboam, the first king of the northern tribes, set the stage for idolatrous worship by building high places, all the kings of Israel followed suit, and these high places remained until Assyria carried Israel into captivity. In Judah, there was a more complex relationship with high places, exemplified by King Jehoash, who did what was right in the sight of the LORD while under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest, yet failed to remove the high places where the people still sacrificed and burned incense. During Jehoash's reign, influenced by the earlier kings of Israel and the family of Ahab through his grandmother Athaliah, high places had been constructed, and he lacked the fortitude to destroy these spiritual stumbling blocks. Under Jehoiada's direction, the people of Judah tore down the temple of Baal, broke its altars and images, and killed the priest of Baal, temporarily ridding the land of Baal worship. However, after Jehoiada's death, Jehoash's uprightness waned, and he succumbed to re-instituting idolatry, aligning himself with other leaders of Judah and leaving the ways of God.
Do You Have a Golden Calf?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike FordBaal worship, introduced by Jezebel in the northern kingdom, prevailed for about thirty years before being exterminated by Elijah, Elisha, and Jehu. It never returned to the northern kingdom, though it persisted intermittently in Judah. While every one of the nineteen kings of the northern kingdom followed the worship of the Golden Calf, some also served Baal, yet not one ever attempted to bring the people back to God. Despite the efforts to eradicate Baal worship, the deep-rooted idolatry of the Golden Calf continued to dominate, reflecting the persistent struggle against false gods in the history of God's people.
The High Places (Part Six)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeFor Israel and Judah, the high places led the people away from God and toward Baal, Ashtoreth, Molech, and a host of other gods. These pagan high places facilitated idolatry, serving as instruments by which Israel was led astray from the abundant life God intended for His people. Despite God's command to destroy these alternatives to true belief, the Israelites only half-heartedly obeyed, and beginning with Solomon's official sanctioning of the high places, the worship of Baal and other gods became increasingly accepted. The God who redeemed them from Egypt and provided their every need was gradually replaced by gods and ways of worship directly opposed to eternal life. This tolerance of high places welcomed spiritual weakness and estrangement from God, ultimately contributing to Judah's captivity under kings who failed to remove them as God had commanded.
Sandcastle Virtues
Sermon by Mike FordModern Israel still worships Astarte, now known as "mother earth," and crusades on behalf of fornication and all forms of sexual perversion.
Searching for Israel (Part Six): Israel Is Fallen, Is Fallen
Article by Charles WhitakerAfter 200 years of rejecting Davidic rule, Israel fell to Assyria, and its people were carried to Media. Judah lasted about 150 years longer.
The High Places (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeUzziah was the third successive king of Judah who failed to remove the high places from the land. His downfall lay in not handling worldly greatness.
So You Plan to Keep Christmas Now?
Article by Mike FordDecorating with evergreens, festivals of lights, and the practice of giving dolls as gifts in the middle of winter all originate in pagan festivals.
A Different Kind of Savior
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Jews were looking for a military leader like Jehu, a hasty, callous, impetuous man with a temper, bent totally on eradicating the legacy of Jezebel.
Passover (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMajor reinterpretations have significantly distorted the meaning of Passover and Unleavened Bread, blurring the distinction between the two events.
Passover (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe temple Passover commanded by Hezekiah was a very unusual circumstance in which the king centralized worship to keep Baalism from defiling the Passover.
The Plain Truth About Easter
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletEaster is not a Christian name, but belongs to the idolatrous 'queen of heaven.' Here are the origins of Easter eggs and sunrise services, which pre-date Christ.
An Undying Love
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaEven though Gomer proved unfaithful, Hosea still loved her, buying her back from captivity and restoring her as his wife, just like God lovingly forgives.
The Iniquity of the Amorites
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of multiculturalism, political correctness, and mush-headed tolerance, we as a culture have sanctioned sin and corruption.
Jehu: A Type for Today
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughJehu may have been called to save Israel, but he was impulsive and bloodthirsty. Though he destroyed Baalism, he did not restore true worship of God.
Manasseh
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though Manasseh was absolutely the worst king ever to lead Judah, Manasseh finally got the message that God only is God, and sincerely repented.
Satan's Pagan Holy Days
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersNew Years, Christmas, Easter, Halloween and birthdays all originate in paganism. Satan entices many into accepting these pagan practices through emotional appeals.
To Be, or Not To Be, Like Everyone Else?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsTo keep from being swept up in the bandwagon effect of compromising with sin, we must make sure our convictions are not merely preferences.
What Is Always True About the World?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsTo guard against the world, we must be careful not to fall into idolatry, based upon limiting God to tangible objects or those things which occupy our thoughts.
Tolerance
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamTolerating perversion in our midst will attract the wrath of Almighty God. Tolerance of evil out of political correctness is not an option for us.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Six)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsModern Israel is repeating the same sins as ancient Israel. God's metaphors of the promiscuous wife, stubborn heifer, and rebellious child all apply to America.
Making Faithful Choices (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGideon began his life as a coward, became a conqueror, and ended a compromiser, all the while needing assurances from God to bolster his flagging faith.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe reason for refraining from many activities on the Sabbath is not labor or energy, but the overall motivation. Certain works are perfect for the Sabbath.
Be There Next Year
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMembers of God's church usually come home from the Feast of Tabernacles with renewed strength. Yet, some fall away each year. Here's how to stay the course.
Elijah's Dose of Reality
Article by Richard T. RitenbaughSometimes, we get down because we think that all our labors for God have gone unnoticed. Elijah did, and his story points out a major lesson for us all.