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Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs children of light, we are called to walk in a manner that reflects our transformation from darkness to light, proving what is acceptable to the Lord. This process of proving involves finding out what aligns with God's will through our conduct and obedience. By walking as children of light, we actively seek to understand what pleases Him, trusting that through our faithful actions, He will grant us insight into His expectations. In situations where God's will is unclear, we often find ourselves at a loss, unable to recall a specific example or command that fits our circumstances. Yet, the key to discerning His will lies in knowing His character. The more we understand His nature and traits, the better equipped we are to make decisions that align with His desires. By reflecting on how He would act in our place, we can narrow down our options, eliminating choices that do not conform to His character. Obedience to God's commands, even when we do not fully grasp the reasons behind them, is a vital step in seeking His will. As we submit to His instructions, He often reveals the purpose and understanding over time, testing our loyalty and faith. This act of walking in faith, though challenging, eventually leads to clarity, as He shows us why certain actions are required, guiding us toward a deeper comprehension of His intentions. To behave wisely, we must strive to understand what the will of the Lord is, especially in complex or ambiguous situations. This pursuit involves a continuous effort to align our thoughts and actions with His character, using every opportunity to grow in His image. By redeeming the time and taking advantage of each moment to apply what we know of His ways, we position ourselves to receive further guidance and insight into His will. Ultimately, seeking God's will is an ongoing journey of imitating Him, as children mimic their parents. By following His example in our beliefs, words, and deeds, we come to embody His character, making decisions that reflect His light. This commitment to walk as children of light ensures that we are always moving toward a fuller understanding of what He desires for us.
Seeking God's Will (Part Seven): Conclusion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn seeking God's will, we are called to a profound transformation from darkness to light, as we once embodied darkness but are now light in the Lord through the Father's calling. This radical change obligates us to walk as children of light, reflecting the presence of the Father and the Son within us, striving to live up to the high standard of Almighty God's spotless character. By living as children of light, we engage in sanctification, an exercise in doing what is right and good, growing in God's character over time until we shine with His light. Walking as children of light proves what is acceptable to the Lord, as the proof lies in the doing. Over time, by putting God's way into practice, we come to understand what pleases Him, seeing the blessings and joy that result from living His truth. This understanding of God's will emerges from consistent action, building a record of proof that His way is best, as we grow in His wisdom through experience. We are urged to walk in wisdom, not just obeying blindly, but applying knowledge and understanding to make godly decisions, even in situations not explicitly covered by His word. This higher level of walking with God requires us to evaluate circumstances circumspectly and make choices within His standards, showing real growth in His way of life. We must think deeply, using what He has revealed about His way, to determine His will in any matter, knowing that He has given us the tools and power to understand it, though it may require thought, study, and prayer. Emulating God's character traits—holiness, faithfulness, patience, sacrifice, goodness, and forethought—guides us in aligning with His will, as His will is tied to His character. By striving to embody these traits in our interactions, we fall in line with what He desires for us. God is faithful, ensuring that no trial exceeds our ability to handle, providing a way of escape, and working all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Through the indwelling of the Father and the Son via the Holy Spirit, we are never alone, having immediate access to help in times of need by asking in His name according to His will. He abundantly supplies what we need to face life's trials, equipping us with spiritual gifts and examples within the church to follow. Thus, we are encouraged to trust Him, press forward, and finish strong in seeking and doing His will, assured of the promises awaiting us in His kingdom.
Seeking God's Will (Part Six): Forethought
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn seeking God's will, we are called to understand what the will of the Lord is, as a command to study and discern His desires. His will aligns with His character, and by learning His traits, we can act and react as He does in our practical situations and relationships. One vital aspect of His character is His foresight, the ability to foresee end results, which forms the basis of His love and grace. Every action He takes is guided by His vision of what He wants us to become. God expresses grief over His people's lack of foresight, yearning for them to consider their latter end and understand the law of cause and effect. He desires that they recognize how their actions lead to specific outcomes, lamenting their refusal to link their problems to their conduct and their separation from Him. If they would only pause to consider the trajectory of their choices, they could avoid destruction. He urges them to stop and think about where their actions will take them, to weigh their options, and to choose the path that leads to the best end. God's forethought is evident in creation, where He prepared the earth to support life with intricate details, planning far ahead for mankind's needs. In response to Adam and Eve's sin, He considered the disastrous potential of them eating from the Tree of Life and acted to prevent an unmitigated disaster by expelling them from the Garden. His logical foresight determined a harder path to eternal life, involving sacrifice and growth, rather than an easy solution. In contrast, Jesus Christ exemplified perfect forethought, seeing beyond immediate losses to the ultimate glory and eternal life for billions. He endured humiliation and sacrifice, despising the shame for the joy set before Him. His ministry was marked by deliberate choices, planning His actions to maximize His witness and avoid premature confrontation, all while preparing His disciples and reaching the people. In raising Lazarus, He foresaw the impact of the miracle, knowing it would glorify God and Himself, leading to His death and resurrection. God desires us to develop this mind of foresight, to consider both the good and bad outcomes of our choices, and to accept necessary sacrifices to reach the goal He has for us. By walking in the day with Christ as our light, and building on faith, love, and hope, we align with His desires and goals. This enables us to foresee outcomes more accurately, to speak and act thoughtfully, and to live in harmony without stumbling blocks. He calls us to teach our children to think ahead, to consider their actions, and to develop habits of discernment for spiritual decisions. With a new heart and spirit, we are to take advantage of this time to consider our ways and make the changes needed to be in the Kingdom of God.
Seeking God's Will (Part Four): Sacrifice
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn seeking God's will, we are urged to understand the character of God as a guide for our actions and interactions. Ephesians 5:17 instructs us not to be unwise, but to comprehend what the will of the Lord is. By exploring various traits of God, we can discern His will in any situation we encounter. This understanding is particularly vital in resolving personal conflicts, as acting in a godly manner with one another diminishes the problems and friction that arise in our relationships. Knowing His character enables us to speak and act in ways that reflect His nature, fostering better outcomes in our interactions.
God's Will
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen faced with situations like an impending storm, we often grapple with how to pray and what to ask of God. Many of us ponder if we truly understand God's will, wishing to pray more accurately by knowing His desires precisely. If we could grasp His will more clearly, our prayers would align with what He is working out, eliminating the need to say phrases like "if it's Your will," because we would know it. We would be able to pray with certainty, submitting in full knowledge of what He aims to accomplish. Jesus, in His model prayer, instructs us to ask for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, without specifying what that will is. By praying in this way, we submit to His will, acknowledging that often we do not or cannot know it in specific matters. This submission requires faith, as there are times when His will remains beyond our understanding, no matter our righteousness or insight. God desires us to know His will as much as possible, yet certain matters exceed our human limitations compared to His infinite knowledge. In the example of Abraham, though God revealed His intent to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham remained unaware of His specific will toward Lot. Despite this, Abraham's understanding of God's character—that He would not destroy the righteous with the wicked—guided his bargaining for the righteous in the city. Abraham exercised faith, leaving the determination of righteousness to God, trusting in His mercy and perfect ways to protect those who follow Him, even without knowing the outcome. Knowing God's will is a lifelong pursuit for us, often fraught with complexity and frustration. We spend our converted lives striving to grasp it better, learning, like Abraham, to leave certain things to Him in faith. God's instructions, such as those for keeping the Feast of Tabernacles, represent His will for us during specific times. His will calls for dedication and devotion, prioritizing our spiritual relationship with Him above all else, trusting that He has revealed what we need to know through His Word. God's will encompasses both His revealed and secret aspects. His revealed will, found in His instructions and law, is what we are to follow to avoid curses and destruction. His secret will, the future things He has not disclosed, remains in His domain. We are to focus on what He has made known, trusting that if the secret things were essential for us now, He would have revealed them. Our task is to walk in wisdom, filling our time with understanding His revealed will, having faith that He knows best when to unveil the rest.
Reasoning With God
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsIs it wrong to reason with God? Can we plead our case before the Father and get results? Yes we can, but we must follow these biblical guidelines.
'What Do You Seek?'
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe all had somewhat carnal reasons for responding to God's calling, but we must lay those aside in favor of truly seeking Christ and His righteousness.

Seeks Not Its Own
Sermon by Bill OnisickThough as a Pharisee, the apostle Paul had abundant knowledge of God's law and obedience, he was a spiritual babe because he lacked agape love.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding God's sovereignty as a basic doctrine provides a link between knowledge and practice, as well as providing motivation to yield to God's purpose.

Ask, Seek, Knock
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn answer to the question, 'How can a mere human being fulfill the difficult expectations of God?', Jesus instructs us to 'Ask, seek, and knock.'
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.
Focusing on God's Thoughts
Sermonette by Craig SablichWe have the responsibility to hear God's still, small voice and to act upon His thoughts, thereby shunning the deceitful input constantly coming from Satan.
God's Rest (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe two principal robbers of peace are pride and the drive to have complete control of our lives. Discontent and imagined victimization led Adam and Eve into sin.
Our Spiritual Marathon
Sermonette by Bill OnisickIt behooves us not only to accept God's will, but also to earnestly desire it as our will, and not to kick against the goads, as Saul initially reacted.
The Forgotten Promises
CGG Weekly by Mike FuhrerRegular fasting should be among the most essential and effective items in our spiritual toolbox, one we use to draw close to God.
Joshua and the Gibeonites
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Gibeonites' pretense of coming from a distant land resulted in their slavery. Yet, through their influence, they contributed to Israel's destruction.
Eternal Responsibilities
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe each have an eternal responsibility to do the will of God, continually seeking Him. Those who do not choose God's way of life will be mercifully put to death.
When We Come to Ourselves
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have been guided supernaturally and must contemplate the significance of this intervention and what it now requires of us.
The Commandments (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIdolatry derives from worshiping the work of our hands or thoughts rather than the true God. Whatever consumes our thoughts and behavior has become our idol.