Playlist: Self Satisfaction (topic)
Without Heat, Thoughts Turn Cold
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsBecause of lawlessness—the absence of God in people's lives—many have allowed their affection for their priceless calling to grow lukewarm.
Doorway to the Kingdom
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAny time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Good Samaritan parable teaches that unless one practices doing good rather than just knowing good, his faith will be severely compromised.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride destroys relationships, rendering righteous judgment next to impossible. Self-righteousness (a product of pride) makes an idol out of self.
Carelessness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCarelessness, indicative of not thinking, when reinforced or carried on into life, can be lethal or irreparable. Undervaluing our way leads to a careless lifestyle.
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.
Fortress of Joy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickHuman happiness is perishable, dependent as it is on positive life-experiences. Spiritual joy is infinitely more enduring than happiness based in the world.
Laodiceanism
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur love for beauty must be coupled with love for righteousness and holiness. Our relationship with Christ must take central place in our lives, displacing all else.
Living by Faith: Human Pride
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our human nature is pure vanity with a heart that is desperately deceitful and wicked, motivated by self-centeredness, a deadly combination for producing sin.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though the evidence from creation is overwhelming, people deliberately want to disregard it because accepting it would require submitting to His will.
Christian Zeal
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughZeal has been discredited as the tool of the charlatan, but Christians must develop passion and zeal for the Christian way of life and the Kingdom of God.
John 3:16: Does God Really Love the World?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod does not love everybody equally. Nowhere does He tell us to prefer the ungodly world. Though He tells us to love our enemies, but not to be affectionate.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor His Own reasons, God has chosen not to reveal His plan to those the world considers wise, but, instead, to work with the weaker sort of mankind.
Our Trusted Source of Truth (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe veracity of the Scriptures is something we can take to the bank, in essence our only protection against the torrent of deception we face today.
What We Can Learn From This Day of Atonement
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's solution to mankind's separation was sending a second Adam, Jesus Christ, to make reconciliation possible. Fasting shows our dependence on God.
Philippians (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must willing to yield to God's shaping of us, willing to be corrected and changed as He sees fit. If we become self-satisfied, He cannot work with us.
Amos (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAncient Israel had at the core of its religion an obsession to please the self at the expense of justice and the best interests of the disadvantaged.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven with Christ's sacrifice, God does not owe us salvation. We are called to walk, actively putting to death our carnal natures, resisting the complacency.
Satan (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan uses lies and disinformation to promote self-satisfaction over obedience to God. The way to the kingdom is through self-denial, even suffering unjustly.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (1997)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBabylon constitutes the fountainhead of instruction that, like strong drink, impairs the ability to function properly while creating the illusion of ability.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's mysteries have been in plain sight from the beginning of time, but carnality has obscured them from mankind.
When the Trumpet Blows
Sermon by John O. ReidThroughout Israel's history, the trumpet blast has always meant the onset of war, death, and destruction, ushering in harsh correction for physical Israel.
Hebrews: A Message for Today
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.
The Christian Walk: In Love
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we submit to God, allowing His spirit to guide us, we can live in the spirit, walking in love.
Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sermon by David C. GrabbeLessons learned from COVID, as well as possible reasons God allowed or caused the pandemic to sweep through the church and wreak havoc on Feast observance.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Eleven): Laodicea
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Laodiceans fail to reciprocate Christ's love for them. The comfort of prosperity blinded them to their spiritual condition, especially their need for Christ.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe seriously err if we rely on the secular media to give us spiritual understanding. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth.
You Are My Friends!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhile it is common on Facebook to defriend/unfriend, Christ's love for His people is a friending with the condition that godly fruit is produced.
Unity
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEach member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father
Conscience (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA conscience can only function according to what it knows, and will automatically adjust in the way it is exercised. Conscience follows conduct.
John (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWhen God removes an infirmity or gives a blessing, He also gives a responsibility to follow through, using the blessing to overcome and glorify God.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Seven): Repentance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs High Priest, Christ is putting His people through the paces, tailoring the trials and experiences needed for sanctification and ultimate glorification.
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.
Snares
Sermon by John O. ReidEven as the world contains bait and switch schemes and false advertising, so also there are spiritual snares, far more dangerous than physical ones.
Philippians (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul warns the Philippians that nothing blemishes their witness more than complaining, because like the Israelites, they were calling God into account.
Are We Redeeming the Time?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTime is fleeting; any of us could perish tomorrow. Procrastination in matters of godliness can be fatal, as the parable of the rich fool teaches.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe tares and wheat must coexist until the harvest when the fruit will become clearly seen, at which time a separation and judgment will take place.
Prayer and Seeking God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRather than having an apathetic relationship toward God, we must ardently, earnestly, and fervently seek God in order to imitate His behavior in our lives.
Philippians (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughNot one of us with heavenly citizenship has ever been there, but like an ambassador, we are compelled to carry on the culture and laws in our lives.
Philippians (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGodly righteousness demands humility, a readiness to admit shortcomings, a yieldedness to correction, and a willingness to be refashioned.
The First Commandment: Idolatry
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIdolatry is the most frequently committed sin, seen in five commandments. God challenges us to either defend our body of beliefs or drop them in favor of His.
Works of the Flesh
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur outward works show what we believe, what we worship, and what we aspire to become. Apart from God, all human works activities are potentially destructive.
Jude
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe book of Jude, a scathing indictment against false teachers, may be the most neglected book in the New Testament. False teachers twist grace into license.
Elements of Motivation (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause we have been bought with an awesome price, we have no right to pervert our lives, but are obligated to look upon our bodies as vessels in His service.
Faith and Prayer
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConstant, earnest prayer keeps faith alive and makes certain the receiving of the qualities that make us in the image of God. God's purpose comes first.
Satan (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo resist the Devil is to resist unlawful desires, not allowing him to manipulate our emotions. Satan works on fear of being denied something pleasurable.
Essential Characteristics of Our Calling
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDoctrine and practice be evenly balanced. If the behaviors are detached from principle and doctrine, the weightier matters of the law will be neglected.
Peace with God Through Christ
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe only possibility of attaining peace is a relationship with God—peace with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which must continually be refined.
Corporate Faith
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCorporate faith requires that we lay aside our individualism and join our brethren doing God's work.
Are You an Israelite?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.
Satan (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spirit in man is initially good, but capable of being influenced by the spirit of this world, and surcharged with Satan's negative attitudes.