Playlist: God's Calling, Individuality of (topic)
Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part One)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A prophecy in Zechariah concerns prophets or church leaders who, being ashamed of their false teachings, will claim they were farmers rather than ministers.
Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God-designed personalities, having His character, will make up God's family, not self-made personalities created by human will. We must yield as He creates.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNo one has any excuse for doubting God's purpose for mankind, whether revealed publicly through His Creation or privately through the Holy Scriptures.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.
For the Love of God
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWe are royalty, part of the highest Family in all creation. We can take great comfort in knowing who it is we really are and that the Father greatly values us.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the example of a child summoned by a parent to clean up his room, the child's dawdling and complaining are not predestined nor are they part of God's will.
The Faithfulness of God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has a very real concern for us, promising to never leave us. We have to strongly believe in His faithfulness to build a relationship with Him.
Free Will or God's Sovereignty?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeIf God is sovereign and promises salvation to believers, why does it matter how believers live? How significant are our choices in the grand scheme of life?
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace supports and fulfills us, but it does not mean 'once saved,always saved.' It is possible to fall from grace, as Israel's experience demonstrates.
Handpicked By God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersGod handpicked us for a specific purpose, just as He did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Noah. God also handpicked second-generation Church members.
Do You See God?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnless we acknowledge God's sovereign authority in our lives, following through with the things we learn from scripture, we, like atheists, will not see God.
Do We See Ourselves As God Sees Us?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Praying without gratitude is like clipping the wings of prayer. Thankfulness is not natural to carnal human nature which loves to grovel as a timid worrywart.
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'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 Ultimate Purpose
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloAs David pointed out in Psalm 139, God had His eyes on us before our birth, foreknowing the individuals He would call, predestining them into His plan.
Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.
Where Do We Fit?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The church exists because of what God has purposed and done, not because anything we have done. When pride exists within us, God can do nothing with us.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus qualified as High Priest, teaching us about living by faith in the New Covenant, which mandates that we keep His commandments.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.
Our Divine Destiny
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's called-ones have been given the ability to decipher the scattered concepts, revealing the purpose of their destiny throughout the Scriptures.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ has full control of the church. Everything of consequence, including the development of our character, is engineered by Him.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our exodus from the bondage of sin begins and ends with God. He commanded Israel to mark their escape with unleavened bread because of what He did.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Only God's calling, followed by repentance and a rigorous conversion process, will safeguard us from the fiery holocaust that is coming upon this the world.
Wilderness Wandering (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are in various stages of our wilderness journey, not knowing where our journey will take us. The turns give us opportunities to strengthen our faith.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's calling is personal and individual rather than general, opening otherwise closed minds, replacing spiritual blindness with spiritual understanding.
Using Power Righteously (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has singled each one of us out individually, calling us, gifting us with capabilities, and preparing us for eternal life as members of His family.
Our Core Business
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen corporations get rid of their core business, they become less effective. Likewise when we deviate from our core job, we risk returning to the world.
Elements of Motivation (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe can become energized and motivated by our high calling and summons to do the will of God, seeing how vitally important we are to God's purpose.
One by One Until Done
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)God makes the New Covenant with individuals. The implementation of the New Covenant is incremental, beginning in 31 AD and continuing through the Millennium.
Limited Atonement
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prospect of atonement and salvation is available to everybody, but only those called by the Father—not by an evangelical altar call—are eligible.
Deuteronomy (Part 2) (1994)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDeuteronomy, which is to be reviewed every seven years, provides us with vision and instruction for living in our spiritual Promised Land.
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.
Hebrews (Part Two): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)If we understand the function of the Old Covenant as explained in Leviticus, we will better understand the New Covenant and not reject the law of the Savior.
In Our Time of Need
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWhen we accepted God's calling, we trusted in His ability to fend off the evil influences of the world as well as our deadly carnal nature.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's command to eat unleavened bread teaches that He rescued His people from the bondage of sin, something they had no power to accomplish of themselves.
Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has placed us all in the body where it has pleased Him. We dare not imitate Satan by letting self-centered goals eclipse God's purpose.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFaith permitted Enoch, Noah, and Abraham to receive God's personal calling. Like our patriarchs, we were called while we lived in the wicked world.
Who Deserves Our Loyalties?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When we are called, we are asked to count the cost and plan accordingly. We must totally give ourselves over to becoming fashioned into His image.
Glorify You Me
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidThe purpose of our calling is not the place of safety, but that we glorify God, following the example of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's Spirit is the essence of His mind rather than a third person. With this Spirit, God opens our minds, dwells in us, and transfers His nature to us.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spiritual journey of God's people is more difficult than the physical one of the ancient Israelites, requiring as it does more resources to navigate.
Wandering or Pilgrimage?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are not aimlessly wandering, but are on a God-guided pilgrimage. The circuitous route ensures our safety, just as it did for the ancient Israelites.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God is at work producing leadership in an organization that will follow Him, calling people into His family, carefully crafting it into a perfect organism.
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The responsibility given to the church Christ has called out of this world is to expand His teachings, magnifying them and making them clear and honorable.
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.
Hebrews (Part Five): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is the only- begotten Son, creator and heir of all things, the express image of God's person, and has purged our sins.
The Talking Blood (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God the Father does not take the minimization of His Son's sacrifice lightly, as some Protestant theologians imply with their cheap grace doctrine.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.
Government (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor us to take on the glory of God, we must have the same kind of access to the Father as Christ did, taking on the responsibility of behaving like His sons.
Without Me, Nothing! (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe first and last words of Jesus Christ in the book of John are to 'follow Me,' directed at His disciples then and now.
Ecclesiastes (Part Four; B)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod manipulates events to occur at precisely the right time. The timing God uses for us are just as precisely planned and scripted as they were for Christ.
The Sixth Commandment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus magnifies the Law in Matthew 5, moving beyond the behavior into the motivating thought behind the deed, warning that we do not retaliate in kind.
Our Closest Neighbors
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe cannot have peace on a grand scale until we make peace with those closest to us. Without loving our brother, it is impossible to take on God's image.
Every Action Has a Reaction
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEvery action has a corresponding reaction; even the little things we do matter. Sin produces increase (the leavening effect) just as righteousness does.