Playlist: Strife (topic)
Harmony with God and the Brethren
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingGod's people are like a musical ensemble, each having unique pitches and timbre. As we yield to our Conductor, we also blend with one another, creating harmony.
The Same Mind
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityWe must not allow ideological differences to overshadow our shared faith, far greater than the lesser issues which currently divide us.
'Sons of God?'
Sermonette by Bill OnisickGod gave Jesus Christ to us to restore peace, reconciliation, and harmony with God. In the Beatitudes, the peacemakers are called 'sons of God.'
Conflicts In The Body
Sermonette by Ryan McClureAs members of God's family, we must be quick to forgive one another for real or imagined slights. Those in God's Kingdom, will all be working together.
Isaac the Peacemaker
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingIsaac was a genuine peacemaker, yielding to interlopers and suffering wrong while trusting God to provide. In all his actions, Isaac exemplified a peacemaker.
Unity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe virtue of love is the overarching framework for unity, demanding rigorous control over the tongue, understanding its capacity to destroy.
All Sifted Like Wheat (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe will be subject to Satan's attempt to destroy our faith through being sifted like wheat. Jesus allows this to strengthen our faith yet also oversees it.
Differences of Opinion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.
Satan, Division, and Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCompetition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.
Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause of our lack of self-discipline and willingness to guard the truth, we have allowed our theological base to deteriorate under the persuasion of the world.
Building Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.
Psalm 133 (1998)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnity comes only through the initiation of God. If we would follow the suggestions in Romans 12, we could do our part in promoting unity in God's church.
Fruit of the Flesh - On Conflict
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAs God's chosen saints, we must not let our keyboard or mouth defile us. Godly conversation includes stifling the urge to win the argument at all costs.
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
James and Unleavened Bread (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe epistle of James stresses both faith and works, emphasizing those factors necessary for growth, enabling us to produce a bountiful harvest of fruit.
Debate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible takes a very dim view of argument, debate, discord, and strife. In all matters of contention, we must strive to put ourselves above the fray.
Isaiah 58 and Fasting
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFasting puts us in a proper humble and contrite frame of mind, allowing God to respond to us, freeing us from our burdens and guiding us into His Kingdom.
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.
Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Humility, poverty of spirit, and acknowledging our total dependence on God are of the utmost importance. God responds to those who are humble.
Hijacking Peace
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThe world has no idea where peace comes from because they have long ago rejected the Prince of Peace and His prescription for tranquility.
What Lies Beneath
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityIf we let our emotions rule, we can lose a lifetime acquisition of reputation in a split second. When Jesus Christ undergirds us, there is stability.
Grace, Faith, and Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride condemned Satan to a fate of manipulating rather than serving. This presumptuous self-centered trait creates disunity and ultimately destruction.
Our Words Matter: Are They Harmful or Helpful?
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingEmotional damage from hurtful words is more harmful to our nervous system than we have imagined, lingering long past the healing time of any cut or broken bone
Restoration and Forgiveness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is impossible to grow spiritually in a climate of animosity and jealousy. If we use the power of God's Holy Spirit, peace will accrue as a fruit.
Tests of True Knowledge
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsA person who is puffed up parades his knowledge by exhibiting impatience, intolerance, or a false modesty, marginalizing what the uneducated in their minds.
Envy: The Most Precious Daughter
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIt is easy to follow in Satan's footsteps, courting his daughter Envy, reaping the disquiet which accompanies her. Envy comes from pushing God from our thoughts.
Flame Wars
Sermonette by Ryan McClureAre we part of flaming — the aggressive and offensive interaction between Internet users? Or do we pursue righteousness in our speech and communication?
Of One Accord
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.
Honor Before Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAgape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.
Reviler
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs culture degenerates, the sin of reviling has become more pervasive, as impatient narcissists lash out at others, using foul and abusive language.
Do Unto Others and Reap What We Sow
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Reaping good fruit does not happen immediately. If we feel we are not reaping, we must consider that we might be reaping some negative things we have sown.
It Takes a Church
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christians, we need to form warm, productive, quality relationships with our brethren, actively ministering to the needs of one another.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Six)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLike the four groups of seeds exposed to various qualities of soil, many have heard the true gospel, but few have remained faithful after the onslaught of hardship.
Gossip
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe apostle James says that the tongue can metaphorically start a dangerous fire. He warns that gossip, tale-bearing and being a busy-body is like murder.
What if You Are Betrayed?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBetrayal is triggered by a root of bitterness resulting from envy, but turning into hatred, a shoot of bitterness manifesting a spirit of murder.
What is Atonement?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Man's estrangement from God is wholly man's fault. Atonement denotes the way harmony is achieved, making the entire world at one or reconciled with God.
Isaac
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe name Isaac—'laughter'—suggests his optimistic disposition, someone not afflicted by fear and doubt. Isaac serves as a type of Christ, honoring his father.
The Spiritual Mark of the Beast
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnger and hostility, driven by self-centered competitive pride constitute Satan's spiritual mark that divides nations, ethnic groups, families, and the church.
The Christian and the World (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must realize we are walking on a razor's edge, with the Kingdom of God on one side and the world with all its sensual magnetic charms on the other side.
The Commandments (Part Thirteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod has never given mankind the prerogative to determine whether war is just or not. God has promised to protect us, conditioned on our obedience to our covenant.
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.
Am I Childlike or Childish
Sermonette by Bill OnisickChildlike humility overlooks offenses, but childish pride causes one to strike out in retaliation when feelings are hurt or feathers are ruffled.
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 Battle Against Evil Programming!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMilitary strategists have desensitized people to accept killing as normal and acceptable, even as Video games condition people to enjoy killing.
Outside the Normal Pattern of Order
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod is a God of order and not confusion; all He does follows a specific order—summarized by the adage, a time and a place for everything.
Psalm 55
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughPsalm 55 shows how a righteous man deals with treachery and betrayal. When we are faced with horrendous problems such as betrayal, escape is not an option.
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must avoid following the negative examples of our forbears. We have been enlisted into spiritual warfare on three fronts: the heart, the world, and Satan.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and the Son are two distinct beings, not co-equal as the trinity doctrine proclaims, but with the Son deferring to the Father in all things.
Thou Shall Love Thy Neighbor
Sermon by John O. ReidWe are obligated to show compassion and mercy to all, refraining from gossip, exercising righteous judgment, forgiving others and applying the Golden Rule.
The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part Two) (2007)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sheep do not belong to any man or group, but to Christ. It is Christ's responsibility to get the sheep into the Kingdom, not the ministry's.
Impure Language Destroyed
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPoisoned and perverted language will be destroyed in God's kingdom, when purified hearts will speak a pure language.
Could You Stand Alone?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWould we have the same courage to stand spiritually as the brave unarmed man who resisted the tanks of the Chinese Red Army in Tiananmen Square?
The Essence of Self-Control
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsA lack of self-control, as well as the cultivation of self-indulgent perversions, will characterize large segments of our society living at the end times.
Conditioned Response
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe defilement that begins in the heart is shaped, molded, and conditioned by the media, training people to override their conscience, desensitizing them.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVarious animals were used in the burnt offering—bullocks, lambs, doves, and goats. Each depicts some characteristic of Jesus that we must emulate as we serve God.