More Righteous Than the Pharisees?

Sermon by John O. Reid

The Pharisees were in the office or seat of Moses. Jesus taught His followers to follow their words (pertaining to the Law of God), but not their personal examples.

The Pharisees (Part 2)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God is less impressed in our rote compliance to a set of rules than thoughtful application of godly principles extending justice, mercy, and faith.

The Pharisees (Part 3)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Although the Pharisees imposed harsh regulations, they found loopholes for themselves while proudly and hypocritically displaying their piety for show.

Was Job Really Self-Righteous?

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Self-righteousness is defined as being smugly proud of one's own opinion and intolerant of others. What Job repented of was his misunderstanding of God.

Doorway to the Kingdom

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Any time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.

Delusions of Perfection

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We need to exercise humility and forbearance when we deal with the weaknesses of our brethren, restoring them in love as we would expect them to do for us.

Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part One): To the Beaten

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God's people may fall into the trap of forgetting the sinful past from which God rescued them and come to look disdainfully on those not yet called.

The Danger of Trusting in Oneself

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Those wise in their own eyes, including philosophers, politicians, educators, and religious leaders, have failed in their quest to make the world better.

The Problem with Pride

Sermon by Ryan McClure

Hypocrisy: The Last Sin of America

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Having its roots in a Greek word denoting 'actor', hypocrisy suggests pretending or deceiving—a filthy inside disguised by a clean outside.

Living By Faith: Humility

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paradoxically, God stoops to us when we humble ourselves. Humility produces honor from God; if we humble ourselves, He will hear us.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must have both perseverance and humility in prayer to keep our vision sharp and clear. Without humility, the doorway to acceptance by God is closed.

Pride, Humility, and Fasting

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The intent of fasting is to deflate our pride—the major taproot of sin—the biggest deterrent to a positive relationship with God. Humility heals the breach.

From Pride to Humility

Sermon by John O. Reid

Two tests to reveal the presence of pride are the way we treat others (especially our own family) and the way we receive instruction or correction.

Faith (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The hallmark of Christian character is humility, which comes about only when one sees himself in comparison to God. Pride makes distorted comparisons.

Christ's Vital Final Warning to His Church

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We must be careful in our approach to our spiritual riches so we do not fall into the same trap that people with abundant physical wealth fall.

Overcoming Hypocrisy

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We are continually in danger of being deceived by our carnal nature, a nature which distracts us from following God, even though we go through the motions.

The Rest of the Story

Sermon by Mark Schindler

In I Corinthians 11:29, we are cautioned not to partake of the Passover in an unworthy manner, a primary example of which is the shabby treatment of brethren.

Living by Faith: Human Pride

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

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.

Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Four): Favor to Live as God Lives

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We earn God's favor by obedience; there is a direct tie between submission to His will and His favor. The more one submits, the more favor and grace accrues.

Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The 'people of the lie' do not believe they have any major defects and, consequently, do not have any need to examine themselves, let alone change.

Private Religion

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Someone misusing piety to draw attention to themselves to enhance their reputation destroys character and they will not enter the Kingdom of God.

Do Not Judge: What Does it Mean?

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

The caution not to judge is more accurately rendered, 'do not condemn' rather than to evaluate according to their fruits. We risk condemning ourselves.

The Secret Sin Everyone Commits

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Self-righteous people tend to trust in their own heart, be wise in their own eyes, justify themselves, despise or disregard others, and judge or condemn others.

The Merciful

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The harsh religion of the Pharisees was unfeeling, placing more attention on rituals and man-made laws, and had turned their super-righteousness into sin.

Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Eight)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We should not expect brethren to be perfect; we all sin. God has not given His People the prerogative to judge another member as a tare.

Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We may find God's means of correction discouraging, but when we place His actions in context with His overall plan, we can find peace in God's sovereignty.

Faith (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.

Faith in the Healer

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must establish an iron clad trust in God for spiritual matters, including healing, rather than having a misguided trust in self or other human beings.

Reacting to Criticism

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

All have been guilty of malicious gossip; consequently, they should not become offended when they hear gossip about themselves (Ecclesiastes 7:21).

Dealing With a Sinning Brother

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Disfellowshiping is only used for the most extreme cases in which the safety of the congregation is threatened. Lesser offenses require more sensitivity.

God's Creation and Our Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.

Those Who Hunger and Thirst

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Beatitude, hungering and thirsting for righteousness are present tense active participles signifying continuous longing for God's righteousness.

Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Three): A Faithful Witness to God's Mercy

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God protected Enoch from death so he could teach Noah, providing the godly instruction that Methuselah and Lamech (Noah's grandfather and father) failed to give.

Prayer Does Make a Difference

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God does not hear a prayer of pride, selfishness, and self exaltation, but He listens to prayers of supplication and intercession for the saints.

Are You Being Brainwashed? (Part 3)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The media's steady stream of brainwashing has painted 'fundamentalists' with a broad brush, ridiculing faith, belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.

The Reality of Evil

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The best weapon against the evil of our human nature is to develop the mind of Christ within us to displace our carnal nature.

Is There a True Church?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's true church cannot be found without revelation nor can one join the organization; God calls and places each member in its appropriate place in the Body.

Joy No One Will Take From You!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Materialism has never led to anything but increased sorrow. True lasting joy is based neither on material accumulation nor in physical accomplishments.

Firstfruits and the Master Potter

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

The Potter and Clay analogy provides instructions for understanding character-building tests and trials in the life-long sanctification process.

To Pray or Not to Pray?

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Many have over-reacted to Christ's instruction about the Pharisees praying in public to be seen by men. Jesus and the disciples often prayed in public.

The Spirit of Gratitude

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Pride, the kind demonstrated by Nebuchadnezzar when he boasted about what he had accomplished, militates against any feelings of gratitude.

The Prayers of Jesus

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ's example teaches us to pray humbly in all situations, including decision making, resisting temptation, and acquiring spiritual strength.

He Who Overcomes

Sermon by John O. Reid

It is not profitable to focus on the place of safety or the specific time of Christ's return, but instead to make the best use of our time to overcome.

Don't Take God for Granted

Sermon by John O. Reid

We all tend to allow familiarity to lure us into carelessly taking something for granted. This is particularly dangerous regarding God and His purpose for us.