Playlist: Comparing Ourselves to God (topic)

listen:

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.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Job, we must surrender to God's will and purpose for our lives, realizing that both pleasant and horrendous times work for our spiritual development.


Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We are not individually sovereign, but we are taught to give ourselves over completely to God's sovereignty. If we do, we will reap unfathomable blessings.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Prayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.


An Unequal Comparison

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

While the sacrifice in life or limb is commendable and worthy of honor, to compare it with Christ's work on the stake trivializes Christ's sacrifice.


What We Can Learn From This Day of Atonement

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's solution to mankind's separation was sending a second Adam, Jesus Christ, to make reconciliation possible. Fasting shows our dependence on God.


God Has Faith in You

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

It can be encouraging to us that our patriarchs and the prophets had serious doubts, but God overrode all their fears in accomplishing His purpose.


James: From Skeptic to Believer

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

James was not called during His ministry, but may have received his calling when Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to John, a non-family member.


Psalm 8: God's Majesty

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Several notable scientists marvel at the psalmist David's accurate scientific description in Psalm 8, millennia before technology verified these descriptions.


Holiness of God (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To be like God, we need to work on purifying ourselves, purging out sin and uncleanness, reflecting our relationship with God in every aspect our behavior.


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.


Trumpets: Glorious Appearings

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God spoke audibly to Moses and the people, intentionally testing their faithfulness, to instill the fear of the Lord in them, and to keep them from sin.


The Poor in Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Nothing that we could ever do could impress God, except for our contrition, acknowledgment of our infirmity, and remorse for our sins which displease God.


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.


Psalm 8: What Is Man?

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Psalm 8 declares that the Creator of the universe has our backs, keeping us under close observation and unfailing protection throughout our sanctification.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, and gratitude are required of God's called out priests. By meditating on the right things, we prepare ourselves for prayer.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Without thanksgiving and praise, our prayers degenerate into the 'gimmes' with the emphasis on the self. We must give God thoughtful thanks in every circumstance.


Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because 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.


Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Three): Attitude

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Job had not achieved spiritual maturity, but had assumed the arrogant stance of attempting to debate the Creator on his own level.


Human Will

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's children should never emulate the self-willed attitude Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" glorifies. Human nature and godly character are polar opposites.


Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The belief that America was or is a Christian nation cannot be supported by the facts. The world, governed by Satan, hates Christ's true followers.


Poor in Spirit (1997)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Being poor in spirit is a foundational spiritual state for qualifying for God's Kingdom. Poor in spirit describes being acutely aware of one's dependency.


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.


Faith and Spiritual Focus

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Fasting is not for pressuring God or attempting to put Him in debt, but instead to reveal what we really are, clothing us with the humility to yield to Him.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.


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.


John (Part Ten)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

When God removes an infirmity or gives a blessing, He also gives a responsibility to follow through, using the blessing to overcome and glorify God.


Essential Characteristics of Our Calling

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Doctrine and practice be evenly balanced. If the behaviors are detached from principle and doctrine, the weightier matters of the law will be neglected.


Are We Redeeming the Time?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Time is fleeting; any of us could perish tomorrow. Procrastination in matters of godliness can be fatal, as the parable of the rich fool teaches.


The Same Mind, Judgment, and Speech

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

With the mind of Christ, we can agree with our spiritual siblings. We do not receive the fullness of Christ's mind at baptism; we must continue to seek it.


Christ Our Standard

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Knowledge of God's truth is useless unless it is acted on. God will only accept children who follow Christ's example and conduct their lives by His high standards.


Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When the U.S. Congress wanted to put 'In God we Trust' on currency, the Seventh Day Adventists objected, arguing that the U.S. has never been a Christian nation.


Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The group that one fellowships with is less important than the understanding that there is one true church, bound by a spiritual, not a physical unity.


Repentance and Righteousness (Part 1)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Nothing happens in our lives (including repentance) until God initiates it. A change of heart, by God's Holy Spirit, results in a total change of direction.


Philippians (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul teaches that individual overcoming in lowliness of mind, putting others ahead of self, leads to the whole body being strengthened.


Conscience (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A conscience can only function according to what it knows, and will automatically adjust in the way it is exercised. Conscience follows conduct.


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.


Think on These Things (2018)

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Our annual, self-inflicted review of self can be humbling and even painful. We have a measure of control over our carnality which those in the world lack.


Remaining Unleavened

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our carnal natures must be displaced by God's Holy Spirit, motivating us to refrain from causing offense, but freely forgiving others as God has forgiven us.


Caveats About Self-Examination

Sermon by David F. Maas

We must be very careful how we examine ourselves. Taking the Passover in an unworthy manner can result in serious physical or spiritual hazards.


Debt and Obligation

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We live in a time when people have acquired a weak sense of obligation to family, society, or nation. Because sin cannot be undone, all are debtors to God.


Holiness (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Holy things are set apart from the rest, consecrated, sanctified, and transcendentally separate. God wants to transform us into that very image.


Truth (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Through the shaping power of God's Holy Spirit, He starts to fill the chasm that divides us so we can have fellowship with Him.