Playlist: God's Control (topic)
The Sovereignty of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod not only upholds, but also guides and propels His creation, periodically overruling man's mismanagement with floods, fires, winds, and earthquakes.
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.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNothing and no one can thwart God's purposes. We need to develop the faith to yield and conform to His will as clay in the potter's hands.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who have made a covenant with God can be corrupted unless they make a concerted effort to know God, realizing He has the right to do as He pleases.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding God's sovereignty as a basic doctrine provides a link between knowledge and practice, as well as providing motivation to yield to God's purpose.
Free Will or God's Sovereignty?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeIn the troubling paradox that God has sovereignty over all events and that He grants humans the ability to make meaningful choices, antinomian Protestants have assembled prooftexts, allegedly proving that God's called-out ones are not expected to put forth any effort or make any commitment in the conversionary process because …
Do You See God in Deuteronomy?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God displaced the Amorites because they had defiled the land; not one righteous person existed. Israel was warned not to defile themselves with demonism.
Control and Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughParadoxically, when we yield to God's sovereignty, He wants to cede control over to us, teaching us to develop self-control as an ingrained habit.
God, Satan, and David's Numbering of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeAn apparent contradiction exists between I Chronicles 21:1 stating that Satan moved David to take the census while I Samuel 21:1 claims that he did not. The contradiction is resolved by the understanding that God uses Satan to accomplish His purposes, as is demonstrated in the book of Job, as well the account of King Ahab. …
Walking With God Through Trials
Sermonette by Craig SablichTrials, instead of prompting a 'woe is me' attitude, should be re-evaluated as valuable experiences, nudging us into God's divine purpose for us.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has given time to mankind as a gift, manipulating its use for us. The bad as well as the pleasant aspects of life are fashioned for our ultimate good.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though we have the free moral agency to run counter to God's purposes, we court disaster if we presumptuously plan against these purposes.
No Failsafe Needed
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe free-will God has allowed mankind has led to some tragic consequences or disruptions, but none of these are outside of His control.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Only those called by God are given insight into God's grand design, making living by faith possible. God adds understanding as we are able to use it.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is intimately involved with the smallest details of our life, including our conception and birth, supplying spiritual gifts to carry out His work.
Ecclesiastes (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must have the patience to realize that God accomplishes His purpose for us in His time. God's timing is beautiful, taking place at the right time.
Ecclesiastes (Part Four; A)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is sovereign over time; nothing happens without His superintending. Birth and death are divine events which God alone controls.
Structure and Sovereignty in Daniel 2-7
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughDaniel chapters 2-7 form a chiastic (X shaped) structure. Chapters 2 and 7, 3 and 6, and 4 and 5 are paired and mirrored, reinforcing significant themes.
Who Do You Trust? (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerCynical finger-pointing has destroyed confidence in every human institution, whether political, educational, scientific, and religious.
Self-Government and Responsibility (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need free moral agency to be transformed into God's image. Unless one has God's Spirit, he cannot exercise the internal control to be subject to the way of God.
Back to Life (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf God delays in answering a sincere prayer, His purpose is to increase faith, as in the case of His delay in providing Abraham with a son through Sarah.
Two Arks of Salvation
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingIn both the basket carrying Moses and the ark carrying Noah's family for over a year, God was in control, and guided both arks to safety.
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.
Psalms: Book One (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause Jesus is God's Son, we can avoid the rod of His anger by paying respect with worshipful awe. We must know both His instruction and Him personally.
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.
Self-Government (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Regardless of whether one submits to God, government, or community, self-government is the best means to having a safe, smooth course toward an objective.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod emphasizes Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles to show the result of doing whatever our human heart leads us to do. The physical cannot satisfy.
Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.
Faith Over Fear
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen it looks like things are out of control, God is busily at work behind the scenes. If we replace anxiety with faith, God will grant us divine peace.
The Book of Daniel (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe circumstances surrounding Nebuchadnezzar's dream set the stage for God's revelation of His power, plan, and prophetic intentions (through His servants).
Trial by Fire
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike a loving parent, God brings just the right pressures to bear to bring about necessary change in His children. Each trial has a place in His purpose.
Submitting (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiberty without guidelines will turn into chaos. We will be free only if we submit to the truth. All authority, even incompetent authority, derives from God.
Ecclesiastes (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTime and events are in the hands of God; He knows when to relieve the pressure and when to bring on more. Looking above the sun teaches us about the seasons.
Creation Stewardship
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe as Christians should strive to be the most conscientious environmentalists or creationists in the world because the earth and its fullness are the Lord's.
Psalms: Book Five (Part Two): Psalms of Ascents
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMore space is devoted to the reign of Hezekiah than any other king, in part because of his example of repentance after the news of his impending death.
Prayer and Persistence
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPersistence in prayer does not mean an incessant pestering God into action. God always looks at our petitions from the vantage-point of His purpose.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe hardest part of God's work is the feeding of the flock the full counsel of God, to get the called-out ones ready to enter the Kingdom of God.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (2019)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Egypt is not directly a symbol of sin, but instead the world. The Days of Unleavened Bread symbolize what God did for us, not what we did by our own power.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe heroes of faith may have had a longer period of testing than those called now, but the trials will come at greater intensity here at the end.
Where is the Promise of His Coming?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDoubting that Christ will return has always been problematic for the faithful weak as well as a tool of the heretics denying the second coming of Christ.
Five Easily-Neglected Doctrines
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Here are five easily neglected doctrines, which, if carelessly observed or distorted, could jeopardize the salvation of God's people.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Israel's trek was not only a physical journey, but a mental wandering caused by rejecting God's leadership. The potential to sin is a test of resolve.
Lamentations (Part Eight)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we approach the coming self-examination prior to Passover, we can apply six significant lessons taught to ancient Israel through the book of Lamentations.
Psalms: Book One (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe two principle themes of Book One of the Psalms are the Torah (the instruction of God) and the Messiah (or God's Anointed).
Antidotes to Fear and Depression
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe key to overcoming the fear of loss of control is to admit that God is in control. If we have our priorities straight, God will take care of our anxieties.
Love's Basic Definition
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove is not a feeling, but an action—defined as keeping God's commandments, the only means by which we can possibly know Him, leading to eternal life.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 10)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though we are already damaged goods when God calls us, by embracing God's truth and seeking His help, we can break the bad habits which enslave us.
To Know Good and Evil
Sermon by Mark SchindlerEvery human government that has ever existed, including the American constitutional republic, has been flawed because it has not looked to God for what is right and wrong.
Seeing is Submitting
Sermon by Bill OnisickAll of us have received the biblical mandate to submit, even when the authority is flawed, emulating Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Eight): Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSolomon counsels us to exercise diligence, work hard, plan for disruptions, obstacles, and roadblocks, spreading risk to work within this futile world.
Avoiding the Ruts of Puny Faith
Sermon by Bill OnisickWhen we have severe trials, we can experience a divided mind, exercising a puny faith. Does God find us willing to surrender to Him in all circumstances?
Standing on the Sea of Glass
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Sea of Glass at God's throne reflects and symbolizes God's holiness and purity, peace and calmness, and His purposes of righteousness and love.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Eight) Cultivating the Fruit of Faithfulness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe only tangible measures of faith is faithfulness, trust, and loyalty to God. We don't need to ask God for more faith, but rather work on being faithful.
Follow the Herd?
Commentary by Mark SchindlerGreed has caused panic buying and selling of pharmaceutical stocks and has spawned a booming vaccine industry coupled with shameless scientific fraud.
The Remaking of America
Commentary by Mark SchindlerA new wave of billionaires, having rejected the conservative values of their elders, embrace multiculturalism, homosexuality, climate change and collectivism.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's life and death were supernatural in that He had God's Spirit from the beginning, giving Him power over things, as well as undeniable logic.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Prior to the Flood, mankind's thoughts and intents were evil continually. A parallel time of demonic activity is on the horizon for those living today.
Principles of Church Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.