Playlist: Doctrine, Importance of (topic)

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The Importance of Doctrine

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Doctrine holds paramount importance in defining the true path of faith and obedience to God. The Bible clearly states that God is not the author of confusion, and thus, He is not the source of doctrinal discord. Disagreements among clergymen, especially on critical matters like the Sabbath, portray a false image of God as …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The importance of doctrine in religious truth is a weighty matter for individual believers, as it is easy to fall into tragic flaws by assuming that Christ approves of erroneous beliefs. Doctrine shapes one's worldview, attitudes, and conduct, directly influencing the outcomes of life through the process of teaching, belief, …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul instructed Timothy that reminding the brethren of sound doctrine makes one a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith. The Greek term rendered good indicates teaching that affects the mind agreeably, while the word nourish means to feed, strengthen, promote health and growth, and educate …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Doctrine functions as the foundational ground of faith, and its careful preservation determines whether one truly stands "in the faith" as Paul instructs believers to examine themselves in II Corinthians 13:5. Since Jesus Christ is described as being in believers through His Word, and since Acts repeatedly references "the faith" …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The truths of the Word of God are eternal, never-ending in their validity, and can always be trusted, reflecting the unchanging nature of God Himself. As stated in Malachi 3:6, the Lord declares, "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed," affirming His steadfastness in fulfilling promises …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The importance of doctrine cannot be overstated, as it fundamentally shapes one's worldview and decision-making. False teachings from ancient philosophers like Orpheus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, and Ptolemy have infiltrated the church, blending with biblical truth and persisting into modern Christianity. These erroneous …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The importance of sound doctrine emerges as a central concern traced from the first-century church through to the end-time. John, Jude, Peter, and Paul confronted Gnostics who infiltrated the church undetected, claiming special personal revelation that placed them above Christ's own teaching and the Old Testament law, …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The importance of doctrine cannot be overstated, as it fundamentally shapes our relationships and spiritual lives. A lack of true conversion, rooted in correct doctrine, is often the source of many marital and personal struggles. Faith in God and alignment with His teachings provide the solution the world desperately seeks, …


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Thirteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The elect are not immune to antinomian deception, including the doctrine of eternal security, the total depravity of man, unconditional love, and cheap grace.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many professing Christians have rejected major tenets of the Bible, fashioning their own religions, giving themselves license to sin in selected areas.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Fourteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has sanctified no day other than the Sabbath. Sunday worship is a pagan deviation, perpetuated by Gnosticism, a movement that despises God's laws.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Eleven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because of Dispensationalism, many believe there is an adversarial relationship between law and grace, as though they cannot be complementary.


God, Allah, Rick, and John

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Rick Warren, the energetic and ambitious founder of the Purpose Driven Church movement, is now seeking to syncretistically merge Islam and Christian faiths.


Unity (Part 1): God and HWA

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.


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

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Like 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.


Together We Stand - But on What?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul, using the body analogy in I Corinthians, focuses on the need for unity and inter-relatedness by concentrating upon sound doctrine.


Are You Part of the Spiritual Unity?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

History shows that nations and churches decline from within when they abandon the beliefs and principles that unite them. True unity begins with shared truth.


God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

False doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is doing more than merely saving people; He is producing children in His image. The difference between the covenants is in the quality of the faith.


The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Doctrine holds central importance because it consists of the authoritative principles and teachings of Scripture that guide belief, thinking, and behavior. True biblical doctrine encompasses every instruction in the Old and New Testaments, including the requirement to obey God's laws, statutes, and ordinances, and it admits no …


What Does God Really Want? (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The priorities in Matthew 6:33 indicates that the primary emphasis should be on repentance and overcoming rather than mastering a technicality.


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.


Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unity has to come from the inside out, with God raising a leader which His people, having their minds opened by His Spirit, will voluntarily submit to.


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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

A true Christian is sanctified by a specific body of beliefs and how he lives. No mainstream church in America has ever yielded itself to the right doctrines.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In our quest for unity, we can never compromise with the truth. True love between brethren is impossible without an equal pr greater love for the truth.


Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The emerging, new paradigm, purpose driven, outcome-based churches emphasize that the ends justify the means, glorifying relativistic human philosophy.


What You Feel vs. What You Believe

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Feelings and emotions may throw our faith off course. Our moods are mercurial and we must control them with daily prayer and Bible study.


Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Outcome-based religion holds large membership as its measure of success, believing that the ends justify the means. It avoids doctrine that might divide.


Suffering Disgrace For Christ's Name

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We can always expect new challenges, including persecution, and must never be content with standing still, but must press on to spiritual maturity.


Testing the Spirits (Part 1)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Apostle John exhorts us to test and discern the spirits, judging between the true and the false, using the scripture as the steady standard of truth.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Eleven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Understanding 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.


Discern and Distinguish Between Spirits

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Inspiration and doctrine were meant to be complementary rather than adversarial. Many believe they have found new truth when they have recycled old heresies.


Meet the Modern Pagans

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

Allowing a freewheeling, inclusive approach to multicultural experiences, the new pagan Druid religion is highly eclectic, rejecting only Christianity.


Keeping the Truth Pure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

If we allow doctrine to be contaminated with man's flawed reason, it will defile the truth. Job's friends used profane sources in their arguments.


Tests of True Knowledge

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

A person who is puffed up parades his knowledge by exhibiting impatience, intolerance, or a false modesty, marginalizing what the uneducated in their minds.


Handwriting on the Wall: Cultural Christianity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

'Cultural Christianity' is a Christ-free, worldly adaptation of faith used for cultural identity, often embraced for its social influence, lacking true devotion.


The Mystery of the Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God desires to know whether the spiritual remnants will choose His teaching or assimilating into the world, biting and devouring one another.


God and Reality

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

What God puts us through is designed to reveal reality to us. Accepting His doctrine without looking for loopholes will keep us true.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The doctrinal changes made by the Worldwide Church of God have devastating ramifications. Predictably, when the vision was changed, God's law was cast aside.


God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God, as our true Shepherd, provides total protection of His called out-ones forever. Being kept in God's name refers to assimilating the attributes of God.


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

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

America has never embraced true Christianity as its dominant faith, nor has it ever really followed Christ, but has instead embraced a counterfeit.


Is God a Magician?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Technology makes us susceptible to the 'quick fix' mentality, expecting miraculous solutions to all problems, making us susceptible to false miracles.


Revelation 2-3 and Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.


Happiness is Circumstantial, but Joy is Not!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Happiness is a by-product of our response to God's calling, coupled with our determination to connect with the Father, the Son, and the whole spiritual family.


Prove Yourself A Man!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Masculine leadership is demonstrated by men who embrace God's commandments, love and protect their wives, and instill a love of God's truth in their children.


God's Law in Our Mouths

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Protestant doctrine of grace is antinomian, thinking that justification is a synonym for sanctification and salvation, ruling out any need for works.


How Little They Know

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We must escape the influence of our defective culture, sacrificing our time in Bible study and meditation, coming to know God and doing His will.


Paul's Letter to Titus (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The last two chapters of Titus emphasize the importance of sound doctrine to neutralize the negative worldly aspects of culture and the attending heresies.