Playlist: Opinions (topic)
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.
'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.'
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.
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?
The Ambiguous Mind
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsWe cannot vacillate between allegiance to the world's standards and God's perfect standards. As one asks for wisdom, one must relinquish doubt.
A Badly Divided Nation
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our country is divided politically and culturally more than at any other time since the Civil War and the population as a whole has become more callused.
Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is not the author of confusion, but throughout the scriptures has used a consistent pattern of appointing leaders over His called-out ones.
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.
Christians and Politics
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though conservative views seem to be more compatible with the Bible, neither Republican nor Democrat standards are consistent with God's standards.
Without a Parable
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's judgments are made according to what each person has been given. We need to internalize this practice of evaluating, especially regarding a brother.
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
Hate the Sin, But Love and Forgive the Sinner
Sermonette by Bill OnisickOne of the deadliest afflictions we can develop is a self-righteous, vindictive 'Phineas' complex, seizing the sword of the Lord to correct a fellow member.
Troubling the Household of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIf we allow the old, carnal man to dictate how we speak or make other decisions, we will trouble the household of God and inherit nothing but the wind.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWives are admonished to submit to their husbands, children to their parents, servants to their overseers, and we all are admonished to submit to one another.
Division, Satan, Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThroughout the course of Biblical history, whenever sin appears, confusion, division and separation are the automatic consequences.
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.
Out of Control
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Diverse cultures separate peoples, causing cantankerousness and hostility, even when these cultures share the same language or share a common language.
Are We Happy?
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamThe inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness can only be realized when we live in gratitude for Our Creator's purpose for us.
Judging in the Church
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Human nature is strongly competitive and full of pride, making judgment inherently problematic. Nevertheless, God wants us to learn to judge with equity.
Values and Conversion
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRepentance involves incorporating God's values, alien to our human nature—ones that will unify us with God and with others who accept His value system.
Why Do You Believe?
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonCombatting the ubiquitous falsehoods is an obligation entrusted to every saint. But the sword of truth cannot be properly used without conviction.
Fire Igniter or Fire Extinguisher
Sermonette by Bill OnisickRelationships in the church have been charred by loose lips and careless tongues described in James 3:2, setting on fire the course of nature by hell.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFalse doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.
Do Not Judge
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhile we do not have the prerogative of condemning and passing judgment, we do have the responsibility of observing behaviors or inspecting spiritual fruit.
WHAT?! Me Submit to Someone Else?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSubmitting is repugnant to the carnal mind. The church is no place for uncompromising people who demand their own way.
Life Is Service (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA culture of slavery pervaded life in the early Christian church, forcing Paul to pen instructions accommodating this practice in the context of love.
The Secret Sin Everyone Commits
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSelf-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 Two Witnesses (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod wants us to recognize prophecies as they occur or shortly afterward. To cling to an interpretation before the events happen leads to missing vital details.
Satan (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo resist the Devil is to resist unlawful desires, not allowing him to manipulate our emotions. Satan works on fear of being denied something pleasurable.
Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must lay aside every weight, accept God's chastening, receive encouragement from those who have gone before, and get back into the spiritual race.
Teaching Us to Think (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is putting His children through a demanding educational program designed to teach godly values and impart spiritual maturity. Learning is hard work.
God's Perspective
Sermonette by Ryan McClureHuman nature skews our view of reality; there is always more than meets the eye. We would do well to adopt the approach of 'Good or bad, it is hard to say.'
You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Sermonette by Mike FordBecause we lean towards resting on our laurels and coasting, learning as we get older tends to slow down, but it does not have to be that way.
High Thoughts
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJudging the state of other peoples' conversion is a fast track to committing the unpardonable sin. God's thoughts and plans are far higher than ours.
The Intolerance of Liberals
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Political correctness is an intolerant point of view, demanding that orthodox religious views be condemned, and perverse lifestyles should be preferred.
Are You Being Brainwashed? (Part 4)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPublic opinion is easily manipulated by propaganda. By manipulating attitudinal desensitization, the mainstream media pushes society into progressive positions.
Where is Beauty?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughGod has created beauty in function. The beauty in physical creation is a mere shadow of what God sees in our potential as future members of His family.
How the Human Mind Shapes What We Believe
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThere are numerous fallacious reasoning patterns to which we can all fall prey, seen in a number of incidents recorded throughout the Bible.
Satan (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan uses disinformation, spread through false ministers/prophets, teaching smooth things that destroy. We must test the spirits to ensure a teaching is from God.