Playlist: Division, Causing (topic)
Unity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe virtue of love is the overarching framework for unity, demanding rigorous control over the tongue, understanding its capacity to destroy.
'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.'
Is 'The Leavening' of the Pharisees in Us?
Sermonette by Bill OnisickIf we feel we are better than our brethren, separating ourselves from them, we are hypocrites and actors, harboring the leavening of the Pharisees in us.
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.
The Great Divide
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityResentment unresolved can make us physically and spiritually sick. It raises havoc with our nervous system as well as jeopardizes our salvation.
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
The Epistles of II and III John (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJohn warns Gaius of the treachery of Diotrephes, who had initiated a mutiny against God's true ministers, putting out of the church those who did not follow him.
Of One Accord
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.
Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause 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.
Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod alone chooses the servants through whom He works His will. Sometimes the rationale God uses for selecting His vessels defies worldly wisdom.
Removing Bars of Contention Between Brethren
Sermon by David F. MaasIn a dangerous and troubled world in which everyone is being manipulated and conned into squaring off in hatred for one another, we must find common ground.
Grace, Faith, and Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride condemned Satan to a fate of manipulating rather than serving. This presumptuous self-centered trait creates disunity and ultimately destruction.
Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe '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.
Debate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible takes a very dim view of argument, debate, discord, and strife. In all matters of contention, we must strive to put ourselves above the fray.
Titus 2:11-14
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are obligated to dress and keep what is placed in our care, improving what He has given to us. We dare not stand still, but must make effort to grow.
Government (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe authority in the ministry is a 'staff position,' given by God, as a gift for equipping the saints for service and for edifying the body of Christ.
Unity and Godly Diversity in One Body
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerTo take sides in any type of national struggle is to battle on behalf of mankind's wrong-headed, godless attempts to avoid the consequences of sin.
The Spiritual Mark of the Beast
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnger and hostility, driven by self-centered competitive pride constitute Satan's spiritual mark that divides nations, ethnic groups, families, and the church.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThose who are mature should be able to endure the slights of the immature, being circumspect not to lead anyone into sin through our careless example.
The Peacemakers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people are not in a right relationship with God, peace is impossible. Sin (the breaking of the law or covenant) automatically breaks the peace.
The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part Two) (2007)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sheep do not belong to any man or group, but to Christ. It is Christ's responsibility to get the sheep into the Kingdom, not the ministry's.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part One): To the Beaten
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod'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.
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough the Old and New Testament are complementary to one another, the emphasis of justice in the New Testament switches from national to personal in scope.
The Church Family - Convinced and Persuaded
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChurch government should reflect God's government, typified as a family, with Christ as the loving husband and the church as the submissive wife.
Matthew (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughMatthew 11 focuses upon the ruminations of John the Baptist, who, even though he was close to Christ, may have misunderstood the nature of Christ's mission.
Titus (Part Three): Rebuking False Teachers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe congregations in Crete were beset with insubordination, subject to no authority, full of meaningless and senseless talk, distracting the overseer.
Jude
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe book of Jude, a scathing indictment against false teachers, may be the most neglected book in the New Testament. False teachers twist grace into license.
Every Action Has a Reaction
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEvery action has a corresponding reaction; even the little things we do matter. Sin produces increase (the leavening effect) just as righteousness does.
Greatest Offering
Sermonette by Bill OnisickGod demands that we love, do justice, and walk humbly, assuming the role of a servant rather than a tyrant, after the manner of the Gentiles.
The Elephant in the Room
Sermonette by Bill OnisickOne of the practices of a tare is passive-aggressive behavior, characterized by a hypocritical display of diplomacy while concealing hatred.
Penalty of Death
Sermonette by Bill OnisickGossip is like scattering feathers in a wind: It is just as impossible to reverse the damage done by gossip as it is to regather the feathers.
Foam
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamIn Scripture, foam is usually accompanied by a state of agitation, as in hurricanes, angry waves of the sea, nations being torn asunder, or demonic influence.
What's in It for Me?
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerBecause seed-bearing designates fruit that is good for food, it is possible that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not seed-bearing.
Resistance (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe antidote to spiritual resistance is certainty and confidence in Christ to conform us into His image—a directed movement toward Christ.
Assassination of Character
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAssassinations have occurred frequently. There is an extremely dangerous kind of assassination—namely, character assassination through murmuring and gossip.
The "Open Door" of Philadelphia
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeMany have misunderstood the 'open door' reference in the letter to Philadelphia. It refers to Isaiah 22:15-25, which describes the role of Eliakim the steward.
Secession (Part Two): Spiritual Separation
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAny syncretism with the world will lead to confusion. We must separate from the world in terms of its religious practices and its false gospels.
Preventing Deception
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughReligious hucksters use the bait of self-gratification, selling non-essential or even heretical ideas. The elect resist deception by knowing the real article.
Grace Upon Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughForgiveness is only the beginning of the grace process, enabling us to grow to the stature of Christ. Paradoxically, grace puts us under obligation to obey.