Playlist: Heart, Guarding (topic)
Guarding Our Vulnerable Hearts
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaSome scholars hold that none of the words denoting rebellion are used in Jeremiah 17:9, but instead it means the heart is vulnerable and easily deceived.
Harden Not Your Heart
Sermon by John O. ReidWe are warned in Hebrews not to harden our hearts, not to let the precious truth of God drift away, realizing that we have been called with a high calling.
Achieving the Desires of Our Hearts
Sermonette by David F. MaasGod's promise to give us the desires of our heart is contingent upon delighting ourselves in Him, changing our hearts to be in alignment with His attributes.
Preparing Your Heart
Sermon by John O. ReidBecause the heart represents what and who we are and how we conduct our lives, the condition of our spiritual heart is of the utmost importance to us.
Avoiding the Ruts of Our Carnal Mind
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Bill OnisickIf we could see the traffic of our perpetually wandering minds, we would be embarrassed as to how often it strays from God's thoughts and His laws.
Developing EQ to Overcome Fear
Sermonette by Bill OnisickThe emotional cues which influence our behavior are complex, often tracing back to events in our youth that demand a compensatory physiological response.
The Christian and the World (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe prince of the power of the air is responsible for influencing the zeitgeist (dominant mindset of the time), pulling us away from God and His law.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Conclusion)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBecause we will ultimately turn into what we assimilate, we must take back the hijacked tool of meditation to drive out carnal thoughts.
Disinterestedness: Our Spiritual Iron Dome
Sermon by David F. MaasSolomon used self-reflexiveness to detach himself and remain disinterested to objectively describe the consequences of an array of life's experiences.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe become what we think about all day long, so ruminating on carnal thoughts brings death. Conversely, meditating on the right things leads to eternal life.
Meditation: Preventing Spiritual Identity Theft
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasIf we don't cultivate the ability to meditate on a regular basis, we run the very real risk of losing our spiritual identity and letting someone take our crown.
Is God in All Our Thoughts?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe antidote to double-mindedness and distractions is single-minded focus on God's law through meditating God's word, thus guarding our hearts.
Words of Life, Words of Death
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBy exposing the negative self-talk, we can turn the self-imposed words of death into words of life.
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.
Our Mission Possible
Sermonette by Bill OnisickIf we inculcate the mission statement found in Deuteronomy 6:1-5 (known as the Shema), we will have a high certainty of life and a huge chance at success.
The Christian and the World (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughClear vision lights the way spiritually. If the eye of the heart is aimed at spiritual treasure and the glory of God, it will remain singly focused.
Four Views of Christ (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dominant emphasis of Matthew is the kingly qualities of Jesus as a descendant of the royal house of David, representing the Lion of Judah.
The Gun Lap Is Looming
Sermon by John O. ReidAs we near the conclusion of our spiritual journey, the more dangerous obstacles we will face. Satan will pull out all stops to destroy us.
Don't Let Your House Stand Empty
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)We need to guard our minds to that demonic spirits do not wrest our spiritual sword away from us, quoting scriptures to support doctrines of demons.
Darts
Sermon by John O. ReidWe must put on the full armor of God to stand against the demonic principalities, an army of 1/3 of the angels, bent on the destruction of God's elect.
Overcoming Discouragement and Depression
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven loyal servants of God have had to contend with depression and discouragement. Antidotes include rest, refocus, right expectations, and obedient actions.
Day of Deception
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughOur vulnerability to deception has been increased with the exponential explosion of information, via Facebook, Twitter, and other internet sources.
Snares
Sermon by John O. ReidEven as the world contains bait and switch schemes and false advertising, so also there are spiritual snares, far more dangerous than physical ones.
The Christian and the World (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe best way to attain true wealth and the abundant eternal life is to loosen our grip on worldly rewards and treasures, and single-mindedly follow Christ.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Arnoldists, Albigenses, Cathers, Waldensians, and the Lollards all had Sabbath-keepers in their ranks. Gradual syncretism is a pattern of church history.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon exercised a lifetime of hard work trying to find answers, but fell short because some things are discoverable only through God's revelation.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are called to fulfill our job as a steward, entrusted with managing, protecting, preserving, attending, and increasing what has been entrusted to us.
Childrearing (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughOur children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.
The Momentum of Sin Redux
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityLike Lot, many of us are rapidly running out of time to take corrective action. All of us are subject to inertia and momentum, resisting needed change.
Re-Embracing the Berean Model
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasWe must use Berean self-reflexiveness to become teachable, to search for hidden sins, to detect spiritual blindspots, and to admit when we are wrong.
Commencement
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGraduations bring advice-laden commencement speeches designed to inspire and motivate young people, sending them out to their destinations and destinies.
What's So Bad About Valentines Day?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughValentine's Day dates back to the Roman fertility ritual honoring Lupercus, the god of the hunt and fertility. The day is not about love, but lust.
Stimulating a Spiritual Appetite
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasA major key to our spiritual survival is the control, regulation, and re-direction of our appetites from what is not good for us to what is good for us.
Don't Be Indifferent (1995)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot allow ourselves to become surfeited with the world's distractions, being lulled off to sleep as the foolish virgins, wasting our precious time.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.