Playlist: Justice (topic)
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJustice, as a concept, stirs conflicting emotions and images in our minds. It is often associated with fairness and equity, symbolized by the blindfolded Lady Justice holding balanced scales and a sword, representing fair judgment and the authority to punish. Justice is viewed as a virtue that promises rectitude, a quality we …
Justice and Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustice, as understood biblically, is the conformity to a standard, specifically God's own holy character, rather than merely human notions of fairness or laws. This standard is reflected in His Word and commandments, which embody His righteousness. God's actions are always consistent with who He is—absolute …
God's Sense of Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustice, as developed here, is examined against the backdrop of the fearsome end-time judgments depicted in Daniel 7 and 12, Jeremiah 30, and Revelation 16 and 18, where the Beast, Babylon, and even insignificant nations like Moab face devastating destruction. Such violent judgment naturally raises the question of whether God is …
Examples of Divine Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDivine justice emerges as a central theme illustrated through the sin of presumption, standing in contrast to sins of ignorance or weakness. Presumptuous sin, unlike unintentional sin, involves full knowledge, deliberate rebellion, and audacious defiance of what God has clearly commanded. While Leviticus and Numbers provide …
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIs this justice? Many would argue it is not, pointing to a profound sense of injustice in the case of the Barbours, where severe child abuse resulted in minimal punishment. The lenient sentencing, with Douglas Barbour receiving five years' probation and Kristen Barbour initially sentenced to six to twelve months in jail, later …
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJustice, as illustrated through a modern criminal case involving the Parsons and their disappeared adopted daughter Erica, must be understood as something built upon what can be proven, not merely upon suspicion. Even when guilt seems obvious to onlookers, human justice depends on evidence that can be seen, heard, or otherwise …
Gorsuch's Nomination
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prospect of originalist Judges who eschew using the court to make social policy terrifies 'progressive' lawmakers.
Amos (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAmos chapter five exposes justice as one of the central failures of Israelite society and as the true measure of whether religious devotion is genuine. Amos 5:12 charges the nation with "afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate." The poor referenced here are not necessarily the …
Amos (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJustice in Amos develops as the central missing element in Israel's elaborate but hollow religious life, and since this book is written to the covenant people—understood spiritually as the church, the Israel of God—its warnings apply directly to those who possess truth today. The prophet exposes three shrines, …
Amos (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod will do what He must to bring Abraham's seed to repentance and salvation, including allowing crisis, hardship, humiliation, and calamity.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Sometimes God's sense of justice seems unusual or strange to us, giving us many questions to ponder about fairness. Justice and fairness are not identical.
Amos (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAmos severely chides Israel for exalting symbolism over substance, superstitiously trusting in locations where significant historical events occurred.
All His Ways Are Just
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJustice is more a process of doing (exercising mercy, love, and faith) in all of our interpersonal relations rather than rendering a verdict or sentence.
Amos 5 and the Feast of Tabernacles
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we go to the Feast with the goal of physically enjoying, we may lose out on both the spiritual and physical benefits. 'Going through the motions' defiles it.
Micah (Part Two): Rest for the Restless
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMicah describes the current state of America, in which the former checks and balances between the three branches of government have rapidly deteriorated,
The Two Witnesses (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe olive trees in Zechariah 4:11 refer to the Two Witnesses who pour oil (spiritual instruction) into a golden bowl, supplying the churches with nourishment.
Are You a Victim?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughBoth David and Job provided sterling examples for us responding to seemingly 'unfair' situations, keeping within the bounds of what is acceptable to God.
Fairness and Grace
Sermonette by James C. StoertzWhen we compare human standards of fairness with God's standards of fairness, we see human standards reveal a drive for schemes towards similar equal outcomes.
Supernatural Gifts
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerAttitude, attitude, and attitude should lead us to correctly estimate the value of God's spiritual gifts.
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJustice, as presented here, means strictly and impartially rendering what is due, whether reward or punishment, and this concept sits in constant tension with mercy—a tension that defines both human relationships and God's own character. The world exhibits corrupt justice, exemplified by biased legal systems that punish …
Sin (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.
Inclusivity?
Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamMany churches have abandoned traditional values and have embraced humanism, using buzzwords such as inclusivity, community, spirituality, and justice.
Being a Christian
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaMicah provides a formula for being a Christian: 1.) Doing justly, 2.) Exercising mercy and 3.) Walking humbly. These demand total commitment, not a pretense.
Amos (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAncient Israel had at the core of its religion an obsession to please the self at the expense of justice and the best interests of the disadvantaged.
Refuge! Refuge! (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe cities of refuge highlight the great importance God placed on the sanctity of life, especially in beings created in God's image.
Elements of Judgment (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The last days of the Worldwide Church of God demonstrated a dearth of righteous judgment. God expects us to judge wisely within the parameters of His Law.
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Even though the way God exercises His sovereignty is inscrutable to us , calling the foolish to confound the wise, all He does fits perfectly into His plan.
Honor Before Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAgape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.
Passover (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMajor reinterpretations have significantly distorted the meaning of Passover and Unleavened Bread, blurring the distinction between the two events.
The Chemistry of Government
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughExpectation of reward, fear of disadvantage, and charisma all constitute the chemistry of government and childrearing, but require the right proportion.
Humility
Sermonette by James BeaubelleHumility is not an obsequious act we turn on and off at will, but a sober reflection of our true relationship to God and our spiritual siblings.
Discerning Truth and Applying Wisdom
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSpiritual discernment is a gift from God, enabling us to judge between good and evil, comparing things with God's Word to see if they align with His standards.
Presumption of Innocence
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughProgressives have attempted to remove a cardinal principle of jurisprudence: The legal doctrine that one is innocent until proven guilty.
City of Peace
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsParadoxically, Jerusalem has not been a city of peace, but a magnet for conflict, a situation which will not end until Christ returns.
Think on These Things (2018)
Sermonette byOur annual, self-inflicted review of self can be humbling and even painful. We have a measure of control over our carnality which those in the world lack.
Refuge! Refuge! (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsRealizing that men are prone to mistakes, God commanded the Israelites to have six cities of refuge to protect those who accidentally committed manslaughter.
Striking a Balance
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth legalism and liberalism can lead to our destruction. God's word implanted in our hearts and minds will promote a perfect balance.