Playlist: Abundance of the Heart (topic)
The Pure in Heart
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is the core of our heart that must be cleansed before we can have a pure heart, enabling us to see God as He is.
Listen, Wait, and Then Speak
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingJames provides some of the best advice on communication and control of the tongue. The correct order of communication is listening, waiting, and then responding.
The Honeycomb
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingWords spoken in anger or thoughtlessness, though they may not break bones, can irreparably damage or destroy a person's spirit long after broken bones heal.
Gossip
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe apostle James says that the tongue can metaphorically start a dangerous fire. He warns that gossip, tale-bearing and being a busy-body is like murder.
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.
Flavorless Salt
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonThe metaphor of properly flavoring our speech with salt applies to how we speak to those who have not yet been called, which reflects on the family name of God.
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.
Matthew (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus didn't break the Sabbath, but he did break extra-legal fanatical human custom applied to the Sabbath apart from God's Law.
God Never Disappoints
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsUnlike people who, because of their natural carnal nature, feel disappointment with God, God's people should never experience any disappointment with Him.
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.
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.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe New Covenant was designed by God to circumcise the heart, making it possible for God's laws to be written in our hearts and reflected in our behavior.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Christianity Vs. Cultural Paganism
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan deceives by mixing truth with and falsehood, promoting cultural pagans or tares among the wheat or members of the church of God.
Reconciliation and Unity
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIt is foolish and pointless to use the same charm, social skills, and duplicity toward God as we use to deceive others and, sadly, even ourselves.
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.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must continually upgrade our decorum and formality in our approach to God. What is practiced on the outside reinforces what is on the inside.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
What Is Prayer?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPrayer to a tool we must learn to use. Because we take on the characteristics of those we are around, we should keep company with God continually though prayer.
Are You Living An Illusion?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsReligious narcissists, who identify with the servant who received ten talents, cherry-pick Scripture to enhance their self-love and support their views.
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.
Faith (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe would like God to instantly gratify our desires. Consequently, we find living by faith difficult; we do not trust that He has things under control.
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe 'Pierre De Coubertin Medal' is given out for sportsmanship, honoring generous behavior toward competing athletes—much harder to win than a gold medal.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As God sanctified Noah, saving him from the flood, we must trust God to sanctify us, protecting us from the holocaust of fire which will burn this earth.
Mightier Than The Sword (Part Eight)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Rousseau crafted the blueprint followed by proponents of socialist/communistic governments, disparaging private property, free enterprise, and the family.
A Motivation for Giving
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When Paul attempted to motivate the Corinthians, he compared them to the Philippians, who were more generous with what they had than the richer Corinthians.
Principled Living (Part Three): Growing in Righteousness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's law—the unleavened bread of righteousness—needs to be ingested into our minds as we purge sin, resulting in righteous thoughts, words, and deeds.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe reason for refraining from many activities on the Sabbath is not labor or energy, but the overall motivation. Certain works are perfect for the Sabbath.
How to Know We Love Christ
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.