Playlist: Unity with God (topic)
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God forms the essential foundation upon which any unity within the church must rest, since reconciliation with God must precede reconciliation among believers. The scattering experienced by God's people is not evidence of righteousness but of divine displeasure, meaning each individual bears personal responsibility to …
Redeeming the Time for Unity
Sermon by Mark SchindlerUnity with God emerges as the central work to which every believer's finite measure of time must be devoted. This truth is anchored in Christ's last public prayer in John 17, where He asked the Father that His followers "may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us." This oneness is not …
Babel: Man's Way vs. God's Way
Sermonette by Christian D. HunterAt Babel, the people were of one mind but in total rebellion to God. The events at Babel and the events at Pentecost differentiate God's way and man's way.
Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God is to be one with Him in His Family, church, and Kingdom as a progression of the same basic thought. God draws everybody to Himself to be one with Him in a unity that was broken when Adam and Eve submitted to satan and sinned rather than submitting to God. This unity flows directly from the Father and the Son by …
Unity (2006)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God requires agreement on purpose and direction as the foundation for all other relationships. This agreement begins through Jesus Christ as the head who directs the body. The body functions through cooperative connectedness in which each part responds to the head for the fulfillment of the composer's purpose. God …
Reconciliation and Unity
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God begins through reconciliation accomplished by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His death covers sin and removes the separation caused by iniquity. This reconciliation draws people to God and to one another when it is fully received. The scattering of the church reveals that reconciliation has not produced the …
Unity and Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God begins with the oneness that Jesus Christ described in His prayer, in which He asked the Father to keep those given to Him so that they might be one as the Father and Son are one, extending that same oneness to all who would later believe. This unity cannot be imposed from outside but must arise from within each …
A Hidden Mystery in God!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsUnity with God requires the removal of every barrier that separates humanity from the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The world remains in rebellion against God, lies under the sway of the wicked one, and therefore experiences confusion, conflict, and misery, because people lack this fellowship. Three essentials must be present …
Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God begins with love expressed through obedience, for love is defined as the keeping of God's commandments, and there can be no unity among people until there is first unity with God through submission and obedience to Him. Martin Lloyd Jones is cited to show that ecumenical efforts fail because they emphasize a …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe scattering of God's people is best understood within the framework of the covenant relationship and the pursuit of unity that God Himself desires but has not yet been fully realized. Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals that unity with the Father and Son operates as a possibility rather than a certainty—He repeats the …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe largest portion of the great commission demands that the lion's share of time, money, or energy ought to be invested in feeding the flock.
Knowing God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo fulfill one's purpose, one must be singularly focused on what one wants to accomplish. Divided minds result in no productivity or even devastation.
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.
The Priesthood of God (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We must endure chastening and correction to grow in holiness and become priests. In the qualifications of a Melchizedek priest, zeal and holiness are mandatory.
Unity and Our Responsibilities
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughBecause of the justification that individual sins do not matter much, Israel's collective unity was destroyed. We cannot practice this self-excusing mindset.
It is Done! The Perfect Peace of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIn the peace offering, Christ is the priest, offeror, and offering. Since all parties share the peace offering as a meal, it exemplifies a peaceful communion.
The Nature of God: Elohim
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding Elohim teaches us about the nature of God and where our lives are headed. Elohim refers to a plural family unit in the process of expanding.
Unity and Law
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughUnity with God stands at the very center of Jesus Christ's own concern, as shown in His declaration that He and the Father are one and in His repeated prayer in John 17 that believers might share that same oneness. This oneness is not a merging into a single person but a unity of kind and perfect agreement. Since all human …
Psalm 133 (1998)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnity comes only through the initiation of God. If we would follow the suggestions in Romans 12, we could do our part in promoting unity in God's church.
Antidote For Disunity!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe will become united as we draw closer to God. If we regard a brother in Christ as a competitor rather than as a trusted ally, unity will be impossible.
Psalm 133
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughTrue unity comes from God via His Holy Spirit and requires humbly submitting to God's terms rather than our own agendas.
A Time To Scatter
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWhile we yearn for the church to be re-united, until our own personal walk with God is attained and we intently seek Him first, church unity will not happen.
The Prisoners
Sermonette by'To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.' Forgiving and being forgiven are part of being a family.
Passover and New Creation
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)God has a two-phased project, first a separation process, followed by a unification process, in which all will be gathered and unified into Christ.
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.
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.
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 2)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA true, godly minister does not draw people to himself, but instead to God. Not placing Christ at the forefront will lead to carnal-mindedness.
Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHerbert Armstrong, while not infallible or sinless, nevertheless served as the custodian of the truths of God, occupying the role of God's messenger.
Division, Satan, Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThroughout the course of Biblical history, whenever sin appears, confusion, division and separation are the automatic consequences.
Seeking the King
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIt is common to focus on what the King gives and does, at the expense of what the King desires and requires, emphasizing God's grace over obligation.
Peace, Peace (Part Three): Contentment
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnity with God describes a condition of oneness and wholeness. Peace with God exists on a few different levels when one is actively behaving or growing and living in holiness in unison with Him. The same goal is pursued. The image seen in the peace offering under the covenant shows intimate fellowship with God and the High …
The Intercessory Character of Christ
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus demonstrated the importance of intercessory prayer, a practice urged by Paul for spiritual siblings, family members, rulers, and even enemies.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ is the architect of the church, indicating that the institution must take on the characteristics of the Builder, reflecting His character.
Offerings (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe give peace offerings today through living sacrifice, keeping God's law out of love and to glorify Him rather than just to perform duty.
Joy: What Is It?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWithout God's Spirit, the fruit of joy is unattainable. Godly joy buoys people in the midst of grave trials, providing hope for a glorious future.
Wilderness Wandering (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)If we yield to God's manipulation of our lives, we will handle stress constructively, developing a relationship with Him, bearing spiritual fruit.
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.
A Band of Christian Brothers
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingAs Christian soldiers in a spiritual battle, we are called to seek unity with our Father and with Jesus Christ, as well as with each other. God unifies us, transforming us from individuals into a band of brothers within the church, knit together as a body where each member works efficiently to promote growth. We have been called …
Where Do We Go From Here?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerI AM, the surname of the God family, applies to God the Father and Son who desire to share that glory with their called-out saints (John 17).
Preparing To Be King
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur life is intended to be preparation for rulership in the Kingdom of God. The Bible has included instructions for preparing for rulership.
Hebrews (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.