Playlist: Doctrine (topic)
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan has deceived the whole world, while the church remains a little, little flock, highlighting the vast numerical difference between the deceived and those who truly understand God's purpose. The danger lies in the appealing teachings of modern authors who, though sincere, are influenced by satan's clever deceptions, crafted …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDoctrine is the arrangement of certain words in a specific form that converts people to think and act like God. It affects minds agreeably when taught properly and nourishes by strengthening and forming the mind correctly into the image of God. The responsibility of the local minister is to teach true doctrine so that hearers …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe truths, teachings, and doctrines of the Bible, as the Word of God, must always be valid and eternal to hold value for mankind across all times. This eternal validity is rooted in the unchanging nature of God Himself, who steadfastly fulfills His promises despite human faithlessness. Jesus Christ, like the Father, personifies …
The Importance of Doctrine
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDoctrine occupies a central place in this message because it directly addresses why the scattering of God's people is occurring and why seeking spiritual fulfillment in other church organizations is a dangerous, unbiblical solution. The occasion for this examination arose from an article by a former Worldwide Church of God …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAncient philosophies, particularly from Greece, have significantly shaped doctrines that persist in modern Christianity. These philosophies, developed by figures such as Orpheus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, and Ptolemy, introduced concepts like evolution, the immortality of the soul, eternal security, purgatory, predestination, …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sermon establishes doctrine as the foundation upon which one's entire relationship with God and resulting way of life depends, framing this through a self-evaluation series meant to expose whether a "tragic flaw" concerning truth in religious doctrine might exist within believers themselves. The starting point is the …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDoctrine developed in the early church through a conflict between biblical teaching and Gnostic philosophy. Gnostic thought, rooted in pagan concepts from Babylon, Egypt, and Greece and influenced by Plato, regarded the number seven and the Sabbath as evil while viewing the number eight and Sunday as good. Gnostics considered …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGnostic doctrine asserted a higher, individually revealed knowledge drawn from Greek philosophy and demonic inspiration that surpassed the teachings of Christ and the apostles. It viewed ordinary believers as enslaved to Yahweh, the Old Testament, and its laws, especially the Sabbath, while promoting antinomianism and the …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhat one believes regarding doctrine matters because everybody acts according to what he truly believes. Gnosticism was loosely structured and permitted people to pick and choose doctrines not part of God's revealed Word. This practice has carried over into modern Christianity with doctrines such as man having an immortal soul …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDoctrine consists of one specific group of teachings that form the faith, made up of direct words from God arranged plainly so that any person called by Him can understand them. Jesus Christ dwells in believers through these words, which are spirit, and the faith requires holding them exactly as delivered without addition or …
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion over time of Passover, the wavesheaf offering, and Pentecost results from making assumptions unwarranted by clear scriptural evidence.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany professing Christians have rejected major tenets of the Bible, fashioning their own religions, giving themselves license to sin in selected areas.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThroughout the 'Christian' world, militant atheism may be decreasing, but religious indifference is also increasing at even a more dramatic rate.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven with Christ's sacrifice, God does not owe us salvation. We are called to walk, actively putting to death our carnal natures, resisting the complacency.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMost people have not used the Word of God as their standard of morality and conduct, but instead are allowing society and culture to shape their attitudes.
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.
Are You Part of the Spiritual Unity?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSound doctrine forms the very foundation upon which spiritual unity is built, and this unity does not begin with organization but with what is believed. What people believe shapes their values, which influence their choices, which in turn shape conduct that either strengthens or destroys unity. This principle explains why …
Together We Stand - But on What?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul, using the body analogy in I Corinthians, focuses on the need for unity and inter-relatedness by concentrating upon sound doctrine.
Keeping the Truth Pure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)If we allow doctrine to be contaminated with man's flawed reason, it will defile the truth. Job's friends used profane sources in their arguments.
Christ's Death and the 'Immortality' of the Soul
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dangerous false belief of inherent immortal life has led to an acceleration of sin and the danger of eternal oblivion. Only God can give eternal life.
The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPeople lack interest in doctrine because they prefer scholarly interpretations of the Bible. Doctrine is a set of beliefs or teachings that are formally taught and upheld by a group especially in religion philosophy or law. It refers to authoritative principles considered true and foundational. Doctrines are meant to guide …
Unity (Part 5): Ephesians 4 (B)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAdopting a revolutionary stance for the sake of change, variety, or relieving boredom will systematically destroy the faith once delivered.
Satan (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan uses disinformation, spread through false ministers/prophets, teaching smooth things that destroy. We must test the spirits to ensure a teaching is from God.
Testing the Spirits (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Apostle John exhorts us to test and discern the spirits, judging between the true and the false, using the scripture as the steady standard of truth.
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Purpose-driven churches at the end time will have joined in the effort of a one-world government and making no attempt to come out of the world.
Words Versus Images
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSpiritually, relying on images leads to shallowness of thought at best and idolatry at its worst. Virtually everything we know about God comes through words.
Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.
Are You Being Brainwashed? (Part 3)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe media's steady stream of brainwashing has painted 'fundamentalists' with a broad brush, ridiculing faith, belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible.
Principled Living (Part Four): Giving of Ourselves
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christ sacrificed for us, we are called to sacrifice for others. Love is an action, a behavior, rather than an emotion, described in I Corinthians 13.
God and Reality
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhat God puts us through is designed to reveal reality to us. Accepting His doctrine without looking for loopholes will keep us true.
Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is not the author of confusion, but throughout the scriptures has used a consistent pattern of appointing leaders over His called-out ones.
God is the Strength of My Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOnly by combining the head, heart, and will can we attain full growth and maturity, godly character, and a mirror image of Jesus Christ.
Remaining Unleavened
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur carnal natures must be displaced by God's Holy Spirit, motivating us to refrain from causing offense, but freely forgiving others as God has forgiven us.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove, justice, mercy, and fidelity (the weightier matters of the law) God desires more than meticulous, mechanical religiosity.