Playlist: Counting the Cost (topic)

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Counting the Cost of Humility

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Even as several grandiose building projects have terminated because of cost overruns, so must we carefully count the cost of our spiritual building project.


How Expensive is Your Religion?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike Ford

we must soberly count the cost before we embark on our spiritual trek. Are we willing to give up our job, our family, or even our life to follow God's plan?


Our 'Mental' Deathbed

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Moses asks God to teach us to number our days, realizing that our physical lives are finite, requiring a sense of urgency to get rid of our sins.


Leadership and Covenants (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Much of Protestantism misconstrues the significance of the New Covenant as a 'free pass into Heaven' without paying attention to the Law within the Covenant.


Being a Christian

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

Micah provides a formula for being a Christian: 1.) Doing justly, 2.) Exercising mercy and 3.) Walking humbly. These demand total commitment, not a pretense.


Approaching God Through Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The brazen altar symbolized total sacrifice. We have to be willing to give up everything, bearing our own individual cross, forsaking all to follow Him.


Deuteronomy and Holiness

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has provided the God-plane marriage relationship to teach us how to submit to one another, sacrificing our self-centeredness for the benefit of our spouse.


Learning to Navigate

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Are we navigating through life toward God's Kingdom like Jesus Christ? As our example, He has already done the heavy lifting; our job is to follow his lead.


Principled Living (Part One): Imitating Christ

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Following Jesus requires absolute commitment, often involving sacrifice and discomfort. We must be willing to give up family and societal ties for God's sake.


Our Spiritual Climb

Sermon by Bill Onisick

Our journey to the Kingdom of God is not easy, requiring the same kind of physical and mental stamina that climbers need to climb Mount Everest.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Although God never intended the Old Covenant to endure eternally, the spiritual law (shared by both the old and new covenants) lasts forever.


Remembering Your Vows

Sermon by John O. Reid

Like the marriage covenant, counting the cost is the most serious part of the baptismal agreement, not something to be taken lightly.


Faith (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Far from being blind, faith is based on analyzing, comparing, adding up from evidence in God's Word, our own experience, and our calling by God's Holy Spirit.


Leadership and the Covenants (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We qualify to lead by internalizing the covenants, not only believing God, but doing what He says, realizing that the covenants are not complicated.


Eternal Security (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some of the harshest criticism we receive is for our position opposing the doctrine of eternal security and stating that works are required for salvation.


Sovereignty and 'Once Saved Always Saved'

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine fail to see that God has a more extensive and creative plan for mankind than merely saving him.


Faith (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Faithfulness in a person ultimately rests on his or her trust in God, and if a person is going to be faithful, its because he or she believes what God says.


Looking Back to the Future

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The dwelling in booths and the sacrifices were the context for rejoicing at the Feast of Tabernacles. The booths depict our current lives as pilgrims.


The Wonderful Ordinance of Water Baptism

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Baptism symbolizes a burial and resurrection, or the crucifixion of the carnal self. After a person realizes his ways have been wrong, he should counsel for baptism.


Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The term 'grace' describes a generous, thoughtful action of God, accompanied by love, which accomplishes His will, equipping us with everything we need.


Potential for Good

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The chief tool we can use to do good (building positive relationships between other people) is to develop and exercise the mind of God within us.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To preach to the world and ignore a disintegrating flock is like a husband and wife paying attention to other people while the family is falling apart.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The church of God is not immune to the deterioration of doctrine. Minor deviations from doctrine bring about irreparable, disastrous consequences.


Titus 2:11-14

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are obligated to dress and keep what is placed in our care, improving what He has given to us. We dare not stand still, but must make effort to grow.


Leadership and the Covenants (Part Twenty-One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Prior to the Flood, mankind's thoughts and intents were evil continually. A parallel time of demonic activity is on the horizon for those living today.


Why is Life So Hard?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The rigors God puts us through are not to crush us, but to shape us, transforming us into His image. True gain is walking through the anguish in victory.


Our Personal Plumblines

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. Maas

we learn righteous judgment through learning to see the consequences of our thoughts, words, and behaviors as they affect us and the lives of others.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.


Sin (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

True Christianity is no cakewalk into eternal life, but a life and death struggle against our flesh, the world, and a most formidable spirit adversary.