Playlist: Retaliation (topic)
'But I Say to You' (Part Six): Retaliation
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFamily feuds, marked by retaliation, have caused immense suffering throughout history, claiming countless lives as nations and clans, akin to extended families, clash over power and riches. The Hatfield and McCoy feud, ignited by the theft of a hog in 1863, escalated through retaliatory killings, culminating in the New Year's …
Vengeance is Mine
Sermonette byChrist counsels us to love our enemies in order that we may be children of God, demonstrating not only His mercy but also our sonship by being peacemakers.
Samson and the Christian (Part 4)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the narrative of Judges, Samson's encounters with the Philistines reveal a cycle of retaliation that shapes much of his story. After his father-in-law denied him access to his wife and gave her to another, Samson declared, "This time I shall be blameless regarding the Philistines when I harm them," feeling justified in his …
Taking an Insult
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingIn the spirit of a foot washing attitude, we are called to handle offenses and insults with humility and non-retaliation, contrary to the natural impulses of human nature. Jesus Christ, during the Sermon on the Mount, provided clear guidance in Matthew 5:38-41, stating, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a …
Lessons from the Story of Jephthah
Sermonette by Jared M. EllisJephthah's daughter had every right to be angry, but like her father, she chose not to repay evil for evil and instead yielded to the will of God.
Submitting (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe first impulse in cases of insult or offense is usually to retaliate or to get even in some way to gain a measure of satisfaction. This response is natural but not spiritual. God instructs submission in such cases because He is teaching a Christian to think of duties and responsibilities toward Him rather than privileges. …
Matthew (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus addresses retaliation in the context of the law that permitted vengeance through an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. That law allowed a certain amount of retaliation through the courts of the land but said nothing about an attitude toward an enemy. Jesus changes the standard from the letter to the spirit for …
By This Shall All Men Know You
Sermon by John O. ReidThe command to love others requires a settled mind not to retaliate when wronged. One must meditate beforehand to behave as God does rather than respond in kind with a get even attitude. Revenge must not be sought because vengeance belongs to God alone. No action should be taken to inflict pain or injury on those who offend. The …
The Commandments (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus emphasized the spirit of the law, which places deterrents on the motive (anger, resentment, envy, revenge), preventing murder from ever taking place.
Be Angry and Do Not Sin
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaRighteous anger is controlled, short-lived and unselfish, while unrighteous anger is uncontrolled, selfish, hard-hearted, and likely to foster bitterness.
The Sixth Commandment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus magnifies the Law in Matthew 5, moving beyond the behavior into the motivating thought behind the deed, warning that we do not retaliate in kind.
Fruit of the Flesh - On Conflict
Sermonette byAs 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.
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAre we ready, at this stage in our spiritual growth, to apply chapter and verse all the biblical principles that apply to a case?
Love Thy Neighbor (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus set the bar very high when it comes to love. We no longer live for ourselves, but to Christ, who commands us to love everyone, including our enemies.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.
The Peacemakers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people are not in a right relationship with God, peace is impossible. Sin (the breaking of the law or covenant) automatically breaks the peace.
Mutability and Our Christlike Response
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe all change repeatedly throughout the stages of life, as do others, requiring constant adjustment as to how we evaluate and treat others.
Four Warnings (Part One): Enter By the Narrow Gate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are admonished to seek the narrow, difficult gate rather than the wide gate and the broad, well-traveled easy way, representing Satan's reprobate teachings.
Essential Characteristics of Our Calling
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDoctrine and practice be evenly balanced. If the behaviors are detached from principle and doctrine, the weightier matters of the law will be neglected.
Repentant Goats
Sermon by Bill OnisickBecause of our carnal natures, we have many goat-like tendencies, leading us to do it our own way. Like stubborn billy goats, we are short on longsuffering.
Am I Childlike or Childish
Sermonette by Bill OnisickChildlike humility overlooks offenses, but childish pride causes one to strike out in retaliation when feelings are hurt or feathers are ruffled.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist cautions the Pergamos congregation to shun the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Church suffers when it harbors those who compromise and offend.
The Commandments (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study byMany biblical examples illustrate that when the leader put his faith in God and submitted himself to God's rule, God supernaturally protected His people.
Those Who Are Persecuted
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPersecution is already here, part and parcel in the lives of followers of Christ. If we are persecuted for following God's instructions, we will be blessed.
The Meek
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMeekness is the opposite of weakness, exemplifying self-control under immense pressure, demonstrated by Jesus refusing to retaliate.
Submitting (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiberty without guidelines will turn into chaos. We will be free only if we submit to the truth. All authority, even incompetent authority, derives from God.
Satan (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan uses lies and disinformation to promote self-satisfaction over obedience to God. The way to the kingdom is through self-denial, even suffering unjustly.
Our Spiritual Roof
Sermon by Bill OnisickIf we are not performing righteous acts with the right spirit (God's Holy Spirit or the mind of Christ) we will not hit the mark.
Christian Men: Personal Responsibility
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAlthough men have no moral or mental advantages over women, God has commissioned them to actively lead, providing security and stability to family and society.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ecclesiastes 7 contains a series of 'this is better than that' observations. Wisdom seems to carry more sadness and sorrow than mirth or foolishness.
Looking Forward
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, citing Mark Twain's aphorism, "The art of prophecy is difficult, especially with respect to the future," points out that there are too many variables for any human to predict accurately. We can be thankful that God's prognostications and prophecies are totally trustworthy, many of which have already …
Absalom: A Study in Narcissism
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughProbably the biblical character best exemplifying the narcissistic personality is David's son, Absalom, clearly a spoiled son in a dysfunctional family.