Playlist: Agricultural Metaphors (topic)
Don't Show Up Empty
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWe must not think that we will achieve spiritual growth merely by passively standing in close proximity to God's word or His church; fruit requires work.
Every Man Under His Fig Tree
Sermonette by Christian D. HunterWithin the fig, there are many fruits in what seems to be a singular fruit. Like the fig flower, God's saints do not fall if they are producing fruit.
The True Vine of Agape
Sermonette by Bill OnisickJesus Christ is the Vine and His Father is the Vinedresser; we are the branches, subject to trimming and pruning in order that we bear abundant fruit.
The Branch Of God's Planting
Sermonette by Bill OnisickThree factors are necessary for successful grafting: (1) compatibility, (2) alignment and pressure, and (3) proper care of the joint site.
The Appointed Weeks of Pentecost
Sermon by David C. GrabbeAgricultural imagery forms the backbone through which God's festivals teach spiritual reality, particularly in relation to Pentecost, called the Feast of Harvest and the Feast of Weeks. Exodus 23 names two festival seasons in agricultural terms—the Feast of Harvest and the Feast of Ingathering—while even Unleavened …
The Man Like a Tree
Sermonette by Bill CherryTrees serve as the central agricultural image through which the nature of a godly man is explained, drawing primarily from Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Psalm 1:1-3. Both passages describe a tree planted by rivers of water, with roots spreading out to draw nourishment, enabling it to flourish even in heat and drought, to keep its leaves …
Spiritual Maturity
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAgricultural imagery provides a central framework for understanding spiritual maturity, particularly through its connection to the Feast of Pentecost, which is called both the Feast of Harvest and the Feast of Weeks, tied to the firstfruits of wheat harvest. Leviticus 23 describes the wave loaves offered on this day as …
Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAgricultural imagery serves as the central vehicle for explaining how spiritual growth actually works—through process, cultivation, and time rather than magical instantaneous transformation. This framework is introduced through the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4, where the sower scatters the word of God as seed, and …
Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasAgricultural imagery serves as the controlling framework for understanding self-examination and spiritual growth, beginning with Hebrews 6:7-8, where soil that drinks in rain and produces useful herbs receives blessing, while soil bearing thorns and briers is rejected and destined for burning. This picture illustrates the tragic …
Every Action Has a Reaction
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEvery action has a corresponding reaction; even the little things we do matter. Sin produces increase (the leavening effect) just as righteousness does.
Teachings from Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe temporary dwellings remind us that nothing earthly is permanent nor our true inheritance, and that our focus must be on what God is doing.
Patience With Growth
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFruit maturation takes time. Waiting for the fruit is just part of the story; while we wait, we must also work, including thinning and pruning.
Matthew (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we ask God for protection from demonic influence, we cannot sit back passively; Satan always counterattacks. Evil must be displaced with good.
Do Unto Others and Reap What We Sow
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Reaping good fruit does not happen immediately. If we feel we are not reaping, we must consider that we might be reaping some negative things we have sown.
A Bed Too Short (Part 2)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Americans, living well on credit and enamored with technology, have deceived themselves that they have advanced beyond the consequences of God's Law.
Choosing Our Yoke
Sermon by Bill OnisickCentral to ongoing growth is self-control—a Spirit-enabled mastery of thoughts, desires, and actions that supports all other fruits of righteousness.
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFruit is a product of growth requiring knowledge, work, patience, truth (light) and water (God's Spirit). Only by remaining on the vine will we bear fruit.
Being There
Sermonette by Mike FordIn the second resurrection, billions of people who have never known God's plan will be given their first chance. We need to make sure we'll be there.
Caveats About Self-Examination
Sermon by David F. MaasWe must be very careful how we examine ourselves. Taking the Passover in an unworthy manner can result in serious physical or spiritual hazards.
Sow for Yourself
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidA harvest depicts the reward of diligent management of time and resources. We have to be careful what we sow, proving our faith by concrete deeds.
John (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJust as a seed must die to itself in order to bear fruit, we also must sacrifice our lives, submitting unconditionally to God's to bear abundant fruit.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasMisguided theologians have tried to create a false dichotomy between grace and works. We do works of obedience to build character, not to earn salvation.
The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Five): Cultivating Patience
Sermon by David F. MaasNumerous scriptures show the bad effects of impatience committed by ancient Israel, while the patriarchs, Jesus Christ, and the Father set examples of true patience.
Consider the Butterfly
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCreation teaches the orderly mind of God. The butterfly provides valuable analogies to illustrate our conversion and transformation from mortal to immortal.
Patiently Waiting for Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must develop an active, God-given restraint and constancy in endurance while facing trials and waiting for Christ's return, trusting that God will provide.
Goats
Sermonette by Mike FordGoats are intelligent, sensitive, playful, and quick to respond to attention, but they are also capricious, impulsive, devious, and contrary.