Playlist: Going Through the Motions (topic)
God Will Understand
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMany people justify their actions with the excuse that God will understand, presuming that He will accept their self-justification for sin. This attitude reflects a dangerous pride, akin to the Hebrew concept of zed , which implies a boiling, swelling arrogance that leads to shameless sinfulness. Such reasoning often masks a …
Handpicked By God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersWe have made significant sacrifices and are present in our faith, yet we often find ourselves living in ruts. We are entrenched in the Feast rut, attending without a second thought, simply making plans and coming here as a routine. Similarly, we live in the Sabbath rut, following our weekly routine of getting up, eating, …
Maintaining Good Health (Part 12)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe church today faces a grave danger in merely going through the motions of fellowship without genuine dedication to God's way. As seen in Jeremiah 7, the people expressed a careless, neglectful attitude, trusting in lying words and assuming they were above correction. They believed that simply being part of the temple, or the …
God's Warning
Sermon by John O. ReidTo watch world events but to ignore our spiritual progress and overcoming is a foolish and futile exercise. We need to watch how we conduct ourselves.
Laodiceanism and Being There Next Year
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur biggest danger at this time is to be lured into spiritual drunkenness by the pagan Babylonian system. Our God is not what we say we worship but whom we serve.
The Widow and the Fatherless
Sermon by Mike FordPure religion, according to James, takes care of vulnerable people — the widows, fatherless, and strangers. This echoes the words of the prophets.
Amos 5 and the Feast
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Just because we keep God's feasts does not necessarily mean we are in sync with God's Law or intent. The Israelites kept the feasts in a carnal manner.
Amos 5 and the Feast of Tabernacles
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we go to the Feast with the goal of physically enjoying, we may lose out on both the spiritual and physical benefits. 'Going through the motions' defiles it.
What We Can Learn From This Day of Atonement
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's solution to mankind's separation was sending a second Adam, Jesus Christ, to make reconciliation possible. Fasting shows our dependence on God.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of sin prompted, God has deliberately subjected creation to futility. Solomon has accurately taught us that without God, life is meaningless.
Relationship with the World
Sermonette by Craig SablichDesire for companionship could lead one to become unequally yoked with an unbeliever, compromising on God's Law and yielding to the world's culture.
Compromise
Sermon by John O. ReidSolomon compromised with God's law because his heart was turned to idolatry through his multiple marriages, diluting his early gift of wisdom and understanding
Taking Your Priestly Responsibilities Seriously!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod is training us as a holy priesthood, called to offer unblemished sacrifices, honoring His name, putting down pride, presumptuousness, and arrogance.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Ten)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe three parables in Matthew 25 (The Ten Virgins, The Talents and The Sheep and Goats) all focus on the importance of spiritual preparedness.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Six): Sardis
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe letter to the church in Sardis reads like an obituary, warning us who are alive but lacking zeal to repent and become serious about our calling.
Fast or Famine
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has used famine as one of the tools to get the Israelites' attention when they violated the terms of the Covenant with Him, forsaking His holy law.
What Are You Leaving?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Ephesians had a strong sense of duty and served as a vanguard in the battle against false doctrines. What was lacking was devotion to Christ.
Make Sure of Your Focus (1998)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur focus should be to seek God's kingdom, reciprocating God's love, committing ourselves to a life of service, fulfilling His purpose without complaining.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThings written in the Old Testament were written for us. The differences in the covenants focus on justification and access to God, not doing away with the law.
Humbleness is Our Only Path to Holiness
Sermonette byFor to come near to God, we must be thoroughly cleansed inside and out. Self-affliction, enabled by fasting, creates humility—the only path to holiness.
The Bread and Wine of Passover
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Passover reminds us of the New Covenant on the anniversary of the Abrahamic covenant God using the original elements of the meal between Melchizedek and Abraham.
The Firstfruits Declaration
Sermonette byThe Israelites were to bring their first fruits to the altar in a basket and make a solemn declaration to rehearse God's deliverance and abundance.
Examine Oneself
Sermonette byTo avoid taking the Passover in an unworthy manner, we are to put ourselves on trial, making an ardent effort to detect our shortcomings.
Prayer and the Incense Altar
Sermon by Kim MyersWe have much work to do as saints, sending up incense symbolically as we pray for each other and for God's purpose to be fulfilled universally.
Trust Issues
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWhen we take counsel only in ourselves, we run the risk of giving ourselves over to the one who influences our human nature, Satan the Devil.
Elements of Judgment (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)None of God's law has been 'done away', though there is not always a literal application. Not every law of God has the same weight of importance.
What is Atonement?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Man's estrangement from God is wholly man's fault. Atonement denotes the way harmony is achieved, making the entire world at one or reconciled with God.
Remembering Who We Are
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen we consider the awesome contrast of what we were before God called us and what we are now, we cannot allow ourselves to commit spiritual fornication.
Tithing
Sermon by John O. ReidThis comprehensive overview of tithing explores the attitudes we should have toward tithing, the purposes of the tithe, and the benefits of tithing.
Lamentations (Part Eight; 1989)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLamentations 4 contains a series of contrasts, showing the indignities suffered by a once proud people reduced to humiliating servitude because of idolatry.
Matthew (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus explains that what truly defiles a person—evil thoughts, murder, adultery—comes from their heart and mind, not from eating with unwashed hands.