Playlist: Thoughts, Keeping God in (topic)
Is God in All Our Thoughts?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe world today moves at a frenetic pace, overwhelming us with constant information and demands that crowd out time for God. We are caught in this rapid stream, often forced to keep up with society's pace, leaving little room for prayer, study, or meditation on His way of life. Even on the Sabbath, the rush of the world can …
Avoiding the Ruts of Our Carnal Mind
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Bill OnisickOur thoughts are always exposed to God, who knows every thought and the intent of our hearts and minds. Right now, at this very second, He sees what occupies our minds. How often is He in our thoughts? We must take active control of our minds, becoming self-aware of every thought with discipline and concentration. If God is not …
Think on These Things (2018)
Sermonette byOur annual, self-inflicted review of self can be humbling and even painful. We have a measure of control over our carnality which those in the world lack.
Facing Times of Stress: Always in God's Presence
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSetting the Lord always before oneself forms the central principle for maintaining thoughts fixed on God amid life's distractions and trials. This practice, drawn from Psalm 16:8, means deliberately positioning oneself in conscious awareness of God's presence through an act of will and determination rather than passive waiting. …
Keeping Love Alive (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we love another person we like to think about that person. The righteous take God into consideration in all their planning. It is evidence of God's reality to them and of their loving respect for Him. The thoughts of the wicked reveal that they do not think about Him at all because He means nothing to them. God must be in our …
God, the Church's Greatest Problem
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe distinction between the godly and the ungodly, as David states in Psalm 10:4, lies precisely in this matter: the wicked, through pride, will not seek after God, and consequently God is not in all his thoughts. This single verse captures the fundamental principle explored throughout the message—that how important God is …
The Commandments (Part Nineteen)
Sermon/Bible Study byJesus taught that all outward sin stems from inner inordinate desire. What we desire or lust after automatically becomes our idol.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.
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.
Living by Faith: God's Sovereignty
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Since God is sovereign over His creation, we need to be careful about reviling someone in authority, even someone who may have been appointed to bring evil.
Don't Take God for Granted
Sermon by John O. ReidWe all tend to allow familiarity to lure us into carelessly taking something for granted. This is particularly dangerous regarding God and His purpose for us.
Themes of Ruth (Part Two): God's Providence
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we count the 50 days toward Pentecost, we should consider the events of our lives, coming to understand that they reveal God's on-going maintenance.
A Time For Thanksgiving (2009)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul heard continuous bad news, but he learned to control himself, controlling his anxiety by thinking positively and wholesomely.
Remember
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughLooking back to past events is profitable. Some things people choose to remember are trifling, but the things God commands us to remember are always important.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe become what we think about all day long, so ruminating on carnal thoughts brings death. Conversely, meditating on the right things leads to eternal life.
Avoiding the Ruts of Puny Faith
Sermon by Bill OnisickWhen we have severe trials, we can experience a divided mind, exercising a puny faith. Does God find us willing to surrender to Him in all circumstances?
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasIf we stockpile God's Word into our nervous systems, even though our outer man is decaying while our inner self is being renewed, we will nurture our spiritual legacy.
Thankfulness
Sermonette by James BeaubelleRobbing God extends far beyond the neglect of tithes and offerings, but also includes ignoring God and neglecting to thank Him for the plethora of blessings.
The Tenth Commandment
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Coveting begins as a desire. Human nature cannot be satisfied, nothing physical can satisfy covetousness, and joy does not derive from materialism.
How to Know We Love Christ
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod begins His spiritual creation by grace because the wages of sin is death. Consequently, God's people will exercise humility and faith in yielding to Him.
Matthew (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe word 'blessed' in the Beatitudes means happy from within, not dependent on circumstances. It comes from having God's spirit and hope for the future.
Philippians (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughNot one of us with heavenly citizenship has ever been there, but like an ambassador, we are compelled to carry on the culture and laws in our lives.
Offerings (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we want to follow Christ, we must sacrifice, take up our cross, and follow His example of service to God and others.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod, as Creator, takes the initiative (as the potter over the clay) for the elect's salvation, enabling us to build the repertoire of habits called character.
Deuteronomy (Part 4)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we learn to fear and love God, loyalty, faithfulness and commandment-keeping will naturally follow, and we will instinctively hasten to depart from evil.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2003) (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe world's political, religious, economic, and cultural systems pose a danger to God's people, but God wants us to work out His plan within the Babylonian system.
The Bronze Serpent of Moses
Sermon by James C. StoertzReturning to ordinary life after a spiritual high often brings immediate trials and discouragement, yet the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 offers a powerful blueprint for enduring these wilderness seasons. Facing exhaustion and hardship after a lengthy detour, Israel fell into their recurring pattern of grumbling …
Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has placed us all in the body where it has pleased Him. We dare not imitate Satan by letting self-centered goals eclipse God's purpose.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, and gratitude are required of God's called out priests. By meditating on the right things, we prepare ourselves for prayer.