Playlist: Bible Villains (topic)
Cain, Balaam, and Korah
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJude warns us to avoid the ways of Cain, Balaam, and Korah that characterize false teachers—greedy, worshipping on one's own terms, appealing to the masses.
The Spirit of Antichrist
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn exploring our approach to God's truth, we must be vigilant against the influence of false teachers and the spirit of antichrist, which can lead us astray from His way. False teachers, as described in Jeremiah 23, have historically deceived God's people, bringing profane and godless teachings into His land. God expresses His …
The Fifth Teacher
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeCorinth had four positive teachers, yet a mysterious fifth teacher was also influencing them and instilling beliefs that were the source of all the bad fruit.
Satan (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn our journey toward the Kingdom of God, we must confront the reality of Satan and his vast army of demons, who form a significant unseen influence behind much of humanity's troubles. This chief adversary, once known as Helel, was a being of extraordinary beauty and wisdom, created by God as the pinnacle of perfection until …
Against the Wind
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaOur calling resembles walking headlong into dangerous, deadly storm currents. Satan and his demons are fighting against God and those who belong to Him.
Spotting False Teachers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThroughout history, satan has inspired fraudulent teachers to deceive God's people with false doctrinal arguments, often subverting the very organizations God has used for His work. The subtlety of satan's deception is profound, as seen in how some false teachers' sins are evident immediately, while others take much longer to …
Who Is Responsible For Sin?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThough Satan influences, the choices an individual make are totally his own, even for those without God's Spirit. We sin when we are drawn away by our own desires.
Balaam and the End-Time Church (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBalaam illustrates the paradox of someone who knows God's will, but willfully and deliberately disobeys, presumptuously thinking he could manipulate or bribe God.
The Adversary
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe concept of Bible villains, particularly Satan the Devil, is central to understanding the spiritual adversaries described in scripture. Jesus Christ Himself provides a direct eyewitness account, stating, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning," affirming the existence and fall of this powerful being. This statement …
The Beast From the Earth and 666
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the book of Revelation, chapter 13 introduces two significant adversaries, often referred to as the Beast and the False Prophet. The first beast rises from the sea, symbolizing a volatile, political, and military entity born from the ever-changing sea of human politics and power struggles. The second beast, emerging from the …
Don't Be a Politician
Sermon by Mike FordJesus proved that one cannot become a leader through political intrigue, but by assuming the position of a humble servant. God sets Himself against the proud.
The Reality of Evil
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the battle against evil, we must recognize and confront the villains that embody it, as God does not shy away from calling evil by its name. The Bible frequently addresses evil, with terms like "evil," "wicked," and "cursed" appearing over a thousand times, underscoring its reality and presence in our lives. In the New …
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.
Esther (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHaman was the treacherous offspring of King Agag, and Mordecai was the godly descendant of King Saul. Their pairing in Esther provides a sequel to I Samuel 15.
The Spirit of Babylon
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Spirit of Babylon is couched in brazen outlook of the goddess Inanna/Ishtar, the femme fatale who asserted her free will to overcome the influence of Eden.
The Pharisees (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the New Testament, one group stands out for receiving nearly universal condemnation: the Pharisees. Jesus Himself pronounces eight woes upon them at once, taking an unsparing and caustic approach, unlike His general woes to other groups or towns for their lack of repentance. The Pharisees, whose name means "separated ones," …
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2003) (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBabylon, as a symbol of rebellion against God, is deeply tied to the influence of Satan the devil, who shapes this world as a deadly enemy designed to entrap and conform humanity to its image. This system, originating in the foundational attitudes seen in Genesis, is driven by figures like Nimrod, a mighty man and rebel whose …