Playlist: God's Sovereignty over the Church (topic)
The Sovereignty of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sovereignty of God is a profound reality that challenges our understanding, especially when it becomes difficult to accept in the face of personal trials or tragedies. Who regulates affairs on earth—God, the devil, or man? Many assign God as supreme in the heavens but believe satan rules the earth, a perspective fueled …
Sovereign God, Not Man
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is the arbiter of truth, the great Judge, and the great Sovereign over the church. Many in the church have become too proud and self-exalted, deciding for themselves what to do rather than submitting to His authority. They no longer trust the wisdom of leadership, viewing everything with skepticism, believing it comes from …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the church is evident in His authority to bring both peace and calamity upon His people for their ultimate good. He scatters the church, as seen in the current state of division among various organizations, to test and reveal those who truly have faith in Him. Though this scattering may be frightening and …
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the church is absolute, as He is the Creator and the One who directs every aspect of His work. He determines the path and timing of His church, deciding when it rests or moves, and in which direction it should go, much like He guided the Israelites with the cloud and pillar of fire in the wilderness. His …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the Church is evident in His active role in guiding and disciplining His people. He looks upon us both as individuals and as a collective body, leading and guiding the entire body of Christ. As a faithful Father, He expects those who have become part of this body through baptism and the receipt of His Holy …
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe hardest part of God's work is the feeding of the flock the full counsel of God, to get the called-out ones ready to enter the Kingdom of God.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe preaching the gospel to the world is at best the beginning of a complex process of creating disciples through steady feeding and encouragement to overcome.
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.
God's Creation and Our Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.
Principles of Church Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.
God's Workmanship (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod assumes the burden for our salvation, but we are obligated to yield to His workmanship—made manifest by good works, the effect of salvation.
Faith, Government, and the Calendar (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe calculated Hebrew calendar reflects God's faithfulness in providing His children a reliable calendar. Concocting one's own calendar is presumptuous.
His Eye is On the Sparrow (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As God has His eye on the sparrow, He has had His eye on us through the entire process of scattering so the tests we have endured will bear good fruit.
Avoiding Superficiality
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSuccess in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (1996): Scattering
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod initiated the scattering of the church for our ultimate good. When the revelation of God was replaced with the wisdom of this world, God intervened.
A Search for Identity
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod gave His approval for the destruction of the Worldwide Church of God into numerous groups, allowing heresies so He could see who really loves Him.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Biblical wisdom (sagacity, quickness of perception, soundness of judgment) is achievable by anyone called of God because God is the source of this wisdom.
Why Are You Here?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God, following a pattern, routinely calls the lowly and weak to guard against pride. God will transform the weak of this world through His Holy Spirit.
A Time To Scatter
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWhile we yearn for the church to be re-united, until our own personal walk with God is attained and we intently seek Him first, church unity will not happen.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIsrael demonstrates divided loyalties, vacillating between God and the world, veering more toward the world, resembling a panting dog or a pleasure-bent prostitute.
Faith and the Calendar (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe issue is not mathematical or astronomical, but instead a matter of trust in God's faithfulness, authority, sovereignty, oversight, or ability to govern.
Checklist for Overcoming
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRomans 12-16 provide a checklist for overcoming and promoting positive relationships, developing tender affection. We are mutually dependent upon one another.
Acts (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe early church had confidence in God's sovereignty, realizing that no human authority could thwart God's power. This conviction gave them strength.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe can do nothing to gain the favor of God before our calling, but we are empowered by God to carry out a particular part of His plan to edify the body.
Franchising the Faith
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In churchianity, slick business tactics and advertising take precedence over scriptural knowledge. Yet truth trumps sincerity, emotion, and glitz.