Playlist: Schemes (topic)
Bitterness Can Kill
Sermon by Mike FordAhithophel's scheme against David grew out of bitterness. David's sin with Bathsheba, Ahithophel's granddaughter, and the murder of her husband Uriah, a mighty man, struck at Ahithophel's family. God had already pronounced and carried out punishment through Nathan, but Ahithophel was not satisfied with it. For about twelve years …
Conspiracy Theory (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Satan is the origin and driving force behind conspiracies, and his character is fixed in scheming. He conspired to draw one-third of the angels away from God in order to gather power, overthrow the Creator, and install himself as ruler (Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28, Revelation 12:4). He deceived Eve and put betrayal into the …
What I Believe About Conspiracy Theories
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe drive toward one world government is a transparent reality having several biblical prototypes, all inspired by demonic opposition to God's rule.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon exercised a lifetime of hard work trying to find answers, but fell short because some things are discoverable only through God's revelation.
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.
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.
Fathers Provoking Children
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost families in God's church have a functional father, but even so, extremes of leniency and overbearing strictness do not make an ideal father.
The Great Con
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAll individuals who have been duped into con schemes have the same perennial weakness: to be self-sufficient and to get something for nothing.
The March Toward Globalism (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The cat has been let out of the bag in terms of plans to establish a New World Order, possibly the precursor or foundation for the Beast of Revelation.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Wisdom does not give us complete understanding into the ultimate purposes of God, but when accompanied with faith in God, it will brighten our countenance.
The Handwriting is on the Wall: Conspiracies
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Conspiracies by political actors have led to grasping at power. We must not worry about conspiracies, but instead align ourselves with God's Kingdom.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with 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.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Six): Ecclesiastes 10:5-11
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCause and effect relationships will always cause multiple metaphorical dominoes to fall. Similarly, sin never occurs in a vacuum but will continue to ripple.
Joshua and the Gibeonites
Sermonette byThe Gibeonites' pretense of coming from a distant land resulted in their slavery. Yet, through their influence, they contributed to Israel's destruction.
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPurpose-driven churches experience exponential growth through tolerating any belief. These churches would sacrifice any doctrine if it stands in the way of growth.
Esther (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSome regard approaching the Bible as literature to be demeaning, yet the literary approach can be a powerful tool to appreciating it more fully.
What if You Are Betrayed?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBetrayal is triggered by a root of bitterness resulting from envy, but turning into hatred, a shoot of bitterness manifesting a spirit of murder.
Snares
Sermon by John O. ReidEven as the world contains bait and switch schemes and false advertising, so also there are spiritual snares, far more dangerous than physical ones.
Whoever Loves and Practices a Lie
Sermon by Charles WhitakerIn Revelation 21:8, Christ lists three spiritual conditions and four behaviors, all of which He links to deceit and which will lead to the Lake of Fire.
On Earning Wealth
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The three principles for acquiring prosperity (diligently working, wisely managing what one has earned, and meticulously saving) all militate against laziness.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In the combined history of Judah and Israel, when the leaders abandoned the covenants with God, the citizenry generally followed suit.
More on Modern Liberalism
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The economic crisis was caused by wrong choices made by bankers acting like the seductress in Proverbs 7 to make a profit. Liberalism follows from Adam and Eve.
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (2000)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose entrusted with power within the community and nations are taking advantage of their positions, metaphorically raping those who have no power.
Narrow Is the Way
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, becoming a slave of righteousness — maintaining the narrow way — leads to freedom, peace of mind, and ultimately, God's Kingdom.
Lamentations (Part Seven; 1989)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLamentations 3 and 4 show the stark contrast of a once proud people (secure in their wealth, technology, and cleverness) suffering bitter humiliation.