Playlist: Meaning of Life (topic)
Life Is Service (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEvery human being wrestles with fundamental questions—who am I, why am I here, what is life's purpose, is there an afterlife—yet most who reject true religion turn instead to science, philosophy, spiritualism, or politics, all woefully inadequate substitutes that leave people, as Paul described the Gentiles in …
Are You Living an Abundant Life?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe pursuit of an abundant, meaningful life stands at the center of Christ's purpose in coming to earth, directly countering the world's perception that Christian living is restrictive, dull, and joyless. While non-believers mock biblical morality as archaic and Christians as inauthentic or "fuddy-duddy," Scripture itself …
Life Is Worth Living
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughThe rising tide of suicide in modern society, now surpassing automobile accidents as the leading cause of injury death in America and claiming more soldiers than combat itself, stems from a common root: discouragement combined with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, and ultimately, the belief that nobody loves the person in …
An Exhortation for Young Adults
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Wisdom is not a trait valued or acquired by youth, but takes second place to strength, beauty, or fun. We get too soon old and too late smart.
Ecclesiastes: What is it All About? (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes teaches that life has meaning and purpose only when lived by faith for God's Kingdom, not just for earthly, 'under the sun' pursuits.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe disappointment in the vanity of life is good for our spiritual preparation, making us disillusioned with all the world's glamorous but false choices.
Vanity (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVanity has many nuances, including transitoriness, futility, profitlessness, confusion, falseness, conceit, vainglory, denial, and idolatry.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes provides a testimony to the conundrum of life, showing the result of both bad and good choices, enabling us to effectively use time.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove for this world will inevitably bring disillusionment. Because the world is passing away, our priorities should be to fear God and keep his commandments.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSolomon ruminates about life being seemingly futile and purposeless. A relationship with God is the only factor which prevents life from becoming useless.
Ecclesiastes: What is it All About? (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe activities that Solomon put to the test and found wanting are exactly those things the world emphasizes: hedonism, silliness, mirth, and foolishness.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod emphasizes Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles to show the result of doing whatever our human heart leads us to do. The physical cannot satisfy.
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.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe only kind of pleasure that fulfills comes from applying God's Holy Spirit in serving others. We must seek those permanent things which are from above.
Vanity (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSolomon's statement that all of life is vanity is only true if one is not privy to God's ultimate purpose for mankind. Paul describes what God is doing.
Rejoice in What We Are (2011)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we have been given revelation, we should have peace and a sense of well-being about life that would make the high-achievers of this world envious.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Three): Ecclesiastes 8:10-9:1
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFor the called, enjoying life's pleasures should not be the top priority, but rather seeking first the kingdom of God, trusting that physical things will be added.
On The Value of Joy
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we live in a troubling world, our reserves of joy are probably somewhat low, perhaps making us feel that we are deficient in God's Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Deuteronomy is addressed to the Israel of God, a group of God's called out ones who have been convicted that the Law has not been done away.
Our Awesome Destiny (2000)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThrough a miraculous combination of knowledge plus the spirit of God, we realize that our destiny is to be a part of the divine Family.
Our Awesome Destiny (1993)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMan's destiny is to have dominion over the entire universe. Preparation for this awesome responsibility requires faithful stewardship over God's gifts.
The Awesome Cost of Salvation
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.