Playlist: Grace and Work Complementary (topic)
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace and our works are not in opposition but are complementary in the process of spiritual creation. Grace, as a continuous flow of empowerment from our Savior, equips us with the abilities and powers to fulfill His purpose, which is to develop His character within us. Our works, as the fruit of His grace, do not earn …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGrace and works function as complementary elements within justification when properly united through faith in Jesus Christ. The material develops this by contrasting a misguided reliance on human law-keeping, which treats obedience as a means of earning divine favor and thereby nullifies both God's electing will and Christ's …
Grace Upon Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGrace presents unearned favor from God that supplies salvation, forgiveness, and every subsequent element of spiritual life, while work represents conduct or activity that earns a merited outcome. These two stand as direct opposites, yet the material shows them operating together because grace supplies what no amount of human …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSalvation is by grace through faith and not of works, lest anyone should boast, because all have already broken the law and incurred its death penalty by the time God calls them. Justification satisfies that penalty through Christ's sacrifice and human faith in it, yet justification and salvation are not identical. Grace …
Titus (Part Seven): Maintaining Good Works
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though we are not justified by good works, good works are the honing process with which God perfects us in the life-long process of sanctification.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is doing more than merely saving people; He is producing children in His image. The difference between the covenants is in the quality of the faith.
God Gives Grace to the Humble
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGenuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBoth the 'eternal security' and 'no works' doctrines are destroyed by the remarkable example of Noah, who performed extraordinary works based upon faith.
Freedom, Liberty, and Bondage
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Grace places limits on our freedom, training us for the Kingdom of God. Our behavior must be clearly distinguishable from the non-believers in society.
The Fear of God (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fear of God is the first line of defense, keeping us from profaning God's name, tarnishing the image of the Lord, and defending us from pain and/or death.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The paradox of Ecclesiastes 7 shows an unrighteous man flourishing and a righteous man suffering. The solution to this conundrum is found in Psalm 73.
The Two Witnesses (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe seven golden lamps symbolize 7 churches, empowered by abundant oil, manifested as spiritual words. Zerubbabel is a type of Christ, finishing the Temple.
Amos (Part Thirteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe people to whom Amos writes have the mistaken assumption that because they have made the covenant with God, they can bask in a kind of divine favoritism.
Leavening: The Types
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe holy days are reliable teaching tools, emphasizing spaced repetition to reinforce our faulty memories and drive the lesson deep into our thinking.
Can You Mix Wool and Linen?
Sermonette byThe context of the prohibition against mixing wool and linen teaches that God wants us to remain separate from the world, not being unequally yoked with any part.
Hebrews (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.