Playlist: Relationship With God (topic)

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Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Eternal life is to live a quality life as God lives, having developed a close relationship with God, living by faith and accepting His sovereignty over all.

The Purpose of Relationships

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

The marriage covenant was designed to bring incomplete components of the God image together in one flesh, from which other relationships developed.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Faith in God and in the motivating power in God's Word have to be the driving force in everything we do each day.

Prayer and Seeking God

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Rather than having an apathetic relationship toward God, we must ardently, earnestly, and fervently seek God in order to imitate His behavior in our lives.

The Faithfulness of God (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has a very real concern for us, promising to never leave us. We have to strongly believe in His faithfulness to build a relationship with Him.

Israel's Missing Characteristics of God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Faithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.

Choosing to Have a Good Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Bible emphasizes marriage as the primary bond of society. The purpose for the marriage relationship is to depict the marriage of Christ and His bride.

The Fear of God

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.

God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our carnal nature's desire to satisfy an addictive self-centeredness can eventually overrule the Christian's loyalty to God and His commandments.

God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

False doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.

God's Creation and Our Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.

God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

For His Own reasons, God has chosen not to reveal His plan to those the world considers wise, but, instead, to work with the weaker sort of mankind.

Privileges of the Family of God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

It is impossible to be a Christian without being a child of God. When we are in God's family, we have distinct privileges.

Facing Times of Stress: Always in God's Presence

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We can maintain spiritual contact using David's tactic of continually maintaining the Lord before him in his thoughts, prayers, and meditations.

God the Father (Part 3)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Father's purpose is to make us Christ-like, abounding in godly love. God is able to turn horrendous and gruesome circumstances into ultimate blessings.

Approaching God Through Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The brazen altar symbolized total sacrifice. We have to be willing to give up everything, bearing our own individual cross, forsaking all to follow Him.

Holiness of God (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To be like God, we need to work on purifying ourselves, purging out sin and uncleanness, reflecting our relationship with God in every aspect our behavior.

What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.

Exalt With Music

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Music has an intense power to stimulate the emotions, trigger the imagination, set the mood of services, and serves as a teaching vehicle for instruction.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'

The Fear of God (Part Four)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.

God's Rest (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The two principal robbers of peace are pride and the drive to have complete control of our lives. Discontent and imagined victimization led Adam and Eve into sin.

Choices and a Man After God's Own Heart: Turn, Turn, Turn

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Honoring our free choice and understanding our weaknesses, God alters time and chance for us, using our mistakes as tools to enhance our godly character.

One Nation Under God (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

National renewal cannot take place unless there is a true turning from sin and commitment to following the Law of God.

The Priesthood of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We must endure chastening and correction to grow in holiness and become priests. In the qualifications of a Melchizedek priest, zeal and holiness are mandatory.

God's Holy Days - Our Shared Vision Of Hope

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

From Passover to Pentecost to Trumpets to Atonement to the Feast of Tabernacles, these days should solidify our vision of he Father, Jesus, and one another.

God the Father (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Throughout Christ's life, the relationship between Him and His Father exemplified perfect, reciprocal, unconditional love, providing a perfect template.

Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Eight)

Sermon by David F. Maas

The most effective way to develop a relationship with God is by developing a continuous prayer dialogue, conversing with Him through Bible study and prayer.

Assurance That We Know Him!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

If we know God, we no longer have the feeling that God is against us; we have no dread of God, but instead have awe and respect; we know that God loves us.

Keeping Love Alive (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we love another person, we like to think about him/her, to hear about him/her, please him/her, and we are jealous about his/her reputation and honor.

Intimacy with Christ (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must guard our time, not allowing busyness and involvement with activities of the world to prevent us from forming a deep intimacy with God.

Deuteronomy (Part 4) (1994)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must seek God as ardently as we would a physical love relationship, spending quality time with Him. If we make no effort, the relationship cools.

Love's Emotional Dimension

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love doesn't become 'love' until we act. If we don't do what is right, the right feeling will never be formed; emotions are largely developed by our experiences.

Christ's Revelation of the Father

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

John 1:1-3 reveals Jesus' pedigree as the Logos (Spokesman), whose function was to declare or reveal the Father. He had existed with His Father from eternity.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.

Deuteronomy: Fear

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When people allow fear to rule them, they lose their mind. Fear of God, however, is not mind killing, but inspires a reverential awe of the Creator.

The Sabbath: Redemption

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God has blessed us with the Sabbath, a period of holy time, when He redeems us from the clutches of our carnality and this evil world.

Unity and Unleavened Bread

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As members of Christ's body, we must function for the good of the whole body, not competing with other parts. We must continually function as a son of God.

These Things We Know

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The writings of John contain nine categories of "we know" assertions. Fully knowing consists of developing a deep intense relationship with God.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fourteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Solomon ruminates about life being seemingly futile and purposeless. A relationship with God is the only factor which prevents life from becoming useless.

Keeping Love Alive (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Works demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.

Intimacy with Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan has deliberately designed this world to burn up our precious time, creating an artificial sense of urgency and a perpetual state of discontent.

Deuteronomy (Part 3) (1994)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We will not be prepared to rule in the Millennium unless we are experientially persuaded of God's faithfulness to His Covenant and His intolerance of evil.

How to Know We Love Christ

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Solomon teaches us that money may provide some security, but it cannot be relied upon for satisfaction; only a relationship with God will fill that vacuum.

Conviction, Moses, and Us

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Moses, we have to develop conviction, a product of a relationship of God, established by being faithful day by day in the little things of life.

Prayer and Fervency

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Living faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.

Offerings (Part Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we want to follow Christ, we must sacrifice, take up our cross, and follow His example of service to God and others.

The Quest for Happiness

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Happiness is the result of faithfully keeping God's Covenant, ensuring peace, prosperity, and an abundant life. The world's joy only disappoints in the end.

Loving Christ

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Participation in Christ's life is the source of all good. Regardless of what church group we are in, we must establish a relationship with Christ.

A Priceless Gift

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's people are the precious jewels (or the private, personal possessions) of God, obligated to conform exclusively to His will and purpose.

Maintaining Good Health (Part 12)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The church of God today resembles a patient languishing from a deadly disease, resulting from a diet of spiritual junk food and neglecting the bread of life.

Is it Salvational?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

It is easy to denigrate a matter as not being 'salvational,' but the real question to ask is, How will this action affect my relationship with God?

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The fault of the Old Covenant was with the hearts of the people. Christ took it upon Himself to amend the fault enabling us to keep the commandments.

Vulnerable

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

While we are all different, we are all vulnerable to something, such as fear of deprivation, harm or shame. In response, we all create protective defense mechanisms.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

From the beginning, God has set apart certain individuals, putting them through a sanctifying process, perfecting their character until they reflect His image.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We do not need to excessively fear Satan, his demons, or the world, but we should fear and respect the One who has complete involvement in our lives.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Sixteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Ecclesiastes 1-6 contains an indictment of materialism. The only lasting fulfillment comes from establishing and maintaining a relationship with God.

A Pre-Passover Look

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must thoroughly examine ourselves, exercising and strengthening our faith, actively giving love back to God, to avoid taking Passover in a careless manner.

Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Seven)

Sermon by David F. Maas

We draw closer to God through Bible study and prayer. Here are practical techniques for augmenting our Bible study, gathering our daily spiritual manna.

All His Ways Are Just

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Justice is more a process of doing (exercising mercy, love, and faith) in all of our interpersonal relations rather than rendering a verdict or sentence.

Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

There is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.

Faith and Prayer

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Constant, earnest prayer keeps faith alive and makes certain the receiving of the qualities that make us in the image of God. God's purpose comes first.

A Place of Safety? (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Obsessing about the Place of Safety is a sure way to disqualify oneself from it. God calls some faithful, zealous ones for martyrdom during the Tribulation.

Jonah: Typical Israelite

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

To this borderline-suicidal narcissist, his universe held only himself, permitting God's will for others only if it conformed to his own will.

Wilderness Wanderings (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The spiritual journey of God's people is more difficult than the physical one of the ancient Israelites, requiring as it does more resources to navigate.

When We Come to Ourselves

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We have been guided supernaturally and must contemplate the significance of this intervention and what it now requires of us.

Deuteronomy and Idolatry

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We are admonished to internalize the book of Deuteronomy in preparation for our future leadership roles.

Unity (2006)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the symphony orchestra, only as an instrumentalist submits to the leader, working with the other members of the ensemble, can unity be accomplished.

Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Loyalty and submission to God (not always easy) empowers and guarantees ultimate success and leadership, actually freeing us from the fear of death.

Man's Greatest Challenge (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Many have difficulty accepting internal biblical evidence attesting to the Bible's authority. When properly studied, there are no contradictions in Scripture.

Laodiceanism and Being There Next Year

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our biggest danger at this time is to be lured into spiritual drunkenness by the pagan Babylonian system. Our God is not what we say we worship but whom we serve.

Laodiceanism

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our love for beauty must be coupled with love for righteousness and holiness. Our relationship with Christ must take central place in our lives, displacing all else.

Elements of Motivation (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Fearing God leads to a determination not to bring shame on God's name or offending and hurting the relationship between God and us.

Truth (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

With the Spirit of God—the light of God—we see the true shape and form of things, and reality appears as something we can see clearly. We find truth.

Psalm 23 (Part One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Of all animals, sheep need the most care and are extremely vulnerable to predators, pests, and fear, leading to extremely dependent and trusting behavior.

Life in the Church

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Outwardly, many members in Sardis bore Christ's name, but like the apparently religious Pharisees, they were in reality hypocrites, full of dead men's bones.

As The Deer Pants

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

There are various connotations of the verb 'pant' as it applies to thirsting in a dry environment as well as to the exhaustion of an escaping animal.

A Time To Scatter

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

While 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.

Sin Defined and Overcome

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Sin creates estrangement from God, causing us to fail in everything we attempt. Sin always produces separation; it never heals, but causes death.

Prepare to Teach

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We will be kings and priests, responsible for those coming out of the tribulation. We must prepare now to fill the entire earth with the knowledge of God.

Endeavoring to Keep the Unity

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The leadership of a father and a husband has a profound influence upon family, society, and culture, especially regarding unity.

Sovereignty and Submission

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Being reared in a democratic nation sometimes complicates our relationship with God; God's government is actually a sovereign, benevolent dictatorship.

Faith (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

At the time of the end, sin will be so pervasive and so compelling that our only resource for enduring its influence will be our relationship with God.

The Talking Blood (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God the Father does not take the minimization of His Son's sacrifice lightly, as some Protestant theologians imply with their cheap grace doctrine.

Sincerity and Truth (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We should continually live and think on the same wavelength as God does, maintaining a close relationship with Him as we continue in the sanctification process.

Psalms: Book Four (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Psalms 105 and 106 describe the Great White Throne period, expressing the yearning desire to be included in His Kingdom and declaring God's praises.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fifteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our relationship with God is often strengthened through hardship. We must choose to yield to God, living for a much higher goal than raw materialism.

Whatever We Ask

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Prayer comes under attack if we live double-lives, giving us a guilty conscience, not practicing what we have been taught, allowing our hearts to condemn us.

Communication and Coming Out of Babylon (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God commands us to come out of Babylon, giving us spiritual resources to do so, including faith, vision, hope, and love. These come through knowing Him.

How Our Joy May Be Full!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Joy and gladness are gifts from God, resulting from Christ living His life in us and helping us to love the brethren. This love is perfected through suffering.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We receive more of God's Spirit as we respond to His calling, drawing near to His presence and reversing Adam and Eve's fatal errors.

Avoiding Superficiality

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Success in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.

Love's Importance and Source

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is the source of real love; mankind by nature does not have it. It is only by knowing God that we can have this love. Godly love is a cycle that God initiates.

Four Warnings (Part Three): I Never Knew You

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ's third warning in the Sermon on the Mount is to beware of hypocrisy, professing to do things in Jesus' name but habitually practicing lawlessness.

Those Who Hunger and Thirst

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Beatitude, hungering and thirsting for righteousness are present tense active participles signifying continuous longing for God's righteousness.

The Grand Secret!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God reveals a grand secret through David: namely, that spiritual growth will come to people who set the Lord before oneself continuously.

Deuteronomy and Holiness

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God has provided the God-plane marriage relationship to teach us how to submit to one another, sacrificing our self-centeredness for the benefit of our spouse.

The March Toward Globalism (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Self-will must be extirpated from our children; God's will must take its place. Childrearing must begin at the start of a child's formative life.

Eternal Security (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some of the harshest criticism we receive is for our position opposing the doctrine of eternal security and stating that works are required for salvation.

Maintaining Good Health (Part 13)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Commitment to a course of action is essential for physical or spiritual success. Faith motivates and sustains right action, protecting us from the yo-yo like fits of starting and stopping. Shallow or incomplete faith is contrasted with complete or mature faith. Our simple faith must transform into mature or enduring faith, which …