Playlist: Winning, Need for (topic)
Play to Win
Sermonette by Jarod RitenbaughDriven by the innate desire to win that characterizes athletic competition, this reflection explores how a fiery competitive spirit aligns with a biblical framework. While earthly victories offer fleeting satisfaction, the apostle Paul reframes competitiveness as an essential virtue in the Christian walk, comparing faith to a …
Humble Your Hearts and Be No Longer Stubborn
Sermonette byThe peace that passes all understanding comes from yielding to God's will, asking Him for a soft, pliable heart to replace the hard heart of stubbornness.
The Case Against Pride
Sermonette byThree symptoms of pride include (1) lying to protect our self-image; (2) competitiveness; (3) believing our personal ideas are more valuable than God's Truth.
Faith (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe hallmark of Christian character is humility, which comes about only when one sees himself in comparison to God. Pride makes distorted comparisons.
What Is Your Game?
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamPaul was certainly aware of the obsessiveness of Olympic athletes but stressed that sacrificing for eternal, godly character was a far wiser investment.
The Spiritual Mark of the Beast
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnger and hostility, driven by self-centered competitive pride constitute Satan's spiritual mark that divides nations, ethnic groups, families, and the church.
Unity
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEach member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father
Isaiah 58 and Fasting
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFasting puts us in a proper humble and contrite frame of mind, allowing God to respond to us, freeing us from our burdens and guiding us into His Kingdom.
How Much of the Mind of Christ Do We Have?
Sermon by David C. GrabbePossessing the mind of Christ is a lifelong process rather than a quick transformation. True unity requires seeking Christ's mind through faith, humility, and love.
Could You Stand Alone?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWould we have the same courage to stand spiritually as the brave unarmed man who resisted the tanks of the Chinese Red Army in Tiananmen Square?
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride makes a person feel he must win, and the proud fight to win. The source grounds this in Psalm 10 and Psalm 119:69, where the proud forge lies against others. They use their tongues to put others down, play one-upmanship well, and lie or distort the truth to come out on top. Two motives drive the lying: it makes them think …
Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe group that one fellowships with is less important than the understanding that there is one true church, bound by a spiritual, not a physical unity.
Fruit of the Flesh - On Conflict
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAs God's chosen saints, we must not let our keyboard or mouth defile us. Godly conversation includes stifling the urge to win the argument at all costs.
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe 'Pierre De Coubertin Medal' is given out for sportsmanship, honoring generous behavior toward competing athletes—much harder to win than a gold medal.
The Christian Walk (Part Four): Mutual Submission in Godly Fear
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAmericans have a hard time submitting to authority and like to consider themselves as sovereigns, having the last say over anything including church doctrine.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.
Forbearance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod put up with the foibles of Abraham, Samson, David, Job, and others, allowing them time to repent and build character. We need to develop this godly trait.
Handwriting on the Wall (2026): Lawlessness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are in a pivotal moment to examine personal complicity in this lawless age, repent of worldly influences, and realign with God's righteous standard.
Satan (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo resist the Devil is to resist unlawful desires, not allowing him to manipulate our emotions. Satan works on fear of being denied something pleasurable.
Lessons From Unleavened Bread
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe world's system operates on a zero-sum foundation in which one party must win by causing another to lose, a pattern rooted in Satan's prideful desire to take rather than produce. This approach fuels violence, division, and the weakening of nations because every gain requires another's deprivation, turning interactions into …
'But I Say to You' (Part Six): Retaliation
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus, using hyperbole to shock His disciples into a change of behavior or attitude, emphasizing that they should resist the impulse to retaliate.
Glory Be
Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamThe Hebrew word for glory carries the connotation of a burden or responsibility, just as Christ glorified the Father in every thought, word, and deed.