Playlist: Liberty, Abuse of (topic)
The Abuse of Freedom
Commentary by Joseph B. BaityAmerica's constitutional liberties, especially free speech, were divinely provided and crucial to its prosperity, but they were designed to work only if citizens governed themselves by the moral principles of the Ten Commandments, as Madison himself said. The nation failed at that. It abused its rights and freedoms to justify …
We are Called to Liberty
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLiberty, properly understood, is never intended as license, yet human nature consistently distorts this gift into an excuse for self-indulgence. While Christ died to set believers free from sin, He did not die to make them free to do whatever they wish, for such license simply returns a person to slavery under selfish desires. …
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.
Loyalty
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe God-given human longing for freedom is not the pursuit of uninhibited self-will, but the disciplined, loyal use of our choices to follow God.
Freedom's Dark Underbelly
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAny freedom to choose must be accompanied by a set of standards against which choices are made. The people of the world do not have this freedom.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMost people have not used the Word of God as their standard of morality and conduct, but instead are allowing society and culture to shape their attitudes.
Conscience (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLawful behavior with a wrong attitude, motivated by pride, displaying lack of sensitivity to others or lack of wisdom, also constitutes sin.
Submitting (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiberty without guidelines will turn into chaos. We will be free only if we submit to the truth. All authority, even incompetent authority, derives from God.
John (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAs long as we are slaves of sin and following the dictates of our lusts, we have no free moral agency. God liberates us from sin so we are free to obey Him.
Conscience (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA conscience can only function according to what it knows, and will automatically adjust in the way it is exercised. Conscience follows conduct.
A Conversation With Paul
Sermonette by Craig SablichAn imaginative, story-driven narrative on the apostle Paul's true teachings about law, grace, and obedience, clarifying misunderstood scriptures.
Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause of our lack of self-discipline and willingness to guard the truth, we have allowed our theological base to deteriorate under the persuasion of the world.
Acts (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must always conduct ourselves with the long-term spiritual interests of others in mind, being sensitive to the conscience and scruples of others.
Four Warnings (Part Three): I Never Knew You
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist'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.
Balaam and the End-Time Church (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBalaam illustrates the paradox of someone who knows God's will, but willfully and deliberately disobeys, presumptuously thinking he could manipulate or bribe God.
To Be, or Not To Be, Like Everyone Else?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsTo keep from being swept up in the bandwagon effect of compromising with sin, we must make sure our convictions are not merely preferences.
Sabbathkeeping (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to develop righteous judgment about what constitutes a genuine Sabbath emergency and what may be a deceptive rationalization of our human nature.
Humanism's Flooding Influence (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)James Madison and the other founding fathers realized that a democratic republic would only work in a godly, moral, or Christian administration.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiberty, when abused, becomes a tool for self-justification rather than submission to God, and this abuse is traced through several biblical and historical examples that reveal how freedom granted by God is corrupted into permission for degeneracy. Thomas Jefferson's warning about slavery illustrates the principle directly: …