Playlist: Without Christ We Can Do Nothing (topic)
Without Me, Nothing! (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the final chapter of John, the disciples' experience at the Sea of Galilee reveals a profound truth about Christian service: without Christ, we can do nothing of spiritual worth. When the disciples, led by Peter, decided to go fishing, they returned to their familiar physical labor, toiling all night on the sea yet catching …
Without Me, Nothing! (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ warns us with profound clarity that without Him, we can do nothing. This truth echoes through His teachings and interactions, reminding us of our utter dependence on Him for any meaningful action or service. In His conversation with Peter, the implication is clear: apart from Him, our efforts are futile, and our …
Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout Christ, we can do nothing in regard to producing fruit that glorifies God, as He truthfully declares in John 15:5. This statement carries vital, truth-laden substance, emphasizing our absolute need for Him. If we produce no fruit that pleases and glorifies God, we will not be in His Kingdom, underscoring how essential …
Five Easily-Neglected Doctrines
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Without Christ, we can do nothing toward achieving salvation. Jesus Christ Himself declared, "I am the vine, and you are the branches," emphasizing that apart from Him, we are powerless to bear fruit. His words strike with profound impact, revealing the absolute necessity of a relationship with Him. He does not exaggerate or …
Christ Our Passover
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout Christ, we can do nothing, for He is the very essence of our salvation and strength. He is revealed in the Bible as Creator, Prophet, Priest, King, Redeemer, Savior, Deliverer, Provider, Healer, High Priest, and the Lamb of God, among countless other roles. At Passover, the focus narrows to Him as the sacrificed Lamb, …
Christ's Responsibility, Resurrections, and All in All
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout Christ, we can do nothing, for our dependence upon Him is absolute. We are unable to produce godly works in our conduct just as a branch cut from a fruit tree limb cannot bear fruit. We must remain attached to Him, abiding in Him, to bear fruit in our lives. Without His assistance, we cannot achieve anything of spiritual …
Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout Christ, we can do nothing in terms of fulfilling God's purpose. It is absolutely He who pays for our sins and works in and through us to produce fruit during the sanctification period. This principle underscores the theme of the Days of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing that only God in us makes the difference. Without Him, …
Why Is God Doing This, This Way?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has uniquely prepared us, setting the church apart as a special treasure, royal and holy, with gifts that enable us to live by faith in a way that others cannot. In John 15:5, Jesus Christ declares that without Him, we can do nothing, emphasizing that our ability to fulfill God's purpose is entirely dependent on being in …
The Christian and the World (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout Christ, we are powerless to achieve anything of true spiritual value. As Jesus Himself declared, "Without Me you can do nothing." This profound truth underscores the necessity of faith in God as the foundation of our lives. We must rely on Him completely, for without His strength and guidance, we are unable to resist the …
The Christian and the World (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus emphasizes a profound truth in resisting the world: without Him, we can do nothing. This principle underscores our complete dependence on Him for spiritual fruitfulness. Just as a branch severed from the vine cannot produce fruit, we can achieve nothing toward the kingdom of God without our High Priest actively involved in …
Our Affinity to Christ
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christians, our natural affinities must yield to our chief affinity with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Elder Brother. This bond surpasses any connection to other persons, activities, or things. Our lives, once called by God, are to be intimately entwined with Christ, inseparable from Him. As it is written, without Him we can …
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ made it abundantly clear that without Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. In His teaching, He emphasizes that all human effort is vain unless we involve God in every aspect of our lives. Our accomplishments, no matter how great in this world, hold no lasting worth if they lack His blessing. We must take active …
Nothing
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWe must seriously consider the reality of Christ's life, counting the cost and making the commitment, accepting any thorn in the flesh we may have to bear.
Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God-designed personalities, having His character, will make up God's family, not self-made personalities created by human will. We must yield as He creates.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews emphasizes that spiritual growth and glorification depends on an individual's relationship with Christ, the centerpiece of the Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.
Hebrews (Part Twelve): Chapter 2, A Mind-Bending Purpose (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To counteract complacency, Hebrews warns against neglecting God's invitation of salvation, which He does not guarantee until sanctification has run its course.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews' audience consisted of converts from Judaism, suffering estrangement from family and community, excommunicated from the temple.
Hebrews (Part Thirteen): Chapter 2, A Mind-Bending Purpose (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Jewish converts to the Way, although having had the benefit of Messianic prophecies, did not recognize the powerful significance of Psalm 8.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are being trained to become leaders, but before we can lead, we must be able to carry out responsibilities, conforming to God's leadership and covenants.
Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of building character, God does the creating, assaying, testing, and proving; we do the yielding and walking in the pathway He has set for us.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus qualified as High Priest, teaching us about living by faith in the New Covenant, which mandates that we keep His commandments.
An Intimate Expanding Relationship
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe must trade our impulsive and capricious carnal natures for a controlled, sacrificing nature, imitating Christ in an intimate, expanding relationship.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Only those called by God are given insight into God's grand design, making living by faith possible. God adds understanding as we are able to use it.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.
With Hands Raised
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe Bible shows several positions used in prayer, but gives special attention to the posture of raised hands, symbolic of giving up or being vulnerable.
Power Belongs to God (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul knew that only through strengthening his relationship with God was he able to both abound and be abased. When we are in trouble, we need to contact God first.
All in All (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The end of the sanctification process is when Christ will have defeated all enemies and put all things under His feet. Then, God the Father will be all in all.
Hebrews (Part Five): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is the only- begotten Son, creator and heir of all things, the express image of God's person, and has purged our sins.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Six, Conclusion)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our responsibility is to yield to God's sovereignty. Nevertheless, God has enabled us to freely sin, but holds us responsible for governing ourselves.
Supernatural Gifts
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerAttitude, attitude, and attitude should lead us to correctly estimate the value of God's spiritual gifts.
Hebrews (Part Eleven): A Simple Recap
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Most of the attrition from the truth stems from losing interest. Drifting away is rarely intentional, but the result of choosing to live carnally.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (2019)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Egypt is not directly a symbol of sin, but instead the world. The Days of Unleavened Bread symbolize what God did for us, not what we did by our own power.
Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)John identifies Christ as co-eternal with the Father, equal in character, but subordinate in authority. Christ's sonship was unique; He was the 'only Begotten Son.'
Hebrews: Its Background (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Although God never intended the Old Covenant to endure eternally, the spiritual law (shared by both the old and new covenants) lasts forever.
God's Workmanship (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWorks are not the cause of salvation, but instead are the effect of God's creative efforts at bringing us into His image—a new creation.
All in All
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe 'all in all' process has already begun. Our obligation and responsibility is to obey and yield to Christ and God the Father, conforming to their image.
Jesus in the Feasts (Part Two): Firstfruits
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe dominating significance of Pentecost is the celebration of Christ as the Firstfruit of God's spiritual harvest, providing a model for all those who follow Him.
God's Creation and Our Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.
The Talking Blood (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ admonishes His people to prepare for difficult times by cultivating a close relationship with their Savior. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
Feed on the Vine
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloEven though removing leaven from our homes has importance, the far greater spiritual emphasis is on the eating of unleavened bread, internalizing Christ.
Life Is Service (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough the American mindset does not feel inclined to serve, outgoing service to others yields the maximum joy and fulfillment one can possibly attain.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who emphasize one trait of God, or one doctrine, at the expense of the others run the risk of distorting the truth, creating a grotesque caricature.
Moral Purity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe urgency to live righteously, striving for godly character is a continuous, ongoing, and vital pursuit not concluded until our death and resurrection.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe have the obligation to bear spiritual fruit, heeding the lessons of the cursing of the fig tree, and the parables of the barren fig tree and the talents.
Keeping Love Alive (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWorks demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasOur Heavenly Father, the Vine Dresser, has provided His junior partners some valuable tools to assist in pruning and cultivating His emerging spiritual crop.
Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we are all sinners, we have earned only death; justification is not earned, but must come through faith and believing God as did our father Abraham.
Faith Overcomes the World
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs we attempt to overcome the world, we soon realize that we battle against invisible principalities, requiring us to form a close relationship with Christ.
Hebrews (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As God sanctified Noah, saving him from the flood, we must trust God to sanctify us, protecting us from the holocaust of fire which will burn this earth.
The Mystery of the Church (2005)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul's body analogy illustrates the interconnectedness of all members to Jesus Christ and to each other. Not one is unimportant or useless.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's command to eat unleavened bread teaches that He rescued His people from the bondage of sin, something they had no power to accomplish of themselves.
Patriotism, the Summer Soldier, and Our Times (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of patriotism to God's Kingdom, Jesus set the standard higher than anyone else, sacrificing His life for everyone, even before the Father called them.
Faith (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.
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.
Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sermon by David C. GrabbeLessons learned from COVID, as well as possible reasons God allowed or caused the pandemic to sweep through the church and wreak havoc on Feast observance.
Our Faith Is the Victory
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhile the carnal mindset is hostile to everything in God's word, we have been provided a gift to enable us to overcome: the faith from being born of God.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor 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.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride elevates one above God, denigrating any dependence upon God, replacing it with self-idolatry. We ought to boast or glory in the Lord instead of ourselves.
What Is Prayer?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPrayer to a tool we must learn to use. Because we take on the characteristics of those we are around, we should keep company with God continually though prayer.
Childrearing (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughOur children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.
John (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe book of John provides a plethora of signs corroborating Christ's authenticity and also shows how to live as God would live if He were a man.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWhen God gives a responsibility, He gives all the tools to carry it out and the freedom to decide how to do it. He wants to see how we do with what He gives.
Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Three): Attitude
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJob had not achieved spiritual maturity, but had assumed the arrogant stance of attempting to debate the Creator on his own level.
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (2021)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerWhen comparing the Jewish Disneyland Succoth Extravaganza with the Holy Days kept by Israel, it is obvious that the veil still bars their understanding.
A Disagreement With the Truth
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityGod alone possesses truth and we must seek this truth as we would seek precious gems. Pride could be described as disagreement with the truth.
Me, Myself, and You
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThis generation promotes self-gratification, self-realization, and self-indulgence, with a plethora of self-help books elevating self interest above others.
Diligence in the Face of Trials
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are in the battle of our very lives, facing the three formidable fronts of the world, Satan, and our own flesh. We must be strong in the Lord.
Deuteronomy (Part 6)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is absolutely faithful to finish what He started, knowing the end from the beginning. Our strength is dependent upon the relationship we have with God.
Philippians (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul conveyed to the Philippians his optimism that his imprisonment was actually a blessing, enabling him to magnify his effectiveness and bear more fruit.