Playlist: Work Ethic (topic)
Work and Welfare
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible does not condone a government-supplied welfare system, insisting rather that people who refuse to work shall not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10-15).
Created to Do God's Will and Work
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod requires us to work and not deliberately seek welfare or food stamps, but He also does not want us to obsess on acquiring riches.
Why Work?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughJesus said that His Father has been working continually, setting an example for us to develop a passion for creating, along with tending and keeping.
Magic Doesn't Work (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhile God is consistently depicted as working, magic seemingly provides a shortcut that bypasses overcoming and growth, attaining something for nothing.
No Work, No Eat
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth God the Father and Christ provide examples of work, exertion, and industry. To become idle is to deny the faith.
Walter E. Williams (1936-2020)
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughDr. Walter E. Williams was a stalwart champion of free enterprise and capitalism as well as a fearless enemy of the welfare state and victimhood mentality.
The Other Israel
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The media portrays Israel as a war-torn, savage country. Actually Israel is a world class scene, having a better GNP than any country in the Western world.
A "Gimme" Nation
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughThe noble trait of self-sufficiency, long associated with the American spirit, has sadly been eclipsed by a spoiled brat, whiney, 'gimme' welfare mentality.
Why Governments Can't
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)While working for the government may provide a feeling of security, it can also breed complacency and laziness, inspiring a wholesale lack of motivation.
An Important Reality (Part 1)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Government unions are unwilling to sacrifice, but feel that their pay is an entitlement. Do we also feel that we are entitled to God's blessings?
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasTo escape Babylon, we must embrace God's work ethic, choosing to serve rather than be served, endeavoring to give extra measure and go the second mile.
Set Up For Success
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh acknowledges that young people display a proclivity to accept socialism, oblivious to the horrendous damage socialist experiments have brought to the world. Politicians of the ilk of Bernie Sanders have fomented hatred toward capitalism by comparing it to an imaginary utopia. Economist Walter Williams insists …
Conservatism and Liberalism
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Political and spiritual liberals both subvert standards based on law and the covenant relationship by those believing they have a better way than God's.
Increasing Your Life Span
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsPeople entering retirement often experience degrees of depression brought about by deteriorating health status and the feeling of no longer being needed.
Why Be Industrious?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughTraining a child to be industrious helps him to be successful, which in turn promotes a stable family, community, nation and will transfer into God's Kingdom.
On Earning Wealth
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The three principles for acquiring prosperity (diligently working, wisely managing what one has earned, and meticulously saving) all militate against laziness.
What's Wrong With the Kids?
Sermonette by Mike FordA major factor of the snowflake syndrome is the self-esteem movement, which has brainwashed young people into thinking they were unique and special.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon emphasized in Ecclesiastes 2 that we should enjoy and derive pleasure from our work. The way that we work is a visible witness of God before men.
Why Do You Feel Entitled?
Sermon by Kim MyersThe entitlement attitude has crept into God's church, with people seemingly feeling they should be served instead of eagerly serving others.
Gambling: A Question of Motive
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsThe addiction of gambling comes from the lure of effortless profit and the way of get, motivated by covetousness, which militates against contentment.
The Laborers: Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause God is completely just, we have an obligation to be content with what He has given us, to allow Him to use us for whatever purpose He desires.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn answer to the question, 'How can a mere human being fulfill the difficult expectations of God?', Jesus instructs us to 'Ask, seek, and knock.'
Tithing: 'Try Me Now!' (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsTithing requires faith and trust in God, who provides our ability to acquire wealth. Each member must make his own decision. Tithing is based on increase.
The Path from Here to Beyond
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We have no idea when Christ will return. We must, in our mind's eye, see our God crafting us into what He desires, preparing us for His Kingdom.
The Commandments (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWealth accumulated by honest work and diligence will be blessed, but hastily acquired by any kind of theft or dishonesty will be cursed.
Christian Men: Personal Responsibility
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAlthough men have no moral or mental advantages over women, God has commissioned them to actively lead, providing security and stability to family and society.
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.
One Answer to Distractions
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Distractions and interruptions caused by phone, e-mail, computers, or texting are detrimental to productivity and to the operating a business at a profit.
The Peter Principle
Sermon by Mike FordAs one uses the power provided by God's Holy Spirit, even one who has previously failed miserably can rise to astounding levels of spiritual competence.
Too Good to Ignore
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we become skillful, doing things that perhaps no one else has done, we acquire passion, creativity, control over output, and fulfillment.
Teaching Us to Think (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is putting His children through a demanding educational program designed to teach godly values and impart spiritual maturity. Learning is hard work.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Talents teaches the need for diligence in using the gifts of God. God expects us to use our talents to His glory and in the service of others.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Three)
Sermon by David F. MaasDeveloping the daily habit of meditation on God's Word can displace that deadly carnal nature, replacing it with Godly character—the mind of God.
Responding to Catastrophe
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHow are we going to react when the next disaster strikes our area? Are we going to gripe and complain? Are we going to sit and wait for somebody to help us?
Consider the Butterfly
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCreation teaches the orderly mind of God. The butterfly provides valuable analogies to illustrate our conversion and transformation from mortal to immortal.
First Do No Harm
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThe physician's code attributed to Hippocrates was designed to inspire trust on the part of the patients, especially on behalf of the most vulnerable.
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.
Indistractable
Commentary by Bill OnisickSocial media, text messages, e-mails, websites and blogs are competing for our time, eroding our attention spans and exhausting our ability to concentrate.
Socialism is Mob Rule (Part One)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Socialism is a denial of law, resulting in the masses to plundering the productive. When agitators convince people of their victimhood, they unleash mob rule.
Lot's Day and Our Day
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe West is obsessed with materialism and guaranteed security, as many institutions protect—even encourage—mediocrity, incompetency, and malfeasance.
Get Understanding
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughIf we ask God for wisdom, we will also need to be ready to work to achieve it. Good results do not just magically happen; 'some assembly' is required.
What Makes Generation "Me" Tick?
Commentary by David F. MaasOver the past six decades (from the Boomer Generation to the Millennial generation), individuals have grown more narcissistic, entitled and miserable.
Self-Government and Responsibility (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJacob's Trouble, or the Great Tribulation, comes about because people are not meeting their God-given responsibilities: keeping His Commandments.
The Sabbath: Rest
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is an antidote to the weariness we experience. It recalls God's pausing after completing His physical creation, focusing on the spiritual creation.
Genesis 3:17-19: Consequences for Adam
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAdam sinned, having abdicated his leadership position. His posterity has been cursed with overwhelming toil just to stay ahead. We are perfected by hardship.
Urgency to Get Closer to God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersThe time when the offspring of Jacob are going to pay the piper is rapidly closing in. We must cultivate a sense of urgency in our relationship with God.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
The Christian and the World (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnxious care and foreboding are debilitating and faith-destroying. Meditating on what God has already done strengthens our faith and trust in God.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Four): Pergamos
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCultural compromise, such as found in Pergamos, brings judgment from Jesus. To those who refuse to compromise their convictions, Christ promises eternal life.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVarious animals were used in the burnt offering—bullocks, lambs, doves, and goats. Each depicts some characteristic of Jesus that we must emulate as we serve God.
Childrearing (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughChildren do not initiate love but reflect it. If a child does not receive a convincing demonstration of this love, he will not become a conductor of love.
John (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWhen God removes an infirmity or gives a blessing, He also gives a responsibility to follow through, using the blessing to overcome and glorify God.
The Commandments (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn our hectic culture, we commit far too little time to God, depriving ourselves of the Holy Spirit and attenuating the faith required to draw close to God.
Preparing For the End
Sermon by Ryan McClureAs we head rapidly toward the end times, plagues will increase, meaning we must run our race deliberately and with intense focus, taking solace in Psalm 91.
Guard Against Being an Abomination to God
Sermon by Kim MyersAn abomination is anything God hates, including idolatry, diverse weights, uncleanness, sorcery, a proud look, a lying tongue, and the shedding of innocent blood.
Titus (Part Five): A Church in Training
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul, realizing that the tiny flock was no match for the Roman Empire, did not crusade to abolish slavery, but instead taught the church how to deal with it.
Trumpets Is a Day of Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.
Don't Stop, Keep Moving
Sermon by Mike FordThe priest Eli is a tragic example of someone who began his tenure with energy, but coasted into complacency, eventually winking at flagrant sin in his sons.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Ten)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe three parables in Matthew 25 (The Ten Virgins, The Talents and The Sheep and Goats) all focus on the importance of spiritual preparedness.
The Value of Humility
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloPride distorts our view of reality and our relationships. Being humble is not for the faint of heart, but requires God's Spirit operating in our lives.
Highly Skilled Overcomers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFollowing our passions only applies if we invest the career capital to perfect our craft, honing our skills so that other people will pay for what we have to offer.
Imagining The Garden of Eden (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil opened the minds of our first parents to evil, the experiential knowledge that comes from sin.
Thou Shall Not Covet
Sermon by John O. ReidBecause virtually every sin begins as a desire in the mind, the command against coveting (lustful cravings) could be the key to keeping the other commandments.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe early church was invaded by Gnosticism that denigrated the 'enslavement to Yahweh, His Law, and the Sabbath,' replacing it with Greek philosophy.
Isaac
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe name Isaac—'laughter'—suggests his optimistic disposition, someone not afflicted by fear and doubt. Isaac serves as a type of Christ, honoring his father.
God's Epistle
Sermon by John O. ReidWe as Christians have the obligation or responsibility to provide a light or shining example in a darkened world that generally hates God's way.
The Christian and the World (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must realize we are walking on a razor's edge, with the Kingdom of God on one side and the world with all its sensual magnetic charms on the other side.
Sin (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Gnostics criticized by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 were guilty of bringing in ritualistic ascetic discipline to propitiate demons.