Playlist: Priorities (topic)
Priorities
Sermonette by Ryan McClureWe must screen out the allure of Babylon and make sure that God is always number one on our list of priorities.
Time Management
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaA time management seminar teaches that unless we put large rocks (priorities) in a container first, the container will inevitably fill up with trivia.
Focus Is The Key
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To counteract interruptions, we must rid ourselves of vague goal setting, replacing it with a deadline, continually reminding us that time is finite.
Staying On Point
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We need to carefully consider whether TV and the Internet are really a blessing or a potentially life-threatening curse—another pull we are forced to resist.
Start Now to Begin Walking
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The things of God require digging; it is time to walk step-by-step to the finish of the cause He has called us to complete.
Make Sure of Your Focus!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDistractions produce a movement toward randomness and confusion, seriously endangering one's calling. We must sharpen our focus on God and His purpose.
Listening
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBiblical listening is not just hearing, but active understanding and responding, leading to changed behavior. Not hearing is tantamount to rebellion.
Intimacy with Christ (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must guard our time, not allowing busyness and involvement with activities of the world to prevent us from forming a deep intimacy with God.
Intimacy with Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan has deliberately designed this world to burn up our precious time, creating an artificial sense of urgency and a perpetual state of discontent.
Don't Be Indifferent
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The frightful Trumpet Plagues are coming on the world because of the breaking of covenants on the part of people who should have known better.
Worry and Seeking the Kingdom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWorry is a wired-in proclivity of carnal human nature, a response that Satan has programmed in a perpetual state of discontent and distrust in God.
Deadlines
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityIn a recent study, scientists declared that, regardless of lifestyle or environmental factors, each human being has a clock with its own expiration date.
Don't Lose Your Focus!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul urged that we get our focus more balanced, emphasizing love over prophetic correctness, not remaining indifferent to what Christ deemed important.
Acting the Fool
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Hebrew words for 'fool' describe a person living his life without considering the consequences of his deeds—a moral deficiency, grounded in insolence.
Studying the Bible
Sermon by John O. ReidBible study provides a personal means of attaining the mind of God, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Are We Redeeming the Time?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTime is fleeting; any of us could perish tomorrow. Procrastination in matters of godliness can be fatal, as the parable of the rich fool teaches.
Resistance (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe antidote to spiritual resistance is certainty and confidence in Christ to conform us into His image—a directed movement toward Christ.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Profit from life is produced by work, requiring sacrifices of time and energy. We have been created for the very purpose of doing good works.
The World (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur intimate fellowship should not be with the world, but be concentrated upon God and those who have made the Covenant, loving them as we would ourselves.
Is Your Eye Single?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughIf our goal is wrong, our entire being will be off. Our first priority is to be loyal to God, casting aside all distractions and other interests.
Our Core Business
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen corporations get rid of their core business, they become less effective. Likewise when we deviate from our core job, we risk returning to the world.
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.
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.
Be Strong and Work
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David C. GrabbeWhile the returned Judean exiles prioritized their own houses over building the temple, we should understand that it is always time to work on God's house.
Faith and Technology
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeAs technology becomes more available, the material world threatens to crowd God out of the picture. The information age will destroy us unless we manage it.
Looking Back to the Future
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dwelling in booths and the sacrifices were the context for rejoicing at the Feast of Tabernacles. The booths depict our current lives as pilgrims.
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.
House of Mourning
Sermon by Bill OnisickThe prospect of death makes one more mature and self-aware, illuminating the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 that it is better to go to the house of mourning.
The Lord's Nourishing and Cherishing
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe marriage covenant must be elevated to the stature of Christ and the church. A caring husband must love his wife as he nourishes his own physical body.
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.
Antidotes to Fear and Depression
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe key to overcoming the fear of loss of control is to admit that God is in control. If we have our priorities straight, God will take care of our anxieties.
Contentment
Sermon by John O. ReidMany people live in a state of discontent. Tragically, what they set their hearts upon often displaces the love for family and a relationship with God.
The Christian and the World (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe best way to attain true wealth and the abundant eternal life is to loosen our grip on worldly rewards and treasures, and single-mindedly follow Christ.
Matthew (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we ask God for protection from demonic influence, we cannot sit back passively; Satan always counterattacks. Evil must be displaced with good.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhile drunkenness and gluttony show self-centeredness and lack of discipline, often leading to poverty and ill health, moderation is the way to glorify God.
Titus 2:11-14
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are obligated to dress and keep what is placed in our care, improving what He has given to us. We dare not stand still, but must make effort to grow.
Abraham (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe learn from Abraham's experience to trust God even when we have incomplete information. When we attempt to take the expedient way out, we will run into trouble.
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 Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe storm on the Sea of Galilee instructs us that when we are in a trial and getting nowhere, if we invite Christ into the situation, we will have peace.
The Hand You're Dealt
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonThe hand that we are dealt contains the potential for victory, but not if we are not equipped to play it skillfully and wisely.
Displaying Virtuous Character
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSelf-control has both an inward and outward dimension, the latter concerned with human relationships, manners, and reflecting God's orderly mindset.
Birthrates in Decline
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughStatistics show that the birth rate for the Western nations has dropped below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman, sometimes significantly so.
Money: A Gauge of Character
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughIf God cannot trust a person to properly handle a small amount of money, He will not give him responsibility over more crucial matters.
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.
God's Perspective
Sermonette by Ryan McClureHuman nature skews our view of reality; there is always more than meets the eye. We would do well to adopt the approach of 'Good or bad, it is hard to say.'
As The Deer Pants
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThere 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.
Money, Control, and Sacrifice
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughWealth will certainly damage our character if we permit it to control us. Riches cannot buy forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, or eternal life.
Shaping Your Worldview
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our worldview influences every decision we make. If we do not give God the prominent position in our worldview, we will make self-destructive choices.
Indifference and Offering
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Herbert Armstrong used his advertising skill to teach the truth of God, unlike the peddlers of the 'Prosperity' gospel who promise material blessings.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon exercised a lifetime of hard work trying to find answers, but fell short because some things are discoverable only through God's revelation.
The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part One) (2007)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe scattering of the church was God-ordained, providing a test for godliness. The isolating demonstrated by some groups is an abomination and an affront.
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur pilgrimage to the Kingdom will not be easy; we will suffer fatigue from difficult battles with serious consequences. We fight the world, Satan, and our flesh.
Sanctification and the Teens
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughYoung people in the church must realize that they are not invincible. Not only is God's law no respecter of persons, but also sanctification can be lost.
Parenting (Part 1): Principles
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of our upside down emphasis on the youth culture and its characteristic selfishness or self-centeredness, the family is crumbling and deteriorating.
Preparing for Bad Times (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo assume that God will take care of us without our making an effort to provide for ourselves is a dangerous presumption.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Colossians 2:16 and Galatians 4:9-10, Paul was warning against mixing Gnostic asceticism and pagan customs with the keeping of God's Sabbath and Holy Days.
Without Natural Affection
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of lawlessness, love has gone stone-cold. Sin and lawlessness begets more sin and lawlessness, and natural affection and love disappear.
Psalm 23 (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughSheep are the most dependent on their owner for their well-being. From the viewpoint of the sheep, the quality of care of the shepherd is of utmost importance.
Acts (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe witness of the apostles, particularly miraculous healings performed in the name of Jesus Christ, brought them into conflict with the Jewish leaders.
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.