Playlist: Self Exaltation (topic)

listen:

Self-Confidence

Sermonette by James C. Stoertz

This world in general touts self-confidence as a key indicator of capability and success, even if one has to 'fake it' until he makes it.


Was Job Really Self-Righteous?

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Self-righteousness is defined as being smugly proud of one's own opinion and intolerant of others. What Job repented of was his misunderstanding of God.


Facing Times of Stress: Lovers of Self

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We face the same kind of pressures and stress that Timothy faced, with perilous times ahead of us, threatening the existence of the nation and the church.


Doorway to the Kingdom

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Any time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.


The Case Against Pride

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Three 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.


From Pride to Humility

Sermon by John O. Reid

Two tests to reveal the presence of pride are the way we treat others (especially our own family) and the way we receive instruction or correction.


Living By Faith: Humility

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paradoxically, God stoops to us when we humble ourselves. Humility produces honor from God; if we humble ourselves, He will hear us.


Living by Faith: Human Pride

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our human nature is pure vanity with a heart that is desperately deceitful and wicked, motivated by self-centeredness, a deadly combination for producing sin.


Overcoming Satan's Competitive Spirit

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

The competitive spirit to dominate a competitor, not confined to athletic contests, militates against God's mandate that we esteem others over ourselves.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must have both perseverance and humility in prayer to keep our vision sharp and clear. Without humility, the doorway to acceptance by God is closed.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.


Faith (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The hallmark of Christian character is humility, which comes about only when one sees himself in comparison to God. Pride makes distorted comparisons.


Presumptuousness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Individuals arrogating to themselves the authority to change doctrine are on extremely dangerous ground, presumptuously setting up idols in place of God.


Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the matter of godly standards for dress, we must adopt the humble, childlike, sincere, unassuming, and teachable attitude, loving God intimately.


Faith (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.


God Gives Grace to the Humble

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Genuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.


Authority: Why So Many Resent It

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Pride, the father of all sins, is the source of self-exaltation, self-justification and the despising of authority. It cloaks rebellion in a deceptive appeal.


Conflicts In The Body

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

As members of God's family, we must be quick to forgive one another for real or imagined slights. Those in God's Kingdom, will all be working together.


Delusions of Perfection

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We need to exercise humility and forbearance when we deal with the weaknesses of our brethren, restoring them in love as we would expect them to do for us.


Countering Presumptuousness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were not content with where God had placed them, but, in a spirit of pride, wanted to arrogate to themselves the office of Moses.


James and Unleavened Bread (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The epistle of James stresses both faith and works, emphasizing those factors necessary for growth, enabling us to produce a bountiful harvest of fruit.


Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Wives are admonished to submit to their husbands, children to their parents, servants to their overseers, and we all are admonished to submit to one another.


Are You Living An Illusion?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Religious narcissists, who identify with the servant who received ten talents, cherry-pick Scripture to enhance their self-love and support their views.


Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because 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.


Private Religion

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Someone misusing piety to draw attention to themselves to enhance their reputation destroys character and they will not enter the Kingdom of God.


Concerning Edom

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The prophet Obadiah sorrowfully dramatizes God's judgment upon Edom (Esau) for his hatred, haughtiness, and pride, and how and why Edom will be annihilated.


How to Be a Bad Disciple

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Looking at discipleship from a negative perspective can help reveal errors in ourselves. Jesus shows four main attitudes that make for bad discipleship in Luke 9.


The Leavening of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jesus warned of three varieties of leaven that we must guard against, staying aware of the pitfalls that will pull us down and corrupt us.


Checklist for Overcoming

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Romans 12-16 provide a checklist for overcoming and promoting positive relationships, developing tender affection. We are mutually dependent upon one another.


Vanity (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon's statement that all of life is vanity is only true if one is not privy to God's ultimate purpose for mankind. Paul describes what God is doing.


Do Not Sound a Trumpet

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

To call attention to one's prayers, fasting, and offerings is a display of hypocrisy. We are warned about showing off our piety and righteousness.


Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We may find God's means of correction discouraging, but when we place His actions in context with His overall plan, we can find peace in God's sovereignty.


What Type of Leader Are You?

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jesus Christ did not teach the pyramid model of leadership, where successive levels of leaders provide direction to those in the lesser ranks. He served.


Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Habakkuk was frustrated that God would use an evil people to punish Israel, yet he resolved to cease fretting and to become a responsible watcher.


In Search of a Clear World View (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The apostle John warns us to be vigilant about the world, not loving its attitudes, mindsets, and frame of mind. We cannot both love the world and love God.


Me, Myself, and You

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

This generation promotes self-gratification, self-realization, and self-indulgence, with a plethora of self-help books elevating self interest above others.


The "Open Door" of Philadelphia

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Many have misunderstood the 'open door' reference in the letter to Philadelphia. It refers to Isaiah 22:15-25, which describes the role of Eliakim the steward.


Fathers Provoking Children

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Most families in God's church have a functional father, but even so, extremes of leniency and overbearing strictness do not make an ideal father.


Prayer Does Make a Difference

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God does not hear a prayer of pride, selfishness, and self exaltation, but He listens to prayers of supplication and intercession for the saints.


Faith (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We would like God to instantly gratify our desires. Consequently, we find living by faith difficult; we do not trust that He has things under control.


Philippians (Part Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul warns the Philippians that nothing blemishes their witness more than complaining, because like the Israelites, they were calling God into account.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Eight)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We should not expect brethren to be perfect; we all sin. God has not given His People the prerogative to judge another member as a tare.


In The Likeness of Men!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus was subjected to the same experiences as the rest of us, having the appearance, experiences, the capability of receiving injury and suffering temptation.


The Adversary

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Pride, vanity, presumption, and self-absorption led to Satan's demise. Satan's madness (that he is his own god) is the spirit of this world,


God's Creation and Our Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.


Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The receiving of God's Spirit is for God's creative effort in our lives. God's Spirit transforms us from a state of destruction into a state of purity.


The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Various 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.


Government (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The ministry's authority consists of teaching, edifying, and equipping the members for sainthood, but not to wield dictatorial power over their lives.


Motives

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Our motives must be to serve God and our spiritual siblings rather than elevating ourselves. Are we trying to help or merely putting on a show?


Why Did the Jews Hate Jesus?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The elites' jealousy over losing political power fueled their hatred of Jesus. Conflict between those who have power and those who want it is a way of life.


Pillars in the Temple of God

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Christ says He will make those who overcome 'pillar[s] in the temple of My God.' The pillars of a building support its roof and the structure as a whole.


The Failure of Miracles to Produce Righteousness

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Martin Collins asserts that miracles and signs from God, while certainly generating awe and fear, seldom lead to righteousness, but more likely to continued rebellion. Jesus points out that only an adulterous generation seeks after miracles and signs. No greater period of miracles took place in history than at the time of the …


In Him Was Life

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Although we have physical-chemical existence, we do not yet have God's quality of life. The key quality of eternal life is a vibrant relationship with God.


What's So Bad About Busybodies?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Bible lists busybodies with murderers and robbers. We must learn to operate in our appointed spheres of responsibility and not take the job of another.


The Glory of God (Part 4): Glorifying God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A raw display of emotion and exuberance does not necessarily glorify God. What we do to glorify God will reflect just how highly we esteem Him.