Playlist: Social Media (topic)

listen:

What Is Your Social Credit Ranking?

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Social scoring is the rating of a person's influence by such criteria as the number of social media followers. The effect will be to create a caste system.


No More Secrets

Commentary by Ryan McClure

The governmental intrusions into privacy, depicted by the movie Sneakers, have become a grim reality. With life online, nothing is secret.


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.


The Blame Game

Commentary by Joseph B. Baity

People revere doctors and technology above God. We are obsessed with negative and fake news, all assigning blame and pointing critical fingers.


A Famine of The Word (Part One)

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Billionaires have commandeered Apple, Twitter, Google, and Facebook, all ostensibly created for promoting free speech, for the purpose of censoring comments.


Human's Replacement

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

A robot has been developed with self-awareness and able to recombine knowledge, providing an artificial intelligence which could make humans obsolete.


What's Your Source?

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

No matter how finely tuned is one's baloney detector, wrong-headed thinking etches wrong concepts into minds around the world, even in the church of God.


A Political Hurricane

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Mass media and social media have been deliberately poking political hot buttons, purposely dividing the people of this nation to take adversary positions.


The Usual Chaos

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Michael Crichton predicted the disinformation age we are living through right now, warning that it would be difficult to separate reality from fantasy.


Another Mark of the Beast

Commentary by David F. Maas

Big Tech is creating a new mode of governance through which data analytics are used to create algorithms that decide rewards and punishment for targeted behaviors.


Christians and Politics

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Even though conservative views seem to be more compatible with the Bible, neither Republican nor Democrat standards are consistent with God's standards.


Think First of What We Say

Commentary by Bill Onisick

The information from media and the internet have demonstrated various degrees of inaccuracy. Consequently, we are vulnerable to spreading false reports.


The Ambiguous Mind

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

We cannot vacillate between allegiance to the world's standards and God's perfect standards. As one asks for wisdom, one must relinquish doubt.


Points of Reference

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Ancient mariners recognized they were off course due to stormy weather, unlike those of us today who may be unaware that we are off course on our journey.


Engage!

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Our daily social interaction has become digital rather than flesh and blood. Social media has divided us into media ghettos. Society has become disengaged.


Are We Mentally Fit?

Commentary by Bill Onisick

People are now battling sleep difficulty, anxiety, depression, and loneliness as never before in history.


Flame Wars

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Are we part of flaming — the aggressive and offensive interaction between Internet users? Or do we pursue righteousness in our speech and communication?


A Light To The World

Commentary by Mark Schindler

Exposure to more than two hours per day on digital screens lowers scores on thinking and language tests. We must not abandon our children to smartphones.


Dating (Part 1): The Purposes of Dating

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

A key ingredient in dating is faith in God's purpose. The relationship one has with God takes precedence over any relationship with any other human being.


Housing and Property Redistribution

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The United Nations Agenda 21 plan recommends the confiscation of private property for the sake of an equitable economic and social system.


Faith and Technology

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

As 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.


Are We Happy?

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

The inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness can only be realized when we live in gratitude for Our Creator's purpose for us.


Indistractable

Commentary by Bill Onisick

Social media, text messages, e-mails, websites and blogs are competing for our time, eroding our attention spans and exhausting our ability to concentrate.


Take the Red Pill

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

If we were to consciously monitor our thoughts, we would be appalled about the percentage of our day that we are exclusively wrapped up in ourselves.


What is Truth?

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Truth is a fundamental base of a relationship between God and His people. As the days grow evil, God's people must cling to the truth and love His holy law.


The Same Plumb Line

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

A former president was sexually immoral, lied with impunity, and misused his position. The same is true of the current one. Will we apply God's standard equally?


Day of Deception

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our vulnerability to deception has been increased with the exponential explosion of information, via Facebook, Twitter, and other internet sources.


Fruit of the Flesh - On Conflict

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

As God's chosen saints, we must not let our keyboard or mouth defile us. Godly conversation includes stifling the urge to win the argument at all costs.


Cancel Culture

Commentary by Ryan McClure

Offense will be common in the end times, and many will attempt to cancel those who disagree, as the Pharisees cancelled Jesus Christ by execution.


Follow the Herd?

Commentary by Mark Schindler

Greed has caused panic buying and selling of pharmaceutical stocks and has spawned a booming vaccine industry coupled with shameless scientific fraud.


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.


More On Lying - An Apology

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We need to be careful absorbing articles and blogs which may conform to our preconceived view of things, but do not necessarily conform to the truth.


Communication and Coming Out of Babylon (Part 1)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The demons who already inhabit the earth look upon us as interlopers. We need to monitor our thought impulses, lest we be bothered by demons.


The Same Mind, Judgment, and Speech

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

With the mind of Christ, we can agree with our spiritual siblings. We do not receive the fullness of Christ's mind at baptism; we must continue to seek it.


Can You Handle the Truth?

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

We must be willing to allow God to make changes in our thinking, even when those changes discomfort the beliefs to which we have acclimated ourselves.


Gossip

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The apostle James says that the tongue can metaphorically start a dangerous fire. He warns that gossip, tale-bearing and being a busy-body is like murder.


The End Is Not Yet

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's people do a disservice to the cause of truth when they allow the media-hype to trigger a false hope about Jesus Christ's return being imminent.


Hollywood Propaganda: The Insidious LGBT Agenda (Part One)

Commentary by David F. Maas

Hollywood moguls, executives, producers, directors, writers and actors have committed themselves not only to approving sexual perversion, but to promoting it.


Censorship and Political Correctness

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The algorithm in Microsoft's new AI-based software enables it to find 'offensive' and 'insensitive' usages and suggest post-modern replacements.


'Sons of God?'

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

God gave Jesus Christ to us to restore peace, reconciliation, and harmony with God. In the Beatitudes, the peacemakers are called 'sons of God.'


What's Your Function?

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

'Functional' refers to fulfilling the role for what was intended or performing as designed. Functional families deal with conflict, avoiding abuse or neglect.


Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Lessons 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.


The Curse

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

Malachi 4:4-6 warns of a a coming Elijah and of a curse if the hearts of the children are not turned back to the fathers and vice versa. Are we seeing this?


You Are My Friends!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

While it is common on Facebook to defriend/unfriend, Christ's love for His people is a friending with the condition that godly fruit is produced.


'But I Say to You' (Part Two): Murder and Anger

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Murder originates in the heart. Nothing from the outside defiles a man but originates in the heart governed by carnal human nature.


Differences of Opinion

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Satan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.


Four Warnings (Part Four): Founded on the Rock

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Mixing the solid foundation of Christ's teachings with the sand of worldly philosophies and traditions ends in calamity. We must build on the Rock.


Surprise Attack

Sermon by Bill Onisick

Any thought not aligned to God's Spirit is satanic, including bragging, putting others down, being puffed up with arrogance, or putting anything before God.


Titus (Part One): Introduction

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Cretan people had earned the reputation of duplicity. Church members faced the consequences of being tarred with the same brush—sometimes deservedly.


The Point of No Return

Commentary by Joseph B. Baity

Even before COVID-19, Americans were gripped by anxiety, fear, and depression, pointing to an unrecognized but quickly spreading mental health pandemic.


The Incomprehensibility of Our Great God

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Western society is increasingly using exaggerations or superlatives to describe the ordinary and mundane. Everyone will give an account of all idle words.


Sandcastle Virtues

Sermon by Mike Ford

Modern Israel still worships Astarte, now known as "mother earth," and crusades on behalf of fornication and all forms of sexual perversion.


How Much Do You Value the Kingdom of God?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Martyrdom is not a penalty because a person has failed to qualify for the Place of Safety; rather, it is a badge of honor for those who have overcome.


Without Restraint

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Paul describes the latter times, when people will behave like spoiled brats, cursing, looting, and showing no self-control—all happening today.


Is Comparative Religion Forbidden?

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The law against learning the way of the pagans was to prevent practicing their ways. Being aware of and being wary of idolatrous practice is not idolatry.


Happiness is Circumstantial, but Joy is Not!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Happiness is a by-product of our response to God's calling, coupled with our determination to connect with the Father, the Son, and the whole spiritual family.


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.


A Famine of the Word (Part Two)

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Progressives are attempting to thwart criticism of the homosexual agenda by forcefully removing 'intolerant speech' from Facebook, Yahoo, Twitter, and YouTube.


From Pilgrims to Pillars (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Sanctification is a process through which God transforms perishable raw materials into permanent, indestructible beings—literal members of the God-family.


Resistance (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The antidote to spiritual resistance is certainty and confidence in Christ to conform us into His image—a directed movement toward Christ.


A Heritage and a Reward

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

American society is cursed because the family, its most important component, is dysfunctional. It is impossible to raise families without God.


Israel, Selfies, and Idolatry

Sermonette by Mike Ford

The religious hobbyist Micah practiced his own self-devised hybrid of religion, amalgamating some orthodox truth with abundant noxious, pagan admixtures.


Prudence

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

We should not bring about needless persecution on ourselves or on the body of Christ because of our foolish texting, posting, tweeting, or e-mailing.


Blessing Promises: Our Spiritual Inheritance

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When we ask to be blessed, it should be exclusively on God's terms. What God has done in our lives is the best preparation for our future responsibilities.


Narcissists! Get Real!

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

As Haman demonstrates, God deposes the proud and will bring them low. We must learn to humble ourselves under God's hand, and He will exalt us.


Electronic Edification

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We must not to allow corrupt communication emanate from our keyboards. An on-line message fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.