Playlist: Complaining (topic)
Tempting God (Numbers 14)
Sermonette by James BeaubelleWe must carefully consider the offenses preventing the Israelites from entering the Land. That evil generation refused to trust Him, but complained continually.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are not individually sovereign, but we are taught to give ourselves over completely to God's sovereignty. If we do, we will reap unfathomable blessings.
Mercy, Pilgrimage, and Providence
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur experience in overcoming and developing character will be fraught with difficulties, but God will provide the power to get through all the anguish.
Everybody's Protesting
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughAmericans have a high regard for free speech. God, on the other hand, shows little tolerance for incessant grumbling, complaining, murmuring, or rebellion.
Are You an Israelite?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.
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.
Psalms: Book One (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause Jesus is God's Son, we can avoid the rod of His anger by paying respect with worshipful awe. We must know both His instruction and Him personally.
Authority: Why So Many Resent It
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPride, 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.
The Poor in Spirit
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNothing that we could ever do could impress God, except for our contrition, acknowledgment of our infirmity, and remorse for our sins which displease God.
The Ministry
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidThe church has lost faith in God to work through His ministry. We must develop a balanced insight into the function of the helpers of our joy.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who have made a covenant with God can be corrupted unless they make a concerted effort to know God, realizing He has the right to do as He pleases.
Sovereignty and 'Once Saved Always Saved'
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine fail to see that God has a more extensive and creative plan for mankind than merely saving him.
Rejoice at the Feast
Sermonette by Mike FordDeuteronomy 16:13 and other scriptures admonish us to rejoice at the Feast of Tabernacles. How does this apply if things go wrong?
How Much Does God Love You?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughI John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.
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.
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.
The Commandments (Part Thirteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod has never given mankind the prerogative to determine whether war is just or not. God has promised to protect us, conditioned on our obedience to our covenant.
God Works In Marvelous Ways (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's highest goal is not salvation, but sanctification into godly character, leading to membership in His family as co-rulers with Jesus Christ.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.
Thankfulness
Sermonette by James BeaubelleRobbing God extends far beyond the neglect of tithes and offerings, but also includes ignoring God and neglecting to thank Him for the plethora of blessings.
Malachi's Appeal to Backsliders (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAt the end of Malachi, the priests make seven feeble queries, questioning God's providence and His faithfulness, asking what good it does to be godly.
The Gift of Milk and Honey
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersLike the ancient Israelites, we sometimes come to yearn for our previous bondage. If we understood God's purpose for us, we would live entirely differently.
Numbers (Part Two): Graves in the Wilderness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we, like Israel of old, choose to sin, we will receive the same consequence. Two thirds of the book of Numbers emphasizes that if we sin, we die.
Our Hope
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our hope is based on having a living Savior. At times we are discouraged and overwhelmed, but God has not left us—though unseen, He is in the trials with us.
Discouragement and Trumpets
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughWhile there may be reasons to become depressed, there is no reason to stay depressed, realizing that God is with us the whole way.
Numbers: The Book of Judgment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe live daily in uncharted territory, but the sobering account in Numbers provides a roadmap, establishing God's pattern of judging our pilgrimage conduct.
Thankfulness (1986)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe need to give thanks for everything, blessings and trials. Christianity ought to be an exhilarating experience, but it depends on our outlook on life.
Passover and I Corinthians 10
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Old Testament examples, the Corinthians had a careless presumption, allowing themselves to lust, fornicate, tempt God, and murmur.
Job: Things Left Unsaid
Sermon by David C. GrabbeEven the accuser of the brethren made no accusations against Job, the first of several curious absences—things left unsaid—in the book of Job.
Blessed Are the Meek (2014)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Paul's listings of virtues, meekness always appears near the end, reflecting its difficulty. Meekness is the gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion.
Discouragement
Sermonette by James BeaubelleDiscouragement paralyzes one's efforts to overcome temptation or to lose patience in a trial, ultimately leading to deterioration or the destruction of faith.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJoseph knew and recognized his brothers before they knew him, even as God knows our guiltiest secret sins that we think we have effectively hidden.
Baruch's Discontent
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)God was going to uproot the civilization that Baruch knew, but he was not to attempt to take advantage of the calamity for personal gain.
Continuing on to Completion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBecause of God's grace, those who are called late will reap as much as those who are called early. Whenever we are called, we must continue faithfully.
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?
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and Son are separate; the Father is the source of all power, while the Son serves as the channel through which we interface with the Father.
Christians in the Spotlight
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must let our lights shine by our moderation, self-control, attitude, and behavior, realizing that we are reflecting the characteristics of God Almighty.
How Satan Destroys Faith
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause we act on what we believe, any affront to our belief system will alter our choices and behavior, placing us on a destructive trajectory.
Philippians (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWorking out our salvation does not mean working for salvation, but instead making what we believe operational. God gives us the power both to will and to do.
All Nations Before Him Are As Nothing!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod used the unconverted Israelites as His instrument of removal of the Canaanites, but showed them the fruits of war, including captivity for disobedience.
Are We Happy?
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamThe inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness can only be realized when we live in gratitude for Our Creator's purpose for us.
Preparations For Christ's Return
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of its intractability, the earth will require softening up through earth-shaking events before Christ's return, symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets.
Fatherhood and Modern Temptations
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMany fathers abdicate their leadership responsibilities, becoming addicted to workaholism, television, or even pornography. The culture teeters on destruction
Maintaining Good Health (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe can do nothing to gain the favor of God before our calling, but we are empowered by God to carry out a particular part of His plan to edify the body.
The Christian Walk: In Light
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTo His disciples, Christ admonishes us to follow the light, imitate (or do) the light, and become sons of the light; to not just reflect light but become it.
Facing Times of Stress: Forewarned of Persecution!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsUnder the best of times, God's people are not immune to persecution. Persecution for righteousness' sake is evidence that God's people have Christ's Spirit.
Differences of Opinion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.
Facing Times of Stress: Persecution
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPersecution involves a wide spectrum, ranging from torture, physical beating, social excommunication, imprisonment and death. Our boldness should match Paul's.
Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDetermining the will of God is difficult to do unless we know the character of God. Holiness is the foundation for all of the other traits of God.
Facing Times of Stress: Faithfulness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPrayers often become difficult because we fail to add thanksgiving, praise or adoration toward God. Thankfulness is an obligation to which we are bound.
Are We Ready To Enter The Promised Land?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe may not be troubled by giants or enemy nations, but we have trials of similar magnitude. We dare not behave as the timid spies, but live with boldness.
Spotting False Teachers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTrue shepherds have genuine concern for the flock, as opposed to hirelings who only devour or take advantage of the flock.
Submitting (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSeeking our will at the expense of the group makes conflict inevitable. Society work only when everyone submits to one another in the fear of Christ.
Hope in Christ Purifies Us
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must remember that hope is sure, but we must wait patiently for God's plan for us to unfold. In the meantime, we purify ourselves of corruption.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Twelve)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGoats are aggressive, sneaky and disobedient; they are loners, uncooperative, and stingy. The sheep enter God's Kingdom because they show compassion to others.
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.
Flavorless Salt
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonThe metaphor of properly flavoring our speech with salt applies to how we speak to those who have not yet been called, which reflects on the family name of God.
'But I Say to You' (Part Six): Retaliation
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus, using hyperbole to shock His disciples into a change of behavior or attitude, emphasizing that they should resist the impulse to retaliate.
'But I Say to You' (Part Four): Divorce
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen divorce takes place, spiritual growth from the relationship stops, but when conflict escalates within a dying relationship, no growth can occur either.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Six)
Sermon by David F. MaasWhen we find our proper niche of service in the body of Christ, we will experience more joy and fun than a human being ought to be allowed.
Five Major Problems of the Pilgrimage
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLearning to judge is one of the most important qualities of a leader. Consequently, Christ warned that intemperance in judging will act as a boomerang.
Themes of Ruth (Part Two): God's Providence
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we count the 50 days toward Pentecost, we should consider the events of our lives, coming to understand that they reveal God's on-going maintenance.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though the evidence from creation is overwhelming, people deliberately want to disregard it because accepting it would require submitting to His will.
Life Is Service (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA culture of slavery pervaded life in the early Christian church, forcing Paul to pen instructions accommodating this practice in the context of love.
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.
What You Feel vs. What You Believe
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFeelings and emotions may throw our faith off course. Our moods are mercurial and we must control them with daily prayer and Bible study.
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.
Are Your Feelings Fighting Your Faith?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsToday's Christianity is more theatrics than theological; feelings have become the replacement for faith, eroding spiritual growth and character.
The March Toward Globalism (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Self-will must be extirpated from our children; God's will must take its place. Childrearing must begin at the start of a child's formative life.
Testing the Spirits (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Apostle John exhorts us to test and discern the spirits, judging between the true and the false, using the scripture as the steady standard of truth.