Playlist: Humbling Ourselves (topic)

listen:

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.


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.


Fasting

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The best offering we can present is a humble and contrite heart, attainable through fasting, if done without pride and self-seeking.


Drifting

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Hebrews warns us to resist the pernicious pulls of the world and the flesh that cause us to spiritually drift, particularly pride and double-mindedness.


Humility

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Humility is not an obsequious act we turn on and off at will, but a sober reflection of our true relationship to God and our spiritual siblings.


Counting the Cost of Humility

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Even as several grandiose building projects have terminated because of cost overruns, so must we carefully count the cost of our spiritual building project.


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.


The Petrified Heart

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

The antidote to the fear of repentance caused by pride is godly humility and the willingness to be set on the right spiritual course.


House of Mourning

Sermon by Bill Onisick

The 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.


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.


Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Humility, poverty of spirit, and acknowledging our total dependence on God are of the utmost importance. God responds to those who are humble.


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.


Isaiah 58 and Fasting

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Fasting puts us in a proper humble and contrite frame of mind, allowing God to respond to us, freeing us from our burdens and guiding us into His Kingdom.


The Quest for Permanence

Sermonette by David F. Maas

Fasting brings our heart into alignment with God. The very best offering we can present is a humble and contrite heart, put on the fast track through fasting.


Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part One): To the Beaten

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God's people may fall into the trap of forgetting the sinful past from which God rescued them and come to look disdainfully on those not yet called.


The Small and Great Standing Before God

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

The greatest, according to Jesus Christ, can be determined by the one who serves the most with an attitude of humility, generosity, and other-centeredness.


Contrite Heart

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

As the day of God's wrath appears imminent, we must diligently seek the Lord, righteousness, and humility. Contrition pleases God the most.


Fast or Famine

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God has used famine as one of the tools to get the Israelites' attention when they violated the terms of the Covenant with Him, forsaking His holy law.


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.


Pride, Humility, and Fasting

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The intent of fasting is to deflate our pride—the major taproot of sin—the biggest deterrent to a positive relationship with God. Humility heals the breach.


Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The belief that America was or is a Christian nation cannot be supported by the facts. The world, governed by Satan, hates Christ's true followers.


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.


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.


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.


The Poor in Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Nothing that we could ever do could impress God, except for our contrition, acknowledgment of our infirmity, and remorse for our sins which displease God.


Faith and Spiritual Focus

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Fasting is not for pressuring God or attempting to put Him in debt, but instead to reveal what we really are, clothing us with the humility to yield to Him.


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.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Humility is not low self esteem, but instead it is a proper estimate of our relationship to God, which is a choice to act and behave as a servant or slave.


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.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Prayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.


Service with a Smile

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Jesus Christ expects His followers to serve while expecting nothing in return. Whoever wants to become great must fill the role of an unpretentious servant.


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.


Potential for Good

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The chief tool we can use to do good (building positive relationships between other people) is to develop and exercise the mind of God within us.


Unanswered Prayer

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Even though we often must wait for a response, God listens closely to our prayers from the heart and is looking out for our best interests.


Who Then Is In The Kingdom Of Heaven?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In Matthew 18, some disciples pondered who would be greatest in the Kingdom. However, ambition, arrogance, and pride will keep one from even being there.


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.


Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.


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.


Matthew (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus resisted Satan with the knowledge of God, resisting appeals to vanity, using power selfishly resisting to lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.


Stewards of the Mysteries of God

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The lowly, not impeded so much with pride or ego, make better stewards than those who may seem more presumptuous and self-centered.


Imagination

Sermon by John O. Reid

Satan works on us through our imagination; he broadcasts images to our minds. To counter this, we must resist him, practice humility and draw close to God.


Philippians (Part Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ, through His voluntary humility, has given us a model of the mindset that we need to have in order to attain membership in the family of God.


Philippians (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul teaches that individual overcoming in lowliness of mind, putting others ahead of self, leads to the whole body being strengthened.


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.


Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both Ruth and Naomi demonstrated covenant loyalty in this marriages long after the death of their spouses. Ruth faithfully continued to serve her mother-in-law.


The Cost of Reconciliation

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Reconciliation is the product of a sacrifice to pacify the wrath of an offended person. We must imitate Christ in His approach toward hostility from others.


Spiritual Minefields

Sermon by John O. Reid

To navigate safely through Satan's minefield, we must ask for God's protection, maintaining humility, watchfulness, and diligence in our task of overcoming.


Honor Before Love

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Agape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.


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.


Principles of Church Leadership

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.


Wilderness Wanderings (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The spiritual journey of God's people is more difficult than the physical one of the ancient Israelites, requiring as it does more resources to navigate.


Grace Upon Grace

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Forgiveness is only the beginning of the grace process, enabling us to grow to the stature of Christ. Paradoxically, grace puts us under obligation to obey.


Philippians (Part Nine)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Godly righteousness demands humility, a readiness to admit shortcomings, a yieldedness to correction, and a willingness to be refashioned.


Jairus

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jairus, in effect, put his livelihood and status on the line, willing to give up everything for faith in the Son of God. Jairus' faith was tested twice.


Character and Leadership

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Leaders cannot compartmentalize their personal and public lives. Immorality in private life will bleed into public leadership. Jesus condemned hypocrisy.


'But I Say to You' (Part Six): Retaliation

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus, using hyperbole to shock His disciples into a change of behavior or attitude, emphasizing that they should resist the impulse to retaliate.


The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Marriage prepares God's called-out ones to collectively become the bride of Christ. God hates divorce but allows it on grounds of adultery and violence.


The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fourteen): Israel Redeemed

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God employs a winnowing process in selecting those who will enter the Millennium. The process includes punishment for Israel's failure to serve as priests.


Confronting the Field of Battle

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We must put on the entire armor of God, not just the defensive parts. We must proactively rather than reactively assume out part in the spiritual battle.


Offences Must Come

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

Contrary to popular usage, the verb 'offend' indicates a transgression of a moral or divine standard. There is little room to be offended unless there is sin.


Examine Oneself

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

To avoid taking the Passover in an unworthy manner, we are to put ourselves on trial, making an ardent effort to detect our shortcomings.


Trust Issues

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

When we take counsel only in ourselves, we run the risk of giving ourselves over to the one who influences our human nature, Satan the Devil.


The Conquering Offensive!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Our Christian warfare cannot merely consist in maintaining a defensive holding pattern, but instead we must go on the conquering offensive, using the sword.


Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Grace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.


Wilderness Wandering (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

If we yield to God's manipulation of our lives, we will handle stress constructively, developing a relationship with Him, bearing spiritual fruit.


Belief with Obedience

Sermon by John O. Reid

Catholics and Protestants, because of lack of belief, do not find the Bible a sufficient guide to salvation. They claim to believe Christ, yet disobey.


Maintaining Good Health (Part 11)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Human nature takes chances, assuming the day of reckoning will come later, not sooner. We cannot ignore truth or God's laws without paying a horrific price.


The Needed Dimension

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unless we humbly submit before God, all of His efforts go for naught. God will not give His Spirit to those who will not obey Him.