Playlist: Israel's Relationship with God (topic)
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Four): God's Indictment
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though Jacob's offspring have had a special relationship with God, their carnal nature led them to test God's patience, growing more corrupt than even Sodom.
Hosea, Gomer, God, and Israel
Sermon by Kim MyersTo dramatize the perennial harlotry of Israel and the incredible love God exhibits toward His people, He commands Hosea to marry a harlot, Gomer.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fifteen):The Israel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe top priority for the Israel of God is to cooperate with Him as He develops godly character through their mortifying the old man and putting on the new man.
Israel's Missing Characteristics of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Faithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Three): A Cycle of Rebellion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIsrael consistently cycles through God's deliverance, apostasy through idolatry and immorality, God's chastening, national repentance, then deliverance again.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Eleven): Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33 identify the family traits of the Israelite tribes. God maintains a closer relationship with Israel than with any other people.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Two): The Old Covenant
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod made the New Covenant because Jacob's offspring did not have what it took to fulfill the terms of the Old Covenant. The carnal mind is hostile to God's law.
The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMarriage 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.
Zephaniah (Part Two): God's Wrath on the Whole World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though the Gentiles will be punished, only Israelites had a special relationship with God, and consequently were more accountable for their failure.
The Wrath of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLove motivates the two intrinsic parts of God's holy character—goodness and severity, as He seeks to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part One): Origins
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause Abraham trusted God, his descendants have received unprecedented blessings. If the Israelites would have kept God's law, they would have served as a model.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Faith in God and in the motivating power in God's Word have to be the driving force in everything we do each day.
Prayer and Seeking God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRather than having an apathetic relationship toward God, we must ardently, earnestly, and fervently seek God in order to imitate His behavior in our lives.
Our Walk With God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLike ancient Israel, we walk out of our individual circumstances through a metaphorical desert of trials and tests, following God into the Promised Land.
The Faith of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeNot only did Israel cross the Red Sea on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, but it was also when Jericho's walls fell and when Jesus healed the lame man.
Faith, Hope, and the Worship of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUsing assumptions, some have concocted some nine conflicting calendars. The preservation of the oracles has not been entrusted to the church but to the Jews.
Do You Really Know God?
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaWe can know for sure that we know Him intimately by keeping His commandments and practicing loving kindnesses.
The Longsuffering of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamGod has exercised patience, longsuffering, and forbearance, but He cannot acquit the unrepentant sinner.
Hebrews 2: God Is Present
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's people must immerse themselves daily in the Scriptures. While sinning Israelites consider God to be absent, He is nevertheless present with His saints.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The book of Deuteronomy is addressed to the Israel of God, a group of God's called out ones who have been convicted that the Law has not been done away.
An Undying Love
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaEven though Gomer proved unfaithful, Hosea still loved her, buying her back from captivity and restoring her as his wife, just like God lovingly forgives.
The Seventh Commandment: Adultery
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Amos' prophecy, faithlessness and sexual immorality loom large, like a a prostitute chasing after lovers. Faithlessness extends into not keeping one's word.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Although America was not founded as a Christian nation, it was designed to accommodate a sense of morality and justice based on Judean-Christian principles.
Lamentations (Part Three; 1989)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAs Lamentations opens, Jerusalem is personified as a widow who has had to endure the destruction of her family as well as the mocking scorn from the captors.
Amos 5 and the Feast of Tabernacles
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we go to the Feast with the goal of physically enjoying, we may lose out on both the spiritual and physical benefits. 'Going through the motions' defiles it.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIt is not the physical nation, but the spiritual remnant with whom God is working, circumcising their hearts and writing His laws in their minds.
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.
Our Merciful and Faithful Provider
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The experiences of ancient Israel, bad and good, guide us in our spiritual pilgrimage to our Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is a strong foundation.
Hebrews (Part Two): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)If we understand the function of the Old Covenant as explained in Leviticus, we will better understand the New Covenant and not reject the law of the Savior.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As the lives of the major biblical figures were predestined, so are our lives. God chooses, moves, and manages the lives of His servants.
Divorce and Remarriage
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAny given doctrine must be built layer by layer, combining and comparing scriptures rather than allowing a single scripture to determine the doctrine. When we understand that porneia includes all the hideous perverted sexual sins that go beyond ordinary adultery- including bestiality, pedophilia, homosexuality, incest, and every …
The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Prophets, even though they may bring new messages, stay consistent with existing Scripture and doctrine as they speak on behalf of God.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fault of the Old Covenant was with the hearts of the people. Christ took it upon Himself to amend the fault enabling us to keep the commandments.
The Peacemakers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people are not in a right relationship with God, peace is impossible. Sin (the breaking of the law or covenant) automatically breaks the peace.
The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A prophet is one who carries a message from another. A true prophet's message will derive from existing Scripture, even if he is breaking new, unexplored ground.
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.
Faith and the Calendar (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe real issue in the calendar controversy is not astronomical, but faith in God's sovereignty, providence, and His right to assign responsibility.
Sabbathkeeping (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHow and why a person keeps the Sabbath determines whether this test commandment is really a sign between God and His people or an act of futility.
Going On to Perfection
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though everything we need in this quest has been given to us, our spiritual growth depends on believing in the promises of receiving the divine nature.
Four Warnings (Part Two): Beware of False Prophets
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's people will know false teachers by their fruits. Even as helpless sheep, we must exercise vigilance detecting the fruits of their preaching.
'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.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (1997)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBabylon constitutes the fountainhead of instruction that, like strong drink, impairs the ability to function properly while creating the illusion of ability.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus qualified as High Priest, teaching us about living by faith in the New Covenant, which mandates that we keep His commandments.
Lamentations (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe people suffering under the Babylonians had basked in the privilege of being God's chosen people while also trashing the terms of the Covenant.
Lamentations (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPersonified Jerusalem, whom God depicts as a grieving widow, blames others for her troubles while overlooking her own sins as the real cause of her sorrow.
Who Are the Firstfruits?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWe may take it for granted that 'firstfruits' are synonymous with 'Christians.'" However, 'firstfruits' is very general, referring to surprising things.
Where Do We Fit?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The church exists because of what God has purposed and done, not because anything we have done. When pride exists within us, God can do nothing with us.
Taking Your Priestly Responsibilities Seriously!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod is training us as a holy priesthood, called to offer unblemished sacrifices, honoring His name, putting down pride, presumptuousness, and arrogance.
A Time For Thanksgiving
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our annual Thanksgiving was derived from the harvest festivals, patterned after the Holy Days such as Pentecost and Tabernacles. We must not forget God.
Satan, Division, and Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCompetition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In evaluating the dubious fruits of a false minister, we must realize that belief and conduct are inextricably linked and the linkage must be with God's Word.
The Perfect Husband
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHusbands need to imitate God's behavior as reflected through the life of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 54 reveals Yahweh (who became Jesus Christ) as the Husband of Israel.
Deuteronomy (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDeuteronomy is the heartbeat of the Old Testament and the constitution of Israel. It is a condensed form of the entire Bible, quoted 195 times in the New Testament.
Conscience (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA conscience can only function according to what it knows, and will automatically adjust in the way it is exercised. Conscience follows conduct.
Exalt With Music
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMusic has an intense power to stimulate the emotions, trigger the imagination, set the mood of services, and serves as a teaching vehicle for instruction.