Playlist: Enemies, Loving (topic)
Loving Your Enemy
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaScripture speaks of helping an enemy and "heaping burning coals of fire on his head." This seems to imply revenge, yet the Hebrew idiom indicates otherwise.
'But I Say to You' (Part Seven): Love Your Enemies
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMany scriptures direct us to show kindness to strangers and even our enemies who persecute us. With God's Spirit, we override the fight or flight response.
Love God, Love Neighbor
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe outgoing concern toward other beings begins with God the Father to Christ to us. How much we love our brethren may be a good gauge of how much we love God.
Love
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidGod appreciates when we show concern for others, developing the maturity to overlook the slights others have made to us. Love sets an example for others.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Two): Cultivating Love
Sermon by David F. MaasThe opposite of selfishness is not self-hatred, but mature self-love, loving ourselves as a responsible, caring parent would (or should) love a growing child.
Love Thy Neighbor (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus set the bar very high when it comes to love. We no longer live for ourselves, but to Christ, who commands us to love everyone, including our enemies.
Thou Shall Love Thy Neighbor
Sermon by John O. ReidWe are obligated to show compassion and mercy to all, refraining from gossip, exercising righteous judgment, forgiving others and applying the Golden Rule.
Love Thy Neighbor
Sermon by John O. ReidAs the Good Samaritan took pity on what normally would be his adversary, we are obligated to be sensitive to the needs of those around us, enemy and friend.
Love's Emotional Dimension
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove doesn't become 'love' until we act. If we don't do what is right, the right feeling will never be formed; emotions are largely developed by our experiences.
John 3:16: Does God Really Love the World?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod does not love everybody equally. Nowhere does He tell us to prefer the ungodly world. Though He tells us to love our enemies, but not to be affectionate.
Love's Greatest Challenges
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAn irrational fear of loss prevents the development of agape love — we fear that keeping God's commandments will cause us to lose something valuable.
The Purpose of Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe marriage covenant was designed to bring incomplete components of the God image together in one flesh, from which other relationships developed.
Go and Do Likewise
Sermon by Bill OnisickWithout the gift of God's Holy Spirit, it is impossible to understand the kind of love which Christ commanded of His disciples.
By This Shall All Men Know You
Sermon by John O. ReidA native practice involves leaving a young man on a remote island with only a bow and arrows until he learns to become a man, and God does something similar.
Our Growing Fellowship
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWe need to nurture fellowship with our spiritual siblings, forgiving others as Christ forgave, steadfastly resisting pride and division within the church.
The Second Greatest Commandment
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaJesus said the greatest commandments were Lord toward God and neighbor. There is no connective between the first and second clauses; they cannot be separated.
River of Life
Sermon by Bill OnisickI Corinthians 13 describes the assaying instrument to detect the purity of love. Our need for love never ends as we move through the sanctification process.
Hitting the Mark
Sermonette by Bill OnisickOne definition of sin is 'missing the mark,' as hamartia denotes. Unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, we have failed to reach our goal.
Vengeance is Mine
Sermonette by Bill OnisickChrist counsels us to love our enemies in order that we may be children of God, demonstrating not only His mercy but also our sonship by being peacemakers.
Listen To The Lamb's Voice
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe movie Ben-Hur captures the essence of the time and ministry of Christ. By letting go of anger and hatred, we take on the yoke of Jesus Christ.
Reach for the Goal
Sermon by John O. ReidSimilar to the way people pull together in times of crisis, we must also have a goal, a vision of the finish line, in order to overcome and grow.
Just What is Mercy?
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaIt is impossible to become perfect without having mercy or compassion. Jesus' command to become perfect includes showing compassion to our enemies.
Deuteronomy and Holiness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has provided the God-plane marriage relationship to teach us how to submit to one another, sacrificing our self-centeredness for the benefit of our spouse.
Do Unto Others and Reap What We Sow
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Reaping good fruit does not happen immediately. If we feel we are not reaping, we must consider that we might be reaping some negative things we have sown.
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.
Offerings (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe give peace offerings today through living sacrifice, keeping God's law out of love and to glorify Him rather than just to perform duty.
Should a Christian Go To War? (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod alone has the prerogative of giving and taking life. As ambassadors of God's heavenly Kingdom, we do not take up arms on behalf of any nation on the earth.
Footwashing: An Attitude of Service and Forgiveness
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingIn John 13, when our Savior washed His disciples' feet, He taught them that He was willing to accept the task designated to the lowest of the servants.
In Our Time of Need
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWhen we accepted God's calling, we trusted in His ability to fend off the evil influences of the world as well as our deadly carnal nature.
Prayer and Persistence
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPersistence in prayer does not mean an incessant pestering God into action. God always looks at our petitions from the vantage-point of His purpose.
John (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe humble attitude exemplified by Jesus in footwashing shows the mind of God. God expects us to follow Christ's example of loving others, flaws and all.
Matthew (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus, showing the spirit of the law, warns against rash divorces, taking oaths, invoking God's name frivolously, realizing that a covenant is binding.
Carrying Water for Jesus Christ
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ted E. BowlingThe parable of the Good Samaritan depicts a way of life God intends all His called-out Saints to follow.
Watch and Vigilantly Prepare
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are ambassadors in a foreign land, awaiting the return of Christ, when we will help our Warrior King subdue all the rebellious nations of the earth.
Humble Service
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingJesus modeled the practice of foot-washing to demonstrate the need to be submissive to one another, to serve one another, including those who betray.
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When the U.S. Congress wanted to put 'In God we Trust' on currency, the Seventh Day Adventists objected, arguing that the U.S. has never been a Christian nation.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's holy law gives love its foundation, stability, and evenness, preventing it from degenerating into a sappy, sentimental feeling.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
The Two Great Commandments: First Principles
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod made male and female in His image and has determined that the binary metamorphize into unitary in order to accomplish higher Spiritual purposes.
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough the Old and New Testament are complementary to one another, the emphasis of justice in the New Testament switches from national to personal in scope.
Psalm 23 (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd.
Philippians (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul both appealed for unity among the Philippians and offered encouragement, reminding them that their relationship with one another was through Christ.
Amos (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGentile nations without God's revelation were held accountable for basic principles of humanity. God reserves the severest penalty for Judah and Israel.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon without Becoming Assimilated (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasTrue peacemaking means emulating Christ, which that involves promoting justice and righteousness, not merely avoiding conflict or appeasing by compromising.
The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBitterness divides one member of Christ's Body from another. Individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to justify leaving a congregation.
The Priesthood of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The priestly garments represent the holy character of God. Clothing is used as a badge of one's office and symbolizes what our character is like inwardly.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur forgiveness from God is conditional, depending upon our forgiving others. It is an opportunity for us to extend grace, sacrificing as Christ did for us.
'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.
Sow for Yourself
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidA harvest depicts the reward of diligent management of time and resources. We have to be careful what we sow, proving our faith by concrete deeds.
Handpicked By God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersGod handpicked us for a specific purpose, just as He did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Noah. God also handpicked second-generation Church members.
Peace
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidIt is difficult to find pockets or places of peace on earth today. The world longs for tranquility, freedom from mental anxiety, and cessation from strife.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon Without Becoming Assimilated (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasIn a culture which glorifies war heroes and winning at all costs, becoming an ambassador to peace is perhaps the most elusive goal we could ever accomplish.
Man's Greatest Challenge (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSatan's biggest targets for disinformation are God's called-out ones. How can the true disciples be identified?
Defining Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe entire life of Christ was a manifestation of God's grace, revealing the nature of God by means of a life lived to give us an example to follow.
The Commandments (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus emphasized the spirit of the law, which places deterrents on the motive (anger, resentment, envy, revenge), preventing murder from ever taking place.
Whose Side Are We On?
Sermon by Bill OnisickWhen we step into the role of the accuser, especially when we dare to accuse our spiritual siblings, we are acting on behalf of Satan the devil.
Four Warnings (Part One): Enter By the Narrow Gate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are admonished to seek the narrow, difficult gate rather than the wide gate and the broad, well-traveled easy way, representing Satan's reprobate teachings.
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.
Control and Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughParadoxically, when we yield to God's sovereignty, He wants to cede control over to us, teaching us to develop self-control as an ingrained habit.
Privileges of the Family of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is impossible to be a Christian without being a child of God. When we are in God's family, we have distinct privileges.
Manifesting Kindness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe desperately need to internalize the godly traits of kindness, mercy, compassion, and tenderness, displacing the carnal traits of bitterness and wrath.
As Much as Depends on You
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThough we are sometimes confronted with conflict, we have a duty to make peace through exercising love. Unity and peace are fruits of God's Spirit.
All His Ways Are Just
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJustice is more a process of doing (exercising mercy, love, and faith) in all of our interpersonal relations rather than rendering a verdict or sentence.
Should a Christian Go To War? (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsConscientious objection to military action requires exercising mature faith, involving submission, loyalty, dedication, and conscientious obedience to God's Law.
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
Christ Our Standard
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughKnowledge of God's truth is useless unless it is acted on. God will only accept children who follow Christ's example and conduct their lives by His high standards.
Entanglement with the Yoke of Bondage
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsNo civilization has escaped the scourge of slavery, although Gentile administration has always been more cruel and severe than Israelite administration.
Why We Tithe (Part 2)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not want basic compliance, but growth in godliness. Jesus encourages the Pharisees to emulate the generosity of God rather than stinginess.
John (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe closer we get to God, the more likely we will have persecution, but also the greater and more real He becomes and the more likely we will serve Him correctly.
Matthew (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus explains that what truly defiles a person—evil thoughts, murder, adultery—comes from their heart and mind, not from eating with unwashed hands.