Playlist:

playlist Go to the Wholeness (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

Peace, Peace (Part Three): Contentment

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

This third facet of peace arises from one's perception of wholeness or completeness. It is an internal mindset or state of being that is inextricably linked to God's gift of peace. One has this feeling of completeness, of wholeness, of contentment because of what Christ does and how He leads through life. It is the proper reaction or response to the peace He gives. When one responds to the Father's and the Son's peace in the proper way, one lives in a state of contentment or shalom, of well-being. With this kind of peace working within, one feels the proper kind of satisfaction and contentment. One looks at life and can smile and say things are well. One is content with one's lot and needs nothing further to make life joyful and full of purpose and achievement. Once one has Christ and reacts to Him properly, one truly does not need anything more. One is also content because one knows one is going somewhere special and is on a trajectory for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. One has a proper sense of satisfaction with life because of all those things put together. The God of peace makes one complete in every good work to do His will, working in one what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. The God of peace equips one with everything good that one may do His will. The God of peace makes one complete, fit, or prepared in every good work to do His will. Good works perfect one and complete one. They teach lessons and help one learn good habits. The fruit of righteousness is sown in a state of peace by those who make peace. The God of peace sanctifies one completely so that one's whole spirit, soul, and body are preserved blameless. These benedictions describe a condition of unity with God, oneness, wholeness. One has peace with God on a few different levels and lives in holiness in unison with Him. One pursues the same goal and is in intimate fellowship with God and the High Priest. The relationship is free from corrosive conflict or cross purposes. One walks with God. Walking with God produces the third kind of peace: contentment and satisfaction that, with God, one is whole. One is complete and headed for eternal life in His Kingdom. One has an internal peace knowing that one is loved, provided for, protected, and guided by the sovereign God of the universe. God is with one every step of the way, providing everything that one needs. That brings tranquility and joy. One can have joy and tranquility because God is on the watch. The peace of God and working with God produce contentment and internal peace. One learns in whatever state one is to be content. Christ strengthens one so that one can be content. The Father gives peace. The Son gives His own peace and creates and maintains a condition or state of peace to produce contentment and well-being, which fosters growth toward wholeness and completion, a state of shalom, a state of peace and prosperity and well-being. The great Shepherd is responsible for feeding, care, growth, successful completion or perfection or maturity, and ultimately entrance into God's Kingdom. He is responsible for the entire process of sanctification. Among the Shepherd's top goals is to create an environment for the sheep to prosper and grow. That environment is one of peace and contentment, one that is without fear, without conflict, without uncertainty. When one is content, one has the best chance of growing and of reaching maturity. One ends up living abundant lives more than one needs for life. One should be content, at peace, at rest. The peace that He wants one to develop is a precursor of God's rest that one will have fully in His Kingdom. One can have a taste of His rest if one walks at peace with Him. One is content because God is with one. One has an ironclad guarantee that the abundant life and eternal life are one's if one just follows the Lord, one's Shepherd. The Lord blesses and keeps one. The Lord makes His face shine upon one and is gracious to one. The Lord lifts up His

Shabbat Shalom

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

The word shalom denotes 'making something whole' or returned to well-being or good health. True biblical shalom refers to inner completeness and wholeness.

The Wilderness Trek and Judgment Begins

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's people must learn to trust Him for their survival, remembering that the eating of Unleavened Bread is a reminder that only God has the power to rescue.

Passover and New Creation

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

God has a two-phased project, first a separation process, followed by a unification process, in which all will be gathered and unified into Christ.

Thankfulness (1986)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need to give thanks for everything, blessings and trials. Christianity ought to be an exhilarating experience, but it depends on our outlook on life.