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Controlling the Weeds

Sermonette by Mike Ford

The entangling cares of the world draw off nutrients from our spiritual garden. Without daily tending, the spiritual weeds get out of control.

Don't Show Up Empty

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We must not think that we will achieve spiritual growth merely by passively standing in close proximity to God's word or His church; fruit requires work.

Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part Two)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Briars, thistles, thorns, and weeds are visible emblems of sin or its consequences, which we must pull up by the roots for the balance of our physical life.

Continuing on to Completion

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Because 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.

Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Seven)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both Shabbat rest (ceasing from activity) and nuach rest (pleasantly creating) are necessary for the proper keeping of the Sabbath.

Magic Doesn't Work (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

While God is consistently depicted as working, magic seemingly provides a shortcut that bypasses overcoming and growth, attaining something for nothing.

Caveats About Self-Examination

Sermon by David F. Maas

We must be very careful how we examine ourselves. Taking the Passover in an unworthy manner can result in serious physical or spiritual hazards.

Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Seven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The letters to the seven churches of Revelation warn of losing our first love, heeding false teachers, compromising God's Truth, and forgetting right doctrine.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Eight)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Proverbs 14:12 reveals that, when men follow a way of life that they think is right, it ultimately ends in death. Only God's way of life results in more life.

Letters to Seven Churches (Part Six): Sardis

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The letter to the church in Sardis reads like an obituary, warning us who are alive but lacking zeal to repent and become serious about our calling.

Did God the Father Forsake Jesus Christ?

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Jesus Christ was made to be sin for humanity even though He knew no sin. This occurred so that believers might become the righteousness of God in Him. The Greek word rendered sin in this statement refers to sin itself rather than a sin offering. In becoming sin Christ was identified with sin and became its representation. The Father therefore dealt with Him as sin must be dealt with. Christ experienced the full effects of sin including separation from God and being forsaken. The same principle appears when Christ is described as having become a curse for humanity after being hanged on a tree. Thorns placed on His head symbolized the curse that entered the world through sin. Darkness covered the land while He bore the iniquities of all and while God withdrew because of transcendent purity. The Messiah thus took the sins and their penalties in full.

How to Become Rich

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

God does not measure prosperity by the ownership of physical possessions but with the depth of a person's relationship with Him.

Hosea's Prophecy (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Hosea was ordered by God to make a symbolic marriage to a harlot. This heartbreaking marriage portrayed Israel's unfaithfulness to God in spite of His care.