Filter by Categories
The Abuse of Freedom
Commentary by Joseph B. BaityWe have abused our rights, our freedoms, and our liberties in this nation. We used them to justify sin, to serve ourselves instead of God, while promoting and celebrating ill will against our leaders and hatefully censoring and silencing any opposition. We arrogantly expanded our liberties to allow for the freedom of virtually all forms of expression. We exalted, celebrated, and promoted perverted lifestyles, elevating obscenity, vulgarity, and pornography to the status of federally protected speech. We reward those who dishonor our leaders or attack our institutions of security. Our actions fail to silence ignorance, but instead, seek to silence God and men of virtue. Consequently, it is no surprise that our Creator has determined to systematically remove the blessings of freedom that He gifted this great nation and the government that provided a secure and fertile ground for all to enjoy.
Freedom's Dark Underbelly
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAny freedom to choose must be accompanied by a set of standards against which choices are made. The people of the world do not have this freedom.
Loyalty
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe God-given human longing for freedom is not the pursuit of uninhibited self-will, but the disciplined, loyal use of our choices to follow God.
Liberty or Independence?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe approach of 'I want it my way' begins with license but then leads to chaos, and eventually the loss of liberty.
America at 250
'WorldWatch' by Richard T. RitenbaughAmerica's foundational freedoms, granted by its Founding Fathers, carry a dark side because they operate with few external constraints. These liberties depend on a moral citizenry, trained in self-restraint, to prevent excesses and harmful pursuits, as John Adams observed. Over the past century, the weakening of Christian morality has removed that internal check, allowing the principle that everyone did what was right in his own eyes to surface and erode political, cultural, and religious unity. The resulting freedom without personal or social responsibility threatens to fracture the nation into chaotic self-destruction. Although the rule of law still prevents immediate collapse, internal division, moral bankruptcy, and declining virtue reveal a country whose outward strength masks deep decay. This pattern mirrors ancient Israel's experience, where forsaking God and righteous living produced mounting iniquity that sickened the entire body politic and invited desolation unless the people repented by turning from evil, seeking justice, and obeying divine instruction. National decline of this sort begins in individual choices and can spread until divine patience ends and judgment restores order.
Conscience (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLawful behavior with a wrong attitude, motivated by pride, displaying lack of sensitivity to others or lack of wisdom, also constitutes sin.
Considered Rather Than Commanded - Choose Life
Sermon by Mark SchindlerAs God calls His people, He enables them (through His Spirit) to make considered decisions concerning living His way of life by obeying His commandments.