Filter by Categories
Strangers to the Truth (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Mike FordI heard two different people—in the same week—say, 'Truth is relative.' Many people think 'truth' depends on the situation, what is at stake, and who they are.
The Ninth Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe ninth commandment protects our relationship with God because by seeking and bearing true witness to the truth, we can have a relationship with God.
Principled Living (Part Five): Witnessing of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur best witness is often through our unspoken behavior; what we do speaks volumes. God gives us a charge to bear His name with dignity in all our actions.
The Lack of Love in Lying
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThose who lie or swear falsely or deceive in any way prove themselves unreliable or untrustworthy and begin to undermine relationships.
Lying
Sermonette by Mike FordTwo articles, 'Why We Lie: The Science Behind Our Deceptive Ways,' and 'Why Do We Lie?' both proclaim that lying is expedient, therapeutic, and beneficial.
The Ninth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe world is so full of lying and other forms of deceit that 'bearing false witness' has become a way of life for the vast majority of humanity.
'But I Say to You' (Part Five): Oaths
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must grow in personal integrity, providing a witness for the truth to those around them, not needing the crutch of an oath to guarantee our integrity.
What is Truth?
Sermonette by Ryan McClureTruth is a fundamental base of a relationship between God and His people. As the days grow evil, God's people must cling to the truth and love His holy law.
The Commandments (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughA community can only be established upon a foundation of stability and truth. Our relationships must be based upon God's truth, producing faithfulness.
Making the Cut (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughA word here or an anecdote there into the right ears can eventually cut another down like knives in the back, blindsiding the subject with wounding gossip.
Christianity Vs. Cultural Paganism
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan deceives by mixing truth with and falsehood, promoting cultural pagans or tares among the wheat or members of the church of God.
Hypocrisy: The Last Sin of America
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHaving its roots in a Greek word denoting 'actor', hypocrisy suggests pretending or deceiving—a filthy inside disguised by a clean outside.
Jesus Christ's Trial (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPilate's attempt to be neutral in a decision that would have required courage backfired on him, causing him to utterly fail in leadership.
Joshua and the Gibeonites
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Gibeonites' pretense of coming from a distant land resulted in their slavery. Yet, through their influence, they contributed to Israel's destruction.
The Ninth Commandment
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We must embody truth as did Jesus Christ, absolutely refusing to bear false witness in our words, our behavior, and our cumulative reputation.
Jesus Christ's Trial (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod will not reveal His precious truth to idle curiosity, as was the case with the self-indulgent Herod Antipas, seeking entertainment rather than truth.
When Actions Contradict Stated Beliefs
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHypocrisy consists of professing beliefs or virtues that one does not genuinely possess. The primary motivator is pride, and its resulting sin is namely lying. In the Old Testament, the term "hypocrite," which is translated from Hebrew, means "to cover" or "to hide," frequently referring to those who pretend to be religious while secretly violating things sacred. In the New Testament, the Greek word "hypocrite" had its origins in theatrical contexts, indicating someone who pretends to be someone they are not, something Jesus exposed among the scribes and Pharisees, whose behavior was motivated by pride and desire for public approval. Jesus indicated that their charitable deeds were done for show rather than for genuine compassion. Their prayers were performed publicly to receive praise rather than for private devotion. Their fasting was done for phony appearances of piety. Jesus warned His disciples, then and now, against harsh judgment of others, but instead directed us to thoroughly examine ourselves before criticizing others. Jesus criticized the meticulously legalistic approach, nitpicking on minor details while ignoring justice, mercy, and faith. Paul confronted Peter's hypocrisy in separating from Gentiles, emphasizing the importance of confronting this hypocrisy directly. Paul encouraged sincere lives without hypocrisy and Jesus's half-brother emphasized wisdom that is pure and sincere, contrasted with selfish and deceptive behaviors. We must cultivate sincere love and true wisdom, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy.
The Case Against Pride
Sermonette by James BeaubelleThree symptoms of pride include (1) lying to protect our self-image; (2) competitiveness; (3) believing our personal ideas are more valuable than God's Truth.