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Harmony with God and the Brethren
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingGod's people are like a musical ensemble, each having unique pitches and timbre. As we yield to our Conductor, we also blend with one another, creating harmony.
'Sons of God?'
Sermonette by Bill OnisickGod gave Jesus Christ to us to restore peace, reconciliation, and harmony with God. In the Beatitudes, the peacemakers are called 'sons of God.'
Discord From Self-Determination
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsStrife, as mentioned in Proverbs 6:16, is a destructive force that emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than mere incompatibility among individuals. It is rooted in pride, tearing people apart rather than uniting them. This discord, often sown under deceptive banners such as self-determination or feelings of unfair treatment, is a ploy used by satan to instigate division. Such tactics promise liberation or a better situation, yet they lead to enslavement and dissatisfaction, mirroring historical and ongoing conflicts. God abhors dissension and grumbling, viewing them as sins that provoke His anger. His severe response to such actions, as seen in the rebellion of Miriam and Aaron against Moses, underscores His stance against sowing discord. Those who murmur or complain risk destruction at the hands of satan, falling under condemnation for their discontent with their lot or the authority over them. Groups that promote themselves as refuges for the mistreated or as havens free from hassle are, in reality, fostering self-determination and enticing others with false promises. This behavior is wrong, as it fuels dissension and murmuring, drawing individuals away from unity and into division. God's intervention may heal and help during trials, but murmuring about perceived unfairness invites His displeasure, as history within His people has shown. Our individual responsibility is to reject discord and strive to be examples of unity and light.
The Same Mind
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityWe must not allow ideological differences to overshadow our shared faith, far greater than the lesser issues which currently divide us.
Conflicts In The Body
Sermonette by Ryan McClureAs members of God's family, we must be quick to forgive one another for real or imagined slights. Those in God's Kingdom, will all be working together.
Isaac the Peacemaker
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingIsaac was a genuine peacemaker, yielding to interlopers and suffering wrong while trusting God to provide. In all his actions, Isaac exemplified a peacemaker.
Unity
Sermon by James BeaubelleRight living with good conduct will always produce peace among God's people, while wrong choices naturally produce strife. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of proper order in conduct, highlighting the need to build good character traits to emulate our Savior. Strife arises when actions hinder personal or communal progress in living as God desires, disrupting the unity that comes from following His way. Disunity can be caused by hate, which is viewed spiritually as akin to murder, leading to a failure of love and unity when focus is lost on the work of Christ as Head of His church. Carnality, judgmental attitudes, and friction between differing personalities also sow discord, as no two individuals are alike, often leading to misunderstandings or viewing others as adversaries. Additionally, the influence of the evil one seeks to sow seeds of disunity, aiming to isolate God's people from each other and ultimately from God, using temptations and divisive actions to disrupt their walk. Gossip, or more strongly termed as the sin of slander, is a common and destructive force that places stumbling blocks and damages reputations, further breaking unity. Other barriers to unity include jealousy, pride, anger, and contentions over doctrines, all of which must be diligently watched over to maintain the faith, hope, and love that bind God's people together with Him and each other.
All Sifted Like Wheat (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIn the midst of the disciples, there was strife, a deep-seated attitude of quarrelsomeness and eagerness to contend, as revealed in Luke 22:24. This love of contention, defined in the Greek as philoneikia, reflects a readiness to argue and a desire for dispute, mirroring the mindset that leads to death in sin. It is an ingrained attitude present in all who dwell in this world, driving division and self-serving conflict. Yet, through Jesus Christ, a new commandment is given, not new in its essence, but in the ability it provides to live as He lives, with outgoing concern from the inside out. This commandment offers liberty from the shackles of a mind and heart driven by contention, replacing it with unity for the glory of God. Through His work, Jesus Christ guarantees this transformation, destroying the love of strife and establishing strength together in the Body of Christ, even as we are sifted like wheat in a divisive world.
Differences of Opinion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSatan champions self-opinion and mob behavior. God's church has never been immune to division because each member has only part of the truth.
Satan, Division, and Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCompetition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.
Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause of our lack of self-discipline and willingness to guard the truth, we have allowed our theological base to deteriorate under the persuasion of the world.
Building Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.
Psalm 133 (1998)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnity comes only through the initiation of God. If we would follow the suggestions in Romans 12, we could do our part in promoting unity in God's church.
Fruit of the Flesh - On Conflict
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAs God's chosen saints, we must not let our keyboard or mouth defile us. Godly conversation includes stifling the urge to win the argument at all costs.
Unity
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEach member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father
The Beatitudes, Part 7: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThis world lauds warmakers, but God says that peacemakers are blessed. The first step in becoming a peacemaker is to be reconciled to God.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe world has little or no idea what true peace is or how it is achieved. Yet we can produce godly peace even in the midst of turmoil—and we must.
James and Unleavened Bread (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe epistle of James stresses both faith and works, emphasizing those factors necessary for growth, enabling us to produce a bountiful harvest of fruit.
Debate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible takes a very dim view of argument, debate, discord, and strife. In all matters of contention, we must strive to put ourselves above the fray.
Isaiah 58 and Fasting
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFasting puts us in a proper humble and contrite frame of mind, allowing God to respond to us, freeing us from our burdens and guiding us into His Kingdom.
Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has placed us all in the body where it has pleased Him. We dare not imitate Satan by letting self-centered goals eclipse God's purpose.
Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Humility, poverty of spirit, and acknowledging our total dependence on God are of the utmost importance. God responds to those who are humble.
Hijacking Peace
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThe world has no idea where peace comes from because they have long ago rejected the Prince of Peace and His prescription for tranquility.
What Lies Beneath
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityIf we let our emotions rule, we can lose a lifetime acquisition of reputation in a split second. When Jesus Christ undergirds us, there is stability.
Grace, Faith, and Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride condemned Satan to a fate of manipulating rather than serving. This presumptuous self-centered trait creates disunity and ultimately destruction.
Peace
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsTrue peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a positive, proactive, heartfelt peace of yielding to God and of good will toward all.
Our Words Matter: Are They Harmful or Helpful?
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingEmotional damage from hurtful words is more harmful to our nervous system than we have imagined, lingering long past the healing time of any cut or broken bone
Restoration and Forgiveness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is impossible to grow spiritually in a climate of animosity and jealousy. If we use the power of God's Holy Spirit, peace will accrue as a fruit.
Tests of True Knowledge
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsA person who is puffed up parades his knowledge by exhibiting impatience, intolerance, or a false modesty, marginalizing what the uneducated in their minds.
Envy: The Most Precious Daughter
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIt is easy to follow in Satan's footsteps, courting his daughter Envy, reaping the disquiet which accompanies her. Envy comes from pushing God from our thoughts.
Flame Wars
Sermonette by Ryan McClureAre we part of flaming — the aggressive and offensive interaction between Internet users? Or do we pursue righteousness in our speech and communication?
Of One Accord
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.
Reviler
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs culture degenerates, the sin of reviling has become more pervasive, as impatient narcissists lash out at others, using foul and abusive language.
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.
It Takes a Church
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christians, we need to form warm, productive, quality relationships with our brethren, actively ministering to the needs of one another.
A Portable Peace
Article by David F. MaasPeace is less of an external situation than an internal state. We can create this state by occasionally getting away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Honor Before Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAgape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.