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Harmony with God and the Brethren

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

God'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 Onisick

God 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. Collins

Strife, 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. Baity

We 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 McClure

As 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. Bowling

Isaac 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 Beaubelle

Right 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 Schindler

In 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. Collins

Satan 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. Ritenbaugh

Competition 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. Ritenbaugh

Because 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 McClure

The Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.

Psalm 133 (1998)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Unity 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 Onisick

As 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. Ritenbaugh

Each 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. Ritenbaugh

This 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. Ritenbaugh

The 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. Ritenbaugh

The 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. Ritenbaugh

The 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. Ritenbaugh

Fasting 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. Baity

The 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. Baity

If 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. Ritenbaugh

Pride 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. Collins

True 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. Bowling

Emotional 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. Collins

It 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. Collins

A 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. Grabbe

It 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 McClure

Are 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. Ritenbaugh

Confusion 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. Graham

As 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. Ritenbaugh

As 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. Maas

Peace 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. Ritenbaugh

Agape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.