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God's Calling and Election
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's calling is a profound and personal act initiated by the Father, who seeks out individuals and draws them to the Son. No one can come to Christ unless the Father calls them, taking the initiative to offer truth and grace. This calling is not a result of one's own actions or seeking, but a deliberate choice by the Father, who condescends from His lofty position to establish a relationship with ordinary, often insignificant, human beings. He selects those He has foreknown, generally choosing ordinary people from the middle or lower strata of society, so that His glory is evident in their transformation. This act of calling is part of His eternal purpose and plan, set in motion before time began, to create spiritual children from the dust of the ground, giving all credit and praise to Him for their elevation. The calling of God, as described by Paul, encompasses the entire process of salvation, from the initial summons to glorification. It is a process marked by steps—pre-appointment, calling, justification, and glorification—where the Father is confident in bringing the called to completion, provided they cooperate. The called are distinguished as those who love God and are invited to be part of His purpose, forming a special relationship with Him and the Son as firstfruits, a treasured group in His heart. This calling involves overcoming human nature and the influences of the world and satan, as the Father opens hearts and minds to understand His truth, often dramatically, as seen in the sudden transformation of individuals like Paul and Lydia. Through His Spirit, He guides the called toward truth, glorifies Christ in their understanding, and reveals His plan, motivating them with a willing mind to pursue the eternal inheritance promised. In contrast, Jesus uses the term "called" in a broader sense, indicating a general invitation to hear God's truth, likening it to a broadcast available to many through various means like creation, His Word, or the church's outreach. However, only a few are chosen by the Father to truly understand and enter into a relationship with Him and His Son, forming a little flock. This distinction highlights that while many may encounter the truth, it is the Father's sovereign choice to call and transform a select few into His elect, offering them a rare and precious opportunity to become co-heirs with Christ in an eternal and magnificent inheritance.
Put God First
CGG Weekly by John ReissIt is easy to be distracted by things other than prayer, Bible study, and our relationship with God. He rarely zaps us to remind us to study and pray.
Does God Know in Advance If One Will Accept Christ as Savior?
Bible Questions & AnswersDoes God know in advance whether or not we will accept His calling? To answer that, the mystery of God's purpose for mankind must be understood first.
God Has Faith in You
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidIt can be encouraging to us that our patriarchs and the prophets had serious doubts, but God overrode all their fears in accomplishing His purpose.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fifteen):The Israel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe top priority for the Israel of God is to cooperate with Him as He develops godly character through their mortifying the old man and putting on the new man.
True Worship of God
Sermonette by Craig SablichAny practice that does not give its loyalty to the Creator and is not devoted to His truth is nothing more than a method of worship created by men.
The Manifold Grace of God
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod's calling us is just our initial taste of His grace. Grace is unmerited, but it is not unconditional. We have an obligation to respond to God.
Glorifying God
Sermon by John O. ReidWe have been called for the purpose of glorifying God by totally changing our lives, conforming to His character and image.
The High Christology of Colossians
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHigh Christology as a doctrinal stance was not enough to prevent the eventual apostasy of those in Asia Minor. Doctrine must produce the right conduct.
God's Good Work in Us
Sermon by John O. ReidDespite the privileged position of our calling, God does not cut us any slack in terms of trials and tests to perfect us. We must accept God's sovereignty.
'Before the Foundation of the World' (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by John ReissWe all have a part to play in the construction of the church. The apostles and the prophets laid its foundation, but we are fellow workers, building the edifice.
Our Family Resemblance
Sermonette by Craig SablichEven though we may not recognize changes in ourselves, when we do the work of God with the right heart, we begin displaying the spiritual family traits.
Wrong Ideas
Sermonette by James BeaubelleOver the course of millennia, only a few have been willing to hold to the covenant with God or make the sacrifice for building the faith He requires.
Spiritual Maturity
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Kingdom parables allude to the process of spiritual maturity, depicting a planted and cultivated seed becoming a sprout, eventually bearing fruit.
Two Contrary Visions
Sermon by John O. ReidGod has a vision for us, a vision He has been planning from the foundation of creation, an awesome plan to bring us into His very family, giving us His mind.
Studying the Bible
Sermon by John O. ReidBible study provides a personal means of attaining the mind of God, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fault of the Old Covenant was with the hearts of the people. Christ took it upon Himself to amend the fault enabling us to keep the commandments.
Opportunity
Sermonette by James BeaubelleThe Days of Unleavened Bread is the time to build faith with God, a specific time God uses to strengthen His relationship with His people. Our time is now.
Titus (Part Seven): Maintaining Good Works
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though we are not justified by good works, good works are the honing process with which God perfects us in the life-long process of sanctification.
Elements of Motivation (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe can become energized and motivated by our high calling and summons to do the will of God, seeing how vitally important we are to God's purpose.
Make Sure NOW of Your Focus
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDemas became distracted by pulls of the world, which may have started by small incremental seemingly innocent thoughts, but scuttled his conversion.
He Who Overcomes
Sermon by John O. ReidIt is not profitable to focus on the place of safety or the specific time of Christ's return, but instead to make the best use of our time to overcome.
Prepare for Your Future Now
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWe have been base and ignoble, but Christ has enabled us to be cleaned up and transformed or shaped into offspring of God to be joint heirs with Christ.