Authority: Why So Many Resent It
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPride, the father of all sins, is the source of self-exaltation, self-justification and the despising of authority. It cloaks rebellion in a deceptive appeal.
Using God's Given Authority
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod has gifted all His called-out ones, expecting them to use those gifts with the pillars of godly wisdom for the edification of the Body of Christ.
Many Princes
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIf a people turn from righteousness, a natural consequence is greater human oversight in one form or another. This is seen in the world and the church.
Let's Not Make a Federal Case Out of It
Commentary by Mike Ford (1955-2021)Even though they were originally very limited, over time, Federal rules have intertwined with local laws, snuffing out the jurisdiction of local governments.
Self-Government (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we govern ourselves, God will take care of us. Government of any kind will not work unless people govern their own nature. Self-control enables us to show love.
What Makes a Civilization Great?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughA culture or a nation that employs the strongman principle of government may have a colorful history, but it will never amount to a truly great civilization.
What Is the Work?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting that our concept of time is vastly different from God's, indicates that our spiritual pilgrimage (including our participation in the work of God) is largely a matter of faith, not sight. If we see God in the picture, we will not be impatient, but will be carefully evaluating the evidence whether or …
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Fifteen): Deference
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSolomon makes the subject of deference a major part of Ecclesiastes 8. Christians must always strive to see God behind those in power over us.
Anarchy in God's Church? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeNumerous biblical examples show the authority and structure of the church. However, they will hold little weight if we feel our experience invalidates them.
How Does God View Human Government?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs obnoxious as tyrannical power may seem, we have the obligation to behave lawfully. Even the vilest of leaders has been allowed by God to rule.
Government (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that the smallest unit of government is the individual; God is dealing with each of us on this most basic of all levels of government. It is under the New Covenant that individuals are immersed or installed into His church by the Spirit of God, given only to those who willingly consent to obey Him. In …
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAmerica has never embraced true Christianity as its dominant faith, nor has it ever really followed Christ, but has instead embraced a counterfeit.
Self-Government: Overcoming
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the recent demise of our prior fellowship, suggests that many of us have been guilty of making an idol of the church, letting it stand between God and ourselves. Our obligation is to follow the life-saving message (a message given to Herbert W. Armstrong during his tenure as God's apostle), …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reflects on two recent news items in which individuals foolishly initiated altercations with police and lost their lives in the process. As a matter of common sense, it seems the height of idiocy to challenge constituted authority. Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 8:17 that we are not privy to God's operations …
'Christianity Today' and Trump
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughDonald Trump is not a paragon of virtue but is a change from the doctrines entrenched in Washington. Personal morality is not enough to remove anyone from office.
Government (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh acknowledges that most people have an ambivalent attitude toward government, on one hand fearing it as an evil instrument to deprive rights and on the other hand an instrument for social progress. God intended government to be a positive force of bringing order out of chaos, keeping on a straight course, …
Government (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that if one does not give up control to God (does not submit to Him), then one is never going to live the Government of God; and one will never be able to understand it. The church is neither an institution nor a corporation, but a living organism- a body connected to the Head (Jesus Christ). The body …
Government (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOnly those who are governable will ever be allowed to govern. No government (not even God's government) will work without each individual submitting in his area of responsibility. Our elder brother, Jesus Christ, qualified to rule because of his feeling of responsibility (1) to God, in submitting to Him, and (2) to man, in using …
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (2000)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn this keynote address of the 2000 Feast of Tabernacles, John Ritenbaugh, drawing on descriptions in Amos 2, suggests that those entrusted with leadership (power within the community, power within the nations) are taking advantage of their positions, metaphorically raping those who have no power. Most notably, an American …
The Final Straw
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, challenging the 'progressive' agitators' demand that plastic straws be banned, examines the charge that plastic straws massively destroy wildlife and fill our oceans with trash. Objective analysis of land- and ocean-based repositories of debris consistently show the presence of plastic straws to be …
A Government to Fear (Part Seven)
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh observes that, even though Western (Israelitish) governments are comparatively less tyrannical than their Gentile counterparts, they too have their ways of establishing influence over the populace. Gentile governments have historically exterminated more human beings than have disease or natural causes combined. …
Absolute Power Corrupts
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughOur national anthem ends with the line, "Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave/O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave??" It is a good question—not whether the flag still waves but whether it waves over a land of free citizens. ...
To Whom Honor Is Due
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDishonoring one's parents is a serious abomination, considered a capital offense by God. Fathers must be worthy of honor, teaching their children to honor God.
Submitting (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSeeking our will at the expense of the group makes conflict inevitable. Society work only when everyone submits to one another in the fear of Christ.
Principles of Church Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.
Why Are You Here?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod, following a pattern, routinely calls the lowly and weak to guard against pride. God will transform the weak of this world through His Holy Spirit.
Government (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, after going through the history of Israel's incremental rejection of God's authority and putting themselves under the yoke of Satan's political system, asserts that God is establishing a spiritual kingdom from the dynasty of David, having Christ at the head installed beginning with the seventh trump when He will …
Where Is Your Ultimate Allegiance?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reminding us that we, as followers of Christ, may suffer persecution, provides encouragement by reminding us we are promised boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit, making it unnecessary to prepare a response against the persecutors. When the laws of God conflict with the laws of man, civil disobedience is …
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reminds us to value our calling, observing that, just as Jesus and His disciples were burdened with the doctrines of the scribes and Pharisees, so God's called-out church is encumbered with nominal Christianity, institutions which have militated against the whole counsel of God, even though they claim to get …
Government (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that it is the responsibility of each person to govern himself. Otherwise, even the very best government (the government of our Head, Jesus Christ) won't work. Goethe said "the best of all governments is that which teaches us to govern ourselves" Voluntary consent and mutual consent is the …
