The Israel of God
Article by Charles WhitakerPaul refers to the church as 'the Israel of God.' Why not 'the Judah of God'? Why did God not inspire Paul to call the church "the Jacob of God"?
Who Is the Israel of God?
Sermonette by Gary Garrett (1950-2019)Gary Garrett, acknowledging that, while the Old Testament Israelites, under the Prevailer with God, provided the type of the Israel of God, Jesus Christ, who was called out of Egypt, fulfilling multiple Messiahship prophecies, is actually God's Israel. The Israel of God makes up the body identified in Galatians 6:15-16. The …
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe way that one lives provides testimony and witness. To witness and endure life's various trials, we must have faith in who and what we are.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Six): New Testament Teaching
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThose who follow Christ are the true Israel, the Elect, and the Chosen, called by God to precede unfaithful physical Israel in the salvation process.
Deuteronomy: What Is God Looking For?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that Deuteronomy (the Old Covenant in its fullest form) constitutes instruction for the Israel of God, serving as a compass and guide, preparing God's people to enter the Promised Land. None of Deuteronomy is done away. The singular book that was read by Shaphan to Josiah was Deuteronomy; the curses in …
God's Calling and Election
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe have been given something far more valuable than the lottery, namely our calling. We are obligated not to squander this valuable opportunity.
Seeking God's Will (Part Two): Faithfulness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we mimic God's character, we will be always faithful. We can translate this trait into practical behaviors, as a foundational part of our character.
The Faithfulness of God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has a very real concern for us, promising to never leave us. We have to strongly believe in His faithfulness to build a relationship with Him.
Servant of God, Act II: God's Gift of Faith
Article by Charles WhitakerThe story of Ebed-Melech goes far beyond a historical vignette. His story is an allegory of God's grace to the Gentiles.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFalse doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part One)
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Amos is an astounding prophecy, closely paralleling the conditions in the Western world today. Amos reveals how unrighteousness undermines society.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Nine): Romans 11
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul poses two questions in Romans 11: Has God discarded Israel for all time? Will God graft physical Israel into the Covenant people of Abraham?
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 Priesthood of God (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, focusing on Hebrews 4:1-2 (describing the utter failure and demise of the ancient Israelites, who did not regard God's commandments as a delight), continues elaborating on the qualities (holiness and goodness) necessary for attaining the priesthood. Having God's spirit blunts somewhat the carnal mind and the …
Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDetermining the will of God is difficult to do unless we know the character of God. Holiness is the foundation for all of the other traits of God.
The Priesthood of God (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Peter's declaration that we are a royal priesthood and lively stones, states that we must develop the characteristics of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. In this priesthood, we have a commonality of being born into a spiritual family, all having Jesus Christ as our Savior, Shepherd, and High Priest. …
Approaching God Through Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, asking whether we consider how much we eat, suggested that the members of the Lewis-Clark expedition ate an average of 9 pounds of meat per day. Today, each person in our nation eats an average of 55 loaves of bread per year, not including rolls and doughnuts. God has certainly provided for us more than we …
Are You an Israelite?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.
In Search of a Clear World View (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, defining a worldview as a snapshot of what our mind sees, based upon our presuppositions, determining what we consider important, maintains that a Christian worldview must contain some core concepts, such as the value or importance of our calling into the church, the reality of God, His Laws and doctrines. Our …
'Go Ye Therefore Into All the World...'
'Ready Answer' by StaffWhen we sing this popular hymn, are we singing a lie? No, this is a commision to apostles, and right now we are doing what God desires of us.
Deuteronomy and History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reminds us that everything in life matters; we should carefully consider all things that come in our purview. The instruction of Deuteronomy, written in the last month of Moses' life after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, enabled Israel to live successfully in the Promised Land and was to be reviewed …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh affirms that the New Covenant of Hebrews 8:8 was given to Israel and Judah, not to the Gentiles. God does not deviate from this pattern; Israel is still involved with the New Covenant. It is not the physical nation, but the spiritual remnant (partly composed of grafted-in Gentiles- Romans 11:17-25 and the church …
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.
Principled Living (Part Six): Becoming Holy
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPentecost forces us to stand out from the crowd, separated as firstfruits for sanctification and holiness. God has called us to be different.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.
Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe keep Unleavened Bread because of what God did to bring us out of sin (typified by Egypt). While God compels us to make choices, He is with us all the way.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, cuing in on Deuteronomy 29:29 which teaches that the secret things belong to God, but that God reveals things needful to those He has called, suggests that this principle resonated throughout the entirety of Scripture. Clearly, God's purpose for mankind for the most part is a mystery, and has been revealed only …
Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod 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.
Guard the Truth!
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughThe true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.
The Importance of Doctrine
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPeople who try to supplement their spiritual diet with lawlessness or other heresies risk losing their identity, and ultimately their spiritual life.
