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Be Perfect
Sermonette by Mike FordIn our spiritual journey, the concept of perfection is not about being sinless but about achieving maturity and completeness. God commands us to become perfect, as seen in Genesis 17:1, where He tells Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect, and in Matthew 5:48, where He instructs all of us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. This perfection is not an unattainable standard but a call to spiritual growth and maturity. The Hebrew word for perfect in Genesis means entire, full, without blemish, and complete. Similarly, the Greek word in Matthew signifies being finished, having reached its end, and in a physical sense, fully grown or mature. The English definition of perfect aligns with this, meaning lacking nothing essential to the whole and complete. The common thread in these definitions is completeness, as in being done or finished, like a puzzle with all pieces in place. Scripture further clarifies this in I Corinthians 14:20, urging us not to be children in understanding but to be mature, fully grown in comprehension. Ephesians 4:11-16 describes this process of growth, where God's gifts equip Christians for service, building up the body until we reach real maturity, the fullness of Christ. We are meant to grow up in every way into Christ, the head, through a harmonious structure, not remaining as children susceptible to false teachings. This journey to perfection, or maturity, is a process that does not happen overnight. James 1:2-4 encourages us to welcome trials as friends, for they test our faith and produce endurance, leading to fully developed character and integrity. Colossians 3:12-14 emphasizes that love binds all virtues together in perfection, acting as the glue that holds the pieces of our spiritual puzzle in place through life's trials. Thus, striving for perfection is striving for spiritual maturity. We must grow, overcome, and aim for excellence in every part of our lives as Christians, not settling for mediocrity or the lowered standards of the world. Despite mistakes and sins, we can still become perfect by pursuing this path of growth and completeness.
Going On to Perfection
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though everything we need in this quest has been given to us, our spiritual growth depends on believing in the promises of receiving the divine nature.
Knowing Christ (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSanctification is the longest, most difficult, and most grueling part of the conversion process—a time when suffering and sacrifice are demanded of us.
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.
Hope That Purifies
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe true Christian has the unique hope of becoming like Jesus Christ, sharing in His joy, power, and honor. Only the pure in heart will actually see God.
Our Core Business
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen corporations get rid of their core business, they become less effective. Likewise when we deviate from our core job, we risk returning to the world.
After God's Own Heart
Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamThough David certainly broke all of God's Ten Commandments, he also repented continually, cognizant of the fear of losing God's Holy Spirit.
Philippians (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGodly righteousness demands humility, a readiness to admit shortcomings, a yieldedness to correction, and a willingness to be refashioned.
Philippians (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must willing to yield to God's shaping of us, willing to be corrected and changed as He sees fit. If we become self-satisfied, He cannot work with us.
Keep Your Heart With All Diligence!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist does not remove His people's trials, but He provides help for those going through them, using the cleansing power of the trial to heal their minds.
Deuteronomy (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSanctification is an incremental process in which we systematically destroy the sin within us as our forebears were asked to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan.
God the Father (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThroughout Christ's life, the relationship between Him and His Father exemplified perfect, reciprocal, unconditional love, providing a perfect template.
The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.
The Heart's Self-Absorption
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughII Timothy 3:1-5 contains 19 characteristics of carnality. The common denominator is self-absorption and pride, placing the self above others.
When Our Change Comes
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRepentance and conversion leading to transforming into Christ's image depend on change. Christianity is a force for personal change, leading to universal change.
Wilderness Wandering (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's suffering was not confined to crucifixion, but also consisted of rejection, humiliation, and the duress of persecution. Glory follows suffering.