Joy in Our Time?
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the opening sentences of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities and M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Traveled, focuses on the concept of joy—a quality William Barclay suggests is quite independent from worldly circumstances. This kind of joy is especially needful when we note Peck's observation …
Joy in Our Time
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, continuing on the theme set last week that "we are living in the best of times and the worst of times," and that "life is difficult," affirms that the attainment of joy is problematic at best. It is getting to the point that national repentance is no longer possible. Attainment of calm joy …
Joy in the Lord
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting that Americans relish their equality and their rights, including the right to pursue happiness, suggests that some Americans feel that gay marriage and homosexuality would be among the ways to pursue happiness. Thomas Jefferson would not have approved that willful and presumptuous interpretation of …
Happiness is Circumstantial, but Joy is Not!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHappiness is a by-product of our response to God's calling, coupled with our determination to connect with the Father, the Son, and the whole spiritual family.
How Our Joy May Be Full!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJoy and gladness are gifts from God, resulting from Christ living His life in us and helping us to love the brethren. This love is perfected through suffering.
The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins marvels that despite the continuous dramatic increase of material wealth in Modern Israel, this affluence or prosperity has not remotely led to joy. Clinical depression, requiring professional help (usually consisting of a host of powerful anti-depressant drugs) is almost pandemic in North America, with one in …
The Quest for Happiness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins reminds us that in the Declaration of Independence people were guaranteed the opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, a quest that has proved futile and elusive. This quest should prompt us to carefully number our days and seek a close relationship with God. When we waste our days, we waste them for …
Facing Times of Stress: Grieved by Various Trials
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFaith from God will be required to endure and profit from trials, bringing about character and genuineness of faith, as well as patience and trust in God.
Facing Times of Stress: Faithfulness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on Philippians 4:4-9,observes that although America is the most blessed nation on the face of the earth, it is also the most unthankful, providing a contributory cause for anxiety. As Paul counseled the Philippians, thankfulness and gratefulness lead to joy and profound peace, while ungratefulness and …
The Healing of a Man Born Blind (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, expounding on the miracle of the healing of the man born blind, suggests that the physical impairments, including blindness, have spiritual counterparts. Jesus Christ represents the coming of light into the world, a metaphorical representation of truth and righteousness, a light which was rejected by His own …
Defining Trials
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Trials define who we are by placing choices before us, forcing us to have faith in God. Character is built by making right, though difficult, choices.
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, recounting a story about how he used reverse psychology on his daughter to get her to eat green beans, focuses on Hebrews 12 and the admonition to endure chastening and discipline from our Heavenly Father in order to ultimately attain holiness. If we endure chastisement and discipline from God, we prove we are …
Be Thankful!
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Focusing on the opulence of Las Vegas, John Reid reflects that our people of modern Israel have become truly spoiled, surfeiting on the blessings given to Abraham's offspring. The danger of abundant blessings is that we tend to forget the source of these blessings and cease to become thankful. When people forget to be thankful, …
Philippians (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that as the residents of Philippi (an outpost in a foreign land) had never seen or been to Rome, their status as citizens of Rome compelled them to maintain the culture and traditions of Rome. Likewise, not one of us who claim citizenship in Heaven has ever been there, but like an ambassador in a …
Patiently Waiting for Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must develop an active, God-given restraint and constancy in endurance while facing trials and waiting for Christ's return, trusting that God will provide.