Filter by Categories
The Christian Walk (Part Three): In Wisdom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs dear children of God, with the goal of the Kingdom of God before us, we must adopt a champion mindset in our pursuit of accuracy, striving toward the high calling of Jesus Christ for eternal life in God's Kingdom. We are called to walk in wisdom, not merely to wait, but to actively progress in our journey with godly wisdom as our guide. This means practicing daily to be as sharp and accurate as possible in our Christian walk, following the example of Christ and faithful men like Abraham, who walked rightly, learning lessons and growing in trust toward God. Walking in wisdom requires us to take our conversion seriously, to grasp what God desires from us, to keep His word and way at the forefront of our minds, and to remain grateful and humble. Wisdom is the practical outworking of knowledge and understanding in our conduct, inscribing God's way into our habits and character to produce a near-imitation of Christ's life in our own. We must walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, with a mindset of precision and diligence, always seeking to improve our walk with every step, never content with our current level of righteousness or likeness to Christ. This circumspect walk involves total awareness, looking around to understand the lay of the land, knowing what God expects, and gathering all relevant details before deciding how to proceed. We must become experts on God's will, determining what is best in each specific situation with particular individuals under certain conditions, using godly reasoning to produce the most good. This requires integrating love and light into our decisions, mirroring Christ's example, who often chose mercy over strict adherence to law, promoting life and wellness even when it shocked others. Furthermore, we are urged to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil and Christ's return is nearer than we think. Time is short, and we must hasten our growth to prove our faithfulness to God and to endure the increasing attacks of the adversary. Wisdom demands that we avoid wasting time on low-priority matters and instead focus on what advances our spiritual journey. Being filled with the Spirit is essential to walking in wisdom. If we are full of God's Spirit, led and empowered by it, we can communicate with one another in uplifting, God-glorifying ways, characterized by joy, gratitude, and humble service. Our interactions should reflect reverence for God, showing growth and maturity while helping others to do the same. Instead of being influenced by worldly attitudes or ambitions, symbolized as being drunk with wine, we must allow God's Spirit to dominate our thoughts, motivations, and behaviors, guiding us into truth and godly conduct toward an eternal destination. In our interactions with those outside the faith, we must walk in the same wisdom, using our time judiciously to make a good witness without spending excessive time that could lead to negative influence. Our speech should be gracious, gentle, and godly, enhancing others' lives as a testimony of our faith, elevating conversations rather than descending to worldly levels. If questions arise, we should be prepared to answer about the truth, always maintaining nobility and Christ-likeness in our conduct. Thus, the godly walk in love, light, and wisdom brings God's elect to fruitfulness and eternal fellowship with Him, contrasting sharply with the ungodly path that leads to condemnation and death. We must choose wisely, striving for accuracy in every aspect of our lives to please God and attain the promised eternal life.
Psalms: Book Five (Part One): Psalms for the Winter Blues
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWinter is a time of cold, darkness, and sadness. As many as 10% of people in northern areas have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The Psalms for winter can help.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Four): Ecclesiastes 9:2-12
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough some try to make their lives easier by compromising, Solomon warns that all evil leads to death, and that doing evil in any circumstance is insane.
Seeking God's Will (Part Seven): Conclusion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we walk in the light, we will prove to ourselves and others that God's way is best. Wisdom and understanding will accrue by keeping God's commandments.
Works of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe idea that the 'work of God' is equated with 'preaching the gospel around the world as a witness' severely limits the awesome scope of God's work.