The Elements of Motivation (Part One): Fear
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEven though a Christian's potential is so wonderful, it is still necessary for God to motivate His children to reach it. This begins with the fear of God.
The Greatest Motivation
Sermonette by Bill OnisickMost people are not aware of the motivations that drive their behavior. Are we cognizant of our own motivations? Are we analyzing their activation and intensity?
Elements of Motivation (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHaving knowledge of God's law is not a guarantee of spiritual success or growth. Only those motivated to use the law will experience growth and produce fruit. The fear of God is the first element of motivation, ranging from reverential awe to stark terror. Fearing God leads to a determination not to bring shame on God's name or …
Elements of Motivation (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh focuses on the remarkable energizing capacity of hope. In the familiar triumvirate (faith, hope, and love) faith serves as the foundation, love serves as the goal, and hope serves as the great motivator or energizer. Unique among the religions, Christianity, with its expectation of a Messiah and the promise of a …
The Elements of Motivation (Part Three): Hope
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHope conveys the idea of absolute certainty of future good, and that is exactly what the Bible tells us we have upon our calling and acceptance of God's way.
The Elements of Motivation (Part Two): Vision
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Kingdom of God is our goal, and our vision of what it means gives us compelling motivation to overcome, grow, and bear fruit in preparation for eternal life.
Motivation to Endure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, focusing on Luke 21:9, encourages the development of patience, perseverance, and endurance in the horrific times ahead, safe-guarding the precious calling God has given us. We have been mandated to endure to the end, processing all the trials and tests which we will be called upon to endure. God is in complete charge …
The Elements of Motivation (Part Six): Eternal Life
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIf you knew you would live forever, how would you live? Biblically, eternal life is much more than living forever: It is living as God lives!
Elements of Motivation (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhen Jesus became mentally exhausted and enervated, he became invigorated and refreshed by seeing God's will completed, regarding it metaphorically as food and nourishment (John 4:34) Similarly we can become energized and motivated by our high calling and summons to do the will of God, seeing how vitally important we are to …
Elements of Motivation (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEternal life, emphasizing a special intimate relationship with God the Father and Christ, is vastly different from immortality, connoting only endless existence.
Elements of Motivation (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVision is a picture in the mind's eye that is undergirded by faith and scriptural revelation, enabling one to anticipate events that have not yet occurred.
Elements of Motivation (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though sin offers fleeting pleasure, we must learn to intensely hate sin, regarding this product of Satan as a destroyer of everything God loves.
The Elements of Motivation (Part Five): Who We Are
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod has summoned us to a unique position. As saints, we have the responsibility to work toward the Kingdom of God and become holy—things only we can do!
The Formula for Overcoming
Article by David F. MaasWant an easy, proven formula for getting rid of sin and growing in God's character? Dr. David Maas can provide it!
Are You Zealous? (Part Five)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is easy to see the zeal displayed by a Paul or a Daniel and become discouraged, feeling we do not measure up. How can we show our zeal for God and His way?
Servant Attitude
Sermonette by Bill OnisickIf we follow Christ's example of assuming the attitude of a servant, living in accordance with the will of God, the fruits of the Spirit should be recognized.
IQ, EQ, GQ?
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWe understand IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient), but do we also have 'GQ' (Godly Quotient)?
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, focusing on Proverbs 4:7, maintains that our supreme objective in godly living is attainment and cultivation of wisdom, which consists of attributes giving us skill in living. We learn that the Book of Ecclesiastes has no meaning for someone not called of God, relegating it as an epistle of despair from one of …
Self-Government and Responsibility (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need free moral agency to be transformed into God's image. Unless one has God's Spirit, he cannot exercise the internal control to be subject to the way of God.
Five Teachings of Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughProtestantism unthinkingly presents grace as "free." However, Scripture shows that God expects a great deal of effort from us once we receive it—it is costly.
Start Now to Begin Walking
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reiterating that the people of faith walked to their destination, focuses on both the literal and metaphorical contexts of walking in the Bible. In the scriptures, walking refers to interacting with a person, and as a way of life, implying conduct and habitual behavior. Regarding the impending worsening …
Intimacy with Christ (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh warns that the narrow "pay and pray" mentality experienced by many in our previous fellowship took our attention away from the more important overcoming and growing aspect, preparing for the Kingdom of God. We desperately need to become immersed in a cause, yielding to God's creative power, personally …
The Seven Laws of Success
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletMen have searched for centuries for the keys to success in life. Many have found rules to live by to bring them physical wealth and well-being, but all of them have neglected the most important factor: God!
