Living By Faith and God's Sovereignty
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSome may doubt that God is in control, but God's sovereignty over His creation is complete. The course of world events are moving according to His will.
Living By Faith: God's Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn order to live by faith, we must understand God's sovereignty, God's character, and God's justice, realizing that we do not see the entire picture.
Living By Faith: Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, God stoops to us when we humble ourselves. Humility produces honor from God; if we humble ourselves, He will hear us.
Living By Faith and Human Pride
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod wants us to walk—live our lives—by faith, but our pride and vanity frequently get in the way. Critically, pride causes us to reject God and His Word.
Living By the Sword
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeMany Christians today believe that killing in self-defense is sanctioned by the Bible. David Grabbe explains that this is a terrible misunderstanding of Christ's teaching.
Living by Faith and God's Justice
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAmong the spiritual realities that a faithful Christian must understand is God's sense of justice. The deaths of Nadab and Abihu are a case in point.
Will Christ Find Faith?
'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid (1930-2016)At the end of the Parable of the Persistent Widow, Jesus asks, "When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith...?" The answer is surprising to many.
Wandering the Wilderness in Faith
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughLike the Israelites, Christians must live by faith as we follow Christ through a spiritual wilderness. Faith is the vital component carries us through.
Faith (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFaithfulness in a person ultimately rests on his or her trust in God, and if a person is going to be faithful, its because he or she believes what God says.
Making Faithful Choices (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGideon began his life as a coward, became a conqueror, and ended a compromiser, all the while needing assurances from God to bolster his flagging faith.
Faithful, Following Firstfruits
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThose reveling in the 'new freedoms' of apostasy cannot be persuaded to return to former beliefs because they no longer believe in the sanctified Word of God.
Faith to Face the Fire
'Ready Answer' by StaffWe sometimes mistake faith for certainty about God's will. However, faith is not knowing what God will do in a situation but trusting Him to do what is best for us.
Faith (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFar from being blind, faith is based on analyzing, comparing, adding up from evidence in God's Word, our own experience, and our calling by God's Holy Spirit.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAbraham embodied living by faith. Through perpetually living in a tent, he demonstrated his complete trust and reliance upon God.
Faith Overcomes the World
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs we attempt to overcome the world, we soon realize that we battle against invisible principalities, requiring us to form a close relationship with Christ.
Faith in the Healer
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn our information culture where "seeing is believing" and we want "just the facts, Ma'am," it is difficult to have faith in anything we can't take in by the five senses. Richard Ritenbaugh shows the vital importance of establishing iron clad trust in God for spiritual matters (salvation, forgiveness, …
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod begins His spiritual creation by grace because the wages of sin is death. Consequently, God's people will exercise humility and faith in yielding to Him.
Faith and Technology
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeAs technology becomes more available, the material world threatens to crowd God out of the picture. The information age will destroy us unless we manage it.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Twelve): Paradox, Conclusion
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThere is a danger that arises when the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper: trying to put God under obligation to bless us through becoming 'super-righteous'.
The Faithfulness of God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod established permanent patterns, electing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as all of those He has called. This election should be our obsession.
Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, focusing upon the poetic prayer-song at the end of Habakkuk 3, concludes that this passage is one of the most inspiring parts of God's Word. The moving prayer-song, asking God to revive His work in the midst of years, and to temper judgment with mercy, provides a model of an effective prayer. Though the prophet …
Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, focusing on the Prophet Habakkuk, whose name means "one who embraces" or "one who clings," suggests that a major theme of the Book of Habakkuk is the importance of clinging to God regardless of the vicissitudes of life. Habakkuk's prophecy seems to be up-to-date when describing God's called …
Our Merciful and Faithful Provider
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, cuing in on the recipients of I Peter 2:9 and focusing on the concept of identity (physical or spiritual), claims that with a sense of identity, the study of biblical history and prophecy is effervescent, sparkling, and scintillating. Joseph's descendants have been in the forefront of massive international world …
Faith and Healing (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh emphasizes the necessity of work (dressing and keeping our life, our health, our possessions, our calling, etc.). God has called us to a lifetime of productive work. We cannot allow Satan to cause us to resent working or to feel victimized, slighted, bitter, or lazy, rejecting God's ordained purpose for …
Faith (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughFully accepting God's sovereignty should drive us to seek Him so that we can come to know Him as completely as possible, which is vital to our salvation.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are mandated to live by faith, being given trials of faith in order to chisel our character. We must totally and unreservedly accept God's sovereignty.
Our Genetically Altered Foods (Part One)
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reminding us that food has always been a point of contention throughout scripture, warns us that food is of a far lesser importance than exercising faith. When we get hung up on food, we have the natural tendency to judge others for their non-compliance of health laws. In this time of genetically modified food, …
The Christian and the World (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnxious care and foreboding are debilitating and faith-destroying. Meditating on what God has already done strengthens our faith and trust in God.
Hebrews (Part 13)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAbraham, the father of the faithful, did not have a blind faith; it was based upon observation of God's proven track record of faithfulness.
The Christian Fight (Part Three)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWith all the military metaphors in the Bible, there can be no doubt that God likens the Christian life to a war against the evils and temptations we face.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 13)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCommitment to a course of action is essential for physical or spiritual success. Faith motivates and sustains right action, protecting us from the yo-yo like fits of starting and stopping. Shallow or incomplete faith is contrasted with complete or mature faith. Our simple faith must transform into mature or enduring faith, which …
The Providence of God (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus and Abraham rose above their emotional pulls by exercising living faith—a faith built on acts of obedience. Faith can never be separated from works.
The Providence of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh emphasizes that a spiritual Israelite, following Jacob's example, undergoes a metamorphosis in which his own stubborn, self-centered will is broken so that God's creative work can be completed within him. Abraham, whose very name connotes faithfulness, learned to work through fearful catch-22 dilemmas, walking by …
The Sovereignty of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are assured that even though inexplicable things happen in our lives, God is still sovereign. We must develop childlike faith to trust in Him for solutions.
Hebrews (Part 4)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must emulate Christ, who learned through suffering, preparing Himself for His role as High Priest. Giving in alienates us from the fellowship with God.
Ping
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTed Bowling, acknowledging that faith is a foundation of our assurance in the reality of God, uses a submarine analogy with its sonar equipment to illustrate faith. The crew of the submarine must rely on the ping of a sonar signal to keep from crashing into underwater cliffs, trusting in a power they cannot see. God has given to …
Don't Allow Fear to Direct Your Life
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersFear and discouragement have infiltrated the church of God, causing many to stop fellowshipping on the Sabbath and some to give up keeping it altogether.
The Handwriting Is On the Wall (Part One) (2007)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn this keynote address of the 2007 Feast of Tabernacles, John Ritenbaugh, focusing on Abraham's pattern of life, answers the question, 'Why is the Church of the Great God doing what it is doing at this time?' Abraham and Sarah's life of faith is the pattern that God's called-out ones are obligated to follow. Interestingly, …
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecoming equipped for leadership requires that we discipline ourselves in following God's way of life, allowing the mind of Jesus Christ to be in us in.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who emphasize one trait of God, or one doctrine, at the expense of the others run the risk of distorting the truth, creating a grotesque caricature.
Our Part in the Sanctication Process (Part Eight)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe only tangible measures of faith is faithfulness, trust, and loyalty to God. We don't need to ask God for more faith, but rather work on being faithful.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNothing and no one can thwart God's purposes. We need to develop the faith to yield and conform to His will as clay in the potter's hands.
The Path from Here to Beyond
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, acknowledging that the Church of the Great God has reached its 20th anniversary, acknowledges also that we have no idea when Christ will return. We have to trust God's judgment that He will fulfill our needs until He does return and establishes the Kingdom of God. We must be ready, preparing ourselves …
God's Workmanship (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSalvation is not a one time event, but a continuous process—not just immunity from death, but a total transformation of our nature into a new creation.
Discouraged? Why?
Article by StaffAs God's children, we have no need to become discouraged for long. God has given and done so much for us that we have no reason to get down.
Prayer and Fervency
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiving faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that the seven "I will" promises given to our forefather Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 were truly "big deal" foundational promises impacting the lives of multiple billions of lives up to the present day and that Abraham and that Abraham could fathom them only by calculating within his …
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEternal life is to live a quality life as God lives, having developed a close relationship with God, living by faith and accepting His sovereignty over all.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty, Part Three: The Fruits
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHere are four qualities of character that our full acceptance of God's sovereignty will build and that will prepare us for whatever work God may choose for us.
Are You Sure You Believe in God? (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on Abraham's obedience to God, observes that character is determined by response to tests. Obedience and concrete works must follow and prove the existence of faith. Real saving faith is a gift from God, but we are obligated to walk by this faith, developing incremental levels of faith through …
Growing Into Liberty
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that physically emancipating people from slavery does not automatically unshackle their hearts or minds or preparing them for productive responsibility in a free society. Likewise, our emancipation from sin does not automatically remove our acquired spiritual shackles. We must gradually grow out of the …
Conviction and Moses
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur conviction reveals itself in living by faith. Moses is a stunning example of how a convicted Christian should live — with loyalty and faithfulness to God.
Israel's Missing Characteristics of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFaithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHaving experienced the turmoil of the Catholic—Protestant clash, the framers of our Constitution did not want any sect dictating religious doctrines or practices.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Seventeen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause the world is under the sway of the wicked one, if mankind were left to its own choices, the world would revert to the condition before the Flood.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reiterating the warning of the apostle Paul that evil company corrupts good habits, warns us that the desire to sin is highly contagious and is a deadly, communicable disease. Because the world we inhabit swims in sin, we have the obligation to become a thinking people, voluntarily choosing God's purpose for …
The Christian Fight (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe faithful life and work of Noah illustrates that after justification, walking by faith with God is a practical responsibility.
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHaving anxiety, foreboding and fretting about food, clothing, and shelter, or being distressed about the future, demonstrates a gross lack of faith.
Hebrews (Part 12)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh characterizes the spiritual condition of the recipients of the Hebrews epistle as dangerously complacent, drifting into apostasy through neglect rather than from any blatant sin or perversion. Losing their zeal and first love after the manner of the Ephesians, having a complacent disregard for Christ's sacrifice, …
