Another Look at the Book of Job
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWhere did Job's righteousness come from? Was his character a product of evolution, or was it intelligently formed out of nothingness like the rest of creation?
Was Job Really Self-Righteous?
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaSelf-righteousness is defined as being smugly proud of one's own opinion and intolerant of others. What Job repented of was his misunderstanding of God.
Job, Self-Righteousness, and Humility
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe story of Job reveals a man whom God forced to see himself as he really was, and his true self-image paved the way to a leap forward in spiritual growth.
Hedged About on Every Side
'Ready Answer' by StaffIn Job 1, Satan accuses God of hedging Job about on every side, saying that if God would let down the hedge, they could see what Job was really made of. This article explains how important God's hedge about us is.
Do You See God Working in You?
Sermon by Kim MyersJob was able to endure the multiple trials and tragic events by seeing the hand of God in his life, realizing that God works in both good and bad times.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Christians?
Article by StaffOf all people, one might think, Christians should be the most blessed, yet they often fall under heavy trials. However, the reality is that God is putting us through the paces, correcting us and refining us, to bring us to salvation.
In Defense of God
Sermonette by Levi W. GrahamAs Job reset his mindset from anxious to humble, so we must also re-evaluate our trials, appreciating the great lengths to which God goes to perfect us.
Becoming Fearless
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWhen Job was afflicted with physical problems, he learned that God was using them to perfect him. Afflictions are intended to bind us together.
God's Good Work in Us
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Despite the privileged position of our calling, God does not cut us any slack in terms of trials and tests to perfect us. We must accept God's sovereignty.
God's Perspective
Sermonette by Ryan McClureHuman nature skews our view of reality; there is always more than meets the eye. We would do well to adopt the approach of 'Good or bad, it is hard to say.'
Not To Reason Why
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughWhy did God allow this tragedy? Why do the good suffer and the evil prosper? We want answers to these questions, but Jesus points us in another direction.
Why is Life So Hard?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe, assessing the impact of struggles, pressures, and tribulations of our spiritual journey, reveals that Christ's followers will have to endure afflictions and fiery trials as He prepares them for His Kingdom. Some detractors have tried to preach that "godliness is a means of gain," implying that if we were …
Trial by Fire
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike a loving parent, God brings just the right pressures to bear to bring about necessary change in His children. Each trial has a place in His purpose.
Fearing God's Worthiness
CGG Weekly by Levi W. GrahamRealizing God's willingness to help and knowing His worthiness begin to build in us the vital components of genuine, sincere worship.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eleven): Paradox, Continued
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHard trials are not punishments from God for unrighteousness but tests of faith in which He is intimately involved to prepare us for the world to come.
Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeDespite being perhaps the oldest text in the canon, Job contains many detailed, even scientific, insights into the creative and sustaining power of Christ.
Facing Times of Stress: When God Is Silent (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsActs 27 teaches that we must distinguish among several types of suffering. Regardless of the type of suffering, we must remember that God will deliver us.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTrials are a means to produce spiritual growth, unless we resort to super-righteousness, straining to please God by exalting our works.
In the Hands of the Potter
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTed Bowling, reflecting on the potter and clay analogy, reminds us that the Master Potter continually molds and shapes His people. Finding different kinds of clay in the riverbed, he weathers it to the point it stinks (like our own sins), and then pounds the clay on a hard surface, rolling and mashing it, getting rid of the …
Hope in a Turbulent World
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGreek and Roman myths have shaped the world view of Western culture, including our attitude toward hope, a concept which is often abused and distorted.
Faith to Face Our Trials
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsLife seems to be one trial after another. However, God has revealed an astounding facet of God's love that should give us the faith to soldier on.
God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHow involved in man's affairs is God? Is He merely reactive, or does He actively participate—even cause events and circumstances, particularly in the church?
Trials: Much Needed Experiences
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)God uses trials to test our hearts, but He never places a trial before us to tempt us. God uses trials we bring on ourselves to draw us closer to Him.
The Vessels of Wrath
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe, focusing on the unsearchable judgments of God described in Romans 11:33, points out that sometimes human nature sees God's decisions as unfair, as in the slaying of Uzzah, the favoring of Isaac over Ishmael, the favoring of Jacob over Esau, or the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. When we internalize the fact that all …
The Providence of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, defining providence as the protective care of God, suggests that the providence of God also touches on the pains and sufferings of persecution. To the elect whom God foreknew, all things- pleasant or unpleasant- happen for ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Tragic things, calamities, trials, anxiety, evil, and curses …
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reiterating that Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ, moves to the climactic point of the narrative in Genesis 45, in which Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. Joseph knew and recognized his brothers before they knew him. God knows our guiltiest secret sins which we think we have effectively hid. All things are …
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 …
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we look back and realize what we have done, we are led to think deeply about our actions, which can lead us into changing our future actions.
The Providence of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven when we exercise free moral agency, God engineers circumstances and outcomes so that we are virtually forced to make the right decision.
Facing Times of Stress: Persecution
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPersecution involves a wide spectrum, ranging from torture, physical beating, social excommunication, imprisonment and death. Our boldness should match Paul's.
The Vinedresser - Revisited
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaClyde Finklea revisits the interpretation of John 15:2 , which reads in most translations, "every branch that does not bear fruit, He takes way." This is assumed by many to mean "get rid of." Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, in his book, The Secrets of the Vine, explains that "takes away" should be more …
Are We Good Comforters?
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamRonny Graham, focusing on II Thessalonians 2:16-17, a passage emphasizing comfort and consolation, asks us whether we are good comforters. When loved ones die, we may find it difficult to express comfort to the family. One of the major themes of the book of Job is comfort, ranging from the miserable comforters consisting of …
Answered Prayer Through Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, continuing the series on effective prayer, examines some of the reasons God apparently does not answer certain prayers in the affirmative. Sometimes people "pray" as a substitute for thinking. We are to become skilled at using biblical principles thoroughly mulled over in meditation—striving to …
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.
Passover and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Passover is a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless milieu. Jesus provided hope at His last Passover, exuding confidence despite what lay ahead.
How Much Does God Love You?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughI John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.
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.
Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe book of Hebrews resonates for the church of God at this time due to the strong parallels between our circumstances and those of the first century church.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, continuing his exposition on Ecclesiastes 6, appraises the book of Ecclesiastes as the most bluntly profound book in the entire Bible, pointing to our urgent need to develop a relationship with God. We did not create ourselves or give ourselves life. The Psalmist David realized we were made by somebody other …
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.
Are You a Victim?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting upon several sports events, in which several athletes were reprimanded for seemingly insignificant actions or for situations totally out of their control, suggests that any one of us can be unfairly victimized. We may be tempted to lay the blame at God's feet. The children of Israel swerved into that …
Sovereignty and Its Fruit: Part Ten
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOnce we accept God's sovereignty, it begins to produce certain virtues in us. Here are four of these byproducts of total submission to God.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike Job, we must surrender to God's will and purpose for our lives, realizing that both pleasant and horrendous times work for our spiritual development.
