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God's Gift of the Spirit
Sermonette by James BeaubelleCompared to the Pentecost in Acts 2, our receipt of God's Spirit was attended with far less drama. However, the power of God's Spirit is no less potent.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.
God's Non-Transmittable Attributes (Part Two): Omnipresence
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod is omnipresent through His Holy Spirit, the same boundless power that provides for His omnipotence (Jeremiah 32:17; Zechariah 4:6). Omnipresence is an eternal attribute of God, and the Spirit is the means by which He is present in all places at all times. David made the connection between God's presence and His Holy Spirit when he prayed, "Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11). Through the Spirit, God sees and hears each person just as He saw and heard David personally. He is never confined, but is present in all His power at every point in space and time. David asked, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?" (Psalm 139:7). The answer is nowhere: whether in the heights of heaven, the grave, the uttermost parts of the sea, or the darkness, God's Spirit is there to lead and hold His people. Through His Spirit, the heavenly Father fills the entire universe, with absolute sovereignty to do whatever He wills and to see and hear everything. Because of this, we can seek Him anywhere and be strengthened and encouraged by His presence in any circumstance.
Samson and the Christian (Part 4)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAfter slaughtering Philistines with a donkey's jawbone, Samson prayed perhaps his first truly humble prayer, acknowledging that God had gifted him.
What Every Christian Must Know
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsI John is a very encouraging epistle, giving us a testimonial of what God has done. It teaches that there are foundational things every Christian must know.
The Purpose of Israel
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod chose ancient Israel 1) to be separate, 2) to demonstrate His love to them, 3) to keep His promises to Abraham, and 4) to make a covenant with them.
An Abundance of Living Water
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's Holy Spirit is the living water that Jesus offered when He stood on the Last Great Day and cried, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink," promising that rivers of living water would flow from the heart of the believer. John explains that this is the Spirit, given to those who believe, repent, and are baptized, and not available generally until Jesus was glorified. Until now it has been only a trickle, enough for the Church's needs, though never the river of abundance that Christ describes. That abundance is reserved for the Great White Throne Judgment, when billions rise and God opens the floodgates, supplying the "missing dimension" freely and as much as they desire. To the Samaritan woman, Jesus contrasted this water with the seeping water of Jacob's well: it is a fountain springing up to everlasting life, so satisfying that one never thirsts again. The Spirit is active energy, not stagnant water. It moves, works, and flows out of the believer in good works, understanding, correction, and help. Ezekiel's river from the Temple, deepening until it cannot be crossed, heals the Dead Sea and brings life and fruitfulness wherever it goes, just as the Spirit raises the spiritually dead. Together with the Word, it produces understanding and fills the earth with knowledge of God. God offers it freely, requiring only belief and obedience.
Things Pertaining to the Kingdom!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBetween Christ's resurrection and ascension, He appeared to His disciples 10 times within 40 days, instructing them about things pertaining to the Kingdom.
The Teaching of Jesus and Prophecy
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe teaching of Jesus is the key to Revelation. The Olivet Prophecy (the testimony of Jesus) in Matthew 24 unlocks the meaning of the seals in Revelation.
Knowing, Following, and Striving for Christ
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOur goal is to know Christ on a personal basis, knowing the power of His resurrection. This knowledge should be a practical understanding of His power.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Twelve)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs husband and wife are commanded to become one flesh, members of the Bride of Christ become spiritually unified through the indwelling of God's Spirit.
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWould we recognize Jesus Christ based on a description? Just about everybody with whom He came into contact misunderstood Him, including His own disciples.
Are You Light In The Lord?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLight is a revealer of truth and a means to expose error. When we receive God's Holy Spirit with Christ dwelling in us, we become a light to the world.
In Him Was Life
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough we have physical-chemical existence, we do not yet have God's quality of life. The key quality of eternal life is a vibrant relationship with God.
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 7)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPentecost commemorates the establishment of the church and the bestowal of spiritual gifts through God's Spirit. We need to use these gifts responsibly.
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 3)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Christians in Corinth, known for its immorality, received Paul's first epistle around Passover time as a warning to overcome the affects of 'Sin City.'