Filter by Categories
Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fallibility of God's representatives is evident as they are not sinless or infallible. Moses had a temper he needed to control, David had well-known issues, and Jeremiah struggled with his nature. Even Herbert Armstrong faced challenges with his nature, yet this did not alter his role as God's chosen representative. These examples demonstrate that God's servants have weaknesses, but God can still use them effectively for His purposes.
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.
Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFallibility is acknowledged within the church, as it is recognized that we do things out of ignorance and weakness. Despite these human shortcomings, the focus remains on God's choice and His faithfulness to His established patterns, rather than on the infallibility or sinlessness of any individual.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHuman fallibility stands in direct contrast to the unchanging nature of God and His Word. While God declares that He changes not and that every good and perfect gift comes from above with no variableness or shadow of turning, human nature proves volatile and self-directed. People readily trust in themselves that they are righteous, allowing their judgments to become skewed whenever biblical truths require personal sacrifice or discomfort. This tendency leads individuals to reject portions of God's eternal teachings in favor of their own opinions, justifications, or lies that avoid the cost of obedience. The pattern appears consistently across history. Ancient Greeks researched God's creation yet turned to their own views. Israelites in the wilderness and after Joshua's death did what was right in their own eyes rather than follow divine directives. Pharisees in Jesus' day despised teachings that challenged their self-trust. Even after conversion, some in the early church retained Gnostic elements instead of fully disengaging from prior philosophies, while later members of the Worldwide Church of God accepted massive doctrinal shifts of similar origin. This fallibility opens the door to deception through floods of appealing yet twisted words on moral and spiritual subjects. It permits selective acceptance of truth and fuels doctrines that separate inner spirituality from material conduct, leaving individuals without authoritative guidance. In every case, the result is the same: humans drift from the narrow way clearly spelled out in Scripture, demonstrating that only wholehearted reliance on God's infallible Word counters the innate human propensity to chart an independent and ultimately destructive course.
Think Soberly (Part Two)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerNo one has ever appointed themselves into a position in God's family. God's appointment is a prerogative reserved by Him alone.
Azazel: Observations and Questions
Article by Pat HigginsDoctrinal changes after decades of believing differently can raise questions. God reveals truth by His Spirit on His timetable and for His own reasons.
No One Else Matters (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEvery man is fallible. Every man has flaws. Every man has sins. If we forget that or expect too much perfection, too much righteousness, we are going to be disappointed and it is going to undermine our faith, our trust. Humans are finite, humans are flawed. They will pass away.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFormality and decorum (in terms of dress and behavior) are part of godly standards and sanctity. We must always look for the spirit and intent of what God commands.
Prophecy Fails
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughDespite its prominence in scripture, prophecy is not as important as doctrine and Christian living (especially overcoming).
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Six): Ecclesiastes 10:5-11
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCause and effect relationships will always cause multiple metaphorical dominoes to fall. Similarly, sin never occurs in a vacuum but will continue to ripple.
The Five Warnings of Hebrews
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe modern church stands in danger of allowing salvation to slip away. Hebrews gives warnings to help us turn our lives around so we do not fall short.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Seven): Ecclesiastes 10:12-19
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs teachers, we are all burdened with an unholy tongue, but we need to rule it to produce only holy speech. Ecclesiastes 10 focuses on a leader using gracious speech.
Joshua's Four Miracles (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe life and leadership of Joshua provide a metaphor for the Christian journey following baptism, a path marked by spiritual warfare, growth, and trust in God.
The Christian Walk (Part Three): In Wisdom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod wants us to take our salvation seriously, walking in love, light, and wisdom, attaining the know-how to work out our own salvation, redeeming the time.
Devil in the Details?
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeA mysterious commentary has been used and repeatedly re-quoted as a proof that the azazel goat represents Satan. This source warrants closer inspection.
Did Christ Build the Church on Peter (Matthew 16:18)?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe key to understanding Matthew 16:18 lies in the correct translation of the Greek words rendered 'Peter' and 'rock.' Jesus Christ is the Rock.