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'Like Father, Like Son'
CGG Weekly by John ReissIn the first chapter of Genesis, God created the birds after the bird kind, the cattle after the cattle kind, and plants reproducing after their own kinds. According to God Himself, mankind was created after the God-kind, as He declared in Genesis 1:26, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. Nothing produces offspring destined to be something different from its parent; it is a law of nature, where reproduction generates new individuals of the same kind. Jesus relates a Christian's life, upon spiritual regeneration, to being born into a new life, stating in John 3:3-8 that to enter the Kingdom of God, we must be born again. Paul writes in II Corinthians 5:17 that we become a new creation, and in I Corinthians 15:47-49, he affirms that as we have borne the image of the first man, Adam, we shall bear the image of the heavenly man, Jesus Christ. David expresses in Psalm 17:15 the hope of being resurrected in the likeness of God, saying, As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. John adds in I John 3:2 that when our change comes, we shall be like Christ, for we shall see Him as He is. Ultimately, God's Kingdom is a Family, and when we are changed to spirit at the resurrection, we will be fully members of the God Family, Elohim, embodying the highest expression of like Father, like son.
Our Divine Destiny
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's called-ones have been given the ability to decipher the scattered concepts, revealing the purpose of their destiny throughout the Scriptures.
The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Father and the Son are two separate personalities, with the Father having pre-eminence. The Bible contains no evidence of a third person in the God family.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus did not take on a different shape or form when He was transfigured. Taking on the image of the heavenly does not vaporize one into shapeless essence.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhatever life is, it derives from a non-material, non-physical, imparted life-force having a spiritual source. God creates and sustains life, as well as ends it.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNo one has any excuse for doubting God's purpose for mankind, whether revealed publicly through His Creation or privately through the Holy Scriptures.
Going On to Perfection
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though everything we need in this quest has been given to us, our spiritual growth depends on believing in the promises of receiving the divine nature.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ is the architect of the church, indicating that the institution must take on the characteristics of the Builder, reflecting His character.
The Days of Noah
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBefore the flood, Satan had attempted to corrupt mankind, probably through massive demonic possession. The same demonic threat will occur at the end-time.
Aim for Productivity
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughWe must strive to bear spiritual fruit efficiently and productively. Material well-being is not as good a measure of fruitfulness as is the use of God's gifts.
The Third Day (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBiblically, the third day carries much historic and prophetic significance.
Consider the Butterfly
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCreation teaches the orderly mind of God. The butterfly provides valuable analogies to illustrate our conversion and transformation from mortal to immortal.
Did Angels Marry Human Women?
'Ready Answer' by StaffGenesis 6:2 does not suggest some angel/human hybrid, but intermarriage in defiance of God's law, as is seen from the Bible's internal evidence.
We Must Believe!
Sermon by John O. ReidWe are asked to believe in a Being nobody has directly seen or heard, whose written word has been vilified and scorned. Without faith, we can't please God.