The Other Great Tribulation
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerFor centuries, Christians have anticipated the coming of the end-time Great Tribulation, prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24. However, Charles Whitaker describes a historical great tribulation, comparing it to what has happened in the United States since the 1930s.
A Look at Christian Suffering (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeEven suffering that may not be as a direct result of our faith is part of the trials of this age. It will bear positive fruit if it is approached in faith.
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeSome have a warped idea of godliness, not pursuing it with a desire to resemble God, but believing that if they are righteous, God will materially bless.
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeEntrance into the Kingdom of God will not happen without many tribulations (Acts 14:22). We may need to adjust our expectations of what discipleship entails.
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod narrows in our way because He loves us, just as we hedge our children because we care about their lives. God loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
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 …
The Hard Makes it Great
Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, acknowledging that movies and books contain unforgettable aphorisms to ponder or live by, focuses on a memorable line from the movie A League of Their Own, a movie about a struggling women's baseball team, when the coach tells a disheartened player, "It's supposed to be hard; if it weren't hard everybody …
Pentecost and Memorial Day
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughPentecost and Memorial Day may seem to be quite different, but we should not be too hasty in concluding that they do not share any common features.
The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Parable of the Sower and the Seed exemplifies a number things that can happen to prevent us from having a place in God's spiritual harvest.
Our Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur hope is based on having a living Savior. At times we are discouraged and overwhelmed, but God has not left us—though unseen, He is in the trials with us.
Are You Worthy of Your Calling?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins discusses the apostle Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians, a group of dispirited, despairing Christians who had been bombarded by false teachings that the Day of the Lord had already come, prompting many to quit their employment, rest on their laurels, and become busy-bodies, as well as leading the leaders to …
Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaClyde Finklea, focusing on Winston Churchill's wartime advice, "Never give in," insists that it proved good advice during the Second World War, and it is good advice for us now as we approach the horrible time of the Great Tribulation, when betrayal, lies, and lawlessness will abound. Only the person who endures to the …
Persecution
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh acknowledges that although many in God's church have gone through sore trials and tests of sorts, virtually no one has gone through the nightmarish persecutions suffered by the early Christians in Imperial Rome. Because most of us have lived our lives in modern Israel rather than a Gentile culture, we have …
The Fifth Seal (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughPersecution and martyrdom are not popular topics among Christians, but they are facts. The fifth seal shows the cry of the martyrs and God's response.
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.
The Beatitudes, Part 8: Blessed Are the Persecuted
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughPersecution is a fact of life for a Christian. Jesus Christ says we are blessed if we are persecuted for righteousness' sake — here's why.
The Innumerable Multitude
'Prophecy Watch' by StaffFollowing the 144,000, Revelation 7 reveals another group known as the innumerable multitude. Who comprises this vast group of people? When do they appear? This article gives the Bible's interpretation of this often-misunderstood prophecy.
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.
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.
We Must Learn to Fly
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, reflecting on a story of a well-meaning individual who 'rescued' a butterfly from its chrysalis only to discover it could not fly, draws a parallel to our own spiritual development, suggesting if we are 'rescued' from our spiritual tests and trials, we will not be able to fly either. We need struggle, tribulation, …
Hebrews: A Message for Today
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.
Sackcloth: A Spiritual Tool
CGG Weekly by Gary MontgomeryPutting on a spiritual garment of sackcloth in mourning is necessary in humbling ourselves as a part of the process in examining and scrutinizing our lives.
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.
Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe group that one fellowships with is less important than the understanding that there is one true church, bound by a spiritual, not a physical unity.
Make Sure of Your Focus
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh focuses upon the watchman responsibility as defined in Ezekiel 33:2 and Isaiah 62:6, consisting of both physical and spiritual aspects. Part of the pastor's responsibility is to carefully observe economic, social, meteorological, and political trends, warning the flock to take prudent precautions, including …
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that when God created Adam, He prepared only a foundation for mankind's eventual spiritual creation undertaken by the Second Adam. Spiritual creation requires much intense pressure and continual testing to determine character. Jesus went through this process first to provide us an example. We are to be …
Assurance (Part Two): Of the Path to Glory
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, realizing that most people, both outside and inside the church, crave assurance , avers that we can have assurance that we are God's heirs and offspring if we are led by the spirit, remaining on the sanctified path of fellowship, growing continually in grace and knowledge. When we receive God's calling, God's …
Smyrna: Faithful Until Death
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeThe biblical city of Smyrna may be one that many know the least about. The city's name reveals the themes that the Head of the church wants us to understand.
Amos (Part 12)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh warns that the pride of Jacob (or his offspring) coupled with the incredible ability to make tremendous technological advances, blinds Israel to its devastating moral deficit. Amos begins with a description or cataloging of the sins of Israel's enemies, followed by a harsh indictment of its own sins and a roar of …
