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The Holy and the Profane
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod wants His people to be careful with those things He designates as holy and profane because these designations define His nature and His way of life.
Offering Profane Fire
Sermonette by Craig SablichThe concept of the profane emerges as a critical theme when examining forms of worship that deviate from God's explicit instructions. Biblically, terms like "profane" or "strange," derived from Hebrew words such as "zir" in Hosea 5:7 and "nakiri" in Ezra 10:2, describe worship that is foreign or unauthorized, not commanded by God. This is vividly illustrated in Leviticus 10:1, where Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire before the Lord, disregarding His specific commands. Despite their possible good intentions, their choice to worship in their own way revealed a careless disregard for His Holiness, resulting in severe consequences as fire from the Lord consumed them. This underscores the principle that God alone determines how He is to be worshiped, and good intentions are insufficient if they contradict His directives. Modern practices often mirror ancient condemned behaviors, merely under new names and blended with borrowed traditions, as warned against in Deuteronomy 12:31-32, where God commands not to worship Him in the ways of other nations, nor to add or subtract from His instructions. Throughout Scripture, God emphasizes a singular law and covenant for worship, rejecting multiple systems of obedience, as seen in Exodus 12:49. Yet, many current traditions modify or rename His instructions, passing them off as acceptable, which Scripture deems strange, foreign, and abominable. This blending of systems constitutes what the Bible identifies as unauthorized worship, highlighting a rejection of God's authority in favor of human tradition. True worship, therefore, requires a return to God's defined system, aligning with His terms rather than cultural or personal innovations.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBy studying eating in the experiences of those in the Bible, we plumb a deep well of instruction from which we can draw vital lessons to help us through life.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the Bible, eating can be a symbol of fornication. Like Jacob and Christ, we must learn to curb our appetites, learning to distinguish holy from profane.
Hebrews (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe dare not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in us as a result of trials - those burdens intended by God to strengthen us and perfect us.
Holiness of God (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs bearers of God's name, we must aspire to holiness. Perfecting holiness is the process by which we are transformed from the glory of man to the glory of God.
The Fear of God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven before we acquire the necessary building blocks of faith, hope, and love, we must acquire the fear of God, which unlocks the treasures of God.
Sabbathkeeping (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHow and why a person keeps the Sabbath determines whether this test commandment is really a sign between God and His people or an act of futility.
Hypocrisy: The Last Sin of America
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHaving its roots in a Greek word denoting 'actor', hypocrisy suggests pretending or deceiving—a filthy inside disguised by a clean outside.
The Spirit of Antichrist
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.
Is God in All Our Thoughts?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNo part of God's Law has been 'done away'. Jesus came to magnify the law, giving it a far more penetrating, spiritual application. Man flounders without law.
When Actions Contradict Stated Beliefs
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHypocrisy consists of professing beliefs or virtues that one does not genuinely possess. The primary motivator is pride, and its resulting sin is lying.
Casting Pearls
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus warns His disciples not to cast their pearls before those not called or those acting contemptuously to God's truth and would attack the messenger.
Holiness (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo appropriate the name of God means to represent His attributes, character and nature. Our behavior must imitate Christ just as Christ revealed God the Father.
The Awesome Cost of Salvation
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.