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The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Stilling a Storm
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ's humanity is vividly displayed in His physical and mental exhaustion after a day of significant teaching and testing. Despite being sought by concerned friends, His mother, and half-brothers, and facing accusations of being demon-possessed, He unselfishly gives Himself to serve others. The large crowds continue to gather around Him, prompting Him to instruct His disciples to take Him to the quieter region of Perea across the Sea of Galilee. Once on board the small boat, Jesus falls asleep on a pillow, showing His human need for rest. Even as a sudden storm terrifies the disciples, His complete trust in His Almighty Father's care and protection allows Him to remain peacefully asleep, demonstrating both His human vulnerability and His deep reliance on divine strength.
Was Jesus Christ Born Under the Law?
'Ready Answer' by Earl L. HennThelel, in his deceit, seeks to obscure the humanity of Jesus Christ, but the truth remains clear. Jesus Christ, in His earthly life, was fully human, born of a woman through a divine miracle, as God the Father caused Mary to conceive by the Holy Spirit. He was flesh and blood, subject to the same terms, forces, and conditions as any other man, demonstrating His humanity. A body was prepared for Him, as He Himself declared upon entering the world. This emphasis on His human nature reveals that He was not merely a spirit but truly lived as a man among us. Furthermore, the assertion that Jesus Christ was bound by Old Covenant rules from birth is a misunderstanding. He was not under the condemnation of the law during His life, for He led a perfect, sinless existence. Only at the time of His crucifixion did God the Father place Him under the law, laying the burden of the world's sins upon Him. The rituals and ceremonies of the Old Covenant, meant to remind Israel of their need for a Savior, did not apply to Him, as He had no sin to atone for. Even actions like His circumcision, performed by His parents when He was only eight days old, were not of His own doing, further illustrating that He was not personally bound to these practices. The deeper truth of His humanity persists even now. Jesus Christ continues to live His life through true Christians who submit to Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. His example, perfect in every respect, is one we are called to follow in all aspects of our lives. He set this standard not only in His actions but also in His willingness to undergo baptism, though He had no need for it, to show us the path we must take. Thus, every true Christian must emulate Him, walking as He walked, despite false teachings that suggest otherwise.
What Did Jesus Do?
'Ready Answer' by StaffJesus Christ's humanity is vividly portrayed through His life experiences as recorded in the gospels. From His birth in Bethlehem to His death on Golgotha, He lived a normal human life, growing up as a carpenter with brothers and sisters, facing the same challenges as others. He endured unique trials, such as fasting for forty days and being tested by satan, where He rejected offers of food, protection, and power, setting a foundation for how He lived His human life. His humanity is further revealed in moments of profound suffering and loneliness, such as His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and His feeling of desertion at His crucifixion. Despite the intense physical, mental, and emotional turmoil He faced, He demonstrated how to endure seemingly insurmountable trials, showing by example the importance of patience and non-retaliation. His life was lived with the full realization that He would suffer greatly for who He was and what He stood for, providing a model for how to face suffering and serve others even in the most difficult times. Throughout His life, Jesus served tirelessly despite having the same physical limitations as other men. His service included preaching a life-giving way, righting wrongs, feeding thousands, and healing those in need. A striking example of His service is seen in the act of washing His disciples' feet, teaching that service should persist even during the worst times. His life as a human, fraught with inherent frailties, was lived sinlessly, handling each situation with perfection, offering a clear example for approaching any circumstance with righteousness and spiritual depth.
Hebrews (Part Four): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ was not just an extraordinary man, but also possessed the massive intellect needed to create, design and implementing all manner of life—He was God.
Jesus Disqualified?
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughSome say Christ cannot be the Messiah because of His genealogy. Here is why this argument is fallacious and why Jesus IS our Savior!
Christ Coming in the Flesh
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughJohn and other biblical authors emphasize that Jesus Christ came in the flesh as a human being. Jesus had to be fully human to die for human sins.
The High Christology of Colossians
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHigh Christology as a doctrinal stance was not enough to prevent the eventual apostasy of those in Asia Minor. Doctrine must produce the right conduct.
Four Views of Christ (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Gospels are Christ's biography. They also illustrate the typology of Revelation 4:7 depicting a lion, ox, man, and eagle, giving a picture of Christ's character.
Scripture Fulfilled in Christ's Death
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFour distinct Old Testament Messianic prophecies were fulfilled by Christ's death and cited by the Apostle John.
Jesus Wept
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingJesus' tears resulted from frustration at the lack of faith in those with whom He had closely counseled and for whom He had deep empathy (Mary and Martha).
Four Views of Christ (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLuke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.
Intimacy with Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe don't really know something unless we have experienced it. Knowing God manifests itself in the way one lives, reflecting faithfulness and obedience.
Our Affinity to Christ
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus has already suffered the things we have, and now serves as our compassionate High Priest and Advocate. He provides the pattern we are to emulate.
Fully Man and Fully God?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is called both 'Son of Man' and 'Son of God,' raising weighty questions about His nature. Could He have both full humanity and full divinity?
Fully Man and Fully God? (1994)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is often misunderstood. The phrase 'fully man and fully God' does not have biblical support; Christ's real nature is much more meaningful.
A Man of Sorrows
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughJesus anticipated what was coming on the nation, prepared for it as well as He could, and persevered through it along with the rest of His fellow citizens.
Acquainted with Grief
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeChrist's bearing of our sicknesses and infirmities may have taken place throughout His life. He may have been acquainted with ill health for our benefit.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and Son are separate; the Father is the source of all power, while the Son serves as the channel through which we interface with the Father.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God, before He created Adam and Eve, preternaturally planned the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save humanity from the curse of sin and death.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.
In The Likeness of Men!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus was subjected to the same experiences as the rest of us, having the appearance, experiences, the capability of receiving injury and suffering temptation.
Garden of Gethsemane: The Oil Press
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe Garden of Gethsemane has particular significance because it was not only an olive grove, but also the location where olives were pressed into oil.
Whatever Happened to Gnosticism? Part Two: Defining Gnosticism
Article by David C. GrabbeWe can glimpse Gnosticism in Paul's epistles to the Galatians and Colossians, in which he combats Gnosticism's twisting of the truth of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's life and death were supernatural in that He had God's Spirit from the beginning, giving Him power over things, as well as undeniable logic.
Without Me, You Can Do Nothing (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWe tend to avoid acknowledging our weaknesses, but at some point, each of us will admit our powerlessness and inability to carry out God's will on our own.
Who Was the Samaritan Woman at the Well?
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingThe woman was the first Gentile convert and an evangelist to her fellow Samaritans, who clearly did not consider her an outcast or immoral woman.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'
Power Belongs to God (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHuman beings, even those who have been called, have an innate fear that God will not always provide. This fear originates in doubt about God's power.
Hebrews (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus blazed a trail, giving a pattern for qualifying (through suffering and resisting sin) for our responsibility as priests, reconnecting man and God.
John (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
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.