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Godly Character
Sermonette by James BeaubelleNone of us is born with godly character; we develop it over a lifetime, working with God to develop right habits, conforming to God's holy characteristics.
Character and Reputation
Article by James BeaubelleObedience to God's instructions brings a Christian excellent benefits, and one of the greatest of these is working with God to grow in righteous character.
Excellence in Character (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsScripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness.
Fasting: Building Spiritual Muscle
Article by David F. MaasThough fasting deprives the physical body of nutrition and strength, a proper, biblical fast adds conviction and depth to the inner, spiritual man.
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 True Gospel (Part 2)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus' message is certainly encouraging, but the adjective 'good has its roots in the word 'god,' suggesting that Jesus' message also possesses a moral quality.
Good Habits
CGG Weekly by David F. MaasHabit formation is another synonym for character development. The time to begin developing habits that lead to success lies as early in life as possible.
Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasOur Heavenly Father, the Vine Dresser, has provided His junior partners some valuable tools to assist in pruning and cultivating His emerging spiritual crop.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasMisguided theologians have tried to create a false dichotomy between grace and works. We do works of obedience to build character, not to earn salvation.
Little Choices
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughTrue Christianity is a religion of constant vigilance in a conscious endeavor—striving, struggling, and making choices—to do what is right to please God.
Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen God introduces marriage, the first thing He does is to put it on a spiritual plane. Our relationships should include this God-plane quality.
No Works Is No Good!
CGG WeeklyThe 'no works' doctrine says that all one has to do is believe in Jesus and accept His grace, and one's sins will be forgiven. This has disastrous effects.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of building character, God does the creating, assaying, testing, and proving; we do the yielding and walking in the pathway He has set for us.
Worldview and Government
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The solution to all of man's problems begins incrementally when each called-out person turns his life around, governing himself rightly by yielding to God.
Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGrace's influence extends beyond justification, into the sanctification stage where the believer yields himself to righteousness, keeping God's commandments.
What Do You Do in the Dark?
Article by Mike FordCharacter has been defined as what you are when no one else can see you. The story of Joseph in Potiphar's house teaches us lessons about character.
God's Tools
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaSpiritual maturity does not come about without difficulty, and suffering is one of God's tools to perfect us. Suffering refines endurance and character.
Genesis 1 and Free-Moral Agency
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughWhat does Scripture say about free-moral agency? Are we human puppets on a string, manipulated from above? How does free will relate to God's sovereignty?
Eternal Security (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAll people will be judged according to the quality of their works after they make the covenant with God. Works are required and rewarded.
God's Creation and Our Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike Joseph, we need to realize that God—not ourselves—is the Creator, engineering events that form us into what He wants us to become.
Completing Sanctification
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAn emphasis on hyper-grace is wrong-headed, denying any need for repentance and overcoming, and totally at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Places of Safety (Part Two)
Sermonette by Ryan McClureGod has warned us what is to come; we now have time to refine our character, allowing God's Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod, as Creator, takes the initiative (as the potter over the clay) for the elect's salvation, enabling us to build the repertoire of habits called character.
Moral Purity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe urgency to live righteously, striving for godly character is a continuous, ongoing, and vital pursuit not concluded until our death and resurrection.
Seeing Sanctification as an Exciting Adventure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe events in today's news can seem overwhelming, but there are strategies to turn the sanctification process into an exciting adventure.
Spiritual Maturity
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Kingdom parables allude to the process of spiritual maturity, depicting a planted and cultivated seed becoming a sprout, eventually bearing fruit.
Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMagic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification.
Preparing to Rule!
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHave you ever considered what it will be like right after Christ returns? What will you do, as a king, to help and govern the people placed under you?
Choosing the New Man (Part Two)
Article by Charles WhitakerThe spiritual new man is one who is reconciled to God and has chosen to collaborate with Him in creating a totally new mind—one just like Christ's!
The Whole Truth
'Ready Answer' by John O. ReidWe have heard the courtroom mantra, 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.' Behavior shows that many shy away from 'nothing but the truth'!
Five Easily-Neglected Doctrines
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Here are five easily neglected doctrines, which, if carelessly observed or distorted, could jeopardize the salvation of God's people.
Where Does Righteousness Come From?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJob was righteous because of the work of God, forming his righteousness out of nothing, guiding events and providing an environment in which character was formed.
Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Six)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWorks cannot earn us salvation. However, they play many vital roles in our Christian walk toward the Kingdom of God, especially in developing holiness.
Spiritual Fine Tuning
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasAs maturing Christians, we are called to lay aside the childlike tendency to over-correct, violently and impulsively moving from one ditch to the other.
Psalms: Book Two (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe second set of documents and events consists of Book Two of Psalms, Exodus, Ruth, Psalm 147, and the Pentecost season, relating to faith within trials.
From Rubble to Utopia
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe World Tomorrow is not going to happen because of an instantaneous miracle. God takes His time to produce both physical and spiritual changes.