Counting the Cost of Humility
Sermonette by Bill OnisickEven as several grandiose building projects have terminated because of cost overruns, so must we carefully count the cost of our spiritual building project.
Living by Faith and Humility
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughPeople resist God because of their pride, but pride can be neutralized by humility, a character trait that allows a person to submit to God.
The Value of Humility
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloPride distorts our view of reality and our relationships. Being humble is not for the faint of heart, but requires God's Spirit operating in our lives.
Living By Faith: Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, God stoops to us when we humble ourselves. Humility produces honor from God; if we humble ourselves, He will hear us.
Pride, Humility, and the Day of Atonement
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAtonement, when we are commanded to afflict our souls, is a time of self-evaluation and repentance. This is the only way to have real unity with God.
Job, Self-Righteousness, and Humility
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe story of Job reveals a man whom God forced to see himself as he really was, and his true self-image paved the way to a leap forward in spiritual growth.
From Pride to Humility
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Two tests to reveal the presence of pride are the way we treat others (especially our own family) and the way we receive instruction or correction.
Pride, Humility, and Fasting
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe intent of fasting is to deflate our pride—the major taproot of sin—the biggest deterrent to a positive relationship with God. Humility heals the breach.
Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHumility, poverty of spirit, and acknowledging our total dependence on God are of the utmost importance. God responds to those who are humble.
Before Honor Is Humility: The Story of Andrew
Article by Martin G. CollinsThe apostle Andrew is a sterling example of humble service. Through Scripture contains only a little about him, his character should encourage us all.
Satan, Division, and Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCompetition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.
Division, Satan, Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThroughout the course of Biblical history, whenever sin appears, confusion, division and separation are the automatic consequences.
Doorway to the Kingdom
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAny time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.
The Case Against Pride
Sermonette by James BeaubelleThree symptoms of pride include (1) lying to protect our self-image; (2) competitiveness; (3) believing our personal ideas are more valuable than God's Truth.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must have both perseverance and humility in prayer to keep our vision sharp and clear. Without humility, the doorway to acceptance by God is closed.
Overcoming (Part 9): Self-Exaltation
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsSelf-exaltation was one of the sins that got Satan in trouble. Conversely, we are to humble ourselves so God can exalt us in due time.
Meekness
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsMeekness is one of the hardest virtues to define. The Bible shows meekness to be strength, as the character of such people as Jesus and Moses shows.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Meekness
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMeekness is often confused with weakness and considered to be undesirable. But Jesus lists it as a primary virtue of one who will inherit His Kingdom.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part One): To the Beaten
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's people may fall into the trap of forgetting the sinful past from which God rescued them and come to look disdainfully on those not yet called.
Building Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.
Parable of the Great Supper
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsIn the Parable of the Great Supper, Jesus exposes and corrects the ignorance of those who, in their pride, misjudge their true moral condition.
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
Article by J. Edwin Pope (1936-2006)Meekness is not the most sought after of character traits, but it is a necessary one for Christians. Here are three steps to developing it in our lives.
Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause of our lack of self-discipline and willingness to guard the truth, we have allowed our theological base to deteriorate under the persuasion of the world.
The Beatitudes, Part Two: Poor in Spirit
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhat is it to be poor in spirit? This attribute is foundational to Christian living. Those who are truly poor in spirit are on the road to true spiritual riches.
Human Will
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's children should never emulate the self-willed attitude Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" glorifies. Human nature and godly character are polar opposites.
Delusions of Perfection
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh introduces his topic of covering sins by reflecting on the illegal trial of Jesus, in which false witnesses and false accusations were trumped up by the presumptuous Jewish religious leaders against the very Son of God. The Pharisees and Sadducees demonstrated hypocrisy, professing righteousness and teaching …
Prepare to Teach
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins considers that if the Church of God is the Kingdom of God in embryo, we have a charge to learn how to teach. In the Millennium, we will teach the laws and ordinances. We will be kings and priests, responsible for those refugees coming out of the tribulation. We, as future spirit beings, must be preparing now to …
The Danger of Trusting in Oneself
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThose wise in their own eyes, including philosophers, politicians, educators, and religious leaders, have failed in their quest to make the world better.
Perfect, Gentle Courtesy (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGood manners are not just an accomplishment, but a duty that everyone must practice in order for society to move smoothly.
God Gives Grace to the Humble
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGenuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.
Hypocrisy: The Last Sin of America
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn this sermon, Martin Collins marvels that hypocrisy has been elevated to a more egregious position than murder or adultery, used as a weapon to destroy political opponents. Having its roots in a Greek word denoting actor, hypocrisy suggests pretending or deceiving—a filthy inside disguised by a clean outside. Pride can …
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Ten): Paradox
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 7 contains a paradox: wickedness appears to be rewarded and righteousness seems to bring trouble. We must be careful in how we respond to this.
Authority: Why So Many Resent It
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPride, the father of all sins, is the source of self-exaltation, self-justification and the despising of authority. It cloaks rebellion in a deceptive appeal.
Footwashing
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughFootwashing is the initial part of the Passover ceremony. Why did Christ institute it? What is its purpose?
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride elevates one above God, denigrating any dependence upon God, replacing it with self-idolatry. We ought to boast or glory in the Lord instead of ourselves.
Faith (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe hallmark of Christian character is humility, which comes about only when one sees himself in comparison to God. Pride makes distorted comparisons.
Humble Your Hearts and Be No Longer Stubborn
Sermonette by Bill OnisickThe peace that passes all understanding comes from yielding to God's will, asking Him for a soft, pliable heart to replace the hard heart of stubbornness.
The Small and Great Standing Before God
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, identifying a list of infamous monarchs who had the title "the Great" affixed to their names, puzzles over the criteria historians employed when giving this designation to patently blatant tyrants, and contrasts this pretentious greatness with the genuine greatness inherent in God Almighty. Ironically, …
More Righteous Than the Pharisees?
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)The Pharisees were in the office or seat of Moses. Jesus taught His followers to follow their words (pertaining to the Law of God), but not their personal examples.
Trumpets: Glorious Appearings
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod spoke audibly to Moses and the people, intentionally testing their faithfulness, to instill the fear of the Lord in them, and to keep them from sin.
Are You Worthy of Your Calling?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, focusing upon the topic of unity, maintains that the church has been charged with the responsibility to bring unity to a hopelessly disunited, fragmented, and chaotic world. In order to maintain this unity, like the Ephesians, we must maintain a solid balance between doctrine and practice, walking worthy of our …
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, and gratitude are required of God's called out priests. By meditating on the right things, we prepare ourselves for prayer.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Nine
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty seems to imply that prayer is pointless. Yet the function of prayer is not to change God's mind, but ours!
How Big Is God?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh cautions us not to have a one-dimensional perspective of God, pointing to the multi-faceted aspects of His personality and His vast works. Our puny minds can only grasp a tiny sliver of what God really is. Far less than a toddler to an adult is our understanding compared to God's. As a meticulous micro-manager …
Faith (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.
Don't Be a Politician
Sermon by Mike Ford (1955-2021)Jesus proved that one cannot become a leader through political intrigue, but by assuming the position of a humble servant. God sets Himself against the proud.
Blessed Are the Meek
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Paul's listings of virtues, meekness always appears near the end, reflecting its difficulty. Meekness is the gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion.
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe belief that America was or is a Christian nation cannot be supported by the facts. The world, governed by Satan, hates Christ's true followers.
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.
A Contrite Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe contrite or brokenhearted person finds special favor with God, and a humble or contrite spirit is indeed a precursor to forgiveness and spiritual healing.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the matter of godly standards for dress, we must adopt the humble, childlike, sincere, unassuming, and teachable attitude, loving God intimately.
Potential for Good
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUsing the army boot camp analogy, Richard Ritenbaugh teaches that God places us through a similar humbling process, causing us to look at our sins in a spiritual mirror, contrasting our lives with the sinless life of Jesus Christ. In this process, we must (1) put out evil, (2) put on the new man, empowered with the mind of …
Isaiah 58 and Fasting
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFasting puts us in a proper humble and contrite frame of mind, allowing God to respond to us, freeing us from our burdens and guiding us into His Kingdom.
Sovereignty and Its Fruit: Part Ten
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOnce we accept God's sovereignty, it begins to produce certain virtues in us. Here are four of these byproducts of total submission to God.
Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Four): Favor to Live as God Lives
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe earn God's favor by obedience; there is a direct tie between submission to His will and His favor. The more one submits, the more favor and grace accrues.
Godly Fear is Humble Reverence
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe fear and trembling before God is more like reverence and awe instead of abject terror. It leads us to total dependence upon God with a desire to repudiate sin.
The Church Family - Convinced and Persuaded
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins suggests that pessimism or cynicism in the leadership or government of God is faithlessness. In the context of church authority, the emphasis is on persuasion not compulsion. We obey because we are convinced from the heart?conversion?rather than from a blind sense of duty. Church government should reflect God's …
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHumility is not low self esteem, but instead it is a proper estimate of our relationship to God, which is a choice to act and behave as a servant or slave.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout thanksgiving and praise, our prayers degenerate into the 'gimmes' with the emphasis on the self. We must give God thoughtful thanks in every circumstance.
Are You Living An Illusion?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsReligious narcissists, who identify with the servant who received ten talents, cherry-pick Scripture to enhance their self-love and support their views.
Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe may find God's means of correction discouraging, but when we place His actions in context with His overall plan, we can find peace in God's sovereignty.
The Meekness and Gentleness of Christ
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus demonstrated His meekness in His treatment of many with whom He interacted. Balancing firmness and gentleness, He seeks to save rather than destroy.
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.