Addiction, Slavery, and Serving
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughAs God calls people to service in the church, He demands that they not be enslaved to alcohol or any other lust, but have their desires under control.
Sin (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough influenced by Satan and the world, sin is still a personal choice. Christ's sacrifice and God's Spirit provide our only defense against its pulls.
Sin (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.
Of Freedom and Independence
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloAustin Del Castillo, recalling a dream in which monk-like apparitions asked him, "Are you are free as you think?" reminds us that the only way to achieve true freedom is through affiliation with our great Father in heaven. The Pharisees who confronted Jesus were living in a fantasy land, believing that they had never …
Do Americans Value Liberty?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughYounger Americans have been spoiled by the sacrifices of preceding generations, and many do not realize the responsibilities freedom imposes. Freedom is not free.
Liberty and Justice for All
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has freed us from the bondage of sin, the breaking of His law. Liberty comes only from obeying God and accepting the positive yoke of Jesus Christ.
Responsibilities of Real Liberty
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, after reading excerpts from Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, declares that a piece of paper does not really set people free, especially from the slavery of human nature, perpetually at enmity with God and His Law. A piece of paper, even coupled with political and military might, cannot truly set …
Are You Subject to Perpetual Bondage?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reminding us that the Days of Unleavened Bread dramatize the difficulty of our perpetual lifelong struggle to extricate ourselves from the bondage of sin, points out that the despicable institution of human slavery has been perpetually with us, and is still practiced today around the world, whether we speak of …
Leadership and Covenants (Part Three)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod is putting us through exercises to create leaders in His image. His covenants are a primary tool in this process.
Freedom's Dark Underbelly
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reminding us that Americans, whose country was founded on the principle of freedom, are fiercely protective of their rights, narcissistically claiming freedom means to do, go, say, or think whatever they want, often selfishly insisting on material acquisitions (fulfilling freedom from want) which are not …
Wilderness Wandering (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are in various stages of our wilderness journey, not knowing where our journey will take us. The turns give us opportunities to strengthen our faith.
How Does God Help Us? (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus explains that the truth is the only thing that will set us free. A major player in our lives or spiritual journey is the truth and how we use it.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Six
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe overriding issue of life is to whom we will give ourselves in obedience. Will it be ourselves, society, business, Satan or God?
Elements of Motivation (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh focuses on the deeply felt sense of obligation we feel knowing that a ransom has been paid to redeem us from the death penalty. While we have been justified through grace by faith, good works are the concrete and public reality of this faith. Because we have been bought with an awesome price, we have no right to …
The Elements of Motivation (Part Four): Obligation
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding our obligation to Christ leads to a deeply held loyalty to Him. Our redemption should make us strive to please Him in every facet of life.
Should We Ignore Our Feelings of Guilt?
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsMany try to undermine the credibility of Scripture. If they can overturn it, they reason, they will be free to have all the fun non-Christians supposedly have.
Liberty or Independence?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn this message, Martin Collins distinguishes two antithetical interpretations of freedom:(1)liberty — connoting a release from a former restraint or compulsion, and (2) license or independence — connoting an abuse of freedom, doing what we please and indulging our hedonistic impulses. In the first sense, liberty is …
John (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAs long as we are slaves of sin and following the dictates of our lusts, we have no free moral agency. God liberates us from sin so we are free to obey Him.
Addicted
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityJoe Baity continues his exposition of the epidemic of loneliness and the addictive behavior (drug abuse and other compulsive activities) to which individuals turn to for relief. Addictive behavior provides a short-term reward of pleasure while systematically destroying the nervous system and body. Recently, research has posited …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reiterating that Christ died to free us from fear of eternal death, reminds us that we nevertheless have the obligation to prepare for our physical death. When Jesus Christ holds the power over fear of death, we are delivered from the bondage of the terror of eternal death. In Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon gives a …
Life Is Service (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, while acknowledging that America's relationship with slavery has indeed been checkered, with chattel slaves and indentured servants contributing to the prosperity of earlier times, counters the 'Progressivist' claim that America invented slavery and historically practiced the most tyrannical abuses in the …
The Elements of Motivation (Part Seven): Fear of Judgment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur fear of being judged negatively by God should spur us to greater obedience and growth toward godliness. The fear of God is a fundamental mindset.
The Great Work the Lord Has Done!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, acknowledging that while the Israelites initially marvelled at God"s miracles and His intervention during the Exodus, suggests that they had poor memories of His vast power. We must remember that we, individually, are rescued from our lifelong bondage to sin. In our case, God works behind the scenes. As our …
