Passover and New Creation
Sermon by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker, observing the plethora of pairings (binary opposites, dichotomies in Genesis 1 and 2 (day and night, male and female, sea and land, the Tree of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life, etc.) asserts that during the first stage of Creation, God unleashed multiple universal processes of division or separation. In the …
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.
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!
Choosing the New Man (Part One)
Article by Charles WhitakerThe Bible describes many men, but one of the most important is the new man, a creative effort of renewing our minds in cooperation with God.
Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughGod-designed personalities, having His character, will make up God's family, not self-made personalities created by human will. We must yield as He creates.
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.
Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout 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.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is the architect of the church, indicating that the institution must take on the characteristics of the Builder, reflecting His character.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh emphasizes how intimately God is involved with the intimate details of our life, including our conception and birth, supplying spiritual gifts or abilities to carry out His work. David reflects that God knows us searchingly, even our secret thoughts and desires before we are even aware of them (Psalm 139:2). …
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs the lives of the major biblical figures were predestined, so are our lives. God chooses, moves, and manages the lives of His servants.
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.
God's Workmanship (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's creation did not end with the physical creation or our election, but God continues to work, giving us the motivation and the power to do His will.
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.
What Is Real Conversion? (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughSometimes we are so caught up in our activities that we forget the goal of the conversion process. Where do we want to end up when our lives are complete?
The Greatness of God's Power
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul emphasized the power of God living in us through the Holy Spirit to enable us to develop into His family. Through God's power, we will triumph over death.
God's Workmanship (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWorks are not the cause of salvation, but instead are the effect of God's creative efforts at bringing us into His image—a new creation.
God's Rest (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath rest depicts the miracle of conversion, in which the transformation of mankind into God's image brings about a rest in which God takes pleasure.
The Meaning of "In Christ"
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, continuing the exciting saga of captain John 'Blackjack" Geary in Jack Campbell's futuristic science fiction novel The Lost Fleet, points out that the larger than life propaganda image of captain Geary did not correspond to the fallible, humble, normal man who didn't feel extraordinary. He lets those …
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEverything that we go through has been engineered by God. We are His workmanship, created for good works, a response to the faith He has given us.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.
Made Alive by Exceeding Greatness!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod granted humans a limited measure of power and dominion at creation, but not until the Day of Pentecost of 31 AD did their potential become fully operative.
Spiritual Renewal
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul admonishes the Corinthians to resist contentions, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, backbiting, whispering, slander, conceit, and agitation.
Esther (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod allows each of us to experience trials and tests to humble us, leading us to repent, obey and trust, followed by an often-dramatic deliverance and joy.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the combined history of Judah and Israel, when the leaders abandoned the covenants with God, the citizenry generally followed suit.
Hebrews (Part Fifteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though we must cooperate in cultivating spiritual fruit, God alone creates character and takes responsibility for creating spiritual offspring.
Ambassadors for Christ
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are sojourners, pilgrims, aliens, and ambassadors, living among, yet separate from, the peoples of this present world. We must be loyal to our spiritual family.
Do Angels Live Forever? (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEzekiel 28 reveals that Satan's fate will be ashes in the Lake of Fire; it would be inconsistent with God's character for Him to inflict pain eternally.