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Where Does Righteousness Come From?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIn Ezekiel 14, God highlights the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job as exemplary, prompting an inquiry into the source of their righteousness. Focusing on Job, the first verse of his account describes him as blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil, a description God Himself affirms in Job 1:8 and 2:3, adding that there is none like him on earth. Job's righteousness surpassed mere legal observance, reflecting justice, mercy, compassion, and care for the poor while rejecting greed and materialism, as detailed in Job 31 and 29. God's response to Job in chapters 38 and 39 reveals the origin of this righteousness, emphasizing His role as Creator. God illustrates His sovereignty over the earth, oceans, weather, stars, and animals, indirectly showing that Job's uprightness and blamelessness were not self-generated but formed by God out of nothingness, just as He created all else. God shapes righteousness over time, having known Job before the foundation of the world, guiding events to create him in His image. It was God who protected Job with a hedge, showed mercy in his sins, provided the environment for his character development, and revealed His standard of righteousness to him. Even as Job was righteous, he was not yet perfect, and his suffering was part of God's ongoing creative process in his life. God's sovereignty, not Job's own merit, was the source of his righteousness, leaving no room for personal boasting. Similarly, the righteousness of Noah and Daniel stemmed from God's work in their lives, not from their own efforts. Each person's choice to yield to God's creative work is crucial, but the resulting righteousness glorifies God alone.
The Faithfulness of God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God established permanent patterns, electing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as all of those He has called. This election should be our obsession.
Living By Faith and God's Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod gives grace from start to finish in a person's relationship with Him. It cannot be limited merely to justification and His forgiveness of our sins.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eleven): Paradox, Continued
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHard trials are not punishments from God for unrighteousness but tests of faith in which He is intimately involved to prepare us for the world to come.
Philippians (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must willing to yield to God's shaping of us, willing to be corrected and changed as He sees fit. If we become self-satisfied, He cannot work with us.
Philippians (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul warns the Philippians that nothing blemishes their witness more than complaining, because like the Israelites, they were calling God into account.
Conscience (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLawful behavior with a wrong attitude, motivated by pride, displaying lack of sensitivity to others or lack of wisdom, also constitutes sin.
Clothing, Wineskins, and Wine
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe Parable of the Cloth and the Wineskins concludes a much longer narrative. The context and reveals deeper meanings and applications of the parable.
Knowing Christ (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhen we mortify the flesh, refusing to feed the hungry beast of our carnal nature, we suffer. Suffering for righteousness' sake helps us to know Christ.
The Secret Sin Everyone Commits
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSelf-righteous people tend to trust in their own heart, be wise in their own eyes, justify themselves, despise or disregard others, and judge or condemn others.
Grace Upon Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughForgiveness is only the beginning of the grace process, enabling us to grow to the stature of Christ. Paradoxically, grace puts us under obligation to obey.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Eight): Conclusion (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe offerings have a great deal to do with our relationship with God. How closely do we identify with Christ? Are we being transformed into His image?
Philippians (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGodly righteousness demands humility, a readiness to admit shortcomings, a yieldedness to correction, and a willingness to be refashioned.
Keeping the Truth Pure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)If we allow doctrine to be contaminated with man's flawed reason, it will defile the truth. Job's friends used profane sources in their arguments.
What Do You Mean . . . Salvation?
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletNot one in a hundred knows what salvation is—how to get it or when you will receive it. Don't be too sure you do! Here is the truth, made plain.
Self-Discipline
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProtestant theology recognizes that Christian self-discipline presents a major logical difficulty in its keystone doctrine of 'by grace alone.'
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Only God's calling, followed by repentance and a rigorous conversion process, will safeguard us from the fiery holocaust that is coming upon this the world.