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Worship Always
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWorship, not merely a set of behaviors performed in a religious service but a response to what God is, is a state of mind one must maintain 24/7.
True Worship of God
Sermonette by Craig SablichAny practice that does not give its loyalty to the Creator and is not devoted to His truth is nothing more than a method of worship created by men.
Which God Do You Worship?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the era when paganism prevailed, people endeavored to worship all the gods within their religious pantheon, often showing particular devotion to a favored deity. Roman soldiers, for instance, revered Mars, the god of war, while their wives paid special homage to Juno, goddess of birth and marriage. Sailors honored Neptune, merchants served Mercury, farmers adored Ceres, and young girls revered Venus. The inquiry, "Which god do you worship?" was commonplace among them. In contrast, within a Christian context, such a question might provoke confusion or hostility, as many assume all worship the same God, regardless of differing beliefs or paths. Yet, not all who claim to worship Christ honor the true Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. Some worship a version of Him that diverges from biblical truth, portraying Him as a created angel chosen by God, despite clear scriptural evidence of His eternal divinity. Others focus on images of a baby in a mother's arms or a corpse on a cross, while many profess faith in a resurrected Christ yet reject His teachings, believing mere profession of His name suffices for salvation. In this land, countless versions of Christ are worshipped, each denomination presenting a slightly altered depiction, from Baptist to Pentecostal, Methodist to Lutheran, and beyond, with further variations in Catholic, Orthodox, and cultic interpretations. The true Christ, as shown in Scripture, differs markedly from common perceptions. He upheld God's law, observed the seventh-day Sabbath and holy days, attended synagogue every Sabbath, and taught from the Old Testament. Physically robust, a builder by trade, He twice drove out defilers from the Temple with a whip, speaking with authority in likely multiple languages. He lived as an example for us to follow. We cannot truly worship Him without knowing Him, and true knowledge comes only from following His example. Which God do you worship?
Truth-Based Worship Vs Spiritual Confusion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod never accepts worship that comes from human reasoning and the traditions of man. The starting point for worship must always be God and His revelation.
Faith, Hope, and the Worship of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUsing assumptions, some have concocted some nine conflicting calendars. The preservation of the oracles has not been entrusted to the church but to the Jews.
Consequences of Accepting False Gospels
Sermonette by Craig SablichMany false gospels appear among professed Christians, imitating Satan's clever lie that we can become like God by doing our own thing, disregarding God's law.
Did Christ's Resurrection Change the Day of Worship? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeProtestants will not concede Papal authority. Instead, they justify Sunday-worship by saying they are honoring the day on which Christ rose from the dead.
Worship and Culture (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhat kind of worship will God accept? To answer this, it is necessary to know the scriptural principles that apply because God does not accept all offerings.
Pagan Holidays
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe holidays of this world counterfeit God's holy days, but it is obvious that they are very different. God warns us not to be involved in them.
Spirit and Truth
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe pagan origins of Christmas are well known. How can Christians practice something that has always been anti-God? Is this worshiping 'in spirit and in truth'?
Celebrating a Lie
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe true story of Jesus' birth has been syncretized into a non-Christian festival, and even that has been obscured by a wrong date and a phony crèche scene.
Cogitations on Christmas
Article by Richard T. RitenbaughMost recognize Christmas' pagan origins and its lack of biblical support. These facts should make us consider whether Christians should celebrate it.
What's Wrong With Christmas?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Catholic Church mixed truth and falsehood to have the 'official' birthdate of the Son of God coincide with the rebirth of the sun, the winter solstice.
Presumption and Divine Justice (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOrthodoxy in virtually every aspect of life has been discarded, indicating how perverse human nature is in its determination to rebel against God.
The Second Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsHuman nature tries to limit God to the confines of physical objects. Men fabricate images, called idols, to aid them in worshiping a god they have concocted.
The Plain Truth About Christmas
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletDid Christmas come from the Bible or paganism? Here are the origins of the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, mistletoe, the holly wreath, and exchanging gifts.
Offering Profane Fire
Sermonette by Craig SablichMany who grew up in traditional Christianity participated in worship that seemed sincere but did not align with God's instructions. This form of worship, though not intended as rebellion, was foreign to God, unauthorized, and not commanded by Him. Scripture reveals that such worship, often termed as pagan, includes any practice outside of God's explicit guidance, as seen in Hosea 5:7 and Ezra 10:2, where terms like "strange" or "profane" describe it. Nadab and Abihu, in Leviticus 10:1, offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded, and faced severe consequences for disregarding His Holiness, showing that good intentions are insufficient when God's clear instructions are ignored. Modern Christianity often perpetuates ancient practices condemned by God, merely renaming them, despite warnings in Deuteronomy 12:31-32 against worshiping Him in ways not prescribed. God has consistently commanded one law and one way of worship, as stated in Exodus 12:49 and Isaiah 56, rejecting foreign customs. Yet, traditions have modified God's instructions, replacing His Sabbath with Sunday, Passover with Easter, and redefining obedience as legalism, contrary to Deuteronomy 10:12 and I John 5:3, which equate love for God with keeping His commandments. This blending of foreign customs into worship, warned against in Deuteronomy 12:30, renders it strange and abominable to God. Such systems, built on human tradition rather than God's authority, are what Scripture identifies as pagan worship. God pleads with His people in Revelation 18:4 to come out of these worldly systems, not to create something new, but to return to His true Sabbath and the faith He designed. This return is about worshiping on His terms, embracing the path walked by Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, and the apostles, under the authority of God's pure word.
Halloween
Article by Richard T. RitenbaughHalloween is the second-most popular holiday. This night not only lacks biblical foundation, but the Bible warns us against participating in such activities.
Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany think keeping Christmas is fine, yet God never tells us to celebrate His Son's birth. Celebrating such an obvious mix of biblical truth and paganism is presumptuous.
Does Jesus Recognize Today's Christianity?
'Ready Answer' by Craig SablichModern-day Christianity is a patchwork quilt of doctrines and practices. Does Jesus recognize it as the church He founded? Does it follow His teachings?
The First Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe first commandment reveals our first priority in every area of life: God. Anything we place ahead of Him becomes an idol!
Is Valentine's Day Really About Love?
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsSt. Valentine's Day started as a lewd, sensual, pagan festival in Rome. Lupercalia is a rite connected with fertility, honoring Venus, the goddess of sex.
The Commandments (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIdolatry derives from worshiping the work of our hands or thoughts rather than the true God. Whatever consumes our thoughts and behavior has become our idol.
The Second Commandment (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany fail to perceive the difference between the first and second commandments. The second commandment defines the way we are to worship the true God.
The Second Commandment: Idolatry
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe natural mind craves something physical to remind us of God, but the Second Commandment prohibits this. Any representation will fall short of the reality.
The Nature of God: Elohim
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding Elohim teaches us about the nature of God and where our lives are headed. Elohim refers to a plural family unit in the process of expanding.
The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The true understanding of Elohim dismantles the entire trinity argument. God is reproducing Himself; we are being prepared to become a part of Elohim.
The Fear of God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must have established some relationship with God before we can rightly fear Him. A holy fear is the key to unlocking the treasuries of salvation and wisdom.
Presumption and Divine Justice (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible reveals a pattern of God's displeasure with presumption. God's justice always aligns with His righteousness, but He often acts in mercy.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThings written in the Old Testament were written for us. The differences in the covenants focus on justification and access to God, not doing away with the law.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFalse doctrines cut people off from a wholesome relationship with God. Doctrinal purity is measured according to how one emulates Christ.
The High Places (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeUzziah was the third successive king of Judah who failed to remove the high places from the land. His downfall lay in not handling worldly greatness.
The Fourth Commandment (Part One) (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost people think the fourth commandment is least important, but it may be one of the most important! It is a major facet of our relationship with God.
Identifying Our Idols
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe tend to ignore the possibility of idolatry in our lives. But we need to do the hard thing and examine ourselves to identify any hidden idols.
Abel Glorified God!
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsAbel offered his sacrifice in obedience to God's instructions. We must worship Him in a spirit of truth, bringing about a profound change in heart.
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Governments of men are enmity against God. Our allegiance can be only to Jesus Christ, and not to the hopelessly corrupt political systems of the world.