Love God, Love Neighbor
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe outgoing concern toward other beings begins with God the Father to Christ to us. How much we love our brethren may be a good gauge of how much we love God.
The Nature of God— What's Love Got To Do With It?
'Ready Answer' by Joseph B. BaityCulture has so confused the common understanding of love that most people do not know what true, godly love is.
First Love (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsA Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. A decline similar to the Ephesians' loss of their first love affected the first-century church.
Is the Love of Many Growing Cold?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeJesus foretells that "the love of many will grow cold" at the end time. Is this happening right now, or is there love that is just difficult to recognize?
Love's Emotional Dimension
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove doesn't become 'love' until we act. If we don't do what is right, the right feeling will never be formed; emotions are largely developed by our experiences.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Two): Cultivating Love
Sermon by David F. MaasThe opposite of selfishness is not self-hatred, but mature self-love, loving ourselves as a responsible, caring parent would (or should) love a growing child.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughLove is the first of the fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. Here is how the Bible defines what love is and what love does.
Love's Importance and Source
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is the source of real love; mankind by nature does not have it. It is only by knowing God that we can have this love. Godly love is a cycle that God initiates.
Love
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)God appreciates when we show concern for others, developing the maturity to overlook the slights others have made to us. Love sets an example for others.
Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.
No Real Love Without God
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)We are called to take on the very nature of God, to put on the love of God. Surprisingly, We can rekindle our first love by ardently keeping God's Commandments.
Essence of Love
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaDavid took all the persecutions from King Saul, and then later showed his mercy to Saul's extended family, he demonstrated the true essence of godly love.
Love Thy Neighbor (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus set the bar very high when it comes to love. We no longer live for ourselves, but to Christ, who commands us to love everyone, including our enemies.
Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Two): Love Exemplified
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe love of Abraham for Isaac serves as an emblem for the love of the Father for His Son and for all the children of Adam and Eve.
Loving Christ
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParticipation in Christ's life is the source of all good. Regardless of what church group we are in, we must establish a relationship with Christ.
Love's Greatest Challenges
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAn irrational fear of loss prevents the development of agape love — we fear that keeping God's commandments will cause us to lose something valuable.
Honor Before Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAgape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.
Breakfast by the Sea (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJesus twice asks Peter if he has agape love, and both times Peter can only respond that he has tremendous personal affection — he was lacking agape love.
The Greatest Motivation
Sermonette by Bill OnisickMost people are not aware of the motivations that drive their behavior. Are we cognizant of our own motivations? Are we analyzing their activation and intensity?
A True Disciple
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaWe must exercise longsuffering and kindness to all, including to those that have done ill to us. We are disciples of Christ if we love one another.
Deuteronomy and Holiness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has provided the God-plane marriage relationship to teach us how to submit to one another, sacrificing our self-centeredness for the benefit of our spouse.
What Makes a True Disciple? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaHow does God identify Himself with His disciples today? No miracle manifests itself when He sends His Spirit, but the Spirit begins producing miraculous changes.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, concluding his series "God's Perseverance with the Saints," focuses on Christ's desire that all His disciples have unity and love. The unity He appeals for is not organizational unity, but unity within the divine nature, exampled in the unity between the Father and the Son. This unity operationally …
By This Shall All Men Know You
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)A native practice involves leaving a young man on a remote island with only a bow and arrows until he learns to become a man, and God does something similar.
Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Three): Hope Demonstrated
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAbraham's resolute intent to sacrifice Isaac displayed his unreserved devotion to God's purpose for him. We must display the same kind of tenacity.
Time for Self-Evaluation
'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Prior to the Days of Unleavened Bread, we are told to examine ourselves. How can we do that? Here are a few pointers on doing a thorough, honest once over.
You Are My Friends!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on the practice of "defriending" (or "unfriending") on Facebook, contrasts this practice with Christ's love for His called-out ones, a friending with the condition that godly fruit is born. When Paul challenged the Roman congregation to produce godly fruit, he was not looking for …
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhen the U.S. Congress wanted to put 'In God we Trust' on currency, the Seventh Day Adventists objected, arguing that the U.S. has never been a Christian nation.
The Defense Against Offense
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible states that offenses will come. Here are ways to handle offenses and keep minor irritations from growing into bitterness.
Prayer and Persistence
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPersistence in prayer does not mean an incessant pestering God into action. God always looks at our petitions from the vantage-point of His purpose.
Reach for the Goal
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Similar to the way people pull together in times of crisis, we must also have a goal, a vision of the finish line, in order to overcome and grow.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughKindness goes hand-in-hand with love. It is an active expression of love toward God and fellow man, produced through the power of God's Spirit.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
Offerings (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh[Editors Note: Audio quality improves at the 4 minute mark.]
An Unpayable Debt and Obligation
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhen God calls us and redeems us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we suddenly come under obligation—a debt we cannot pay but overshadows all we do.
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.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThis well-known parable describes working compassion as contrasted to selfishness. It also clarifies just who is our neighbor.
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.
Patriotism, the Summer Soldier, and Our Times (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ was not a sunshine patriot, but sacrificed everything He had for the sake of God's people and the Kingdom of God—His holy nation.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Eight) Cultivating the Fruit of Faithfulness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe only tangible measures of faith is faithfulness, trust, and loyalty to God. We don't need to ask God for more faith, but rather work on being faithful.
