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Our Trusted Source of Truth (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOver the last century, a wave of criticism based on human suppositions has eroded trust in God's Word. Millions, even among those who confess faith in God and claim to be under the blood of Christ, now view Scripture as merely human in origin, dismissing divine authorship as laughable and rejecting its authority or relevance. They see it only as a source of human wisdom, failing to treat it with the deference it deserves. Yet, the Bible's accuracy and preservation point to a divine hand ensuring its transmission through history. We can trust God's Word, as it has come down to us essentially unchanged. It is what God wants us to read, hear, and trust. In a world overwhelmed by information, discerning truth is vital, and the Bible remains our only reliable source. If what we hear does not align with God's Scriptures, we should not believe or follow it. We must keep the Bible as our foundation for perceiving and acting on truth. God's Word is righteous and faithful, mirroring God's own nature. We can trust what He says and follow His instructions, finding strength and guidance to overcome difficulties. God's Word is pure and is truth itself, increasing our regard and devotion to it. Through understanding His Word, we gain real, abundant, and eternal life, as it is the path to goodness and blessing. Jesus confirms the great power in God's Word, emphasizing that ingesting His words empowers us to live. Even without the Spirit, following the truths in the Bible can bring blessings, but with God's Spirit, the power to understand and act on His Word becomes wonderfully transformative, leading us to eternal life by forming God's character in us through change and growth. Trusting and acting on God's Word is vital to our Christian lives. We must accept its truth, even when it is hard to hear or do. God does not lie; everything He says in His Word is true, accurate, and pure. If He promises something, it will come to pass. There is no reason to doubt Him, as all His promises and warnings will be fulfilled. By hearing, reading, and studying His Word, we ingest it into our minds, fueling our journey to the Kingdom of God. We must be different, set apart as God's chosen people, not just hearing but doing His will. We must accept God's truth with the mentality that if God says it, it must be right, and we need to act on it, no matter the difficulty. Even when we do not understand, we must step out in faith, trusting that clarity will come as we obey. God's Word reveals hard truths, but also the profound truth that He is completely on our side, willing to provide whatever we need to overcome and finish our course. We must accept, believe, and make use of this truth, thanking God for His unwavering support.
Truth (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThrough the shaping power of God's Holy Spirit, He starts to fill the chasm that divides us so we can have fellowship with Him.
Image and Likeness of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughErrant teachers have spiritualized God away into a shapeless, formless, ethereal blob. They dismiss hundreds of scriptural references as figures of speech.
Faithful, Following Firstfruits
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThose reveling in the 'new freedoms' of apostasy cannot be persuaded to return to former beliefs because they no longer believe in the sanctified Word of God.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe vast majority of Christian-professing churches has been saturated with pagan doctrines (like antinomianism and dispensationalism), derived from Gnosticism.
The Christian and the World (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must realize we are walking on a razor's edge, with the Kingdom of God on one side and the world with all its sensual magnetic charms on the other side.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe church of God is not immune to the deterioration of doctrine. Minor deviations from doctrine bring about irreparable, disastrous consequences.
Psalms: Book Two (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBook II of the Psalms was written largely by David and shows how he reacts to some gruesome trials by surrendering to God's redemption.
Are Your Beliefs Preferences or Convictions?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughConviction is essential to faithful living, sanctification, loyalty, and faithfulness to God. Whether we compromise depends on the strength of our convictions.