Playlist:

playlist Go to the Love as Keeping Commandments (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

Love

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

A Bible study on love, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The Ten Commandments

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

God's Ten Commandments are the divine law and standard that regulate human conduct. As our world testifies, they are still very much needed today!

Love God, Love Neighbor

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The 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.

Love's Emotional Dimension

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love 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.

No Real Love Without God

Sermon by John O. Reid

God's love, as defined in this discussion, is a willful direction toward mankind, involving doing what is best for them, not merely what they desire. This love is reflected in benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity, as God deals with us individually while pursuing a grand, philanthropic plan to elevate humanity into His Kingdom. True love originates from God, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father, demonstrating that we are born of Him. Those who fail to reflect this love do not truly know God, regardless of their knowledge. The world often misunderstands love, seeing it as deep devotion, sexual passion, or mere enjoyment of activities, while God's love surpasses these limited definitions. His love is proven by the world He has provided, the patience He shows, and most profoundly, by sending His Son as a sacrifice for our reconciliation with Him. Even when we were ignorant and opposed to His way, He loved us and desired the best for us. We are called to love one another as God loves us, laying down our lives for the brethren, just as He laid down His life for us. By actively using this love in our relationships, it is perfected in us, and we grow in His nature, becoming bold in His presence as we mirror His character. Perfect love casts out fear, and though we may struggle with apprehensions in this world, we must work to perfect our love, faith, and trust in God, knowing He will help us. Jesus Christ taught that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, submitting all our faculties to His will and devoting ourselves to glorifying Him. This love is shown directly through obedience to the first four commandments, which involve having no other gods, rejecting idols, honoring His name in all aspects of life, and keeping the Sabbath as holy time for spiritual refreshment and service. The second great commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves, extending this love to all—family, friends, countrymen, and even enemies. We show this love by not harming our neighbor in body, property, or reputation, by seeking their good, and by being tender and kind, even when their actions do not warrant it, without condoning sin. Attaining God's nature requires keeping His commandments with active faith, trust, and obedience, drawing close to Him through prayer, fasting, and study. Love of God produces a desire to live His way, and His commandments are not burdensome but essential boundaries that train us to become like Him. True love in the heart is reflected in our way of living, showing that we belong to Him. Above all, we must put on godly love, forgiving others as He has forgiven us, uniting all aspects of His calling and opening our minds to emulate Him.

Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

There 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.

Love's Importance and Source

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God 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.

The Awesome Cost of Love

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We assess costs and values all the time in our daily lives. We should employ the same process to God's love for us in giving His Son as the sacrifice for sin.

By This We Know Love!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

As God's people keep God's law in its spiritual intent, they begin to think like the Father and His Son, both of whom habitually do good.

Love and Fellowship

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Fellowship with God is the only antidote to overwhelming feelings of despair, doubt, and self-condemnation.

Love and Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God expects works from all He has called. We show our faithfulness and loyalty to God by our works or conduct - what we produce by what we have been given.

The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The peace offering teaches many things, but one of its main symbols is fellowship. Our communion with the Father and the Son obligates us to pursue peace.

Are You Being Brainwashed? (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Under group or authority pressure, many people would willingly inflict torture on other human beings, especially if sanctioned by a scientist in a white coat.

The Greatest Motivation

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Most 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?

River of Life

Sermon by Bill Onisick

I Corinthians 13 describes the assaying instrument to detect the purity of love. Our need for love never ends as we move through the sanctification process.

God Is Writing His Law

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

God promises to write His Law on our hearts and minds. When we experience the consequences of our or others' sins, we learn the depth of how bad sin is.

Our Spiritual Roof

Sermon by Bill Onisick

If we are not performing righteous acts with the right spirit (God's Holy Spirit or the mind of Christ) we will not hit the mark.

Works of Faith (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by Staff

God's spiritual law, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments and demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ, reveals His way of life, which we must emulate.

Is Jesus Christ a Christian?

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

Exploring the topic of whether Jesus would be considered part of the Christian religion and movement, it is found that sadly He would not align with the vast majority of doctrines taught in the major branches of Christianity. We examine throughout this message three main questions: what Jesus thought about God's law, how He worshiped, and what He will be looking for when He returns." As Jesus loved the Father, He asked his disciples to love Him and explained that the way to do that would be to keep His law. He emphasized His law and not the traditions of men, which at that time were the extra rituals imposed by the rabbinic leaders. When Jesus Christ returns, He will look for people who strictly follow and go beyond in the spirit of the law and not the man-made rituals. It is demonstrated that the law preexisted the giving of the ten commandments at Sinai, and it will exist beyond Jesus' death and into the millennium. We are encouraged to self-examine our own lives to make sure we carefully keep the commandments and not get influenced by the worldly traditions.

Lollapolooza

Sermonette by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

The word 'lollapalooza' was used in World War II to detect Japanese infiltrators, whose language habits obliterated the r/l distinction common in English.

Is It Salvational? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Simply watching out for the so-called "big sins" suggests that we are not genuinely interested in conforming to God—just in not crossing a major red line.

You Are My Friends!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

While it is common on Facebook to defriend/unfriend, Christ's love for His people is a friending with the condition that godly fruit is produced.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Much of Protestantism misconstrues the significance of the New Covenant as a 'free pass into Heaven' without paying attention to the Law within the Covenant.

Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Three): Hope Demonstrated

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Abraham's resolute intent to sacrifice Isaac displayed his unreserved devotion to God's purpose for him. We must display the same kind of tenacity.

Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus came with a message of salvation, called 'the gospel of the Kingdom of God.' Here is the relationship between the gospel and Christian works.

Do You Really Know God?

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

We can know for sure that we know Him intimately by keeping His commandments and practicing loving kindnesses.

God's Merciful Course Correction

Sermonette by David F. Maas

Because of Israel's sinful heart, God has made a course correction, namely crafting a new and improved Covenant with a lengthy heart transplant operation.

Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's holy law gives love its foundation, stability, and evenness, preventing it from degenerating into a sappy, sentimental feeling.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Nineteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The spirit of the law does not do away with the letter of the law; without the letter, there is no spirit because there is no foundation. Examples show God's will.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Justification does not 'do away' with the law; it brings us into alignment with it, imputing the righteousness of Christ and giving access to God for sanctification.

God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our carnal nature's desire to satisfy an addictive self-centeredness can eventually overrule the Christian's loyalty to God and His commandments.

The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Eight): Conclusion (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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?

What Does God Really Want? (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we want to be like our Savior, then we will live the way He lived, keeping God's commandments — which exemplify the highest form of love.

God is the Strength of My Heart

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Only by combining the head, heart, and will can we attain full growth and maturity, godly character, and a mirror image of Jesus Christ.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Things 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.

John (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus 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.

Eternal Security (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some of the harshest criticism we receive is for our position opposing the doctrine of eternal security and stating that works are required for salvation.

The Law's Purpose and Intent

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The effectiveness of a law is found in its purpose and intent rather than the letter. Love and mercy constitute the spiritual fulfillment of the Law.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The yoke of bondage Paul refers to in Galatians was a combination of the code of regulations added by the Pharisees and Gnostic ritualism, not God's Law.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Eight) Cultivating the Fruit of Faithfulness

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. Maas

The 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.

First Do No Harm

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

The physician's code attributed to Hippocrates was designed to inspire trust on the part of the patients, especially on behalf of the most vulnerable.

Elements of Judgment (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We need to learn to judge in a godly manner, putting merciful restraints on our tendency to condemn or jump to conclusions. One size does not fit all.

Deuteronomy (Part 1) (1994)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Deuteronomy could be considered the New Testament of the Old Testament, serving as a commentary on the Ten Commandments. It gives vision for critical times.

The Fruit of Repentance

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We may feel sorry or even guilty when we sin, but have we actually repented? The Scriptures show that true repentance produces these seven, distinct fruits.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Under both the Old and New Covenants, refusal to keep to keep God's Law severs the relationship. God's law protects us and brings us quality life.