The True Vine of Agape
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, asserting that getting grape vines to bear fruit is difficult, suggests that the production of succulent grapes is at least a two-year project, in which pruning dead wood and lateral vines that produce much foliage, but little fruit, and exposing buds to sufficient sun (by thinning the canopy) are essential. …
The Vinedresser - Revisited
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaClyde Finklea revisits the interpretation of John 15:2 , which reads in most translations, "every branch that does not bear fruit, He takes way." This is assumed by many to mean "get rid of." Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, in his book, The Secrets of the Vine, explains that "takes away" should be more …
The Branch Of God's Planting
Sermonette by Bill OnisickThree factors are necessary for successful grafting: (1) compatibility, (2) alignment and pressure, and (3) proper care of the joint site.
The Vinedresser
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaJohn 15:2 may seem to say that the Vinedresser cuts off every barren branch, but the Greek behind "takes away" shows something else. Here is what God does.
The Branch
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Branch is a well-known Old Testament prophetic figure, identified as the Messiah by most people. Yet, is there more to it than that? What does it mean to us?
Without Me, You Can Do Nothing (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWe tend to avoid acknowledging our weaknesses, but at some point, each of us will admit our powerlessness and inability to carry out God's will on our own.
Pruning and Cleansing
CGG Weekly by Charles WhitakerJesus takes away unproductive branches and prunes productive ones. Both actions involve cutting, but the reasons for and the results of God's cutting are different.
A Time to Grow
Sermonette by Ryan McClureHorticulture is not so easy as merely planting a seed and watching it grow. Tending and keeping implies continually watering, fertilizing, and cultivating.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that neglecting to feed the flock has been detrimental to preaching the gospel to the world. Because of this unwitting neglect, many members succumbed to the "lost in the crowd" syndrome, feeling insignificant, meaningless, and useless. The vine and branches analogy (John 15:1-6) and the body …
Endeavoring to Keep the Unity
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, anticipating the national observation of Father's Day, maintains that the leadership of a father and a husband has a profound influence upon family, society, and culture- especially regarding unity. Five principles fostering greater unity include: (1)having a true belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the …
Assurance That We Know Him!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on the fate of the double-minded man in James 1:5, admonishes us to strengthen our foundation of faith in our run-up to Passover. We cannot take the Passover while doubting God's faithfulness in delivering us and giving us eternal life. The love of God is perfected in those who exercise faith by …
Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reiterating that in physical and spiritual creation, God does not wave a wand, but does a great deal of work. Likewise, in our repentance, there is a great deal of reciprocal effort between God and us. In the stories of Star Wars, the X-Men, or Harry Potter, the protagonist does not grow in character, but …
Ensuring Our Calling
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh focuses upon the apostasy of the "eternal security" or "once saved always saved" concept lifted from Protestantism, and ultimately derived from Satan's lie to Adam and Eve, "You shall not surely die" immortal soul doctrine. Willful sin negates Christ's sacrifice. Because judgment …
John (Part 23)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn Christ's vine and branch analogy, Jesus presents Himself as the true or genuine Vine, as contrasted to the unfaithful vine (ancient Israel).
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGovernment may be the most important subject in the Bible because it touches on how Christians are to govern themselves under the sovereignty of God.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Mystery of the Church
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, contrasting the world's mega-churches with the church that Christ is building, focuses on the body analogy (I Corinthians 12), illustrating the interconnectedness of all members to Christ and to each other. In considering the differing functions of the body's parts, we realize that not one is unimportant or …
John (Part 22)
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.
Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.
The Meaning of "In Christ"
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, continuing the exciting saga of captain John 'Blackjack" Geary in Jack Campbell's futuristic science fiction novel The Lost Fleet, points out that the larger than life propaganda image of captain Geary did not correspond to the fallible, humble, normal man who didn't feel extraordinary. He lets those …
Principled Living (Part Four): Giving of Ourselves
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christ sacrificed for us, we are called to sacrifice for others. Love is an action, a behavior, rather than an emotion, described in I Corinthians 13.
Spirituality and True Conversion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn this sermon contrasting Godless spirituality with genuine conversion, Martin Collins warns against a warm fuzzy emotional spirituality without a Deity, a worldly spirituality based upon a worldly syncretism of Eastern and Western philosphical thought, somewhat like a blending of mango and orange juice. True conversion …
Our Divine Fellowship
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloAustin Del Castillo, observing the ballooning prayer list, the continuing fractures occurring throughout the greater Church of God, and the high frequency of people offended, asserts that, unless our primary relationship is with God the Father and Jesus Christ, a positive relationship with our called-out brethren will be …
God's Good Work in Us
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Despite the privileged position of our calling, God does not cut us any slack in terms of trials and tests to perfect us. We must accept God's sovereignty.
Producing Fruit
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo be made clean only prepares us for producing fruit. If we stand still, simply resting on our justification, the dark forces will pull us backwards.
Jesus the Door
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJohn 10:7-10 proclaims that Jesus is the door of the sheepfold or corral. If we follow Him in and out, we will have abundant life, now and in the Kingdom.
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFruit is a product of growth requiring knowledge, work, patience, truth (light) and water (God's Spirit). Only by remaining on the vine will we bear fruit.
Don't Leave the House!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs part of Christ's body or household, we have a responsibility to stay attached to the spiritual organism and to respond to the head.
