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God's Love and Teachings for His Children
Sermon by Kim MyersGod employs unique teaching techniques to guide His children, emphasizing that all things are possible with Him. As our Father, He instills faith, trust, and confidence in us, much like parents nurture their own children. He demonstrates His love and concern by being with us constantly, protecting and teaching us His ways and laws, reserved exclusively for His Family, not the children of this world. When we are new in our conversion, God often builds our faith through remarkable interventions, showing His care in tangible ways. Even as we grow, His love remains steadfast, working with us every moment toward His Kingdom. God counters our doubts and fears with reassurance. When we say, "It's impossible," He reminds us that all things are possible for His children. When we feel afraid, He assures us that He has not given us a spirit of fear. When we believe nobody loves us, He declares, "I love you," emphasizing His deep affection for His chosen ones. When we think, "I can't do it," He affirms that we can do all things with Him by our side. When we feel it's not worth it, He promises that it will be worth it, pointing to a future beyond imagination. When we are worried and frustrated, He urges us to cast our cares on Him, reminding us that we are in His hands. When we say, "I'm not able," He responds, "I am able," never taking His eyes off us. God also instructs us on how His Family should act, focusing on outgoing concern rather than inward worries. He teaches us to edify one another, to be at peace among ourselves, to support the weak, to avoid rendering evil for evil, to rejoice as His children, and to give thanks in all things. Through these lessons, He shapes us to reflect His nature, assuring us of His constant presence, love, and correction, even amidst trials, as we remain His deeply loved and blessed children.
It's Important to God Too (Part One)
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughGod intends that we give ourselves as living sacrifices, mortifying our carnal nature, allowing God to consume our abilities in service.
Are You Teachable?
'Ready Answer' by StaffGod employs various techniques to impart knowledge to His children, emphasizing the importance of being teachable. He uses the trials of life as pop quizzes to assess our progress in living His way. These challenges, both pre-planned and unexpected, include the struggles of growing up, the loss of loved ones, choosing a life partner, raising children, and facing old age and illness. Through these experiences, God tests our attentiveness, humility, meekness, and desire to seek Him. He warns in Hosea 4:6 that rejection of knowledge leads to destruction and exclusion from priesthood, underscoring the severe consequences of not listening. Similarly, in Leviticus 26:23-24, He stresses that defiance and failure to heed His teachings result in harsher punishment. God urges us to empty our cups of preconceived notions, adopting a teachable attitude to receive His instruction, ensuring that we are open to new insights and ready to apply His teachings in our lives.
Why Does God Keep Secrets?
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasGod Almighty employs unique teaching techniques that emphasize the importance of seeking and exploring to uncover His truths. Scripture reveals that He conceals matters as a part of His glory, while it is the glory of kings to search them out, as seen in Proverbs 25:2. He purposefully withholds certain knowledge, revealing it incrementally to those who obey Him, as stated in Deuteronomy 29:29, where the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever to do His law. Through general revelation, His invisible attributes are clearly seen in creation, as affirmed in Romans 1:20, so that all are without excuse. Yet, He does not disclose everything at once, requiring active effort to find Him, as Paul suggests to the philosophers of Athens. The Holy Spirit, given to those who obey as noted in Acts 5:32, aids in searching the deep things of God, according to I Corinthians 2:10. Our Savior Jesus Christ used coded parables, sharing their meanings only with His disciples, as in Matthew 13:11, to distinguish between those given to know the mysteries and those who are not. The Bible, like a coded book, demands that readers look for parallels and patterns to understand its message, mirroring the principle in Isaiah 28:10 of precept upon precept, line upon line. God's pedagogical approach is often inductive, starting with experiences and leading to generalizations, as seen in the journeys of Abraham and Job, who grew through challenges and reflective thinking to understand His purposes. This method, though time-consuming, yields lasting results. He models effective instruction by demanding exploratory behavior, deliberately withholding answers to encourage persistent seeking, as emphasized in Proverbs 2:4-5, where searching for wisdom as for hidden treasures leads to the knowledge of God. Through annual rehearsals of His plan, He provides incremental learning opportunities, fostering a deeper understanding of His ultimate purposes. To those who diligently seek Him, He promises understanding and communion, drawing near to those who draw close to Him, as assured in James 4:7. Ultimately, Jesus Christ promises that the time will come when He will speak plainly about the Father, clearing up all riddles and figurative language, as stated in John 16:25.
How Much Does God Love Us? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsChristians have difficulty trusting in God's limitless love for His elect. But if they do, it provides a genuine power to overcome life's challenges.
Why Does God Keep Secrets?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBy not revealing everything immediately, God has been employing teaching techniques that have taken the educational community thousands of years to discover.
Teaching Us to Think (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is putting His children through a demanding educational program designed to teach godly values and impart spiritual maturity. Learning is hard work.
The Providence of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven when we exercise free moral agency, God engineers circumstances and outcomes so that we are virtually forced to make the right decision.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible contains mysteries (God's invisible activities on our behalf)that have been hidden in plain sight, but made clear by revelation from God's Spirit.
John (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe woman of Samaria is like each of us, initially hardened, self-willed and skeptical when called, but afterwards zealous when enlightened by the truth.
Deuteronomy and Holiness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God 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.