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.
First Love (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsIn His letter to the Ephesians, Jesus Christ scolds the church for having lost their "first love" (Revelation 2:4), despite their tireless zeal in defending the gospel from false apostles. What, exactly, did they lose? Martin Collins answers from Scripture: A Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. …
No Greater Love
'Ready Answer' by StaffChrist says that we can show no greater love than in sacrificing our lives. We must come to the point where we are doing this daily, yet how do we do this?
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Two): Cultivating Love
Sermon by David F. MaasDavid Maas, resuming the series "Our Part in the Sanctification Process," focuses on the need to cultivate mature self-love. Using a pair of metaphors (a set of six dams on a water causeway and six interconnected transformers on a gigantic power grid) he explores the love circuit emanating from God, to ourselves, to …
Love Thy Neighbor (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHe who loves God must love his brother, including every fellow human being. Our closeness with God transcends the other human relationships.
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.
Harmony with God and the Brethren
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingGod's people are like a musical ensemble, each having unique pitches and timbre. As we yield to our Conductor, we also blend with one another, creating harmony.
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.
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 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.
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.
What's Love Got to Do With It?
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThe old serpent that deluded Eve has bastardized the term love, flooding the world with over one billion books distorting love. This is not the love of God.
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.
Reach for the Goal
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, observing that people pull together in camaraderie and productivity in times of national crisis, admonishes that we must also have a transcendental goal, a vision of the finish line, in order to overcome and grow. Sacrifice and discipline rather than self-absorption come naturally when we envision a goal. The faith …
John 3:16: Does God Really Love the World?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod does not love everybody equally. Nowhere does He tell us to prefer the ungodly world. Though He tells us to love our enemies, but not to be affectionate.
Love's Basic Definition
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove is not a feeling, but an action—defined as keeping God's commandments, the only means by which we can possibly know Him, leading to eternal life.
Thou Shall Love Thy Neighbor
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)We are obligated to show compassion and mercy to all, refraining from gossip, exercising righteous judgment, forgiving others and applying the Golden Rule.
The Absence of Love
CGG WeeklyPaul fought against discord by reminding the brethren that the church is united in Christ, and that He requires His followers to show love to each other.
For the Love of God
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWe are royalty, part of the highest Family in all creation. We can take great comfort in knowing who it is we really are and that the Father greatly values us.
Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must lay aside every weight, accept God's chastening, receive encouragement from those who have gone before, and get back into the spiritual race.
Passover, Obligation, and Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughChrist's redemption obligates us to obey and serve Him. We show our gratitude for this priceless gift by doing good in acts of love and service to others.
Thank You for Finishing What You Start!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, observing that, in the first five books in the Bible, there are no statements of "Thank you," nevertheless reminds us that the thank offerings in Leviticus 21:29 indicate that thanksgiving has a singularly profound meaning. King David was prolific in his expressions of gratitude to God, as was the …
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe 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.
A Motivation for Giving
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on offertory sermonettes he has heard in the past, many of which seemed to emphasize that people were not sacrificing enough for the work, explores other motivations for giving. When Paul attempted to motivate the Corinthians (a wealthy congregation which had received spiritual gifts), he compared …
Learning to Love One Another
'Ready Answer' by Geoff Preston (1947-2013)We may look around the church of God and wonder why so many are not being healed. Geoff Preston, suffering a chronic illness himself, uses his experiences to assure us that God is working out even these matters for our good.
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.
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.
'By What Every Joint Supplies'
'Ready Answer' by StaffOne of our primary duties as Christians is to build strong, loving relationships with our brethren. These relationships are the "joints" between the members of Christ's body, the church. What are you supplying to the growth of the body?
A True Disciple
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaClyde Finklea, asking us what identifies a person as a true disciple of Christ, points to the command in John 13:34, commanding that the disciples love one another as Christ loved us—loving to the extent that He would give up His life. God is composed of love, as described in its many facets in Galatians 5:22 and I …
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 …
Hitting the Mark
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, reflecting upon the Irish Dart competition in which a 9-Darter displays championship, draws a spiritual analogy based on the fact that one definition of sin is "missing the mark," as one of the Greek words for sin, hamartia denotes. Jesus warns us that, unless our righteousness exceeds that of the …
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. …
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.
No Failsafe Needed
Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, establishing some foundational principles that God does not create chaos and confusion, but has re-established order after Satan's rebellion, points out the danger and folly of presumptuously choosing standards of right and wrong rather than trusting God's judgment. The essential dualities of the Tree of Life and …
Church Unity Despite the Spirit of the World
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe unity of God's church does not derive from organizational expertise, the conformity of ecumenism, or the tolerance for evil, but from the family model.
Take Heed and Remember the Less Fortunate
Sermon by Kim MyersKim Myers, reflecting on Amos's prophecy to ancient Israel in Amos 5:11, castigating the leaders for their shabby treatment to the poor and destitute in society, draws a parallel to America's leaders today, allowing or creating situations in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, leading to record numbers of our …
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 World (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur intimate fellowship should not be with the world, but be concentrated upon God and those who have made the Covenant, loving them as we would ourselves.
Offerings (Part 5)
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.
Hosea, Gomer, God, and Israel
Sermon by Kim MyersTo dramatize the perennial harlotry of Israel and the incredible love God exhibits toward His people, He commands Hosea to marry a harlot, Gomer.
The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBitterness divides one member of Christ's Body from another. Individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to justify leaving a congregation.
John (Part 21)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe humble attitude exemplified by Jesus in footwashing shows the mind of God. God expects us to follow Christ's example of loving others, flaws and all.
Troubling the Household of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, reflecting on the 30th anniversary of his baptism, recalls how he joyfully, but perhaps myopically, assumed that he would automatically walk harmoniously and peacefully with the other members of the body of Christ into the Kingdom and eternity of God, without experiencing any impediments or sibling rivalry among …
The Fruit of Repentance
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe 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.
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.
Friends of the Friendless (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by John ReissTrue worship of God is more than just not sinning but also visiting the widows and the fatherless. These categories represent all who are weak and lack support.
Right Out of the Gate
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloAustin Del Castillo, asking us what we would do to receive the approbation "the friend of God" as did father Abraham, reminds us that, as the affianced Bride of Christ, we do have this distinction "right out of the gate." God the Father has called many to be the bride, but only a relative few have been …
The Priesthood of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, focusing upon I Peter 1:13-16, reiterates that holiness must be an indispensible characteristic of the called-out priesthood. This mandate markedly influences our relationships, making us servants to one another as a band of brothers and subject to God, developing respect and affection for the brotherhood. We …
More Righteous Than the Pharisees?
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)The Pharisees were in the office or seat of Moses. Jesus taught His followers to follow their words (pertaining to the Law of God), but not their personal examples.
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 …
A Trustworthy Relationship
Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, asking us to ponder the incredible privilege we have been given to be placed within the Body of Christ, called when we were dead in trespasses, reminds us that this same privilege applies to our fellow saints as well. He warns us not to selfishly protect our turf, building walls of separation from our brethren. …
Godly Fear is Humble Reverence
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe fear and trembling before God is more like reverence and awe instead of abject terror. It leads us to total dependence upon God with a desire to repudiate sin.
