Parable of the Talents (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Talents is often confused with the Parable of the Pounds. Martin Collins brings out their differences, showing that these parables illustrate Christian responsibilities from different angles.
Parable of the Talents (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Talents continues Jesus' thought from the Parable of the Ten Virgins. While the first parable highlights preparation and watching for Christ's return, the second portrays Christians engaged in profitable activity in the meantime.
What Is Your Talent?
CGG Weekly by Pat HigginsMatthew 25:14-30 relates the Parable of the Talents. What are talents? Usually, we think about this word in terms of skills, abilities, or aptitudes. ...
Burying Our Talents?
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, focusing on the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, which describes two highly productive servants and one wicked, unproductive servant, observes that the term talent has generalized (metaphorically) from a weight of precious metal to the abilities, gifts, and skills a person possesses. God, through His generous …
Gifted (Part Two)
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamRonny Graham answers the complaints of timid people who feel that they have not been gifted by God by maintaining that God has gifted every called-out-one. Living in America has been an inestimable gift. All gifts are from above and are meant to be mutually complementary. God has gifted everyone in the church, but not everyone …
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Talents teaches the need for diligence in using the gifts of God. God expects us to use our talents to His glory and in the service of others.
Sand Ramblers
Sermonette by James BeaubelleJames Beaubelle, insisting that there is nothing passive in the way God deals with His people and His creation, asserts that the God of the Bible was and is actively involved in the lives of His people with the expectation that they become active also. The command to love our God with all our hearts and our neighbors as …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, focusing upon II John 5, an epistle which cautions about deceivers who would denigrate the value of work, considers the straining on the point "we cannot earn salvation" a red herring, diverting our attention from the true value of Christian work. God indeed judges the quality and quantity of what we …
Could You Be a Spiritual Terrorist?
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasTerrorism is commonplace today, yet we may be causing just as much destruction spiritually as the average terrorist through negligence and passivity.
God's Warning
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, reflecting on Christ's admonition to watch, suggests that to watch world events, but to ignore our spiritual progress and overcoming, is a foolish and futile exercise. We need to watch how we conduct ourselves. The oil that the wise and foolish virgins were cautioned to acquire and guard can be subdivided into several …
Our Final Performance Review
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWithout well-defined plans, projects become quickly derailed. Both time and energy are wasted in the absence of carefully established goals.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Three)
Sermon by David F. MaasDavid Maas, reiterating the stark contrast between God's holy character and our inherent carnal nature, contends that developing the daily habit of meditation on God's Word (the very spigot of God's Holy Spirit) can displace that deadly carnal nature, replacing it with Godly character—the mind of God. Because character is …
Stand Fast in a Changing World
Sermon by Kim MyersWe have been warned to keep alert, watching for the return of our Savior, not living in careless ease. We should be sobered by the degenerating state of the world.
Foundations
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid reflects on a prior cruise to the Mediterranean in which he visited the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Areopagus, Athens, and other locales in which the apostle Paul had walked. The pillars of the Parthenon were fitted together in sections. We, as God's called out ones, are figuratively represented by these pillars. It …
Remembering God's Gifts, Promises, and Rewards
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid reflects that God gives us the capability of remembering in order to learn and retain lessons, fortifying us in the midst of grave trials. During these times of intense distress and tribulation, God expects that we use our memories to reflect upon His gifts, promises, and rewards. His gifts include His Holy Spirit …
Unity and Division: The Blessing and a Curse (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by Charles WhitakerA curious phenomenon ties together several biblical stories: God makes a judgment and divides His people into two groups, often splitting them down the middle!
Focus
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Though Christ has warned us to be aware of the times, we need to be more alert to how we are living. End-time events should lead us to repentance.
You Are My Witnesses That I Am God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist's trial and crucifixion were not historical accidents; rather, God prophesied both events in minute detail in Old Testament scriptures.
What Happens Next
Sermonette by Ryan McClureRyan McClure, acknowledging that self-reflection over our own spiritual progress (perhaps without seeing any progress) has potentially a negative effect, avers that we should understand self-reflection as a God-given tool to produce abundant spiritual fruit. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 teaches that God requires a …
Before the World Began
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, reflecting on a funeral sermon he delivered suggested that the deceased person had displayed spiritual gifts (i.e., designated as Cook County Foster Mother of the Year) long before she had been called into God's church. God evidently has had each of us in His radar scope long before the foundation of the world, …
Compromise
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, claiming that we live in dangerous times, warns us about the insidious temptation to compromise with the law of God. Many in our previous fellowship have gone back to the ways and customs of the world. Without prayer, study, meditation, and strengthening our relation with God, we run the risk of compromising with the …
Growing to Perfection
Article by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker shows that spiritual growth mimics our physical growth to maturity. If we continue in the process, we will "grow into" our potential as God's children.
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, warning that all prophetic speculations have been accompanied with a high degree of error and subsequent embarrassment to the speculator and his adherents, admonishes us that any prophetic speculation, accurate or not, is useless unless it is promotes diligence in living Godly lives, eagerly and expectantly …
Perfection...Piece by Piece
'Ready Answer' by Mike FordWhat is perfection? Does God require perfection of us? Mike Ford defines Biblical perfection and shows to what standard God holds us accountable.
Using God's Given Authority
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod has gifted all His called-out ones, expecting them to use those gifts with the pillars of godly wisdom for the edification of the Body of Christ.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Ten)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe three parables in Matthew 25 (The Ten Virgins, The Talents and The Sheep and Goats) all focus on the importance of spiritual preparedness.
Lessons From Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
Sermon by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker, focusing on Paul's admonition to the Ephesians that there be unity in the Body of Christ, suggests that, in the interests of preserving unity, God judges and then surgically separates hypocrites from real believers. This judgment-resulting-in-division model appears throughout Scripture in the episodes of the …
The Joyful Advantage
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, focusing on Shawn Achor's book, The Happiness Advantage, asserts that, because a brain with a positive attitude has higher levels of dopamine and serotonin, it is more successful and productive. We can draw some spiritual analogies from Shawn Achors's work, utilizing some of his exercises to attain the joyful …
The New World Order Rises
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Beast is a reality, and it is coming to pass in the scope of globalism. Satan has a vast reservoir of people he can work through; we used to be a part of it.
Defining Trials
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Trials define who we are by placing choices before us, forcing us to have faith in God. Character is built by making right, though difficult, choices.
Will You Be Accounted Worthy for the Kingdom?
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Using business analogies of periodically reviewing plans, making forecasts, and anticipating accountability, John Reid emphasizes that God expects us to define and follow through on spiritual objectives. Accountability has both a negative and a positive aspect.We need to know what we will be accountable for. Our job is to fight …
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
'Prophecy Watch' by David F. MaasOver the last several decades, this world has shown itself to be one in which most people lack commitment, whether it is to their mechanics, their spouses, or their beliefs. Using Christ's exhortations to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, David Maas points out that Scripture foresees that a dearth of steadfastness marks the …
To Test You
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid warns of an impending time when Satan will provide us a "test act" to determine whether we will conform to the image of the Beast or face grave, life-threatening consequences. Likewise, God the Father and Jesus Christ have also provided a "test act" determining whether we will stay loyal to God's …
Knowing Christ (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, using athletic running metaphors, emphasizes that we, like the Apostle Paul, must discipline ourselves, apply concentrated effort, and run with endurance to attain our reward or office (not to attain salvation, as some anti-nomian teachers have falsely charged). Sanctification is the longest, most difficult, and …
The World, the Church, and Laodiceanism
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughLaodiceanism is the attitude that dominates the end time. It is a subtle form of worldliness that has infected the church, and Christ warns against it strongly.
