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What Is the Church?

Sermon by Ryan McClure

The word congregation is translated in the Greek as ecclesia, assembly, or church. Congregation refers to the Christian religious community as a whole or a body or organization of Christian believers. It is not a building but rather a body of people that believe in a particular type of religion. Most people look for the type of congregation or the group of people that believe in what they believe in and want to worship in the same fashion. The word church is mentioned in the Bible as ecclesia, which means a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation or an assembly. Congregation refers to the children of Israel as the assembly of God. The church is an assembly of those who have been called and believe. Christ claims the church as His. The church is made up of those who have been called by God and believe in Him and then commit their lives to Him by repenting, being baptized, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. The church is the called-out assembly of God's people, led by Christ's example, who follow the teachings from God's Word.

In the Grip of Distrust

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

As our culture deteriorates, a deep-seated distrust exists, not just of government but of institutions like the church that people once had confidence in.

Firstfruits and the Master Potter

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

The Potter and Clay analogy provides instructions for understanding character-building tests and trials in the life-long sanctification process.

For the Perfecting of the Saints

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

Do Christians need a church? With all the church problems in recent years, many have withdrawn. Yet the church—problems and all—serves a God-ordained role.

The Purpose of the Church

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The function of the church is like a teacher's college, preparing the firstfruits and providing them with the needed education and character development.

Hebrews (Part Fifteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Even though we must cooperate in cultivating spiritual fruit, God alone creates character and takes responsibility for creating spiritual offspring.

Prayer and Fervency

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Living faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.

Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Constitution, in some ways, makes a mockery of God's sovereignty, preferring a hodge-podge of syncretism of the world's religions.

Inclusivity?

Sermon by Ronny H. Graham

Many churches have abandoned traditional values and have embraced humanism, using buzzwords such as inclusivity, community, spirituality, and justice.

The Commandments (Part Fourteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by

Many biblical examples illustrate that when the leader put his faith in God and submitted himself to God's rule, God supernaturally protected His people.

Go With Him Two

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

We have all kinds of rights, but not all rights should be exercised if we have opportunities to demonstrate God's way of give to total strangers.

Our Participation in Services

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

We should not trivialize the importance of music in helping our meditation and remembering spiritual lessons, especially regarding congregational singing.

Islands and Offenses

'Ready Answer' by Staff

As much as we wish our church congregations could get along peacefully, Jesus tells us that, sadly, offenses must come (Luke 17:1).