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How Does God Help Us? (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod leads His people continuously by day and night, as illustrated in the pillar of cloud and fire that guided Israel out of Egypt and never departed from them. This guidance extends beyond mere direction to include protection, as the pillar positioned itself between the Israelites and their pursuers while also preventing any retreat into former bondage. The same pattern applies to believers today, though the journey is spiritual rather than geographical, moving through moral and emotional maturity toward the kingdom. God deals with each person individually, tailoring paths to develop specific characteristics needed for service in His Family, while still uniting all toward the same destination. He supplies every need in abundance, providing food, water, and correction for Israel in quantities sufficient for millions, and He furnishes spiritual equivalents for the church through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and truth personified in Christ. These provisions nurture, strengthen, and produce growth, enabling right choices when believed and acted upon. Trials form part of this guidance, deliberately permitted to humble, test faithfulness, and reveal whether motivation stems from trust in God or self-gratification, thereby preparing participants for greater responsibility. Throughout, God demonstrates patience and faithfulness, setting limits on temptations and offering escape so that none are overwhelmed beyond their capacity. He removes spiritual blindness, grants understanding, and empowers obedience, making cooperative progress possible. This guidance ultimately replaces self-centeredness with God-centeredness, ensuring that those who receive truth advance rather than remain idle, lest they fall back into bondage. The process confirms that salvation involves both divine gift and faithful response, leading to everlasting life in the kingdom.
Micah (Part Three): Who Is a God Like You?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod requires His people to walk humbly with Him as an expression of covenant faithfulness, a demand first articulated when He reveals what is good: acting justly, loving mercy, and maintaining humble obedience rather than relying on ritual offerings or outward forms. This guidance stands in direct contrast to the corruption of Judah's leaders and the emptiness of their worship, showing that true spirituality must produce ethical conduct in daily life. The requirement develops further as persistent, lifelong practice that begins with individual change and extends to influence families, communities, and the nation, even amid frustration and apparent futility. In the closing chapters this guidance takes the form of divine shepherding. God leads His flock through danger and scarcity, providing rest, direction along paths of righteousness, protection with rod and staff, and abundant sustenance, just as a shepherd prepares safe pastures and removes threats before the sheep arrive. The same Lord who executes judgment also restores and renews those who repent, casting their sins away and renewing the covenant relationship. Thus God's guidance integrates justice, mercy, and humility with His sovereign care, demonstrating that the nation can again become both a source of blessing and an instrument of righteous judgment among the peoples when it submits to His direction.
Focusing on God's Thoughts
Sermonette byWe have the responsibility to hear God's still, small voice and to act upon His thoughts, thereby shunning the deceitful input constantly coming from Satan.
Providence
Sermonette by James BeaubelleStudying examples of God's hand both favoring and putting down, we must reach out to Him daily for His Divine Providence to be at work in their lives.
Made His Wonderful Works to Be Remembered (Part Two)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThose called by God now have a unique privilege and responsibility to live in God's truth, distinguishing them from those who have hope but lack understanding.
Wandering or Pilgrimage?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are not aimlessly wandering, but are on a God-guided pilgrimage. The circuitous route ensures our safety, just as it did for the ancient Israelites.
Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe keep Unleavened Bread because of what God did to bring us out of sin (typified by Egypt). While God compels us to make choices, He is with us all the way.
The Road to the Kingdom
Article by Mike FordThe way leading to eternal life is narrow and difficult and few find it. The road to the Kingdom may not be a highway, but neither is it concealed or secret.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spiritual journey of God's people is more difficult than the physical one of the ancient Israelites, requiring as it does more resources to navigate.
Faithful Travelers on a Spiritual Journey
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod actively leads, corrects, and refines His people to promote spiritual growth and salvation. He has given His Word for guidance and direction to follow now. Although the exact path remains unclear amid challenges that sometimes misdirect, God provides instruction for a straight path and requires faith, flexibility, and obedience. He never stops pointing the way and stands beside His people as they go. Moses trusted God's guidance even without knowing every detail of the journey. God skillfully directs both individual lives and the whole church toward His intended purpose and will. He knows how to deliver those who overcome sin and reverence Him. God provides divine protection along the way and supplies the strength to follow His commands. He does not deliver on demand but evaluates mental and physical effort, requiring submission to His will and teachability. When tempted or headed the wrong way, prayer for help allows God to rebuke the adversary or grant resistance. God will provide the means to walk the path while His people do the walking.
Wilderness Wandering (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are in various stages of our wilderness journey, not knowing where our journey will take us. The turns give us opportunities to strengthen our faith.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe hardest part of God's work is the feeding of the flock the full counsel of God, to get the called-out ones ready to enter the Kingdom of God.
Psalm 23:5-6
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamBy accepting the guidance of the Shepherd, we are taught to avoid the cup of wrath and have the cup of blessings overflow in that pasture.