The Patience of God
CGG Weekly by Ronny H. GrahamPatience is sometimes misunderstood. Many think that it is just sitting and waiting, but exercising patience takes work and sometimes great self-control.
Seeking God's Will (Part Three): Patience
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must adopt God's perspective on time, developing longsuffering and developing tranquility under adversity, waiting patiently on God.
Patience
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamPatience, a fruit of God's Spirit and a trait He abundantly displays, is not a passive turning away, but an active effort to control bursts of anger.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBiblically, patience is far more than simple endurance or longsuffering. The patience that God has shown man gives us an example of what true, godly patience is.
Patience
Sermonette by James BeaubelleJames Beaubelle reminds us that, if it were not for the ability to change, we could never grow to become like Christ. We may begin our journey on shifting sand, but we must end on the solid mountain. Not all change on our part is productive, especially if we reject our calling and return to the world. Our human nature resists …
How Can We Develop True Patience?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPatience in the face of trying events is a clear indication that we are developing genuine godliness. We can learn to turn trials into positive growth opportunities.
God's Faithfulness and Hope
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, relating a story of a rebellious Siberian Husky he had once owned, compares God's infinite patience with us (compared to our fleeting short-lived patience we have for each other). Like the Husky, the children of Israel severely tested the patience of their master through their compulsive murmuring and …
Where God Places His Name (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause we would die from exposure to God's glory, the name of God, reflecting His characteristics, is the only way we can approach God.
Living By Faith and God's Sovereignty
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSome may doubt that God is in control, but God's sovereignty over His creation is complete. The course of world events are moving according to His will.
Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDetermining the will of God is difficult to do unless we know the character of God. Holiness is the foundation for all of the other traits of God.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus did not take on a different shape or form when He was transfigured . Taking on the image of the heavenly does not vaporize one into shapeless essence.
How Does God Help Us? (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, after recapping the parallels and differences between the pilgrimage of ancient Israel and the Israel of God, affirms that God intends that we go forward, prodding us onward as well as blocking us from returning to spiritual Egypt. God has always abundantly supplied our needs, even though we have tried His …
God Will Understand
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod pays attention to the small things we may excuse in ourselves, sins we commit in weakness. God's patience does not constitute approval of our sin.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asks the question, "How much leavening would God allow to infiltrate into the church, society, or the individual before He steps in to correct it?" Leaven can symbolically represent false teaching, as in the stifling traditions of the Pharisees, the skepticism of the Sadducees, and the secularism of …
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughNow that we have considered the two main Old Testament words for "repentance," we can look at the New Testament Greek word metanoia . ...
Why Do We Observe Unleavened Bread? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIt is self-glorifying to focus more on our own efforts in overcoming—which are necessary—than on by whose strength those efforts will succeed.
Forbearance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod put up with the foibles of Abraham, Samson, David, Job, and others, allowing them time to repent and build character. We need to develop this godly trait.
The Great Flood (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the passage, "God repented" or "it repented God," suggesting that God sometimes changes, seemingly contradicting the facet of God that He does not change (James 1:17) presents us a problem when we need to have faith in His changelessness. The problem resides in the semantic …
Justice and Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSometimes we are disturbed, even angered, because an act of God seems unfair. We have difficulty because we do not understand holiness, justice, sin, and grace.
Essence of Love
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaDavid took all the persecutions from King Saul, and then later showed his mercy to Saul's extended family, he demonstrated the true essence of godly love.
From Sheriff to Shepherd: Are We Willing to Be Defrauded?
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasWhich leadership style do you follow: Andy Griffith's or Barney Fife's? Using experiences from his own life, David Maas explains that the desire to be in control and to win takes a toll on both one's relationships and one's health.
Defining Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe entire life of Christ was a manifestation of God's grace, revealing the nature of God by means of a life lived to give us an example to follow.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eleven): Paradox, Continued
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHard trials are not punishments from God for unrighteousness but tests of faith in which He is intimately involved to prepare us for the world to come.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins asks us whether God can be limited by mankind. God has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting the Holy One of Israel by our faithlessness, thereby robbing ourselves of God's blessings. Prior to our calling, without the help of God's Holy Spirit, we have a …
Looking Forward (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe church may fear that the Lord is delaying His coming, and scoffers make the seeming delay worse. However, God is giving people opportunity for repentance.
Persistence
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, focusing upon a diary excerpt of a pioneer woman on the Oregon Trail, asserts that the trait of persistence is impossible without a transcendent and ardent vision (Proverbs 29:18). Having vision prevents us from casting off life-saving restraint and gives us the will to keep on. The Father and Jesus Christ have …
