The Nature of God— What's Love Got To Do With It?
'Ready Answer' by Joseph B. BaityCulture has so confused the common understanding of love that most people do not know what true, godly love is.
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.
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.
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.
How Much Does God Love You?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughI John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.
The Wholeness of God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod is a multidimensional personality, a whole Being whose wonderful, perfect attributes work together—and whose traits we are to come to know and reflect.
Where Was God?
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughAlmost everybody in America has some knowledge of God, but in most cases, it is so shallow as to be embarrassing. God is in control of His creation.
Is the Love of Many Growing Cold?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeJesus foretells that "the love of many will grow cold" at the end time. Is this happening right now, or is there love that is just difficult to recognize?
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.
Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.
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.
A God of Many Dimensions
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has 'soft' virtues, which most churches proclaim loudly and often, and 'hard' ones, which get little attention. God has having a range of character traits.
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?
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.
Keeping Love Alive (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we love another person, we like to think about him/her, to hear about him/her, please him/her, and we are jealous about his/her reputation and honor.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Two): Cultivating Love
Sermon by David F. MaasThe opposite of selfishness is not self-hatred, but mature self-love, loving ourselves as a responsible, caring parent would (or should) love a growing child.
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.
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.
Israel's Missing Characteristics of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFaithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.
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 …
Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Two): Love Exemplified
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe love of Abraham for Isaac serves as an emblem for the love of the Father for His Son and for all the children of Adam and Eve.
Deuteronomy: What Is God Looking For?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDeuteronomy constitutes instruction for the Israel of God, serving as a compass and guide, preparing God's people to enter the Kingdom of God.
Loving Christ
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParticipation in Christ's life is the source of all good. Regardless of what church group we are in, we must establish a relationship with Christ.
Why Is God Doing This, This Way?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must learn to see ourselves and our function as God sees us—as a distinct, unique entity, a holy people, a special treasure.
The Manifold Grace of God
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod's calling us is just our initial taste of His grace. Grace is unmerited, but it is not unconditional. We have an obligation to respond to God.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Three
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughConsider two end-time, dominant forces: the Beast power of Revelation 13 and God. To whom will we yield to in the coming years?
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though the way God exercises His sovereignty is inscrutable to us , calling the foolish to confound the wise, all He does fits perfectly into His plan.
Love's Greatest Challenges
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAn irrational fear of loss prevents the development of agape love — we fear that keeping God's commandments will cause us to lose something valuable.
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.
By This We Know Love!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs God's people keep God's law in its spiritual intent, they begin to think like the Father and His Son, both of whom habitually do good.
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.
Living By Faith and God's Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod gives grace from start to finish in a person's relationship with Him. It cannot be limited merely to justification and His forgiveness of our sins.
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.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who have made a covenant with God can be corrupted unless they make a concerted effort to know God, realizing He has the right to do as He pleases.
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.
The Wrath of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLove motivates the two intrinsic parts of God's holy character—goodness and severity, as He seeks to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGrace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.
God's Wrath and Hell
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOblivion, not eternal torment in hell fire, is the merciful end for the wicked. God is both good and severe, but His mercy endures forever.
In Defense of God
Sermonette by Levi W. GrahamAs Job reset his mindset from anxious to humble, so we must also re-evaluate our trials, appreciating the great lengths to which God goes to perfect us.
Why Did God Forsake Jesus Christ?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJesus yielded His Spirit to the Father, indicating that God had not forsaken Him, but accepted Him after He became a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reiterating that Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ, moves to the climactic point of the narrative in Genesis 45, in which Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. Joseph knew and recognized his brothers before they knew him. God knows our guiltiest secret sins which we think we have effectively hid. All things are …
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe may have guilty consciences like Joseph's brothers and self-pity like Jacob, but we can break through if we acknowledge God as Jacob and Elisha did.
Dating (Part 3): A Love Worthy of Your Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSociety's interpretation of love is lust or infatuation. Premarital sex leads to long-term devastating effects, and never leads to adjustment in marriage.
The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility: Part Eleven
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty and free moral agency set up a seeming paradox. Just how much choice and freedom do we have under God's sovereign rule?
Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Three): Hope Demonstrated
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh reminds us that obedience (in letter and spirit) fulfills the intent of the law, inextricably linking love and commandment-keeping. Consistent obedience to the law engrains God's character in all believers. Abraham, through his consistent obedience, grew in character to the point that he passed his greatest …
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 …
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 …
"If I Have Not Charity"
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChristianity has both an inward aspect (building godly character or becoming sanctified) and an outward aspect (doing practical good works).
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.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughKindness goes hand-in-hand with love. It is an active expression of love toward God and fellow man, produced through the power of God's Spirit.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke grievous to bear (Acts 15:10) was not God's law, but an entire package of Pharisaic regulations that had been elevated to the level of God's law.
Psalm 23 (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reveals that the valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, frustrations, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd. His rod, an extension of his will and strength, serves not only against predators, but also prevents members of the flock from butting …
Deuteronomy (Part 3) (1994)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates the dominant themes, including (1) Preparing to receive our inheritance (2) Learning to fear God (3) God's grace and (4) God's faithfulness. We will not be prepared to execute judgment in the Millennium unless we are experientially persuaded of God's faithfulness to His Covenant and of His intolerance …
Childrearing (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughOur children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.
Potential for Good
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUsing the army boot camp analogy, Richard Ritenbaugh teaches that God places us through a similar humbling process, causing us to look at our sins in a spiritual mirror, contrasting our lives with the sinless life of Jesus Christ. In this process, we must (1) put out evil, (2) put on the new man, empowered with the mind of …
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's holy law gives love its foundation, stability, and evenness, preventing it from degenerating into a sappy, sentimental feeling.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
