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The Sovereignty of God: Part Two
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's authority is supreme and absolute, encompassing all power in heaven and earth. He is the Most High, doing His will among angels and men, with no one able to call Him into account for His actions. As declared in Psalm 115:3, our God is in heaven, and He does whatever He pleases. His sovereignty means that no one and nothing can thwart His purpose or resist His will, as affirmed in Psalm 22:28, where the kingdom is the Lord's, and He governs among the nations. God's power is irresistible and infinite, giving Him the right to govern the universe for His glory and pleasure. He establishes kingdoms, overthrows empires, sets up dynasties, and determines the length of their dominion. His authority allows Him to mold each person as He sees fit, choosing to honor or dishonor as He wills. He is under no obligation to explain His matters to anyone, operating according to His purpose, perspective, plan, and time schedule. In the delegation of His gifts, God does not deal with everyone in the same way. He gives power to some for specific purposes while withholding it from others, setting each member in the body as He pleases. His decisions in exercising power are evident in history, where He delivers or withholds intervention according to His will, whether in miraculous events or in allowing struggles to persist across generations. The major issue in life is recognizing and submitting to God's rule. He is sovereign over all He surveys, ruling in heaven and in the kingdoms of men. By His grace, He offers the opportunity to choose wisely and allow Him to govern our lives, reversing misguided choices to live under His direction.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost converted Christians realize that God is sovereign. But sometimes the Bible reveals something about God that makes us uncomfortable. Can we accept it?
God and Government
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGovernment run by carnal men will never work, but those under the New Covenant, having God's law written on their hearts, can make any form of government work.
The Sovereignty of God: Introduction
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty is one of the most important issues a Christian must consider. Have we acknowledged that He has total authority over us in particular?
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus referred to His Father as 'My God,' indicating that They do not share equality, preeminence, or superiority. They are equal in kind, but one is subordinate.
Proverbs 31 and the Wife of Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's sovereignty prevails amid human folly: He acts as He pleases, directs kings' hearts, shows mercy on His terms. Even poor choices can advance His plan.
Government (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod intended government to be a positive force of bringing order out of chaos, keeping on a straight course, educating, and edifying with necessary laws.
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll authority for law and justice resides in God; when God is taken out of the picture, darkness and chaos dominate. God's laws create a better life and character.
Seeking the King
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIt is common to focus on what the King gives and does, at the expense of what the King desires and requires, emphasizing God's grace over obligation.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father is the source of everything and the Son is the channel through which He carries out His purpose. Jesus declared that the Father is superior to Him.
Do You Really Want Just Any Eternal Life?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have a natural desire for eternal life, but living endlessly would not be a blessing if our circumstances were miserable. Eternal life means quality of life.
There Was No King in Israel
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's authority is paramount, as seen in the persistent disobedience of Israel when they strayed from His commands. In the wilderness and even in the promised land, the people often did what was right in their own eyes, ignoring the peace and rest that comes from obeying His voice. This disobedience led to depravity, suffering, and warfare, as they lost sight of God as their true King. His sovereignty is evident in raising judges to guide Israel back to righteousness, though they repeatedly fell away without remembering and memorializing the truth of His word. The ultimate expression of His authority is embodied in the King of Peace, who refreshed Abram with bread and wine, blessing him as the possessor of heaven and earth. This King of Peace, who assures courage and provides unity, continues to offer peace through a shared meal, symbolizing a profound connection with the Father, the Son, and one another.
Offering Profane Fire
Sermonette by Craig SablichGod's authority stands as the foundation of true worship, distinct from human tradition. He determines how He is to be worshiped, and good intentions alone are never sufficient. As Jesus Christ declared in Luke 6:46, "But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?" This highlights the disconnect between calling Him Lord and failing to obey His commands. Scripture reveals that worship foreign to God's instructions, even if sincere, is unauthorized and strange to Him, as seen in Leviticus 10:1 with Nadab and Abihu, who offered profane fire not commanded by the Lord and faced severe consequences. God's clear instructions in Deuteronomy 12:31-32 emphasize His authority: "You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way... Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it. You shall not add to it nor take away from it." He establishes one law and one way of worship for all, as stated in Exodus 12:49, "One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you." Obedience to His commandments is the expression of love for Him, as affirmed in 1 John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." Throughout history, human traditions have replaced God's authority, blending foreign customs into worship and redefining obedience, which Scripture calls strange and abominable. Deuteronomy 12:30 warns against adopting the ways of other nations in worshiping Him, yet such blending has occurred, creating systems unrecognizable to God. His call in Revelation 18:4, "Come out of her, My people," urges a return to His designed system of worship, walking the path of Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, and the apostles. True faith submits to God's authority, not to human tradition. Everything must be scrutinized by His word, living a life fully obedient and worshiping according to His terms. This is not a one-time choice but a daily commitment to His will, resisting the pull of nostalgia or cultural trappings that draw away from Him. God calls for a life dedicated to truth, under the authority of His pure, whole word.
Simplifying Life (Part Six)
Sermon by David F. MaasTrue simplicity, peace, and spiritual flourishing emerge when we yield to both God's laws and human authority, embracing order rather than resisting it.
Eden, The Garden, and The Two Trees (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus' crucifixion took place outside the camp of Israel, just outside the border of the Garden of Eden, the general area where the Miphkad Altar stood.