Amazing Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe old song speaks of "Amazing Grace" but do we really understand just how amazing it is? John Ritenbaugh fills in some details on this vital topic.
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.
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.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh clarifies that, in terms of salvation, grace and works are mutually exclusive (Ephesians 2:8-10), but good works are the result (or the fruits) of God's creative efforts. Grace frees one; works prove that one has been freed. Grace (or the gift of God) enables us to have a clear enlightened perception of God (I …
Living By Faith and God's Grace (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh'Grace' is a term that represents God's awesome generosity toward us, His continuously flowing blessings and saving acts. It goes beyond just forgiveness.
Grace Upon Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughForgiveness is only the beginning of the grace process, enabling us to grow to the stature of Christ. Paradoxically, grace puts us under obligation to obey.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause we are all sinners, we have earned only death; justification is not earned, but must come through faith and believing God as did our father Abraham.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's grace supports and fulfills us, but it does not mean 'once saved,always saved.' It is possible to fall from grace, as Israel's experience demonstrates.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustification does not 'do away' with the law; it brings us into alignment with it, imputing the righteousness of Christ and giving access to God for sanctification.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that after justification, for grace to be made dominant, its influence must extend beyond justification, into the sanctification stage where the believer must yield himself to righteousness, keeping God's commandments making himself a slave of righteousness. God's grace is manifested by His giving gifts, …
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.
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.
Five Teachings of Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughProtestantism unthinkingly presents grace as "free." However, Scripture shows that God expects a great deal of effort from us once we receive it—it is costly.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh explores several nuances of the term grace, describing a generous, thoughtful action of God, accompanied by love, which accomplishes His will, equipping us with everything we will need to be transformed into the Bride. Even though we, like Jeremiah, may feel timid and underpowered, God is always out in front, …
Paul: Grace, Law, and Obedience
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul's writings, because of their complexity, are frequently twisted to say that he was anti-law. By denigrating God's law, the unconverted set their own standards.
Is God a False Minister?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThose who advocate doctrinal change portray God as a confused and false minister who lacks the power to instruct his chosen leaders to 'get it right.'
The Weightier Matters (Part 3): Mercy
Article by StaffMany have a love-hate relationship with mercy: They love to receive it, but hate to give it! Here is why we should lean toward mercy in all our judgments.
Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reiterating that in physical and spiritual creation, God does not wave a wand, but does a great deal of work. Likewise, in our repentance, there is a great deal of reciprocal effort between God and us. In the stories of Star Wars, the X-Men, or Harry Potter, the protagonist does not grow in character, but …
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, warning that, as culture deteriorates, the church will be 'exposed' as the enemy, encourages us to make sure that the foundations of what we believe are secure. Consequently, we need to take notice of the law of first mention in Genesis to pick up the pattern of God's dealing with His creation. The great …
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEverything that we go through has been engineered by God. We are His workmanship, created for good works, a response to the faith He has given us.
Salt
Article by Mike FordJesus calls His disciples "the salt of the earth." Do we know what He meant? Mike Ford explains the spiritual side of this common mineral compound.
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 …
Psalms: Book Five (Part One): Psalms for the Winter Blues
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWinter is a time of cold, darkness, and sadness. As many as 10% of people in northern areas have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The Psalms for winter can help.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Nine)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's decision to destroy the earth and humankind by a flood was ultimately an act of great love, stopping mankind before his heart became incorrigible.
The Great Flood (Part Eight)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, concluding the Great Flood account, focuses on the statement, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." God literally called Noah, offering him deliverance from the world catastrophe, and offering him a job of being a physical savior for all of creation. Similarly, God has called us, forgiven us, …
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOnly God's calling, followed by repentance and a rigorous conversion process, will safeguard us from the fiery holocaust that is coming upon this the world.
What Sin Is & What Sin Does
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughNo one seems to talk about sin anymore, but it still exists and continues to wreak havoc! Scripture describes sin and its great effects in our lives.
