Christ, the Chief Cornerstone
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf a foundation is flawed, the building cannot stand. God built His spiritual temple on the prophets and the apostles, and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone.
The Meaning of "In Christ"
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, continuing the exciting saga of captain John 'Blackjack" Geary in Jack Campbell's futuristic science fiction novel The Lost Fleet, points out that the larger than life propaganda image of captain Geary did not correspond to the fallible, humble, normal man who didn't feel extraordinary. He lets those …
Jesus the Door
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJohn 10:7-10 proclaims that Jesus is the door of the sheepfold or corral. If we follow Him in and out, we will have abundant life, now and in the Kingdom.
Christ Our Rock
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen Moses uses the metaphor of a rock, he thinks of the connotative qualities of enduring, unchanging, solid, awesome, strong, majestic, and beautiful.
The Teaching of Jesus and Prophecy
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe teaching of Jesus is the key to Revelation. The Olivet Prophecy (the testimony of Jesus) in Matthew 24 unlocks the meaning of the seals in Revelation.
Christian Optimism
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, cuing in Psalm 118, the sixth and final halal or pilgrimage psalm, proclaiming, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad," emphasizes that this prophetic psalm, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all events, motivates us to have optimism, realizing that God can make lemonade …
Jesus on His Second Coming
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOnly the Father knows the precise time of Christ's return, but the message to all Christians is to be vigilant and busy overcoming that we may see Him in glory.
The Foundation of the World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh observes that people tend to ignore things they do not see at once, having a superficial perspective. Whether we view a painting, architecture, or a NASCAR race, most of us will fail to see the intricate details involved in their assembly or execution. One example of this is the Burj Khalifa, remarkable for …
Building on the Foundation
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh explains that considerable effort must be expended to find suitable bedrock for a foundation. Until this bedrock is found, no progress can be made. As Christians, we must build on the proper foundation—the bedrock symbolized by Jesus Christ. Christ constitutes the keystone, supporting the two sides of …
Go Not Out of the House
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor Passover, Israel was commanded not to go out of their houses. This is also a warning to Christians when we understand the implications of the word 'house'.
Privileges of the Temple of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, acknowledging that the Feast of Tabernacles pictures Jesus Christ's role as King of kings, points out that Jesus Christ is still under the authority of God the Father, the Father of all of us. Paul uses many metaphors to illustrate our relationship to God the Father: citizens of the Kingdom, household, and …
Don't Leave the House!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs part of Christ's body or household, we have a responsibility to stay attached to the spiritual organism and to respond to the head.
How Revelation Enters the Church
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul had received the same revelation from God that the original disciples had been given. They all preached from the same Source: Jesus Christ.
The Mystery of the Church
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, contrasting the world's mega-churches with the church that Christ is building, focuses on the body analogy (I Corinthians 12), illustrating the interconnectedness of all members to Christ and to each other. In considering the differing functions of the body's parts, we realize that not one is unimportant or …
The Judgments
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMultiple billions of people have lived and died without even hearing the name of Jesus Christ. But God has distinct periods of judgment and resurrection.
Foundations
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid reflects on a prior cruise to the Mediterranean in which he visited the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Areopagus, Athens, and other locales in which the apostle Paul had walked. The pillars of the Parthenon were fitted together in sections. We, as God's called out ones, are figuratively represented by these pillars. It …