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First Love (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsA Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. A decline similar to the Ephesians' loss of their first love affected the first-century church.
First Love (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsChrist's reprimand of the Ephesian church, "You have left your first love," seems odd being said to a church that appeared so busy doing God's will.
Keeping Love Alive (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWorks demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.
How to Know We Love Christ
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.
Do The First Works
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughWe also need to return to our first love and diligently do the first works, including fellowship, continuing in the doctrine, and doing things properly.
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.
What Are You Leaving?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Ephesians had a strong sense of duty and served as a vanguard in the battle against false doctrines. What was lacking was devotion to Christ.
No Real Love Without God
Sermon by John O. ReidWe 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.
The Seven Churches (Part Three): Ephesus
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist's letter to the Ephesians focuses on a people who succeeded in fighting heresy and apostates but, in the process, had left their first love.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.
God Hates? (Part Two)
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAlmighty God loves righteousness—something which Gods saints should emulate. Conversely, God abhors, disdains, and hates evil. In Romans 7:15, Paul expresses intense hatred for the things his human nature (the law of sin and death) prompts him to do. Like the apostle Paul, we need to fight tooth and nail to keep our own …
Intimacy with Christ (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must guard our time, not allowing busyness and involvement with activities of the world to prevent us from forming a deep intimacy with God.
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (1996): Scattering
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod initiated the scattering of the church for our ultimate good. When the revelation of God was replaced with the wisdom of this world, God intervened.
Hebrews: A Message for Today
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.
Hebrews (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.
Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity has to come from the inside out, with God raising a leader which His people, having their minds opened by His Spirit, will voluntarily submit to.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Two): Ephesus
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Ephesus church effectively battled various heresies, for which Christ commends it. However, the members lost sight of the reason, having left their first love.
Conviction and Moses
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur conviction reveals itself in living by faith. Moses is a stunning example of how a convicted Christian should live — with loyalty and faithfulness to God.
Hebrews (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews 11 provides examples to bolster faith. The faith described is not blind, but is carefully developed from systematic analysis of available evidence.
Caught in a Blizzard?
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWe are being exposed to a spiritual blizzard, bringing darkness and coldness into the entire world. We are admonished to stoke the fire of God's Holy Spirit.
The Importance of Follow-Through
Article by David F. MaasJust as important as follow-through is in an athletic motion, its spiritual counterpart is vital to our life in Jesus Christ.
Those Who Hunger and Thirst
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the Beatitude, hungering and thirsting for righteousness are present tense active participles signifying continuous longing for God's righteousness.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Seven): Repentance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs High Priest, Christ is putting His people through the paces, tailoring the trials and experiences needed for sanctification and ultimate glorification.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.
I Know Your Works
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughContrary to Protestant understanding, our works emphatically do count - showing or demonstrating (not just telling) that we will be obedient.
Exalt With Music
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMusic has an intense power to stimulate the emotions, trigger the imagination, set the mood of services, and serves as a teaching vehicle for instruction.