Sins Borne Away
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Day of Atonement represents both a blood sacrifice for covering/cleansing and a means of removing sin permanently from the camp of Israel.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Six): The Sin Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus' perfect offering of Himself for us fulfilled the sin offering of Leviticus 4. Our acceptance of His offering for atonement puts us under obligation.
Foolishness and Cleansing
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHuman nature has a perverse drive to take risks, pushing the envelope, taking unwise chances, foolishly gambling away the future. Foolishness is sin.
Are You Feeling Guilty Of Past Sins?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSometimes Christians fixate on past sins. But we cannot experience the joy of salvation while obsessing on past sins. Christ's blood covers sins repented of.
Editing Our Sins
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are so close to our sins that we cannot see the proverbial forest for the trees. We miss glaring faults in our character because of familiarity.
Sin and Overcoming, (Part 2): What Is Sin Like?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhen a righteous man feels an inclination to sin, God will place stumblingblocks in his way to force moral choices, as well as a watchman to give understanding.
What Do You Mean . . . the Unpardonable Sin?
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletCan a Christian commit a sin, and still be a Christian? Or would this be 'the unpardonable sin'? Or would it prove he never was a Christian?
Cleansing God's People
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeHaggai received the last two prophecies on the same day. Haggai 2:10 and 20 identify that day as the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, called Kislev.
What Must We Do When We Recognize Our Guilt?
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsWhen we do something against the law or our own conscience, guilt is triggered, and we suffer, not just a gut-wrenching emotion, but also a descent into sin.
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Three)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeHebrews 9 and 10 clarify the Atonement ritual of Leviticus 16. The author makes no mention of Satan, but says that Jesus bears our sins like the azazel goat.
Why Is Atonement a Fall Festival?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough Passover and Atonement both deal with Christ's sacrifice, several reasons emerge to make Atonement a better fit for the fall holy days.
A Hidden Mystery in God!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBefore anyone can have fellowship before God, the obstacle of sin must be eliminated, which is a permanent barrier between us and God.
Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeOn the Day of Atonement, the one goat's blood cleansed the altar of all the sins, while the azazel took them away. Jesus Christ fulfilled both these roles.
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing a Leper (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe leper who approached Jesus for healing provides us a good example of how we, too, can come before Him for help. Here are five vital character traits.
Purge Me With Hyssop
Article by StaffThe Bible frequently uses the hyssop plant as a symbol of cleansing and purification. In relation to Christ's sacrifice, this herb has a connection to the Passover.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fourteen): Israel Redeemed
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod employs a winnowing process in selecting those who will enter the Millennium. The process includes punishment for Israel's failure to serve as priests.
The Gift of a Leper
Article by StaffThe leper's healing teaches that, while Jesus freely healed the man, his cleansing was not really free. The gift he was told to present contains vital instruction.
Azazel: Endings
Sermon by David C. GrabbeOne goat had to die for cleansing; the other goat had to remain alive for bearing the sins away. Jesus fulfilled both roles. Satan's binding atones for nothing.
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Four)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe Day of Atonement is not fulfilled with the binding of Satan. Rather, there are numerous prophecies of God atoning for the sins of physical Israel.
What is Atonement?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Man's estrangement from God is wholly man's fault. Atonement denotes the way harmony is achieved, making the entire world at one or reconciled with God.
Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn Israel, sins were symbolically placed on the altar throughout the year. On Yom Kippur, one goat's blood cleansed the altar; the second took away the sins.
Understanding the Azazel Goat
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe goat for azazel (complete removal) bore the sins of the nation out of sight. Jesus Christ likewise had our iniquities laid on Him, and He bore them.
Azazel: Beginnings
Sermon by David C. GrabbeWhile there is a handful of common starting places for understanding the azazel, none of them has multiple witnesses of Scripture. We must begin elsewhere.
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeOn the Day of Atonement, the live goat bears the sins of the nation. Many think this represents Satan as the source of sin, yet Scripture reveals the truth.
Limited Atonement
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prospect of atonement and salvation is available to everybody, but only those called by the Father—not by an evangelical altar call—are eligible.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Seven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChristians must address marriage problems from God's perspective. Stress can cause people to lay aside their values in favor of humanly reasoned solutions.
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Six)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe proof that a person has truly made a change of heart appears when his life begins to show him doing what is right. Right living is the fruit of repentance.
A Day Without Work
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRefraining from work on the Day of Atonement symbolizes our inability to atone for our sins. We, humble and poor in spirit, depend upon God for everything.
The Talking Blood (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God the Father does not take the minimization of His Son's sacrifice lightly, as some Protestant theologians imply with their cheap grace doctrine.
The Fruit of Justification
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe subject of justification confuses a great many people. In fact, much of nominal Christianity, even theologians, do not understand the Bible's teaching on it.
Truly Unleavened
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has imputed righteousness to us as His Children because we are in Christ. Our state before God is unleavened provided we maintain this relationship.
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing a Leper (Part Three)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJesus' healing of the leper in Mark 1:40-45 exhibits His compassion for those suffering the repulsive effects of sin.
The Talking Blood (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe blood of Christ, a propitiation or appeasing force, the only means to satisfy God's pure sense of justice, is a testimony of God's intense love for us.
The Mixed Multitude
Article by Charles WhitakerWhen the mixed multitude came out of Egypt with Israel, God gave them an opportunity to join His chosen people. This event contains vital lessons for us.
Another Look at Footwashing
Article by Bill KeeseeMany consider footwashing at Passover to be a mere ritual to remind us to serve one another. But it teaches another godly attribute: forgiveness.
From Pilgrims to Pillars (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasSanctification is a process through which God transforms perishable raw materials into permanent, indestructible beings—literal members of the God-family.
The Beatitudes, Part 6: The Pure in Heart
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughPurity before God is far more than just being clean. To Jesus, being pure in heart, described in the Beatitudes, touches on the very holiness of God.