God's Correction of His Children
CGG Weekly by Mike FuhrerTrials provide an opportunity to inspect our attitudes and actions, prompting us to make adjustments, avoiding further, harsher correction from the Almighty.
The Goodness and Severity of God (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerGod seems to display irreconcilable contradictions, such as great wrath and deep compassion. Yet these are not contradictory traits but rigorous responses.
God Is Preparing Us For the Kingdom
Sermon by Kim MyersToday, the church is experiencing more overwhelming trials than ever before, indicating that God is preparing His people for the end time.
God's Good Work in Us
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Despite the privileged position of our calling, God does not cut us any slack in terms of trials and tests to perfect us. We must accept God's sovereignty.
The Goodness and Severity of God
Sermon by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker observes that modern Israel, instead of expressing righteous indignation at the breaking of God's Covenant expresses a juvenile anger about the consequences of what their sins brought about. Sighing and crying involves far more than wallowing in worldly sorrow. As God's called-out ones, we must realize that on …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh takes issue with the popularly held notion that preaching the Gospel to the world as a witness is the sole identifying mark of God's church. There is a vast difference between "preaching the Gospel to the world" and "making disciples"- the major focus in Matthew 28:20. The largest portion of …
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?
The Goodness and Severity of God (Part One)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerThe Bible oftentimes speaks in polar opposites: good and evil, light and darkness, heaven and earth. A pair of opposites like these, called a merism by theologians, is destruction and restoration. Citing many prophecies, Charles Whitaker points out that restoration often follows swiftly on the heels of God's wrath, providing us …
Would Our God Do That?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe distorted perception of Jesus as an effeminate and ineffective Savior fails to understand that He is the so-called stern God of the Old Testament.
The Patterns of God
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, recounting the massive cost in blood and carnage from the time of Cain and Abel to the present, affirms that the Day of Trumpets pictures God's corrective actions that God Almighty will take because of His people's and the world's disobedience. History has demonstrated recurring disturbing Zeitgeists (spirit of the …
The Priesthood of God (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, cuing in on Paul's exhortation in Hebrews 12:5-14, admonishes us to endure chastening and correction from Almighty God in order that we may grow in holiness and become priests. His holiness reflects purity, cleanliness, and incredible power, characteristics to which we must aspire. The recipients of the original …
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part One)
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Amos is an astounding prophecy, closely paralleling the conditions in the Western world today. Amos reveals how unrighteousness undermines society.
God's Love and Teachings for His Children
Sermon by Kim MyersGod lovingly teaches His children, just as a perfect parent. As children cry out to their parents, so human nature drives God's people to complain to Him.
Truth and God's Governance (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod puts people where He wants them and gives them the responsibilities that He desires them to fulfill. They can be either faithful or unfaithful leaders.
Truth and God's Governance (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe best human leaders are those who recognize that they are not the ones running things. Exceptional leaders submit to the reality of God's sovereignty.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Christians?
Article by StaffOf all people, one might think, Christians should be the most blessed, yet they often fall under heavy trials. However, the reality is that God is putting us through the paces, correcting us and refining us, to bring us to salvation.
A Time for Thanksgiving (2008)
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Solomon's appraisal of money in Ecclesiastes 10:19, suggests that modern Israel seems to have great difficulty managing money because of an addiction to greed. Wealth, without a powerful character, is a destructive drug. Unfortunately, our people's greed has put them on the verge of the greatest …
The Vinedresser - Revisited
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaClyde Finklea revisits the interpretation of John 15:2 , which reads in most translations, "every branch that does not bear fruit, He takes way." This is assumed by many to mean "get rid of." Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, in his book, The Secrets of the Vine, explains that "takes away" should be more …
Fear the Lord's Goodness!
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsThere is an aspect of God's goodness that is rarely associated with goodness. As surprising as it may seem, God's goodness can be feared! Martin Collins explains why this is so.
Why Are We Afflicted?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAffliction is a necessary aspect of life, yielding strength of character, while ease and comfort weaken us. Christ was perfected as High Priest through suffering.
Trial by Fire
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike a loving parent, God brings just the right pressures to bear to bring about necessary change in His children. Each trial has a place in His purpose.
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.
Lamentations (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the recent solar eclipse, reminds us that in the peoples of past cultures believed that solar and lunar eclipses were omens of impending tragedy, leading to rituals to combat their influence. Although the Bible uses the imagery of the eclipse to portend the confusion at the end of the age, …
Defining Trials
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Trials define who we are by placing choices before us, forcing us to have faith in God. Character is built by making right, though difficult, choices.
Habakkuk
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHabakkuk learns to look, watch, wait, then respond, realizing that God is sovereign and will rectify all the injustices in His own time.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eight): Time
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, cuing in on Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, affirms that enjoyment from one's labor comes from the LORD and that the proper use of our allotted time becomes increasingly more relevant as we anticipate the conclusion of our physical lives. Solomon instructs us to adjust our attitude from under the sun (carnal, …
A GPS for our Spiritual Pilgrimage
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasSince God's thoughts are higher than ours, we must keep an intimate GPS-like dialogue with our heavenly Father so we can stay on the right path to the Kingdom.
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFruit is a product of growth requiring knowledge, work, patience, truth (light) and water (God's Spirit). Only by remaining on the vine will we bear fruit.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe paradox of Ecclesiastes 7 shows an unrighteous man flourishing and a righteous man suffering. The solution to this conundrum is found in Psalm 73.
