Playlist:

playlist Go to the God's Will, Submitting to (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

God's Sovereignty, Ecclesiastes, and God's Will

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's will is central to understanding our purpose and responsibilities. It is our duty to submit to His will, for failing to do so is sin, and the wages of sin is death. God has an overriding purpose that He is working out, established before the foundation of the world, though not all aspects are revealed to us. Some of His purposes impact selectively, affecting some but not others. He permits sin within His purpose, though He does not directly will it, allowing individuals to choose their path. His permission is part of His will, as nothing occurs outside His knowledge or control. Nobody overrides His will, and He only allows what aligns with His purpose. God is fully aware of all that happens in His creation, possessing the power to stop any action, yet often wills Himself not to intervene. He knows the end from the beginning, carefully watching over everything to ensure His determined outcome. His will includes the liberty for mankind to sin, though He never commands it, and we experience the tragic effects of sin as part of our preparation for His Kingdom. He has willed that we endure challenges, even the weight of sin in these times, to shape us, promising that those who endure to the end will be saved. His will is progressively revealed through time, not fully declared at once, ensuring that in every era, His people receive what they need for salvation. To those blessed with His Spirit and Word, He grants understanding of His revealed will, commanding us to obey it. This understanding is selective, given to some but withheld from others, as He wills. The reasons for this selectivity remain secret within Him, yet we are to live by faith, focusing on His clearly revealed will in Scripture, which prepares us for His Kingdom. God's will often involves unexpected paths, full of twists and turns, as He determines both good and bad events and their timing for our preparation. These trials are never too difficult, as He has willed them to be within our capacity to endure without sin. Though He hates sin with infinite abhorrence, He has willed its entrance into His purpose as a means to achieve the best preparation for eternal life in His Kingdom. Our responsibility is to submit to His will, keeping His commandments amidst life's challenges, trusting that He will lead us to His promised end.

Seeking God's Will (Part One): Holiness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As children of light, we are called to walk in a manner that reflects our transformation from darkness to light, proving what is acceptable to the Lord. This means submitting to His will, even when understanding is not immediate, trusting that He will eventually reveal the reasons behind His commands. Submitting to His will often requires acts of faith, stepping into the unknown and persisting in obedience despite uncertainty or opposition. Through this submission, He grants understanding over time, testing our loyalty and growing our faith, righteousness, and godly character. In situations where His will is unclear, we must seek to know His character deeply, for it guides us in making decisions aligned with His nature. Submitting to His will involves imitating Him, following His example in thought, word, and deed, even when specific guidance is absent. This submission is not always easy, as it may require humility or restraint, but by aligning with His character, we narrow our options to those that honor Him. Ultimately, submitting to His will means trusting that He desires our growth into His likeness, using every opportunity to shape us into bearers of His light.

The Model Prayer (Part Five): Your Will Be Done

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Model Prayer, Jesus Christ teaches to pray for the Father's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, highlighting a plea for obedience to His instructions. This petition underscores a contrast between the immediate obedience of heavenly servants and the widespread disobedience among humans on earth. The request is not merely for personal help in following Him, but for a profound change in humanity's attitude toward God and His guidance. This prayer looks forward to the day when all will bow to Him and confess His name, while urging each believer to emulate the devotion of angelic servants in carrying out His will with enthusiasm. God's will is what He desires to occur, both in His overarching purpose and in individual lives, described as good, acceptable, and perfect. Discerning His will involves a transformation of the mind from carnal to godly, aligning with His character and purpose. His will is revealed through the Scriptures, which contain all necessary for salvation, and understanding it requires the engagement of His Holy Spirit, enabling believers to grasp the mysteries of His kingdom and practice His will with diligence.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty, Part Three: The Fruits

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Here are four qualities of character that our full acceptance of God's sovereignty will build and that will prepare us for whatever work God may choose for us.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Most converted Christians realize that God is sovereign. But sometimes the Bible reveals something about God that makes us uncomfortable. Can we accept it?

God the Father (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Throughout Christ's life, the relationship between Him and His Father exemplified perfect, reciprocal, unconditional love, providing a perfect template.

Worship God!

'Ready Answer' by Staff

What is worship? What should our attitude be in worship? How do we worship God? Our God is seeking people to worship Him in spirit and truth!

Submitting (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Liberty without guidelines will turn into chaos. We will be free only if we submit to the truth. All authority, even incompetent authority, derives from God.

Submitting (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Seeking our will at the expense of the group makes conflict inevitable. Society work only when everyone submits to one another in the fear of Christ.

Reconciliation and the Day of Atonement

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Repentance is something we must do with our God-given free moral agency. Reconciliation is an ongoing process that enables us to draw closer to what God is.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Prayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who emphasize one trait of God, or one doctrine, at the expense of the others run the risk of distorting the truth, creating a grotesque caricature.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Six, Conclusion)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our responsibility is to yield to God's sovereignty. Nevertheless, God has enabled us to freely sin, but holds us responsible for governing ourselves.

God's Rest (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Sabbath rest depicts the miracle of conversion, in which the transformation of mankind into God's image brings about a rest in which God takes pleasure.

Fellowship With God

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Only those who have fellowship with God can have any hope, understanding, peace, or rest. The world remains under the sway of Satan, unable to live righteously.

Sovereignty and Submission

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Being reared in a democratic nation sometimes complicates our relationship with God; God's government is actually a sovereign, benevolent dictatorship.

Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The husband is charged to exercise love to his wife, actually a more demanding task than submitting, carrying more instructions than the command to submit.

Promised: Protection and Healing

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God gives several conditions for receiving protection and healing, including God's sovereignty, God's purpose, and one's level of growth.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God is putting us through exercises to create leaders in His image. His covenants are a primary tool in this process.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Father and the Son are two distinct beings, not co-equal as the trinity doctrine proclaims, but with the Son deferring to the Father in all things.