Playlist:

playlist Go to the Distractions of Life (topic) playlist

Age of Distraction

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

A distraction is any event that breaks our focus or attention. Satan's chief stock in trade is the distraction, creating confusion and consternation for all.


Simplify Your Life!

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We waste a lot of time on foolish pursuits, procrastination, and distractions. Getting control of our time is foundational for seeking God's Kingdom.


Life in Sodom

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sodomites were industrious people, but they cared nothing for God, mirroring the worst aspects of modern Israel. We need to make sure that we live soberly.


Always on Call

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Must I have a cell phone? Do I really need the extra expense? Do I have to relate information right now? Can I not wait until I tell the person directly?


Priorities

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

We must screen out the allure of Babylon and make sure that God is always number one on our list of priorities.


Weeds!

Article by Mike Ford

We must weed out detrimental habits that choke our lives. If we want to produce quality fruit, we must weed our garden.


The Shallowness of Pop Culture

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Popular culture can easily become an escape from the pressing issues of life and of this world, and in this sense, it becomes a trap as problems continue.


Is Your Eye Single?

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If our goal is wrong, our entire being will be off. Our first priority is to be loyal to God, casting aside all distractions and other interests.


Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Two): The Parable of the Sower

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In the first parable of the sower, the quality of the various soils upon which the seed of the gospel falls determines whether or not there is growth.


Make Sure of Your Focus!

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Distractions produce a movement toward randomness and confusion, seriously endangering one's calling. We must sharpen our focus on God and His purpose.


Start Now to Begin Walking

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The things of God require digging; it is time to walk step-by-step to the finish of the cause He has called us to complete.


Listening

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Biblical listening is not just hearing, but active understanding and responding, leading to changed behavior. Not hearing is tantamount to rebellion.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

If church members are to grow in grace and knowledge and be zealous in producing fruit to God's glory, they need to have their priorities in the right place.


Intimacy with Christ (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must guard our time, not allowing busyness and involvement with activities of the world to prevent us from forming a deep intimacy with God.


Aim for Productivity

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must strive to bear spiritual fruit efficiently and productively. Material well-being is not as good a measure of fruitfulness as is the use of God's gifts.


Don't Be Indifferent (1995)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot allow ourselves to become surfeited with the world's distractions, being lulled off to sleep as the foolish virgins, wasting our precious time.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Thirteen): Hebrews 2 and the Next Five Years

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We must keep God's Word fresh in our minds through diligent study and practice of His way of life to keep from drifting spiritually during perilous times.


The Unknown Deadline

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

God gives His elect two unknown deadlines: Christ's return and the Christian's lifespan. They focus His people on becoming spiritually rich toward God.


A Government to Fear (Part Four): Apathy

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Americans are apathetic to religion, politics, morality, and civic responsibility, while devoted to hedonism, sports, entertainment, and narcissism.


Don't Be Indifferent (2010)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Labor-saving technology seems to have had the effect of separating us from each other and making us indifferent to things that should be important to us.


Controlling the Weeds

Sermonette by Mike Ford

The entangling cares of the world draw off nutrients from our spiritual garden. Without daily tending, the spiritual weeds get out of control.


Intimacy with Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan has deliberately designed this world to burn up our precious time, creating an artificial sense of urgency and a perpetual state of discontent.


Ping

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

God has given to us spiritual sonar to help us to navigate in uncharted venues. As we pray, study, and meditate, we develop our spiritual sonar.


Is God in All Our Thoughts?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.


Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.


Resistance (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The antidote to spiritual resistance is certainty and confidence in Christ to conform us into His image—a directed movement toward Christ.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eleven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Ecclesiastes deals with quality of life issues for those who have been called, emphasizing responsibility and choice, continually fearing God.


The Grand Secret!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God reveals a grand secret through David: namely, that spiritual growth will come to people who set the Lord before oneself continuously.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.


The Mark of the Beast

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Will we trust God in the basic areas of life—food, clothing, and water—or compromise, accepting the mark of the beast to save our physical lives?


Where the Eagles Are Gathered

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Olivet Prophecy foretells a gathering of eagles or vultures in anticipation of God's judgment. Will they mistake us for the nearly-dead?


Giving All Diligence!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The recipients of Peter's epistle were having difficulty holding on to their faith, having succumbed to fear as a result of lack of discipline and laziness.


Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.


Looking Back to the Future

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The dwelling in booths and the sacrifices were the context for rejoicing at the Feast of Tabernacles. The booths depict our current lives as pilgrims.