The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.
Faith—What Is It?
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsFaith is simple in concept; it is believing what God says. Yet it is difficult to display in our lives, and it is often tested. Here is some evidence of faith.
What Is Faith?
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletMillions lack faith to receive answers to their prayers. To a large extent, this is due to a lack of understanding what faith is.
Will Christ Find Faith?
'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid (1930-2016)At the end of the Parable of the Persistent Widow, Jesus asks, "When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith...?" The answer is surprising to many.
How Can We Measure Our Faith?
CGG Weekly by Pat HigginsHow do we obey this call to test ourselves, to know whether we are in the faith? A good place to start is to see how God measures faith, beginning with Abraham.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike 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.
Faith, Hope, and the Worship of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUsing assumptions, some have concocted some nine conflicting calendars. The preservation of the oracles has not been entrusted to the church but to the Jews.
Faith (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe would like God to instantly gratify our desires. Consequently, we find living by faith difficult; we do not trust that He has things under control.
How Satan Destroys Faith
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause we act on what we believe, any affront to our belief system will alter our choices and behavior, placing us on a destructive trajectory.
Faith to Carry Us to the Millennium
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersKim Myers, acknowledging that we are celebrating an event yet to happen in the future, suggests that we need to have intense faith to move from point A (the present) to point B (the Millennium).Faith is a trust in things we cannot see, the same kind of faith that Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego had to endure the threat of the …
Making Faithful Choices (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod demonstrated to Gideon, through His systematically whittling his army from 30,000 to 300, that His providence, and not Gideon's might, would bring victory.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe heroes of faith may have had a longer period of testing than those called now, but the trials will come at greater intensity here at the end.
Faith and Prayer
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConstant, earnest prayer keeps faith alive and makes certain the receiving of the qualities that make us in the image of God. God's purpose comes first.
Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAll of God's people should be watchmen like Habakkuk, living continually by faith, discerning, listening to, and responding to God's instructions.
To Test You
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid warns of an impending time when Satan will provide us a "test act" to determine whether we will conform to the image of the Beast or face grave, life-threatening consequences. Likewise, God the Father and Jesus Christ have also provided a "test act" determining whether we will stay loyal to God's …
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAbraham embodied living by faith. Through perpetually living in a tent, he demonstrated his complete trust and reliance upon God.
Lord, Increase Our Faith
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeFaith is a gift which requires continual practice and exercise. God will grant us more faith if we faithfully use what He has already given us.
Facing Times of Stress: Faithfulness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on Philippians 4:4-9,observes that although America is the most blessed nation on the face of the earth, it is also the most unthankful, providing a contributory cause for anxiety. As Paul counseled the Philippians, thankfulness and gratefulness lead to joy and profound peace, while ungratefulness and …
Hedged About on Every Side
'Ready Answer' by StaffIn Job 1, Satan accuses God of hedging Job about on every side, saying that if God would let down the hedge, they could see what Job was really made of. This article explains how important God's hedge about us is.
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.
God's Tools
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaClyde Finklea, reminding us that spiritual maturity does not come about without difficulty, asserts that suffering is one of the tools God uses to perfect us. Suffering is part of a process to refine endurance and character. At the onset of a trial, we must quickly ask God for what we need to learn from this episode. Though we …
Joy and Trial
'Ready Answer' by Mike FordWhat does the Bible mean when it says we should count it all joy when you fall into various trials? What is this joy we must experience, and how do we come by it?
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are mandated to live by faith, being given trials of faith in order to chisel our character. We must totally and unreservedly accept God's sovereignty.
Hope in a Turbulent World
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGreek and Roman myths have shaped the world view of Western culture, including our attitude toward hope, a concept which is often abused and distorted.
The Great Work the Lord Has Done!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, acknowledging that while the Israelites initially marvelled at God"s miracles and His intervention during the Exodus, suggests that they had poor memories of His vast power. We must remember that we, individually, are rescued from our lifelong bondage to sin. In our case, God works behind the scenes. As our …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTrials are a means to produce spiritual growth, unless we resort to super-righteousness, straining to please God by exalting our works.
God Has the Last Word
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, referring to Jerusalem as Sodom and Egypt because of their perverse conduct, suggests that those of us living in modern Israel are living in spiritual Sodom and will be sorely tested in these last devastating times. We have to realize that in these terrible times, God has the last word. We need to realize the …
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though the way God exercises His sovereignty is inscrutable to us , calling the foolish to confound the wise, all He does fits perfectly into His plan.
Ping
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTed Bowling, acknowledging that faith is a foundation of our assurance in the reality of God, uses a submarine analogy with its sonar equipment to illustrate faith. The crew of the submarine must rely on the ping of a sonar signal to keep from crashing into underwater cliffs, trusting in a power they cannot see. God has given to …
How Much Does God Love You?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughI John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.
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.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that when God created Adam, He prepared only a foundation for mankind's eventual spiritual creation undertaken by the Second Adam. Spiritual creation requires much intense pressure and continual testing to determine character. Jesus went through this process first to provide us an example. We are to be …
Trials: Much Needed Experiences
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)God uses trials to test our hearts, but He never places a trial before us to tempt us. God uses trials we bring on ourselves to draw us closer to Him.
Psalms: Book One (Part Six)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPsalm 23 depicts the gratitude we should display from a sheep's point of view, as the animal boasts of blessings and marvels about the care of his Shepherd.
Are You Worthy of Your Calling?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins discusses the apostle Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians, a group of dispirited, despairing Christians who had been bombarded by false teachings that the Day of the Lord had already come, prompting many to quit their employment, rest on their laurels, and become busy-bodies, as well as leading the leaders to …
Our Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur hope is based on having a living Savior. At times we are discouraged and overwhelmed, but God has not left us—though unseen, He is in the trials with us.
The Providence of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh emphasizes that a spiritual Israelite, following Jacob's example, undergoes a metamorphosis in which his own stubborn, self-centered will is broken so that God's creative work can be completed within him. Abraham, whose very name connotes faithfulness, learned to work through fearful catch-22 dilemmas, walking by …
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are not individually sovereign, but we are taught to give ourselves over completely to God's sovereignty. If we do, we will reap unfathomable blessings.
Facing Times of Stress: Grieved by Various Trials
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, describing different reactions of certain substances to fire, uses this variation of reaction as a metaphor of our differing reactions to fiery trials. As Christians, we can be conditioned to rejoice in trials, paradoxically having joy in the midst of grief and heaviness. Trials come in great variety, from …
The Providence of God (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus and Abraham rose above their emotional pulls by exercising living faith—a faith built on acts of obedience. Faith can never be separated from works.
Hebrews (Part 14)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLike Jesus and other heroes of faith, we need to look beyond the present to the long term effects of the trials and tests we go though, seeing their value.
Ditching Tithing? Consider Carefully
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughIn tough financial times, some Christians reduce or cut out altogether God's tithe. They justify it with an excuse like, 'God wouldn't want me to starve!'
Building on a Perfect Foundation
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMany hear or read God's Word and think they believe. Jesus says that many say to Him, 'Lord, Lord,' as if in submission, but they never truly follow Him.
Facing Times of Stress: When God Is Silent (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsActs 27 teaches that we must distinguish among several types of suffering. Regardless of the type of suffering, we must remember that God will deliver us.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eleven): Paradox, Continued
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHard trials are not punishments from God for unrighteousness but tests of faith in which He is intimately involved to prepare us for the world to come.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, continuing his exposition on Ecclesiastes, focuses on three interrelated terms: paradox (something contrary to expectation), conundrum (a riddle), and wisdom (skill in arts, such as Bezalel and Oholiab who were gifted in a specific skill—or spiritual insight). We are called into the body of Christ gifted …
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe most formidable foe in our spiritual battle is the flesh. We must mortify, slay, and crucify the flesh, enduring suffering as Jesus Christ exemplified.
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.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that a life lived apart from God, under the sun, amounts to vanity and a fist full of wind. As we become aware of God's involvement in our lives, we begin to stand in awe of God, developing an appreciation for the proper investment of our time. 780 references to time recur through Scripture. Thousands …
Who Will Be Kept from the Hour of Trial?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod promises certain Christians that He will keep them from the Tribulation—the "hour of trial." Here are the characteristics of those whom God will protect.
Are You Sure You Believe in God? (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on Abraham's obedience to God, observes that character is determined by response to tests. Obedience and concrete works must follow and prove the existence of faith. Real saving faith is a gift from God, but we are obligated to walk by this faith, developing incremental levels of faith through …
Patiently Waiting for Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must develop an active, God-given restraint and constancy in endurance while facing trials and waiting for Christ's return, trusting that God will provide.
Amos (Part 12)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh warns that the pride of Jacob (or his offspring) coupled with the incredible ability to make tremendous technological advances, blinds Israel to its devastating moral deficit. Amos begins with a description or cataloging of the sins of Israel's enemies, followed by a harsh indictment of its own sins and a roar of …
Trumpets Is a Day of Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.
Are You Sure You Believe in God? (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBelief in God involves more than believing He exists, but in faithfully obeying what He asks us to do. Genuine faith gives us access to genuine power.
The Crown of Life
Article by Martin G. CollinsWe do not think much of crowns these days, but one awaits us if we continue in the faith! Martin Collins researches the kind of crown we will receive when we enter God's Kingdom.
Numbers: The Book of Judgment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that the difference between a pilgrim and a wanderer is that the pilgrim knows his destination. God wants our pilgrimage to be a direct route with very few excursions or side-trips to the world. The book of Numbers- a record of God's judgments, tests, and evaluations for ancient Israel, preparing them for …
Double Minded
Sermonette by James BeaubelleHalting between two opinions stalls a person's spiritual growth and degrades peace and joy, causing him to drift toward despair as trials and arise.
Abraham (Part 12)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughBased on his long friendship with God, Abraham could systematically calculate the reliability of God's promises even in the lack of visual evidence.
