How Human Nature Came to Be
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhy is human nature so corrupt? Why is it so widespread? How did it come to be? Did God create it this way?
Human Nature: Good or Evil?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProgressives tend to believe that human nature is perfectible and evolving. Conservatives tend to believe that human nature is evil and must be controlled.
Are Humans Good or Evil?
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughPhilosophy debates whether human beings are by nature good or evil, but the Bible is consistent—and perhaps surprising—in its description of man's nature.
Living by Faith: Human Pride
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur human nature is pure vanity with a heart that is desperately deceitful and wicked, motivated by self-centeredness, a deadly combination for producing sin.
Has Humanity Reached Total Depravity? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughPeople living after the Flood, up to today, have the same sinful nature. As much as evolutionists would like to argue the point, humanity has not improved.
Humanism's Flooding Influence (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that under the Obama administration (steeped in secular humanism), with its demonstrated hatred of the Declaration of Independence (declaring an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and our Constitution, has attempted to destroy our God-given rights and liberties. James …
Evil Is Real (Part Four)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughVanquish the sins at their point of origin—the human heart—and our deeds will be clean before God.
Communication and Coming Out of Babylon (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAll of us are influenced by the culture of the world, guided and inspired by the prince of the power of the air. Satan has deceived the whole world.
On Self-Righteousness
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughSelf-righteousness lies at the root of many other sins. Because we are self-centered, self-righteousness will follow as surely as water runs downhill.
Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur human nature reflects the nature of malevolent spirits' attitudes. The only way to overcome it is through God's creating a new heart in us by His Spirit.
Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJust as a dead person does no works, so a faith that does not include works is also dead. A person in whom living, saving faith exists will produce works.
God Works In Marvelous Ways (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's highest goal is not salvation, but sanctification into godly character, leading to membership in His family as co-rulers with Jesus Christ.
Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe are open to invisible communication from the spirit world—communication designed to conform us to the course of this world. Recognizing it is vital.
Philippians (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, pointing out the Apostle Paul's contention that any righteousness or morality attained by our own law keeping falls short of the righteousness required for salvation, asserts that only the righteousness of Christ attained through faith will pass muster. Unlike man's limiting, myopic, self-centered righteousness, …
Preventing the Warfare State
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan has taught mankind the craft of war between nations, within families, in politics, and in sports. We must resist being dragged into partisan battles.
Some Things in Common
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the proclivity of standard, carnal human nature installed in every human being, regardless of social class, ethnic group, gender, race, etc., provides an insight as to why revolutions hardly ever succeed. When the so-called 'downtrodden' underclass gets the upper hand, they become a clone of the …
Evil Is Real (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe fight Satan by defending our ground, and we accomplish this by avoiding temptation, doing good as we are able, and overcoming the evils within.
Original Sin and Holiness
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod gave Adam and Eve a neutral spirit and free moral agency; they chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, predisposing their offspring to sin.
Conviction to Godly Righteousness
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughReal repentance and conviction of righteousness should dramatically augment prayer, study, meditation, but most importantly, how we live our lives.
Preparing To Rule
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reminding us that God has chosen the weak and base things to confound the wise (I Corinthians 1:26), suggests that many of those currently holding governmental power are exponentially wiser than God's called-out ones in terms of technological expertise. Yet, they are total failures when it comes to stopping …
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Seven): The Sin and Trespass Offerings
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSin and human nature affect everyone in society—from king to commoner—but God has covered sin from every angle in the sacrifice of His Son, fulfilling Leviticus 4-5.
The Fruit of the Spirit
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible frequently uses the symbol of fruit. Here is an in-depth look at what it means to bear fruit, and the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
Sin (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough influenced by Satan and the world, sin is still a personal choice. Christ's sacrifice and God's Spirit provide our only defense against its pulls.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur sinful nature drives us to disobey God's laws, just as Adam and Eve transgressed by choosing the way of death. Such choices have made this evil world.
Resistance (Part Two): Solutions
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh continues his exposé of artistic and spiritual resistance, an analogy derived from Stephen Pressfield's The War of Art, a manual designed to overcome artistic resistance and many forms of self-sabotage. The core of self-sabotage is our carnal human nature, which absolutely abhors any change which leads to …
Resistance (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, drawing a powerful analogy from a book by Dorthea Brand, focusing upon strategies to defeat writer's block and self-imposed creative sabotage experienced by every major writer, applies these insights to spiritual self-sabotage, namely resistance (which is ground zero of our carnal human nature.) As writers …
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle John warns us to be vigilant about the world, not loving its attitudes, mindsets, and frame of mind. We cannot both love the world and love God.
Elements of Motivation (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEternal life, emphasizing a special intimate relationship with God the Father and Christ, is vastly different from immortality, connoting only endless existence.
Satan (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spirit in man is initially good, but capable of being influenced by the spirit of this world, and surcharged with Satan's negative attitudes.