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Letters to Seven Churches (Part Two): Ephesus

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Ephesus church effectively battled various heresies, for which Christ commends it. However, the members lost sight of the reason, having left their first love.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Eight): Overcoming

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Each of the letters in Revelation 2 and 3 speak of overcoming. By examining those churches, we can understand what we are up against and what we must do.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Seven): Repentance

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As High Priest, Christ is putting His people through the paces, tailoring the trials and experiences needed for sanctification and ultimate glorification.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Three): Smyrna

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ prepared the members of Smyrna for martyrdom, promising them eternal glory for enduring a relatively short time, looking at things from a hopeful perspective.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Four): Pergamos

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Cultural compromise, such as found in Pergamos, brings judgment from Jesus. To those who refuse to compromise their convictions, Christ promises eternal life.


How to Know We Love Christ

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot become weary of well-doing, allowing our first love to deteriorate, looking to the world for satisfaction. Here are 8 tests of our love for Christ.


The Seven Churches (Part One): Overview

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Revelation's seven churches have intrigued readers for centuries. Were they just seven historical churches, eras, or attitudes ever-present in the church?


Grace, Mercy, and Favor (Part Four): Favor to Live as God Lives

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We earn God's favor by obedience; there is a direct tie between submission to His will and His favor. The more one submits, the more favor and grace accrues.


A Truth About Revelation 2 and 3

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In the Day of the Lord, Christ stands in the midst of all seven churches. We are to learn from the lessons from all seven, not get sidetracked by eras.


First Love (Part Two)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Christ's reprimand of the Ephesian church, "You have left your first love," seems odd being said to a church that appeared so busy doing God's will.


First Love (Part One)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

A Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. A decline similar to the Ephesians' loss of their first love affected the first-century church.


He Who Overcomes

Sermon by John O. Reid

Just as fighting to escape its cocoon strengthens the butterfly, our calling requires effort above what the world has to endure to become free of Satan's cocoon.


The Times They Are a-Changin'

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Bob Dylan's lyrics in 'The Times They Are A-changin' seem prescient; within a few years of Herbert Armstrong's death, heresies were imported into the church.


We Still Need a Sense of Urgency

Sermon by Kim Myers

God's selecting a particular candidate does not necessarily mean He has given America a reprieve from the results of her sins. We still need a sense of urgency.


Cloak of Zeal

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Zeal is characterized as ardent, passionate, energetic, or being on fire. Jesus Christ exemplified this kind of zeal as He drove the moneychangers from the Temple.


Blessing Promises: Our Spiritual Inheritance

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When we ask to be blessed, it should be exclusively on God's terms. What God has done in our lives is the best preparation for our future responsibilities.


A Swift End

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When the end-time signs begin to be fulfilled, the time for long-term spiritual growth will be over. So Jesus commands us, 'Therefore you also be ready.'


I Know Your Works

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Contrary to Protestant understanding, our works emphatically do count - showing or demonstrating (not just telling) that we will be obedient.


Do The First Works

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We also need to return to our first love and diligently do the first works, including fellowship, continuing in the doctrine, and doing things properly.


But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

'Prophecy Watch' by David F. Maas

In the letters to the seven churches, Scripture foresees that a dearth of steadfastness marks the time of the end, but Christians are urged to hold fast.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.


Recapture Your First Love!

Article by John O. Reid

First love is the purest kind of spiritual love we as humans can demonstrate. It is a love that truly shows one's heart is completely given to God.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Seven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The letters to the seven churches of Revelation warn of losing our first love, heeding false teachers, compromising God's Truth, and forgetting right doctrine.


Keeping Love Alive (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Works demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.


Who Will Be Kept from the Hour of Trial?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

God promises some Christians that He will keep them from the Tribulation, the 'hour of trial.' Here are the characteristics of those whom God will protect.


Revelation 2-3 and Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.


The Providence of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God uses calamities as part of His creative process. Like Jacob, who initially succumbed to weak faith and fear, we must repent of our loss of devotion to God.


The Importance of Follow-Through

Article by David F. Maas

Just as important as follow-through is in an athletic motion, its spiritual counterpart is vital to our life in Jesus Christ.


Caught in a Blizzard?

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We are being exposed to a spiritual blizzard, bringing darkness and coldness into the entire world. We are admonished to stoke the fire of God's Holy Spirit.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.


What Are You Leaving?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Ephesians had a strong sense of duty and served as a vanguard in the battle against false doctrines. What was lacking was devotion to Christ.