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Israelite Soap Opera
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughThe story of King David would make a great Israelite soap opera, replete with rags to riches success, intrigue, sensuality, violence, and suspense.
Bitterness Can Kill
Sermon by Mike FordAhithophel serves as a poignant example that we must not permit bitterness to undermine our faith that the sovereign God is able to bring justice.
Three Missing Kings (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ's genealogy in Matthew's gospel leaves out three kings. But which ones are excluded, and what does their absence teach us?
Psalm 55
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughPsalm 55 shows how a righteous man deals with treachery and betrayal. When we are faced with horrendous problems such as betrayal, escape is not an option.
Christ's Female Ancestors
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLuke records four female ancestors of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Three out of the four were Gentiles and 3/4 also had glaring sexual problems
Psalm 51 (Part One): Background
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDavid's power and assumption of immunity led to arrogance, complacency, and a total disregard for God's commands, bringing an unpleasant visit from Nathan.
Where is Beauty?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughGod has created beauty in function. The beauty in physical creation is a mere shadow of what God sees in our potential as future members of His family.
Why Three Kings Are Missing From Matthew 1
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJoash, Amaziah, and Uzziah are kept out of Christ's genealogy. Although they started out well, their hearts were turned away by the end of their lives.
Character Matters
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnlike America's presidents, in God's kingdom only those who have God's approval, those who have developed iron-clad character, will be qualified to rule.
Ephraim and Manasseh: Half-Egyptians?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughWith God, racial identity and racial 'purity' are not the top priority. If we focus upon spiritual Israel rather than the race, this issue should not matter.
Matthew (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughMatthew wrote his account with the Jews in mind, repeatedly saying, 'This was done to fulfill the prophets,' emphasizing the law and the Kingdom of God.
The Great Flood (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis 6:1-4 summarize what led to God's rejection of the pre-flood civilization: men chose wives solely on the basis of sex appeal and external beauty.
Decide Now How You Will Respond!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's chosen saints should realize that while Satan designs temptations to exploit human weakness, Almighty God allows trials to perfect faith and prove loyalty. Consequently, every temptation provides a choice between life or death, blessing or curse. In James 1:13-15, we learn that dealing with temptation is a process, beginning with raw desire, resulting either in resistance and growth or in sin and death. God sets limits on the work of Satan, the accuser, as seen in the positive conclusion of Job's trials. We see a massive contrast between Adam and Eve's failure and Christ's victory. While Eve gave in to the lust of the eyes, Jesus overcame Satan's threefold test—hunger, faith, and power by prayer, fasting, God's Spirit, and Scripture, proving that yielding to legitimate desires becomes sin if pursued outside the will of Almighty God. While temptation is universal, it is not irresistible; no one is ever forced to yield. Furthermore, God promises to provide strength and a way to escape (I Corinthians 10:13). While society excuses sin as weakness or disease, Scripture contends that responsibility rests on the individual. Scripture provides examples of both failure and faithfulness. Failures include Lot, Achan, the rich young ruler (overtaken by greed and materialism), Saul, Absalom, Herod (overtaken by ambition), Peter (overtaken by self-preservation), and Israel (by idolatry). But victories include Job's endurance, Joseph's purity, David's restraint, and Christ's resistance. Temptation reveals whether our hearts will trust God or surrender to selfish desires. We can resist temptation only through deliberate preparation, guarding our hearts, setting boundaries, relying on God's spirit, and clinging to His Word. With God's strength, His chosen saints can endure, resist, and gain eternal life.
Honoring Mom
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTruly, a mother's love knows no bounds. The special bond between mothers and their children provides an insight as to how Jesus Christ loves us.
Modesty (Part Two): Put On Righteousness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe immodesty of current fashion exposes the nakedness of our children as though they were prostitutes. Swimsuits have evolved into 'legalized' nakedness.