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God the Father (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Scriptures reveal God in terms of a family relationship, where God the Father and Jesus the Son comprise the God Family. Christ is not only the Son of God, but He is also God, a member of this divine family. The relationship between the Father and the Son is one of perfect unison, marked by mutual love and confidence. The Father testifies of the Son, declaring Him as His beloved, and entrusts Him with authority and power, as seen when the Father sent the Son into the world to carry out His will. Jesus Christ emphasizes the intimate bond with the Father, stating that He and the Father are one, reflecting the Father's glory and being the exact image of His person. The Father's love for the Son is evident in commanding Him to lay down His life and take it up again, showcasing a divine plan executed with unity and purpose. This relationship extends to humanity, as through Christ, individuals can also know God as their Father, entering into a personal and intimate connection with Him. The Father's love and care are not limited to Christ or His disciples but encompass all of humanity as potential heirs of His kingdom. Even those who turn away remain objects of His fatherly concern, as He provides for all, just and unjust alike. Through faith in Christ, individuals become sons of God, adopted into His family by His Spirit, sharing in the inheritance and glory with Christ. This adoption transforms strangers into children under His protection, bound by love and obedience to reflect the Father's perfection.
God Is . . . What?
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughGod reveals Himself as a Family consisting of more than one divine Personality who share the same nature yet function as distinct individuals in complete harmony. The Hebrew term elohim, the first name of God in Scripture, appears in plural form while governing singular verbs, indicating a uniplural body or class of mighty ones. This usage parallels other biblical applications of the word to groups such as angels and judges, each comprising multiple members of one kind. Genesis presents elohim employing plural pronouns when declaring the creation of humanity in Their image and likeness, establishing an early indication of plurality within unity. Jesus consistently addressed the supreme Member as Father while identifying Himself as the Son, and both He and the apostles extended family language to those led by the Spirit of God, calling them sons, children, brothers, and sisters. Ephesians summarizes the reality by naming the Father as the source from whom the whole family in heaven and earth derives its name, confirming that a divine Family already exists and that converted humans on earth already belong to it in prospect. John's Gospel opens by presenting two eternal Beings, the Word and the one called God, working together in creation, with the Word later becoming Jesus Christ. Throughout the New Testament these two remain distinguishable in will, authority, and activity—the Father sending, authorizing, and resurrecting; the Son submitting, obeying, and mediating—yet they are one in mind and purpose. The physical family serves as the divinely chosen parallel for this spiritual reality, demonstrating that multiple distinct personalities can share one essence without losing individuality. The same oneness that exists between the Father and the Son becomes the pattern and goal for redeemed humanity. Jesus prays that His followers may be one with Them exactly as They are one, entering the Family as additional children who retain personal identity while partaking of the divine nature. This revelation of God as an expanding Family constitutes the central purpose declared throughout Scripture: to bring many sons to glory and thereby fulfill the plan of reproducing the divine kind.
For Love of Family
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloGod's saints, as both kings and priests, will both teach God's law as well as maintain civic governmental functions, needing to exercise patience.
Is God's Way Simple?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJust because something is simple does not make it true and just because something is complex does not make it false. Deeper knowledge often comes with complexity.
The Priesthood of God (Part Ten) Conclusion
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As future priests, we are going to be given rigorous, hands-on jobs to teach people righteousness and holiness, distinguishing between the sacred and profane.
Our Father
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidEmotional and spiritual well-being of children improves when fathers fulfill their role. People from dysfunctional families have a skewed image of God.
Two Contrary Visions
Sermon by John O. ReidGod has a vision for us, a vision He has been planning from the foundation of creation, an awesome plan to bring us into His very family, giving us His mind.
Who Do You Trust? (Part Three)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe corruption of sin was brought on the world through the rebellion of Satan and his fallen angels, an event which took place between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Six)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAmerican culture is in obvious decline, and it is undoubtedly linked to the fact that mainstream Christianity is bereft of moral leadership.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs we participate in the New Covenant, we go through the stages of justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification as part of Christ's body.
We Stick Together
Sermon by Mark SchindlerChrist's final marching orders to His disciples was that they love one another, sacrificially sticking together in service to one another.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We do not need to excessively fear Satan, his demons, or the world, but we should fear and respect the One who has complete involvement in our lives.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's Spirit is the essence of His mind rather than a third person. With this Spirit, God opens our minds, dwells in us, and transfers His nature to us.
What Is Your Calling Worth?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughGod specifically chooses those He wants to be part of Christ's Body according to his purpose. It is a holy calling according to His purpose and grace.
Assurance (Part Two): Of the Path to Glory
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can be assured that we are God's heirs and offspring if we are led by the spirit, remaining on the sanctified path of fellowship, growing continually.