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Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Three): Attitude
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIndividuals and organizations alike can become stalled through excessive self-focus, growing bloated, complacent, and unresponsive to needed change. This inward orientation produces tunnel vision, inefficiency, and an unwillingness to adapt, resulting in lost effectiveness and stagnation. In Job's case, this pattern emerged during his suffering as his attention turned inward, fixating on his own pain, questions, and perceived mistreatment rather than on God's purposes. He began to view himself as an equal to God, demanding an explanation for his trial and accusing God of cruelty and injustice. This self-vindicating attitude led him to justify himself instead of God, multiplying words that reflected pride and a demand for personal vindication. Elihu identified the core issue as Job elevating his own righteousness above God's, speaking without knowledge and adding rebellion through self-centered complaints. God reinforced this diagnosis by confronting Job's presumption, showing that his limited perspective had obscured divine wisdom and that true understanding requires shifting attention from self to the Creator's majesty and justice. The material connects this self-focus to the broader call for spiritual growth, emphasizing that maturity comes through prioritizing God's glory and love first, acknowledging human limitation, and practicing humility. Only by turning outward from self can one move beyond partial knowledge toward the character God intends.
Self-Examination, Not Self-Preoccupation
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThere is a critical difference between self-examination and self-preoccupation. We must accurately assess our spiritual state without becoming self-absorbed.
Control and Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe material develops the idea of self-focus through a contrast between the carnal drive for external control and the Christian emphasis on rigorous self-mastery. Worldly attitudes fixate on controlling circumstances, people, and outcomes to secure personal advantage, as illustrated by advocates of driverless cars who seek to remove human agency through hardware and software, politicians who impose regulations to eliminate private vehicle operation, and individuals labeled controllers or narcissists who crave power over others. This self-focused pursuit stems from selfish ambition and conceit, leading to conflicts over authority and an illusion of security that ultimately fails amid unpredictable variables. In opposition, Scripture redirects focus inward, urging believers to exercise dominion through self-restraint rather than domination. From Genesis onward, God grants humanity oversight of creation but requires it to be exercised with care, dressing, and keeping rather than exploitation. Jesus explicitly rejects Gentile patterns of lording authority, modeling instead the role of a servant who relinquishes reputation and yields to the Father's will. Paul reinforces this by calling disciples to adopt Christ's mind of humility, obedience to the point of death, and esteem for others above self. The Greek term enkrateia captures this self-control as temperate mastery over impulses, exemplified in athletic discipline and commanded as a fruit of the Spirit. Peter and John further link it to overcoming the world through faith, love, and commandment-keeping, guarding oneself so that sin finds no foothold. Christ's own conduct on the Passover night demonstrates the pinnacle: despite extreme distress, betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, He maintained perfect composure, healing an enemy, committing Himself to righteous judgment, and refusing any concession to fleshly reasoning. This self-focus equips believers to put off the corrupt old man and put on the new, enabling them to remain steadfast while the surrounding world spirals into greater external control.
Don't Lose Your Focus!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul urged that we get our focus more balanced, emphasizing love over prophetic correctness, not remaining indifferent to what Christ deemed important.
The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWhen things go wrong, an improperly rooted person becomes hard and cynical. This disillusionment happens if our hope or trust are in the wrong place.
Doorway to the Kingdom
Sermonette byAny time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.
The Elijah Syndrome (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod taught Elijah that He is not in excessive displays of power or showy miracles when a voice will suffice.
Building Relationships
Sermonette byThe Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, longsuffering, and prayer.
What Makes Generation "Me" Tick?
Commentary by David F. MaasOver the past six decades (from the Boomer Generation to the Millennial generation), individuals have grown more narcissistic, entitled and miserable.
Flourishing
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamPsalm 92 teaches that we can compare the unique characteristics of the palm and cedar trees to righteous members of God's church.
The Problem with Pride
Sermon by Ryan McClureLiving by 'No pride, no problem' eliminates the grief associated with placing our desires over God's will for us when facing demotions or loss of status.
Unlovable
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityIf God's people do not believe they are lovable, they may deprive others of a blessing by refusing to accept charitable help from a spiritual sibling.
Psalms: Book Four: All His Benefits
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll that we have has come from others, especially God. The Day of Atonement points out how needy and dependent on God we are; fasting shows our frailty.
Whatsoever Your Heart Desires
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerWe must not construe the term, "whatever our heart desires," as a pass to sin, but we should use every occasion to grow in thinking and acting like God.
Human Will
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's children should never emulate the self-willed attitude Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" glorifies. Human nature and godly character are polar opposites.
Baruch's Complaint (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerJeremiah and his scribe, Baruch, lived during a time of great upheaval. Baruch complained that God's plans against Judah were crimping his own ambitions.
The Elijah Syndrome
Sermonette byElijah fell into a dilemma of either fearing God or fearing man, and ended up fearing Jezebel rather than God, thinking he was alone in his zeal for God.
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe apostle Paul endured tremendous hardship, and his example teaches that we have the ability and responsibility to choose how we let circumstances affect us.
Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by StaffJames' exhortation about the use of the tongue seems to stop with James 3:12. However, the rest of the chapter provides more wisdom on controlling our speech.
The Elijah Syndrome (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThough God worked through Elijah in ways that are almost without comparison, God also left a record of a low point in the prophet's life as a lesson for us.
WHAT?! Me Submit to Someone Else?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSubmitting is repugnant to the carnal mind. The church is no place for uncompromising people who demand their own way.
The Feast Is Coming!
CGG Weekly by John O. ReidWhat should we have on our minds as we prepare to go to the Feast of Tabernacles this year? What overall message does keeping this festival teach us?
Me, Myself, and You
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThis generation promotes self-gratification, self-realization, and self-indulgence, with a plethora of self-help books elevating self interest above others.
Overcoming Discouragement and Depression
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven loyal servants of God have had to contend with depression and discouragement. Antidotes include rest, refocus, right expectations, and obedient actions.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride elevates one above God, denigrating any dependence upon God, replacing it with self-idolatry. We ought to boast or glory in the Lord instead of ourselves.
It's Enough! Now, Lord, Take My Life!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGreat luminaries of faith all wrestled with devastating despair. We must face depression with honesty, compassion, and unwavering trust in God.
Antidote For Disunity!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe will become united as we draw closer to God. If we regard a brother in Christ as a competitor rather than as a trusted ally, unity will be impossible.
What's in It for Me?
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerBecause seed-bearing designates fruit that is good for food, it is possible that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not seed-bearing.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout thanksgiving and praise, our prayers degenerate into the 'gimmes' with the emphasis on the self. We must give God thoughtful thanks in every circumstance.
Lonely, But Not Forsaken
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven Jesus had to cope with feelings of anxiety and loneliness in Gethsemane before His crucifixion, a time when He experienced separation from His Father.
Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth Ruth and Naomi demonstrated covenant loyalty in this marriages long after the death of their spouses. Ruth faithfully continued to serve her mother-in-law.