Control and Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughParadoxically, when we yield to God's sovereignty, He wants to cede control over to us, teaching us to develop self-control as an ingrained habit.
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.
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.
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe apostle Paul endured tremendous hardship, and his example teaches us that we have the ability—and even responsibility—to choose how we let our circumstances affect us. Paul had to decide whether to let his circumstances weigh him down or to rise above them so God could use him. ...
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.
Building Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureRyan McClure, reflecting on the oft-repeated Rodney King quotation, "Can we all get along?" asks us how we are doing with our relationships, dealing with people with whom we find it difficult to get along. The Scriptures provide many examples of how difficult relationships were dealt with by humility, deference, and …
What Makes Generation "Me" Tick?
Commentary by David F. MaasDavid Maas provides statistical evidence that, over the past six decades (from the Boomer Generation to the millennial and post millennial generations), individuals have grown more narcissistic, entitled and miserable. According to Twenge and Campbell, the excessive self-esteem programs introduced by the Boomers in the 1960s …
The Elijah Syndrome
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeElijah 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.
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.
Doorway to the Kingdom
Sermonette by Bill OnisickAny time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Me, Myself, and You
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityJoe Baity, reflecting on the seeming Narcissistic Zeitgeist displayed by our generation, promoting self-gratification, self-realization, and self-indulgence, with a plethora of self-help books promoting elevating self interest above others, cautions that this approach damages both our relationship with God and our relationships …
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 Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn this sermon on the deadly consequences of pride, John Ritenbaugh warns that pride elevates one above God, denigrating any dependence upon God, replacing it with insidious self-idolatry. Pride is entirely about disrespect (of God, other people, traditions, policies, etc.) to get for oneself what one wants. Pride produces an …
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.
Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, acknowledging that Americans have a reputation for kindness warns that we are likely more and more to see a dark underside of America, where hardness of heart supplants kindness. In this milieu, chesed (covenant loyalty and mercy, or showing loving kindness to the most aggravating sinner) cannot exist. David …
Back to Life (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSickness and hardship should not erode our faith in God's ultimately favorable purpose for us. A current trial may serve as a witness for the good of others.
