Life Is Service (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough the American mindset does not feel inclined to serve, outgoing service to others yields the maximum joy and fulfillment one can possibly attain.
The Clear Light Of A God-Given Life
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler draws a powerful life lesson from the biographical film Claire—The Documentary of Claire Wineland. Claire was an inspirational speaker who suffered from cystic fibrosis from birth, dying from a stroke in September 11, 2018 following a lung transplant. From her valiant example, we learn that: (1.) God the …
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes is full of frustration, bluntness, and even a little hopeless. However, its themes are realistic and necessary for us to grasp.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod emphasizes Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles to show the result of doing whatever our human heart leads us to do. The physical cannot satisfy.
Vanity (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh explores the different nuances of this huge, sprawling negative concept, ranging from transitoriness, futility, profitlessness, confusion, falseness, conceit, vainglory, denial, and idolatry. Moses encapsulates the Old Testament's understanding of vanity, comparing the eternality of God to the brevity of man - a …
The Faithfulness of God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has a very real concern for us, promising to never leave us. We have to strongly believe in His faithfulness to build a relationship with Him.
Nothing Is More Important
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughMany of us have experienced an event that completely altered the direction we were heading. ...
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove for this world will inevitably bring disillusionment. Because the world is passing away, our priorities should be to fear God and keep his commandments.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Seven): Contentment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod desires far more for us than mere satisfaction: He wants to give us real contentment, a state that comes only through a relationship with Him.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Solomon's ruminations about life being seemingly futile and purposeless, reiterates that a relationship with God is the only factor which prevents life from becoming useless. As many celebrities and public figures withdraw to spend more time with families, so must we withdraw from the rat race of …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh maintains that Ecclesiastes 3:10-15 constitutes a useful roadmap for the confusing labyrinth of life. God's ways are inscrutable to most people; grasping these revelations requires a special gift. Unless God calls us and gifts us with this insight, we will have absolutely no clue as to our eventual purpose, …
Rejoice in What We Are
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh exhorts us to consider what God is working out in our lives. We usually tend to compare ourselves not with the majority of the world, who are worse off than we are, but with a set of high-achievers (such as the NASA astronauts who walked on the moon), possibly lusting after their property and attainment. We can …
The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJoy is more than just happiness. There is a joy that God gives, through the action of His Spirit in us, that far exceeds mere human cheerfulness.
Our Awesome Destiny
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh observes that without our special calling and the gift of God's Holy Spirit, we would be about as clueless as to the purpose of our life as Solomon was throughout Ecclesiastes. Understanding is totally different from knowledge. Some people with ample knowledge are incredibly stupid when discerning the plan of …
Called To Be Saints (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeOur calling to be a holy one - to be a saint - is our real vocation. We must continually evaluate everything through the lens of being set apart for holiness.
Letting Go (Part Two): Avoid the Void
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityJoe Baity, continuing his exposition on "Letting Go" suggests that the carnal man's mission statement appears in Genesis 11:4—let us make a name for ourselves, let us build ourselves a tower, defining our own destiny , imposing our will on everyone, including our own Creator. Mankind is solemnly warned in Romans …
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Six): Listening
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhen Solomon visits the Temple, he comes away with a sense that too many treat religion far too casually, forgetting that they are coming before God.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, cuing in on Deuteronomy 29:29 which teaches that the secret things belong to God, but that God reveals things needful to those He has called, suggests that this principle resonated throughout the entirety of Scripture. Clearly, God's purpose for mankind for the most part is a mystery, and has been revealed only …
Vanity (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn this conclusion to the two-part vanity series, John Ritenbaugh bridges the Old and New Testament understanding on this vast, sprawling subject. Solomon's statement that all of life is vanity (transitory, useless, and illusory) is only true if one is not privy to God's ultimate purpose for mankind. Paul describes what God is …
The Awesome Cost of Salvation
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.
Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.
Our Divine Destiny
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's called-ones have been given the ability to decipher the scattered concepts, revealing the purpose of their destiny throughout the Scriptures.
Our Awesome Destiny (2000)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asserts that what God's called-out ones have been given is rare in the annals of the history of all mankind, a kind of sacred secret into which one must be initiated in order to grasp, appreciate and make the right use of. Through a miraculous combination of knowledge plus the spirit of God, we realize that our …
The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.
The Seven Laws of Success
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletMen have searched for centuries for the keys to success in life. Many have found rules to live by to bring them physical wealth and well-being, but all of them have neglected the most important factor: God!
The Fear of God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.
Abraham (Part 8)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Fourteen): A Summary
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAlong with the central paradox of Ecclesiastes 7, the chapter emphasizes the importance of an individual's lifelong search for wisdom.
