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.
Vanity (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVanity has many nuances, including transitoriness, futility, profitlessness, confusion, falseness, conceit, vainglory, denial, and idolatry.
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.
Nothing Is More Important
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughGod is not hiding; mankind is ignoring. Man's disregard is largely a deliberate choice, driven by skewed priorities that place no value on a relationship with God.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSolomon ruminates about life being seemingly futile and purposeless. A relationship with God is the only factor which prevents life from becoming useless.
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.
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.
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, …
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. RitenbaughUnderstanding is totally different from knowledge. Some people with ample knowledge are incredibly ignorant when discerning the plan of God.
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.
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.
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 …
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 …
Vanity (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSolomon's statement that all of life is vanity is only true if one is not privy to God's ultimate purpose for mankind. Paul describes what God is doing.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Deuteronomy is addressed to the Israel of God, a group of God's called out ones who have been convicted that the Law has not been done away.
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.
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.
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.
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 Handwriting Is on the Wall (1994)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWithout God's Spirit, mankind is guided by another spirit, leading to destructive consequences, made all the more menacing by increased technological capabilities.
The Seven Laws of Success
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletWHY are only the very few—women as well as men—successful in life? Just what is success? Here is the surprising answer to life's most difficult problem.
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 …
Our Awesome Destiny (1993)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on man's ultimate destiny to have dominion over the entire universe, admonishes that preparation for this awesome responsibility requires faithful stewardship over the things God has entrusted to us (our bodies, families, possessions, etc.)—dressing, keeping, and maintaining those things, …
Abraham (Part Eight)
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.
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.