The Meaning of the Offering
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughThe New Covenant sacrifices are far more demanding than the Old Covenant sacrifices. But there are poignant lessons to be learned from animal sacrifices.
Quality Holy Day Offerings
Article by StaffWe tend to forget how different holy days offerings were under the Old Covenant. However, the important part of giving offerings remains the same.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Four): The Peace Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace (or thank) offering was the most commonly given in ancient Israel. It pictures God, the priest, and the offerer in satisfying fellowship.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace offering teaches many things, but one of its main symbols is fellowship. Our communion with the Father and the Son obligates us to pursue peace.
Pentecost, Consistency, and Honesty
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHow does one count to Pentecost when Passover falls on a weekly Sabbath? If we are consistent and honest with the Scriptures, the solution is clear.
Pentecost Revisited (Part Two): Joshua 5
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJoshua 5 makes no mention of a harvest, an altar, a priest, the waving of the sheaf, or the offerings God commanded to accompany the waving of the sheaf.
Cain's Assumption (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Bible does not explicitly reveal what prompted Cain's actions, but there is a possibility that is worth considering as to why he acted as he did.
Wavesheaf Requirements and Joshua 5
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf Israel had offered a foreigner's grain, it would have violated Leviticus 22:25. The conditions for a wave sheaf offering were not right until Joshua 22.
Do Little Things Not Count?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who ignore the clear biblical instructions for the wavesheaf offering with its unambiguous prohibitions risk the displeasure and judgment of God.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion over time of Passover, the wavesheaf offering, and Pentecost results from making assumptions unwarranted by clear scriptural evidence.
Holy for the Lord
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting on the foulest smelling item on the earth, namely the Titan Arum flower, emitting the odor of rotting flesh, contrasts it with the wonderful aromas recorded in scripture, sweet aromas from burnt offerings, fragrant incense, symbolic of prayers. If the Israelites were to use this incense for profane or …
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod gives conditions for acceptable sacrifices and offerings, differentiating the holy and authentic from the defiled, unclean and strange.
Keep It Clean
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting upon the Middle East connotations casting disdain upon dogs, points out that the grounds of comparison may be their inclination to be sneaky, groveling scavengers feeding on the refuse of humanity, including human flesh. God's Word describes the ritual harlot and the sodomite as disgusting, vile dogs …
Grace, Faith, and Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh observes that although each of God's festivals depicts increasingly larger numbers of people being drawn to God, the counter pulls emanating from sinful carnal human nature war against the prompts of God's Holy Spirit, producing continual conflict. Choosing between these two opposite poles is something we have to …
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe bronze altar, made with the censers from the rebels, was a reminder of the folly of rebelling against holy things, replacing God's standards with human ones.
Iron Sharpens Iron (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Ryan McClureHow do we 'sharpen' another's countenance? Most importantly, the imagery implies proximity, closeness. Nothing can be sharpened unless there is contact.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor His Own reasons, God has chosen not to reveal His plan to those the world considers wise, but, instead, to work with the weaker sort of mankind.
Amos 5 and the Feast
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJust because we keep God's feasts does not necessarily mean we are in sync with God's Law or intent. The Israelites kept the feasts in a carnal manner.