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In the Wake of an Unnatural Disaster (Part Three)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Satan has been so successful that we are living in the midst of a culture in which the vast majority are unable to critically appraise ideas.
The Pure in Heart
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is the core of our heart that must be cleansed before we can have a pure heart, enabling us to see God as He is.
Guarding Our Vulnerable Hearts
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaSome scholars hold that none of the words denoting rebellion are used in Jeremiah 17:9, but instead it means the heart is vulnerable and easily deceived.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Seven): The Sin and Trespass Offerings
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSin and human nature affect everyone in society—from king to commoner—but God has covered sin from every angle in the sacrifice of His Son, fulfilling Leviticus 4-5.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
Purifying the Heart
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus advises a repentant Christian to attack sexual sin at its starting point, making it less about sinful acts than about an immoral way of thinking.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eight): Death
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 7:1-4 highlight the Bible's attitude toward death, particularly its insistence that we allow the reality of death to change our approach to life.
God is the Strength of My Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOnly by combining the head, heart, and will can we attain full growth and maturity, godly character, and a mirror image of Jesus Christ.
Where Is Your Heart?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhat is truly important to us? What do we really need versus what do we merely want? Where are our hearts?
Keep Your Heart With All Diligence!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist does not remove His people's trials, but He provides help for those going through them, using the cleansing power of the trial to heal their minds.
Obeying From the Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFailure to obey from the heart, and not having an accurate picture or appraisal of God, is the chief contributory cause of spiritual depression.
Our Hidden Enemy
CGG Weekly by John O. ReidA terrible, corrupt enemy lurks within us, poised to bring disaster on us if we allow it. It is the human heart, which God calls 'desperately wicked.'
Defining the Human Mind
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The Hebrews used metaphorical extensions such as the terms 'heart' and 'head' to refer to the repositories of the breath of life given to the human soul.
Controlling Our Thoughts
CGG Weekly by Gary MontgomeryIf we desire to live as Christ does, we need to seize control of our thoughts. We can use these three things to help us do this.
Sin
Sermonette by James BeaubelleOur carnal nature will always deceive the self, convincing us that our behavior is not so bad, but Paul realized the addictive, toxic nature of sin.
Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur human nature reflects the nature of malevolent spirits' attitudes. The only way to overcome it is through God's creating a new heart in us by His Spirit.
Who Is Responsible For Sin?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThough Satan influences, the choices an individual make are totally his own, even for those without God's Spirit. We sin when we are drawn away by our own desires.
As a Man Thinks
CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea'You are what you eat' is a common expression, yet Jesus teaches that actually we are what we think. Even so, we are not always what we think we are.
Handpicked By God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersGod handpicked us for a specific purpose, just as He did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Noah. God also handpicked second-generation Church members.
Evil Desires
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaAll the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.
Conquering Temptation: Learn from Jesus Christ
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsA Christian must face temptation in this world. Our Savior wants us to overcome or conquer it, and He shows us how by His example when Satan tempted Him.
Principled Living (Part Two): Conquering Sin
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist warns that we must do everything possible to annihilate sin - surgically going right to the heart or mind: the level of thought and imagination.
The Christian and the World (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe prince of the power of the air is responsible for influencing the zeitgeist (dominant mindset of the time), pulling us away from God and His law.
The Tenth Commandment (1998)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOne commentator said all public crime would cease if this one law was kept. Another said every sin against one's neighbor springs from breaking this commandment.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Israel's trek was not only a physical journey, but a mental wandering caused by rejecting God's leadership. The potential to sin is a test of resolve.
Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part Two)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Human will is not sovereign in the body, but is just another servant, functioning according to the information it receives. We choose according to desires.
God, Satan, and David's Numbering of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeAn apparent contradiction exists between I Chronicles 21:1 stating that Satan moved David to take the census while I Samuel 21:1 claims that he did not. The contradiction is resolved by the understanding that God uses Satan to accomplish His purposes, as is demonstrated in the book of Job, as well the account of King Ahab. …
Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, Pride of Life
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe half-time show of the recent Superbowl exemplifies the lust of the flesh and the eyes, and the pride of life. Each choice we make changes our brains.
Unsheathe Your Sword! (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsGod promises the overcomer, victor, or conqueror the status of son of God. To accomplish this, we must use our sword, God's Word, to vanquish the foe.
Overcoming Hypocrisy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWe are continually in danger of being deceived by our carnal nature, a nature which distracts us from following God, even though we go through the motions.
Original Sin and Holiness
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God gave Adam and Eve a neutral spirit and free moral agency; they chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, predisposing their offspring to sin.
Avoiding the Ruts of Our Carnal Mind
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Bill OnisickIf we could see the traffic of our perpetually wandering minds, we would be embarrassed as to how often it strays from God's thoughts and His laws.
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe globalist enemies of language, borders, and culture have made themselves enemies of the will of God, who set up boundaries for all the children of Adam.
A Pure Language
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWe don't need to be experts in Hebrew or use Hebrew names to call on the name of the Lord, nor is Hebrew sacred. Pure language comes from an undefiled heart.
The Tenth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEveryone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.
Is God in All Our Thoughts?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's mysteries have been in plain sight from the beginning of time, but carnality has obscured them from mankind.
Remaining Unleavened
Article by John O. ReidWe tend to put matters behind us once we are finished with them, but we cannot afford to do this with the lessons we learn from the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Our Battle Against Evil Programming!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMilitary strategists have desensitized people to accept killing as normal and acceptable, even as Video games condition people to enjoy killing.
Dancing With the Devil's World
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Unlike most Millennials, obsessed with acceptance by their peers, Jesus did not mind being a loner because He loved the things His Father taught.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.
Think on These Things (2018)
Sermonette by James BeaubelleOur annual, self-inflicted review of self can be humbling and even painful. We have a measure of control over our carnality which those in the world lack.
What Is the Prophesied 'Pure Language'? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeZephaniah 3 foretells of a "pure language," by which people may call on the name of the Lord. Many believe it will be Hebrew, but the Scriptures reveal more.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBoth food and information are readily available in the West. What is our approach to them? Our attitude toward and application of them makes all the difference.
Values and Conversion
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRepentance involves incorporating God's values, alien to our human nature—ones that will unify us with God and with others who accept His value system.