'I Want To Be First'
CGG Weekly by Ronny H. GrahamSatan challenged God because he wanted to be first. God, on the other hand, competes with no one. Nor does He desire us to compete with each other.
The Jealousy of God
'Ready Answer' by Ronny H. GrahamDeuteronomy 4:24 may strike an astute reader as somewhat controversial, if not contradictory. How can our holy and perfect God be jealous? Knowing that the Bible is consistent in its revelation of God, Ronny Graham reasons that since God's Word is not at fault, it is our limited understanding of godly jealousy that must be …
Satan, Division, and Humility
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCompetition is the root cause of war, business takeovers, and marital discord. Solomon describes man's rivalry with one another as a striving after wind.
Overcoming Satan's Competitive Spirit
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, reflecting on some bizarre psychological and physiological reactions experienced by many sports fanatics, warns us that the competitive spirit to dominate and crush the competitor, not confined to athletic contests, militates against God's mandate that we esteem others over ourselves. The exalting of self and of …
The Pursuit of Excellence (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaExcellence is greatly emphasized in athletics and in the business world. Yet none of the excellence sought after today is what Christians are to seek.
All About Edom (Part One)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe twin sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob, are a classic model of sibling rivalry, and their contentious relationship has had a tremendous impact on history.
Differences of Opinion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, referencing the scriptural teaching that God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33), asserts that the breaking of God's law has brought the curses of Deuteronomy 28 onto the offspring of Jacob. Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), champions self-opinion and mob behavior. From the very beginning, …
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Five): Comparisons
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSolomon provides these comparisons to indicate the choices we should make to live better lives in alignment with God, even in an 'nder the sun' world.
Hannah's Thanksgiving
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughHannah gave up the very thing she asked for. Her willingness to give God her most precious possession stands on par with Abraham's renowned sacrifice of Isaac.
Unity (2006)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the symphony orchestra, only as an instrumentalist submits to the leader, working with the other members of the ensemble, can unity be accomplished.
Joseph: A Saga of Excellence (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though Joseph was born into a highly dysfunctional family, he nevertheless had a "high batting average" when it came to making the right moral choices, even when the consequences appeared initially to his own detriment. Joseph stayed the course, doing good even when it became a stumbling block with his associates, …
Anger (Part 2)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe dare not let the sun go down on our wrath. Uncontrolled anger can be a major cause of mental and physical illness. We must reconcile with our adversaries.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, stating that Ecclesiastes 3 expresses awesome possibilities for the future, also points out that Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us that there are harsh realities for those living under the sun, making compromise with the world inviting. Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, …
Civility and Courtesy
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFocusing upon the rising tide of societal incivility, Richard Ritenbaugh warns that discourtesy and ugly in-your-face attitudes (fruits of the flesh) have also manifested themselves in the greater church of God. These disgusting works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) are exactly the opposite of what God expects of us- the …
Understanding Unity
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, focusing on the alarming fragmentation and disunity taking place throughout society and within God's church, assures us that God will ultimately answer Jesus' five-fold prayer for unity in John 17:11. We have a vital part to play in bringing about this unity, beginning with the marriage institution and families. …
Conviction to Godly Righteousness
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughReal repentance and conviction of righteousness should dramatically augment prayer, study, meditation, but most importantly, how we live our lives.
Grateful For Reconciliation
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh recounts the bitter feud which took place between two brothers, Adolph Dassler (founder of Adidas® shoes), and Rudolph Dassler (founder of Puma® shoes), stemming from a misunderstanding during a time Adolf took shelter in a bomb-shelter with his brother, who had exclaimed "Here come those dirty bastards back …
Concerning Edom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughReflecting on the almost universal problem of sibling rivalry, Richard Ritenbaugh focuses upon the bitter conflict that began over 3,500 years ago in the womb of Rebekah—the enmity between the descendants of Esau and Jacob. From Esau's warped perspective, Jacob cheated him out of his birthright and blessings; however, God …
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.
