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John 3:16: Does God Really Love the World?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe world, operating from a spirit contrary to God, often holds beliefs and values that are fundamentally wrong or of lesser importance compared to what God deems significant. As the Worldwide Church of God adopted the world's doctrines, it also embraced the world's attitudes and perspectives, making the world appear more sophisticated and attractive than the things of God. Consequently, the things of God began to seem childish and elementary, leading to the inevitable inclusion of worldly practices and the abandonment of revealed truth. The fruit of this world, under the influence of an anti-God system, is evident in its greedy, warring cultures, perverted religion, disproportionate wealth distribution, entertainments, educational system, and mass political confusion, which God calls Babylon the Great—great confusion. This motivation clearly stems from the world, reflecting a carnal orientation that prioritizes material over spiritual values. God's attitude toward the world is not one of benign acceptance; His love for the world is rational and tied to the outworking of His purpose, not an emotional or personal affection as He reserves for His children. The world, living by sight and according to the flesh, sets its mind on worldly things, revealing enmity toward God by rejecting His government and breaking His law. Those who submit to the world, mirroring its thoughts and behaviors, will not inherit the Kingdom of God, as they fail to reciprocate God's love through submission to Him.
The Christian and the World (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe entire world is antagonistic to God because of the spirit generated by an unseen ruler. Our Christian duty is to stay awake and keep our guard up.
The New World Order Rises
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Beast is a reality, and it is coming to pass in the scope of globalism. Satan has a vast reservoir of people he can work through; we used to be a part of it.
The Christian and the World (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnxiety and fretting (symptoms of coveting and idolatry), in addition to cutting life short, erode faith, destroying serenity by borrowing tomorrow's troubles.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe may have guilty consciences like Joseph's brothers and self-pity like Jacob, but we can break through if we acknowledge God as Jacob and Elisha did.
Ecclesiastes: What is it All About? (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe activities that Solomon put to the test and found wanting are exactly those things the world emphasizes: hedonism, silliness, mirth, and foolishness.
Wasted Energy
CGG Weekly by John ReissThis world is plunging down a runaway elevator, and all my frustrations will not slow it down by even one floor! How can we use this energy positively?
Pilgrim's Progress
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerEach one of God's elect will go through a continuous succession of metaphorical hurricanes that will scuttle us unless we keep our focus on Christ.
Facing Cultural Headwinds
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's saints encounter great difficulties keeping their balance and moving toward the Kingdom while being buffeted by the anti-God, progressive culture.
Communication and Coming Out of Babylon (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAll of us are influenced by the culture of the world, guided and inspired by the prince of the power of the air. Satan has deceived the whole world.
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.
The Commandments (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWhat have we accepted as our authority for permitting ourselves to do or behave as we do — our value system, our code of ethics or code of morality?
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2013) (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Babylon's way is the culture of the Western world, having the same religious, economic, and political systems, enslaving people to the state.
The Spirit of Antichrist
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.