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Love God, Love Neighbor

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God is the ultimate source of love, a truth that has existed from eternity past within the relationship between the Father and the Son. Their mutual love, an outgoing concern for one another, forms the foundation of all that exists. This love was not meant to remain confined but was designed to be shared with countless beings, whom God planned to call His children, adopting them from humanity to join in this divine love eternally. God's love is not abstract; it expresses itself in actions and deeds. From the creation of angels as ministering spirits, to the formation of matter and the earth for human existence, every act of creation was an outworking of His love. His plan, crafted with the Word, aimed to elevate humanity to the divine plane, where they could reciprocate and express His love forever. Even before the foundation of the world, God's love manifested in the foreordination of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for sin, demonstrating His profound commitment to redeem mankind from iniquity. This love extends to all, even while humanity was in its most sinful state. Christ died for us before we took a single breath or committed a single sin, showcasing God's willingness to sacrifice Himself for our redemption, justification, and access to His throne. His love is universal and personal, poured abundantly into our hearts through the Holy Spirit upon our calling and baptism. This indwelling love works from within to transform us into the image of His Son, changing us from the inside out to reflect His character. God's love is a constant force, preparing a Kingdom for us from the beginning. As we become rooted and grounded in His love, we begin to comprehend its vast dimensions—its length, depth, width, and height. This understanding enables us to use His love for the good of others, ultimately producing the fullness of God within us. The goal of our Christian life is to emulate this love, expressing it outward as God does, fostering a loving relationship with Him now and eternally in His Kingdom.

No Real Love Without God

Sermon by John O. Reid

God is the true source of love, and His love is defined as an outgoing concern for mankind, reflecting a willful direction to do what is best for humanity, even when it is not what they desire. This love, characterized by benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity, is evident in His individual dealings with us and in His grand, philanthropic plan to elevate mankind into His Kingdom. Love originates from God, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father, growing in His Spirit. Those who reflect this love show they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, fail to truly know Him. God's love is demonstrated through the world He has provided, where rain falls on the just and unjust alike, and through His patience toward us. The ultimate proof of His love is the sacrifice of His Son, sent into the world while we were still opposed to Him, to reconcile us to God and offer us a path to live by following His example. We perceive His love in this act, as He laid down His life for us, and we are called to lay down our lives for others in the same manner. By loving one another as God loves us, His love is perfected in us, and we grow in applying it toward others, moving toward perfection. This love is not our own but God's love within us, and we are to love our fellow man as the Father and the Son love. Perfect love casts out fear, and as we grow in it, we can stand boldly before Him, reflecting His nature. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love must be active, shown through obedience to His commandments and in our relationships with others. True love for God produces a desire to live His way, and obedience to His Word trains us to become like Him. If this love exists in our hearts, it will be reflected in our way of living, confirming that we belong to Him.

Love's Importance and Source

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The world is in dire need of love, a need that remains unfulfilled due to a lack of understanding of its true nature. Love, as revealed through biblical insight, is not merely a fleeting emotion or preference, but a profound and enduring force. This love originates from God, who is its ultimate source. God is not an abstract concept of love, but a living, dynamic being whose very nature embodies love. Every action of God—whether creating, ruling, or judging—is an expression of His loving essence. Unlike human love, which at best is a faint reflection, God's love is constant and unparalleled, always operating at the highest level of selflessness. Man, created in the image and likeness of God, is inherently fleshly and self-centered, lacking the divine love that defines God's nature. To truly reflect God's image, man must love as He loves, a transformation possible only through knowing God and receiving His Spirit. This divine love is initiated and sustained by God Himself, beginning a cycle of relationship where He calls, forgives, and imparts His Spirit to us. As we respond by loving Him and others, this love grows and is perfected within us, aligning us more closely with His nature. God's love is revealed through His actions, evident in the creation, His providence, and the gift of free moral agency. He did not create to live in isolation but to share His abundant life, motivated by a nature that cannot help but give and care for all, even His enemies. His care is active, supporting life through every means, and His love is further manifested in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ, providing hope and a purpose beyond the transient struggles of this world. This hope assures us that all things work together for good under His sovereign control. Ultimately, God's love compels us to act, to reciprocate His love back to Him and extend it to others, especially our brethren. Love is not merely a feeling but an action, demonstrated through what we do. By these acts of love, we bear witness to God's nature, reflecting His love to the world.

God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The unity Jesus appeals for with His disciples is not organizational unity, but unity within the divine nature, exampled in the unity between He and the Father.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Love is the first fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. The Bible defines love as both what it is and what it does.

Faith to Face Our Trials

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Life seems to be one trial after another. However, God has revealed an astounding facet of God's love that should give us the faith to soldier on.

Childrearing (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.

Childrearing (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Children do not initiate love but reflect it. If a child does not receive a convincing demonstration of this love, he will not become a conductor of love.

The Merciful

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The harsh religion of the Pharisees was unfeeling, placing more attention on rituals and man-made laws, and had turned their super-righteousness into sin.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Biblically, patience is far more than simple endurance or longsuffering. The patience that God has shown man gives us an example of what true, godly patience is.

What Do You Mean . . . Salvation?

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

Not one in a hundred knows what salvation is—how to get it or when you will receive it. Don't be too sure you do! Here is the truth, made plain.

Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Grace's influence extends beyond justification, into the sanctification stage where the believer yields himself to righteousness, keeping God's commandments.