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Simplicity in Christ
Article by Richard T. RitenbaughThe apostle Paul expresses concern in II Corinthians 11:3, fearing that as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so the minds of the Corinthian church might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. He worries that the people, long immersed in the complex philosophies of the world, would turn away from the plain truth Jesus taught during His ministry. The teachings of Jesus Christ are elegantly simple, so much so that even children can grasp them. Difficult topics can be explained clearly to those seeking to understand what is right. Doctrines do not need to be complex to hold truth. Simple commands like remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy, loving the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, embody this purity and clarity. The challenge arises when worldly wisdom and human ideas are blended with God's truth, creating confusion. Paul reminds us that the wisdom of God is revealed through His Spirit, not through the complicated teachings of man's wisdom, but through the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Damnable Heresies
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSatan, the master of deceit, often camouflages lies with a large measure of truth, subtly twisting the intent of Scripture to bend it into wrong applications or understandings. Through his ministers, he inspires a steady stream of small changes to revealed doctrines, casting doubt on previously held beliefs and causing uncertainty about what is right. He redirects the church's focus from the plain message of Jesus Christ, altering the teaching essential to salvation and obscuring the nature of God. This confusion affects how a Christian conducts his life, as Satan moves to teach that some of God's laws no longer need to be kept, appealing to desires for control over time, money, and destiny. Such teachings, under the guise of freedom, lead many astray from the simplicity of Christ's message and the truth of God's Word. We must prove all things, hold fast to what is good, and keep God's commandments unwaveringly to avoid being swept into this spiritual deception.
Our Trusted Source of Truth (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ embodies the simplicity of truth in its purest form. He stands as the perfect witness to truth, living it in every word and deed. No falsehood ever passed His lips, and He never misrepresented Himself or others. He was always honest, never shading the truth to appear better, but instead presenting it with clarity and integrity. When He declared that He bears witness to the truth, it was a testament to His very being, as He is the way, the truth, and the life. Following His path leads to eternal life, for He is the embodiment of truth itself. In contrast, the world often strays from this simplicity, entangled in deception and duplicity. The simplicity that is in Christ, as described by Paul, reflects a singleness or wholeness, implying sincerity, purity, and uprightness. This integrity stands opposed to the doubleness of deception, where truth is split and distorted. False teachings chip away at this wholeness, undermining faith by targeting small areas of belief, seeking to create doubt and lead astray. The simplicity of Christ calls for a return to the undivided truth, resisting the complexities and novelties that deceive, and holding fast to the integrity of His way.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe architects of the trinity doctrine admit that it is a 'somewhat unsteady silhouette', requiring assumptions and inferences, but unsupportable by Scripture.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere are varieties of spirit, motivating people to 'go with the flow' and conform to a sheep-like mob psychology. Satan's spirit encourages sinfulness.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is doing more than merely saving people; He is producing children in His image. The difference between the covenants is in the quality of the faith.
Is God's Way Simple?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJust because something is simple does not make it true and just because something is complex does not make it false. Deeper knowledge often comes with complexity.
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.
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe truer our conception of Christ, the truer our discernment will be in dealing with spiritual problems or conflicts. Modern Israel has cuddled up to sin.
Preparing To Rule
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)How can a group of rag-tag upstarts with no experience—that's how the world's leaders perceive us—hope to succeed where they have utterly failed?
Matthew (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfilled prophecies. The crowds welcoming Jesus were actually choosing the Paschal Lamb of God on Abib/Nisan 10.