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A Primer On Spirit
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Spirit, as an invisible force, holds a profound role in motivating actions and shaping understanding. It is an immaterial power that drives individuals to do or not to do, influencing both external behaviors and internal thought processes. This force, though unseen, manifests in ways that can be observed, such as through body language, vocal inflections, and demeanor, allowing discernment of its presence and impact. In human experience, spirit is the essence that empowers intellect and enables a spiritual link with God, who is Spirit. It is an immaterial quality within man, distinct from physical organs, that imparts the ability to think, plan, remember, and experience emotions, setting humanity apart from animals. This God-given spirit allows individuals to contemplate divine matters and aspire to God-like thoughts even before conversion. Words themselves are a form of spirit, carrying invisible, immaterial power from one mind to another. They can inspire, exhort, depress, inform, or mislead, motivating actions or halting them through their influence. The words of Jesus Christ, in particular, are spirit that, when believed, lead to salvation, demonstrating a profound capacity to impart life and spiritual vitality. Conversely, the spirit of satan permeates the world, invisibly influencing evil thoughts such as covetousness, anger, pride, and deceit. This malevolent force, often conveyed through words, acts as fiery darts that infiltrate minds and hearts, driving destructive behaviors and sustaining a system opposed to God. It plays a major role in deception, luring individuals into sin through subtle, pervasive influence. The spirit of the times, or zeitgeist, reflects prevailing attitudes in a society, motivating behaviors on a large scale, whether towards fear, confidence, or other collective moods. This spiritual influence can be manipulated by those in power for control, often leading to harmful outcomes, as seen in historical and contemporary examples of societal manipulation. God's Spirit stands in stark contrast, defined by its holiness. It is the essence of Their mind, embodying purity, righteousness, and love, always aiming to liberate and produce life at the divine level. Unlike other spirits, it never seeks to enslave or destroy but to share and uplift. Individuals are positioned to choose between these opposing spiritual influences, tasked with yielding to the holy influence of God while resisting the corruptive force of evil. Growth in the quality and use of God's Spirit comes from spending time with Them through Their word and prayer, allowing Their holy essence to shape and guide.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSpirit, as an invisible and internal force, plays a critical role in motivating and activating actions and attitudes in both God and mankind. In reference to God, spirit is the unseen dimension that impels Him to act, such as in judgment, with an internal force that generates external outcomes like purging and purifying. This same principle applies to humanity, where spirit energizes and influences conduct and attitudes, manifesting in ways that can be good or evil, selfless or selfish, positive or negative. It moves and creates in the direction of its force, shaping behaviors and decisions. Mankind is surrounded by truth about God, evident in creation, His law, and His providence, yet there is a powerful impulse to reject or pass over this truth. This rejection is driven by a spiritual dimension that lacks the inclination to accept and live by what is known. Even without conversion, individuals possess enough knowledge of God's law to keep it better than they do, but the spirit motivating them often leads to suppression of this truth. In contrast, satan's influence operates through a spirit that infects and motivates rejection of God's word, perpetuating a destructive inclination across the world. This spirit, described as the ruler of the air, operates in the unseen realm, driving humanity to walk according to the course of this world, alien to God's ways, and contributing to sin and death. However, God counters this through His Spirit, which interfaces with man's spirit to reveal, illuminate, and inspire. His Spirit, being holy, pure, and infinitely good, motivates towards true success by replacing destructive inclinations with joyous, positive, and selfless attitudes. God's Spirit is the essence of His mind, empowering revelation, illumination, and inspiration necessary for spiritual creation and alignment with His purpose. It enables individuals to know that God exists, to understand Him as Creator and Redeemer, and to grasp the purpose of life, thereby guiding free moral agency towards harmony with His will. Unlike human or satanic spirits, God's Spirit possesses transcendent purity, infinite knowledge, and mature character, equipping individuals to make right choices and overcome the cultural and spiritual forces of the world.
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.
Testing the Spirits (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Apostle John exhorts us to test and discern the spirits, judging between the true and the false, using the scripture as the steady standard of truth.
The Spiritual Mark of the Beast
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnger and hostility, driven by self-centered competitive pride constitute Satan's spiritual mark that divides nations, ethnic groups, families, and the church.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'
The Right Use of Power
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWith dominion comes responsibility to maintain. The sad history of mankind shows that he has mismanaged his power, bringing about disease, war, and famine.
Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe are open to invisible communication from the spirit world—communication designed to conform us to the course of this world. Recognizing it is vital.
Communication and Coming Out of Babylon (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod commands us to come out of Babylon, giving us spiritual resources to do so, including faith, vision, hope, and love. These come through knowing Him.
Ask and It Will Be Given
'Ready Answer' by StaffMany people hit a plateau in their spiritual growth and go little further. Have we have overlooked the simple principle of 'ask and it will be given'?