Filter by Categories
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Two): Cultivating Love
Sermon by David F. MaasValuing others above self does not equate to despising self or denigrating self-esteem. The sequence of love requires loving our heavenly Father first, then loving ourselves, followed by loving family, brethren, friends, neighbors, and enemies. Satan has convinced many to avoid mature godly self-love. God intended that people place high value on their own miraculous creation and cultivate mature self-love as wise stewards of the gift of life. To love oneself maturely stands as the antithesis of self-centeredness, narcissism, or obsessive self-indulgence. The opposite of selfishness remains self-love, which means loving yourself as a responsible, caring parent would love a growing child. Before esteeming others, people must learn to esteem themselves. Before loving someone else, people must learn to love themselves. Mature love, including self-love, consists of acting not like a spoiled child but like a mature adult. Before developing mature self-love, people must establish a firm connection with our heavenly Father, who provides resources to address deficits from upbringing. God teaches people to parent themselves by becoming good stewards of health, families, finances, and spiritual gifts. People must also learn patience, avoid risky situations, select friends wisely, appreciate each day, control anger and fear, develop talents, and find highest pleasure in giving. People must extend to themselves the same compassion that a father shows his children.
Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Three): Attitude
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJob had not achieved spiritual maturity, but had assumed the arrogant stance of attempting to debate the Creator on his own level.
What's Love Got to Do With It?
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThe old serpent that deluded Eve has bastardized the term love, flooding the world with over one billion books distorting love. This is not the love of God.
The Heart's Self-Absorption
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughII Timothy 3:1-5 contains 19 characteristics of carnality. The common denominator is self-absorption and pride, placing the self above others.
Love God, Love Neighbor
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe outgoing concern toward other beings begins with God the Father to Christ to us. How much we love our brethren may be a good gauge of how much we love God.
Grace, Faith, and Love
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride condemned Satan to a fate of manipulating rather than serving. This presumptuous self-centered trait creates disunity and ultimately destruction.
The Nature of God— What's Love Got To Do With It?
'Ready Answer' by Joseph B. BaityCulture has so confused the common understanding of love that most people do not know what true, godly love is.
Take the Red Pill
Sermonette byIf we were to consciously monitor our thoughts, we would be appalled about the percentage of our day that we are exclusively wrapped up in ourselves.
Without Natural Affection
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of lawlessness, love has gone stone-cold. Sin and lawlessness begets more sin and lawlessness, and natural affection and love disappear.
Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJust as a dead person does no works, so a faith that does not include works is also dead. A person in whom living, saving faith exists will produce works.
If You Do These Things, You Shall Never Fall
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod has not set up us for failure, but if we can't control our inordinate pride, we could destroy our own chances of fulfilling God's purpose for us.
Me, Myself, and You
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityThis generation promotes self-gratification, self-realization, and self-indulgence, with a plethora of self-help books elevating self interest above others.
Handwriting on the Wall: Without Natural Affection
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNarcissism and self-centeredness have snuffed out out-going concern, and everyone does what is right in their own eyes as the love of many grows cold.
Mightier Than The Sword (Part Seven)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Rousseau's modern disciples, gaining ascendancy in today's political climate, have plans to dismantle the family, replacing it with the State.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride elevates one above God, denigrating any dependence upon God, replacing it with self-idolatry. We ought to boast or glory in the Lord instead of ourselves.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride is the basis of resisting God, while humility is the key to a relationship with Him. We recognize it in others but we seldom see it in ourselves.
The March Toward Globalism (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Parents have incrementally abandoned the responsibility of disciplining their children. Satan has taken over the responsibility through his matrix.
Conspiracy Theory (Part Seven)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Satan has done a good job of sabotaging the educational system of this nation, a deliberate effort by those motivated by a desire for wealth and power.