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First Things First (Part One): Access to God
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe story of Abel illustrates the vital first step toward being acceptable to God. By faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, as God testified of his gifts. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable because he followed the instructions that came from God, demonstrating that there was a standard by which God judged offerings. Since faith comes by hearing the word of God, Abel's offering in faith indicates he adhered to divine guidance. His blood sacrifice, the firstborn of his flock, served as a substitutionary act, symbolizing the future sacrifice of the Lamb of God who could take away sin. By offering this sacrifice in faith and having it accepted by God, Abel's example teaches the way back to God for all mankind.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur relationship with God must be rooted in a deep reverence and awe, recognizing His holiness and majesty. To be acceptable to God, we must conform our thoughts, attitudes, and conduct to His standards, understanding that holiness means to be set apart, clean, and pure in His presence. Sin, by contrast, renders us unclean and unacceptable, as it defiles and falls short of His glory. We are summoned to appear before Him in commanded assemblies, where He sets the standards of dress and decorum, reflecting the formality and dignity due to His office. These occasions are sacred, dedicated exclusively to Him, requiring seriousness and adherence to His rules. Our responsibility is to honor Him through obedience and sacrifice, overcoming human nature's pull to remain conformed to the world. By honoring our brothers, we honor God, as our actions reverberate to Him; conversely, dishonoring others is akin to dishonoring Him. True worship seeks to understand and apply the spirit and intent of His will, ensuring that our conduct and appearance in His presence reflect the respect and reverence He deserves.
An Acceptable Sacrifice
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughAbel was totally consumed, becoming the first martyr for faith. Likewise, when we are called to God, we can expect to be used until we are consumed.
It is Done! The Perfect Peace of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerBrethren, God has been working with absolute understanding of His endgame from eternity to create a peace of unity and harmony that will never be broken. We, of all people on the face of the earth and down through history, have a responsibility to live up to God's peace, even as the drums of war try to drive us to fall into line with their beat. Our citizenship is in a carefully prepared place within the Kingdom of God that lies beyond the heavens and the earth we now see. We must be focused on Jesus Christ and the work that only He can do to have us live as He does, offering a sacrificial devotion to God and man that brings us into a perfect peaceful harmony with Them right now. We can have that peace if we valiantly stay the course in accordance with God's will. What we are doing right now has much to do with our state of mind as Christians at this time. Jesus Christ, as the unblemished sacrifice, makes our blemished sacrifice acceptable to God. Our ways are before Him now, and we must seek peace and pursue it, following the Prince of Peace in our efforts of total devotion to God and to men, made absolutely sure through Jesus Christ if we stay the course.
Standing Before God's Judgement
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsWe must consider ourselves cooperating with a great cloud of witnesses, who had to jettison the weights that encumbered them, making them less vulnerable to sin.
We are Called to Liberty
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs we are liberated from the bondage of sin, we are now free because we are slaves of righteousness, ironically the only true and lasting liberty.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe tares and wheat must coexist until the harvest when the fruit will become clearly seen, at which time a separation and judgment will take place.
Teaching Us To Think (Part Three): Proving God's Will
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs God tests His people, He desires that they test and prove His Laws to demonstrate that they invariably work, to prove these principles by following them.
Abel Glorified God!
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsAbel offered his sacrifice in obedience to God's instructions. We must worship Him in a spirit of truth, bringing about a profound change in heart.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Six): Sardis
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe letter to the church in Sardis reads like an obituary, warning us who are alive but lacking zeal to repent and become serious about our calling.
What is Atonement?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Man's estrangement from God is wholly man's fault. Atonement denotes the way harmony is achieved, making the entire world at one or reconciled with God.
The Providence of God (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus and Abraham rose above their emotional pulls by exercising living faith—a faith built on acts of obedience. Faith can never be separated from works.
John 3:16: Does God Really Love the World?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod does not love everybody equally. Nowhere does He tell us to prefer the ungodly world. Though He tells us to love our enemies, but not to be affectionate.
Pentecost's Two Leavened Loaves (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWe may do the right thing toward a neighbor but not do it with the exact, perfect attitude that God does it in. Thus, our 'good' work contains corruption.
Two Loaves, Baked with Leaven
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe leavening indicates that the wave loaves speak to this life rather than the resurrection. It is accepted by God only because of the other sacrifices.
Offerings (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe peace offering symbolizes the abundant life that results from complete devotion to God (the burnt offering) and service to others (the meal offering).
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sacrifices were neither insignificant nor barbaric, but a teaching tool for us. In the burnt offering, we see Christ in His work for the already redeemed.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe meal offering represents the intense self-sacrifice required in service to man. Our service to man must be done for God's sake rather than man's appreciation.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Two): The Burnt Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe burnt offering is completely consumed on the altar. This type of offering teaches us about Christ's total dedication to God—and how we should emulate it.
Offerings (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we want to follow Christ, we must sacrifice, take up our cross, and follow His example of service to God and others.
The Meaning of the Offering
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The New Covenant sacrifices are far more demanding than the Old Covenant sacrifices. But there are poignant lessons to be learned from animal sacrifices.
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod gives conditions for acceptable sacrifices and offerings, differentiating the holy and authentic from the defiled, unclean and strange.
Themes of Ruth (Part Three): Redemption
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus redeemed us with His shed blood from the penalty of our sins, but He also works as our High Priest, continually redeeming us until we are resurrected.
Pentecost and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSimeon's life serves as a precursor to that of God's called-out ones, demonstrating the elements necessary to bring a person to spiritual maturity.
Principled Living (Part Four): Giving of Ourselves
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christ sacrificed for us, we are called to sacrifice for others. Love is an action, a behavior, rather than an emotion, described in I Corinthians 13.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Six): The Sin Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus' perfect offering of Himself for us fulfilled the sin offering of Leviticus 4. Our acceptance of His offering for atonement puts us under obligation.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVarious animals were used in the burnt offering—bullocks, lambs, doves, and goats. Each depicts some characteristic of Jesus that we must emulate as we serve God.