The Purpose of Offerings
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Pastor General of a well-known church made a statement that turned the giving of offerings into a competition and a rich man's game. Is this God's intent?
Assessment Now, Judgment Later!
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, cautioning us to properly value the infinite blessings that God has given us, warns that underestimating God's gifts can lead us to undervalue the spiritual or overvalue the physical. Esau, despised his birthright, preferring a bowl of lentils to placate his stomach; Lot's wife, preferring material prosperity, …
Grateful For Reconciliation
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh recounts the bitter feud which took place between two brothers, Adolph Dassler (founder of Adidas® shoes), and Rudolph Dassler (founder of Puma® shoes), stemming from a misunderstanding during a time Adolf took shelter in a bomb-shelter with his brother, who had exclaimed "Here come those dirty bastards back …
Offerings and Taxes
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, comparing the tax systems devised by human governments with God's offerings, observes that mankind's tax laws are intricate, while God's system of offerings are straightforward. Deuteronomy 16:16 does not specify the exact amount of the offering, but does ask us to make a thoughtful recollection of the …
A Motivation for Giving
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on offertory sermonettes he has heard in the past, many of which seemed to emphasize that people were not sacrificing enough for the work, explores other motivations for giving. When Paul attempted to motivate the Corinthians (a wealthy congregation which had received spiritual gifts), he compared …
What Is There to Be Thankful for Today?
CGG Weekly by John O. ReidIt is not unusual today for a member of God's church to feel ill at ease with the world around him. ...
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBy studying eating in the experiences of those in the Bible, we plumb a deep well of instruction from which we can draw vital lessons to help us through life.
The Awesome Cost of Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe assess costs and values all the time in our daily lives. We should employ the same process to God's love for us in giving His Son as the sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reminding us that Jesus handpicked the twelve apostles for a specific work, notes that there is a strong possibility that God has also handpicked each one of us to fulfill a particular role in the Body. Like an engineer on a building project, Jesus Christ has constructed a blueprint with detailed specifications. …
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reminding us that remaining or abiding in Christ's word separates us from everybody else, exhorts us to treasure and appreciate the truth we have. Ezekiel prophetically warns Israelites today of imminent cultural collapse because of godly leadership. America, sadly, has never been a Christian nation; the hearts …
Nothing Is More Important
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughMany of us have experienced an event that completely altered the direction we were heading. ...
Priceless
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause it happened so long ago, Christ's sacrifice is often not as real to His modern disciples as it needs to be. For some of us, it is reduced to mere fact.
Christ Our Passover
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe focus of our self-examination should not be self-centered or comparing ourselves with others, but on the awesome significance of His sacrifice.
Supreme Permanence and Value
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, reflecting that precious stones are highlighted in Scripture 26 times, focuses on the stones in the New Jerusalem referenced in Revelation 21:9ff The 12 precious stones radiate pure light. When precious stones are the recipients of polarized light, all colors of the rainbow are generated (anisotrophic) or they go …
All in All (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe end of the sanctification process is when Christ will have defeated all enemies and put all things under His feet. Then, God the Father will be all in all.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 13)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCommitment to a course of action is essential for physical or spiritual success. Faith motivates and sustains right action, protecting us from the yo-yo like fits of starting and stopping. Shallow or incomplete faith is contrasted with complete or mature faith. Our simple faith must transform into mature or enduring faith, which …
The Fear of God (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fear of God is the first line of defense, keeping us from profaning God's name, tarnishing the image of the Lord, and defending us from pain and/or death.
What Happens Next
Sermonette by Ryan McClureRyan McClure, acknowledging that self-reflection over our own spiritual progress (perhaps without seeing any progress) has potentially a negative effect, avers that we should understand self-reflection as a God-given tool to produce abundant spiritual fruit. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 teaches that God requires a …
Hope and Faith
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaGod requires His people to put their faith in action, giving evidence of their hope, demonstrating godly behavior rather than abrasive carnal behavior.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Parable of the Talents teaches the need for diligence in using the gifts of God. God expects us to use our talents to His glory and in the service of others.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.
Loyalty to the Body
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe, engagin in a futile exercise of estimating the total value of the creation, and a Creator, worth infinitely more than all the phenomena we can possibly see or comprehend, ponders how such a Creator would divest Himself of all His power, becoming flesh and blood like us, laying down His life. Nothing in existence …
In Honor of Jesus Christ
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughIt is our responsibility to glorify God. As obedient children, we bring Him honor; as disobedient children, we bring shame on Him and blaspheme His name.
Studying the Bible
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Bible study provides a personal means of attaining the mind of God, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the multiple nuances of the Hebrew words translated into the English word "wisdom," suggests that an acquired skill for living represents the common denominator in all of these definitions. Godly wisdom is only attained with a high degree of training. Carnal wisdom, through the labyrinth …
How Much Would You Give Up for the Kingdom of God?
Sermon by Kim MyersWe should be willing to give up anything for the Kingdom, controlling our speech, thoughts, behaviors, and lives. We cannot grow in grace without works.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLoyalty and submission to God (not always easy) empowers and guarantees ultimate success and leadership, actually freeing us from the fear of death.
