Filter by Categories
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Three): A Cycle of Rebellion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the history of Israel, a persistent and defining characteristic emerges as their highly independent and rebellious nature. They are often portrayed as deceitful, cunning, and disloyal, unable to keep their word, even to God. Despite being guided by righteous leaders through the centuries, they consistently turned away from Him to follow their own paths. God recognized this rebellious spirit from the beginning, describing them as stiff-necked, a metaphor for stubbornness and an unwillingness to yield to His ways and commandments at nearly every point in their history. They frequently sought justifications to evade His laws, showing a lack of self-control even when attempting to adhere to His will, ultimately believing that God was holding them back. This cycle of rebellion is vividly illustrated in their repeated pattern of behavior. As long as a righteous judge led them, enforcing conformity to God's law, the people of Israel would follow Him. However, once that judge passed away without a righteous successor, they inevitably returned to worshipping foreign gods like the Baals and Ashtoreths, finding these idols more appealing and less demanding than the living God. In response, God, angered by their defection, allowed foreign nations to invade and plunder them until they cried out for deliverance. He would then raise another judge to restore order, often accompanied by a form of national repentance, bringing temporary peace. Yet, once that judge died, the cycle of rebellion would recommence, with Israel turning back to idolatry and facing subsequent punishment. God's covenant with Israel, codified in the Old Covenant, made their responsibilities clear, leaving no room for claims of ignorance when they broke His laws. Their repeated forsaking of the covenant justified His legal right to enact penalties, as they had agreed to the terms. Despite His desire for them to be an example nation to the world, demonstrating worship of the true God, they instead became a warning of human carnality, squandering the abundant blessings and potential He offered due to their selfishness and rebellion. Through prophetic words in Deuteronomy, God describes them as blemished, crooked, perverse, unmindful, and lacking faith, highlighting their carnal nature and inability to trust or remain loyal to Him. Throughout their history under the Old Covenant, from the time of Moses and Joshua to the destruction of Jerusalem, their wickedness persisted with no significant change. God notes that they provoked Him to anger continuously, doing only evil from their youth, and their sins accumulated until He could no longer bear their disloyalty. Their consistent rejection of His sovereignty, evident in their desire to set their own standards of right and wrong and their refusal to submit even in the face of promised blessings, underscores this enduring rebellious streak.
The Appointed Time for Israel
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Clyde FinkleaIn Leviticus 23, God's festivals are called appointed times. One appointed time for ancient Israel was the fulfillment of the 70 Weeks prophecy of Daniel.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's Word frequently paints unfaithful Israel as a harlot because she has consistently played the harlot in her relationship with God.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Four): God's Indictment
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though Jacob's offspring have had a special relationship with God, their carnal nature led them to test God's patience, growing more corrupt than even Sodom.
The Faith of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeNot only did Israel cross the Red Sea on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, but it was also when Jericho's walls fell and when Jesus healed the lame man.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fourteen): Israel Redeemed
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod employs a winnowing process in selecting those who will enter the Millennium. The process includes punishment for Israel's failure to serve as priests.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Two): The Old Covenant
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod made the New Covenant because Jacob's offspring did not have what it took to fulfill the terms of the Old Covenant. The carnal mind is hostile to God's law.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fifteen):The Israel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe top priority for the Israel of God is to cooperate with Him as He develops godly character through their mortifying the old man and putting on the new man.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe limit God through our willful sin and disobedience, pride and self confidence, ignorance and blindness, and our fear of following Him.
Are You an Israelite?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.
Tempting God (Numbers 14)
Sermonette by James BeaubelleWe must carefully consider the offenses preventing the Israelites from entering the Land. That evil generation refused to trust Him, but complained continually.
A Cause of Terrorism
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is allowing these increasing acts of terrorism as punishment for our peoples' forsaking the Covenant with Him and despising His holy law.
Elisha, the Young Men, and the She-Bears
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingSome Bible commentaries call Elisha short-tempered for causing two female bears to maul 42 youths for making fun of him. There is more to the story.
Psalms: Book Three (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHistorically and spiritually speaking, the beginning of things set the stage for what comes after.
The Gift of Milk and Honey
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersLike the ancient Israelites, we sometimes come to yearn for our previous bondage. If we understood God's purpose for us, we would live entirely differently.
Psalms: Book Three (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we would keep God's Feasts properly, we would be in sync with God's noble purpose for us, defending us from falling into apostasy and idolatry.
The Third Day (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs a biblical motif, the third day indicates a colossal turn-around from hopelessness to victory. The third day revival motif recurs throughout Scripture.
God's Will in the End Time
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not like to inflict punishment on people, but because of sin, He is obligated to correct. But as quickly as God punishes, God restores and heals.
Our Merciful and Faithful Provider
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The experiences of ancient Israel, bad and good, guide us in our spiritual pilgrimage to our Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is a strong foundation.
Hebrews (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe ancient Israelites resisted the gospel, refusing to mix it with actual obedience. What they heard never became a part of their lives; Egypt never left them.