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Together We Stand - But on What?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul, using the body analogy in I Corinthians, focuses on the need for unity and inter-relatedness by concentrating upon sound doctrine.
The Commandments (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is a period of time God purposefully sanctified and set apart for the benefit of mankind, a time dedicated to God's spiritual creation.
The Second Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost people consider the second commandment to deal with making or falling down before a pagan idol, but it covers all aspects of the way we worship.
The Commandments (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIdolatry derives from worshiping the work of our hands or thoughts rather than the true God. Whatever consumes our thoughts and behavior has become our idol.
The Second Commandment: Idolatry
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe natural mind craves something physical to remind us of God, but the Second Commandment prohibits this. Any representation will fall short of the reality.
The Second Commandment (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany fail to perceive the difference between the first and second commandments. The second commandment defines the way we are to worship the true God.
The Fourth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAt creation, God sanctified only one day, the seventh, as a day of rest. At Sinai, He again sanctified it as a holy day, tying it to creation and freedom.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is a special creation, a very specific period of holy time given to all of mankind, reminding us that God created and is continuing to create.
The Two Witnesses (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's truth may bring about sadness, astonishment, anger, and bitterness to the one delivering the message. James and John were types of the Two Witnesses.
Amos 5 and the Feast of Tabernacles
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHow can we evaluate whether our Feast is 'good' or not? God's criticism of Israel's feasts in Amos 5 teaches what God wants us to learn from His feasts.
The World, the Church, and Laodiceanism
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughLaodiceanism is the attitude that dominates the end time. It is a subtle form of worldliness that has infected the church, and Christ warns against it strongly.
Syncretic Use of the Cross
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsThe questions about wearing a cross expose the foolishness of human reasoning regarding how it thinks it should worship the Lord and Savior. The synchronizing of pagan symbols with God's truth does not offer a true witness of God's way of life because it is a symbol that is borrowed from paganism, therefore using it is a breaking of the ninth commandment. Using the cross is advocating a lie. A person who uses a cross may not hear His voice. Unrighteous human beings suppress the truth. The things God wants human beings to know are willingly ignored and stifled through the addition of beliefs and traditions that conceal the truth. This thought process is called syncretism which is the combination of different forms of belief or practice. Those who syncretize beliefs do not bother to logically combine the thoughts and principles. With both cases, crosses and angels, idolatry is committed because they are symbols used to misrepresent Gods true religion. Crosses have been added to Christianity without Christ's approval. Demonic forces are no doubt ecstatic that their symbol of the pagan god Tammuz has been stamped on to syncretized mainstream Christianity. The apostles did not trust in the old rugged cross as a virtuous symbol, but as the accursed tree, a device of death and shame. Instead, their faith is in what was accomplished on the cross. The message of the cross, not the cross itself, is the power of God. Such references to the cross never referred to a piece of wood that people might wear around their neck. The message of the apostles was concerning the One who hung and died on the cross. There is absolutely no evidence that God's true church ever used the cross symbol for any purpose whatsoever. Nowhere does the Bible command its use. The important thing is Christ's sacrifice for us, and what He is doing now, not the exact shape of the wood on which Christ died. Therefore a true witness represents the love of God the Father, and the love of Jesus Christ in deed and in truth.