Playlist:

playlist Go to the Congregational Problems (topic) playlist

'I Will Build My Church'

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Jesus is aware of all that transpires within His church—regardless of how out-of-control things may seem—and He will always act in the way that is best.


Comfort-Zone Christianity?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God does not want us to find a cozy comfort zone because that is when we are most likely to slip into dangerous spiritual drowsiness and complacency.


A Distant Reflection

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Considering the events and trends exhibited in the modern church of God, will it follow the disastrous example of early second-century Christianity?


The Wisdom of Men and Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The pressures and conflicts that the church has undergone is part of the spirit of the time that has embroiled religious and political institutions worldwide.


Autoimmunity in the Body of Christ

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Misidentifying parts of the Body of Christ as enemies, or even being highly suspicious of them, causes pain and inefficiency throughout the whole Body.


Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is not the author of confusion, but throughout the scriptures has used a consistent pattern of appointing leaders over His called-out ones.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

John warns Gaius of the treachery of Diotrephes, who had initiated a mutiny against God's true ministers, putting out of the church those who did not follow him.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.


Unity and Unleavened Bread

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As members of Christ's body, we must function for the good of the whole body, not competing with other parts. We must continually function as a son of God.


Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God alone chooses the servants through whom He works His will. Sometimes the rationale God uses for selecting His vessels defies worldly wisdom.


What Does "Discerning the Lord's Body" Mean? (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The Corinthians were in danger of eating and drinking judgment to themselves because they were not being partial to Christ's spiritual Body as a whole.


Unity

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Each member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father


Of One Accord

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Confusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.


The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Bitterness divides one member of Christ's Body from another. Individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to justify leaving a congregation.


Itching Ears

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

False ministers pander to the 'itching ears' of the audience, telling it what it wants to hear, catering to desires and lusts, fatally mixing truth with error.


Matthew (Part Twelve)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

To establish sound doctrine, we must build on the foundation Christ's teaching, taking the straight and narrow course rather than the wisdom of this world.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The strife between this world's belief systems shows that God did not originate them. False teachings are dangerous because they can erode the faith.


The Gift of Discernment and Godly Love

'Ready Answer' by Ronny H. Graham

Scripture warns about end-time deceivers who will seduce church members to ungodly beliefs and ways. We must make righteous judgments to reject what is false.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In our quest for unity, we can never compromise with the truth. True love between brethren is impossible without an equal pr greater love for the truth.


Philippians (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul both appealed for unity among the Philippians and offered encouragement, reminding them that their relationship with one another was through Christ.


Themes of I Corinthians (Part 2)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A true, godly minister does not draw people to himself, but instead to God. Not placing Christ at the forefront will lead to carnal-mindedness.


For the Perfecting of the Saints

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

Do Christians need a church? With all the church problems in recent years, many have withdrawn. Yet the church—problems and all—serves a God-ordained role.


Titus (Part Four): Traits of a Healthy Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Titus 2 gives specific instructions to senior members of the congregation, followed by instructions to the youth, explaining their responsibilities.


Facing Times of Stress: Persecution

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Persecution involves a wide spectrum, ranging from torture, physical beating, social excommunication, imprisonment and death. Our boldness should match Paul's.


Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Humility, poverty of spirit, and acknowledging our total dependence on God are of the utmost importance. God responds to those who are humble.


Is a Rock Just a Rock to God?

'Ready Answer' by Bill Keesee (1935-2010)

God calls us 'living stones' in I Peter 2. Here is why this description is a very fitting view of God's work making us His jewels.


Faith and the Calendar (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The real issue in the calendar controversy is not astronomical, but faith in God's sovereignty, providence, and His right to assign responsibility.


Goats on the Left

Article by Mike Ford (1955-2021)

Goats are intelligent creatures, but also loners and devious. Understanding their characteristics helps us in evaluating our own tendencies that hinder our walk.


Knowing God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To fulfill one's purpose, one must be singularly focused on what one wants to accomplish. Divided minds result in no productivity or even devastation.


Matthew (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Life consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.