God's Rest and the Millennium
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Millennium or God's rest will be an exceedingly busy time, a time when all of humanity will be converted, a time everybody will be on the same trek.
The Day God Rested
Sermonette by Ryan McClureGod gave the Sabbath as a blessing for man, which, if kept correctly, gives rejuvenating rest, a relief from stress, and a defense against illness.
God's Rest (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath rest depicts the miracle of conversion, in which the transformation of mankind into God's image brings about a rest in which God takes pleasure.
God's Rest (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe two principal robbers of peace are pride and the drive to have complete control of our lives. Discontent and imagined victimization led Adam and Eve into sin.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
God's Rest (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLust begets a guilty conscience, agitation, anxiety, depression, grief, torment. Wrong desire leads to lying, adultery, and murder—eventually leading to death.
The 'Rest' of Hebrews 4
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we patiently endure, trusting in God's faithfulness to bring us to completion, there will be a time when we will attain the rest we desperately yearn for.
The Sabbath: Rest
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is an antidote to the weariness we experience. It recalls God's pausing after completing His physical creation, focusing on the spiritual creation.
God's Master Plan
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughLike any good builder, God has a master plan to accomplish His purpose for humanity. We find the blueprint for His creation in the pages of the Bible.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasHumanity has been disobeying the laws of sleep and rest, leading to a cumulative sleep-debt which has shortened and deteriorated the quality of their lives.
God's Workmanship (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod assumes the burden for our salvation, but we are obligated to yield to His workmanship—made manifest by good works, the effect of salvation.
Psalms: Book Four (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe focus of Psalms Book IV and the Summary Psalm 149 is on the work of the glorified saints in serving as mediating priests under Christ.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Eight)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, continuing his series on imagining in the Garden of Eden, reminds us that gardens provide enclaves of rest. God placed Adam and Eve in a garden to provide them food and shelter, as well as work and pleasure. Aesthetic delights are suggested by Song of Songs, in which the Shulamite is likened to a garden of …
Sharpening Our Saws
Article by William GrayAmong the reasons God has provided us with the Sabbath, it as a time to sharpen our focus. Preparation is the key to getting the most out of the Sabbath.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFocusing on material and temporal things undermines faith. The Sabbath is holy time, created for building faith, energizing our minds for fellowship with God.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, focusing on the subject of agricultural cultivation, including tilling land, sowing seeds, and cultivating crops, indicated that God had created everything good. Genetically modified seeds as produced by Monsanto seem to place mankind into the position of usurping God's prerogatives. Improving upon God's …
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.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Nine)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on his high school English class, where he learned the parts of speech, diagramming, and other aspects of grammar, warns that the imperfect conjugation of Hebrew grammar provides special problems. The imperfect conjugation focuses not so much on time of action, but aspect (or kind) such as modal or …
Beating the Rat Race (Part Six)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughOnly when we are still can we truly concentrate on knowing God. When our lives are upside-down, confusion and chaos reign, making spiritual growth difficult.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe reason for refraining from many activities on the Sabbath is not labor or energy, but the overall motivation. Certain works are perfect for the Sabbath.
Magic Doesn't Work (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhile God is consistently depicted as working, magic seemingly provides a shortcut that bypasses overcoming and growth, attaining something for nothing.
Be Still!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting upon the end-time proclivity of "running to and fro" like so many ants, concludes that this life's rushed tempo is not something of God. He did not intend for us to live in such a fast-paced, stress-filled world. We need to cultivate the practice of slowing down, getting out of the …
What We Can Learn from Booths
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod intends for us to learn daily lessons from living in booths during the Feast of Tabernacles, a joyous time after the harvest has been taken in.