What Is the Church's Work Today (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh provides the rationale of this phase of the church's work- what and why the Church of the Great God is doing what it is doing. In this time of scattering, God is testing our loyalty to Him, correcting deficiencies that will keep us out of His Kingdom. Despite the untested Protestant assumption that "the …
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe easiest part of God's work is preaching the gospel to the world. Much more demanding is the feeding of the flock, producing life-changing faith.
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates that biblical history substantiates that God does not always have the church perform the same functions continually, but sometimes drastically alters the course according to needs and conditions. The perceived detours are necessary adjustments God makes to accomplish His purpose. "The work" …
Our Calling - The Work of God
Article by StaffHerbert Armstrong wrote that his work was finished, but the work of the church continues. What is our work today? What is God's Work? This article discusses where the church's energies need to be focused now.
Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe reminds us that, for the past 25 years, the highest priority of the Church of the Great God has not been the preaching of the Gospel to the world, but the feeding of the flock. If we lose sight that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, we will forget that Christ is currently purifying His Church, sanctifying the …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe preaching the gospel to the world is at best the beginning of a complex process of creating disciples through steady feeding and encouragement to overcome.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh admonishes the greater church of God that we make a conscious effort to feed the flock (devoting more effort, time, energy, and money than for preaching the Gospel as a witness for the world) until we get ourselves straightened out first. To preach to the world and ignore a disintegrating flock is like a husband …
A View of the Work
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe, pointing out that not all of God's servants are given the same marching orders (planting, watering, etc) maintains that planting seed (preaching the Gospel to the world) is only the beginning of the phase. Our function is not and has never been adding members to the Body of Christ; God alone determines who the …
Who Is Doing the Work of God?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhat is more important: preaching the gospel to the world or feeding the flock? John Ritenbaugh gives reasons why we should at this time be concentrating on reversing the church's serious spiritual decline before we presume to go to the world.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh takes issue with the popularly held notion that preaching the Gospel to the world as a witness is the sole identifying mark of God's church. There is a vast difference between "preaching the Gospel to the world" and "making disciples"- the major focus in Matthew 28:20. The largest portion of …
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.
What Is the Work?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting that our concept of time is vastly different from God's, indicates that our spiritual pilgrimage (including our participation in the work of God) is largely a matter of faith, not sight. If we see God in the picture, we will not be impatient, but will be carefully evaluating the evidence whether or …
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Two): Ephesus
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Ephesus church effectively battled various heresies, for which Christ commends it. However, the members lost sight of the reason, having left their first love.
'This Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Be Preached'
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeMany fail to understand that Matthew 24:14 is a prophecy and instead read it as a commission. God will ensure His gospel is preached; we follow His lead.
Staying With the Puck
Article by Charles WhitakerA hockey puck changes direction almost constantly, and a hockey player has to move with it. Charles Whitaker uses this analogy to explain how we must follow God when He changes the focus of His work.
Back to the First Century (Part One)
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reminding us to take God's words seriously, cautions that all His words have great depth, having far more applications than appear on the surface. His word unfolds in layers, like the peeling back of an onion skin. After the upheaval and disintegration of the Worldwide Church of God, it became clear that God …
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe true church is a unique educational institution, teaching the way of God and amplifying His Commandments, in contrast to the churches of this world.
Preparing the Bride
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughA Statement of Purpose and Beliefs of the Church of the Great God
The Spirit and the Way
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on a cache of collected programs and articles of the late Herbert W. Armstrong, reflects that we have come a long way since then, building upon the foundation that was laid in the early years. We have broadened and deepened what we know. Even though we do not have resources, we are doing a work, …
Why Preach the Gospel to the World?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhy is the church to preach the gospel? Preaching the gospel is good, but preaching it for the right reasons puts one in harmony with God.
Avoiding Superficiality
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSuccess in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, examining the socio-cultural milieu before the writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews, explains the difficulties experienced by the new Jewish converts to the Gospel. The powerful testimony of the recently risen Christ, combined with the apostles, who had spent 3 ½ years under His tutelage, were the main factors …
One by One Until Done
Sermon by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker refutes a heresy, stemming from a faulty interpretation of Jeremiah 31:34. Adherents of this heresy hold that God has not yet instituted the New Covenant, as indicated by the fact that the Church is deeply involved in teaching. In point of fact, teaching is a fundamental part of God's Work today. God instituted …
Acts (Part 2)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughOur historical and theological roots are advanced in a polished, chronological narrative (Acts), perhaps designed as a trial document authored by Luke.
Acts (Part 1)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh explores the possibility that the book of Acts, in addition to its role in continuing and advancing the Gospel or Good News, could well have been assembled as an exculpatory trial document designed to vindicate the Apostle Paul and the early Church, demonstrating that Christianity was not a threat to the Roman …
Suffering Disgrace For Christ's Name
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, asking why Christians must endure such horrendous persecution and struggle, asserts that Paul warned in Acts 5 that the church would always be in danger of deception from within and opposition from without. "Opposition from without" in Peter's time came from the evil oppression incited by the Pharisees …
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan can fine-tune the course of this world (Zeitgeist), customizing it depending on whom he may seek to murder. We need to be thinking and vigilant.
