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A Man of Fortitude and Conviction

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Desmond Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. This Sabbath-keeping medic exemplifies total conviction.

Parables of Counting the Cost

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Commitment to following Christ demands a profound and costly dedication, requiring full and selfless service to God with our hearts and minds. Discipleship means a life of surrender to God's will and sacrifice for His cause, costing us our very lives. Loyalty to Jesus Christ must surpass even the deepest earthly loves, placing God first above all self-interest. The costliness of this commitment is evident in the call to forsake all, as emphasized in the parables of the tower-builder and the king going to war. Before entering God's way of life, one must estimate the cost, understanding that the truth is a costly thing, yet worth every sacrifice. A builder who fails to count the cost before laying the foundation faces humiliation, just as an incomplete life is a tragic failure if one looks back after putting their hand to the plow. Similarly, a king preparing for war must count the cost in lives, money, and resolve, testing the quality of his soldiers for the battle. This reflects the need for perseverance, endurance, willpower, and a willingness to sacrifice as we battle spiritual enemies and prepare to be kings in the Kingdom. Disciples must be willing to forsake pleasures, distractions, material possessions, and even family if they hinder service to God. Forsaking all involves deliberate planning and sacrifice, ensuring one is willing to pay the full price of discipleship and run the full distance to the Kingdom of God. In this war against powerful enemies—Satan, the world, and our own nature—we must exercise self-control and discipline, entering the fray with wise counsel and determination to triumph.

Burn the Ships

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Commitment is a promise or a firm decision to do something, a willingness to give time and energy to a cause or belief. It involves dedication, faithfulness, steadfastness, devotedness, determination, reliability, dependability, and trustworthiness. Total commitment requires sacrifice and binds us to a course of action or pledge. It reflects our character, showing self-discipline, resilience, and persistence, especially when stepping out of comfort zones. Commitment means deciding to go forward and persevere when challenges arise, and standing by someone no matter the difficulty. It is a vital quality, often overlooked and unappreciated in today's society, yet essential in relationships, jobs, and careers. Commitment is key in our service to God, requiring us to follow through on our promises. It is a necessary character quality for living by faith, involving total sacrifice and placing devotion to God before everything else.

What Would You Die For?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Commitment is essential for those who are children of God and destined to be kings and priests in His Kingdom. Jesus Christ exemplified commitment by living and dying for His Kingdom. As followers, we are called to be willing to die, if necessary, for the same Kingdom. This level of commitment involves a fundamental reorientation of life, placing God at the center rather than self. It requires continuous dedication and is characterized by obedience, loyalty, and allegiance to Christ and the gospel. Such commitment is a choice each individual makes, reflecting a readiness to confess Christ faithfully even under duress, thereby gaining eternal life.

Are Your Beliefs Preferences or Convictions?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Conviction is essential to faithful living, sanctification, loyalty, and faithfulness to God. Whether we compromise depends on the strength of our convictions.

Freedom and Responsibility

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When a culture liberalizes, there will be a corresponding rise in irresponsibility, as people become fickle, rash, undependable, untrustworthy or disloyal.

Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Winston Churchill's wartime advice, 'Never give in,' is good advice for us now as we approach the horrible time of the Great Tribulation.

Thank You For Being A Friend

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

True friendship is not just a casual relationship, but a deep commitment of trust, enabling the sharing of our deepest thoughts without fear of betrayal.

The Small and Great Standing Before God

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

The greatest, according to Jesus Christ, can be determined by the one who serves the most with an attitude of humility, generosity, and other-centeredness.

How Expensive is Your Religion?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike Ford

we must soberly count the cost before we embark on our spiritual trek. Are we willing to give up our job, our family, or even our life to follow God's plan?

The Household of God and Loyalty

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The ultimate shame for a covenant people is to be found disloyal. God will be faithful to His purpose for humankind and will pursue it to its glorious end.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Faithfulness is a hallmark of a true Christian, yet unfaithfulness is prevalent at the end of the age. Here is what the Bible teaches about faithfulness.

Faith (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Faithfulness in a person ultimately rests on his or her trust in God, and if a person is going to be faithful, its because he or she believes what God says.

Are You a True Friend of Jesus Christ?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In every platitude and truism about friendship that we have read, all point to loyalty and faithfulness as the most desired attributes.

Dedication is a Necessity

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Devoted dedication to a cause—God's cause—is a vital character quality needed for every Christian. We are required to put Him before all else in life.

But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

'Prophecy Watch' by David F. Maas

In the letters to the seven churches, Scripture foresees that a dearth of steadfastness marks the time of the end, but Christians are urged to hold fast.

The Summertime Soldier and Sunshine Patriotism

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must put our lives, treasure, and honor on the line, picking up our cross daily, declaring our independence from carnality, evil and bondage to sin.

Elite, Special Spiritual Forces Training

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Like a muscle, God's Spirit must be continually used to overcome Satan's attacks in our minds which are, without discipline, hostile to God's laws.

Endure as a Good Soldier

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In God's plan, the development of uncompromising character requires struggle and sacrifice. Our victory requires continual drill, tests and development of discipline.

Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The witness of the early church was impressive because the members were personally convicted to sell what they had, not because the leadership told them to.

Called to Follow

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If there is one great principle of Christian living, it is walking in Christ's footsteps. Sounds easy, but putting it into practice is one of the hardest tasks.

When We Come to Ourselves

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We have been guided supernaturally and must contemplate the significance of this intervention and what it now requires of us.

Life, Fortunes, Sacred Honor

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many of the Declaration's signers literally lost their fortunes, properties, and health—even their lives. Are we willing to commit ourselves as fully?

Our 'Mental' Deathbed

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Moses asks God to teach us to number our days, realizing that our physical lives are finite, requiring a sense of urgency to get rid of our sins.

Are You Zealous? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Are we giving our all for Christ and the way of life that God has revealed to us? Are we giving our all for the Kingdom of God? Are we truly zealous?

Walking With God

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

'Enoch walked with God,' but what does this mean? To walk with God requires these five attributes that we all need to strengthen in ourselves.

Faith (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Far from being blind, faith is based on analyzing, comparing, adding up from evidence in God's Word, our own experience, and our calling by God's Holy Spirit.