Filter by Categories
Facing Times of Stress: Hopeless Regrets
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt sometimes appears that people outside the church have fewer problems and anxieties, having been spared Satan's onslaught of temptation and deception.
Life Is Worth Living
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughSuicide is a leading cause of death, surpassing automobile collisions, and this insidious plague shows no signs of abating in the immediate future.
Hope and Refuge (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Mike FordIn common usage, we use 'hope' in place of 'wish'. But originally, it had a different meaning, that a person had confidence in a future result coming to pass.
Hope Is the Strategy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickHope is the ability to expect positive outcomes despite current circumstances. Faith, hope, and love are the three elements of the fuel for our spiritual journey.
Jesus Christ Is Our Hope
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingRahab considered the red cord a symbol of her faith and hope that she and her family would be rescued from destruction. Her faith was not wasted but rewarded.
Saved By Our Attributes of Hope
Sermonette by Bill OnisickIn 2018, what is known as 'the ultimate storm,' whose 155 MPH winds generated waves 80 feet high, failed to scuttle a small boat out of New Zealand, Tonga.
Be Happy (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Gary MontgomeryAs we age, the pressures of life, work, and experience all contribute to wearing us down. Only a few seem to have learned to remain happy despite hardship.
Hope and Faith
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaGod requires His people to put their faith in action, giving evidence of their hope, demonstrating godly behavior rather than abrasive carnal behavior.
The Good Ol' Days
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityMany try to run away from the pessimistic view of the future by retreating into the past, a nostalgic participation in the 'good old days.'
A Cure for News Depression
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The overwhelmingly depressing news must be counterbalanced by edifying news, namely God's Word. The Scripture, with its life-giving words, provides hope.
Its All the Rage
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The mercurial fads in fashion and music have a lot to do with what the Germans refer to as Zeitgeist - or the spirit of the times or spirit of the age.
The Path to Magnificence
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe have not been uninformed about the enemy's tactics, nor about our capacity to endure. God will never forsake us, and we should never forsake one another.
We Are Saved in This Hope
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Scriptures assure us that by combining God's redemptive acts from the past, we are to have an ardent hope in the future, anticipating eternal life.
The Alarmists' Hoax
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsPost-truth refers to any situation where people are more likely to accept an argument based on their emotions and beliefs, rather than one based on facts.
Are You Sure You Believe in God? (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsReal saving faith is a gift from God, but we are obligated to walk by this faith, developing incremental levels of faith through obedience.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod, as our true Shepherd, provides total protection of His called out-ones forever. Being kept in God's name refers to assimilating the attributes of God.
Passover and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Passover is a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless milieu. Jesus provided hope at His last Passover, exuding confidence despite what lay ahead.
Everlasting Consolation and Good Hope
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's saints are not immune to depression. Job, Moses, and Elijah all felt so overwhelmed, they wanted God to take their lives.
The Third Day (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBiblically, the third day carries much historic and prophetic significance.
Overcoming Discouragement and Depression
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven loyal servants of God have had to contend with depression and discouragement. Antidotes include rest, refocus, right expectations, and obedient actions.
Psalm Genres (Part Four): Laments
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLife on this earth is often marked by deep hopelessness, as it is filled with relentless trials and sorrows. Storms of difficulty strike repeatedly, far beyond mere rain, leaving no one untouched by trouble. The words of various thinkers echo this reality, portraying life as a series of struggles, a horizontal fall, or a long lesson in humility, where endurance outweighs enjoyment and sniffles outnumber smiles. This pervasive hardship is a fundamental truth, evident in the lives of all, regardless of wealth or status, as no refuge can fully shield one from grief or loss. In the Psalms, this sense of hopelessness is brought to the forefront through numerous laments, which constitute a significant portion of the collection. These writings openly acknowledge the distress and suffering that define human existence, reflecting a reality of physical illness, false accusations, persecution, warfare, and various forms of anguish. Rather than concealing these struggles, the laments lay them bare, urging reflection on the emotional and intellectual weight of such trials. They often begin with cries of despair, voicing the depth of crisis and the overwhelming presence of evildoers, yet they frequently progress toward a glimmer of hope through trust in God. An example of this movement from hopelessness to faith is seen in Psalm 64, where the psalmist starts with a desperate plea for protection from enemies who attack with bitter words and secret plots. The vivid description of their wickedness underscores the initial sense of despair, yet the psalm shifts to confidence that God will turn their schemes against them, ending with praise for His anticipated deliverance. Similarly, Psalm 44 captures a communal lament after a devastating defeat, expressing perplexity and shame at God's apparent absence. The people grapple with confusion, feeling forsaken despite their fidelity, yet they conclude with a raw trust that God will ultimately deliver them, even if the resolution remains unseen. These laments reveal a transformative journey from the depths of hopelessness to a posture of faith. They serve as a quest for solutions to unbearable trials, acknowledging the harsh realities of life while pointing toward endurance and trust in God as the path through suffering. Even in unresolved pain, as in Psalm 44, there is an underlying resolve to trust in God's timing and mercy, offering a template for navigating severe and lingering hardships with steadfast hope.
We Can Make It!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A disciple cannot escape the kind of persecution directed against his teacher. In the wake of this kind of abuse, people can succumb to depression.
Love and Fellowship
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFellowship with God is the only antidote to overwhelming feelings of despair, doubt, and self-condemnation.
The Elijah Syndrome (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod taught Elijah that He is not in excessive displays of power or showy miracles when a voice will suffice.
The Genuineness of Your Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the Bible, character is not affirmed until action takes place-namely obedience to God's commands in which faith or trust in God is the dominant ingredient.
Fear and Fire
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughMainstream media has perfected the technique of keeping people in perpetual fear, with the objective of scaring gullible viewers into conforming to their will.
Hope to the End (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The church must forcefully deal with the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness or it too will succumb to the terrifying vortex of despair.
It's Enough! Now, Lord, Take My Life!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGreat luminaries of faith all wrestled with devastating despair. We must face depression with honesty, compassion, and unwavering trust in God.
A Time to Tear
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The practice of rending clothes symbolizes sorrow, agony, despair, and hopelessness, a realization that God alone can restore the profound loss.
The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe true source of joy does not consist on any worldly commodity, or any self-centered, hedonistic pursuit, but instead a spiritual gift, bestowed by God.
Hope to the End
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPeter, while warning about impending suffering, nevertheless distinguishes himself as the apostle of hope, keeping our minds on what is to be rather than what now is.
Waiting
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe discipline of waiting is on the same level as the other spiritual disciplines, requiring substantial admixtures of faith and hope, building endurance.
Facing Times of Stress: When God is Silent (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul demonstrated inner peace during turmoil, showing consistency in times of instability and faith in God during persecution, fulfilling the role God gave him.
Hope to the End (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Faith, hope and love are spiritual gifts which safeguard us from discouragement and depression, giving us a mature perspective that will last eternally.
Hope to the End (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We need these horrific times and conditions to learn the consequences of foolish decisions in order to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.
The Spirit of Bondage
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod did not give us a spirit of fear or bondage. Faith is the antidote to a spirit of slavish cowardice and timidity, the opposite of boldness from the Holy Spirit.
Fellowship With God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOnly those who have fellowship with God can have any hope, understanding, peace, or rest. The world remains under the sway of Satan, unable to live righteously.
Faith Over Fear
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen it looks like things are out of control, God is busily at work behind the scenes. If we replace anxiety with faith, God will grant us divine peace.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 14)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughProper diet demands responsible choices, and if we do not yield to God's laws governing nutrition, choosing the best foods, we will eventually pay the price.