The Branch of God's Planting
'Ready Answer' by Bill OnisickGod's Word often employs the metaphor of grafting a branch into a rootstock, the best known of which is Paul's use of it in Romans 11. Bill Onisick describes the process of grafting and the measures that must be taken to ensure a healthy plant, comparing them to what God does to graft His elect into His spiritual Family, to the …
A Bed Too Short (Part 2)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker reiterates that Americans [and all of Israel], living well on credit, and enamored with the apparent blessings of technology , have deceived themselves thinking they have "advanced beyond [the ] consequences" of God's Law. Because morality has been left out of the economic equation, we are reaping the …
Sow for Yourself
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, inspired by the early farming experiences of one of his sales colleagues, reflects that the Feast of Tabernacles (a harvest season) depicts the reward of diligent management of time and resources. The images of plowing (breaking up clods), sowing seed, cultivating, and harvesting are applied to our spiritual condition …
Spiritual Maturity
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Kingdom parables allude to the process of spiritual maturity, depicting a planted and cultivated seed becoming a sprout, eventually bearing fruit.
John (Part 8)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh focuses upon the encounter of Jesus with the woman of Samaria, perhaps an exemplification of the entire unconverted world, but also symbolic of a church, initially hardened, self-willed and skeptical when called out of the world, but afterwards zealous and energized when enlightened by the truth. As Jesus …
John (Part 20)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJust as a seed must die to itself in order to bear fruit, we also must sacrifice our lives, submitting unconditionally to God's to bear abundant fruit.
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 …
Baruch's Discontent
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerCharles Whitaker focuses on the example of faithful scribe, Baruch, in Jeremiah 45:1-5, who has been characterized as a kvetcher or complainer. He was given the message by Jeremiah that God was going to uproot the civilization that he knew, and that he was not to attempt to take advantage of the calamity for personal gain. God …
Imagining The Garden of Eden (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, citing Cicero's dictum, "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need," indicates that those two items provided contentment for the Roman leader. Indeed a garden can be a source of peace and calm, giving us a kind of therapy, providing us relaxation from the hectic pace of life. …
Success in This World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must invest in our own self-improvement and preparation, continually striving against stagnation and deterioration, and the powerful pulls of the world.
Creation Stewardship
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn this timely message on the environment, Martin Collins points out that to worship nature is idolatry, but to care for the environment is obedience to God. We as Christians should strive to be the most conscientious environmentalists or creationists in the world because the world because the earth and its fullness are the …
Maintaining Good Health (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, using Paul's metaphor of the human body as the temple of God's Spirit (II Corinthians 6:16) insists that stewardship of our bodies or keeping ourselves healthy is (like the Levitical maintenance of the literal tabernacle) an aspect of holiness, promoting the strengthening of our relationship with Jesus Christ. …
