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God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod is not a passive observer but actively creates circumstances within His church, just as He has throughout history. He allows confrontations with false doctrine right within the fellowship, testing the faith and love of His people. As seen in the early church, false teachers and antichrists fellowshipped alongside the truly converted, creating havoc through heretical teachings before leaving the fellowship, proving they were not truly part of the church. This pattern, initiated with Adam and Eve and continued through Job, shows that God engineers these tests, permitting Satan and others to act as agents in His plan. The scattering of the church is an act of God's sovereign will, not a mere accident or failure. Scriptures reveal that when God scatters, what He scatters remains scattered until He brings it back together, as evidenced by the history of Israel and Judah. Efforts to reunify without His direct intervention achieve only temporary political unity, which does not endure in a church where belief systems are deeply held. God is the only One who can straighten what He has made crooked. In times of scattering, the charge is to find a group to fellowship with, to strive against competition or superiority, and to work to overcome and return to the faith once delivered. God will bring His people together in His own time and way, just as He considers the diverse assemblies of the seven churches in Revelation as one church. He initiates unity by raising up an individual as His prophet or apostle, enabling His people to recognize His work through that chosen one and to support him in the task set apart by God.
The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBitterness divides one member of Christ's Body from another. Individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to justify leaving a congregation.
Don't Leave the House!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe church is portrayed as a vital, living structure, a house or temple where God dwells by His Spirit. As living stones, we are integral to this spiritual building, each with responsibilities to contribute to the whole. Leaving this structure renders one useless, akin to a stone cast back into the field, facing spiritual death without the source of life. There is no place for a freelance Christian; one must remain part of the building to be useful to God. If one leaves, there is nowhere else to go for the truth that leads to salvation. Salvation will come to the church as a whole, as one body, inseparable by the Spirit of God. Being cut off from the church means missing out when salvation arrives. The instruction is clear: stay within the house, behind the bloodstained door, until morning comes, when the Daystar arises. Regardless of the darkness or turmoil outside, remain inside, resisting every pull to leave, for the death angel awaits those who depart. Hold fast, reinforcing faith and appreciating the cost of salvation, until the Light of the world returns.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe church has faced significant challenges and accusations that have led to varied perceptions among members and observers. Some within the church believed it was filled with sin, viewing external attacks as justified, while others saw these attacks as unjust, acknowledging human nature's flaws but not the extent of the accusations. The lingering effect of such attacks painted the church as sinful or deceptive in the eyes of the public, influencing internal divisions. Disgruntled members have historically instigated attacks from within, contributing to discord. This internal strife often leads to individuals leaving the church, as they blame the congregation, specific members, or the ministry for their dissatisfaction. Such departures are frequently rooted in a lack of faith or conversion, with individuals justifying their exit by pointing to perceived faults within the church. The reality of sin and dissension within the church is acknowledged as inevitable, reflecting human nature even among the faithful. These challenges serve to test true adherence to faith, allowing some to weed themselves out of the body through their choices. The departure of many from fellowship, as seen in past large-scale exits, raises questions about the state of their love and commitment, highlighting the potential for difficult and confusing times ahead within the church community.
Leaving Christianity Behind
'WorldWatch' by Richard T. RitenbaughMillennials are changing the face of the nation, transforming society on both public and private matters and rejecting Christianity for humanist values.
The Spirit of Antichrist
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.
Spotting False Teachers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTrue shepherds have genuine concern for the flock, as opposed to hirelings who only devour or take advantage of the flock.
Guard the Truth!
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughThe true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.
The Gun Lap Is Looming
Sermon by John O. ReidAs we near the conclusion of our spiritual journey, the more dangerous obstacles we will face. Satan will pull out all stops to destroy us.
What a Time to be Alive
Sermonette by Ryan McClureIn a world rapidly turning into something mysteriously new, focus on the one thing that does not change: God and His truth.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must avoid forgetting the connection between past and present, especially as our forebears had to battle outer and inner enemies of God's truth.
The Importance of Doctrine
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPeople who try to supplement their spiritual diet with lawlessness or other heresies risk losing their identity, and ultimately their spiritual life.
Matthew (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLife consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.
Don't Go Out of the House!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe term house can mean structure, family, kingdom, or church of God. The instruction to us personally is to not leave the church or fellowship of faith.
The Talking Blood (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ admonishes His people to prepare for difficult times by cultivating a close relationship with their Savior. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
An Anniversary Message
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The emphasis in the Church of the Great God is on self-control and self-government, responsible to God.
Hebrews (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must emulate Christ, who learned through suffering, preparing Himself for His role as High Priest. Giving in alienates us from the fellowship with God.
The Life Which I Now Live
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsGod is putting the us through trials to determine if we will remain loyal to the covenant we made with God, living a life of sacrifice.
Go Not Out of the House
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor Passover, Israel was commanded not to go out of their houses. This is also a warning to Christians when we understand the implications of the word 'house'.