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The Wholeness of God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe beauty, harmony, balance, and providence evident throughout the earth testify to the wisdom, unity, harmony, and love in which He always acts. Eternal life is knowing God, an intimate relationship that deepens over a lifetime, as familiar as that between marriage partners. Our God possesses every good quality to the ultimate degree, with every attribute working in perfect and faithful harmony. Studying God in His wholeness should instill humility, caution in speech and action, and a deep reverence for Him. Growth in godly character and personality is our calling, to be like Him, as He transforms us into the image of His Son. In bringing us to His perfection, He reveals His whole nature so we can know it and allow Him to reproduce it in us.
The Longsuffering of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamGod's mercy and longsuffering toward mankind are evident throughout history, yet there are limits to His patience. From the beginning, when Adam and Eve rejected His rule in the Garden of Eden, God could have destroyed them but instead patiently made tunics of skin to clothe them, demonstrating His enduring compassion despite their disobedience. His longsuffering continued through the days of Noah, waiting 120 years while the ark was built and warnings were given, only to destroy all life in the Flood when mankind refused to repent, save for Noah and his family. With the Israelites, God's patience was tested repeatedly, from their enslavement in Egypt to their constant complaints after the Exodus, yet He delivered them with miracles and sustained them through their failings. Even when they rejected Him by demanding a king, as recorded in I Samuel 8:7, He expressed His grief but allowed their choice, warning of consequences. However, God's mercy has boundaries. In Exodus 34:7, He proclaims Himself as longsuffering and merciful, forgiving iniquity and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, indicating that unrepentant sinners will face His judgment. This is echoed in I Samuel 8:18, where He warns that there will come a day when the Israelites cry out due to their choices, and He will not hear them. His patience, though vast, will eventually give way to wrath, as seen in the impending great tribulation and the Day of the Lord, marking a time when His longsuffering ends for those who persist in rebellion. Yet, even after such judgment, His mercy is promised to be restored in the Millennium, as foretold in Amos 9:11-15, where He will rebuild and bless His people, showing that His ultimate desire is for reconciliation and eternal fellowship.
Our Merciful and Faithful Provider
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The experiences of ancient Israel, bad and good, guide us in our spiritual pilgrimage to our Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is a strong foundation.
God Will Understand
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod pays attention to the small things we may excuse in ourselves, sins we commit in weakness. God's patience does not constitute approval of our sin.
God's Will in the End Time
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not like to inflict punishment on people, but because of sin, He is obligated to correct. But as quickly as God punishes, God restores and heals.
Peace, Peace (Part One): Peace with God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThrough Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, He bears sin, satisfies divine justice, and restores peace between God and repentant believers.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe tares and wheat must coexist until the harvest when the fruit will become clearly seen, at which time a separation and judgment will take place.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Fifteen):The Israel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe top priority for the Israel of God is to cooperate with Him as He develops godly character through their mortifying the old man and putting on the new man.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.
Forbearance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod put up with the foibles of Abraham, Samson, David, Job, and others, allowing them time to repent and build character. We need to develop this godly trait.
A House Left Desolate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is a God of mercy, but He has a stiff core of justice which will not be placated unless we repent. To whom much has been given, much will be required.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur forgiveness from God is conditional, depending upon our forgiving others. It is an opportunity for us to extend grace, sacrificing as Christ did for us.
Lamentations (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Lamentations 2, Lady Jerusalem sidesteps godly repentance, opting instead for self-centered recrimination against Almighty God.
Defining Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe entire life of Christ was a manifestation of God's grace, revealing the nature of God by means of a life lived to give us an example to follow.
Peace and Safety
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWithout national repentance, there will be national calamity. Being the world's sole superpower matters not a whit if God is against us.
Psalms: Book Four (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPsalms 105 and 106 describe the Great White Throne period, expressing the yearning desire to be included in His Kingdom and declaring God's praises.
How Satan Destroys Faith
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBecause we act on what we believe, any affront to our belief system will alter our choices and behavior, placing us on a destructive trajectory.
Examples of Divine Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira, and Uzzah, all aware of the penalties for their actions, rebelled against God's clear and unambiguous instructions.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus contrasts the enormity of what we are forgiven to what we forgive others. Our forgiveness is directly connected with our forgiveness of our brother.