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Considered Rather Than Commanded - Choose Life
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod, from the beginning, clearly offers humanity the path to follow while granting the freedom to choose. His commandments embody life, serving as the eternal law of love that guides us to live as He lives. They are His gift, enabling us to select the productive life He sets before us. As He prophetically instructed Israel in Deuteronomy 30, His desire is for us to have circumcised hearts, to live His commandments from the inside out, and to choose life. His law is perfect, just, and pure, an intrinsic part of the Father and the Son, and it must become equally intrinsic to us as we are created in His image and likeness. God's commandments are not mere suggestions but firm guidelines for making carefully considered decisions that keep us on His path of life. We are called to diligently work at living lives that are considered rather than merely commanded, thoughtfully applying His law of love in every moment and situation. By considering His commandments in all things, wisdom enters the heart, allowing us to discern His way of righteousness and holiness, drawing us closer to Him rather than driving us away. Choosing life means staying the course in obedience to God, carefully and diligently attending to the work He has given us, so we may love and cling to the Lord our God, living as He lives with Them for eternity.
You Are What You Choose
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughYoung people must make a choice in favor of God's will. We have the freedom of choice to set our destiny, and must bear the consequences of our choice.
Simplifying Life (Part Three)
Sermon by David F. MaasScripture emphasizes the importance of nurturing a deep connection with God as the foundation of all other relationships.
The Ship Is Yours
Sermon by Mark SchindlerJust as the captain of a ship wants decision-makers, not just order takers, God expects us to make decisions in accordance with His will.
Fasting: Building Spiritual Muscle
Article by David F. MaasThough fasting deprives the physical body of nutrition and strength, a proper, biblical fast adds conviction and depth to the inner, spiritual man.
Who Is on the Lord's Side?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets is a day of decision, a time to determine whether we are on the Lord's side. We must loyally fulfill the role to which God called us.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasMisguided theologians have tried to create a false dichotomy between grace and works. We do works of obedience to build character, not to earn salvation.
Sin Is Spiritual!
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughMany people divide sin into physical and spiritual sins, but the Bible clearly says that all sin is lawlessness.
Human Nature: Good or Evil?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProgressives tend to believe that human nature is perfectible and evolving. Conservatives tend to believe that human nature is evil and must be controlled.
Eternal Security (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAll people will be judged according to the quality of their works after they make the covenant with God. Works are required and rewarded.
The Road Not Taken
Sermonette by James C. StoertzAfter standing still, waiting for God's decision for us, we must diligently move forward as God draws us, taking the opportunity of acquiring more of God's Spirit.
Overcoming is a Choice
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must make choices over our entire lifetime. God does the heavy lifting in terms of giving the choices and the solutions for us, but He will not choose for us.
Proverbs 31 and the Wife of Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerFrom the very beginning, God has granted humanity the privilege to choose life by following His word, a principle that leads to an eternal relationship of absolute trust. Choice has always been central to God's perfect plan to create mankind in His image and likeness, teaching us to be faithful and trustworthy companions of Jesus Christ. Through the millennia, men have faced the battle of choosing what seems good versus what aligns with God's truth, often succumbing to human nature's flawed conclusions. Today, for those given God's Holy Spirit and a significant role in His plan to bring all into unity with Him, the struggle is to remain faithful to choices aligned with His will while resisting the deadly choices of the surrounding society. God expects us to make right choices in a world making wrong ones, remembering that He has called the weakest to confound the mighty. Even when men make poor choices contrary to His word, God's sovereign authority ensures His plan moves forward, working all things for the best despite the pain and suffering caused by disobedience. Our responsibility is to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ, humbly recognizing our privileged position to be His perfectly prepared helpmate. We must stay focused on living the truth of God's word, avoiding involvement in a society built on choices apart from His guidance. Our choices must align with God's word to properly prepare, living by every word of God and choosing to follow the King of kings, even as we navigate a divided world rooted in disobedience from the beginning.
Moral Purity
Sermon by James BeaubelleThe urgency to live righteously, striving for godly character is a continuous, ongoing, and vital pursuit not concluded until our death and resurrection.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJustification does not 'do away' with the law; it brings us into alignment with it, imputing the righteousness of Christ and giving access to God for sanctification.
Character and Reputation
Article by James BeaubelleObedience to God's instructions brings a Christian excellent benefits, and one of the greatest of these is working with God to grow in righteous character.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our relationship with God is often strengthened through hardship. We must choose to yield to God, living for a much higher goal than raw materialism.
Narrow Is the Way
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, becoming a slave of righteousness — maintaining the narrow way — leads to freedom, peace of mind, and ultimately, God's Kingdom.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Four)
Sermon by David F. MaasOne of the most marvelous gifts God has given humanity is water—having both physical and spiritual dimensions, serving as the symbol of God's Spirit.
The Summertime Soldier and Sunshine Patriotism
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe 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.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Six
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe overriding issue of life is to whom we will give ourselves in obedience. Will it be ourselves, society, business, Satan or God?
The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.
Deuteronomy (Part 1) (1994)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDeuteronomy could be considered the New Testament of the Old Testament, serving as a commentary on the Ten Commandments. It gives vision for critical times.
Free Will or God's Sovereignty?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeIf God is sovereign and promises salvation to believers, why does it matter how believers live? How significant are our choices in the grand scheme of life?
God is on His Throne
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonOver the years, we have seen doors open to us and doors closed to us. Sometimes we forcefully shut the open door and other times we try to push a closed door.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are not individually sovereign, but we are taught to give ourselves over completely to God's sovereignty. If we do, we will reap unfathomable blessings.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe disappointment in the vanity of life is good for our spiritual preparation, making us disillusioned with all the world's glamorous but false choices.
Sovereignty and 'Once Saved Always Saved'
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine fail to see that God has a more extensive and creative plan for mankind than merely saving him.
A More Excellent Way
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughWhy are we satisfied with what we are when we know we could be doing much better? Many believe God will be satisfied with just about anything.