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The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSpirit, as an invisible and internal force, activates and motivates the mind, manifesting externally through attitudes and conduct when unleashed. The power of one being's spirit, whether it be God, man, or demon, can influence another, passing from one to another almost like a contagion. God's Spirit, infinitely greater than any opposing force, is holy, pure in motivation, and equipped with surpassing wisdom and moral character. These qualities are passed to man through His Spirit, which He sends forth to reveal Himself, establish a personal relationship, and complete His creation of those He invites. God interfaces with man by stirring the spirit, often without the individual's awareness, to align thoughts and actions with His purpose. As seen in historical accounts, God stirred the spirit of Cyrus to issue an edict for the Jews, demonstrating His sovereignty in directing events while preserving human choice. Similarly, God stirred the spirits of many to set nations at war or to rebuild His Temple, showing His ability to move individuals and groups toward His intended direction. In the building of the tabernacle, God stirred the hearts and spirits of the people, making them willing to give and act, illustrating how His Spirit excites and inclines the mind to choose His way. God's Spirit also predisposes His children to hear and follow the voice of truth. Those who are of God recognize His truth and are motivated by its impelling power, as evidenced in the teachings of the apostles and the words of Jesus Christ. Even when scattered or led astray, God in His mercy uses His Spirit to draw His sheep back, ensuring they are not lost. His Spirit provides the power to discern truth and overcome trials, never tempting to sin but always offering a way of escape. Through His Spirit, God reveals the knowledge of salvation, guiding man to true success by establishing a foundation of knowing Him, understanding His purpose, and fostering a personal relationship with access to His boundless wisdom and power.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod stirs the spirit in man by working directly in human lives to transfer the essence of His mind. God works in man both to will and to do. In the example of the tabernacle construction God called Bezaleel by name and filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship. God put wisdom in the hearts of all who were wise hearted so that they might perform the commanded work. God stirred the hearts of those who came to do the work. God infused wisdom and understanding so that they might know how to do every work for the holy service. God gave gifts according to the measure of the gift of Christ. These gifts come by means of the Spirit of God as a transference from the mind of God to the human mind. God singles out each individual and distributes gifts as He wills so that each may perform the function He desires within the body. God stirs the heart to enable man to carry out His will and to overcome sin. God is Yahweh-Jireh the Eternal who sees and provides. He is there working from near and from afar with His overall purpose in mind while accomplishing His specific purpose in each person.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod stirs the spirit in man by placing His laws into minds and writing them in hearts through a supernatural act of creation. This occurs as the Spirit of God reveals the deep things of God and transfers the essence of His mind, character, attitudes, perspectives, and morals. God sends forth His Spirit to initiate direct interface with those He calls, projecting His thoughts to trigger awareness, grant choices, and compel responses such as keeping the Sabbath. He manipulates events and circumstances to bring matters to mind while enabling minds to believe and receive truth that flesh and blood cannot grasp on its own. Through the Word, which is spirit and life, God exercises power for salvation, convicting, converting, and shaping individuals from glory to glory. His direct involvement as the Potter applies pressure, inspires, enables, and empowers so that the clay yields and reflects family characteristics. This process creates union in a family relationship where God and Christ dwell by means of shared mind and purpose rather than physical location. The result forms people into the image of God with the same heart, purpose, and attitude for harmony in His Kingdom.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who emphasize one trait of God, or one doctrine, at the expense of the others run the risk of distorting the truth, creating a grotesque caricature.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA converted person, accepting God's specific care with His children, realizes that both prosperity and deprivation are tools in the Creator's workshop.
Satan (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe spirit in man is initially good, but capable of being influenced by the spirit of this world, and surcharged with Satan's negative attitudes.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.
Faith and the Calendar (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe issue is not mathematical or astronomical, but instead a matter of trust in God's faithfulness, authority, sovereignty, oversight, or ability to govern.
Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeGod's people must let go of the world's solutions, involving party spirit, revolutions, and power struggles, placing their trust in the sovereignty of God.
Faith and the Calendar (Part Five): Summary
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod assigned the tribe of Judah to be the caretakers of the oracles. The real issue in this controversy is faith in God's sovereignty and His faithfulness.
Prophets and Prophecy (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA prophet is one who speaks for God, expressing His will in words and sometimes signs. Standing outside the system, he proclaims God's purpose, including repentance.