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The Father-Son Relationship (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod the Father is the supreme Source, the Absolute Deity, who stands above all, including His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the sole Head, greater in function and responsibility, with authority over the Son, who submits to Him completely. The Father sent the Son, giving Him assignments to fulfill His will, such as preaching the gospel, witnessing God's existence, and dying for the sins of the world. Through the Son, the Father reveals Himself, as the Son is the perfect complement, completing and making perfect the revelation of the Father's nature. The Father, as the Source of every good thing, blesses humanity by sending the Son, demonstrating His supreme role. While both the Father and the Son are of the God-kind and worthy of worship, they are distinct in operation and rank, with the Father holding ultimate authority over all, including the Son, who directs worship to Him.
Christ's Revelation of the Father
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ came to reveal the existence of His Father in heaven, a major task during His time on earth. He addressed the question of who was running the universe while He was here as a human, declaring the Father's existence, sovereignty, and power as essential. From a young age, Jesus was acutely aware that He was not Joseph's natural son, knowing His real Father was God in heaven. He understood that His Father had a purpose and a work to be done, and He was sent to accomplish it, showing eagerness and willingness even at twelve years old to engage in His Father's business. Jesus' first recorded words in the gospels highlight His relationship with His Father and the mission He was to fulfill, though even His parents did not comprehend this connection. Throughout His ministry, He faced misunderstanding, especially when speaking of His relationship with His Father, as many had no conception of another divine Being beyond their understanding of Yahweh. His teachings aimed to provide a foundational narrative and description of the Father, not just through words but also through actions authorized by Him, reflecting the Father's character in everything He said and did. The intimate relationship between Jesus and His Father was evident from the beginning, with constant communication and presence, as Jesus stated that He was in the Father and the Father in Him. This closeness allowed Him to say that seeing Him was seeing the Father, as He was a perfect representation of Him. The Father's intimate involvement in Jesus' upbringing was profound, guiding Him directly and ensuring His training from birth, never leaving such a critical task to chance or human limitations. Jesus' declaration of the Father went beyond merely announcing His existence; He explained and expounded upon Him extensively throughout His ministry. This work was vital to salvation, as eternal life depends on knowing both the Father and the Son. By contemplating Jesus seriously—through study, meditation, and participation in worship—one gains insight into the Father, growing in understanding of the divine nature and ultimately striving to live as God does, in intimate fellowship with both the Father and the Son.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAlthough Christ is not the Absolute Deity, He is nevertheless the complement of the Father. He had a pre-existence as the God of the Old Testament.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father is the source of everything and the Son is the channel through which He carries out His purpose. Jesus declared that the Father is superior to Him.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and the Son are two distinct beings, not co-equal as the trinity doctrine proclaims, but with the Son deferring to the Father in all things.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and Son are separate; the Father is the source of all power, while the Son serves as the channel through which we interface with the Father.
Jesus and the Feast (Part One): Alignment With God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOnly in John 7 do we find some evidence of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day, providing a gold mine to discover what was on Jesus's mind during this time.
Power Belongs to God (Part 2)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe may be going through a period of hopelessness, but must believe that all things work together for those who believe and are called for His purpose.
God's Rest (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath rest depicts the miracle of conversion, in which the transformation of mankind into God's image brings about a rest in which God takes pleasure.
Appearing Before God (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod's Word causes things to increase just as rain causes crops to increase, but the increase is not always numeric. Often, it is qualitative.
The Patient Pineapple
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe majority of the growth or maturation of a pineapple plant takes place from within. The same holds true for our calling and conversion.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)As the lives of the major biblical figures were predestined, so are our lives. God chooses, moves, and manages the lives of His servants.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are being trained to become leaders, but before we can lead, we must be able to carry out responsibilities, conforming to God's leadership and covenants.