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Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Six)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMoses writes in Genesis 2:24 that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife so that they become one flesh, a conclusion drawn from the fact that the woman was taken out of the man. This cleaving restores the original unity of humanity, making the man and woman whole together when joined. The term cleave carries the sense of sticking fast or adhering, drawn from the Hebrew word dabaq, which means to cling or adhere. Modern renderings of the word convey the same idea through phrases such as be joined to, cling to, hold fast to, unite with, or bond with, all of which portray the couple as held together like glue. The strength of this bond is illustrated by a chair whose glued joint remained intact even after the wood above it broke away, showing that the marriage union must hold more firmly than any other connection. When a man and his wife cleave to each other, the resulting joint is meant to survive trouble, with one spouse submitting rather than allowing the bond itself to break. This principle supplies the first indication in Scripture that God intends marriage to be between one man and one woman for life. The same emphasis on lifelong union appears consistently from Genesis through the writings of the apostles and into Revelation, reflecting His positive desire that the couple remain joined as one flesh. Jesus therefore concludes that those whom God has joined should not be separated.
Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Seven)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not consider the sexual union of man and wife as cheap. To Him, it is so valuable that every time a person engages in it, he more intimately binds himself to his spouse.
Christian Dating: Advice for Today
Article by StaffHow are the young people in the church of God supposed to approach the dating situation today? Here is advice on dating, sex and enjoying one's youth.
Divorce and Remarriage
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAny given doctrine must be built layer by layer, combining and comparing scriptures rather than allowing a single scripture to determine the doctrine. When we understand that porneia includes all the hideous perverted sexual sins that go beyond ordinary adultery- including bestiality, pedophilia, homosexuality, incest, and every other imaginable sexual perversion, we understand that Jesus gave a greater latitude and flexibility in these divorce decisions than we had earlier assumed (based exclusively upon adulterous 'fraud'). Any violence against the marriage contract (stemming from unconversion) would constitute grounds for divorce, and would permit the converted partner to remarry. Mutual access to the tree of life (God's Holy Spirit) gives marriage the best (actually the only) chance to succeed.
The Perfect Marriage
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnder the best of conditions, marriage takes work to make it succeed. Next to baptism, marriage is the most important decision we could ever make.
Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Five)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughA chief purpose of marriage is to teach godly government. It provides an environment to learn both how to submit to authority and how to oversee others in love.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Six)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughDespite having served mankind well for millennia, marriage is crumbling under a three-pronged attack. Marriage is vital to understanding God's purpose.
Christian Marriage (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsCohabitation has led to increased divorce, marital violence, and lack of fidelity after marriage. Mass media has shamelessly used sex to promote materialism.
Remembering Who We Are
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen we consider the awesome contrast of what we were before God called us and what we are now, we cannot allow ourselves to commit spiritual fornication.
Our Help
Sermon by Bill OnisickThe woman was created to be a strong, equal, complementary partner. Marriage was intended to mirror the intimacy between Christ and the church.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Becoming equipped for leadership requires that we discipline ourselves in following God's way of life, allowing the mind of Jesus Christ to be in us in.
Thank You For Being A Friend
Sermonette byTrue friendship is not just a casual relationship, but a deep commitment of trust, enabling the sharing of our deepest thoughts without fear of betrayal.
The Fifth Commandment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment teaches our responsibility to give high regard, respect, and esteem to parents and other authority figures, leading to a prosperous life.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'
Belief and the Firstfruits (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJesus said, 'Believe in Me,' and hundreds of millions have said, 'I believe.' But true belief is impossible until a person has been appointed to eternal life.
Friendship Within the Church
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe will be judged on our responsiveness to each other and our subsequent friendship with our brethren, one that goes through the grave for all eternity.