In What Way Have We Wearied Him?
CGG Weekly by Martin G. CollinsHardly anyone is willing to take responsibility for his actions. Are people innocent when leaders lead them astray? Can we rightly blame others for our actions?
Overcoming (Part 2): Self-Justification
Bible Study by StaffA great impediment to overcoming our sins is self-justification. We tend to excuse ourselves for what we do, and this only makes it harder to become like God.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur sinful nature drives us to disobey God's laws, just as Adam and Eve transgressed by choosing the way of death. Such choices have made this evil world.
March 12, 2005: One Year Later
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeOn March 12, 2005, Terry Ratzmann entered a church meeting room and opened fire. After 22 rounds had been fired, four people were wounded, and eight lay dead.
Refuting a False Proverb
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the book of Ezekiel, God exposes the falsehood behind a common Israelite proverb that earlier generations should be blamed for the present pitiful state.
Responsibility Equals Accountability
CGG Weekly by Martin G. CollinsChildren frequently practice the same sins as their parents, and they receive the same punishment. However, each is still responsible for his or her own actions.
Self-Government and Responsibility (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur experiences prepare us to be a better judge or king. Though we may exercise righteous judgment, we dare not pass judgment nor justify sin in ourselves.
God's Simple Commands
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughGod puts His commands in such clear terminology that no one can retort with 'yes, but....' We continue to sin because we do not really believe what He says.
Self-Government and Responsibility (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJacob's Trouble, or the Great Tribulation, comes about because people are not meeting their God-given responsibilities: keeping His Commandments.
Who Is Responsible For Sin?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThough Satan influences, the choices an individual make are totally his own, even for those without God's Spirit. We sin when we are drawn away by our own desires.
Lamentations (Part Eight)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we approach the coming self-examination prior to Passover, we can apply six significant lessons taught to ancient Israel through the book of Lamentations.
Do Angels Live Forever? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot assume that angels are immortal and share the same kind of spirit God Almighty has; we cannot assume they are indestructible.
Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe, examining the saying, "ignorance is bliss," implying that a measure of peace may come to us if we do not know something that might be disturbing, cautions us that this ignorance is dangerous when it comes to the spiritual preparation of self-examination before the Passover. Self-evaluation is foundational …
Confessions of a Finger-Pointer
'Ready Answer' by StaffDuring times of unrest and confusion, it is easy to blame others for our problems. Yet finger-pointing is contrary to everything God teaches.
Rebellion as Witchcraft
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughGod looks more favorably on a person who single-mindedly follows His Word than on someone who excuses his failures as "opportunities" to bring God glory.
Lamentations (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh begins by recapping the first three chapters of the Book of Lamentation: "Woe is me" (Chapter 1), "God did it" (Chapter 2), and "If God is behind it, it must have been good" (Chapter 3). He then focuses on the themes of the chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 is a summation of how low God …
Lamentations (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh warns that these laments contain little that is jovial or uplifting, but instead are saturated in despair, sorrow, mourning, and even recrimination against God on the part of a personified Jerusalem, whom God depicts as a grieving widow, blaming others for her troubles while overlooking her own sins as the …
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, cuing in on Psalm 73:1-9, describing the despair of someone seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, affirms that it is a delusion that people in the world are leading comfortable lives. Christian living, while not comfortable, has a restorative faith in God. If our focus is on comfort, we cannot …
Many Excuses
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to avoid the trap of self-justification, allowing our hasty words to lure us into sin. We must be quick to listen, and slow to speak.
The Sovereignty of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are assured that even though inexplicable things happen in our lives, God is still sovereign. We must develop childlike faith to trust in Him for solutions.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe term "covenant" describes an agreement made by two parties and "testament" to describe the one-sided commitment made by God to improve the promises.