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Belief with Obedience
Sermon by John O. ReidBelief and obedience are fundamental to uniting the world through truth. Jesus Christ taught that continuing in His commandments and receiving His teaching allows one to know the truth, which brings freedom from a destructive lifestyle and false teachings propagated by satan. Living the truth aligns us with God's way, fostering a desire to repent and improve our lives, leading to harmony, peace, and confidence in our jobs, families, and communities. This freedom enables us to view the world from God's perspective, unshackled by superstition, lies, and deception. Believing in Jesus Christ involves moving toward the way He lived, committing ourselves fully to Him. This belief must motivate action, as seen in Gideon, who transformed from fear to bravery through trust in God, becoming a man of valor and liberating his people. Similarly, King Josiah, upon discovering God's will, stood against societal norms, destroyed pagan altars, and reinstated God's Holy Days. David's belief in God empowered him to face Goliath, distinguishing him from others through his faith and love for God. Daniel's unwavering prayer to God, despite an edict, exemplified steadfast belief, while Abraham's immediate obedience to leave his home demonstrated profound faith in God's direction. Jesus Christ emphasized that the true work of God is to believe in Him whom God sent, proving the genuineness of faith through right actions. Belief in His doctrine and atonement transforms lives, leading to eternal life and satisfaction in mind and spirit. Eternal life comes from knowing and believing in God through His Son, Jesus Christ, a process enabled by God the Father drawing individuals to Him. Those called by God have their minds opened to believe in Jesus Christ and follow His way of living. Believing must be accompanied by action and obedience, as mere acknowledgment of truth without application is insufficient. Humbling ourselves before God to obey His commands, including forgiving others as Christ forgave us, is essential. Belief in Jesus Christ and following Him results in eternal life, manifesting righteousness, love, diligence, balance, self-control, forgiveness, kindness, mercy, patience, and faithfulness in one's life. Obedience and submission to Christ, striving to become like Him, are crucial in the sanctification process, preparing us for His return and citizenship in the heavenly kingdom of God.
Christian Obedience
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMany professing Christians mistakenly believe that obedience is unnecessary in New Testament Christianity, focusing solely on faith and love for the Lord. Yet, Jesus Christ clearly emphasizes the importance of obedience, using various expressions to convey this command. He instructs the rich young ruler, "But if you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments." He also declares to a crowd, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" In His final teachings to His disciples, He urges, "If you love Me, keep My commandments," and further states, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." Through these words, Jesus reveals that obedience to the commandments, the word of God, and His teachings is essential for Christians of all times. Jesus provides compelling reasons to obey, linking obedience to eternal life, demonstrating love for Him, receiving blessings, and abiding in the love of the Father and the Son. Conversely, failing to obey results in devastating consequences: one will not enter into life, will not be blessed, will not show love toward Christ, and will not have the love of God within. Obedience remains a vital tool in the spiritual growth of a Christian, as it aligns with Christ's ongoing work to guide us in righteousness. As it is written, "Having been perfected, Christ became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." Keeping God's instructions helps impress His character upon us, preparing us for the Kingdom of God.
The True Gospel (Part 5)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus' urgent command in Mark 1:15 calls for repentance and belief in the gospel, marking the nearness of the Kingdom of God. Repentance, meaning to change or turn, requires a transformation in behavior once one is convicted of a wrong way of life, bearing visible fruits through actions that demonstrate this change. These actions include showing love for one's neighbor and obeying God's laws, as Jesus affirms that keeping the commandments is essential to enter eternal life. Believing the gospel is intertwined with having faith, a trust or confidence in its truth that prompts action and obedience. This heartfelt belief leads to righteousness, which is right doing or godly behavior. Thus, Jesus' command encapsulates both the negative and positive aspects of a godly action: to rid oneself of evil through repentance and to embrace God's expectations through belief, ultimately leading to righteousness, salvation, and the promise of entrance into His Kingdom.
Disbelief
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeCan anything be more paradoxical than professing Christians not following the words of the One they claim as their Savior? In works they deny Him.
A Man of Fortitude and Conviction
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingDesmond Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. This Sabbath-keeping medic exemplifies total conviction.
The Providence of God (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus and Abraham rose above their emotional pulls by exercising living faith—a faith built on acts of obedience. Faith can never be separated from works.
What Kind of Faith is Required for Salvation?
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletMillions who say they believe in Jesus Christ have no salvation at all because they trust in the wrong kind of faith. Saving faith is largely misunderstood.
Do You Believe—Really Believe?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughNumerous religions claim the Bible as their source of belief, but none of them seems to care that what they do does not square with biblical teaching.
The True Gospel (Part 3)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughBelief is not just agreement with Christ, but also doing what He says. If a person truly believes Christ, he will live like Him.
The Three Witnesses of Christ (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Trinitarian controversy surrounding I John 5:7-8 overshadows the record of what Jesus Christ did. It also hides key characteristics of God's children.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The seven 'I will' promises Got made to Abraham were truly foundational promises, impacting the lives of multiple billions of people up to the present day.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 13)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCommitment to a course of action is essential for physical or spiritual success. Faith motivates and sustains right action, protecting us from wavering.
The Providence of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA spiritual Israelite undergoes a metamorphosis in which his own self-centered will is broken so that God's creative work can be completed within him.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughFully accepting God's sovereignty should drive us to seek Him so that we can come to know Him as completely as possible, which is vital to our salvation.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible abounds in metaphors of warfare, indicating that the Christian's walk will be characterized by stress, sacrifice, and deprivation in building faith.
The Christian and the World (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere is a clear demarcation in God's mind regarding which is the true way and which is not. We were formerly children of Satan until God rescued us.
Filling the Void
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloMore important than putting out sin is the vital need to continually ingest unleavened bread, that is, the Bread of Life, namely the words of Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy: Fear
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people allow fear to rule them, they lose their mind. Fear of God, however, is not mind killing, but inspires a reverential awe of the Creator.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we want to be like our Savior, then we will live the way He lived, keeping God's commandments — which exemplify the highest form of love.

Worry and Seeking the Kingdom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWorry is a wired-in proclivity of carnal human nature, a response that Satan has programmed in a perpetual state of discontent and distrust in God.
The Signs of God (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJesus was not against signs at all, but against hardness of heart that was unwilling to believe unless personally entertained or impressed.

Four Warnings (Part Three): I Never Knew You
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist's third warning in the Sermon on the Mount is to beware of hypocrisy, professing to do things in Jesus' name but habitually practicing lawlessness.

Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Three): Hope Demonstrated
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAbraham's resolute intent to sacrifice Isaac displayed his unreserved devotion to God's purpose for him. We must display the same kind of tenacity.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Having experienced the turmoil of the Catholic—Protestant clash, the framers of our Constitution did not want any sect dictating religious doctrines or practices.
Faith, Hope, and the Worship of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUsing assumptions, some have concocted some nine conflicting calendars. The preservation of the oracles has not been entrusted to the church but to the Jews.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God based the promises He gave to His friend Abraham on the patriarch's proclivity to believe Him even when he had only partial (and disturbing) information.
What We Can Learn From This Day of Atonement
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's solution to mankind's separation was sending a second Adam, Jesus Christ, to make reconciliation possible. Fasting shows our dependence on God.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhat God really wants is for us to see things from His point of view, making the right choices, striving to build character, developing into His image.