House of Mourning
Sermon by Bill OnisickThe prospect of death makes one more mature and self-aware, illuminating the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 that it is better to go to the house of mourning.
On The Value of Joy
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughBecause we live in a troubling world, our reserves of joy are probably somewhat low, perhaps making us feel that we are deficient in God's Holy Spirit.
Matthew (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughMatthew's encapsulation of the Beatitudes, the essence of Jesus Christ's teaching, contains the foundation of His teaching through the entirety of His ministry.
Fortress of Joy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickHuman happiness is perishable, dependent as it is on positive life-experiences. Spiritual joy is infinitely more enduring than happiness based in the world.
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughTrue repentance involves pain, particularly emotional pain. To repent is wrenching to the psyche. It really hurts because it is difficult to do.
Journey for Joy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickOnly when we are united with God can we find true joy. If we consistently use His Spirit as a resource, we will have joy as we navigate through trials.
Joy
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsTrue joy is based neither on material accumulation, nor in extraordinary physical accomplishments, but in the hope of salvation and the promises of God.
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: The Resurrection of Lazarus (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsAmong Christ's greatest miracles is the resurrection of Lazarus. John 11 details Jesus' approach to and way of expressing the concept of death, giving hope.
The End
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, referring to the caption, "The End," suggests that "The End" may also fill our minds with prophetic symbolism at the end of the age. Noah's flood was an end, the temple's destruction was an end, Christ's second coming will be an end, and the Last Great Day will be an end as well as a …
The Beatitudes, Part Three: Mourning
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBlessedness and mourning seem contradictory, but obviously Jesus saw spiritual benefits to sorrow. True, godly mourning gets high marks from God.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJoy is more than just happiness. There is a joy that God gives, through the action of His Spirit in us, that far exceeds mere human cheerfulness.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Are Your Feelings Fighting Your Faith?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, suggesting that, while society has rejected religious principles and faith, it has glommed onto superficial feelingséwhatever feels good to us. Today's Christianity is more theatrics than theological; feelings have become the replacement for faith. When we stifle the truth of God's word to accommodate feelings, …
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eight): Death
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 7:1-4 highlight the Bible's attitude toward death, particularly its insistence that we allow the reality of death to change our approach to life.
Lamentations (Part Six)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Lamentations 3, the narrator finally convinces Lady Jerusalem that her own sins have caused her necessary punishment and affliction by God.
Lonely, But Not Forsaken
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven Jesus had to cope with feelings of anxiety and loneliness in Gethsemane before His crucifixion, a time when He experienced separation from His Father.
Lamentations (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPersonified Jerusalem, whom God depicts as a grieving widow, blames others for her troubles while overlooking her own sins as the real cause of her sorrow.
Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe 'people of the lie' do not believe they have any major defects and, consequently, do not have any need to examine themselves, let alone change.
Wisdom for the Young (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughBaby Boomers have created what sociologists call a 'youth culture,' which is a society that panders to, overprotects, and essentially worships its young people.
A Time to Tear
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The practice of rending clothes symbolizes sorrow, agony, despair, and hopelessness, a realization that God alone can restore the profound loss.
Joy in Our Time
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, continuing on the theme set last week that "we are living in the best of times and the worst of times," and that "life is difficult," affirms that the attainment of joy is problematic at best. It is getting to the point that national repentance is no longer possible. Attainment of calm joy …
Sin (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.
Godly Regret
Sermonette by Ryan McClureWorldly sorrow is superficial and unproductive, while godly sorrow yields not only repentance, but also a bumper crop of the fruits of God's Holy Spirit.
The Book of Joel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhen Joel describes the devastating locust plagues, instead of promising a silver lining on a very black cloud, he says things are going to get intensely worse.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSolomon exercised a lifetime of hard work trying to find answers, but fell short because some things are discoverable only through God's revelation.
Lamentations (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe expressions of sorrow in the Psalms far outnumber expressions of praise, indicating that the Hebrew culture has almost made the lamentation an art form.