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Why Was God So Angry With Israel? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Mike FuhrerThe children of Israel stalled in fear at the border of the Promised Land in Kadesh, unwilling to cross over into their inheritance. Despite the faithful testimony of Joshua and Caleb, the Israelites called for them to be stoned. God was incensed, declaring to Moses that He would strike them with pestilence, disinherit them, and make of Moses a greater nation. The Israelites' fear stemmed from their history of reliance on God's provision of water, food, and protection, as seen in the defeat of the Amalekites through Moses' raised hands. Unaccustomed to self-reliance after generations of slavery, they lacked combat skills and education beyond their labor, feeling unsettled by the task of spying out the land's military strength and resources as instructed by Moses. Seeing the multitude of enemies secure in the land, they became terrified, believing God had stepped aside, leaving them to their own inadequate understanding. Their refusal to enter the Promised Land was the final straw for God, who saw no progress or willingness to submit in them, just as at Mount Sinai with the Golden Calf. Thoroughly disgusted and out of patience, God was ready to blot them out completely, only relenting due to Moses' intervention. Over the next 38 years of wilderness wandering, He allowed only the youngest generation, along with Joshua and Caleb, to eventually enter the Promised Land, killing every Israelite over twenty at the time of their refusal.
Are You an Israelite?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.
Why Was God So Angry With Israel? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Mike FuhrerWhat caused God to become so enraged at Israel when they refused to enter the Promised Land? The story starts a few years earlier in the Exodus from Egypt.
Israel's Restoration and the Zeitgeist of Zeal
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)After the Tribulation, God promises to restore Israel to the promised land where she will have a chance to learn and live God's truth in the Millennium.
Searching for Israel (Part Three): The Old Covenant
Article by Charles WhitakerThe covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai provides important clues to the whereabouts of the descendants of Israel in modern times.
Tempting God (Numbers 14)
Sermonette by James BeaubelleWe must carefully consider the offenses preventing the Israelites from entering the Land. That evil generation refused to trust Him, but complained continually.
Fear and Faith (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Mike FordThe spies returned on the 8th of Av, and as the 9th of Av began, the people murmured, beginning a long list of calamities to befall Israel on this date.
The Sin of Fear (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsPhobias are common, but our fears can have far more serious consequences. The Bible warns that the wrong kind of fear could keep a person from God's Kingdom.
Discouragement
Sermonette by James BeaubelleDiscouragement paralyzes one's efforts to overcome temptation or to lose patience in a trial, ultimately leading to deterioration or the destruction of faith.
Attitudes of Returning to Egypt
Sermonette by Jared M. EllisDiscover the three slave-like attitudes the delivered Israelites retained that could cause us to return to the world after our deliverance.
Our Merciful and Faithful Provider
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The experiences of ancient Israel, bad and good, guide us in our spiritual pilgrimage to our Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is a strong foundation.
The Gift of Milk and Honey
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersLike the ancient Israelites, we sometimes come to yearn for our previous bondage. If we understood God's purpose for us, we would live entirely differently.
Caleb: Wholeheartedly Following God Exemplified
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingThe apostle Paul reminds us that Scripture was written to teach, strengthen, and give hope. The example of Caleb demonstrates wholehearted faith. Though often overshadowed by Joshua, Caleb stands out as a man with a "different spirit," loyal, courageous, patient, and unwavering in trust. While the other spies saw only danger, Caleb saw God's power and urged Israel to act on His promises. He endured forty years of wandering without complaint, supported Joshua without jealousy, and at eighty-five still trusted God-not himself—to fulfill what had been promised. His life demonstrates that faith is proven in adversity, that age does not limit what God can do, and that genuine obedience flows from a heart that relies on God for strength, timing, and victory. Caleb's example calls for believers to the same wholehearted trust, confident that God is bigger than any giant or mountain before them.
Fear and Faith or Between a Rock
Sermonette by Mike FordGod's people are pressured by this evil age. We must remember that God will fight for us; we need to wait silently and patiently for His promised intervention.
Wandering the Wilderness in Faith
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughLike the Israelites, Christians must live by faith as we follow Christ through a spiritual wilderness. Faith is the vital component carries us through.
Expecting Miracles
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityIn this age of skepticism, we must still believe in miracles, recognizing the uniqueness of our calling, given to a precious few at this time.
Numbers (Part One): Journey in the Desert
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod never says the Christian life would be easy or that life would always be fair. Difficulties and tests are given to test our hearts and promote humility.
Proper Memorials and the Right Spirit
Sermon by Mark SchindlerCaleb and Joshua withstood the fearmongering tactics of the ten faithless spies by calling to mind the providence God had shown toward Israel.
Sovereignty and 'Once Saved Always Saved'
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThose who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine fail to see that God has a more extensive and creative plan for mankind than merely saving him.
The Genuineness of Your Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the Bible, character is not affirmed until action takes place-namely obedience to God's commands in which faith or trust in God is the dominant ingredient.
Wilderness Wandering (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are in various stages of our wilderness journey, not knowing where our journey will take us. The turns give us opportunities to strengthen our faith.
The Priesthood of God (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The ephod, the curious girdle, and the breastplate of judgment were part of the high priest's attire that teach us godly principles today.
Sovereignty and Submission
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBeing reared in a democratic nation sometimes complicates our relationship with God; God's government is actually a sovereign, benevolent dictatorship.
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe most formidable foe in our spiritual battle is the flesh. We must mortify, slay, and crucify the flesh, enduring suffering as Jesus Christ exemplified.
Deuteronomy (Part 5)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's faithfulness is the foundation of our faith. We cannot live by faith unless we believe we have a God who is faithful in everything He does.
Joshua's Four Miracles (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIsrael's conquest of Canaan under Joshua can be a metaphor for the journey from baptism to entering God's kingdom, especially for the second generation.