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Grace Upon Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe concept of grace upon grace emerges as a profound expression of God's unending generosity. It signifies grace piled on top of grace, given to meet every need, with each instance of grace serving a unique purpose. One grace is bestowed for a specific reason, another for a different need, and yet another for a further purpose, all unearned and unmerited, flowing from the same Divine Source. This continuous outpouring of grace extends beyond mere forgiveness of sin, reaching into every aspect of the salvation process. Everything is given freely by Him, and our role is simply to respond to this gift. Grace represents His benevolence, a giving of Himself to bring about our salvation, and it does not cease with initial forgiveness but continues to build and mature us. His grace enables growth in knowledge and stature, striving toward the fullness of Christ, a process that would halt without His ongoing favor. Thus, grace upon grace is dynamic and active, empowering us to progress spiritually and to live out the purpose He has revealed.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In the book of John, the apostle uses the term charis to highlight the significance of grace in our relationship with Jesus Christ. John describes Him as full of grace and truth, embodying generous lovingkindness and benevolent gifts. From His abundance, we receive grace upon grace, indicating that Christ is the source of the grace we are given. This phrase, grace upon grace, portrays grace not as a one-time act, but as a continuous series of benefits, stacked one upon another, flowing endlessly from our Savior to us as long as we accept and utilize it. This continuous flow of grace supplies us with blessings, gifts, favor, powers, forgiveness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healings, protection, and more through God's loving concern. Jesus Christ is an ever-fulfilling source of everything good in spiritual life, meeting our every need for His spiritual creation, freely given without any obligation on His part. Just as manna appeared daily to the Israelites in the wilderness, so does God supply our spiritual needs for His purpose and glorification. Grace, as epitomized in Jesus Christ, is not merely a concept but a representation of God's personal, patient, and concerned generosity. It is the freeness of His saving acts, continuously flowing to assist us along the way. Through His ministry, exemplified in His life and words, Christ personifies grace, encompassing salvation, redemption, teaching, hope, and inspiration to live godly lives, overcome challenges, and perform good works. This immense gift, ever-flowing, empowers us with wisdom, understanding, and discernment to navigate our responsibilities and resist deceptive influences.
Living By Faith and God's Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGrace, as portrayed in the book of John, is a profound and continuous blessing emanating from our relationship with Jesus Christ. John describes Him as full of grace, embodying lovingkindness and benevolent gifts, alongside truth. From this fullness, we receive grace upon grace, a concept that illustrates an endless stacking or linking of blessings and favor. This flow of grace encompasses not just justification and forgiveness of sin, but a vast array of gifts including knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healings, protection, and more, all provided through God's loving concern to meet our spiritual needs as part of His purpose. Just as manna appeared daily to the Israelites in the wilderness, God supplies our every need, freely given, toward His glorification and the fulfillment of creating us for a place in His Kingdom.
Defining Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is a Being full of patience, mercy, and grace, acting with kindness and forbearance as His natural disposition. We often come to expect His mercy, finding His justice surprising because it is so rare, yet He has never acted unjustly toward anyone. In the parable of Matthew 18, the immense debt owed to the lord illustrates the vast indebtedness we have to God, a debt we cannot repay with anything but our lives. Only the compassion and mercy of God's heart can meet our case, and through faith in the sacrifice of Christ, we are further indebted to Him as we owe Him our very existence. The concept of grace upon grace, as seen in John's gospel, reveals that the life of Jesus Christ was a full manifestation of God's grace. His actions—serving the lowest, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and giving His sinless life—demonstrate how God endlessly gives to us, who deserve death if justice were applied. Grace upon grace signifies grace to meet every need, encompassing the entire process of salvation as described by Paul in Titus 2:11, where the grace of God brings salvation to all. This grace represents everything God gives, from the initial thought of His purpose to the completion of salvation, freely offered without obligation. God's grace is not limitless, as He sets boundaries on His patience and warns of impending justice, reminding us of His holiness and the gravity of sin. We are called to emulate this grace, forgiving others as He forgives us, aligning our attitudes and conduct with His nature. Grace, derived from the Greek word charis, means that which causes joy and delight, an unearned gift freely given because of who God is. As we yield to His grace and love, we are transformed to become like Him, reflecting His generous kindness in our lives.

Living By Faith and God's Grace (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe book of John begins with the apostle exclaiming that grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, and it is from His fullness that we receive grace upon grace. This continuous flow of grace provides available help in every circumstance. Grace, as a divine gift, represents a power in many forms, enabling us to meet our responsibilities in submitting to God's creative purposes. Jesus Christ, as the means through which grace reaches us, ensures a constant outpouring of assistance as we face struggles against our carnal nature and the world's persuasions. This grace upon grace signifies an unending provision, reflecting the generous and personal involvement of both Father and Son in our spiritual creation.
What Does God Really Want? (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod provides the gift before it is actually needed so that when it is needed, everything is prepared for the person to do as he has been commissioned to do.
John (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEven many extra-biblical sources such as Tacitus, Seconius, Justin Martyr, Pliny, and Josephus corroborate and validate the biblical accounts of Jesus.
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAny prophetic speculation, accurate or not, is useless unless it is promotes diligence in living godly lives, eagerly preparing for the return of Christ.