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Sincerity Without Truth Is Worthless

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Sincerity, when viewed from a worldly perspective, often leads to a dangerous fallacy where it is equated with truth. Many trust in their zeal and honesty, believing that their earnestness guarantees righteousness, yet this is a profound error. The Jews, as described by Paul, were sincere in their zeal for God, but their fervor lacked the knowledge offered by the gospel, causing them to reject the very truth that could lead to salvation. Their reliance on sincerity led them to overlook the light and understanding that could have guided them to what they sought most. This tendency to exalt sincerity above truth is a pervasive issue, where zeal is mistaken for correctness, and knowledge is depreciated. Society often defends individuals based solely on their honesty, asserting that if a person is sincere, their views must be valid, regardless of their accuracy. However, sincerity does not determine the rightness or wrongness of a belief; it merely describes the manner in which one holds or pursues it. A person can be sincerely wrong, as Paul himself was before his conversion, when he persecuted Christians with full conviction, only to later realize his tragic mistake and redirect his zeal toward truth. Sincerity without truth is like a fire uncontrolled; it can lead to destruction if not guided by knowledge. While sincerity is essential, it must be paired with truth to be of value. Without this foundation, even the most passionate efforts are futile, as seen in those who reject the gospel while claiming to seek God. True sincerity, grounded in truth, provides the right direction and purpose, enabling one to pursue the kingdom of God with proper zeal. Sincerity based on truth becomes a powerful force, aligning one's efforts with the divine will of God.

Re-education (Part 1)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sincerity, as discussed in the context of the Days of Unleavened Bread, carries a profound spiritual significance. In I Corinthians 5, Paul defines unleavened bread as representing sincerity and truth, urging us to live by these principles. The Greek word for sincerity, eilikrineia, implies pure and unadulterated motives, akin to the English understanding of being without hypocrisy. It encompasses clear judgment and discernment in both belief and practice, ensuring that our actions align with pure intent. This concept of sincerity is vividly illustrated by the idea of something examined under sunlight and found unadulterated. Just as sunlight reveals the true nature of an object, sincerity allows us to see clearly what needs to be done and how to walk the course of our lives. It involves pure, unadulterated discernment of our actions and their purposes. Paul instructs us to keep the Feast, and thus our lives, according to truth with this clear, unadulterated judgment and discernment. However, achieving such sincerity is challenging. Our understanding of truth varies among individuals and is limited by our education, abilities, and backgrounds. Additionally, our capacity for judgment is often impure, shaped by years of worldly influences that lead us to make choices contrary to what Jesus Christ would choose. Despite being de-leavened by His sacrifice, sin and human nature persist within us, requiring constant effort to purge these elements and live in sincerity and truth. This ongoing battle underscores the need for re-education in our spiritual journey, aligning our lives with the unleavened principles of purity and clear discernment.

Holy Days: Unleavened Bread

Bible Study by Staff

During the Days of Unleavened Bread, we are reminded to live with sincerity and truth, as false doctrine can puff us up with pride and lead us astray from humility and obedience to the Sovereign of the Universe. True doctrine, as reflected in this festival, emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our walk with God, encouraging us to rid ourselves of sin and to approach Him with a humble heart. As Paul advised the Corinthians, we must partake of the bread of sincerity and truth, ensuring that our lives align with His pure way, free from the leaven of falsehood and self-exaltation.

Unleavened Bread and Pentecost

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unleavened bread serves as a memorial of God's deliverance from the bondage of sin. We must realize that our part of the salvation process is to follow God.

Leavening: The Types

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The holy days are reliable teaching tools, emphasizing spaced repetition to reinforce our faulty memories and drive the lesson deep into our thinking.

Unleavened Bread and Hope

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

After we purge the corruption from our lives, we must replace it with the anti-leaven of truth and sincerity, or our last state will be worse than the first.

Jesus in the Feasts (Part One): The Bread of Life

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Even though the prophetic significance of the Holy Days outlines the the plan of God, the work of Jesus Christ in each event is even more significant.

Our Daily Bread of Affliction

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We have been de-leavened, but we know we still have sin in us that has to be purified through a lengthy process of sanctification.

Hypocrisy: The Last Sin of America

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Having its roots in a Greek word denoting 'actor', hypocrisy suggests pretending or deceiving—a filthy inside disguised by a clean outside.

Freedom and Unleavened Bread

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Christian freedom has nothing to do with location or circumstance but how we think. By imbibing on God's Word, we will incrementally displace our carnality.

Childlike

Sermon by Bill Onisick

Our physical family provides a type of what we aspire to become as children of God, realizing that God loves us as much as He loves Jesus Christ.