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The Pursuit of Excellence (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaExcellence is greatly emphasized in athletics and in the business world. Yet none of the excellence sought after today is what Christians are to seek.
Psalms: Book Five: (Part Three): The Hallel: Psalms of Praise
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Book Five of the Psalms, Psalms 113-118 (sometimes termed the Hallel) are to be considered one continuous Psalm of praise, associated with the holy days.
Psalm Genres (Part Five): Psalms of Praise
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPsalms of praise form a vibrant genre within the Psalter, exalting God's incomparable worth as revealed in creation, Scripture, redemptive history, and His gracious dealings with Israel, the church, and individual believers. Though laments comprise over a third of the Psalter, praise permeates 74 psalms—about 26-44 considered core hymns—reflecting humanity's highest calling to glorify God, a theme that climaxes in Psalm 150's universal hallelujah. Rooted in the Latin pretium ("value"), praise acknowledges and delights in God's supreme worth, echoing the heavenly worship scenes of Revelation 4:9-11 and 5:8-12, where creatures and elders proclaim the worthiness of God and the Lamb for creation and redemption. These psalms celebrate His mighty acts—creation's wonders, the Exodus and conquest, ongoing provision, rescue, and salvation—while especially magnifying His chesed (steadfast covenant love), closely linked with righteousness, faithfulness, and truth, underscoring His reliability in contrast to lifeless idols. Structurally, praise psalms such as Psalm 100 open with a call to joyful worship, recount God's sovereign goodness and shepherding care, and conclude with thanksgiving for His enduring mercy and truth; Psalm 135 and Psalm 149 likewise summon God's servants to exuberant, grateful celebration of His supremacy, saving power, righteous judgment, and everlasting name, affirming that joy-filled praise is both the believer's privilege and eternal vocation.
Faith versus Doubtful Things
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFaith falters when our attention moves to ourselves. God periodically allows storms to test our faith. We are driven back to God when there is nowhere else to turn.
The Pursuit of Excellence (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaThe Christian concept of excellence is far different from this world's idea of competitive superiority. The Bible's teaching does not include climbing over others.