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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.
A Man of Sorrows
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughJesus anticipated what was coming on the nation, prepared for it as well as He could, and persevered through it along with the rest of His fellow citizens.
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.
Basic Doctrines: Repentance
Bible Study by StaffRepentance is a condition for baptism, and ultimately of conversion and salvation. It is also a lifelong process—one never stops needing to repent.
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Five)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe recognize our need to change when we see, not necessarily how we are, but how we compare to and fall woefully short of the perfect righteousness of God.
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we repent, we turn off the path that leads to destruction and onto the narrow path—through the strait gate—that leads to life in the Kingdom of God.
Guilt: Our Spiritual Pain
Article by David F. MaasPain is not something we normally consider positive, nor is guilt. However, guilt is like pain in that it is a spiritual warning signal to change course!
Repentance and Righteousness (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNothing happens in our lives (including repentance) until God initiates it. A change of heart, by God's Holy Spirit, results in a total change of direction.
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.
Soldier On! (Part One)
CGG Weekly by John ReissPeople often give up when tragedy or adversity strikes. We all make mistakes. But God does not want His people to think that failure is the end of the road.
A Contrite Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe contrite or brokenhearted person finds special favor with God, and a humble or contrite spirit is indeed a precursor to forgiveness and spiritual healing.
Psalm 51 (Part Four): Psalm 51:13-19
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRepentance is far more than feeling guilt or apologizing but instead is a spirit-empowered reorientation of heart, mind, and behavior.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Overcoming (Part 10): Self-Pity
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsWe all have low days, but when our despondency turns to self-pity, we have a problem. 'Woe is me' can hamper our growth because it is self-centeredness.
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.
Those Who Mourn
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWorldly sorrow leads to death while godly sorrow leads to repentance and life. After godly repentance, sorrow is swallowed up in profound joy.
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.
True or False Guilt?
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingWe must be able to separate genuine guilt, which is the spiritual equivalent of pain, from false guilt when we call into question God's forgiveness.
Choices and a Man After God's Own Heart: Turn, Turn, Turn
Sermon by Mark SchindlerHonoring our free choice and understanding our weaknesses, God alters time and chance for us, using our mistakes as tools to enhance our godly character.
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.
Matthew (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus' 28 'missing' years were spent maturing, studying, and gaining life experience to equip Him as a high priest who could relate to human struggles.
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.
The Fruit of Repentance
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe may feel sorry or even guilty when we sin, but have we actually repented? The Scriptures show that true repentance produces these seven, distinct fruits.
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.
Caveats About Self-Examination
Sermon by David F. MaasWe must be very careful how we examine ourselves. Taking the Passover in an unworthy manner can result in serious physical or spiritual hazards.
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.
Hebrews (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEverything about the Priesthood of Christ is superior to the Levitical system, which only served as a type of the access to God that Jesus would fulfill.