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The Sovereignty of God (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's pleasure is central to His sovereign will and purpose, as He declares in Isaiah 46:10, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." This affirms that nothing can deter Him from accomplishing what He desires, for He is God, and there is none like Him. His pleasure is the foundation of creation itself, as seen in Revelation 4:11, where the elders proclaim, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created." This underscores that the universe exists for His glory and according to His will. His sovereignty means that He governs all things as He pleases, managing and controlling nations and individuals alike, as expressed in Psalm 115:3, "But our God is in the heavens: He has done whatsoever He has pleased." No power, whether human or angelic, can thwart His purpose, for He possesses all authority in heaven and earth. His decisions, whether to show mercy or to harden, as with Pharaoh in Romans 9:17-18, are His alone, demonstrating that He acts according to His will to display His power and name throughout the earth. God's pleasure also shapes individual lives and destinies, as He molds the clay of humanity to honor or dishonor, choosing whom to have mercy upon and whom to harden, as stated in Romans 9:21, "Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" His choices, such as foreordaining events before the foundation of the world in Ephesians 1:4, reveal that even human sin and rebellion are within His foreknowledge and plan, ensuring they ultimately glorify Him, as noted in Psalm 76:10, "Surely the wrath of man shall praise You." Living by faith requires accepting that His pleasure may lead to unexpected or painful paths, yet trusting that He is with us, as He assures in Haggai 1:13 and 2:4, "I am with you, says the LORD." His will is not always aligned with human perspective, but it is always for His greater purpose, demanding that we yield to Him as the Sovereign Creator, acknowledging that He distributes gifts and roles within the body as it pleases Him, according to I Corinthians 4:7 and 12:18. Thus, our lives must reflect a submission to His pleasure, trusting that He governs all for His glory and our ultimate good.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Most converted Christians realize that God is sovereign. But sometimes the Bible reveals something about God that makes us uncomfortable. Can we accept it?

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We are mandated to live by faith, being given trials of faith in order to chisel our character. We must totally and unreservedly accept God's sovereignty.

A Misunderstood Characteristic of God

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Many are shocked at the seeming lack of sensitivity in the Father's bruising of His Son. He struck the Being He loved most to add multiple members to His family.

According to His Pleasure

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God 'took pleasure' in Christ's being bruised, not in the pain and suffering that His Son endured, but in the ultimate goal of adding to His Family.

Holiness of God (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As bearers of God's name, we must aspire to holiness. Perfecting holiness is the process by which we are transformed from the glory of man to the glory of God.

The Witty Side of God's Inspiration

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ was a master of satire, word play, absurdity, irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration. Humor in the Bible reveals one dimension of God's personality.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Three): Cultivating Joy

Sermon by David F. Maas

Strategies for cultivating joy include developing contentment and gratitude, giving rather than getting, finding pleasure in work, and valuing God's law.

The Elijah Syndrome (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

We can draw several lessons from Elijah, particularly his belief that he was the only one left whom God could use. God is always doing more than we are aware.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.

How Our Joy May Be Full!

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Joy and gladness are gifts from God, resulting from Christ living His life in us and helping us to love the brethren. This love is perfected through suffering.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Six)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Despite having served mankind well for millennia, marriage is crumbling under a three-pronged attack. Marriage is vital to understanding God's purpose.

Teach Your Children

Sermonette by Bill Cherry

God expressed His delight in His Son, as heard in Matthew 3:17, when a voice from heaven declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This divine affirmation highlights God's satisfaction with His Son's actions on earth. In a similar way, when our children display godly traits and character, we recognize with pride that they reflect values pleasing to God. God's Word guides us to instill such traits in our children, fostering a passion for Him by loving Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, and by embedding His commandments in our hearts. Through diligent teaching and constant conversation about His Word, as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:5-7, we ensure that our children grow in a manner that aligns with God's pleasure, equipping them with faith and righteousness for their journey toward His Kingdom.