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A Little Leaven
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughOur individual sins (committed in our thoughts, words, and behaviors) are never isolated, but sadly influence every other member of the congregation.
Out Of Egypt
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe Israelites witnessed many miracles, but their attention was short-lived as they prevailed upon Aaron to make a golden calf. They never really left Egypt.
Why Do We Observe Unleavened Bread? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbePutting leavening out of our houses (Exodus 12:19-20) is the third vital aspect of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and spiritually it means overcoming sin and not letting it reign in our mortal bodies (Romans 6:12). Leaven symbolizes corruption, whether corrupt doctrine and practice (Matthew 16:12), hypocrisy (Luke 12:1), or malice and wickedness (I Corinthians 5:8). Pursuing holiness and perfection involves identifying sin, removing it where it is found, and avoiding it where it tries to make inroads. This cannot be neglected, lest one be cut off (Exodus 12:15). Yet it is not first in importance, because the ability to put corruption out completely depends on the first two aspects: remembering God's deliverance and eating unleavened bread daily. Those who overlook deliverance or neglect the unleavened bread cannot put away sin as God requires. Having been delivered from the power of darkness and from Satan's dominion, believers are now slaves of righteousness. Paul's command to "purge out the old leaven" rests on the declaration that the Corinthians "truly are unleavened" because Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed. Righteousness has been imputed to them, so they must conform their conduct to it and make it their own. The same holds for all who are in Christ. Removing sin begins with what the Father and Son have done, and it is sustained by continually feeding on Christ, the unleavened Bread of Life, through taking in His Word and His involvement in our lives.
Why Do We Observe Unleavened Bread? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeLeavening symbolizes sin, and avoiding it completely during the Feast of Unleavened Bread is required. All followers of Jesus Christ must strive against sin and remove it wherever they find it in their lives. Yet the common explanation that the Feast pictures putting sin out of our lives, or coming out of sin as Israel came out of Egypt, is true but incomplete, because it shifts the emphasis from where God places it. God's instructions for the Feast, including Exodus 12 and 34, speak more often of eating unleavened bread than of putting out leavening, and the Feast's very name points to eating rather than avoiding. The command's omission from some summaries of the appointed times does not make avoiding leavening unimportant, but it shows that God stresses other things first. The instructions are weighted toward the positive act of eating over the negative act of avoiding. The deliverance that frames the Feast also shapes how putting out sin is understood. Wording such as "you came out from Egypt" can hide who was responsible, much as a child says "the milk got spilled." Israel walked out, but God made it possible by destroying their captors and leading them by the pillar of cloud and fire. As Exodus 12:51 says, the Lord brought them out. Putting sin out of our lives therefore rests on God's activity and deliverance, and the focus of the Feast must remain on what He does.
The Five Ws of Deleavening
'Ready Answer' by StaffJust what deleavening does God want His children to do? What has He commanded His people? Here are the Five Ws of Deleavening: why, where, what, who and when.
Stuff
'Prophecy Watch' by Mike FordEveryone has a great deal of stuff, which we stockpile and safeguard jealously. How readily could we leave it all behind, as the Israelites had to?
Deleavening the Home
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf each of us individually puts out the leaven of malice and consume the Unleavened Bread of sincerity, we would fulfill our community responsibility.
Re-education (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod mandates that we unlearn carnal processes (purging the leaven) and totally adopt new spiritual processes- eating unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe truer our conception of Christ, the truer our discernment will be in dealing with spiritual problems or conflicts. Modern Israel has cuddled up to sin.
Unleavened Bread Basics
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Feast of Unleavened Bread memorializes God's deliverance from the environment of sin rather than our coming out of sin. Christ embodies sincerity and truth.
Truly Unleavened
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has imputed righteousness to us as His Children because we are in Christ. Our state before God is unleavened provided we maintain this relationship.
Opportunity
Sermonette by James BeaubelleThe Days of Unleavened Bread is the time to build faith with God, a specific time God uses to strengthen His relationship with His people. Our time is now.
James and Unleavened Bread (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe book of James applies to us after the sanctification process has begun. The most effective way of eliminating sin is to do righteousness.
Remaining Unleavened
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur carnal natures must be displaced by God's Holy Spirit, motivating us to refrain from causing offense, but freely forgiving others as God has forgiven us.
Saved By His Life
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloContrary to the belief that most of the Christian professing world hold that we are saved by the death of Jesus Christ, in reality we are saved by His life.
Principled Living (Part Two): Conquering Sin
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist warns that we must do everything possible to annihilate sin - surgically going right to the heart or mind: the level of thought and imagination.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Seven): Repentance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs High Priest, Christ is putting His people through the paces, tailoring the trials and experiences needed for sanctification and ultimate glorification.
Simplifying Life (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe must cleanse not only our physical spaces, but our minds, schedules, and hearts—removing distractions, negative thoughts, and emotional burdens.
The Unleavened Life Is a Happy Life!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Days of Unleavened Bread define our responsibility in God's plan to purge out habits, attitudes, and teachings that do not conform to God's way.
Don't Stand Still!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe best way to conquer evil is to do righteousness, serving God and mankind. Sins of omission are every bit as devastating as sins of commission.
Corporate Sin
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are obligated to purge our thoughts, deeds, and words, cleaning out individual and corporate sins and replacing them with sincerity, truth, and holiness.
Potential for Good
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe chief tool we can use to do good (building positive relationships between other people) is to develop and exercise the mind of God within us.
Unleavened Bread and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAfter 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.
The Christian Medal of Honor
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod rewards patient and continual perseverance in good works, reflecting an inner nobility and character.
Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMagic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification.
Freedom, Liberty, and Bondage
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Grace places limits on our freedom, training us for the Kingdom of God. Our behavior must be clearly distinguishable from the non-believers in society.