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Taking Care With the Tares

'Ready Answer' by Ted E. Bowling

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares warns of false brethren within the fellowship. Jesus Christ exemplified how to interact with them in a godly manner.

Sowing and Reaping

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

A basic agricultural principle, what is sown will be reaped, also applies to human behavior. Sin brings death, while following God's Word produces life.

Hate the Sin, But Love and Forgive the Sinner

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

One of the deadliest afflictions we can develop is a self-righteous, vindictive 'Phineas' complex, seizing the sword of the Lord to correct a fellow member.

Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Founders of this nation were guided more by laws of expedience than by ideology or theology, not having the true faith once delivered.

Matthew (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Life consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.

Jude

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The book of Jude, a scathing indictment against false teachers, may be the most neglected book in the New Testament. False teachers twist grace into license.

Judgment, Tolerance, and Correction

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

A common mantra, even among Christians, is 'You shouldn't judge.' Is this a right concept? Here is the problem, and how righteous judgment should be done.

Judging in the Church

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Human nature is strongly competitive and full of pride, making judgment inherently problematic. Nevertheless, God wants us to learn to judge with equity.

God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

We have the obligation to bear spiritual fruit, heeding the lessons of the cursing of the fig tree, and the parables of the barren fig tree and the talents.

Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The early church was invaded by Gnosticism that denigrated the 'enslavement to Yahweh, His Law, and the Sabbath,' replacing it with Greek philosophy.

Little Things Count!

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

No act is insignificant because of two natural principles: the tendency toward increase and reaping what we sow. They play major roles in our lives.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan has attempted to obliterate the sanctification step from the conversion process. Sanctification is produced by doing works pleasing to God.

Powerful Effects of the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We are intrigued by supernatural power, and many seek to display it. Yet the Scriptures show the activity of the Holy Spirit in ways that are commonly missed.

Let Us Examine Ourselves

CGG Weekly by Ronny H. Graham

Self-examination includes appraising one's own fruit. Paul commands the Corinthians to examine themselves, test their faith, and prove whether Christ is in them (II Corinthians 13:5-6). If Christ truly dwells in a person, the image of God can be detected in that person's behavior. Where it cannot, the person is a counterfeit or reprobate, anti-God, and God will judge such people. This appraisal is far more than a glance in a mirror. The Greek dokimazo means to test, discern, and prove, implying scrutiny, investigation, searching, and correcting. It is a commanded duty requiring diligence and brutal honesty, and God gives the ability to put ourselves on trial, see ourselves as we are, and judge rightly. It is hard because human nature flatters itself, and carnality lies to us about what we are, which breaks the ninth commandment. A person's passion can become the standard of good and evil, so that he worships himself. David, blinded by passion, could not see his sin until Nathan said, "You are the man!" Job could not see the gulf between himself and God, and Peter saw his sinfulness only when confronted with Christ's power. Those who judge themselves and live by God's Word need not be judged or chastened. Honest examination of one's fruit lets one partake of the Passover worthily.