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Living By Faith and God's Grace

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's steadfastness is a cornerstone of His relationship with humanity, revealing His unwavering commitment to His covenant love. His character, as expressed through the Hebrew term *hesed*, embodies mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, goodness, and steadfast love, demonstrating strength and patient faithfulness in day-to-day practice. This steadfast love is evident in His covenant with Israel, where, despite their conduct, He consistently acted with mercy and strong, enduring love. His compassions never fail, renewed every morning, providing hope and the possibility of salvation. As seen in His unchanging nature, there is no variation or shadow of turning with Him, and Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. His punishments for sin are limited, but His lovingkindness extends to a thousand generations, showcasing His enduring faithfulness. Through His continuous flow of grace, He supplies every need for His spiritual creation, ensuring that His purpose moves toward fulfillment with unwavering support.

The Household of God and Loyalty

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God's steadfastness stands as a profound contrast to human disloyalty and unfaithfulness. His loyalty to His covenant and to His people is unwavering, defined as a determined commitment to a gracious relationship with those who love Him and keep His commandments. His faithfulness is evident in His works, judgments, and paths, all of which are established in steadfast love and justice. Even afflictions are given in faithfulness, as He remains true to His promises and plans, never abandoning His purpose until it is fully accomplished. Throughout history, God's loyalty has been a constant, as seen in His covenant with His people, where He promises to faithfully own and bless them. His steadfastness is linked with loving kindness, righteousness, and justice, reflecting His enthusiastic dedication to His church and to individuals within the household of God. In times of distress, appeals to His faithfulness bring hope and assurance of His continued favor and protection. God's loyalty demands a response of faithfulness from His people, obligating them to serve Him freely and sincerely with all their heart. His steadfast love and mercy, displayed through His dealings, call for a dutiful and total response of loyalty in both character and actions. Even when His people falter, His faithfulness endures, as He remains true to His covenant and plan, responding justly to their actions while never departing from His gracious commitment. In the ultimate expression of His steadfastness, God's loyalty is powerfully confirmed in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the role of a faithful High Priest and surpasses all in building and ruling the household of God. As the consummation of God's determined loyalty, Christ embodies enduring commitment to the Father, offering His people the opportunity to be part of this faithful and loyal Family. God's steadfastness, therefore, serves as the foundation for enduring relationships within His household, calling for a loyalty that persists through all obstacles.

Seeking God's Will (Part Two): Faithfulness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's steadfastness is a foundational aspect of His character, embodying the essence of Semper Fidelis—always faithful. He never fails, always proving trustworthy. His words are sure and true, refined in their purity. When He makes a promise, He fulfills it; when He prophesies, He brings it to pass. He never lies, is never late, and never alters His plans. His reliability is unshakable, as seen in the Greek word "pistos," which describes Him as trustworthy, reliable, and faithful, a sure foundation that remains unmovable. Jesus Christ Himself is the faithful witness, utterly believable in all He testifies. His fidelity ensures that He will confirm His people to the end, blameless until the day of His return. He will complete His work in them, doing everything in His power to bring them to the resurrection as His firstfruits. This assurance stems from His unwavering character; He is faithful, never wavering, never going back on His word, never drifting off course, and never giving up. He is the definition of steady and reliable. In the Old Testament, His faithfulness is likened to a Rock—firm, constant, and immovable. As Moses proclaimed, He is a faithful God, perfect in His works, just in all His ways, righteous and upright. This constancy reassures that, regardless of human leaders, He remains the unchanging guide, leading His people to their inheritance. His dependability, expressed in the Hebrew word "emunah," signifies firmness and fidelity, ensuring that His promises will be fulfilled. His faithfulness reaches to the heavens, an inexhaustible quality that encompasses all. It is evident in His covenants, as with David, where He remains committed despite human failings, ensuring the line endures through Jesus Christ. His prophecies are fulfilled precisely, giving confidence in future promises, including Christ's return and the establishment of an eternal throne. Even in trials, He is faithful, never allowing temptations beyond what can be borne, always providing a way of escape, and guarding against adversaries. His mercy and faithfulness endure forever, never failing, as seen in His commitment to forgive sins, grant grace, give His Spirit, hear prayers, and guard lives. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever, unchanging in His resolve to uphold His covenants. Even in judgment or devastation, His steadfastness offers hope, encouraging His people to commit to doing right, knowing He is with them, faithful to the end. Semper Fidelis—He is always faithful.

Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Grace implies empowerment for growth. It is the single most important aspect of our salvation, and His giving of it is completely unmerited on our part.

Are You Alive to God?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Ephesians 2 says Christians were spiritually dead. Thankfully, God resurrected us from the grave through the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.

I Pledge Allegiance

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The words 'under God' were added to the Pledge in 1954. As our country drifts toward socialism, we need to determine where our true allegiance lies.

Psalm Genres (Part Five): Psalms of Praise

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's steadfastness is a central theme in the celebration of His worthiness, as revealed through His unchanging character and covenantal love. His name endures forever, encapsulating all that He is, and His fame extends throughout all generations, reminding us of His eternal nature. He is not fickle; His holy and righteous character remains constant, as He Himself declares that He does not change, ensuring that His people are not consumed despite their failings. This steadfastness is a reason for praise, as it assures us that He can be trusted to fulfill His promises. His covenant love, often expressed as lovingkindness or mercy, appears frequently in the psalms, highlighting His commitment to the covenant He has made with His people. This love is not merely a feeling but a binding obligation He has taken upon Himself, promising to act with goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. The earth is full of His goodness, and His mercy is everlasting, enduring to all generations. His truth, reliability, and loyalty are unwavering, providing a foundation for trust and faith in Him. Unlike the capricious gods of other nations, our God is consistent in behavior, true to His promises, and faithful in His actions. He listens, responds, helps, watches, and guides, demonstrating a steadfastness that sets Him apart. His interventions in history, His gracious interactions with His chosen people, and even His judgments are ultimately for good, reflecting His unchanging commitment to their welfare. This reliability allows His people to act in faith, knowing that He backs up what He says, and they can reap the blessings that follow. Even in judgment, His steadfastness shines through, as He judges His people with compassion. Though He may bring consequences for failing to keep the covenant, His ultimate aim is restoration and atonement, ensuring that His mercy prevails. This enduring faithfulness, coupled with His eternal character, calls for unceasing praise, as no people have ever had it so good with a God who remains true to Himself and His word.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Ezekiel prophetically warns Israelites today of imminent cultural collapse because of ungodly leadership. We must treasure and appreciate the truth we have.

Our Merciful and Faithful Provider

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

The experiences of ancient Israel, bad and good, guide us in our spiritual pilgrimage to our Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is a strong foundation.

Naomi

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Naomi, could be considered the female version of Job. After losing her husband and two sons, she felt severely tried by God while continuing to trust Him.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Five): Cultivating Patience

Sermon by David F. Maas

Numerous scriptures show the bad effects of impatience committed by ancient Israel, while the patriarchs, Jesus Christ, and the Father set examples of true patience.