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The Pharisees (Part 2)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God is less impressed in our rote compliance to a set of rules than thoughtful application of godly principles extending justice, mercy, and faith.

More Righteous Than the Pharisees?

Sermon by John O. Reid

The Pharisees were in the office or seat of Moses. Jesus taught His followers to follow their words (pertaining to the Law of God), but not their personal examples.

The Leavening of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jesus warned of three varieties of leaven that we must guard against, staying aware of the pitfalls that will pull us down and corrupt us.

Is 'The Leavening' of the Pharisees in Us?

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

If we feel we are better than our brethren, separating ourselves from them, we are hypocrites and actors, harboring the leavening of the Pharisees in us.

The Pharisees (Part 3)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Although the Pharisees imposed harsh regulations, they found loopholes for themselves while proudly and hypocritically displaying their piety for show.

The Pharisees (Part 1)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Having their origin in the days of Ezra, the Scribes and Pharisees were extremely zealous for the law, separating themselves for this exclusive purpose.

Was Job Really Self-Righteous?

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Self-righteousness is defined as being smugly proud of one's own opinion and intolerant of others. What Job repented of was his misunderstanding of God.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

CGG Weekly by John W. Ritenbaugh

Forgiveness from God is directly tied to our forgiving those who have sinned against us! We must reciprocate God's forgiveness by forgiving others.

The Weightier Matters (Part 1): Introduction

Article by Staff

Jesus blasts the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23, telling them they ignore the 'weightier matters.' We must focus on certain virtues as we keep God's law.

Beware the Leaven

Sermonette by Mike Ford

The Jews establishes a fixed date for Shavuot in contradiction to the instruction for counting to Pentecost. This is part of the leavening of the Pharisees.

Infected?

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Jesus warned His disciples to cease pretending to be better than they are, focusing on the faults of others while whitewashing and justifying one's own.

Delusions of Perfection

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We need to exercise humility and forbearance when we deal with the weaknesses of our brethren, restoring them in love as we would expect them to do for us.

Are We Ever Good Enough?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

It is necessary to begin with a conviction of sin in order to experience a need for Jesus Christ and to receive the joy in the forgiveness of sin.

Matthew (Part Twenty)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus explains that what truly defiles a person—evil thoughts, murder, adultery—comes from their heart and mind, not from eating with unwashed hands.

'But I Say to You' (Part One): The Spirit of the Law

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our righteousness must exceed the that of the Pharisees, keeping God's law in the spirit rather than in the letter, replacing the law of death with the law of life.

You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part One)

CGG Weekly by John O. Reid

The problem with the Pharisees is that they never grasped the simplicity of the law, much less the spirit of it, but dissected it to be thought righteous.

God, Obama, and Religous Tolerance

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

President Obama endorsed the mosque at Ground Zero, pleading tolerance. Yet God is a jealous God, ordering the extermination of all competing religions.

Parable of the Cloth and Wineskins

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

People knew not to put new wine in old wineskins or a new cloth patch on an old shirt. Likewise, Jesus' new way of life is incompatible with old habits and beliefs!

Greatest Offering

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

God demands that we love, do justice, and walk humbly, assuming the role of a servant rather than a tyrant, after the manner of the Gentiles.

Seeking the King

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

It is common to focus on what the King gives and does, at the expense of what the King desires and requires, emphasizing God's grace over obligation.

Overcoming Hypocrisy

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We are continually in danger of being deceived by our carnal nature, a nature which distracts us from following God, even though we go through the motions.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In Galatians, Paul took issue with the Halakhah, not God's word. Halakhah was a massive collection of human opinion that placed a yoke on its followers.

The Intertestamental Period

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Intertestamental Period spans approximately 400 years from Malachi to the appearance of John the Baptist, creating the environment for Christ's ministry.

Liberalism, in the News Again

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Conservatism is a political philosophy that calls for stability and the protection of established institutions. Liberals think conservatives are stuck in the past.

Striking a Balance

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both legalism and liberalism can lead to our destruction. God's word implanted in our hearts and minds will promote a perfect balance.

The Merciful

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The harsh religion of the Pharisees was unfeeling, placing more attention on rituals and man-made laws, and had turned their super-righteousness into sin.

Our Daily Bread of Affliction

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

We have been de-leavened, but we know we still have sin in us that has to be purified through a lengthy process of sanctification.

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing a Man With Dropsy

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Jesus deliberately heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. He was teaching the people an unmistakable lesson about the purpose of the Sabbath day.

The Weightier Matters (Part 4) : Faith and Fidelity

Article by Staff

Faith and fidelity to God and His way of life should be a major part of our character. Here is what faith and fidelity are, how to recognize a lack of them.

Do Not Sound a Trumpet

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

To call attention to one's prayers, fasting, and offerings is a display of hypocrisy. We are warned about showing off our piety and righteousness.

Liberalism and Education (Part Three)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Muslims, duplicating the methods of the leftists, are attempting to control the direction of American education, establishing centers for Islamic Studies.

Eating Out on the Sabbath

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the gray areas of applying God's Law, extending mercy and easing of burdens trumps legalism and hairsplitting.

Clothing, Wineskins, and Wine

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Parable of the Cloth and the Wineskins concludes a much longer narrative. The context and reveals deeper meanings and applications of the parable.

What Does God Really Want? (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Good Samaritan parable teaches that unless one practices doing good rather than just knowing good, his faith will be severely compromised.

Matthew (Part Ten)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Entering the Kingdom requires choosing the narrow, difficult path of sacrifice, service, and humility over the easy, broad path of selfishness.

'But I Say to You' (Part Five): Oaths

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must grow in personal integrity, providing a witness for the truth to those around them, not needing the crutch of an oath to guarantee our integrity.

Lamentations (Part Seven)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The people suffering under the Babylonians had basked in the privilege of being God's chosen people while also trashing the terms of the Covenant.

Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Ten): Paradox

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Ecclesiastes 7 contains a paradox: wickedness appears to be rewarded and righteousness seems to bring trouble. We must be careful in how we respond to this.

Elements of Judgment (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

None of God's law has been 'done away', though there is not always a literal application. Not every law of God has the same weight of importance.

Is There a True Church?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many 'church of God' organizations claim to be part of—or even the only—church of God. The Bible reveals specific characteristics of God's church.

Facing Times of Stress: Lovers of Self

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We face the same kind of pressures and stress that Timothy faced, with perilous times ahead of us, threatening the existence of the nation and the church.

The Law's Purpose and Intent

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The effectiveness of a law is found in its purpose and intent rather than the letter. Love and mercy constitute the spiritual fulfillment of the Law.

Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Acts 15 decision did not do away with God's law, but solved the question of circumcision and the misconception that it was a recipe for salvation.

Philippians (Part Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul warns the Philippians that nothing blemishes their witness more than complaining, because like the Israelites, they were calling God into account.