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A Feast Message From Hebrews
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible shows a clear pattern of how people leave the faith: looking back, drawing back, looking elsewhere, and then going backward and refusing to hear.
A Quick Survey of American Christianity
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A nation's religions generally determine the moral standards of a nation. The United States is currently afflicted with biblical illiteracy.
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Seven): The Prophesied Blow Falls
Article by John W. Ritenbaugh and Richard T. RitenbaughBy refusing to repent of their apostasy from God's way of life, the Israelites could only expect the coming of God's fearsome punishment. The virgin of Israel has fallen; she will rise no more. She lies forsaken on her land; there is no one to raise her up. Israel, surrounded by luxury and prosperity, should have produced God's personality and character, but she failed miserably. When others look for proof of this great nation's fate, they will find all the accouterments of opulence, luxury, self-indulgence, and indolence—products of their self-concern and self-satisfaction—but no effects of godly spirituality, righteousness, justice, and mercy. God shows Israel committing spiritual adultery by trusting in other nations rather than Him, and His destruction of the nation reflects her unfaithfulness. God makes it clear that His punishment falls upon Israel because of disobedience, rebellion, and sin. The moral standards of the Israelites had degenerated, so their religious profession was not verified by the right kind of works. They were not upright; they failed the test of the plumb line, which God uses to measure if they are living in His grace and law. His patience and forgiveness finally ended; He could no longer defer the punishment for their sins, and the time had come to destroy them. Through their spiritual harlotry, they abused the free, unmerited gift of God and rejected His law. The religions taught the people how to sin and do it religiously, leading to profound moral and spiritual decline. God had tried to get the people to repent, but in their hardheaded, hardhearted way, they would not. His patience had run out, and He would not pass by them anymore. Because of their self-absorption, God's sudden punishment will stun the people, leaving them incredulous at the severity for what they perceive as a little bit of sin. In their spiritually unaware state, they will be taken by surprise, wandering in panic and intense agitation, desperately searching for what they had regarded so lightly—God and His truth—but they will not find it. During these terrible times, when God's Word is most needed to help the people come to repentance, it will be almost impossible to find, as they stagger like drunks, unable to locate the truth they once dismissed.
Living by Faith and God's Justice
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAmong the spiritual realities that a faithful Christian must understand is God's sense of justice. The deaths of Nadab and Abihu are a case in point.
Don't Be Indifferent
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe frightful Trumpet Plagues are coming on the world because of the breaking of covenants on the part of people who should have known better.
In Our Time of Need
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWhen we accepted God's calling, we trusted in His ability to fend off the evil influences of the world as well as our deadly carnal nature.
The Beginning of History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerMany believe that history is progress—that mankind, along with his nature, governments, and technology, is on an inevitable course of advancement.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our exodus from the bondage of sin begins and ends with God. He commanded Israel to mark their escape with unleavened bread because of what He did.
Victims of Existentialism
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Existentialism, a philosophy of humanism, became a major force in America following World War II, ushering in a steep moral decline that has continued unabated.
Amos (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAmos severely chides Israel for exalting symbolism over substance, superstitiously trusting in locations where significant historical events occurred.
Colossian Law-Keeping
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNominal Christendom cannot see God's law even though it is in plain sight. In Colossians, Paul reiterates or alludes to all but one of the Ten Commandments.
The Colossian Heresy and Laodiceanism
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughColossae and Laodicea were susceptible to fast-talking teachers, whose plausible words eroded the true Gospel in favor of pagan thought and practice.
Conviction and Moses
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur conviction reveals itself in living by faith. Moses is a stunning example of how a convicted Christian should live — with loyalty and faithfulness to God.
How Far Have We Fallen? (Part One)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because of the rapid information flow, the changes occur faster and the regressions become the norm, as is seen in the acceptance of homosexuality and abortion.
Without Natural Affection
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of lawlessness, love has gone stone-cold. Sin and lawlessness begets more sin and lawlessness, and natural affection and love disappear.
Globalism and the Wisdom of Men
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe disintegration of the Catholic Church and the greater church of God have eerie parallels. We must seek the wisdom of God rather than the wisdom of men.
Psalm 51 (Part Two): Psalm 51:1-4
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe phrase, 'a man after God's own heart' modifies God rather than David's carnal character. God chose David because He discerned a heart He could work with.
God Never Disappoints
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsUnlike people who, because of their natural carnal nature, feel disappointment with God, God's people should never experience any disappointment with Him.