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The True Circle of Life
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamLeviticus 23 establishes both the weekly Sabbath and the annual feasts as holy convocations, sacred times that God desires to share with His people. The Feast of Tabernacles is commanded to last seven days, with the eighth day designated as a sacred assembly, a distinction shared only with the last day of Unleavened Bread. The phrase "for seven days" appears six times in Leviticus 23 alone, and the command to keep the feast in the place where God chooses to place His name is repeated six times in Deuteronomy 12. God's repetition reflects His seriousness and His awareness of human tendency to rationalize away specifics. Since the breakup of the Worldwide Church of God, zeal for keeping the full feast has faded for many. Some believe attending only the first Holy Day and the Last Great Day is sufficient, but this falls short of what God commands. A 2004 sermon by Kim Myers declared that attending only part of the feast is an abomination, a statement confirmed by John Reitenbaugh. According to Merriam-Webster, an abomination is something that causes extreme disgust or loathing. Picking and choosing which commands to obey is idolatry, breaking the first commandment. Satan whispers that the specifics do not matter, yet God's law functions as a plumb line that never bends or compromises. Zechariah 14 warns that during the millennium, nations failing to observe the Feast of Tabernacles will receive no rain, a physical consequence that parallels the spiritual danger of God withholding His Holy Spirit now. Deuteronomy 11 repeats six times the command to keep God's statutes and judgments, while also emphasizing three times the foundational requirement to love God with all one's heart and soul. John 14:15 and 1 John 5:1-3 connect love for God directly to keeping His commandments, clarifying that obedience is not burdensome but is the very expression of love for the Fat
A Day Without Work
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRefraining from work on the Day of Atonement symbolizes our inability to atone for our sins. We, humble and poor in spirit, depend upon God for everything.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFormality and decorum (in terms of dress and behavior) are part of godly standards and sanctity. We must always look for the spirit and intent of what God commands.
Don't Be Indifferent (1995)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot allow ourselves to become surfeited with the world's distractions, being lulled off to sleep as the foolish virgins, wasting our precious time.