How Does Temptation Relate to Sin?
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsWe have been called to a life of avoiding, enduring and overcoming temptation. Here is the process of temptation, sin and their products, and destruction.
Evil Desires
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaAll the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.
Do You Have 'the Hunger'?
Article by John O. Reid (1930-2016)We all have hungers, from a desire for certain foods to a yearning for success. Jesus teaches that we are blessed when we hunger for righteousness.
Battling the Tempter
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTed Bowling reflects on a recent television program, Perception, in which the class was given the opportunity to cheat on the exam by using the answer key attached to the back side, or to exercise self control, answering the questions with the resources provided by studying. It is rare that a secular TV program reinforces …
The Lures Of Satan
Sermonette by Bill OnisickTrout become smart about the lures in their stream. Likewise, we must be cautious, realizing that the lure of sin, regardless of its disguise, means death.
The Great Flood (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis 6:1-4 summarize what led to God's rejection of the pre-flood civilization: men chose wives solely on the basis of sex appeal and external beauty.
Thou Shall Not Covet
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Because virtually every sin begins as a desire in the mind, the command against coveting (lustful cravings) could be the key to keeping the other commandments.
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle John warns us to be vigilant about the world, not loving its attitudes, mindsets, and frame of mind. We cannot both love the world and love God.
Do You Take Sin Seriously? God Does!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe demise of an institution can result from the irresponsibility of its constituents; if one member sins, the whole body experiences the effects.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
Trials: Much Needed Experiences
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)God uses trials to test our hearts, but He never places a trial before us to tempt us. God uses trials we bring on ourselves to draw us closer to Him.
Snares
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)Even as the world contains bait and switch schemes and false advertising, so also there are spiritual snares, far more dangerous than physical ones.
What Do You Do in the Dark?
Article by Mike FordCharacter has been defined as "what you do in the dark." It is what you are when no one else can see you. Mike Ford uses the story of Joseph in Potiphar's house to extract some lessons about character.
The Pope Edits Jesus
'WorldWatch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe model prayer includes, 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' Though spoken by Jesus Himself, Pope Francis says He is wrong!
Fast-Forwarding the Tape
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasPeople cannot live without hope. To cope with trials, we should metaphorically fast-forward the tape to what comes later.
God's Rest (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLust begets a guilty conscience, agitation, anxiety, depression, grief, torment. Wrong desire leads to lying, adultery, and murder—eventually leading to death.
Gluttony: A Lack of Self-Control (Part Two)
Article by Martin G. CollinsAt its base, gluttony is nothing more than a lack of self-control. But there is also a more spiritual side to this prevalent sin.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
Samson and the Christian (Part 3)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh reiterates that during the 400-year period of the Judges, Israel experienced a perpetual rollercoaster ride in which the Israelites fared well only when a judge was in power, but tribulation and distress when there was no judge. As Judges 14 opens, God motivates a spoiled, lustful, impetuous troublemaker to …
Can You See Yourself From Every Side?
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTed Bowling, reflecting on the connotations of the word "circumspect," admonishes us to examine everything cautiously, circling around a speck [360 degrees], until we can see all sides. As we exercise circumspection (or perhaps being circum-suspect) we must take God's will for us into our cautious examining in our …
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control
Sermon by David F. MaasIt is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.
Joseph's Extraordinary Example
Sermon by Kim MyersJoseph was an extraordinary type of Jesus Christ. His life and character parallels Christ's in at least 16 ways, which God purposefully foreordained.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the unpleasant prospect of overhearing hurtful gossip about us from someone we have trusted, observes that, in all likelihood, our tongue has been just as detrimental against someone who may have trusted us. What goes around comes around; we reap what we sow. Even though the best defense is not to …
Dating (Part 1): The Purposes of Dating
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsA key ingredient in dating is faith in God's purpose. The relationship one has with God takes precedence over any relationship with any other human being.
A Look at Christian Suffering (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIt offends our sense of justice to see the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. We may need to adjust our expectations for leading an easy life.
Praying Always (Part Six)
Article by Pat HigginsJesus' command to pray always contains the advice Christians need to strengthen their relationships with God as the return of Christ nears.
