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The Shemitah: God's Year of Release
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeBecause we have spurned God's years of release, we have reaped a whirlwind of curses, including crop failure and devastating stock market crashes.
A Time to Throw Away
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasMany of us are pack-rats, saving everything for years until we have collected a mass of—well, junk. This is like accumulated sin—and it is time to get rid of it!
Atonement: Physical and Spiritual Cleansing
Sermonette by Ryan McClurePhysical fasting provides insights to a parallel spiritual process of cleansing and removal of sin. Our High Priest commands us to let go to lighten our burden.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon without Becoming Assimilated (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasTrue peacemaking means emulating Christ, which that involves promoting justice and righteousness, not merely avoiding conflict or appeasing by compromising.
Use It or Lose It
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonOne of the major commands that God gives both spiritual and physical Israel is to not forget Him or His laws as we progress in our lives during work, relations with friends and family, and within the church. In Deuteronomy 8 the law to remember God is emphasized during times of greater prosperity as good times can cause us to focus on the blessings instead of the Giver. Reviewing the concept of forgetting and the mechanisms by which it happens we see that there are several ways that our neglect of keeping God in our memory can occur. Psychologist Kendra Cherry lists four important points: "forgetting by decay, forgetting by interference, forgetting by failure to store, and motivated forgetting." God's called out ones are often afflicted severely with "spiritual Alzheimer's." Israelites forgot God after seeing powerful miracles. Both ancient and modern Israelites under the New Covenant must by constant vigilance remember God and engage in activities such as prayer, Bible Study, and singing to reinforce our memory that we are dependent upon God's grace and mercy.
Speaking the Truth in Love
Sermon by Bill OnisickOur speech reveals the true condition of our hearts. Even truthful words can be brandished as tools of destruction when delivered with pride or malice.
The Rare Virtue of Self-Mastery
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe virtue of self-control or self-mastery is rare in the world and is the key problem in drunkenness and alcoholism. The world glorifies letting go.
Growing Into Liberty
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur emancipation from sin does not automatically remove our acquired spiritual shackles. We must grow out of the slave mentality into liberty and freedom.