A Sin Unto Death
'Ready Answer' by StaffI John 5:16 often raises questions about sin and its consequences. This verse is about more than appears on the surface, and holds out hope for backsliders.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eight): Death
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 7:1-4 highlight the Bible's attitude toward death, particularly its insistence that we allow the reality of death to change our approach to life.
Death of a Lamb
Article by StaffSince the church no longer keeps the Passover with the slaughter of a lamb, we miss important and poignant details that could enhance our observance.
Death Is Not the End (Part Seven)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThere is life after death; there is an age to come in which all who have not been called to salvation will be raised to new life to hear what God offers.
Basic Doctrines: The Fate of the Wicked
Bible Study by Earl L. HennFor centuries, preachers have scared churchgoers with the image of a fiery hell where sinners spend eternity. But is such a place or state biblical?
What Is the Second Death?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeThe second death is an event beyond physical death. It disproves the traditional heaven-hell and immortal soul doctrines, yet demonstrates God's perfect justice.
Christ's Death and the Immortality of the Soul
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dangerous false belief of inherent immortal life has led to an acceleration of sin and the danger of eternal oblivion. Only God can give eternal life.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Six): The Sin Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus' perfect offering of Himself for us fulfilled the sin offering of Leviticus 4. Our acceptance of His offering for atonement puts us under obligation.
Holy Days: Passover
Bible Study by Earl L. HennPassover may be the most important festival ordained by God. Not only does it memorialize Christ's death, it also symbolizes our redemption and the covenant.
This Body of Death
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingIn ancient times, the corpse of a murdered person was attached to the murderer, allowing the body to decompose until the murderer was infected and died.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsIt seems that some sins should be worse than others in God's eyes. Though all sin merits the death penalty, some sins carry greater consequences and penalties.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Five): Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:4
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Genesis 1:31, we have the synopsis of the fall of man, from innocence to iniquity and the ultimate exclusion from the Garden of Eden. God delivered a double warning to our original parents that once they ate of the forbidden fruit they were as good as dead, and they would become aware of another way of looking at life or a …
The Original Sin Question
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Though we inherit the proclivity to sin, neither it nor Satan makes us sin. We are responsible for our own sins and for the consequences—death.
Passover (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe annual reaffirmation of the covenant through the Passover is at the core of an on-going relationship with the Father and Son, beginning the perfecting process.
Did God Lie to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:17)?
Bible Questions & AnswersGod's Word reveals that there are two deaths—the first and the second. All men are subject to the first, but it is the second that we are to fear.
Innocent Victims?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe often hear of 'innocent victims' dying in some tragic way, but are they truly innocent? The Bible gives God's perspective of the human condition.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God, before He created Adam and Eve, preternaturally planned the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save humanity from the curse of sin and death.
Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJesus' parable preaches the gospel of the Kingdom by revealing salvation, the resurrection to eternal life, and inheritance of His Kingdom on the earth.
Forgiveness and Hope
CGG Weekly by John ReissForgiveness concerns each of us, and without God's forbearance, we would have absolutely no hope for anything beyond this brief, physical life.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because of His sinless life, Jesus' death was unnatural, abnormal, unreasonable, but all that was God's preternatural solution for the salvation of mankind.
Never Forget
Sermon by Ryan McClureAfter Adam and Eve sinned, God provided them a vivid introduction to death, perhaps killing an animal in their presence to make tunics for them to wear.
Do We Have 'Eternal Security'?
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughAre we 'once-saved, always-saved'? Once God grants us His grace, are we assured eternal life? The fallacies of the doctrine of 'eternal security' are exposed.
John (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughTrust in God's ability to resurrect can neutralize the most basic debilitating fear—the fear of death. Christ assures us that death is not the end.
Ensuring Our Calling
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause judgment is now on the house of God, we must be diligent, making sure of our calling because it is not yet a sure thing without effort on our part.
The Talking Blood (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God the Father does not take the minimization of His Son's sacrifice lightly, as some Protestant theologians imply with their cheap grace doctrine.
Genesis 3:17-19: Consequences for Adam
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAdam sinned, having abdicated his leadership position. His posterity has been cursed with overwhelming toil just to stay ahead. We are perfected by hardship.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Ten)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe statement, 'it is not good for man to be alone,' is the first declaration that something was not good. Being alone denotes separateness.
Four Views of Christ (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.
Is Your Soul Immortal?
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prevailing idea is that the soul is the indestructible part of a human being that lives on after death. The Bible reveals a different reality of life and death.
God of Our Salvation
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Great White Throne Judgment is a general resurrection to mortal life, allowing the majority of those who have ever lived an opportunity for salvation.
God's Wrath and Hell
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOblivion, not eternal torment in hell fire, is the merciful end for the wicked. God is both good and severe, but His mercy endures forever.
To Do Your Will, O God!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe necessity for Christ's death stems from God's holiness and absolute intolerance of sin and His obligation to judge righteously.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's life and death were supernatural in that He had God's Spirit from the beginning, giving Him power over things, as well as undeniable logic.
Disproving Hell
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughMost of Protestant and Catholic theology is immersed in pagan concepts of hell, reinforced by Dante's Inferno. Here is what the Bible says, without tradition.
The Great Flood (Part Eight)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod literally called Noah, offering him deliverance from the world catastrophe, and offering him a job of being a physical savior for all of creation.
The Christian Fight (Part Four)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhile we must express some of our own faith as we come to salvation, most of saving faith is a gift of God. Abel and Enoch illustrate the pattern of faith.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhatever life is, it derives from a non-material, non-physical, imparted life-force having a spiritual source. God creates and sustains life, as well as ends it.
Natural Law
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGravity is but one of the many natural laws. These cause-and-effect principles operate continuously in our lives. We either comply, or we suffer the consequences.
The Talking Blood (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe blood of Christ, a propitiation or appeasing force, the only means to satisfy God's pure sense of justice, is a testimony of God's intense love for us.
Justice and Grace
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSometimes we are disturbed, even angered, because an act of God seems unfair. We have difficulty because we do not understand holiness, justice, sin, and grace.