Ecclesiastes and Wisdom
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughThere is a vital linkage between wisdom and understanding, understanding comes only through hard work and experience. Wisdom is skill in living.
Understanding and Wisdom
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughKnowledge, understanding and wisdom leads to righteousness and ultimately knowing God and attaining eternal life. By applying diligence, wisdom will accrue.
Biblical Wisdom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhile Greek culture rendered wisdom mostly mental and contemplative, it is not truly biblical wisdom unless it follows through with a specific behavior.
Knowledge and Wisdom
Sermonette by Mike FordThe wise of the world are fools in comparison to those who find and protect godly wisdom, realizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Knowledge and Wisdom (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Mike FordAnyone, of any age, with the gift of God's Holy Spirit, through study, prayer, and meditation can gain wisdom, that skill in living that we all need and want.
Knowledge and Wisdom (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Mike FordSome people seek fame and fortune with every waking hour. They are foolish because their priorities are wrong. What they are looking for has no value beyond the grave.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Nine): Wisdom as a Defense
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe type of wisdom Ecclesiastes teaches is not of the purely philosophical variety, but is a spiritual sagacity combined with practical skill in living.
Discerning Truth and Applying Wisdom
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSpiritual discernment is a gift from God, enabling us to judge between good and evil, comparing things with God's Word to see if they align with His standards.
Sovereignty and Choice
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeSome theologians see law and grace at the opposite ends of a continuum. They cannot imagine how God's sovereignty and man's free moral agency can co-exist.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God wants us to use wisdom to change ourselves, humbly replacing our perspective with His perspective. God gives wisdom as a component of His grace.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Thirteen): Confessions
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAs he closes Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon makes a confession about the search for wisdom, saying that, even to him, true wisdom remained beyond his grasp.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our supreme objective in godly living is attainment and cultivation of wisdom, which consists of attributes giving us skill in living.
Get Understanding
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughIf we ask God for wisdom, we will also need to be ready to work to achieve it. Good results do not just magically happen; 'some assembly' is required.
What Is Christ's Hidden Treasure?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe parables of the leaven and the treasure hidden in the field show two sides of the same coin. The hidden treasure is the God-given solution to the leaven.
Good Old Age
Sermonette by James BeaubelleAlways understanding that it is God who orders life, our success at a good life depends on our yielding to His direction. We will reap what we sow.
Developing Discernment
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHuman discernment can be developed and exercised, triggering early warning systems with the reactions of revulsion and confusion when confronted by evil.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ecclesiastes 1-6 contains an indictment of materialism. The only lasting fulfillment comes from establishing and maintaining a relationship with God.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Ten): Paradox
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 7 contains a paradox: wickedness appears to be rewarded and righteousness seems to bring trouble. We must be careful in how we respond to this.
The Elements of Motivation (Part Two): Vision
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Kingdom of God is our goal, and our vision of what it means gives us compelling motivation to overcome, grow, and bear fruit in preparation for eternal life.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seventeen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Wisdom can be defined as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to the right measure. Wisdom is not given as a whole, but incrementally.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe only kind of pleasure that fulfills comes from applying God's Holy Spirit in serving others. We must seek those permanent things which are from above.
The Danger of Trusting in Oneself
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThose wise in their own eyes, including philosophers, politicians, educators, and religious leaders, have failed in their quest to make the world better.
Hating Evil, Fearing God
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbePaul warns against mixing good and evil, as the fruit is wickedness. The proper fear of the Lord plays a significant role in ridding evil from our lives.
An Exhortation for Young Adults
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Wisdom is not a trait valued or acquired by youth, but takes second place to strength, beauty, or fun. We get too soon old and too late smart.
Ecclesiastes: What is it All About? (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe activities that Solomon put to the test and found wanting are exactly those things the world emphasizes: hedonism, silliness, mirth, and foolishness.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of sin prompted, God has deliberately subjected creation to futility. Solomon has accurately taught us that without God, life is meaningless.
The Purposes of Aging
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughModern society is obsessed with youth and staying young, but aging is a natural process God intended as part of life. Aging is a process for gaining wisdom.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Gossip about us from someone we may have trusted can be painful, yet our tongue has likely been just as detrimental against someone who may have trusted us.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes is full of frustration, bluntness, and even a little hopeless. However, its themes are realistic and necessary for us to grasp.
Ecclesiastes: What is it All About? (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes teaches that life has meaning and purpose only when lived by faith for God's Kingdom, not just for earthly, 'under the sun' pursuits.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Twelve): Paradox, Conclusion
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThere is a danger that arises when the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper: trying to put God under obligation to bless us through becoming 'super-righteous'.
Deuteronomy (Part 5)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's faithfulness is the foundation of our faith. We cannot live by faith unless we believe we have a God who is faithful in everything He does.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
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.
Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes provides a testimony to the conundrum of life, showing the result of both bad and good choices, enabling us to effectively use time.
Even From My Youth
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSolomon teaches that childhood and youth are vanity, and that having fun while forgetting God may create flawed character and permanent sorrow.
Recognizing the Intents of the Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are counseled to seek wisdom (the power of judging rightly) and discernment (the ability to consider the end of a thought pattern or behavior).
God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part Three): Hidden Treasure
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeIn Matthew 13, the hidden treasure the man finds provides the spiritual solution to the leaven - corruption - the woman hides in the three measures of meal.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are not privy to God's, but we must realize that He has the prerogative to impose both blessings and calamity, the latter in response to disobedience.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon exercised a lifetime of hard work trying to find answers, but fell short because some things are discoverable only through God's revelation.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our relationship with God is often strengthened through hardship. We must choose to yield to God, living for a much higher goal than raw materialism.
The Longsuffering of Our Lord Is Salvation
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBecause God has demonstrated incredible longsuffering with our shortcomings, we should similarly exercise forbearance to those who have offended us.
Sin (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.
The Fear of God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.
Do You See God? (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughConversion is a lifelong process in which we endeavor to see things as God does. We must understand and act on the fact that God is deeply involved with us.