http://cgg.org Sermons, Sermonettes, and Bible Studies produced by the Church of the Great God (c) 1992-2008 Church of the Great God en-us Sat, 17 May 2008 00:01:00 EST dgrabbe@cgg.org dgrabbe@cgg.org http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2140/format/MP3/sm051008.mp3 John Ritenbaugh reiterates that disunity emanates from a poor or tenuous relationship with God. Before godly love can exist, one has to have a solid relationship with God, produced by prayer, Bible study, and meditation. A person with this relationsh... Sat, 10 May 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2140/format/MP3/sm051008.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2141/format/MP3/sp051008.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, in this special warning message, stated that Britain, one of the former great Israelitish powers, has lost its sovereignty, nationhood, and leadership status by becoming absorbed into the European Union following the Lisbon Treaty. T... Sat, 10 May 2008 00:01:00 EST special http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2141/format/MP3/sp051008.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2142/format/MP3/s051008b.mp3 John Reid reminds us that even though the Pharisees had a corrupt form of righteousness, because they were in the office or seat of Moses, we should follow their instructions (pertaining to the Law of God), but not follow their hypocritical personal ... Sat, 10 May 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2142/format/MP3/s051008b.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2143/format/MP3/s051008a.mp3 Mark Schindler, reflecting on Michael Abraschoff's book, It's Your Ship , suggests that just as a captain of a ship wants decision makers, not just order takers, God expects members of His family to be decision makers. We cannot follow the example of... Sat, 10 May 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2143/format/MP3/s051008a.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2137/format/MP3/sm050308.mp3 Ted Bowling, reflecting on Jesus Christ‚s trial and crucifixion, concludes that our Savior was guilty of telling the truth, making the religious leaders uncomfortable because of their deficits. He was guilty of performing good deeds, deeds whic... Sat, 3 May 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2137/format/MP3/sm050308.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2138/format/MP3/s050308.mp3 Martin Collins, acknowledging that weariness in patient well-doing is probably the biggest affliction upon God‚s Church, urges that we sow spiritual seed (largely thoughts and deeds) in order to reap spiritual character (fruits of repentance an... Sat, 3 May 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2138/format/MP3/s050308.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2133/format/MP3/sm042608a.mp3 David Grabbe, acknowledging that there is overwhelming evidence of divine intelligence and design in physical creation, affirms that a similar claim can be made about God's Word, with every word tested and purified multiple times, and no superfluous ... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2133/format/MP3/sm042608a.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2134/format/MP3/s042608a.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh, reiterating that in physical and spiritual creation, God does not wave a wand, but does a great deal of work. Likewise, in our repentance, there is a great deal of reciprocal effort between God and us. In the stories of Star Wars,... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2134/format/MP3/s042608a.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2135/format/MP3/sm042608pm.mp3 Mike Ford, reflecting on the sermon of Senator Obama's pastor, Jeremiah Wright, in which he used the expression, the "audacity of hope" demonstrates that charismatic speakers can often distort scripture or take it hopelessly out of context. Wright su... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2135/format/MP3/sm042608pm.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2136/format/MP3/s042608pm.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Jesus Christ's prayer for unity in John 17, insists that unity with our brethren is impossible without unity with God first. Adam and Eve severed this unity by yielding to Satan's influence, stimulating their minds with... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2136/format/MP3/s042608pm.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2146/format/MP3/s042608C.mp3 ... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2146/format/MP3/s042608C.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2148/format/MP3/s042608D.mp3 ... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2148/format/MP3/s042608D.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2139/format/MP3/s042008C.mp3 John Plunkett reminds us that the First Day of Unleavened Bread is the anniversary of our Savior's first full day in the tomb, an event symbolized by the sign of Jonah, indicating that Jesus would spend a full three days and three nights in the grave... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2139/format/MP3/s042008C.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2125/format/MP3/sm042008am.mp3 Martin Collins, focusing upon Hebrews 11:4, affirms that Abel gave a more acceptable offering than Cain because the animal to be sacrificed in faith represented a substitutionary sacrifice, symbolic of the perfect sacrifice of Christ, the only paymen... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2125/format/MP3/sm042008am.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2126/format/MP3/s042008am.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh reiterates that people are attracted to magic because they think it brings quick results, bringing them their fondest desires, erasing their fears and providing for their needs, altruistically cleaning up the annoyances of the cult... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2126/format/MP3/s042008am.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2128/format/MP3/sm042008pm.mp3 Bill Onisick, reflecting on the difficulty of deleavening his van, asks, "In what secret crevices is sin hiding out in my life?† The physical nooks and crannies mirror spiritual nooks and crannies of our hearts. One major crevice consists of sc... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2128/format/MP3/sm042008pm.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2130/format/MP3/s042008pm.mp3 John Ritenbaugh asserts that we keep the Days of Unleavened Bread, not just as a memorial of the Passover and Exodus event, but because of what the Lord did to bring us out of sin (typified by Egypt) by the strength of His hand. What God does sets ev... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2130/format/MP3/s042008pm.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2123/format/MP3/s041908.mp3 Martin Collins, acknowledging that most people have phobia or dread of something, asserted that our own Savior also experienced dread the night He was betrayed, manifested in acute hematohydrosis or sweating drops of blood. Jesus Christ"s shed blood ... Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2123/format/MP3/s041908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2124/format/MP3/sm041908.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Exodus 12:14, affirms that the expression "in haste" has been mistranslated or used incorrectly. The word chippazon or kaphaz does not mean haste, but apprehension, trepidation, or fear. The only thing standing between ... Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2124/format/MP3/sm041908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2122/format/MP3/PS2008.mp3 On this 1978th anniversary of Christ's death, John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Jesus Christ's role as the Mediator of the New Covenant, observes that the New Testament memorial of the Passover, although having many of the same elements, is much more pe... Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST special http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2122/format/MP3/PS2008.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2117/format/MP3/s041208.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh, acknowledging the existence of the paranormal, asks, "What is it about magic that captivates so many people?" The Bible is replete with examples of demonic influences involving magic and sorcery. America's most famous theme park i... Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2117/format/MP3/s041208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2118/format/MP3/sm041208.mp3 Ronny Graham, focusing on the United States judicial system with its "innocent until proven guilty† presumption, contrasts this with the Roman system 2000 years ago, when scourging, torture, humiliation, psychological, and physical abuse were p... Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2118/format/MP3/sm041208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2114/format/MP3/sm040508.mp3 David Grabbe, reflecting on the topic, "Keeping our options open," remarks that people are unwilling to watch a door close, even when there is a greater monetary reward if one closes it. In one important context, trying to keep our options open (halt... Sat, 5 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2114/format/MP3/sm040508.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2115/format/MP3/s040508.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, continuing on his series on the Ten Commandments, focuses on the Third Commandment, exploring the quality of our worship in addition to what we worship and the way we worship. As God's called-out ones, we must diligently study God's ... Sat, 5 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2115/format/MP3/s040508.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2111/format/MP3/sm032908.mp3 Bill Onisick, anticipating the coming Passover season, cautions that where we place our focus determines what we ultimately will become. Christ made preparations for the final Passover with His disciples nearly 1400 hundred years in advance. As the d... Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2111/format/MP3/sm032908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2112/format/MP3/s032908.mp3 Martin Collins, in this second installment on Limiting God, warns that we limit the Holy One of Israel by failing to faithfully follow His instructions. We limit God through our willful sin and disobedience, pride and self confidence, ignorance and b... Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2112/format/MP3/s032908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2109/format/MP3/sm032208.mp3 Ted Bowling focuses on two episodes in Christ's final journey into Jerusalem in which Christ healed a blind man and met a publican or tax collector named Zacchaeus. Ironically the blind man had keener sight and a more sterling faith than those who co... Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2109/format/MP3/sm032208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2110/format/MP3/s032208.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh observes that over two billion people faithfully observe an annual "holy week," consisting of Palm Sunday, Good Friday (the supposed time of the crucifixion), and Easter Sunday. Human tradition and Bible truth do not square. The ov... Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2110/format/MP3/s032208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2106/format/MP3/sm031508.mp3 Martin Collins, reflecting on the perpetual battle between the spirit and the flesh, acknowledges that a major part of our conversion, repentance, and overcoming involves taking up our own cross daily and metaphorically crucifying the sins of the fle... Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2106/format/MP3/sm031508.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2107/format/MP3/s031508.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, reiterating the apostle Paul's warning in Romans 1:28, affirms that when mankind turns its back on God Almighty, God allows man to degenerate into carnality, acquiring a reprobate mind. A reprobate mind is totally devoid of proper ju... Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2107/format/MP3/s031508.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2104/format/MP3/s030808.mp3 Martin Collins asks us whether God can be limited by mankind. God has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting the Holy One of Israel by our faithlessness, thereby robbing ourselves of God's b... Sat, 8 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2104/format/MP3/s030808.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2105/format/MP3/sm030808.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on an apple tree Beth planted 13 years ago which has been reluctant to bear fruit, reminds us that Jesus Christ had cursed a fig tree which also refused to bear fruit, an event that occurred before His cleansing of the ... Sat, 8 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2105/format/MP3/sm030808.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2101/format/MP3/sm030108.mp3 David Grabbe affirms that God, as a part of His Providence, gave us the preparation day to prepare for the Sabbath. The preparation day is intended to allow people to make sure that mundane activities do not interfere with the holy time set apart for... Sat, 1 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2101/format/MP3/sm030108.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2102/format/MP3/s030108.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on a Gatorade commercial asking if we have what it takes in us, asks whether we have life within us. Not all forms of life have equal value. Although we already have physical-chemical existence, we do not yet have quali... Sat, 1 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2102/format/MP3/s030108.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2103/format/MP3/bs022308.mp3 In this Bible Study on unity, John Ritenbaugh shares some insights he gleaned while preparing for the December 2007 ministerial conference. Jesus, in His prayer recorded in John 17, fervently asks for unity among His Disciples (and by extension-all o... Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST biblestudy http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2103/format/MP3/bs022308.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2095/format/MP3/sm022308.mp3 Bill Onisick asks us whether in light of our many burdens (employment, money, health, homes, transportations) if we have not become spiritual hunchbacks. Are we allowing ourselves to become manipulated by the distractions of the world? Jesus warns us... Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2095/format/MP3/sm022308.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2096/format/MP3/s022308.mp3 John Ritenbaugh affirms that idolatry is the most frequently committed sin, with five of the Ten Commandments dealing directly with covetousness and idolatry, emanating from an excessive concern with self. Our individual system or body of beliefs fro... Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2096/format/MP3/s022308.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2092/format/MP3/sm021608.mp3 David Grabbe shows that the phrase "first day of the week" in the various gospel accounts of Jesus Christ's appearance should be translated "first of the weeks" (mia sabbaton). This is the wavesheaf day -- the day after the Sabbath within the Days of... Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2092/format/MP3/sm021608.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2093/format/MP3/s021608.mp3 Martin Collins observes that we are continually barraged on the internet with advertisements, grabbing our attention and tempting us to covet. The apostle John in 1 John 5:21 warned all of us to be on guard against idols and idolatry, including false... Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2093/format/MP3/s021608.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2090/format/MP3/sm020908.mp3 Martin Collins poses the question, "Can a physical human being get God to change His mind, or even to reason with Him?† (Isaiah 1:18). As modern Israel has abortion-blood on its hands and allows itself to become contaminated by strangers (illeg... Sat, 9 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2090/format/MP3/sm020908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2091/format/MP3/s020908.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh, in his in-depth study of the historical Jesus, acknowledges that academic studies on this subject generally discard the authority of the Bible, preferring instead to focus on rubble and debris out of the ground. Can we have assura... Sat, 9 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2091/format/MP3/s020908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2088/format/MP3/sm020208.mp3 Clyde Finklea, reflecting on J. Oswald Sanders book, Spiritual Leadership, suggests that three elements bring about spiritual growth or maturity: sovereignty, servanthood, and suffering. God uses suffering, stress, and burdens to bring about spiritua... Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2088/format/MP3/sm020208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2089/format/MP3/s020208.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on the rather humble circumstances surrounding our calling, cautions us to avoid partiality in our judgments. Jacob, because of his favoritism of Joseph brought about untold jealousy and strife within his family. God judge... Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2089/format/MP3/s020208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2086/format/MP3/sm012608.mp3 Mike Ford, reflecting on some of the ludicrous consequences of the politically correct movement, indicates that the Apostle Paul used some politically incorrect language when he said, "Cretans are always liars,„ actually quoting from the poet E... Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2086/format/MP3/sm012608.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2087/format/MP3/s012608.mp3 Martin Collins, reflecting on a study by a medical doctor, observing that patients actually got better when people prayed for them, asks us whether we spend quality time in our prayer. Not all time in prayer is effective, as is illustrated in the cas... Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2087/format/MP3/s012608.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2080/format/MP3/sm011908.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, reflecting on Amos 3:1-7, focuses on the relationship between unity and personal responsibility. God had sent Amos, a Jew, to the northern tribes of Israel delivering an extremely accusatory message, warning of the dreadful Day of th... Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2080/format/MP3/sm011908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2081/format/MP3/s011908.mp3 Richard Ritenbaugh recognizes that power is neither intrinsically good nor intrinsically bad, but in nearly everyone's estimation, seems hopelessly unattainable. Even though we as Christians have negligible influence and power in this society, we hav... Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2081/format/MP3/s011908.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2078/format/MP3/sm011208.mp3 Bill Onisick insists that all of us serve as project managers under the direction of a project sponsor, creating God's righteous character, fulfilling the project sponsor's (God Almighty) goal to reproduce Himself. We are obligated to faithfully mana... Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2078/format/MP3/sm011208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2079/format/MP3/s011208.mp3 John Ritenbaugh, after observing that the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 may have had a longer period of testing than those called at the end time, also observes that harrowing trials will come at greater intensity at the time of the end, creating a v... Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermon http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2079/format/MP3/s011208.mp3 http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2075/format/MP3/sm010508.mp3 David Grabbe reminds us that when we covenanted at baptism, we covenanted for a life of dramatic and harrowing change not unlike the noble examples recorded in Hebrews 11. The heroes of faith all went through a metaphoric flood described in Jesus' pa... Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST sermonette http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.download/ID/2075/format/MP3/sm010508.mp3