Searching for Israel (Part Five): Solomon and the Divided Kingdom
Article by Charles WhitakerGod divided Solomon's kingdom between Israel and Judah, but promised that a king of Judaic lineage will always rule Israel—another key to finding Israel.
Wisdom for the Young (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughSolomon already lived the wild side, considered it deeply over, and reported on it. If we will listen to what he says, we can avoid all kinds of heartache.
Little Compromises (2001)
Article by John O. ReidCompromise is a dirty word to a Christian. The story of Solomon shows that big compromises—and eventual apostasy—begins with little compromises.
Faith and Contentment (Part One)
CGG Weekly by John ReissA Christian can be content because his faith and trust are in the trustworthiness of the supreme God. The world is not spinning wildly out of control.
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 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 Resumed (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ecclesiastes is perhaps the most practical book in the Old Testament, providing overviews of life-guiding advice, essentially a roadmap through the maze.
The Enduring Results of Compromise
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsCompromise usually begins small and can grow to encompass once strongly held beliefs. The story of Solomon 'minor' sins illustrates how this process works.
The Feast of Tabernacles and Unleavened Bread
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeBoth Tabernacles and Unleavened Bread keep us off balance so that we remain humble, seek stability, and trust in God's providence for our ultimate destiny.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has given time to mankind as a gift, manipulating its use for us. The bad as well as the pleasant aspects of life are fashioned for our ultimate good.
Compromise
Sermon by John O. ReidSolomon compromised with God's law because his heart was turned to idolatry through his multiple marriages, diluting his early gift of wisdom and understanding
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Seven): Contentment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod desires far more for us than mere satisfaction: He wants to give us real contentment, a state that comes only through a relationship with Him.
Little Compromises
'Ready Answer' by John O. ReidScripture chronicles how Solomon's little compromises with God's law sent Israel down an idolatrous road leading to destruction and captivity.
Perversity
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityChange or open-mindedness without wisdom is foolish and perverted, as one can see by the horrendous fruits of the Boomer's open-minded permissiveness.
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.
Vanity (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVanity has many nuances, including transitoriness, futility, profitlessness, confusion, falseness, conceit, vainglory, denial, and idolatry.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod emphasizes Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles to show the result of doing whatever our human heart leads us to do. The physical cannot satisfy.
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.
Behold Your King!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus' sinless and faithful life qualifies Him as King of Kings, in contrast to the kings of Israel who seriously fell short God's requirements.
Abraham (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.
Meditation: Preventing Spiritual Identity Theft
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasIf we don't cultivate the ability to meditate on a regular basis, we run the very real risk of losing our spiritual identity and letting someone take our crown.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJoy is more than just happiness. There is a joy that God gives, through the action of His Spirit in us, that far exceeds mere human cheerfulness.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLove for this world will inevitably bring disillusionment. Because the world is passing away, our priorities should be to fear God and keep his commandments.
Fortress of Joy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickHuman happiness is perishable, dependent as it is on positive life-experiences. Spiritual joy is infinitely more enduring than happiness based in the world.
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-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.
Our Awesome Destiny
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnderstanding is totally different from knowledge. Some people with ample knowledge are incredibly ignorant when discerning the plan of God.