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Metaphors of God's Word
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has supplied His Word as a precious gift, a source of reliable knowledge about Him and His way of life. Without the Bible, we would be lost in a sea of information, unable to distinguish truth from falsehood or discern what is truly important. In John 6:63, Jesus Christ declares that His words are spirit and life, setting them apart from all other words. Unlike human words, His words originate from a Spirit Being and carry a supremely spiritual nature, infused with His Spirit to produce godly life and, ultimately, eternal life when understood and applied by those who possess God's Spirit. This life-giving quality requires a connection at both ends of the communication process, where the receiver, empowered by God's Spirit, must put these words into practice to bring about transformation. Jesus emphasizes that His words are not focused on physical matters but on spiritual lessons and creation, aiming to shape us into His image. His words are dynamic, lively, and powerful, far beyond mere ink on a page. They actively work within us, whether we are aware of it or not, to create spiritual growth. As a life-giving force, God's Word contrasts sharply with the flesh, which produces nothing but death, while His Spirit and words emanate from the same divine source to generate life. This ongoing spiritual creation is the greater part of His plan, supported by the physical environment He has provided, ensuring that His words continue to produce life in those who receive and act upon them.
Words of Life, Words of Death
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasGod's Words are a powerful force, embodying Spirit and Life, as They breathe vitality into our existence. As Our Elder Brother declares, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). This profound truth underscores the transformative power of divine communication, nourishing our spiritual health through the continuous intake of life-giving words. The Scriptures affirm that faith itself is cultivated by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), revealing how God's Words sustain and strengthen our spiritual journey. Moreover, the power of the tongue, as guided by divine wisdom, holds the potential for both death and life, for those who cherish it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Thus, we are called to guard our hearts with diligence, ensuring that the symbols and words we feed our spirits align with the life-giving essence of God's eternal truth (Proverbs 4:23).
The Fruit of the Spirit
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe value of Scripture lies in the fact that the great God, the sovereign Governor of all creation, has chosen to write His law and instruction to humanity, revealing Himself and His purpose in the common tongues of people worldwide. The more plain the Word and law of the Almighty, the more becoming the divine Author and Lawgiver, and the more profitable for mankind. His Word becomes like bread that can nourish every palate. God says through Jesus that His words are spirit, and they are life. Words carry the power to communicate ideas from one mind to another, to instruct, encourage, inspire, create, or destroy, and to motivate a person to change, to stop, or to move. The power of words is almost limitless. God is concerned about our minds because what goes into them will determine what we produce with our lives. If we do not have the right material to base our thoughts on, we cannot produce the right things. Without God's Spirit, we are limited to producing only within the capabilities of the human spirit, coupled with corrupting influences. But with access to the Spirit of God, we are empowered, with His help, to produce the life He Himself lives—eternal life.
A Primer On Spirit
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Spirit is an invisible force, the effects of which are clear by its manifestations. Spirit can be discerned by thinking through and evaluating its effects.
Appearing Before God (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeWhen God speaks, His words are never futile or useless. He never utters a word in vain. Genesis 1 shows what resulted from God speaking just a handful of sentences!
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's Spirit is the essence of His mind rather than a third person. With this Spirit, God opens our minds, dwells in us, and transfers His nature to us.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe architects of the trinity doctrine admit that it is a 'somewhat unsteady silhouette', requiring assumptions and inferences, but unsupportable by Scripture.
Words Versus Images
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSpiritually, relying on images leads to shallowness of thought at best and idolatry at its worst. Virtually everything we know about God comes through words.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBeing 'in Christ' does not refer to location, but instead our 'concern with' or 'involvement with' Him—and He with us.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere are varieties of spirit, motivating people to 'go with the flow' and conform to a sheep-like mob psychology. Satan's spirit encourages sinfulness.
Life in the Church
Sermon by David C. GrabbeOutwardly, many members in Sardis bore Christ's name, but like the apparently religious Pharisees, they were in reality hypocrites, full of dead men's bones.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist emphasizes that the internal, weightier matters, which change the heart, take precedence over external ceremonial concerns that don't change the heart.
How Does God Help Us? (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe trials we go through are part of His providence, putting us into humility and determining what really motivates us.
Unity (Part 4): The Voice of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe voice of God, whether expressed through thunder, events of His providence, handiwork of creation, or the preaching of His truth, is recognizable to His flock.
Separation and Oneness With God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSince the beginning, God's purpose has been to bring all things into harmony with Him, giving mankind a respite from the heaviness of a sin-laden world.
Seeking God in the Mundane
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPentecostalism, with its sensationalism, is dangerous to a true believer. God is more interested in quietness and meekness than in bombastic displays of power.
God's Powerful Gospel
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe true gospel includes the complete revelation of God of His plan to reproduce Himself. If a gospel does not produce repentance and faith, it is false.
Defining Logos (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe 'word of the Lord' came (appeared) to Abraham, suggesting that the Word (dabar, the Hebrew equivalent of logos) is a Being, the 'Lord God.'
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Four)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJohn 6 has always been a difficult chapter to explain. However, Jesus' teaching is clear. Here is what it means to us.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Three)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe are what we eat. The same can apply spiritually to what we put into our minds. God wants us to desire His Word with the eagerness of a baby craving milk.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasIf we stockpile God's Word into our nervous systems, even though our outer man is decaying while our inner self is being renewed, we will nurture our spiritual legacy.
Four Views of Christ (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dominant emphasis of Matthew is the kingly qualities of Jesus as a descendant of the royal house of David, representing the Lion of Judah.
Mightier Than the Sword (Part Six)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Rousseau's malignant ideas have metastasized into a virulent cancer of collectivism, socialism and Communism, the centralization of power.
Our Trusted Source of Truth (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe veracity of the Scriptures is something we can take to the bank, in essence our only protection against the torrent of deception we face today.
A Cure for News Depression
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The overwhelmingly depressing news must be counterbalanced by edifying news, namely God's Word. The Scripture, with its life-giving words, provides hope.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJeremiah compares studying and meditating upon God's Word to physical eating, enabling a person to receive spiritual energy, vitality, and health.