Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Staff Forerunner, May 2002 In nearly every high-profile political race we see in America, the issues of the election often take a back seat to the usual overwhelming concern about the personalities involved. Image consultants, tactical experts, and various other specialists are often brought in to the campaigns to “soften or strengthen” their own … Continue reading “Our Reputation, Our Character”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," May 2002 “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” —Genesis 25:34 The hunt has not gone well. Esau has been on his belly stalking antelope since the pre-dawn hours without success. Now the afternoon is wearing on. Sweat mixed with grime oozes down his hairy face, chest and back. Small cuts on … Continue reading “What is Your Bowl of Lentil Stew?”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," May 2002 A European Atlas of the not-too-distant future may well . . . show these once famous islands, balkanized into provinces and regions, as nothing more than nameless offshore possessions of a new and dreary empire.1 “There'll always be an England.” That is what they used to … Continue reading “Globalism (Part Ten): Israel Versus the Beast”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," March-April 2002 Through the years, a number of people scattered among the many churches of God have sent me papers examining whether God or Satan scattered the church. These papers show that a sharp division exists among God's people on this point. From the papers that have crossed my … Continue reading “God’s Sovereignty and the Church’s Condition (Part One)”

by Staff Forerunner, March-April 2002 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.” So says Jacob to his son Reuben in Genesis 49:3. In ancient Israel, the firstborn child in every family was considered to be extra-special. This apparent favoritism within … Continue reading “The Law of the Firstborn”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," March-April 2002 Why has our sovereign God directed Israel to “push” the world's nations into a global economic and political system in these last days? To set the stage for an eleventh-hour work, using the infrastructures developed by globalization to facilitate the preaching of the gospel and servicing … Continue reading “Globalism (Part Nine): Running To and Fro”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Ready Answer," March-April 2002 The Methodist church near the church office often posts quotations and sayings on their roadside sign. One spring day, the sign read, “We ARE open between Easter and Christmas.” Not only does this reflect a common, modern American attitude about church attendance, it is typical of … Continue reading “Do We Have ‘Eternal Security’?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," February 2002 The Christian life is an educational process. God has designed it so that a person learns to judge and prioritize everything in terms of God and godliness. So we learn what is real versus what is illusion, truth versus lies, good versus evil, worthwhile versus worthless. It … Continue reading “Do You See God? (Part Two)”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," February 2002 Faith without works is dead! Faith without works is dead! Faith without works is dead! Every single word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph written in God's Word, the Holy Bible, is important. However, if a matter is very important, God has it repeated. If it is very, very important, … Continue reading “Faith Without Works”

by Bill Keesee (1935-2010) Forerunner, February 2002 In the thirteenth chapter of his gospel, the apostle John records a ceremony that Christ performed and instituted on the very last night of His life. It may at first seem strange that the other three gospel writers did not address this act at all in their biographies … Continue reading “Another Look at Footwashing”