Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," July 2000 Palestine lies at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe. This Land of Promise has witnessed the passing of millions of merchants, scores of migrations and hundreds of armies over the past 6,000 years. For much of its history, it has been the vortex around which … Continue reading “Israel at a Crossroads”

by Staff Forerunner, July 2000 This past month those of us in the United States observed “Father's Day” as a good way of giving and showing honor to our dads. Though honoring our fathers should be an ongoing practice, there is nothing wrong in giving dads their own special day of honor. This holiday, as … Continue reading “The Ultimate Father’s Day”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 2000 Previously, we saw that the purpose of prayer is not to change God's mind or to introduce some new thing to Him, as if He is unaware of what is going on. To attempt to change His mind denies His wisdom and the inherent goodness of His … Continue reading “The Sovereignty of God: Part Nine”

by John O. Reid (1930-2016) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 2000 We are all familiar with sayings such as “A man's word is his bond,” or “A handshake is as good as a contract.” These sayings belong to another age. We live in a world where contracts are worth only the paper they are written on, … Continue reading “Giving Your Word”

by Martin G. Collins Forerunner, June 2000 In 1621, Robert Burton wrote in his The Anatomy of Melancholy, “They are proud in humility; proud in that they are not proud.” How carnal men are to twist virtue into sin! It is enough to make us suspicious when we come across a “humble” person. We have … Continue reading “Before Honor Is Humility: The Story of Andrew”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 2000 Everyone loves and remembers the parables of Jesus. The scenes He paints are so vivid and lifelike that they are deeply embedded in the Bible-reading public's common store of reference. If someone mentions the Good Samaritan, the Pearl of Great Price or Lazarus and the Rich … Continue reading “Parables and Prophecy”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," May 2000 The Bible shows beyond doubt that God is not calling all to repentance and salvation at this time. Instead, God has limited His calling for now to a small remnant, a little flock He has ordained to eternal life. The rest He has appointed to stumble. II … Continue reading “The Sovereignty of God: Part Eight”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," May 2000 It is unfortunate that complaints about inappropriate behavior at church services are so common. Whether it is boisterous children, giggling and note-passing teenagers, a too-affectionate couple, someone constantly going in and out of the hall or a snoring “listener,” poor church behavior is distracting and disrespectful. No group—big … Continue reading “Proper Sabbath-Service Behavior”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," May 2000 The stereotypical image of “the hated American abroad” is a worn-out image in novels, television and movies. Perhaps the best known of these brash caricatures is “the Unsinkable” Molly Brown. This “new-moneyed” wife of an American industrialist created lasting impressions on the more cultured European elite … Continue reading “Anti-Americanism Abroad”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, May 2000 We have often heard the cliché, “All is fair in love and war,” implying that people can suspend the law or the rules in special circumstances. Without verbalizing it, people believe the law of expediency rather than God's moral law becomes a governing authority in such instances. They … Continue reading “Is All Fair in Love and War?”