Sermons and Biblical Studies

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," July 1999 We live in a world torn by animosities. Even a cursory survey of the past century's events causes us to wonder if mankind has ever had more need of peacemakers. Americans have fought two World Wars as well as major conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Currently, wars … Continue reading “The Beatitudes, Part 7: Blessed Are the Peacemakers”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, "Ready Answer," July 1999 In Matthew 5:20 is the familiar, though enigmatic passage, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Protestant theologians assume that Jesus rebuked zealous lawkeeping in favor … Continue reading “Righteousness from Inside-Out”

by Martin G. Collins Forerunner, July 1999 Everyone can use a little encouragement on a regular basis. Very often it does not take much more than a kind word of concern or a simple statement of appreciation to boost our feeling of accomplishment to exuberant levels. Research has found that people are much happier on … Continue reading “Barnabas: Son of Encouragement and Consolation”

by Mike Ford (1955-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," July 1999 God says in Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 17, 19: Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell … Continue reading “Animal Idolatry”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 1999 In the physical realm those who care pursue pure things because it signifies they seek nothing but the best. Advertisers hustle their products as pure, claiming pure pleasure, pure satisfaction, pure sugar and pure soap. Animal breeders produce pure-blooded animals from dogs and cats to pigs. We … Continue reading “The Beatitudes, Part 6: The Pure in Heart”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 1999 This is the time of year when the calendar reminds us to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day. Millions of people take the time to honor Mom and Dad with greeting cards, a special dinner out and perhaps even a gift. A big hug and an “I love … Continue reading “A Matter of Honor”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, June 1999 The story of Ebed-Melech, Zedekiah and Jeremiah, recorded in Jeremiah 37-39, is more than a historical narrative of events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. As we saw in Act 1, it presents an example of the reciprocal nature of mercy. What goes around, comes around. … Continue reading “Servant of God, Act II: God’s Gift of Faith”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 1999 The “smaller scale contingency” against Slobodan Milosevic's Serbia, a NATO intervention prosecuted primarily with American might, drags on day after day, sortie after sortie, bomb after bomb. Suddenly, within the first week, the warning cry goes out: “We're running short of cruise missiles! We have only … Continue reading “Is America’s Military Ready?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," May 1999 Mercy is not a quality we expect to see much these days. Instead, our eyes, ears and emotions are assaulted daily, even hourly in the case of radio and TV news items, by violence, injustice, willful stubbornness, intransigence, bigotry, scams, prejudice and intolerance. Acts of mercy are … Continue reading “The Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed Are the Merciful”

by John O. Reid (1930-2016) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," May 1999 Our Savior Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 5:13-14 that we are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world”—we who are also the weak and the foolish of this world (I Corinthians 1:27). Mentally, when we hear such praises from God, … Continue reading “Abstaining From Evil”