Pastor Ricky reminds us today that we are at war. While life might seem peaceful and mundane at times, as Christians we recognize that there is a spiritual war taking place and it’s important that we keep this in mind because otherwise, it’s easy to get sidetracked. While there are many important things in our lives like careers and relationships, and politics, we need to keep everything in perspective. As the apostle Paul points out, soldiers don’t get caught up in civilian affairs, and neither should we.
Revelation - He Still Calls Her His Bride, Part 2
The Bible refers to Christians as members of a larger body, the church, and the church is also referred to as the bride of Christ. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us of the implications of these truths. The Christian walk isn’t designed to be taken alone. As followers of Jesus, we need the church just as a hand is useless if not attached to the body. It’s not always easy. The church is full of sinful people and serious wounds take place within the church but even still, the church is Christ’s bride.
Revelation - He Still Calls Her His Bride, Part 1
Pastor Ricky points out today that many Christians want Jesus but don’t want the church. The problem is as Pastor Ricky explains, having Jesus without the church isn’t an option. Christ loves the church so much that He shed His blood for it. The church is constantly referred to throughout the scriptures as the bride of Christ. Jesus chooses to pour His love into the church, broken as it might be, so if we love Jesus we can’t then hate the very church that Jesus loves and gave Himself for.
Revelation - The Siren Song, Part 3
The book of Revelation sheds light on some deeply ingrained lies in this world. As Pastor Ricky points out today, Revelation speaks of the ways the world promises to fulfill us but the truth is the world can’t deliver on these promises and that genuine fulfillment for now, and all eternity, can only be found in Jesus Christ. True joy doesn't come by indulging our flesh but by dying to it and pursuing Christ instead. He’s the one that satisfies us and in the end, the corrupt world will only experience His judgment.
Revelation - The Siren Song, Part 2
The world offers us what it can’t deliver. No matter what society tells us will bring satisfaction, it never lasts. This is one of the points that Pastor Ricky makes today as he teaches from the book of Revelation. Ultimately, God will judge the world. Sometimes it seems like people get away with doing wicked things but the truth is that God will bring justice and while many people will reject God and choose to indulge in their flesh, thinking that this is going to bring fulfillment only leads them to destruction.
Revelation - The Siren Song, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky teaches from the book of Revelation today, he shows us how these passages are relevant for us. Much of the symbolism of Revelation seems to be referencing ancient civilizations as well as civilizations in the last days but it also refers to civilizations in our day. The warnings about Babylon are simultaneously warnings to Christians in the 1st century, in the 21st century, and in the future. The point is, we need to take heed of these warnings rather than passing them off as wisdom for somebody else.
Revelation - OBEY 1984 and the Mark of the Beast, Part 2
The enemy is a master of deception and it's only going to get worse as the days become darker and we wait for our rescuer to come and take us home. He’s even manipulated branches of the church using a message that sounds really appealing. He says, you just need to be you, you were born with these desires and identities so they must be good and right. But as Pastor Ricky will explain in today’s message, we were born in sin and the feelings of our hearts can’t be trusted.
Revelation - OBEY 1984 and the Mark of the Beast, Part 1
As we look back over history, there are some truly atrocious leaders and governments that have inflicted oppression that we can’t even imagine. If you think the violations on people’s rights have been these past few years, an in-depth look at history can offer a helpful perspective. As Pastor Ricky will warn us in today’s message, things are going to get bad before the end but ultimately God has already secured the victory for His kingdom and wickedness will be put down.
Revelation - Here There Be Dragons, Part 2
Prayer is powerful. Singing worship songs inspires your heart and draws you closer to your father in Heaven. Meeting together to listen to God’s Word and fellowship is essential to our growth and health as believers. They are all important factors for believers but as Pastor Ricky continues to examine the book of Revelation, he’s going to draw our attention to a vital truth that it reveals. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful weapon we have as we face the attack of our enemy.
Revelation - Here There Be Dragons, Part 1
If you’re the type that really enjoys apocalyptic stories, then today's message is going to be right up your alley. We’ve come to the part of Revelation where things get really intense. We’ve got dragons and imagery of spiritual warfare in cosmic proportions. It sounds made up but this vision was given to John as prophecy of real events to come. As Pastor Ricky will explain in today’s message, this chapter isn’t meant to frighten. As believers, we’ll find that it contains hope for us as evil incarnate comes to its end.
Revelation - Few There Are Who Die So Hard, Part 2
Jesus dreaded the suffering of the cross as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest. He knew it would mean separation from His father and unimaginable physical and emotional pain, yet He still went through with it because He knew the results it would bring. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky is going to challenge us to face suffering with that in mind. When you suffer in the name of Jesus, it will bring life to those who witness it and it’s worth the temporary pain.
Revelation - Few There Are Who Die So Hard, Part 1
Many believers are under the misunderstanding that when you’ve become a Christian, you’ve side-stepped the suffering this world has to offer. While salvation does relieve you from the oppression of sin, there’s still plenty of suffering for those who truly follow Jesus. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation in today’s message, he’s going to point out the way this book clearly outlines suffering as a necessary and inevitable part of every believer’s journey.
Revelation - When the Man Comes Around, Part 2
Johnny Cash was a living example of the destruction of sin and the restorative power of grace and he knew firsthand how sin tears down your soul as well as the people around you that you care about most. We all deserve judgment for our choice to rebel against God and serve self. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky will address the wrath that’s to come but not without reminding us of us the incredible grace that wants to rescue us from the immediate and eternal destruction that sin brings in our lives.
Revelation - When the Man Comes Around, Part 1
All the way back to the first few months following Christ's ascension, believers have been waiting for His return. At many times, including right now, world events have felt like His return was imminent, yet here we are still waiting. Why is it so hard to judge when the time is really at hand? As Pastor Ricky will clarify in today’s message, the prophecies contained in Revelation have been and are currently in the process of being fulfilled and the problem is more our interpretation of the timeline.
Revelation - The Citadel at the End of Time, Part 2
God does not grow weary or get tired. That applies to His dealings with you, even the thousandth time you stumbled off and sinned. The love that He expressed in Jesus still goes strong and He’ll welcome you back in grace. It also applies to how he deals with humanity across the arch of time. His creation on the other hand, including us, does grow old and weary. As Pastor Ricky will point out in today’s message, only God is steadfast and sure and He’ll remain so even after everything we see has fallen apart.
Revelation - The Citadel at the End of Time, Part 1
Our ruler is a different kind of ruler than you’re going to find in any kingdom of man. Men who seek office and take it are often the furthest thing from servant-like. Their decisions are almost always tempered by the question of whether it's going to serve them and their agendas well or not. You would never find them washing the feet of even their closest friends. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation, he’ll remind us how different Jesus is and how differently He rules over our hearts.
Revelation - What to Fear and Fear Not, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky begins our study in the book of Revelation today, he’ll lead us through an overview of the book in its entirety, with a focus on the characteristics of Jesus that it reveals. We like to think that we can squeeze Jesus into the box of our understanding and reason but actually, we can’t. His power is unrivaled and He has complete authority to wipe us out. Yet instead He’s decided to redeem us in grace and prepare us for an eternal reign over creation with us at His side.
Revelation - What to Fear and Fear Not, Part 1
Jesus wasn't just a really good teacher with some supernatural capabilities. He didn't just know a lot about God, he knew God because He was and still is God. He held within Himself the power and authority that only belongs to the Creator of the Universe yet he walked humbly among mankind, touching the lives of everyone that He interacted with. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky will remind us of the unmatched power of Jesus as we look forward to His triumphant return for His church.
Against The World For the World -In Suffering, Rejoice, Part 2
Do you ever feel like there are times that God is distant when you're going through trials? Pastor Ricky will be reminding us that God is never distant but He is extremely present. He’s working within us a greater depth of godliness and character as we walk through trials. Jesus Himself went through severe tribulations and hardships. It was meaningful suffering that worked out a greater good for all mankind. In the same way, God is using the hardships you’re facing in your life for a greater good.
Against The World For the World -In Suffering, Rejoice, Part 1
In our text today, the Apostle Peter exhorts the church not to be surprised when they experience fiery trials. Fiery trials are not just hardships of inconvenience but they're painful and can give extreme anguish to the soul. Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to rejoice during trials as well as fiery trials because God will use them to work within us something great. As a Christian, God will work all things out for good in your life, even the worst of tribulations.