There is a demonic spiritual battle being waged against the children of God that has been waged since God created man and woman. Satan can't overthrow God so his main goal is to hurt God by hurting His children. As Pastor Ricky continues this teaching series through John, he’ll be encouraging us to remain faithful, even during times of persecution. The Bible says that those who want to live a Godly life will be persecuted.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Great Fear, Greater Comforter, Part 2
Have you ever felt rejected? Of course. Perhaps you've had a bad experience as a child being rejected by a parent or family member. We can go throughout our lives being let down by many different people. There's one person who will never let you down. As a Christian, you have an Eternal Father in heaven who loves you with an unconditional and sacrificial love that no earthly parent or person can provide. The Bible says that you are beloved by the heavenly father regardless of your past.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Great Fear, Greater Comforter, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series, he'll be exhorting us to wholly commit ourselves over to the lordship of Jesus. When we were told that if we receive Jesus we would be forgiven of our sins, many of us jumped on board without hesitation at that invitation. However, when we were told to rid ourselves of certain things like sexual immorality or having to love unconditionally, we may grow fearful or hesitant. God is faithful, when we take a step of faith to obey Him He’ll bless that path.
Jesus, Family, Mission - The Way, The Truth, The Life, Part 4
Medical research continuously comes out saying heart disease is the leading cause of death among men, cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women, and suicide is the leading cause of death among teenagers. Pastor Ricky will be reminding us that sin is the true leading cause of death among all people. The Bible says that death spread to all men because all men sin. The only hope we have to be cured of death is to be born again into the kingdom of God.
Disciple - Disciples Make Disciples, Part 2
The Bible says to imitate God as dear children. So how do we do this? Well, Jesus is God incarnate and we're told to follow Him and be conformed to His image. The practical way you can accomplish this is by spending time with Him, in His Word, and in prayer. As you abide in Christ, you will begin to look more and more like Him and you will draw unbelievers to Him. If you're a genuine follower of Jesus, you will lose your own identity and your identity will be found only in Him.
Jesus, Family, Mission - The Way, The Truth, The Life, Part 3
One of the biggest lies that the enemy has told the world is that truth is relative. Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining that Jesus Himself said that He is the only way to get to heaven. This truth of Jesus being the only way of salvation goes against the very fiber of the world’s system that’s teaching that all religions lead to the same God. This is a deceptive heresy that has unfortunately even crept into some churches. Don’t be deceived, there are indeed universal truths and relativism is a lie.
Jesus, Family, Mission - The Way, The Truth, The Life, Part 2
There is an extremely dangerous heresy that many of the world believe in and that some of the church even believe in. That false teaching is the belief that all roads lead to the same God. Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining how Jesus Himself said that there is no way to the Father except through Him. Regardless of popular opinion or what your feelings tell you, Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Jesus, Family, Mission - The Way, The Truth, The Life, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through the Gospel of John, he'll be encouraging us to have faith in God's perfect plan even when we are in the midst of a storm. The disciples believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They saw many miracles and knew He was sent by God but they still had doubts. The disciples weren't told every detail of the plan of God. They had to exercise faith. Just like the disciples, we too need to exercise our faith and trust in His character and plans.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Love, Failure, and the Imperfect Family of God, Part 2
When most unbelievers are asked about what they think about church, a common response is that they believe the church is full of hypocrites. The truth of the matter is that there are many imperfections within the church. One thing we all need to remember is that the church is for those who are sick and in need of help. It's not for those that are well. Jesus said that He was the Great Physician, that He came for those that knew they were sick and in need of a savior.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Love, Failure, and the Imperfect Family of God, Part 1
We've been commissioned to go out into all the world, preaching the gospel and to make disciples. The question is, are you obeying this great commission of Jesus? Today Pastor Ricky will be continuing to emphasize the importance of making Jesus preeminent over our lives as well as being a functioning member of the body of Christ and obeying the mission God has for us. We’re all commissioned to preach the gospel and make disciples but we also have individual callings as well.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Consumers to Servants, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through the Gospel of John, he'll be reminding us that not only should we be servants, but we should be servants even to those that don't deserve it. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples even though He knew one would betray Him and another would deny Him three times. We aren't called to simply serve and love those that are lovable but to bless those that curse us and persecute us. We should bless and pray for those that despitefully use us.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Consumers to Servants, Part 1
In ancient times, for someone to take off their garments and begin to wash the feet of others, it meant they were lowly and of extremely low position in culture. Today Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to allow ourselves to take the humble position of a servant. The Bible says that a servant isn’t greater than his master. If Jesus being God in the flesh, humbled Himself and served others, how much more should we.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Jesus' Missionary Family, Part 2
The language of scripture often calls the church the household of God. In that time period, a household was made up of not only the immediate family but extended family members as well that would add to the home. Today Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to have fellowship with other believers and to remember that Jesus made the church to be a family, a warm loving household. The Apostle Paul also exhorts us not to forsake the fellowship of the brethren.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Jesus' Missionary Family, Part 1
Today, Pastor Ricky will be explaining the importance of Jesus being the center of our family and how we should be obeying God's call for our family, to be a light to the world. Jesus is not just a superhuman guy with supernatural abilities. He is God, in the flesh, who created the heavens and the earth. When we truly believe that Jesus is more than a good teacher and more than a prophet and that He is God in the flesh, our lives reflect that belief. Our families will look different than the families of the world.
Behold - How to Find God's Favor, Part 2
If you have pride in your heart, you may approach scripture with an attitude that you think you know better in certain areas, or you simply find it hard to listen and obey. Yet as Pastor Ricky will point out today, that as you approach scripture humbly and receive it as authoritative, you'll get to know God more deeply and as you get to know God, you'll grow in wisdom and faith. If you see God as He is in His Word, you'll recognize how much you need Him to speak to you. Receive the Word of God with reverence daily.
Behold - How to Find God's Favor, Part 1
Do you live your life trying to do certain things or avoid others in order to get the attention and favor of God? Well, the Bible is clear. The Lord looks with favor on the humble. It's not about trying to find the magic formula of religious activities but instead, it's about recognizing yourself rightly in relationship to God. Today Pastor Ricky will emphasize the importance of having a contrite heart and humility in recognizing your need of God. The Lord offers grace and forgiveness. Turning to Him is the only way to be saved.
Behold - Final and Forever Christmas, Part 3
There is a deep longing in believers for the new heaven and new earth the Lord will bring someday. Conflict, violence, and hurt will be replaced by peace, love, and harmony. Looking ahead to this should bring you great joy and hope as you wait. Today, Pastor Ricky will encourage you to look forward to this future made possible because of Jesus’ sacrifice, believe in Jesus as your Savior and King. When you know that that future is there and is certain, it should transform you and strengthen you in all you do.
Behold - Final and Forever Christmas, Part 2
When you look toward the future on earth, there's often fear of what might happen because this world is a broken place. Because you can't control all things, you might have a dread deep inside about what will happen to you or those you love. Yet as Pastor Ricky will remind you today, God is preparing a new heaven and a new earth for all believers that replaces terror with blessing. You'll have peace because you'll have nothing to fear and the nearness of God will be better than anything you can imagine.
Behold - Final and Forever Christmas, Part 1
This journey through life can be difficult at times. There’s sorrow, brokenness, death, and futility. God sometimes seems far away yet in Isaiah, God gives a beautiful glimpse of the new heaven and new earth to come. Today, Pastor Ricky will walk you through the beautiful place that God will bring about someday. All creation will be renewed and glorious, unmarked by sin anymore. Sorrow will be replaced by never-ending joy. If you look ahead knowing that this is coming, it should strengthen you in your walk of faith.
Behold - Longing for More, Part 2
Underneath all of the longings that you have for your life, there's a deeper longing to be in relationship with the Lord. It's how He created you. Yet you are even unfulfilled in that because of sin. You can never bring yourself closer to God in your own efforts. Today, Pastor Ricky will explain how you must come to the end of yourself, acknowledge your sin and ask Him to act, and the beautiful news is that He will. He sent Jesus to bridge the gap between our sin and God's holiness and to bring all people back into a relationship with Him.