As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching on being a good steward of the resources God entrusts to us, he will be focusing on giving and tithing. The New Testament church is told to give out of a cheerful heart. Not out of compulsion but to give what he or she has determined in their own heart to give. Are you laying up for yourself treasure here on earth, or in heaven? The whole purpose of having resources is to meet your needs and to be used by God to meet the needs of others.
Th Gospel and the Home - Our Stuff, Part 1
In today's message, Pastor Ricky will be showing through Old and New Testament scripture how we’re not owners of anything that we have. We really are just stewards. God is the creator of all things and every good thing that you have comes from Him. The Lord entrusts His children with the responsibility to use the resources He's blessed them with to further His kingdom. Do you believe you were an owner of your resources or a steward? You will be held accountable for how you use His resources.
Th Gospel and the Home - Men, Part 2
Men, you're not your paycheck, you're not the car you drive, you're not doomed to repeat the same mistakes your father did. Your identity is now in Jesus. You must purpose to be rooted in that identity in Christ. Jesus should be who you model yourself after, not what the world says man should be. You’re called to live a godly life in Christ and to imitate Him as a dear child. Allow the Lord to train you, not your past experiences or what the world says you should be.
Th Gospel and the Home - Men, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be exhorting the men in the church to live up to the call on their lives. The Lord calls them to be godly leaders that guide their families in the way of holiness. If you are a man that is discouraged and feels as though this calling is too great for you, purpose to lean on the grace of God. God's grace forgives your past and gives you hope for the future. By God's grace, you can become the man God wants you to be. Get up and receive God's promises and walk in victory.
The Gospel and the Home - Women, Part 2
Pastor Ricky will be encouraging women today to live up to the amazing call that God has placed on their lives and encouraging men to love their wives as Christ loved the church. When men love their wives and give them encouragement, it's easy for women to respect them and when women respect their husbands, it's easy for men to love and show affection. Purpose to be a builder and encourager. Don't be someone who tears down and constantly criticizes.
Th Gospel and the Home - Women, Part 1
In this letter to the church, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the believers to live out what they learn from God's Word in the home. When you come to church and receive a word from God it's to be lived out in your household and taught to your family. Don't allow yourself to sit in service and think, “Oh, what a great sermon” and then neglect the application to your everyday life. When you obey God's Word, it brings a blessing upon your home and family. Purpose to be a Godly example to those in your household.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Mission, Part 2
Living for Jesus will not be easy. There's no place in the Bible that ensures an easy walk as a Christian. Pastor Ricky wants us to be reminded of this in today's message but he also wants us to not be afraid. Though the people in Jesus’ time opposed Him and even eventually killed Him, Jesus stood firm in His message of love, hope, and forgiveness. He had the truth on His side and His Heavenly Father strengthening Him daily. We too have the truth on our side, in Jesus Himself to give us strength and courage.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Mission, Part 1
As we spend more and more time with Jesus reading His word and praying, we will begin to see his heart for us and for the people around us. Pastor Ricky today encourages us to take on Jesus’ identity so that we will be able to have His heart for our community. The world has a standard they think each person should live up to but it tends to be self-focused and not generous and loving toward others. When we ignore the world and allow Jesus to shine through us, we will begin to make a difference.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Family, Part 2
Finding common ground on which to create unity is difficult. People's individual interests, backgrounds, and human nature can all cause distance to form. God however has created opportunities for unity, especially in the church family. He took care of molding each person to interact how He desires with others but He does ask us to not actively seek to undo it. Pastor Ricky today encourages us to work through the differences that arise in our relationships and allow God to work to maintain unity.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Family, Part 1
This world is comprised of so many different ethnicities, backgrounds, interests, and more. It can be hard to find common ground with others. We may try to create a connection based on one of those but that one thing may not last. Today Pastor Ricky shares with us the only common ground that can connect each individual, Jesus. Jesus does not discriminate against anyone but instead offers forgiveness and life to everyone. Adopting Jesus’ attitude will change how we see the world.
Jesus, Family, Mission - It's All About Jesus, Part 2
People will say that they are exploring religion or that they don't have all the answers yet so they aren’t settling on one thing. However Pastor Ricky today points out to us that we have all the answers. The Bible is packed full of information about God and His love for us. It gives us the truth we are searching for. God also provides answers to us through time spent worshipping Him and conversing with Him. The more time we spend with Him, the closer we will get to Him and the more trust will grow and remain.
Jesus, Family, Mission - It's All About Jesus, Part 1
Did you catch Pastor Ricky's life-altering declaration for us? In case you didn't hear it, here it is again, “This life is not about us”. We are not here on earth to have the most money, or the biggest house, or the best car, or to get to the top rung of the corporate ladder, or be famous. You're here to do something for God. Today we will be reminded that each job that God has for the people He created is different but in the end, the mission is similar, loving people as God loves them. God wants to bless us as we bless others.
Jesus, Family, Mission - My Kingdom is Not of This World, Part 2
There's a reason why we get so worked up over politics and injustice in our nation, as well as the injustices all around the world. Today Pastor Ricky’s explanation for this deep desire for us to see wrongs made right and to see leaders of nations fix what's wrong in the world is that we long for the second coming of Jesus. We long for the day that Jesus will rule as king during His millennial reign in Jerusalem. Only until our Lord rules and reigns will there be peace and prosperity.
Jesus, Family, Mission - My Kingdom is Not of This World, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through the Gospel of John, he'll be emphasizing the importance for us to keep our eyes focused on eternity. Even the disciples that were with Jesus had an earthly kingdom on their minds when Jesus talked about His coming kingdom. The disciples thought Jesus was going to overthrow Rome and set free the Jews from oppression. Jesus however was talking about his heavenly kingdom and we need to continually reorient our focus toward that kingdom.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Hated by the World, Part 2
Today Pastor Ricky will be challenging us to be compassionate and loving instead of being confrontational just for the sake of winning an argument. You're called to preach the gospel and to make disciples and yes, we will have to defend our faith by speaking the truth that will sometimes offend. But the only way to do this while properly reflecting Jesus’ character is by being moved by compassion. Don't argue with unbelievers. Love them and allow the Holy Spirit to minister through you.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Hated by the World, Part 1
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.