Well, I don't know about you but I love a good summer cookout. The warm sunshine surrounding you, an ice-cold drink in your hands, and the smell of meat cooking on the grill, it’s wonderful. It's a feast. The Bible is full of talks like this about good meals and friends around the table and today, Pastor Ricky helps us understand the difference between fasting and feasting. Religious people in Jesus' day really missed the point and Jesus had to help them see more clearly.
Jesus Movement - Jesus, Lies, Zombies and Hope, Part 2
The last time you were with us, Pastor Ricky began unpacking the horrendous life of a leper, what it look like, what it felt like. It was awful and anyone who came into contact with someone who had leprosy steered completely clear. Not Jesus though. Jesus walked right up to those affected with leprosy and provided the healing that they needed. So what about you? How do you respond to those that are in need? Maybe even full of sin? Pastor Ricky will challenge you to be willing, just like Jesus was, and help those in need.
Jesus Movement - Jesus, Lies, Zombies and Hope, Part 1
It's really hard for us to imagine what it was like for someone infected with leprosy. It wasn't just the physical suffering that one endures with a major illness, it was more. It was complete isolation. These poor people were cut off from everyone they knew and loved. Today Pastor Ricky will help you see that you were the leper in God’s eyes. You were infected with sin. You were isolated from God and because of the work of Jesus you have been brought near to God.
Jesus Movement - From Teacher to King, Part 2
Stop and think about the world that we live in. It's shifting sand, everything's changing all the time. There's very little that's stable in this world. This is one of the main points that Pastor Ricky is making today. Jesus is the firm foundation that you can stand on. You can trust Jesus for all of your life, not just the big things, the small things too, and the best part is that Jesus doesn't change. His mission is the same as it was yesterday. It'll never change and you can partner with Him in that mission.
Jesus Movement - From Teacher to King, Part 1
Hollywood has portrayed the battle between God and Satan as ongoing, like one day God gets a victory and then the next day Satan gets one. But that's not the case at all. God completely won the battle against Satan at the cross and this victory is final and it’s eternal. The wonderful truth about this fact is that you can trust Jesus as the supreme victor. Pastor Ricky will unpack the kingship of Jesus in his message today. You’ll learn that Jesus has you, every part of you, whatever you're facing now and whatever you will face in the future.
Jesus Movement - From King to Kingdom, Part 2
None of us who name the name of Jesus in our lives wants to be known as Instagram followers of Jesus. We want to be known as real genuine followers of Jesus who do His will and live for His purposes here on earth. That's the difference between your kingdom and the kingdom of God. Today Pastor Ricky will continue to show you the stark difference and how you can move from pursuing your own thing to a life of fulfillment in the center of God’s will.
Jesus Movement - From King to Kingdom, Part 1
You may be wondering if you have ever really repented? Pastor Ricky wants to encourage all of us today, repentance is something that should be a normal and regular part of our lives. Why? Because though we are destined for heaven as followers of Jesus, we still sin every single day. Perhaps that's you and you find yourself in the mire of sin and long to be set free. Join us as Pastor Ricky shares more about what the glorious Kingdom of Jesus looks like.
Jesus Movement - From the Wilderness to the Garden, Part 2
Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed and asked God would remove the cup or spare Him from the suffering that He knew was coming but there was no other way. Jesus, the perfect man, had to die in our place in order to make a way for us to be reunited with God. This single act brought complete cleansing for our sins. The simple way to access this cleansing is to place your faith in Jesus.
Jesus Movement - From the Wilderness to the Garden, Part 1
Throughout all of history, many have spoken in the name of God. There were the prophets and sages that had words from God for all of mankind. Today as Pastor Ricky continues in Mark chapter one, you'll learn that the definitive voice of God was in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the final voice from God because Jesus is God. When you read the words of Jesus you can take it to the bank. He’s speaking on the authority of His Father in Heaven.
Jesus Movement - From First to Second, Part 2
Last time you were with us, Pastor Ricky began to unpack what it means to be a part of a Jesus movement and this movement is so very countercultural. Think about how the world instructs you to get ahead. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and you're encouraged to step on and over anyone who gets in your way. Well, today Pastor Ricky reminds you that the Kingdom economy is much different than the world's economy. Jesus says if you want to be first then you need to learn to be last.
Jesus Movement - From First to Second, Part 1
The turmoil in our world today is at the highest levels that we've ever seen. A quick flick of the channel on your TV, or a scroll on Facebook and you'll see that we are divided and one of the saddest things of late is the contribution of the church to this matter. Yes, we do need to be divided on certain issues, there's no question, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself what the world really needs? Pastor Ricky invites you to join him on a journey in Mark where you’ll learn what it means to be a part of a Jesus movement in our day.
Disciple - Rhythms of Discipleship, Part 2
There is one reason and one reason alone that the early church was so successful in reaching the world around them for Christ and that reason is that they were dependent on God. This church immediately prayed whenever there was a problem or whenever they needed directions. When you have a good prayer life it shows that you're truly dependent on God and that you know you have no strength in yourself. How is your prayer life? If it's lacking you're telling God you don't need Him.
Disciple - Rhythms of Discipleship, Part 1
Is being a disciple of Jesus Christ part of the regular rhythm of your life? Many that come to church only keep Christ in that part of their day but you as a disciple are to represent Jesus every single day and every moment of your life. Are you representing Christ properly at church? How about in school or in your home with your family? The way the Lord reaches this dark and lost world is by being properly represented by His children and then revealing Himself through them.
Disciple - Disciples Scatter, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky teaches on the acts of the Holy Spirit through the early church you will begin to understand why this early church was used so powerfully by the Lord. The believers here in this chapter are taking their discipleship very seriously as well as making disciples of others. When you focus on ridding yourself of sin and communing with the Lord you will begin to change from the inside out. As you change and look more Christ-like, unbelievers will see there is something very different about you.
Disciple - Disciples Scatter, Part 1
Many in the American church primarily focus on the aspect of becoming a disciple individually and don't move forward and make disciples of others. It's easier to just focus on your own discipleship and it's easier to stay in your comfort zone and not reach out to others. But Christ calls you to be bold and to make disciples. This was not a suggestion this is a command and the early church took it very seriously. It's time that the church today takes Christ's command to make disciples just as seriously as the early church did in the book of Acts.
Disciple - Disciples Gather, Part 2
God desires that His children gather together and corporately worship and seek Him. He promises a special and unique experience of His spirit. All believers have different spiritual gifts and the Lord desires that you would gather together as the body of Christ and be used to benefit others. When you come to church, do you expect to experience a move of the spirit of God? Or do you just show up and go through the motions? Purpose to expect a move of God at church and look for ways to serve others.
Disciple - Disciples Gather, Part 1
The foundations to a healthy Christian Life are reading the Word of God, prayer, sharing your faith, and fellowshipping in the church. Today Pastor Ricky will be focusing on the importance of fellowshipping with other believers. The Bible says, do not forsake the fellowship of the brethren and sadly there are many today that don't think it's important to go to church. The truth of the matter is that you do have the Holy Spirit in you but He promises a special experience when you gather with other believers.
Disciple - Disciples Believe, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching on the importance of Christians to grow in faith, he will be showing how it's not enough to just have faith but that the power is in the object of your faith. Having faith does nothing for you. Your faith must be placed in the person of Jesus Christ. As you go through trials and tribulations the only thing that will sustain you is how well you know and trust Jesus. If you lack faith it's because you're not spending intimate and quality time with the Lord.
Disciple - Disciples Believe, Part 1
To truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, you must be able to place your whole trust and faith in Him, no matter what. The book of Hebrews says that without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. During your journey as a disciple of Christ, you will be put through circumstances and trials that will test and try you so you can grow in your faith. Place your faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
Disciple - Disciples Tell, Part 2
When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and He lives inside of you, He does a transforming work from the inside out. As your life radically changes and you fall deeper in love with Christ you can't help but talk about Him with others. The Holy Spirit within you desires for you to preach the gospel to a dark and dying world. Pastor Ricky will be sharing with you the basic functions of the gospel to help you easily share with others. Don't fear man for what can man do to you? Trust in the Lord.