Throughout the Old Testament, we see where God’s people turned to foreign idols and God has to discipline them to bring them back to Himself. We in the New Testament era like to think that because we have chosen to follow Jesus, we don’t have those kinds of problems. Not true. We can at times put things like money or jobs ahead of our relationship with God. Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the disastrous result of Israel’s turning away from God and His faithfulness to them nevertheless.
The God of Chance - When Injustice Reigns, Part 2
There’s no question that there are unjust actions occurring in our world. There are wrong things being done on a personal level, as well as the corporate and even international level all the time. Part of the story in the book of Esther deals with a threat that is real faced from a man who is a member of a tribe that was hostile to Israel. Pastor Ricky will be teaching on this and showing how man’s rebellion against God allowed injustice to enter the world and how God saves the day for the Jews.
The God of Chance - When Injustice Reigns, Part 1
As we see events going on around us, particularly in the government, we’re tempted to feel completely helpless. We want things to change for the better and we elect people we think will do good things yet nothing changes. “Where’s God?” we might be tempted to ask. Certainly, the Jews must have felt like this being under the control of a heathen king, far from their homeland. Pastor Ricky will continue with the story of Esther and how God used this king to accomplish His purposes.
The God of Chance - The Girl With Two Names, Part 2
We all know the saying, “Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.” Many girls dream of being a princess, having the king fall in love with them and then becoming the queen. We don’t know if this is what Esther wanted but it happened to her nonetheless. Pastor Ricky will be teaching about this story and the apparent comprises Esther made in her life along the way to becoming a queen. This certainly can be a warning to us against putting aside Godly principles for seeming advancement.
The God of Chance - The Girl With Two Names, Part 1
As we witness our society’s descent into further ungodliness in normal living, we may find ourselves pulled toward the darkness as well. As much as we want to live godly lives, the sin nature resident in us is allured by the things of the world around us. As Pastor Ricky will be sharing, the Jews in Persia may have had the same difficulty. At such times, it’s all but impossible to give in and go along with everyone else. We’ll find out how Hadassah, also known as Esther, deals with this circumstance.
The God of Chance - When God is Nowhere to Be Found, Part 2
As we travel through our daily lives, mundane as they may seem to be, it can be hard to imagine that God is working behind the scenes on our behalf. As we consider the story of Esther, it seems like this is just a story about a king that got mad at his wife and decided to get another one. As Pastor Ricky will be teaching, much of this story seems to just kind of go along until the end where we see how God has been using the events of these people’s lives to accomplish His purpose for His people.
The God of Chance - When God is Nowhere to Be Found, Part 1
Sometimes in our lives, we can feel as though we’re inside a blender, being swirled around in a million directions. It’s often difficult to see what the point of events and circumstances in our lives are. The Israelites that were in exile in the book of Esther may have felt similar, “Where is God in all of this? We’ve lost everything”. As Pastor Ricky will be teaching, what we see is often not the full extent of what’s actually happening in our lives. God is working behind the scenes on our behalf.
Revelation - Only God Can Judge Me, Part 3
The approaching judgment can make us a bit uncomfortable as Christians. Even though we can have confidence in our salvation by the blood of Christ, the idea of hell might sound a bit harsh. But as Pastor Ricky points us today, Revelation tells us that we will actually be rejoicing at the coming judgment. God will enact justice for all the evil deeds of humanity. Furthermore, we’ll rejoice in the salvation that we received, knowing that we too deserve to be thrown into hell, but have been saved by Jesus’ sacrifice.
Revelation - Only God Can Judge Me, Part 2
What the Bible says about hell tends to make us uncomfortable. It’s a difficult teaching to accept but that doesn’t stop Jesus from talking about it. While some label Jesus’ words about hell as unkind, the reality is that warning about hell is an act of love. As Pastor Ricky points out today, knowing the truth about hell allows us to be adequately warned to know the true consequences of our actions. Jesus didn’t tell us about hell and then leave us to suffer, He sacrificed Himself to provide salvation.
Revelation - Only God Can Judge Me, Part 1
In America, people love to say, “Don’t judge me”. The irony is that Americans also love to judge others. Whether it be family members, coworkers, or the celebrities on tv, judgment is a common American pastime. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us that our hope is in the one that judges justly. In this life we may get worried about the ways others are judging us, maybe a boss or a peer, maybe even a family member, but in the end, only God’s judgment really matters and He’ll judge righteously and perfectly.
Revelation - The Return of the King, Part 3
Jesus warned us that the Christian walk would involve suffering but He also gave us the book of Revelation and today, Pastor Ricky reminds us of the encouragement that this book gives us. The day is coming when Christ will return and set everything right. Although we might feel like we’re losing in life, the reality is that followers of Jesus will win in the end. As Pastor Ricky explains, we don’t know what the next chapters of our lives entail but we do know how the story ends, with the victory of Christ.
Revelation - The Return of the King, Part 2
The Bible declares that Jesus is King over every king, and Lord over every lord. Yet all over the earth, people are fighting for power. Pastor Ricky reminds us today that no matter how strong someone seems, their power is insignificant compared to that of King Jesus. The book of Revelations shows us that one day, Jesus’ reign and sovereignty will be total and every knee will bow to His authority. For those of us that follow Jesus, this is great news. Our King will reign with justice and goodness.
Revelation - The Return of the King, Part 1
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.