The essence of the gospel is that those who should live in fear have been brought near as friends. Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the importance of living a faith-filled life rather than living in fear. Fear is the antithesis of having faith in God. The prophet Isaiah in this text will be explaining to the Israelites that there is nothing to fear as a child of God because God is sovereign and in control of the universe. If you're battered by fear, cling to the rock that is Christ and He will give you His peace.
Behold Your God - Behold His Power, Part 2
Pastor Ricky will be continuing his teaching on God versus idols through the book of Isaiah. Israel turned away from God and focused their attention on things that God created. The Lord is rebuking Israel in this text for not loving and worshipping Him. The definition of idolatry is loving something and giving adoration to something, or someone, more than you love and adore God. Is there anything or anyone that draws your attention and devotion away from God?
Behold Your God - Behold His Power, Part 1
Pastor Ricky will be asking you this question today, do you place all your trust in God or in idols? Your actions will reveal if you place your trust in God. You can't say that you believe God will provide for you and then live and worry and forsake the call God has on your life in order to stock up on money and resources. When times get tough do you run to the world for comfort? Or do you turn to Christ? There is nothing that can save you and give you peace like God Almighty. Turn to Him alone.
Behold Your God - Behold Your God, Part 2
Pastor Ricky will be teaching today about the importance of beholding our God and falling deeper in love with Him. The only way that you can become more Christ-like, the only way you can rid yourself of sin, is if you focus on Christ and His presence. When you spend that intimate time with Christ in communion, you will naturally begin to become more and more like Him. Don't allow sin to be your main focus. Have Christ as your main focus and He will enable you to live for Him.
Behold Your God - Behold Your God, Part 1
God has created man with a longing for the Lord. Before you came to the Lord, you had a God-shaped void in your heart that only God could fill and satisfy. Now that you've received Christ into your heart, you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, but you still have the flesh within you that tries to sway you into longing for everything other than God. Always remember your first love and pursue God. He will satisfy you.
Ordinary - Redefining Ministry, Part 2
God wants us to become disciples of Christ. He also wants us to become disciple-makers. Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that the way this happens is by living life together with others. The early church disciples would study, read scripture and pray together, Therefore as they would live life together ultimately, they would be growing together as well. Together they become more and more devoted to Jesus and more and more like Him. Who can you live together? Who will you reach out to?
Ordinary - Redefining Ministry, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that early in the first church, all the people were together, and God continued to add to their numbers. As they were coming to Him, God was reshaping them, He was transforming them. As they became disciples, everything they did changed. It was all built around Jesus as they were totally devoted to Him. He became their identity. We will learn that this is what God desires for us, to be so devoted to Jesus that we become disciple-makers for Him.
Ordinary - Redefining Mission, Part 2
We’ve learned that God handed the mission of the church to ordinary people. We also learned that God gave them the power to accomplish it. Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that the way this was accomplished was through everyday life. We will hear that the people were dedicated to fellowship, teaching, praying, and taking care of each other‘s needs. As they were living life on a day-to-day basis, and pursuing Jesus more and more, people came to know Him. Is your life a witness for Him?
Ordinary - Redefining Mission, Part 1
God handed over His mission to the church. Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that it was not the leaders or hand-picked scholars of the day that the mission was given to. It was given to the church. It was ordinary people who are not impressive and even got made fun of at times. God called them, transformed them, and then sent them. The best part of all is that He even gave them the power to do the job, just like He gives you the power to do what He’s called you to do. Trust in Him.
Ordinary - Redefining Success, Part 2
Our mission in life is to make disciples, that’s the goal that God has for us. Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that this is the most important thing. No matter what the world says, no matter what our career is or where we live, ultimately God wants to use us to make more disciples. In spite of what people thought, or in spite of what it looked like, Paul knew this. He was willing to give up what the world had to offer in order to live out his purpose from God. How about you? Are you making disciples?
Ordinary - Redefining Success, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that most people think that Paul did not have success in his ministry. He then asks us what is our definition of success, and who and what is it based on. Is it based on your own agenda or is it based on God’s agenda? We will see that although Paul’s circumstances may not have been or felt successful, he chose and had the opportunity to reach people for Christ. He was willing to give up the world’s view of success for God’s view. Are you?
Build - How Can You Ruin a Church, Part 2
Today Pastor Ricky will be focusing his attention on exhorting the leaders of the church. If you’re looked at as a type of leader or role model, or any type of deacon or pastor, you’re held at a higher accountability before God. The Bible teaches that you’re to live a life that is above reproach so that no one can have an evil thing to say about you. Is this true about your life today? What do you need to change and repent of in order to have that reflection of Christ in you? Imitate God as dear children.
Build - How Can You Ruin a Church, Part 1
Since every Christian is called to lead others to Christ, are you being a godly example and making disciples of Christ, or disciples after yourself? The false teachers are characterized as selfish and self-exalting. They’re always pointing people to themselves. Do you share any of the characteristics that define a false teacher? The best way you can discern and understand when someone is a false teacher or prophet is by studying the Word of God. Avoid false teachers and avoid becoming one.
Build - Who Leads the Church Under Jesus, Part 2
Did you know that you belong to a royal priesthood and God desires to use you in unison with the rest of the body of Christ to further His kingdom? Every member in the church has the responsibility to act as a priest and lead others to Christ. Christ gave the Great Commission to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. It was not the “Great Suggestion”. The Lord calls you to invite unbelievers into your life in order to build relationships and minister to them. Are you being obedient?
Build - Who Leads the Church Under Jesus, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the church structure, what makes up the leadership, and the congregation. The nature of the congregation is likened to a body, with all body parts interconnected yet unique in purpose. In the body of Christ, some have the gifts of teaching, prophecy, hospitality, and mercy, along with many other different gifts. The question is, are you using your gifts to further the kingdom of God? You don’t need to be a leader in order to be used by God.
Build - What Are the Goals of Gospel Ministry, Part 2
Preaching the gospel and making disciples is not just handing out a pamphlet with the gospel message. You’re to allow unbelievers to see the gospel demonstrated through your lifestyle, as well as the preaching of the Word. Are you laboring for the sake of those that are appointed unto salvation? Pastor Ricky will be teaching on what laboring for the sake of God’s elect looks like. It’s not always easy ministering to unbelievers, but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Build - What Are the Goals of Gospel Ministry, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on having the proper priorities in our Christian walk. Are you busy doing the good works that God has ordained you to accomplish? If the enemy can’t get you to fall into sin, he will keep you busy doing good things but not the good things that God wants you to be focused on at the time. The quality of your work is much better than having quantity. The Lord desires you to use your spiritual gifts to further the kingdom and preach the gospel.
Build - How Does Jesus Lead His Church, Part 2
Christ said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Pastor Ricky will be teaching today on how all believers can take comfort in the fact that Christ is ultimately in charge over the church. All church leaders will give an account to Christ for how they conducted themselves. When you submit to your leadership, you’re submitting to Christ because He is the head of the body. Christ is alive and active in the church today.
Build - How Does Jesus Lead His Church, Part 1
We have seen Christ moving all throughout the gospels in the book of Acts. But now, how is He operating in the church? Christ is moving through the power of His Holy Spirit through the lives of believers. The Lord has specifically set up an authority structure in order to keep the church organized. Jesus is the Great Shepherd watching over the church but He’s also set up under-shepherds in order to look over and feed His flock. Submit to your leaders, recognizing Christ put them in this place.
Loving - Loving the City Jesus Loves, Part 2
Pastor Ricky will be finishing up his series on loving. He will be emphasizing the importance of loving the community that Christ died for. As the body of Christ, we need to keep our priorities in order. Our biggest priority should be to reach the lost and make disciples. A great way to reach our community is to look at the example of the apostles in the book of Acts. The apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to make disciples and then plant churches. Get involved in furthering God’s kingdom.