As Christians, we are called to restrain evil and to encourage good. In our society, we've been blessed with a democracy which allows us to have a voice in politics. If there is a politician that is talking about passing policy and making laws that are contrary to God's Word, we can vote against that person. At the same time, we should be giving our resources and time to encouraging good works in the world. There are many organizations that we can get involved with that are doing good.
Against The World For the World - God and Government, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining how we as Christians are commanded to submit to the governing authorities that have been placed over us. People in general don't like the word “submission”. The last thing they want to do is submit to authority. As believers, we are called to follow the example of Jesus and the Lord practiced humility by submitting Himself under the authority of the Father. The only time we don't submit to authority is when we are asked to do something contrary to God's Word.
Against The World For the World - Missional Holiness, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through 1 Peter, he’ll be exhorting us to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As born-again Christians, we have the Holy Spirit of God living within us and have the same power that rose Jesus from the dead to guide us. You're no longer enslaved to sin because the Bible says that sin no longer has dominion over you. God is doing the work of holiness and sanctification in your life and the only one holding this work back is you.
Against The World For the World - Missional Holiness, Part 1
Have you ever felt like this world is not your home and doesn't offer much satisfaction? There's a reason why many people are left feeling unfulfilled in this life. The reason is because they were created for a much greater purpose and their home is heaven. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that humanity has been in exile ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. The only way you can have satisfaction for your soul is when you become born again.
Against The World For the World - Once, But Now, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his series on what we once were without the Lord and what we can experience now as believers, he’ll be focusing on the grace and mercy we now have been given. Once we were without grace and mercy, were dead in our trespasses and sins but now we can enjoy an abundant life with the Lord having fullness of joy. Since the Lord has given us so much mercy shouldn't we be a people that shows others mercy and forgiveness as well?
Against The World For the World - Once, But Now, Part 1
In our text today, Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to remember that once we were not a people. In the past, we lived in darkness without hope, joy, or satisfaction but now God is in our lives. We aren't called to dwell on our past failures and reflect continuously on the evil we once did but it's always good to remember God's goodness and how He transformed us. This is extremely important to remember when preaching the gospel to unbelievers because now you can be more approachable and relatable.
Against The World For the World - Proclaim, Part 2
If preaching the gospel has become a chore for you or if you're left feeling guilty that you're not proclaiming the gospel enough, there is a fundamental problem. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that the problem is simply that you're not spending time communing and falling in love with Jesus. When you experience the love of God and you're being filled with His Holy Spirit, you have the joy of the Lord and can't help but proclaim His goodness to those around you.
Against The World For the World - Proclaim, Part 1
Sometimes there are seasons in the life of a believer when proclaiming the gospel becomes less of a priority. Today Pastor Ricky will be exhorting us to make Jesus known to everyone. In our text, Peter is exhorting the church to comprehend and believe who they are in Jesus before he encourages them to proclaim the gospel. Many times the reason believers don't preach the gospel is because they don't understand who they are in Jesus. You are a part of a royal priesthood, never forget that.
Against The World For the World - Cornerstone, Part 2
In the last prayer that Jesus prayed to the Father before going to the cross, He desired that His disciples and the church would remain unified in Him. As Pastor Ricky continues his series on Jesus being our one and only cornerstone, he'll be explaining how the church has no reason to be divided. As Christians we may not agree on every aspect of the Word of God but as long as we agree on the foundation of Jesus and the core fundamentals of our faith, we should be unified.
Against The World For the World - Cornerstone, Part 1
As many of you already know, the foundation of a building is the most vital aspect of a structure that keeps a building secure. You can't build up on a weak structure because it will either crumble immediately or in time it will come crashing down. In our teaching today, Pastor Ricky will be explaining that the only way we can really grow into mature Christians is if we tear up the foundation the world has laid in our lives and replace it with Jesus. Only Jesus can sustain your life and keep you secure.
Against The World For the World - Built, Part 1
I don't know if you've noticed but since you’ve come to Jesus, you still have flaws that need to be worked out. You are a building project that is a work in progress. Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the importance of allowing God to build us off as a spiritual temple to be used for His glory. One of the most important things to understand about this concept is that Jesus Himself is the one that's doing the building, not you. The only thing you can do is cooperate with what God is purposing to do in and through your life.
Against The World For the World - The Counter-Cultural Christian Community, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his series on the countercultural Christian community, he'll be explaining that the foundation of believers in Jesus is eternal. We have an eternal hope of glory whereas the world system has no hope at all. There's a reason why the world seeks to look for ways to live longer. It’s because they're afraid of what will come after death. We however will have eternal rest and don't need to get worried over the temporal issues in this world.
Against The World For the World - The Counter-Cultural Christian Community, Part 1
When you became a Christian did you notice, as time went on, that you looked less and less like the world? There should be a sense that you don't belong to this world system any longer. Pastor Ricky will be helping us understand that our identity is in Jesus and we shouldn't yearn for acceptance or desire to fit in with the world. As you read the Word of God, you'll notice very quickly that the Christian community is called to a much higher standard and it's actually in stark contrast to the world.
Against The World For the World - Holiness is a Result of Hope, Part 2
All throughout the Bible, there is an emphasis on having an eternal perspective and living in light of eternity. Some have said that you can be too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good. The Bible teaches however that the more heavenly-minded you are, the more focused you'll be in furthering God's kingdom on earth. Pastor Ricky will be exhorting us today to live our life as though we can come face-to-face with God at any moment. Go into eternity without having any regrets.
Against The World For the World - Holiness is a Result of Hope, Part 1
The Apostle Peter in our text is repeatedly encouraging the church to understand and act upon their hope in the Lord. The Bible says that those who have this hope in Jesus, keep themselves pure just as He is pure. As Pastor Ricky continues to teach on the theme of hope in this section of scripture, he will be explaining that the natural reaction to having hope in Jesus is the desire and power to live a holy lifestyle. If you're not living a Godly life, the root issue may be that you doubt who Jesus is.
Against The World For the World - Hope Beyond the World, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching through the book of 1st Peter he’ll be reminding us that there's no trial or tribulation that can overshadow the glory of our salvation in Jesus. You can lose your health, your career, you could even be persecuted unto death but this is only a light affliction compared to eternity in heaven. You have an inheritance waiting for you in heaven and the Lord has sealed you until the Day of Redemption so take heart and remain at peace.
Against The World For the World - Hope Beyond the World, Part 1
When you hear the word “hope” what comes to mind? Biblical hope isn't a Jiminy Cricket, Wish Upon a Star type of hope. Biblical hope is a guarantee that what God says will come to pass, will indeed come to pass. Today Pastor Ricky will be expounding on the promises of God and how we can be assured of our salvation because our hope is placed in Jesus Christ. There are many things in this life that you can put your hope in but none of them, besides the Lord, will assuredly remain faithful until the end.
Against The World For the World - Against the World, For the World - Part 2
Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching us the importance of understanding God's unconditional love for us. The Lord wasn't surprised when you got saved because He chose you before the foundations of the world. The Bible says God in His sovereignty and foreknowledge knew you would respond to His invitation to salvation. The word of God says that no one comes to the Son unless the Father draws him. So because of God's love, He reached down from heaven to draw you to Himself. You are loved.
Against The World For the World - Against the World, For the World - Part 1
Have you ever been mistreated and persecuted simply because you're a Christian? Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining that there's absolutely nothing abnormal about being persecuted for your faith in Jesus. The Lord Himself said that if the world hated Him first, the world will hate you as well. No servant is greater than his master. If the world persecuted Him, the world will persecute His followers. If you are discouraged just remember that you have the ultimate hope of salvation and eternity with the Lord.
Why Religion is Not The Gospel - Missions, Part 2
Being pulled to and fro is part of our battle today as Christians. It's a struggle to keep Jesus at the center of our lives, to die to ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. He literally wants us to follow Him, in ministry, in marriage, in child-raising, in work ethic, and even in the little things. Where He is where so we should be too. This is how the victory is won. We don't allow the things of this world to draw us away from our love of Christ. We will bring people to Jesus by showing our love towards Him.