We try, at all costs, to avoid the things that break our hearts. It's in our nature to run away from sorrow. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us just how amazing Jesus truly is. Not only did He not run away from being beaten and crucified but He pursued it His entire life. It wasn't something that He was looking forward to per se but He knew that it was necessary. So well a story about a man being falsely convicted and suffering for it breaks our hearts, we can also see that it was essential to our salvation and we can be so grateful for Him.
Jesus Movement - The Cross as the Dividing Line, Part 1
Have you ever been truly forsaken? Sometimes we feel alone or unloved but feeling it and it being true are two different things. When you know love and lose it can shatter you. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us that that was exactly what Jesus went through by being crucified. His entire life, He knew the love of His father intimately but when the time came for Him to die, it required Jesus to take all of our sin that caused God so much wrath and take it on Himself. He knew the wrath of God so that you might be saved from it.
Jesus Movement - This Can't Be the Right Road, Can It? Part 3
We often let society's narrative translate our actions in order to feel better about them. We think about sin as this big thing when in reality we all sin every day. Pastor Ricky reminds us today how important it is to not downplay our sin because it is a big deal and it's only when we recognize the weight of our sin that we can truly appreciate the weight of what Christ carried on our behalf. We have to see our sin through God's perspective in order to understand what He did for us and to be truly thankful.
Jesus Movement - This Can't Be the Right Road, Can It? Part 2
We don't always choose the wisest options in life. In fact, we often choose the option that we know isn't wise just because we're curious or because we don't think through the consequences. Pastor Ricky reminds us that even though Pilate tried to sway the crowd into releasing Jesus instead of a murderer, it was to no avail. They would rather see a dangerous man walk amongst them than an innocent one who threatened their way of life. And check your pride, because you would have done the same.
Jesus Movement - This Can't Be the Right Road, Can It? Part 1
We all know what it's like to mess up but we still think of ourselves as the protagonist. We may be self-critical but at the end of the day, we're still selfishly inclined. What Pastor Ricky is going to remind us of today, is to have a little perspective. If you'd lived in Jesus' day, you would have been shouting along with the rest of the crowd to crucify Him. Don't think that you would have been brave enough to stand up and defend Him. We're all responsible for His crucifixion, not just the people who were there.
Jesus Movement - On Christ the Solid Rock, Part 2
We don't always respond the way we should. When someone comes at us with harsh words, we feel the need to not only defend ourselves but often to strike back. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us of our Savior who endured everything for our sake and through it all, He never responded in sin. Not once did He speak biting words for the sake of hurting somebody. Instead, He responded only in calm silence and honesty. Don't doubt your Savior because He's proven His faithfulness to us a hundredfold.
Jesus Movement - On Christ the Solid Rock, Part 1
There are people out there who don't mind going against the crowd but not everyone is comfortable with it. It can be a scary thing to speak out against so many voices. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us that going against the flow is essential to the Christian life. There are going to be times when you feel all alone in your principles. Remember that even the apostles couldn't always stand the pressure. But know that there are a sea of people that are clinging to the same rock as you, the solid rock of Christ.
Jesus Movement - What is Jesus Worth to You, Part 2
What would you do in order to save your most valued possession? We don't always realize what we hold most dear until we realize that we're terrified to give it up. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us just how valuable Jesus is to us, even if we don't realize it. We owe Him everything. If the thought of giving Him up doesn't terrify you, then you don't fully understand all that He's done for you. Without Him, there is no hope, no love, no peace. We need to check our hearts and be sure that we value Christ above all else.
Jesus Movement - What is Jesus Worth to You, Part 1
Sometimes things are only valuable to certain people. We get sentimental and attached to objects because they're worth something to us, even if they don't mean anything to anyone else. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us that now and then, our values become skewed. We see a much smaller scope compared to God and our values aren't as selective as they should be. If you’re to see God for who He is, you’d realize that everything you have to give doesn't even begin to compare to all that He's given to you.
Jesus Movement - Jesus Will Return, Part 2
Many of us, knowing a deadline, wait until the last moment to do the important work that's necessary before the deadline. Jesus knew this about humanity and so clearly stated that we won't know the day or hour that He's coming. But as Pastor Ricky teaches us today, we do know that Jesus could come back at any time. Jesus encourages every believer to live like it could be at any moment. So don't waste your life in comfort or apathy. Live with an urgency to share the gospel with as many people as you can, while you can.
Jesus Movement - Jesus Will Return, Part 1
That day. Jesus talks on His way to the cross of “that day”. The day when He returns to gather believers together. Today Pastor Ricky will encourage you to remember that when you're torn and battered as a believer in Christ in this world, you have a cherished hope. Don't despair and feel powerless in the world around you. Jesus, the almighty King, will come in great power and glory on “that day” to gather His church and to rescue all those who believe in Him forever. God's story doesn't end here in the evil chaos. It ends with Him reigning forever.
Jesus Movement - Clinging to Christ at the End of the World, Part 2
In the days that we're living in now, Jesus said that there would be difficult days and terrible circumstances that we must go through as believers in Him. Fear, anxiety, anger, they’re going to try and rise and fill your mind and heart. But as Pastor Ricky teaches today, God uses these hard times for a good purpose. God will use you as a witness, to share His goodness as you trust Him in difficulties. In all things, let the opposition turn into opportunities for the gospel witness. Let your faith and relationship to Christ shine through so the world can know Him.
Jesus Movement - Clinging to Christ at the End of the World, Part 1
The things that have been going on in our world in recent years are definitely troubling - wars, death, division, sickness, and poverty amongst many other evil things. It can seem like God has lost control and we're all doomed. But as Pastor Ricky teaches us today, Jesus said that these things would happen as His return draws nearer in order to prepare believers so that we wouldn’t fear. We’re in what He calls the “last days”. It's important in these turbulent last days to hold on tight to Him and confidently believe that God is still in control.
Jesus Movement - What Are You Waiting For, Part 2
The scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day were experts of scripture. They should have always been on the lookout and the first to see and recognize Jesus was the Messiah. Yet as Pastor Ricky teaches us today, they didn't recognize, and they certainly didn't acknowledge Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. Sadly, most of us today are much like the scribes. We know about Jesus but so often we want to hold onto and build our own kingdom and power. Are you willing to surrender your life to God, in order that you might be saved?
Jesus Movement - What Are You Waiting For, Part 1
What if what you're hoping for from God isn't too big but is in fact too small? The religious leaders of the time were simply looking for a descendant of David to come and subdue their Roman oppressors. But as Pastor Ricky will teach us today, God had a much bigger and more spectacular plan than that. Human plans were far too narrow for the Messiah who is to come. God's plan was for the rescue and redemption of mankind from the enemy of sin and death. God’s plans are bigger and better than anything that you can imagine.
Jesus Movement - The Kingdom Around Us, The Kingdom Above Us, Part 2
The way things are nowadays, it can be easy to despair about politicians and leaders in control of our country. Yet as Pastor Ricky will explain today, God will ultimately hold leaders accountable for the choices they make. God is the ultimate authority and is in control of all things, and He's worthy of our trust and faith. And when you do trust God in all things, you experience a greater sense of peace and rest in the difficult seasons. So don’t allow fear and despair to overtake you, rest in God. He's in control.
Jesus Movement - The Kingdom Around Us, The Kingdom Above Us, Part 1
The political culture of today is divisive and full of conflict. Just about every earthly leader is full of pride and contempt and no one seems to want to obey authority anymore. But as Pastor Ricky teaches us today, all leaders, all circumstances, and all authority on earth is under the authority of God Almighty. The government isn't your god. God is God. You don't need to fear or idolize authority because ultimately God is in control and is above all things. No one can thwart His plans.
Jesus Movement - Cheering Jesus But Missing the Point, Part 2
The crowds that cheered Jesus into Jerusalem wanted a powerful king who would rescue and save them from their Roman oppression. They wanted very specific things from this man that they assumed to be the Messiah. Today Pastor Ricky points out that the people were missing the fact that they had a much deeper need for salvation from sin, hell, and judgment than they did from Rome at the time. Jesus came to His people to give them a better and deeper, truer rescue and salvation than they were hoping for. Have you accepted that rescue yet?
Jesus Movement - Cheering Jesus But Missing the Point, Part 1
People today have all sorts of different understandings and viewpoints as to who Jesus was - an old religious teacher, a good man, a prophet, a quack, or to some, a king and savior. The crowd at the gates of Jerusalem shouted “Hosanna!” because they wanted a powerful warrior king who would conquer the world for them. But as Pastor Ricky teaches today, Jesus did wear a crown but it was a crown of thorns. However, Jesus was a truer and better King than they could ever have imagined. Is He the king over your life?
Jesus Movement - Searching for Greatness in All the Wrong Places, Part 2
It goes against every human instinct to admit that you can't do it, that you need help, that you're weak or incapable. Our proud hearts really struggle to admit those types of things. Yet as a sinner, you just can't work your way out of the judgment of God on your own. Today Pastor Ricky will explain how Jesus, the King of All, humbled Himself, came to earth to serve you, and give His life as a ransom for yours. You must bow your knee in humility and let Jesus serve you in this way. Let Him save you. It's why He came.