Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining how Jesus turns our so-called gains in the world into losses and turns the losses we experience into gains. Jesus asked the question, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but to lose his soul?”. When we come to Jesus as our Lord and Savior He puts everything into proper perspective. We realize the things that used to make us feel good don't really satisfy the longing of our souls.
Jesus is Greater - Than Karma & Wrath, Part 2 - Romans 5
In today’s message, Pastor Ricky compares a cultural idea of Karma vs. Jesus’ sacrificial love. The cultural idea of karma insists that we should receive treatment from others based on how good or bad we are, but truly understanding the depth of our human sinfulness would mean that we would not earn anything good. However, Jesus sacrificially took upon Himself the punishment for which you and I were destined. Therefore, you and I receive God's love and life, instead of what we deserve.
Jesus is Greater - Than Karma & Wrath, Part 1 - Romans 5
Have you ever thought about karma? In our culture today, karma can often be seen as the question of, do nice things and get nice things back, or do bad and get bad in return. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky discusses this cultural notion of karma which reveals the God-given ability to desire fairness and justice. If we always receive what we deserve, our sin would earn us punishment and death. But Jesus is greater than our sin and He frees us from the wrath of God, giving us grace and mercy.
Jesus is Greater - Than Mountains & Galaxies, Part 2 - Colossians 1
In today's message Pastor Ricky paints an extraordinary picture of the incredible scope of this universe and knowing that this universe is so complex and vast, Paul’s description of Jesus as being over all of creation is awe-inspiring. If Jesus then can rule over all of creation, He can certainly care for our lives. Isn’t it amazing that the God who created all that is with his immense power, directs his attention and love towards us through His Son?
Jesus is Greater - Than Mountains & Galaxies, Part 1 - Colossians 1
The name and person of Jesus can be polarizing in our world today. For Christians, Jesus is the center of their faith for He is God and Savior but for others in our world, Jesus and His teaching is opposed. In today's message, Pastor Ricky says it's actually a good thing that Jesus is polarizing because He's radical and that it may be worse to be comfortable and complacent with Jesus. As God, Jesus is greater than the mountains and galaxies and He can radically transform your life.
Behold Your God - Behold His Plan, Part 2 - Isaiah 44
Today Pastor Ricky will be warning us against building up our own cities here on earth, rather than putting our trust and faith in our eternal city with the Lord. What is in your life that you hold precious, that cannot be shaken? The only thing in your life that cannot be moved is your eternal destination with the Lord. Be careful to not build up your own empire here on earth, rather than focusing on building up the kingdom of God. Keep an eternal perspective. The kingdom of God cannot be shaken.
Behold Your God - Behold His Plan, Part 1 - Isaiah 44
If you place your hope in the temporal things of earth, you will become greatly disappointed and depressed. As a Christian you have a heavenly city, an eternal home with the Lord. You don't need to seek the things of the world to find fulfillment. Purpose to seek the city that is to come, whose maker and builder is God. You're a pilgrim just passing through this world. You should have in anticipation for eternity to come. If Christ came back today would you be ready and excited, or ashamed?
Behold Your God - Behold The Servant, Part 2 - Isaiah 42
Jesus Christ is the perfect picture of a true servant. When Jesus had the Last Supper with his disciples, He took the lowliest of jobs and washed their feet. You should look at Christ's example and purpose to imitate Him daily. Whenever you read of Jesus, you will find Him always pouring Himself out and serving His community. Are you radiating the presence of Christ in your community by your service? The only reason why God hasn't taken you home yet is because He has service for you to do.
Behold Your God - Behold The Servant, Part 1 - Isaiah 42
As Pastor Ricky teaches through the book of Isaiah, he will be teaching us how the prophet Isaiah is speaking of Christ the servant. Now that Christ lives inside of you, you're now a servant in the kingdom of God. The Lord delights in you and pours out His Spirit on you in order to equip you to further the kingdom of God. The mission of the servant is to act rightly in accordance with the word of God and to draw others to redemption in Christ. Are you accurately representing Christ?
Behold Your God - Behold His Sovereignty, Part 2 - Isaiah 41
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 are battered by fear, cling to the rock that is Christ. He will give you His peace.
Behold Your God - Behold His Sovereignty, Part 1 - Isaiah 41
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 are battered by fear, cling to the rock that is Christ. He will give you His peace.
Behold Your God - Behold His Power, Part 2 - Isaiah 40
Pastor Ricky will be continuing his teaching on God vs. 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 - Isaiah 40
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 in 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 - Isaiah 40
Today our focus will be on 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 - Isaiah 40
God has put eternity into our lives. He 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.
This Is What You Trained For - Mark 3:13-14
Christianity is not meant to be a spectator sport. We’re all called to declare the good news of the Gospel and help others to follow Jesus. What would change in our Christian lives if we, like the disciples, knew that one day we would become fishers of men? That when we read our Bibles, we did so ready to teach others, and when we prayed we do so in a way to teach others to pray? Lord, help us to be active partipants, learning in order to pass it along to others.
The Wrong Healing - Mark 2:1-5
At times it may seem like Jesus gives us a gift that we don’t quite want as much as a gift He does not give. That’s because Jesus sees past our immediate physical needs and sees our deep spiritual need. He desires to give us the greatest gift, to be forgiven from all our sins, to be justified before God, and reconciled to Him. He doesn’t want to just give us something that will make us whole for just a day, a decade, or even a lifetime, but for all of eternity!
Leaving the Nets - Mark 1:16-20
In our current day, do we feel the cost of following Jesus? Have we offered Jesus every part of our lives or just certain parts? As followers of Christ, we are called to offer every part. Is He worth it? The Scriptures tell us He is! And what we gain is far more than we lose.
Even Jesus Got Away - Mark 1:35-38
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus withdrew and prayed. If Jesus, the Son of God, chose to do this, if this was His pattern, shouldn’t it be our pattern as well? Prayer is an open invitation from the King of the Universe, to come, find rest, be refreshed, and ask for help for the day.
The God Who Speaks - Habakkuk 2:1-2
“Why do bad things happen to people who seem good?” That’s a question humanity has been asking and struggling with since the beginning of time. And although God is not required to answer, He does! And He does it time and time again. He has revealed Himself through His Word and invites us to wait on Him, to seek Him, to hear His voice, and ultimately trust Him.