When children are little, parents can dress them how they want, feed them what they want, select toys and activities for them, but as those children become more independent, growing into young adults they make many of their own decisions. As we’ll see today that doesn't mean the respect and honor that should be given to parents disappears. Even into adulthood, when the authority of parents has given way to a different relationship, parents still sit in place of honor and their knowledge should be respected.
Thy Kingdom Come - Your Kingdom Come #2, Part 1
When we imagine the rewards of heaven we may have a tendency to picture the mega-mansions that will be given to Christianity’s great icons, famous authors, and leaders who are nearly as well known as the apostles themselves. But in today's message, Pastor Ricky draws our attention to an act just as important as preaching the gospel in front of packed stadiums. Prayer warriors are the unsung heroes of our faith. Their great work is almost never seen by others but its influence cannot be ignored.
Redemption - God & Rest #2, Part 2 - Exodus 20
In today’s teaching, you’re going to be challenged about what you consider rest. On a day set aside for us by God, a day where worship should be our focus, how do we rest? Pastor Ricky gives us some possible reasons as to why we're not following His command for us to rest. From the way we manage our working time to the choices we make that we think are rest, we’ll hear about how we can approach worship, fellowship, and rest as it applies to the Sabbath and every day to experience true rest in Him.
Redemption - God & Rest #2, Part 1 - Exodus 20
Most of us have heard the story of creation, or read it for ourselves. We know that God rested on the seventh day. Knowing the character of God we should wonder why would He need rest? He's the Almighty. Think of it like this, when you've been working diligently on a project and it's finally finished you take a moment to stand back and take it in. Only with God, His project was perfect and He took a day to signify its completeness. So the rest He gives us is for Him who is at the center.
Redemption - God & Rest #1, Part 3 - Exodus 20
The commandments set forth by the Lord aren't just a random assortment of laws. Not only are they in place for the protection of our covenant with Him, they can be a beacon to others to the glory of God. When our lives, our worship, and our everything is in order according to His laws, it's a reflection of Jesus in our lives. Today we will hear about the Sabbath and how that day of rest is vital in our lives as Christians. Jesus has taken all our sin because we can't fulfill the law on our own and He has given us rest.
Redemption - God & Rest #1, Part 2 - Exodus 20
On our way to finding the job we’d find fulfilling, many of us have had jobs that just felt like filler in our lives. Monotonous, tedious, meaningless but as Pastor Ricky will show us today, none of the work we should do should be meaningless. The way we work reflects the work of God. As we continue through Exodus today we’ll see how both work and rest are acts of worship. When we place either of these in the top-tier position of how we operate in our lives, things fall apart. God knows how we should rest and work.
Redemption - God & Rest #1, Part 1 - Exodus 20
How many times has an article popped up on your computer screen promising a better balance between work and family? Or, five ways to destress and manage your time? Balance, efficiency, more focus on leisure or work, none of these will help you achieve peace and tranquility in life. The answer is putting your idols in the proper place. If all your energy and worship is going towards your idols you'll be wiped out spiritually, emotionally, and physically. As we will see today, God must be the center of our balance.
Redemption - Smashing Idols, Part 2 - Exodus 20
An idol has its place in your life because it's at the front of the line, always at the forefront of your mind and requiring you to spend more time and energy on it than anything else including your relationship with the Father. You could say that an idol is like a parasite but one we think we can't live without. As we’ll hear in today's message, as those idols are sucking the life out of us they keep us from experiencing what God has for our lives, bigger and better than anything we're clinging to instead of Him.
Redemption - Smashing Idols, Part 1 - Exodus 20
Although our first thought when we hear the word “idol” may be a little statue or huge monument, idols are much more insidious than that. An idol is anything that we place as a priority over God and they don't always loom large and in our faces. Whether it's socializing, or a relationship, or a job, idols are difficult to get rid of even when we recognize them in our lives. In today's teaching, Pastor Ricky is going to look at why the Israelites clung to their Idols so fiercely and why we cling to ours.
Redemption - Bad News, Good News, Better News, Part 2 - Exodus 20
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a God who was willing to leave His throne, to come to earth and die for all mankind who chose to believe in Him and His sacrifice. The creation groans under the weight of sin and Jesus came to restore His creation and His people. Pastor Ricky will show us today that the world's solutions to your problems will not work and he asks the question, “What do you think the biggest problem is in the world and in your life today?”
Redemption - Bad News, Good News, Better News, Part 1 - Exodus 20
Believers in Jesus Christ may look at the world and think how it is enslaved to sin but they may not realize that they could be enslaved to their own sin. In today's study, Pastor Ricky speaks on the issue of the perception of sin and how many people in the world have the wrong perception of God. We’ll also see how the Passover in Exodus is a picture of the blood of Jesus Christ covering the sins of His people. He is the true Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
Redemption - The Return of the King, Part 2
What or who are you serving and who are you living for? We all have to serve somebody and there is a steep price for which we will pay in order to enjoy the pleasures of this world. Today we’ll see that being a slave to Christ is actually freedom and our devotion to God will only bring good to our lives. It's crucial that we not let the cares of this world dim the vision of eternity with our Lord.
Redemption - The Return of the King, Part 1 - Exodus 20
In today’s study of God’s Word, Pastor Ricky teaches on how true freedom is only found in our true king. We’ll also see that there is a slavery which looks like freedom but really is a snare from the devil. Our King is returning and it's essential that we don't place anything in our lives ahead of the king and ruler of the universe. Today we will learn of the true way to freedom and how to obtain peace in our lives. Jesus came into this world to set the captives free but we must allow Him to rule in our lives.
Redemption - Holiness, Part 2 - Exodus 19
In Exodus, we see the separation between God and man. The Jews experienced the power and holiness of God on Mount Sinai. Pastor Ricky will show us in today's teaching that at times, some Christians may not have the correct reference towards God. Do you lack a holy reverence and fear in your relationship with God? You'll see that God has not changed His standard since giving Moses the Law. However, as Christians, Jesus is our mediator who can approach God's holiness with our petitions.
Redemption - Holiness, Part 1 - Exodus 19
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a God who was willing to leave His throne, to come to earth and die for all mankind who chose to believe in Him and His sacrifice. The creation groans under the weight of sin and Jesus came to restore His creation and His people. Pastor Ricky will show us today that the world's solutions to your problems will not work. And he asks the question, “What do you think the biggest problem is in the world and in your life today?”
Redemption - Sin Lies, God Provides #2, Part 3 - Exodus 15-17
Pastor Ricky asks the question, “Are you a restful person day to day?” Even as a Christian you may often find yourself stressed throughout the day. We’ll see that if you continually find yourself stressed and uptight there must be something wrong in your walk with the Lord. Pastor Ricky will also show that trusting God is the foundation for your obedience. As we go through the book of Exodus, we'll see how the Jews’ lack of obedience influenced their relationship with God and made for a rough journey.
Redemption - Sin Lies, God Provides #2, Part 2 - Exodus 15-17
God knows our needs better than we know ourselves. What we consider a need may really be a hindrance in our relationship with Him. In today's study, Pastor Ricky will show how only God can provide for our eternal hunger. Not only will He provide for our physical needs but more importantly, our spiritual needs. Mankind can only find true fulfillment in Jesus Christ. We'll see how Jesus was torn apart by the wrath of God on the cross for us so that we could be eternally fed.
Redemption - Sin Lies, God Provides #2, Part 1 - Exodus 15-17
Have you ever noticed the desire to return to some of the old habits which you gave up when you became a Christian? Pastor Ricky will show us in today's study how we could be much like the Jews after they were delivered from slavery in Egypt. Believers in Christ can also begin to grumble about not having the freedom of following their desires. However, the freedom that the world offers is actually slavery to sin. Sometimes we may be guilty of serving our desires and not God.
Redemption - Sin Lies, God Provides #1, Part 3 - Exodus 15-17
God's purpose for us is always good. It’s our sin that lies to us and we question whether He is present when things are going badly. But as people rebelled against Him in the desert, God promises to be with them and provide for their needs. They’re blaming God for their condition, for not taking care of them, and instead of turning away, He brings water from a rock. When we needed a savior He brought us his Son, The Rock, who gives us living water. No matter our misunderstanding of Him, He does provide.
Redemption - Sin Lies, God Provides #1, Part 2 - Exodus 15-17
In the most horrible times of your life, you may have wondered where is God? He couldn't possibly be watching us go through misery and be okay with it, right? Not like ourselves, His commitment never wavers. We will go through turmoil but He promises to be with us. With that kind of hope, we can go on. As we’ll hear in today’s teaching, God's commitment to His people is steadfast. They can't see beyond their current circumstances but God knows the plans He has for them and He will be there.