We live in a world where anxiety, depression, and worry are running absolutely rampant. However, Jesus doesn't want us to spend even one minute in needless worry. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches us how to gain our peace back by following the instructions of the Apostle Paul. First and foremost, we need to maintain an attitude of gratitude. When we’re thankful for all that God does for us, it helps us gain a heavenly perspective. Secondly, we should focus on good and pure things instead of what ails us.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Three Threats to Peace, Part 1
Are you struggling with conflict with another brother or sister in Christ? In today’s message, Pastor Ricky encourages us to commit to resolve conflicts by agreeing in the Lord. Division and strife have no place in the body of Christ. When we're at war with each other, we are behaving just like the unbelieving world. However, as the church functions in unity and love, the world will recognize the Holy Spirit at work and be drawn to Christ. Put succinctly, they will know we are Christians by our love, not by ugly unresolved conflict.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Guides And Getting Home, Part 2
Our fallen flesh has an unending appetite for wickedness and sin. Scripture warns against using the grace of God as an opportunity to indulge the flesh. In today's message, Pastor Ricky challenges us to deny our sinful natures in order to follow Christ. When we submit to God’s will, we don't leave room for the flesh to control our behaviors. Our bodies are the temple of God and should be used in His service. Therefore, we must die daily to our selfish will in order to become more and more like Jesus.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Guides And Getting Home, Part 1
We live in a digital age when solid Biblical teaching is literally at our fingertips. While this is a blessing, there's an inherent danger in gaining knowledge without application. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches us that simply reading Christian books and listening to sermons doesn’t lead to spiritual maturity. Instead, we must actually apply what we learn. This requires discipleship and leadership by example from church elders and mature mentors. In other words, instruction shouldn’t just be taught, it should also be caught.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Gospel Math, Part 2
The Apostle Paul wrote that he considered everything as lost in order to gain Christ. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky challenges us to ask the question, “Would we give up all things for Jesus?”. If anything in this world, be it a job, a relationship, or a dearly held reputation, if it comes before a relationship with Christ, we fail to recognize the value of a personal walk with Jesus. Further, if we don't bow our knee to the lordship of King Jesus will be held accountable on Judgment Day for our disobedience.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Gospel Math, Part 1
Saul of Tarsus had a very impressive resume. He came from an upstanding Jewish family, had the best education, and as a Pharisee enjoyed the respect of his peers. However, when Saul met Jesus on the Damascus Road, he gladly gave up all of his worldly prestige for the joy of knowing Jesus as Lord. In today's message, Pastor Ricky reminds us that having a personal relationship with Christ is more fulfilling and brings with it more joy than any poultry thing this world has to offer.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - How to Spot a Forgery, Part 2
There are many people that are deceived into believing that their goodness or their acts of kindness will earn them a place in heaven. The Bible says that nothing could be further from the truth. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches that all of our religious works, church attendance, biblical knowledge, and human effort can't earn us a right standing with the Lord. The only way we can have a relationship with Jesus is to trust in the free gift of salvation through faith. Put simply, we can’t earn God’s grace. We simply receive it by faith.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - How to Spot a Forgery, Part 1
When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the debt for our sin and made us right with God. In other words, we no longer have to work through toil, piety, and obedience to try and earn a right relationship with the Lord. Instead, we approach the almighty God by faith in Jesus alone. In today's message, Pastor Ricky uses the words of the Apostle Paul to warn us against the temptation of legalism. When false teachers try to persuade us back into the bondage of religion, we must cling to our trust in Jesus’ all-sufficient sacrifice.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - The Same Things This Easter, Part 2
Do you feel empty inside? Are you always striving for happiness and never seem to find it? In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches us that those who thirst for something more can find living water in the person of Jesus Christ. Those who drink of the Lord will never thirst again. God, the author of life itself, is able to feed our hungry souls with His truth and love. Through the power of His resurrection, Christians can know without a doubt that they have eternal life with God their maker.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - The Same Things This Easter, Part 1
Where do we find life fulfilling joy? Sustained joy doesn't come from houses, careers, or earthly relationships. These things while blessings can only buy us temporary happiness. They can’t sustain us in difficult seasons. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches us that true joy comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. God is the one that can give us peace in the midst of the storm, love when we feel rejected or unlovable, and comfort and joy even in seasons of trial and pain.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - The Profile of a Gospel Partner, Part 2
The love of God is overwhelming and perplexing. In this life, we just simply can't understand it. The idea that the God who created everything, from a microscopic level to the scale of the galaxies cares for us, is mind-boggling. As we continue to examine the book of Philippians with Pastor Ricky, we're reminded of this shocking reality. We may not ever understand why God loves us but because of that love we can live lives that bring Him glory and draw the people around us into His incredible grace.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - The Profile of a Gospel Partner, Part 1
Vulnerability is crucial in the life of a believer. First and foremost, we make ourselves vulnerable before Christ, acknowledging that we are weak and need Him to empower us. Secondly, we need to open up and recognize our need for fellow believers. As Pastor Ricky challenges us in today's message, we need to be honest about our shortcomings and bravely reach out to our brothers and sisters, to walk alongside us and provide accountability and guidance as we see Christ together.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Speak to Shine, Part 2
Many of us love to complain. It may be over the actions of others or the way the world seems bent against us. If we really want to, there's no shortage of material to fuel our grumbling. As Pastor Ricky continues to lead us through Paul's letter to the Philippians, we’re reminded what our speech should sound like as believers. Complaining doesn't belong in that speech. No matter how bad it may seem, we can view it as an opportunity to rely on and glorify Christ despite the circumstances.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Speak to Shine, Part 1
We live in a dark, broken world. We were born into it and our lives were full of sin before we met Christ. We didn't have to clean ourselves up and make ourselves righteous for Him to love us. He saw us in our weakness and had compassion on us. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, when we accepted Christ's gift of salvation, He came in and started to change us from the inside out. He is light and as we surrender ourselves to Him we reflect that light more and more brightly.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Low, Lower, Highest, Part 2
Many believers have fallen into the trap of allowing the cross to become just another Christian symbol. We see it at the front of a church perhaps, on our walls at home, and many wear it around their necks. It's become just a cultural icon. As Pastor Ricky warns in today's message, when we cease to be shocked at the intense sacrificial love that was expressed on the cross, we need to take a step back and survey our hearts. It’s truly incredible what Christ did for us on that tree.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Low, Lower, Highest, Part 1
Living for Christ goes beyond avoiding sin and sharing the gospel with the people around you. To follow Jesus means to take on His mindset. As Pastor Ricky will explain in today's message, Jesus humbled Himself to our level, and even lower to bring us freedom. His entire existence as a human was one of humble service. When we take on that mindset, there's nothing too low for us. From inconvenience to outright suffering, we should be willing to go great lengths for the people in our lives.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Serving in a Selfie World, Part 2
Most of the decisions we make in life naturally stem from a desire to do what will benefit ourselves. In our families, churches, or workplaces, how often do we take the time to think about how a choice might harm or benefit those around us? As Pastor Ricky continues to lead us through Philippians in today's message, we’re challenged to step outside of our selfie culture and start living lives that are focused on serving Christ and others over our own interests.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Serving in a Selfie World, Part 1
In our selfie culture, many are preoccupied with putting on a good face and making themselves lovable. We take pictures of ourselves in our most ideal moments and then plaster them all over social media, painting a picture that says life is perfect when in fact it's far from it. As Pastor Ricky examines today's passage and how it applies to us in our culture, we’ll learn what it means to live outward and upward. Our lives will feel so much more fulfilled as we surrender ourselves to Christ and His mission in this world.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Gospel Citizens, Part 2
Being a part of God's kingdom will cost us. It's comforting to dwell on the positive aspects of living as citizens of the gospel but the truth is we can expect suffering and hardship to be an unavoidable part of our journey. As Pastor Ricky examines what it means to live as members of this eternal kingdom, we're reminded that while we experience pain and persecution, we can have joy in knowing that our lives are bringing glory to Christ and spreading the life-giving knowledge of His kingdom.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Gospel Citizens, Part 1
Jesus himself commanded us to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God’s. We’re to be good citizens in the country we dwell in. This means respecting the laws in so far as they don't contradict scripture. As Pastor Ricky continues to explore the first chapter of Philippians in today's message, we are reminded of our greater citizenship. As believers, we’re members of God's kingdom. His kingdom is one of grace, love, and justice and those values should govern every aspect of our lives.