Don't you just hate waiting? These days lines seem out of control and there seems to be a delay on everything. As Pastor Ricky teaches today, you’ll learn how Isaiah is building up the good news of something great on its way but there's a delay. What do you do in the in-between? Pastor Ricky reminds us that in the waiting you can find joy in the meantime. There was an explosion of joy during the time of anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Against The World For the World - A Counter-Cultural Marriage, Part 2, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series on the counter-cultural marriage, he'll be explaining that both the husband and the wife are called to portray the excellencies of Jesus in their marriage and household. The role of the man is not more important than the role of the woman, and vice-versa. Both genders have different, yet co-equal roles that bring glory to the Lord. The Bible exhorts both men and women to submit one to another in the fear of the Lord.
Against The World For the World - A Counter-Cultural Marriage, Part 1, Part 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching through the book of 1 Peter, he'll be explaining how men and women are both equal in value but have different roles in the household. Men have been given the role of being the authority in the household but are told to sacrifice themselves for their wives just as Christ laid down His life for the church. The wife is called to submit to her husband as the church submits to Jesus. Both genders have perfectly equal value but different rules in order for there to be perfect order in the household.
Against The World For the World - A Counter-Cultural Marriage, Part 1, Part 1
Contrary to popular belief, marriage is not all about you and what you can get out of it. Marriage should first and foremost be about God and how you can glorify Him through your relationship with your spouse. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that when you keep God first in your marriage and you focus on how to please the Lord, your marriage will be more blessed. As you fall more in love with the Lord, you'll naturally love your spouse unconditionally and become more selfless.
Against The World For the World - Caught Between Authority & A Hard Place, Part 2
Submitting yourself to your boss at work, especially when your boss is unfair and ungodly, is a great opportunity for Gospel proclamation. Your Godly submissive conduct toward your ungodly boss is a great way for you to shine a bright light in a dark place. Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to turn the other cheek, pray, and bless those who persecute us or treat us badly. This isn't an easy thing to do. It takes the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit in your life to enable you to live this Christ-like life.
Against The World For the World - Caught Between Authority & A Hard Place, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky teaches on the importance of submitting to what our earthly master wants us to do, he'll be reminding us that this scripture can be practically applied to our workplace. We no longer have slavery in our society so when we read scriptures about submitting to our earthly masters we should apply this to our boss at work. This scripture is in no way validating slavery. It's simply encouraging those that had masters over them to show others the light of Jesus by their submission and godly conduct.
Against The World For the World - God and Government, Part 2
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 2
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching on Christians being built up as a spiritual house, he'll be emphasizing the reason God is building us up to begin with. The Lord commands us to be holy as He is holy. He reveals through His word that we're being built up as a spiritual house to be a royal priesthood. God isn't simply molding us and transforming us for no reason. The purpose is so we can be His ambassadors that truly reflect His character. Don't kick against the goads, allow God to build you up.
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.