What the Bible says about hell tends to make us uncomfortable. It’s a difficult teaching to accept but that doesn’t stop Jesus from talking about it. While some label Jesus’ words about hell as unkind, the reality is that warning about hell is an act of love. As Pastor Ricky points out today, knowing the truth about hell allows us to be adequately warned to know the true consequences of our actions. Jesus didn’t tell us about hell and then leave us to suffer, He sacrificed Himself to provide salvation.
Revelation - Only God Can Judge Me, Part 1
In America, people love to say, “Don’t judge me”. The irony is that Americans also love to judge others. Whether it be family members, coworkers, or the celebrities on tv, judgment is a common American pastime. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us that our hope is in the one that judges justly. In this life we may get worried about the ways others are judging us, maybe a boss or a peer, maybe even a family member, but in the end, only God’s judgment really matters and He’ll judge righteously and perfectly.
Revelation - The Return of the King, Part 3
Jesus warned us that the Christian walk would involve suffering but He also gave us the book of Revelation and today, Pastor Ricky reminds us of the encouragement that this book gives us. The day is coming when Christ will return and set everything right. Although we might feel like we’re losing in life, the reality is that followers of Jesus will win in the end. As Pastor Ricky explains, we don’t know what the next chapters of our lives entail but we do know how the story ends, with the victory of Christ.
Revelation - The Return of the King, Part 2
The Bible declares that Jesus is King over every king, and Lord over every lord. Yet all over the earth, people are fighting for power. Pastor Ricky reminds us today that no matter how strong someone seems, their power is insignificant compared to that of King Jesus. The book of Revelations shows us that one day, Jesus’ reign and sovereignty will be total and every knee will bow to His authority. For those of us that follow Jesus, this is great news. Our King will reign with justice and goodness.
Revelation - The Return of the King, Part 1
Pastor Ricky reminds us today that we are at war. While life might seem peaceful and mundane at times, as Christians we recognize that there is a spiritual war taking place and it’s important that we keep this in mind because otherwise, it’s easy to get sidetracked. While there are many important things in our lives like careers and relationships, and politics, we need to keep everything in perspective. As the apostle Paul points out, soldiers don’t get caught up in civilian affairs, and neither should we.
Revelation - He Still Calls Her His Bride, Part 2
The Bible refers to Christians as members of a larger body, the church, and the church is also referred to as the bride of Christ. Today Pastor Ricky reminds us of the implications of these truths. The Christian walk isn’t designed to be taken alone. As followers of Jesus, we need the church just as a hand is useless if not attached to the body. It’s not always easy. The church is full of sinful people and serious wounds take place within the church but even still, the church is Christ’s bride.
Revelation - He Still Calls Her His Bride, Part 1
Pastor Ricky points out today that many Christians want Jesus but don’t want the church. The problem is as Pastor Ricky explains, having Jesus without the church isn’t an option. Christ loves the church so much that He shed His blood for it. The church is constantly referred to throughout the scriptures as the bride of Christ. Jesus chooses to pour His love into the church, broken as it might be, so if we love Jesus we can’t then hate the very church that Jesus loves and gave Himself for.
Revelation - The Siren Song, Part 3
The book of Revelation sheds light on some deeply ingrained lies in this world. As Pastor Ricky points out today, Revelation speaks of the ways the world promises to fulfill us but the truth is the world can’t deliver on these promises and that genuine fulfillment for now, and all eternity, can only be found in Jesus Christ. True joy doesn't come by indulging our flesh but by dying to it and pursuing Christ instead. He’s the one that satisfies us and in the end, the corrupt world will only experience His judgment.
Revelation - The Siren Song, Part 2
The world offers us what it can’t deliver. No matter what society tells us will bring satisfaction, it never lasts. This is one of the points that Pastor Ricky makes today as he teaches from the book of Revelation. Ultimately, God will judge the world. Sometimes it seems like people get away with doing wicked things but the truth is that God will bring justice and while many people will reject God and choose to indulge in their flesh, thinking that this is going to bring fulfillment only leads them to destruction.
Revelation - The Siren Song, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky teaches from the book of Revelation today, he shows us how these passages are relevant for us. Much of the symbolism of Revelation seems to be referencing ancient civilizations as well as civilizations in the last days but it also refers to civilizations in our day. The warnings about Babylon are simultaneously warnings to Christians in the 1st century, in the 21st century, and in the future. The point is, we need to take heed of these warnings rather than passing them off as wisdom for somebody else.
Revelation - OBEY 1984 and the Mark of the Beast, Part 2
The enemy is a master of deception and it's only going to get worse as the days become darker and we wait for our rescuer to come and take us home. He’s even manipulated branches of the church using a message that sounds really appealing. He says, you just need to be you, you were born with these desires and identities so they must be good and right. But as Pastor Ricky will explain in today’s message, we were born in sin and the feelings of our hearts can’t be trusted.
Revelation - OBEY 1984 and the Mark of the Beast, Part 1
As we look back over history, there are some truly atrocious leaders and governments that have inflicted oppression that we can’t even imagine. If you think the violations on people’s rights have been these past few years, an in-depth look at history can offer a helpful perspective. As Pastor Ricky will warn us in today’s message, things are going to get bad before the end but ultimately God has already secured the victory for His kingdom and wickedness will be put down.
Revelation - Here There Be Dragons, Part 2
Prayer is powerful. Singing worship songs inspires your heart and draws you closer to your father in Heaven. Meeting together to listen to God’s Word and fellowship is essential to our growth and health as believers. They are all important factors for believers but as Pastor Ricky continues to examine the book of Revelation, he’s going to draw our attention to a vital truth that it reveals. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful weapon we have as we face the attack of our enemy.
Revelation - Here There Be Dragons, Part 1
If you’re the type that really enjoys apocalyptic stories, then today's message is going to be right up your alley. We’ve come to the part of Revelation where things get really intense. We’ve got dragons and imagery of spiritual warfare in cosmic proportions. It sounds made up but this vision was given to John as prophecy of real events to come. As Pastor Ricky will explain in today’s message, this chapter isn’t meant to frighten. As believers, we’ll find that it contains hope for us as evil incarnate comes to its end.
Revelation - Few There Are Who Die So Hard, Part 2
Jesus dreaded the suffering of the cross as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest. He knew it would mean separation from His father and unimaginable physical and emotional pain, yet He still went through with it because He knew the results it would bring. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky is going to challenge us to face suffering with that in mind. When you suffer in the name of Jesus, it will bring life to those who witness it and it’s worth the temporary pain.
Revelation - Few There Are Who Die So Hard, Part 1
Many believers are under the misunderstanding that when you’ve become a Christian, you’ve side-stepped the suffering this world has to offer. While salvation does relieve you from the oppression of sin, there’s still plenty of suffering for those who truly follow Jesus. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation in today’s message, he’s going to point out the way this book clearly outlines suffering as a necessary and inevitable part of every believer’s journey.
Revelation - When the Man Comes Around, Part 2
Johnny Cash was a living example of the destruction of sin and the restorative power of grace and he knew firsthand how sin tears down your soul as well as the people around you that you care about most. We all deserve judgment for our choice to rebel against God and serve self. In today’s message, Pastor Ricky will address the wrath that’s to come but not without reminding us of us the incredible grace that wants to rescue us from the immediate and eternal destruction that sin brings in our lives.
Revelation - When the Man Comes Around, Part 1
All the way back to the first few months following Christ's ascension, believers have been waiting for His return. At many times, including right now, world events have felt like His return was imminent, yet here we are still waiting. Why is it so hard to judge when the time is really at hand? As Pastor Ricky will clarify in today’s message, the prophecies contained in Revelation have been and are currently in the process of being fulfilled and the problem is more our interpretation of the timeline.
Revelation - The Citadel at the End of Time, Part 2
God does not grow weary or get tired. That applies to His dealings with you, even the thousandth time you stumbled off and sinned. The love that He expressed in Jesus still goes strong and He’ll welcome you back in grace. It also applies to how he deals with humanity across the arch of time. His creation on the other hand, including us, does grow old and weary. As Pastor Ricky will point out in today’s message, only God is steadfast and sure and He’ll remain so even after everything we see has fallen apart.
Revelation - The Citadel at the End of Time, Part 1
Our ruler is a different kind of ruler than you’re going to find in any kingdom of man. Men who seek office and take it are often the furthest thing from servant-like. Their decisions are almost always tempered by the question of whether it's going to serve them and their agendas well or not. You would never find them washing the feet of even their closest friends. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation, he’ll remind us how different Jesus is and how differently He rules over our hearts.