God handed over His mission to the church. Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that it was not the leaders or hand-picked scholars of the day that the mission was given to. It was given to the church. It was ordinary people who are not impressive and even got made fun of at times. God called them, transformed them, and then sent them. The best part of all is that He even gave them the power to do the job, just like He gives you the power to do what He’s called you to do. Trust in Him.
Ordinary - Redefining Success, Part 2
Our mission in life is to make disciples, that’s the goal that God has for us. Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that this is the most important thing. No matter what the world says, no matter what our career is or where we live, ultimately God wants to use us to make more disciples. In spite of what people thought, or in spite of what it looked like, Paul knew this. He was willing to give up what the world had to offer in order to live out his purpose from God. How about you? Are you making disciples?
Ordinary - Redefining Success, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that most people think that Paul did not have success in his ministry. He then asks us what is our definition of success, and who and what is it based on. Is it based on your own agenda or is it based on God’s agenda? We will see that although Paul’s circumstances may not have been or felt successful, he chose and had the opportunity to reach people for Christ. He was willing to give up the world’s view of success for God’s view. Are you?
Build - How Can You Ruin a Church, Part 2
Today Pastor Ricky will be focusing his attention on exhorting the leaders of the church. If you’re looked at as a type of leader or role model, or any type of deacon or pastor, you’re held at a higher accountability before God. The Bible teaches that you’re to live a life that is above reproach so that no one can have an evil thing to say about you. Is this true about your life today? What do you need to change and repent of in order to have that reflection of Christ in you? Imitate God as dear children.
Build - How Can You Ruin a Church, Part 1
Since every Christian is called to lead others to Christ, are you being a godly example and making disciples of Christ, or disciples after yourself? The false teachers are characterized as selfish and self-exalting. They’re always pointing people to themselves. Do you share any of the characteristics that define a false teacher? The best way you can discern and understand when someone is a false teacher or prophet is by studying the Word of God. Avoid false teachers and avoid becoming one.
Build - Who Leads the Church Under Jesus, Part 2
Did you know that you belong to a royal priesthood and God desires to use you in unison with the rest of the body of Christ to further His kingdom? Every member in the church has the responsibility to act as a priest and lead others to Christ. Christ gave the Great Commission to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. It was not the “Great Suggestion”. The Lord calls you to invite unbelievers into your life in order to build relationships and minister to them. Are you being obedient?
Build - Who Leads the Church Under Jesus, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the church structure, what makes up the leadership, and the congregation. The nature of the congregation is likened to a body, with all body parts interconnected yet unique in purpose. In the body of Christ, some have the gifts of teaching, prophecy, hospitality, and mercy, along with many other different gifts. The question is, are you using your gifts to further the kingdom of God? You don’t need to be a leader in order to be used by God.
Build - What Are the Goals of Gospel Ministry, Part 2
Preaching the gospel and making disciples is not just handing out a pamphlet with the gospel message. You’re to allow unbelievers to see the gospel demonstrated through your lifestyle, as well as the preaching of the Word. Are you laboring for the sake of those that are appointed unto salvation? Pastor Ricky will be teaching on what laboring for the sake of God’s elect looks like. It’s not always easy ministering to unbelievers, but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Build - What Are the Goals of Gospel Ministry, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on having the proper priorities in our Christian walk. Are you busy doing the good works that God has ordained you to accomplish? If the enemy can’t get you to fall into sin, he will keep you busy doing good things but not the good things that God wants you to be focused on at the time. The quality of your work is much better than having quantity. The Lord desires you to use your spiritual gifts to further the kingdom and preach the gospel.
Build - How Does Jesus Lead His Church, Part 2
Christ said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Pastor Ricky will be teaching today on how all believers can take comfort in the fact that Christ is ultimately in charge over the church. All church leaders will give an account to Christ for how they conducted themselves. When you submit to your leadership, you’re submitting to Christ because He is the head of the body. Christ is alive and active in the church today.
Build - How Does Jesus Lead His Church, Part 1
We have seen Christ moving all throughout the gospels in the book of Acts. But now, how is He operating in the church? Christ is moving through the power of His Holy Spirit through the lives of believers. The Lord has specifically set up an authority structure in order to keep the church organized. Jesus is the Great Shepherd watching over the church but He’s also set up under-shepherds in order to look over and feed His flock. Submit to your leaders, recognizing Christ put them in this place.
Loving - Loving the City Jesus Loves, Part 2
Pastor Ricky will be finishing up his series on loving. He will be emphasizing the importance of loving the community that Christ died for. As the body of Christ, we need to keep our priorities in order. Our biggest priority should be to reach the lost and make disciples. A great way to reach our community is to look at the example of the apostles in the book of Acts. The apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to make disciples and then plant churches. Get involved in furthering God’s kingdom.
Loving - Loving the City Jesus Loves, Part 1
Today Pastor Ricky will be asking you the question throughout his teaching, how will you be a witness for Jesus in the community that you live in? You’re commissioned by Christ to preach the Gospel, make disciples, and be a witness in this dark, unbelieving world. Are you being the salt of the earth and a light to the world? If your answer is no then you need to repent because these commands are not suggestions. Pray, and look for open-door opportunities to reach out in your community.
Loving - Loving Jesus' People, Part 2
Today Pastor Ricky will be emphasizing the Lord’s command to love each other the same way that Christ has loved us. The apostle Paul says that he who is spiritual should restore such a one that has fallen with gentleness. You should love to the point where you will exhort and love other believers toward repentance. When some believers correct someone, it's often in the spirit of self-righteousness, not love. Do you care about others enough to sacrifice your time and energy and reach out?
Loving - Loving Jesus' People, Part 1
Do love others as humbly as Jesus loves others? The Lord loves you regardless of merit and regardless of your status. Jesus said and by this, all will know that you are my disciples by the love you have for one another. We’re all sinners saved by grace so we have no good reason to love others with respect to their merit. If you have a problem having unconditional love for others, it may be because you don’t understand God’s unconditional love for you.
Loving - Loving Jesus, Part 2
The story of Jesus calming the storm and bringing freedom and healing to the demon-possed man, reveals the character of God. How could you not fall madly in love with Jesus? Pastor Ricky will be continuing his teaching on the character of Christ and falling more in love with Him. the man that had been demon-possessed begged Jesus that he might go with Him. For many believers, following Jesus becomes an obligation, not this man. He fell in love with Jesus.
Loving - Loving Jesus, Part 1
When the disciples asked Christ what laws they should keep, Jesus said to them, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength”. All the commandments are summed up in this. In this text today, Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the importance of falling in love with the real Jesus. Many people worship a Jesus that they make in their own image, a Jesus that they’re more comfortable with. Are you worshipping the Jesus of the Bible or an idol you’ve made?
What Jesus Did Next - Jesus at Work When Evil Rages, Part 3
You have nothing to fear. You may tell yourself that but sometimes the heart is hard to convince. As Pastor Ricky will encourage you in today’s message, you don’t have to be afraid of anything in this life. Even the ultimate fear, death itself, has lost its power for those that Christ has redeemed. Though you may feel sadness for those you leave, death is not a loss as a believer. But instead, it's simply a transition into a glorious, eternal existence in direct communion with your Savior.
What Jesus Did Next - Jesus at Work When Evil Rages, Part 2
Pride is a dangerous sin. It's a subtle and effective tactic of our enemy. He convinces you that you know better than God. You may experience some small success or victory and he convinces you that your own reason or feelings are to be credited and trusted to guide your decisions. As Pastor Ricky points out in the example of Herod, this man took pride in his position and supposed that he was as powerful as God. Ultimately, he met his fate just like all of us do and his weakness was exposed.
What Jesus Did Next - Jesus at Work When Evil Rages, Part 1
So much of what goes on in this world is beyond your control, nearly everything in fact. Really the only thing you have any say in is your response. As Pastor Ricky continues to lead us through our study in Acts, we witness a vulnerable, seemingly helpless church in the midst of trial. With Peter imprisoned, it would seem that God wasn’t actively working but that’s not true. As we walk through this spiritual warzone, God is working and ultimately He will win even if it doesn’t look like it at the moment.