Right now, though it's hard to completely understand, each of us will live forever. Of course not in our current state but everyone will live eternally. The question is where will you spend eternity? Today we’ll learn that the answer to this question lies in another. Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
Live Forever - Wake Up Now, Part 3
The amazing truth that we’ll discover with Pastor Ricky today is that God isn't concerned with quantity. He's concerned with quality. It’s not about how much you give, it’s about why you give. What has He entrusted you with and are you using it for His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom?
Live Forever - Wake Up Now, Part 2
Stop and ask yourself, what have I been entrusted with? What gifts has God given me? When you have those answers, the next obvious question is, how can I use what is God’s, that He's entrusted to me, to further His kingdom? Living with this question constantly at the forefront of your mind brings blessing.
Live Forever - Wake Up Now, Part 1
Have you ever really stopped and asked yourself that question? The answer is fairly simple. Nothing you have in your life, including your very life itself, is of your own doing. Everything that you have, all that you are, is because of the grace, and mercy, and goodness of the creator of the universe.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Generous God, Generous Givers, Part 2
Are you struggling to make ends meet? Do you have a desperate need that you're unable to provide for your family? In today's message, Pastor Ricky reminds us that God is able to meet our needs and deeply cares about our circumstances. Abba Father did not spare His only Son in order to provide salvation for mankind. Since Jesus freely gave His very life for us, how much more will He give to us when we have a true need? Therefore we should pray for our daily provision and have faith that God will provide.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Generous God, Generous Givers, Part 1
The Philippians church though poor were known for their amazing sacrificial generosity. It's through the gifts of this special church that the Apostle Paul was able to do his ministry work. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches us that when we give to God we're actually partnering with Jesus in the advancement of the gospel. Pastor Ricky also points out that when we give using our temporary means, we rack up for ourselves exciting eternal rewards where rust and moth can’t touch our prize.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - The Secret of Contentment, Part 2
Have you ever been around an ungrateful person? It's not fun to hang out with them because well, their attitude reeks. In today's message, Pastor Ricky encourages us to be content with our station in life. God wants us to have joyful, grateful hearts that reflect Him. The way to be content is to find our strength and purpose in Jesus Christ. When the Lord is at the center of our lives, we can be content in all circumstances for we know that He is our provider and that He deeply cares about us.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - The Secret of Contentment, Part 1
We live in a time and place of great blessing. Americans enjoy unprecedented prosperity. We have cell phones, food of all kinds from all over the world, machines to wash our clothes, cars to get us to and from wherever we want to go, and houses to keep us safe, dry, and warm. Despite these many blessings, discontentment can ruin our peace. In today's message, Pastor Ricky teaches us that the secret to contentment is gratefulness. We must remain thankful for all the Lord provides in order to avoid selfish grumbling.
The Happiest Book in the Bible - Three Threats to Peace, Part 2
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 - 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 - 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.