In ancient times, for someone to take off their garments and begin to wash the feet of others, it meant they were lowly and of extremely low position in culture. Today Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to allow ourselves to take the humble position of a servant. The Bible says that a servant isn’t greater than his master. If Jesus being God in the flesh, humbled Himself and served others, how much more should we.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Jesus' Missionary Family, Part 2
The language of scripture often calls the church the household of God. In that time period, a household was made up of not only the immediate family but extended family members as well that would add to the home. Today Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to have fellowship with other believers and to remember that Jesus made the church to be a family, a warm loving household. The Apostle Paul also exhorts us not to forsake the fellowship of the brethren.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Jesus' Missionary Family, Part 1
Today, Pastor Ricky will be explaining the importance of Jesus being the center of our family and how we should be obeying God's call for our family, to be a light to the world. Jesus is not just a superhuman guy with supernatural abilities. He is God, in the flesh, who created the heavens and the earth. When we truly believe that Jesus is more than a good teacher and more than a prophet and that He is God in the flesh, our lives reflect that belief. Our families will look different than the families of the world.
Redemption - God and Stuff, Part 3
Today you can have life to the fullest. Pastor Ricky teaches that Jesus was the perfect one that went to the cross for us. He did not envy. He did not take anything that didn't belong to Him. Jesus was generous. He died a painful death on the cross so that we would not have to. Therefore, when you're tempted to think you need something else just remember that God provided everything you need through His son Jesus. Won't you accept His gift of salvation today?
Redemption - God and Stuff, Part 2
Adam and Eve were drawn to what looked good. Pastor Ricky will remind us that Satan was crafty enough to pull them away with the things that delighted their eyes. God had provided everything that Adam and Eve needed in the garden, just like He provides everything we need. However, when we start to crave something other than what God has given us, that’s when we end up losing it all. God knows what you need and when you need it. He's the only thing that will truly fulfill. Turn to Him.
Redemption - God and Stuff, Part 1
What do you crave? Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that the things we crave are the things we worship. Exodus 20:17 says, ‘thou shalt not covet’ and today we learn this basically means do not crave things that don't belong to you. Our God is a good God. He gives good things to His children. When we take things or covet things that He has not given us, then we're actually saying we know better than God. If God wants you to have something He will open a door and provide a way. Trust in Him.
Redemption - God and Speech, Part 3
Do your words condemn you? That's what Pastor Ricky will ask us today. What if you had to take everything you said recently, in every form, whether face-to-face, phone, text or email and run it through the filter of God Himself. How would you do? Does that frighten you? When you speak, do you try and be biblical or do you say whatever you feel like saying? Today’s message is a great reminder of the importance of our words. Remember, as a Christian, you are representing Christ.
Redemption - God and Speech, Part 2
Are you careful with your words? Pastor Ricky will remind us today that our words can be a blessing or they can be a curse. Do you remember a time that someone betrayed you with words? Or said something that hurts so much that it still sticks with you today? He reminds us that our words can cause big fires in our lives. We need to be careful and wise with what we say. All people are created in the image of God and should be treated as such. Let's build them up, not tear them down.
Redemption - God and Speech, Part 1
Today with Pastor Ricky we learn that we say on average 16,000 words per day. Do you pay attention to those words? Most people are careless and will say whatever they feel like saying. However, the Bible has very clear guidelines for the things that come out of our mouths. It says that we should only say what’s useful for building others up. Think about it. When was the last time you built someone up? Let’s start today. There is power in your words and they can make a difference.
Redemption - God and His Design for Marriage, Part 2
Jesus paid the price. Today as Pastor Ricky teaches about marriage and the Ten Commandments we are reminded of the depth of what Jesus did for us. Jesus says over and over again that He loves us. He also proved His love by going to the cross for us. He knows about all the things that we've done, all the things that we put before Him. Yet He says, come home to me. The price has been paid. It is finished. Jesus is waiting for you today. Will you run to Him?
Redemption - God and His Design for Marriage, Part 1
The Bible teaches that Adam did not have a helper that was fit for him. Therefore God created Eve. Today Pastor Ricky will continue to teach on the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:14 says you shall not commit adultery. We learned that God designed marriage for our good and does not want anyone to pull it apart. Marriage may be familiar to us but the Bible says it should be extraordinary. Marriage should and can be better than we can imagine.
Redemption - God and the Dignity of Life, Part 2
Anger is an emotion given to us by God however there is good and bad anger. Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that God wants us to live at peace with everyone. God will be the one to judge those who sinned against us. We will hear that there is a way to get rid of bad anger, it can be washed away. You can be free from the emotion of anger by leaning on and trusting in the power of God to help you. Look to Jesus, He is the answer. With God, all things are possible.
Redemption - God and the Dignity of Life, Part 1
Genesis 1:26 tells us that we are created in the image of God. Nothing else is created in His image except us. Pastor Ricky reminds us that this is why Exodus 20:13 is so important. We are created in the image of God and therefore every human life is absolutely precious. God says that He has a plan and a purpose for every single one of His children. That plan is to bring Him glory and to reach others for His kingdom. God loves all of His children and every life has value to Him.
Redemption - God & Parents, Part 3
The decline of the American family is a topic that has been well documented. Many of us then may have experienced some level of dysfunction within our families growing up. Maybe we didn't have the greatest role model when it came to parenting and now we struggle to know how to raise our own children. In today's message, we get some good news. As believers, we have a heavenly Father that serves as the ultimate role model when it comes to parenting. Everything we need to know we can learn from Him.
Redemption - God & Parents, Part 2
Kids see everything their parents do. Even when you're speaking about something that seems over their heads, they understand the negative tone or condescension towards others. As parents we want our children to respect us. The way we act towards those in authority will have a huge impact on the way our children do. In today's message, we’ll see how our actions are shaping the character of our children. Even when we don't agree with the choice made by our boss, or the policies of the president, our attitude matters.
Redemption - God & Parents, Part 1
When children are little, parents can dress them how they want, feed them what they want, select toys and activities for them, but as those children become more independent, growing into young adults they make many of their own decisions. As we’ll see today that doesn't mean the respect and honor that should be given to parents disappears. Even into adulthood, when the authority of parents has given way to a different relationship, parents still sit in place of honor and their knowledge should be respected.
Redemption - God & Rest #2, Part 2
In today’s teaching, you’re going to be challenged about what you consider rest. On a day set aside for us by God, a day where worship should be our focus, how do we rest? Pastor Ricky gives us some possible reasons as to why we're not following His command for us to rest. From the way we manage our working time to the choices we make that we think are rest, we’ll hear about how we can approach worship, fellowship, and rest as it applies to the Sabbath and every day to experience true rest in Him.
Redemption - God & Rest #2, Part 1
Most of us have heard the story of creation, or read it for ourselves. We know that God rested on the seventh day. Knowing the character of God we should wonder why would He need rest? He's the Almighty. Think of it like this, when you've been working diligently on a project and it's finally finished you take a moment to stand back and take it in. Only with God, His project was perfect and He took a day to signify its completeness. So the rest He gives us is for Him who is at the center.
Redemption - God & Rest #1, Part 3
The commandments set forth by the Lord aren't just a random assortment of laws. Not only are they in place for the protection of our covenant with Him, they can be a beacon to others to the glory of God. When our lives, our worship, and our everything is in order according to His laws, it's a reflection of Jesus in our lives. Today we will hear about the Sabbath and how that day of rest is vital in our lives as Christians. Jesus has taken all our sin because we can't fulfill the law on our own and He has given us rest.
Redemption - God & Rest #1, Part 2
On our way to finding the job we’d find fulfilling, many of us have had jobs that just felt like filler in our lives. Monotonous, tedious, meaningless but as Pastor Ricky will show us today, none of the work we should do should be meaningless. The way we work reflects the work of God. As we continue through Exodus today we’ll see how both work and rest are acts of worship. When we place either of these in the top-tier position of how we operate in our lives, things fall apart. God knows how we should rest and work.