Often we'll see a church that's growing rapidly and assumed that they must be doing something right, they must be a successful ministry. In some cases that's true, it is a work of God. But in many cases, a church can experience impressive growth due to the things that actually contradict the Kingdom of God. As Pastor Ricky explains in today's message, the message of the cross can be a big turnoff for many people, and when it's preached with integrity, it's just as likely to scare people away as it is to draw them in.
Gospel Culture - How Do You Avoid Building a Disaster, Part 2
In the routines of life, we often lose sight of that, don't we? We get into a flow, enjoying the ease and convenience that we take for granted. And often we might find ourselves getting annoyed with the people that God put around us over the most minor things. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message those precious souls were made in God's image and Christ valued them so much that He went to the cross for them. We need to keep that in mind as we interact and struggle through this process together.
Gospel Culture - How Do You Avoid Building a Disaster, Part 1
How you build is just as important as the materials that you build with. A new apprentice isn't going to build as well as the master carpenter, even with the exact same tools and materials. Today, as Pastor Ricky continues our study in the Gospel Culture found in 1 Corinthians, he'll remind us that building our church culture requires intention and divine guidance. Ultimately the structure must be built on the foundation of Christ, not on human reason or popular trends of the day.
Gospel Culture - Why Build Around the Weakness of the Cross, Part 2
Why do we need mirrors? If you go into a bathroom that doesn't have one, its absence is immediately noticeable. We want to see ourselves. We don't want to rely on feel or input from others. We want to see and analyze ourselves so that we can fix any issues and look presentable. As Pastor Ricky illustrates in today's message, scripture offers us a spiritual look at ourselves and reveals some major problems. The thing is, we can't fix them on our own. We need help. And only Christ can provide it.
Gospel Culture - Why Build Around the Weakness of the Cross, Part 1
The cross was an awful thing. It wasn't just a symbol for the people of the early church, it was a tool of torture and execution that may have had some traumatic associations for many people. Sadly, they would have been desensitized to its cruelty because of how heavily it was used by the Roman Empire. Yet as Pastor Ricky points out in today's message, instead of despising it and banning even the mention of it, the early church claimed it as a symbol of the grace of their Savior.
Gospel Culture - Why Have Hope For Hopeless People, Part 2
That is the assurance that we can cling to in Christ. It changes our whole outlook on life, on others, and our own struggles with sin. As Pastor Ricky will remind us in today's message, our God is faithful. It's one of His core characteristics and it's not ever going to change. He sent His son to die in our place for our sin and when we accept that amazing gift, it's not dependent on what we do. He sees us as not guilty, and we should build our identity and the way we look at others around that fact.
Gospel Culture - Why Have Hope For Hopeless People, Part 1
Have you ever watched a movie or read a book, and you thought it was wonderful, but then you talked to your friend or family member, and they didn't enjoy it at all? How can two people, people that otherwise get along and share lots in common, experience the same thing in such different ways? As Pastor Ricky explains today, the lens we look at our world through has a huge effect on how we see it. It greatly influences how we deal with each other and pursue God's will for our lives.
Gospel Culture - 100 Year Culture, Part 2
When you operate in pride and a sense of self-righteousness, repentance becomes very hard. Repentance only happens when you humble yourself and you acknowledge that you've done wrong and that you need grace and forgiveness. As Pastor Ricky begins our study in the book of 1Corinthians, he'll challenge us to foster a gospel culture in our own lives and in our churches. Our relationships should be categorized by the grace that we've been given. We've been forgiven so much, and we should be quick to forgive others.
Gospel Culture - 100 Year Culture, Part 1
What is weird about your family? What about your church family? As Pastor Ricky will illustrate in today's message, every family has a unique culture. You might consider your family to be the typical American stereotype but trust me, you've got some quirks. Our churches are much the same way, no two are identical. With a variety of personalities and backgrounds, we're bound to have some cultural traits, some may be good and some bad but how do they line up with Christ’s vision for the church?
Jesus, Family, Mission - Mission, Part 2
Living for Jesus will not be easy. There's no place in the Bible that ensures an easy walk as a Christian. Pastor Ricky wants us to be reminded of this in today's message but he also wants us to not be afraid. Though the people in Jesus’ time opposed Him and even eventually killed Him, Jesus stood firm in His message of love, hope, and forgiveness. He had the truth on His side and His Heavenly Father strengthening Him daily. We too have the truth on our side, in Jesus Himself to give us strength and courage.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Mission, Part 1
As we spend more and more time with Jesus reading His word and praying, we will begin to see his heart for us and for the people around us. Pastor Ricky today encourages us to take on Jesus’ identity so that we will be able to have His heart for our community. The world has a standard they think each person should live up to but it tends to be self-focused and not generous and loving toward others. When we ignore the world and allow Jesus to shine through us, we will begin to make a difference.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Family, Part 2
Finding common ground on which to create unity is difficult. People's individual interests, backgrounds, and human nature can all cause distance to form. God however has created opportunities for unity, especially in the church family. He took care of molding each person to interact how He desires with others but He does ask us to not actively seek to undo it. Pastor Ricky today encourages us to work through the differences that arise in our relationships and allow God to work to maintain unity.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Family, Part 1
This world is comprised of so many different ethnicities, backgrounds, interests, and more. It can be hard to find common ground with others. We may try to create a connection based on one of those but that one thing may not last. Today Pastor Ricky shares with us the only common ground that can connect each individual, Jesus. Jesus does not discriminate against anyone but instead offers forgiveness and life to everyone. Adopting Jesus’ attitude will change how we see the world.
Jesus, Family, Mission - It's All About Jesus, Part 2
People will say that they are exploring religion or that they don't have all the answers yet so they aren’t settling on one thing. However Pastor Ricky today points out to us that we have all the answers. The Bible is packed full of information about God and His love for us. It gives us the truth we are searching for. God also provides answers to us through time spent worshipping Him and conversing with Him. The more time we spend with Him, the closer we will get to Him and the more trust will grow and remain.
Jesus, Family, Mission - It's All About Jesus, Part 1
Did you catch Pastor Ricky's life-altering declaration for us? In case you didn't hear it, here it is again, “This life is not about us”. We are not here on earth to have the most money, or the biggest house, or the best car, or to get to the top rung of the corporate ladder, or be famous. You're here to do something for God. Today we will be reminded that each job that God has for the people He created is different but in the end, the mission is similar, loving people as God loves them. God wants to bless us as we bless others.
Jesus, Family, Mission - My Kingdom is Not of This World, Part 2
There's a reason why we get so worked up over politics and injustice in our nation, as well as the injustices all around the world. Today Pastor Ricky’s explanation for this deep desire for us to see wrongs made right and to see leaders of nations fix what's wrong in the world is that we long for the second coming of Jesus. We long for the day that Jesus will rule as king during His millennial reign in Jerusalem. Only until our Lord rules and reigns will there be peace and prosperity.
Jesus, Family, Mission - My Kingdom is Not of This World, Part 1
As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through the Gospel of John, he'll be emphasizing the importance for us to keep our eyes focused on eternity. Even the disciples that were with Jesus had an earthly kingdom on their minds when Jesus talked about His coming kingdom. The disciples thought Jesus was going to overthrow Rome and set free the Jews from oppression. Jesus however was talking about his heavenly kingdom and we need to continually reorient our focus toward that kingdom.
Jesus, Family, Mission - My Kingdom is Not of This World, Part 2
There's a reason why we get so worked up over politics and injustice in our nation, as well as the injustices all around the world. Today Pastor Ricky’s explanation for this deep desire for us to see wrongs made right and to see leaders of nations fix what's wrong in the world is that we long for the second coming of Jesus. We long for the day that Jesus will rule as king during His millennial reign in Jerusalem. Only until our Lord rules and reigns will there be peace and prosperity.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Hated by the World, Part 2
Today Pastor Ricky will be challenging us to be compassionate and loving instead of being confrontational just for the sake of winning an argument. You're called to preach the gospel and to make disciples and yes, we will have to defend our faith by speaking the truth that will sometimes offend. But the only way to do this while properly reflecting Jesus’ character is by being moved by compassion. Don't argue with unbelievers. Love them and allow the Holy Spirit to minister through you.
Jesus, Family, Mission - Hated by the World, Part 1
There is a demonic spiritual battle being waged against the children of God that has been waged since God created man and woman. Satan can't overthrow God so his main goal is to hurt God by hurting His children. As Pastor Ricky continues this teaching series through John, he’ll be encouraging us to remain faithful, even during times of persecution. The Bible says that those who want to live a Godly life will be persecuted.