The Gospel of John - The Witness of Surrender

Listen as Pastor Rick talks about living surrendered. What does the "Best Man" of the bridegroom have to do with it?  Listen and see.   Is your life surrendered to the will of God?

The Gospel of John Series - God SO Loved

Listen as Pastor Rick shares perspective on the most famous verse in Scripture: John 3:16. Word by word Pastor Rick draws out the beauty of this verse.  Do you realize how MUCH God loves you?  No matter your sin, God loves you and gave His only begotten son for you.  Will you surrender to Him?

The Gospel of John Series - Cleanse Your Temple

Listen as Pastor Rick describes the introduction of the Messiah to the World with an act of holiness rather than power, and then applies it to our hearts by calling on us to cleanse the temples of our hearts.

The Gospel of John Series - Episode 1 - In the Beginning Was the Word

In the first sermon of the year, Pastor Rick begins an exploration of the Gospel of John based on the Exposition of the Gospel by Charles Erdman.  In the beginning of the year, there is nothing better than to begin with the Word. 

Fervent Charity

Stirred in his heart by pictures of Pope Francis in action, Pastor Rick turns our attention to the writings of the Apostles Peter & Paul to call us to deep, fervent love toward our fellow men above all else.  This helps defeat the enemy in spiritual warfare, preventing the establishment of a beachhead in our lives and in the church. 

FAN OR FOLLOWER?

Listen to this challenging message as Pastor Rick springs from the book NOT A FAN by Kyle Idleman to ask the essential question, "Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?"  Becoming a true follower of Christ is a lot more than most people think it is. 

The Post-Resurrection Series - MARKED BY THE SON

Spring is here and all of us are spending more time in the sunshine.  Usually we can tell this because sunburns show up in the congregation!  :-)   But this caused me to wonder if the sunshine marks us so quickly when we spend time in it, can people tell when we have been in the presence of THE Son of God, Jesus Christ?  How about you?  Are you marked by the SON?

DROP THE ROCKS

God's perspective only gets implemented in our lives when we drop the rocks that drive us away from Him and from other people.  Are there rocks in your hands?

Contagious 2 - Costs & Benefits

Pastor Rick shares the pros and cons of becoming a soul-winner/witness for the Gospel of Christ.  Are you in?

The Reality of Man

In light of the tragic shootings in Aurora, Colorado, listen as Pastor Rick continues the series on "Reality" with this timely sermon titled, "The Reality of Man."  Listen as he explains why people commit terrible crimes and perform acts of sin.  But don't worry.  He doesn't leave it there.  Listen as he also shares the solution to man's dilemma.

Living In The Vine - "Bearing Fruit"

Listen as Pastor Rick concludes the series based on the "Experiencing God" book by the Blackaby's.  Discover with Pastor Rick the importance of bearing fruit when Living in the Vine.

Living In The Vine - "In Christ"

Listen as Pastor Rick shares the second of three messages based on the Blackaby's book, "Experiencing God."  Living in the Vine - "In Christ," challenges us to live vibrant lives plugged in to the true Vine, Jesus Christ.  Are you "Living in the Vine?" 

A Garden Heart

In the beginning God created man and woman in His image, stamped with His likeness, possessing pure hearts.  They were made perfect without flaw.

Yet, when they chose to sin, they marred forever the perfect creation gifted them by the Creator.  From that day to this, the world has tended to chaos and mankind to decay. 

Many still believe there is no hope of restoration until eternity comes.  But I want to encourage you all.  It is true we cannot restore creation (though we should work to preserve it as best we can).  We cannot restore our bodies (though we should take care of them as God’s temple). 

However, God can restore our souls to the same status they had when created: pure and whole – perfect.  The same sacrifice which Christ made for our justification also provides the means for our sanctification – restoration of a Garden Heart.

This does not mean you will be perfect in every action, but it does mean you may be guided by the Holy Spirit in every motive.  Thus, though cursed with a dying body in a fallen world, we may live with Heaven in our hearts.

          How about you?  Have you met Jesus Christ and surrendered all you are to all He is so you may be all you can be until you reach the gates of Glory?  Do you have a Garden Heart?

Magnificent!

Seed Flingers

It's Christmas time here in Hampton Roads and we are LOVING the 65-70 degree weather!  It's not often you have a Christmas this warm!  We are still doing all the seasonal things though: singing "winter wonderland," going Christmas caroling, wrapping presents, and building Christmas boxes.  That's what made me think about this thought today.

As we made our first attempts this year at many things as a church, it feels unusual - out of the comfort zone.  Are we truly doing any good or just going through the motions?  We had our first annual Christmas program, sang Christmas carols at two assisted living facilities, and built a Christmas box for a small struggling family.  It doesn't seem like much against the backdrop of a community so full of lost and hurting people. 

But God reminded me of something today.  We are "seed flingers."  You remember the parable: "a sower went forth to sow...."  When Jesus taught His disciples, he said the seed was the Word of God and proclaimed that it would fall on all types of soil.  He never said the sower should stop flinging seed just because some of it would be gobbled up or wasted.  All He did was prepare us for the responses to the seed.  He also said that some seed WOULD fall on good soil and bring forth a great harvest. 

In the context of this and other Scriptures, I am reminded that we are to be "Seed Flingers" and "Harvest Reapers."  Don't fret that what we are doing is not enough or that it is not easy or that it is uncomfortable.  Rather focus on spreading the magnificent message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every venue available.  Let us demonstrate His love toward others even when they are yet sinners without the knowledge of Christ.  Let us fling the seeds of His Word everywhere and trust Him to bring the harvest!  Merry Christmas!