The Building Series - Building on the Word (Embracing the Action of Faith)

   

"Today, as we continue our “building series,” the title is “Building on the Word – Embracing the Action of Faith.”  What I am trying hard to communicate today is that if we are to be true “believers” – if we are to build strong Christians, strong marriages, strong children, strong relationships, and a strong church – we must do more than assent to the truth with our heads.  We must do more than accept the truth in our hearts.  We must actually live the truth of the Word in our lives.  We must “put our money where our mouth is."

Nehemiah Series - Rebuilding Walls of Worship & the Word - Sermon 6

After a break of three weeks, Pastor Rick returns to the Nehemiah Series.  In this sermon, Pastor Rick transitions from the lessons learned during the rebuilding of the physical walls of Jerusalem to lessons of the spiritual rebuilding of the nation of Israel.  


"...take hold of the idea that as we work hard to build the walls of strength, integrity, righteousness, and holiness in our homes and communities we cannot expect it to be achieved through work alone.  We also must spend the needed time to rebuild the walls of worship and the WORD individually and collectively.  I urge you to embrace the call to worship privately and publicly.  I invite you to saturate yourself and your life with the WORD of God.  Let it guide every moment, every breath!  This is where Revival and Relationship begin!"

Nehemiah Series - Prepared to Serve - Sermon 1

 

I have been feeling it on my heart for several months that it was time to do a new series – a time where we spend several weeks concentrating on a particular section of Scripture.  But when you look at doing something like that, there are so many different paths to go down, where do you begin.  So I just kept my heart open and have been thinking about it and praying about it for a long time.  Then, several weeks ago, I heard a message by Ravi Zacharias titled, “Living a Life Used by God” that was really good.  I really appreciated his words and that got me to thinking about and pondering on this man called Nehemiah.  A few weeks ago, we started studying about Nehemiah in our Godly Men Bible Study using notes from © 2014 – Verse By Verse Ministry International (www.versebyverseministry.org) and today we are going to begin focusing on this section of Scripture to pull out some lessons from this fascinating story using information I have also derived from there.

Mirror Mirror of the Word

Pastor Rick shares the fascinating story of a small Italian town called Vigonella.  Will you be a mirror on a mountain?

PROMISE KEEPER

Listen as Pastor Rick introduces us to Exodus 20 in a new way.  Did you realize the Law was predicated on a promise?  Listen, Learn, and Be Encouraged!!!

Secure in the Word

Listen as Pastor Rick teaches us how secure our spiritual boat amid the storms of modern times, by anchoring our lives to the Word of God.  It's still relevant today!

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!