Better News Podcast

Many believers are under the misunderstanding that when you've become a Christian, you've side-stepped the suffering this world has to offer. While salvation does relieve you from the oppression of sin, there's still plenty of suffering for those who truly follow Jesus. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation in today's message, he's going to point out the way this book clearly outlines suffering as a necessary and inevitable part of every believer's journey.

Johnny Cash was a living example of the destruction of sin and the restorative power of grace and he knew firsthand how sin tears down your soul as well as the people around you that you care about most. We all deserve judgment for our choice to rebel against God and serve self. In today's message, Pastor Ricky will address the wrath that's to come but not without reminding us of us the incredible grace that wants to rescue us from the immediate and eternal destruction that sin brings in our lives.

All the way back to the first few months following Christ's ascension, believers have been waiting for His return. At many times, including right now, world events have felt like His return was imminent, yet here we are still waiting. Why is it so hard to judge when the time is really at hand? As Pastor Ricky will clarify in today's message, the prophecies contained in Revelation have been and are currently in the process of being fulfilled and the problem is more our interpretation of the timeline.

God does not grow weary or get tired. That applies to His dealings with you, even the thousandth time you stumbled off and sinned. The love that He expressed in Jesus still goes strong and He'll welcome you back in grace. It also applies to how he deals with humanity across the arch of time. His creation on the other hand, including us, does grow old and weary. As Pastor Ricky will point out in today's message, only God is steadfast and sure and He'll remain so even after everything we see has fallen apart.

Our ruler is a different kind of ruler than you're going to find in any kingdom of man. Men who seek office and take it are often the furthest thing from servant-like. Their decisions are almost always tempered by the question of whether it's going to serve them and their agendas well or not. You would never find them washing the feet of even their closest friends. As Pastor Ricky continues our study in the book of Revelation, he'll remind us how different Jesus is and how differently He rules over our hearts.

As Pastor Ricky begins our study in the book of Revelation today, he'll lead us through an overview of the book in its entirety, with a focus on the characteristics of Jesus that it reveals. We like to think that we can squeeze Jesus into the box of our understanding and reason but actually, we can't. His power is unrivaled and He has complete authority to wipe us out. Yet instead He's decided to redeem us in grace and prepare us for an eternal reign over creation with us at His side.

Jesus wasn't just a really good teacher with some supernatural capabilities. He didn't just know a lot about God, he knew God because He was and still is God. He held within Himself the power and authority that only belongs to the Creator of the Universe yet he walked humbly among mankind, touching the lives of everyone that He interacted with. In today's message, Pastor Ricky will remind us of the unmatched power of Jesus as we look forward to His triumphant return for His church.

Do you ever feel like there are times that God is distant when you're going through trials? Pastor Ricky will be reminding us that God is never distant but He is extremely present. He's working within us a greater depth of godliness and character as we walk through trials. Jesus Himself went through severe tribulations and hardships. It was meaningful suffering that worked out a greater good for all mankind. In the same way, God is using the hardships you're facing in your life for a greater good.

In our text today, the Apostle Peter exhorts the church not to be surprised when they experience fiery trials. Fiery trials are not just hardships of inconvenience but they're painful and can give extreme anguish to the soul. Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to rejoice during trials as well as fiery trials because God will use them to work within us something great. As a Christian, God will work all things out for good in your life, even the worst of tribulations.

As a Christian, you are an essential part of the body of Christ. You've been given by God specific spiritual gifts and talents that He wants you to use in order to bring Him glory and help further His kingdom here on earth. If If you're not sure what your spiritual gifts are, pray to the Lord and ask Him to reveal them to you. God desires you to know what His will for your life is so when you pray, expect an answer. Whatever your gifts may be, purpose to use them, get involved in the church.

As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through the book of 1st Peter, he'll be teaching us the most important aspect of building relationships with others. The key to building relationships is unconditional love. As the Apostle Peter encourages the church through his letter he tells them that above all, love one another. The most important thing you can do to show the world that Jesus lives within you is to have unconditional love toward others.

The time is short. Jesus can return at any moment because there are no more prophecies that need to be fulfilled in order for Him to return. As the end draws near, the world will become more and more angry with Christians. If you are living for the Lord, the world will mock you for not partaking in the same wickedness that they are indulging in. Pastor Ricky will be encouraging you to take heart because one day you will be with Jesus in paradise and He will judge those who rebelled against Him.

Have you ever gone through a season that caused you to think that perhaps you've done something to upset God because of all the trials you've experienced? Pastor Ricky will be continuing his teaching through 1st Peter explaining that Jesus Himself went through severe trials and tests so you, as His servant, shouldn't be surprised when you go through them as well. Jesus said if the world hated me, it will hate you also. No servant is greater than his master.

In this life you will suffer through trials and tribulations. Jesus said that if you want to live a godly life, you will be persecuted. These are promises we don't like to name and claim. We like to place our faith in happy promises that will give us joy and blessings in our lives. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that when we go through persecutions because of simply being a Christian, we can rejoice because we will receive a blessing in eternity. As you obey God, you're storing up for yourself treasure in heaven.

Did you know that there are two kinds of blessings that the Bible talks about? Pastor Ricky will be explaining how there are blessings that belong to us and are secure because we are God's children but there are also blessings that are conditional based upon our obedience to our Father in heaven. If you're choosing to disobey God in a certain area, you can't expect Him to reward your disobedience by giving you blessings in that area of your life. Don't rob yourself of experiencing the best life you can live.

In today's teaching, Pastor Ricky will be focusing on exhorting the men to love their wives and to lay down their life for them just as Jesus laid down His life for the church. As a husband and father, you're called to lead your family in the way of godliness. The only way you can truly lead your family in the ways of the Lord is if you're first living for God in your own personal life. Once you purpose to live for God and have a deeper intimate relationship with Him, your family will naturally follow.

As Pastor Ricky continues his series on a counter-cultural marriage through the book of 1 Peter, he'll be exhorting the women today to submit to their own husbands. Peter uses Sarah as an example of a Godly submissive woman. She had respect for her husband, even when her husband made the wrong choices and decisions. This is not a natural response. You must tap into the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to live a submissive life.

In today's teaching, Pastor Ricky will be explaining that the marriage between a man and woman is meant to symbolize the intimate union between Jesus and the Church. The Church is called the bride of Christ and we as the church are called to submit to our groom, Jesus, in the same way the wife is to submit to her own husband. The husband is called to lay down his life for his wife just as Jesus laid down His life for the church. As we obey God's call, we will show God's love to the world through our marriage.

As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series on the counter-cultural marriage, he'll be explaining that both the husband and the wife are called to portray the excellencies of Jesus in their marriage and household. The role of the man is not more important than the role of the woman, and vice-versa. Both genders have different, yet co-equal roles that bring glory to the Lord. The Bible exhorts both men and women to submit one to another in the fear of the Lord.

As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching through the book of 1 Peter, he'll be explaining how men and women are both equal in value but have different roles in the household. Men have been given the role of being the authority in the household but are told to sacrifice themselves for their wives just as Christ laid down His life for the church. The wife is called to submit to her husband as the church submits to Jesus. Both genders have perfectly equal value but different rules in order for there to be perfect order in the household.

Contrary to popular belief, marriage is not all about you and what you can get out of it. Marriage should first and foremost be about God and how you can glorify Him through your relationship with your spouse. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that when you keep God first in your marriage and you focus on how to please the Lord, your marriage will be more blessed. As you fall more in love with the Lord, you'll naturally love your spouse unconditionally and become more selfless.

Submitting yourself to your boss at work, especially when your boss is unfair and ungodly, is a great opportunity for Gospel proclamation. Your Godly submissive conduct toward your ungodly boss is a great way for you to shine a bright light in a dark place. Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to turn the other cheek, pray, and bless those who persecute us or treat us badly. This isn't an easy thing to do. It takes the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit in your life to enable you to live this Christ-like life.

As Pastor Ricky teaches on the importance of submitting to what our earthly master wants us to do, he'll be reminding us that this scripture can be practically applied to our workplace. We no longer have slavery in our society so when we read scriptures about submitting to our earthly masters we should apply this to our boss at work. This scripture is in no way validating slavery. It's simply encouraging those that had masters over them to show others the light of Jesus by their submission and godly conduct.

As Christians, we are called to restrain evil and to encourage good. In our society, we've been blessed with a democracy which allows us to have a voice in politics. If there is a politician that is talking about passing policy and making laws that are contrary to God's Word, we can vote against that person. At the same time, we should be giving our resources and time to encouraging good works in the world. There are many organizations that we can get involved with that are doing good.

Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining how we as Christians are commanded to submit to the governing authorities that have been placed over us. People in general don't like the word “submission”. The last thing they want to do is submit to authority. As believers, we are called to follow the example of Jesus and the Lord practiced humility by submitting Himself under the authority of the Father. The only time we don't submit to authority is when we are asked to do something contrary to God's Word.

As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching series through 1 Peter, he'll be exhorting us to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As born-again Christians, we have the Holy Spirit of God living within us and have the same power that rose Jesus from the dead to guide us. You're no longer enslaved to sin because the Bible says that sin no longer has dominion over you. God is doing the work of holiness and sanctification in your life and the only one holding this work back is you.

Have you ever felt like this world is not your home and doesn't offer much satisfaction? There's a reason why many people are left feeling unfulfilled in this life. The reason is because they were created for a much greater purpose and their home is heaven. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that humanity has been in exile ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. The only way you can have satisfaction for your soul is when you become born again.

As Pastor Ricky continues his series on what we once were without the Lord and what we can experience now as believers, he'll be focusing on the grace and mercy we now have been given. Once we were without grace and mercy, were dead in our trespasses and sins but now we can enjoy an abundant life with the Lord having fullness of joy. Since the Lord has given us so much mercy shouldn't we be a people that shows others mercy and forgiveness as well?

In our text today, Pastor Ricky will be encouraging us to remember that once we were not a people. In the past, we lived in darkness without hope, joy, or satisfaction but now God is in our lives. We aren't called to dwell on our past failures and reflect continuously on the evil we once did but it's always good to remember God's goodness and how He transformed us. This is extremely important to remember when preaching the gospel to unbelievers because now you can be more approachable and relatable.

If preaching the gospel has become a chore for you or if you're left feeling guilty that you're not proclaiming the gospel enough, there is a fundamental problem. Pastor Ricky will be explaining that the problem is simply that you're not spending time communing and falling in love with Jesus. When you experience the love of God and you're being filled with His Holy Spirit, you have the joy of the Lord and can't help but proclaim His goodness to those around you.

Sometimes there are seasons in the life of a believer when proclaiming the gospel becomes less of a priority. Today Pastor Ricky will be exhorting us to make Jesus known to everyone. In our text, Peter is exhorting the church to comprehend and believe who they are in Jesus before he encourages them to proclaim the gospel. Many times the reason believers don't preach the gospel is because they don't understand who they are in Jesus. You are a part of a royal priesthood, never forget that.

In the last prayer that Jesus prayed to the Father before going to the cross, He desired that His disciples and the church would remain unified in Him. As Pastor Ricky continues his series on Jesus being our one and only cornerstone, he'll be explaining how the church has no reason to be divided. As Christians, we may not agree on every aspect of the Word of God but as long as we agree on the foundation of Jesus and the core fundamentals of our faith, we should be unified.

As many of you already know, the foundation of a building is the most vital aspect of a structure that keeps a building secure. You can't build up on a weak structure because it will either crumble immediately or in time it will come crashing down. In our teaching today, Pastor Ricky will be explaining that the only way we can really grow into mature Christians is if we tear up the foundation the world has laid in our lives and replace it with Jesus. Only Jesus can sustain your life and keep you secure.

I don't know if you've noticed but since you've come to Jesus, you still have flaws that need to be worked out. You are a building project that is a work in progress. Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the importance of allowing God to build us off as a spiritual temple to be used for His glory. One of the most important things to understand about this concept is that Jesus Himself is the one that's doing the building, not you. The only thing you can do is cooperate with what God is purposing to do in and through your life.

As Pastor Ricky continues his series on the countercultural Christian community, he'll be explaining that the foundation of believers in Jesus is eternal. We have an eternal hope of glory whereas the world system has no hope at all. There's a reason why the world seeks to look for ways to live longer. It's because they're afraid of what will come after death. We however will have eternal rest and don't need to get worried over the temporal issues in this world.

When you became a Christian did you notice, as time went on, that you looked less and less like the world? There should be a sense that you don't belong to this world system any longer. Pastor Ricky will be helping us understand that our identity is in Jesus and we shouldn't yearn for acceptance or desire to fit in with the world. As you read the Word of God, you'll notice very quickly that the Christian community is called to a much higher standard and it's actually in stark contrast to the world.

All throughout the Bible, there is an emphasis on having an eternal perspective and living in light of eternity. Some have said that you can be too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good. The Bible teaches however that the more heavenly-minded you are, the more focused you'll be in furthering God's kingdom on earth. Pastor Ricky will be exhorting us today to live our life as though we can come face-to-face with God at any moment. Go into eternity without having any regrets.

The Apostle Peter in our text is repeatedly encouraging the church to understand and act upon their hope in the Lord. The Bible says that those who have this hope in Jesus, keep themselves pure just as He is pure. As Pastor Ricky continues to teach on the theme of hope in this section of scripture, he will be explaining that the natural reaction to having hope in Jesus is the desire and power to live a holy lifestyle. If you're not living a Godly life, the root issue may be that you doubt who Jesus is.

As Pastor Ricky continues his teaching through the book of 1st Peter he'll be reminding us that there's no trial or tribulation that can overshadow the glory of our salvation in Jesus. You can lose your health, your career, you could even be persecuted unto death but this is only a light affliction compared to eternity in heaven. You have an inheritance waiting for you in heaven and the Lord has sealed you until the Day of Redemption so take heart and remain at peace.

When you hear the word “hope”, what comes to mind? Biblical hope isn't a Jiminy Cricket, Wish Upon a Star type of hope. Biblical hope is a guarantee that what God says will come to pass, will indeed come to pass. Today Pastor Ricky will be expounding on the promises of God and how we can be assured of our salvation because our hope is placed in Jesus Christ. There are many things in this life that you can put your hope in but none of them, besides the Lord, will assuredly remain faithful until the end.

Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching us the importance of understanding God's unconditional love for us. The Lord wasn't surprised when you got saved because He chose you before the foundations of the world. The Bible says God in His sovereignty and foreknowledge knew you would respond to His invitation to salvation. The word of God says that no one comes to the Son unless the Father draws him. So because of God's love, He reached down from heaven to draw you to Himself. You are loved.

Have you ever been mistreated and persecuted simply because you're a Christian? Today Pastor Ricky will be explaining that there's absolutely nothing abnormal about being persecuted for your faith in Jesus. The Lord Himself said that if the world hated Him first, the world will hate you as well. No servant is greater than his master. If the world persecuted Him, the world will persecute His followers. If you are discouraged just remember that you have the ultimate hope of salvation and eternity with the Lord.

Being pulled to and fro is part of our battle today as Christians. It's a struggle to keep Jesus at the center of our lives, to die to ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. He literally wants us to follow Him, in ministry, in marriage, in child-raising, in work ethic and even in the little things. Where He is where so we should be too. This is how the victory is won. We don't allow the things of this world to draw us away from our love of Christ. We will bring people to Jesus by showing our love towards Him.

In today's message, Pastor Ricky asks us what we delight ourselves in. You may be listening today and thinking there's nothing you put above God. It's easy though to be fooled. Do you love your home, car, money, spouse, children, job or sports so much that you think of them before God? Check yourself today as you listen so you can be sure not to hug yourself to death. Be encouraged and keep things at the right distance as you keep Jesus closer than anything or anyone else.

In today's message Pastor Ricky teaches about how the Jews and Gentiles were separated in physical distance. They literally worshiped the Lord from different places. The Jews were higher in the building, the Gentiles were to stay down on lower levels, separated by many steps. This was to picture the Jews as closer to God. Pastor Ricky points out that all are lost without Christ. With Christ, we're all in the same family, Jew or Gentile. Like it or not we are. We need to love one another the same.

In today's teaching on religion, Pastor Ricky covers the areas of sin that are easy to fall into. Some people were very sinful in that their sin was public. Other people try to work for their salvation and think that in some way they've earned it and that they may deserve it more than others. That brings pride and it's just as sinful. He points out that we are saved by grace through faith. This is a safeguard for us. It makes it so none of us can boast. Say no to religion, just have a relationship with Jesus.

In today's teaching, Pastor Ricky speaks about doing things in our own power. You may be listening today and thinking yes, I am struggling with that. Well, Pastor Ricky reminds and encourages you that you are given a mighty power, a real heavenly gospel power. The Holy Spirit dwells in you to be your helper. Ironically some people say faith in Christianity is a crutch but we are sinners who need help. So to all who can humbly admit they need it, come to Jesus.

In today's teaching, Pastor Ricky talks about religions and cults. He shares why and how they start. As people, we generally want to be around like-minded people. That can end up being somewhat of a trap. For example, some groups believe they're good people, then they start a church that is for good people wanting to do the right thing but that's contrary to the Bible. We are sinners saved by grace. So church must start with sinners who know their sinful and in need of a savior.

In today's teaching, Pastor Ricky walks us through people's tendency to use works to earn their salvation. You may be one of those people who doesn't feel close to God unless you're serving in a certain capacity, reading the right books, etc…You're sure to have the boxes checked on your list of things to do to be a good Christian. The reality is you don't need to do anything. Faith is it. While having the desire and serving the Lord isn't wrong, making it about works is.

As we continue our study on religion, the Gospel, and Christ, Pastor Ricky points us to the cross. Jesus' death and resurrection calls us to lay religion down at the foot of the cross. They free us up so we can take hold of the gospel of grace. We don't need religion to try to earn our salvation from Christ. Nothing we can do can make Him love us any more than He already does. Likewise, nothing we do can make Him love us any less either.

Pastor Ricky teaches today about the difference between religion and Jesus. Religion takes what Jesus did and adds to it with works as if we could earn our salvation, as if Jesus needed more convincing to die on the cross for us. Jesus died because He loves us. He was the creator of the universe. He was fully man and He was also fully God. Maybe today you're trying to earn what Christ did on the cross for you, no need. He already saved you from your past, present, and future sins.