Better News Podcast

God handed over His mission to the church. Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that it was not the leaders or hand-picked scholars of the day that the mission was given to. It was given to the church. It was ordinary people who are not impressive and even got made fun of at times. God called them, transformed them, and then sent them. The best part of all is that He even gave them the power to do the job, just like He gives you the power to do what He's called you to do. Trust in Him.

Our mission in life is to make disciples, that's the goal that God has for us. Today Pastor Ricky will remind us that this is the most important thing. No matter what the world says, no matter what our career is or where we live, ultimately God wants to use us to make more disciples. In spite of what people thought, or in spite of what it looked like, Paul knew this. He was willing to give up what the world had to offer in order to live out his purpose from God. How about you? Are you making disciples?

Today Pastor Ricky will teach us that most people think that Paul did not have success in his ministry. He then asks us what is our definition of success, and who and what is it based on. Is it based on your own agenda or is it based on God's agenda? We will see that although Paul's circumstances may not have been or felt successful, he chose and had the opportunity to reach people for Christ. He was willing to give up the world's view of success for God's view. Are you?

Today Pastor Ricky will be focusing his attention on exhorting the leaders of the church. If you're looked at as a type of leader or role model, or any type of deacon or pastor, you're held at a higher accountability before God. The Bible teaches that you're to live a life that is above reproach so that no one can have an evil thing to say about you. Is this true about your life today? What do you need to change and repent of in order to have that reflection of Christ in you? Imitate God as dear children.

Since every Christian is called to lead others to Christ, are you being a godly example and making disciples of Christ, or disciples after yourself? The false teachers are characterized as selfish and self-exalting. They're always pointing people to themselves. Do you share any of the characteristics that define a false teacher? The best way you can discern and understand when someone is a false teacher or prophet is by studying the Word of God. Avoid false teachers and avoid becoming one.

Did you know that you belong to a royal priesthood and God desires to use you in unison with the rest of the body of Christ to further His kingdom? Every member in the church has the responsibility to act as a priest and lead others to Christ. Christ gave the Great Commission to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. It was not the “Great Suggestion”. The Lord calls you to invite unbelievers into your life in order to build relationships and minister to them. Are you being obedient?

Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the church structure, what makes up the leadership, and the congregation. The nature of the congregation is likened to a body, with all body parts interconnected yet unique in purpose. In the body of Christ, some have the gifts of teaching, prophecy, hospitality, and mercy, along with many other different gifts. The question is, are you using your gifts to further the kingdom of God? You don't need to be a leader in order to be used by God.

Preaching the gospel and making disciples is not just handing out a pamphlet with the gospel message. You're to allow unbelievers to see the gospel demonstrated through your lifestyle, as well as the preaching of the Word. Are you laboring for the sake of those that are appointed unto salvation? Pastor Ricky will be teaching on what laboring for the sake of God's elect looks like. It's not always easy ministering to unbelievers, but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Today Pastor Ricky will be teaching on having the proper priorities in our Christian walk. Are you busy doing the good works that God has ordained you to accomplish? If the enemy can't get you to fall into sin, he will keep you busy doing good things but not the good things that God wants you to be focused on at the time. The quality of your work is much better than having quantity. The Lord desires you to use your spiritual gifts to further the kingdom and preach the gospel.

We have seen Christ moving all throughout the gospels in the book of Acts. But now, how is He operating in the church? Christ is moving through the power of His Holy Spirit through the lives of believers. The Lord has specifically set up an authority structure in order to keep the church organized. Jesus is the Great Shepherd watching over the church but He's also set up under-shepherds in order to look over and feed His flock. Submit to your leaders, recognizing Christ put them in this place.

We have seen Christ moving all throughout the gospels in the book of Acts. But now, how is He operating in the church? Christ is moving through the power of His Holy Spirit through the lives of believers. The Lord has specifically set up an authority structure in order to keep the church organized. Jesus is the Great Shepherd watching over the church but He's also set up under-shepherds in order to look over and feed His flock. Submit to your leaders, recognizing Christ put them in this place.

Pastor Ricky will be finishing up his series on loving. He will be emphasizing the importance of loving the community that Christ died for. As the body of Christ, we need to keep our priorities in order. Our biggest priority should be to reach the lost and make disciples. A great way to reach our community is to look at the example of the apostles in the book of Acts. The apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to make disciples and then plant churches. Get involved in furthering God's kingdom.

Today Pastor Ricky will be asking you the question throughout his teaching, how will you be a witness for Jesus in the community that you live in? You're commissioned by Christ to preach the Gospel, make disciples, and be a witness in this dark, unbelieving world. Are you being the salt of the earth and a light to the world? If your answer is no then you need to repent because these commands are not suggestions. Pray, and look for open-door opportunities to reach out in your community.

Today Pastor Ricky will be emphasizing the Lord's command to love each other the same way that Christ has loved us. The apostle Paul says that he who is spiritual should restore such a one that has fallen with gentleness. You should love to the point where you will exhort and love other believers toward repentance. When some believers correct someone, it's often in the spirit of self-righteousness, not love. Do you care about others enough to sacrifice your time and energy and reach out?

Do love others as humbly as Jesus loves others? The Lord loves you regardless of merit and regardless of your status. Jesus said and by this, all will know that you are my disciples by the love you have for one another. We're all sinners saved by grace so we have no good reason to love others with respect to their merit. If you have a problem having unconditional love for others, it may be because you don't understand God's unconditional love for you.

The story of Jesus calming the storm and bringing freedom and healing to the demon-possed man, reveals the character of God. How could you not fall madly in love with Jesus? Pastor Ricky will be continuing his teaching on the character of Christ and falling more in love with Him. the man that had been demon-possessed begged Jesus that he might go with Him. For many believers, following Jesus becomes an obligation, not this man. He fell in love with Jesus.

When the disciples asked Christ what laws they should keep, Jesus said to them, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength”. All the commandments are summed up in this. In this text today, Pastor Ricky will be teaching on the importance of falling in love with the real Jesus. Many people worship a Jesus that they make in their own image, a Jesus that they're more comfortable with. Are you worshipping the Jesus of the Bible or an idol you've made?

You have nothing to fear. You may tell yourself that but sometimes the heart is hard to convince. As Pastor Ricky will encourage you in today's message, you don't have to be afraid of anything in this life. Even the ultimate fear, death itself, has lost its power for those that Christ has redeemed. Though you may feel sadness for those you leave, death is not a loss as a believer. But instead, it's simply a transition into a glorious, eternal existence in direct communion with your Savior.

Pride is a dangerous sin. It's a subtle and effective tactic of our enemy. He convinces you that you know better than God. You may experience some small success or victory and he convinces you that your own reason or feelings are to be credited and trusted to guide your decisions. As Pastor Ricky points out in the example of Herod, this man took pride in his position and supposed that he was as powerful as God. Ultimately, he met his fate just like all of us do and his weakness was exposed.

Pride is a dangerous sin. It's a subtle and effective tactic of our enemy. He convinces you that you know better than God. You may experience some small success or victory and he convinces you that your own reason or feelings are to be credited and trusted to guide your decisions. As Pastor Ricky points out in the example of Herod, this man took pride in his position and supposed that he was as powerful as God. Ultimately, he met his fate just like all of us do and his weakness was exposed.

So much of what goes on in this world is beyond your control, nearly everything in fact. Really the only thing you have any say in is your response. As Pastor Ricky continues to lead us through our study in Acts, we witness a vulnerable, seemingly helpless church in the midst of trial. With Peter imprisoned, it would seem that God wasn't actively working but that's not true. As we walk through this spiritual warzone, God is working and ultimately He will win even if it doesn't look like it at the moment.

If you claim to be completely impartial you're lying to yourself. No matter who you are there is someone or some people who may rub you the wrong way. Maybe you just find yourself annoyed more easily or perhaps it's a seething hatred. Either way, it comes from a place of sinful partiality and it doesn't belong in the church. As Pastor Ricky reminds us, our God is perfectly impartial. If you can't bring yourself to interact with a certain group or person you need to surrender that attitude to the love of Christ.

Are you so stuck in your biases or regulations that you have trouble seeing Christ at work? What would you do if a new believer stood up in church and delivered an authentic but explicative laced account of what Christ is doing in their lives, or perhaps invited you out for drinks following a service? Not to condone foul language or alcohol use but as Pastor Ricky asks us in today's message, is your first response offense to someone breaking the rules or do you rejoice over someone who is on a new journey with your Savior?

Why is it that the Church so often reflects the weaknesses and dysfunction of our culture instead of the unity and strength found in our Savior? Our culture is pushing for unity and tolerance but it's going about it the wrong way. We allow the dividing lines of culture to cut through the church and foster hatred in our hearts. As Pastor Ricky challenges us in today's message, we should be known for our love. That love is one that looks through weakness and sees Christ in the least amongst us.

We are all guilty of this. Even the most tolerant people if they dig deep down, they can find prejudices mostly likely towards those people they deem to be intolerant. As Pastor Ricky continues to examine the way that Jesus moved the church forward following His ascension, he challenges us to start moving toward the unifying love and grace that characterizes the kingdom of God. Stop building walls between yourself and “those” people and instead try inviting them to the table with you.

You were marked as unclean the moment you entered this world. Even before you were conscious of it, you were sinning. You were placing self above others and especially above God. In doing so you built up barriers and justified your own sin and selfishness while judging others' worth based on their sins and differences. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, Christ brings an end to all of that. He makes you clean and makes anyone who asks clean. In that abundant grace, you can find unity.

Prejudice isn't always based on color of skin or geographic origin and it can range from a subtle bias to a raging anger. As Pastor Ricky warns in today's message, this area of your heart and life tends to be one of the last ones to be addressed as you seek to walk in holiness with Christ. Instead of getting defensive or distancing yourself from a specific group that makes you uncomfortable, examine your heart and pray for the love and grace of Christ to flow from you to all people.

Paul had encountered many Christians in his life, many of them devoted believers willing to suffer and die for their Savior. You'd think that would have been enough to turn him but it wasn't. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, it's vital that we bring people to Jesus. Paul had to encounter Christ firsthand to change his heart. You don't need to present 7-step plans or gospel cubes, those might be helpful aids at times but ultimately you need to show Jesus to the world around you.

You may not feel like your salvation experience is comparable to Paul's. As a fervent Jew, he was a devout enemy of Christ who experienced a dramatic and abrupt conversion. Maybe your actions and life weren't so overtly anti-Christ but all of us were enemies of Christ at one time. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, no matter where you come from your story is a beautiful one of grace and redemption in Christ and you should celebrate it by sharing that grace with those around you.

Sometimes, even as a believer, you might be more of a hindrance to the gospel than a proponent of it. Maybe it's allowing your old selfish nature to come through and overtake your new nature. Perhaps it's trying to apply your own wisdom in presenting the gospel instead of surrendering to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work in and through you. Whatever form it may take, as Pastor Ricky explains in today's message, there is good news. Christ specializes in using imperfect vessels.

Your life should be one of mission. If you're a believer, you've been called to carry the gospel. For most of us that doesn't mean training to be in full-time ministry as a pastor or foreign missionary. As Pastor Ricky explains in today's message, you have a mission right where you are. Your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors need Jesus and you may be one of the only believers that they know who is willing to step out of their comfort zone and share His love with them.

From the moment Jesus took His first breath in the flesh, He faced opposition. He was the reason that Herod committed one of the greatest atrocities recorded in scripture, the massacre of thousands of innocent children, all in an effort to stop Jesus. Throughout all of His earthly ministry and in the thousands of years since, His church has faced heavy opposition. Yet as Pastor Ricky points out, it has just kept going and growing despite all of this because God is at work in it.

Leadership doesn't just happen from a stage. Only a few people are genuinely called to take on that role. But there is so much more to the church than just listening to songs and sermons on Sunday morning. It is a refuge for the lost and a base of operations for spiritual rescue teams that go out to offer hope to the hopeless. As Pastor Ricky challenges us in today's message, embrace your calling to servant leadership. Whether you're in the spotlight or not, you are important and necessary in this body.

Our concept of a successful church is quite a bit different from the early church as we'll encounter in today's passage. When we see a church whose numbers are steadily increasing, requiring a bigger building or new satellite congregations every couple of years, we assume that that is a truly successful church. But as Pastor Ricky points out, attendance alone is not a good measure of health. An easy message coupled with fun music can bring in crowds but you have to ask, are true disciples being made?

There has been a movement amongst some Christians to take a militant stance against the lost world. Whether it's through the ineffective use of memes on social media, picketing, or politicking, this approach doesn't mesh with Jesus' sacrificial love. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, if you're truly living out your faith, you will face opposition but in the midst of that, it's important to remember that your real enemy is not flesh and blood but forces of Satan at work in the hearts of man.

Jesus thrives in the face of opposition. If you look at cultures through the centuries that have outlawed Christianity, you don't see a pattern of people abandoning their faith and dying out in that place. It's in those places where the enemy is hardest at work that Jesus comes to life in the hearts of His followers and spreads like fire. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, while the battles of life will continue, Jesus has won the victory and His kingdom is actively growing in this world.

The gift of public speaking is a powerful one. People can be persuaded to good just as they can to evil. Emotions can be stirred to anger, sorrow, or joy. But the gospel doesn't require this gift to be effective, its power is in Christ. As Pastor Ricky continues our study of how Jesus has been at work since His ascension, he reminds us that the apostles, Peter included, were not generally well-educated or trained in the art of public speaking. Yet through them, God has had an impact on millions of people.

Most religions of the world dictate what you have to do in order to attain God-like status or favor with God. This puts you in a place to boast of your own self-discipline and commitment. That's not how Christianity is supposed to work. As Pastor Ricky reminds us in today's message, your only boast should be in Jesus. Your salvation isn't based off of anything that you did. It only required that you trust in Jesus and He did everything else to bring you into right relationship with His father.

God can, and sometimes does, work supernaturally to meet a need or provide healing. But as Pastor Ricky challenges us to ask in today's message, how often do you pray for someone in need knowing full well that you have the resources to help them? Keep on praying, that's good, but ask yourself if God might want to use you to facilitate that miracle in someone's life. As a member of His church, a physical extension of Christ in this world, you need to be open to act when God gives you the opportunity.

Like the Israelites as they wandered freely in the desert or Peter as his gaze shifted from Jesus to the waves he was walking on, how quickly you forget what God has done for you. He has cleansed your soul and given you freedom from the power of sin. He has healed physical and emotional wounds for countless people throughout history and He's still doing it. Yet as Pastor Ricky points out in today's message, so often our focus is only on the problem instead of the one who will rescue us from it.

We like to make things as efficient as possible. The number of people we can reach with the least effort is a common fixation for many churches. That's not wrong, we are called to spread the gospel to the ends of the world after all. But as Pastor Ricky points out in today's message, Jesus didn't seem to be concerned with efficiency. Instead of prioritizing big crowds or the rich and powerful, He would take the time to stop and interact with individuals, especially those that society had overlooked.

Most of us move through life feeling stretched, rushed, or distracted, trying to fit spiritual growth into the margins. Yet Jesus invites His people into something far richer, a life deeply connected to God, rooted in His people, and purposeful in the world. Today's message brings those truths down to earth, showing how ordinary rhythms like daily scripture, weekly community, and prayerful mission can shape a life that reflects the heart of Christ. It's about learning to walk with Him in the everyday.

At some point, every follower of Jesus has to ask, what kind of life am I actually building? We make plans, set routines, and chase goals but rarely slow down enough to consider whether our daily patterns reflect the heart of Christ. In today's passage, we listen in on Jesus praying just before the cross, a moment that reveals what mattered most to Him and as we hear His desires, we are invited to align our own hearts, rhythms, and priorities with His.

If you've ever wondered whether God could truly welcome someone like you, you're not alone. Many believers wrestle with the fear that their failures, their past. or their lack of spiritual strength, puts them beyond the reach of grace. The Gospel offers a stunning reality. Christ receives all who come, not reluctantly, but gladly. Today, we look at the heart of God towards sinners, how the Father draws us, how the Son welcomes us, and why believers can return to Him again and again with confidence. .

There are moments when life forces us to ask what really satisfies us. We chase accomplishments, relationships, comfort, or control, yet still feel a quiet ache underneath it all. Jesus speaks directly to that deeper hunger, calling us to recognize that the longing beneath every longing is ultimately a longing for Him. In today's message, we are invited to consider why we come to Christ, where true life is found, and what it means that He receives all who turn to Him.

Life can feel like a swirl of pleasures, fears, and shifting plans, leaving us unsure of what's solid and what's slipping away. But Psalm 33 invites us to steady our hearts by placing God, not our circumstances, at the center. In this final message of our series, Pastor Ricky shows how God's unchanging character, faithful promises, and rescuing love create a foundation strong enough for every season. Even when life feels unstable, God remains steady, present, and entirely trustworthy.

When the world feels unstable, chaotic, or unpredictable, we instinctively search for something, anything to hold us steady. In today's message, Pastor Ricky reminds us that God alone provides the kind of center strong enough to anchor our lives. Drawing from the richness of Psalm 33, he shows how God's character, sovereignty, and steadfast love give us a foundation that cannot be shaken. This message offers clarity for anyone feeling lost in the swirl of uncertainty.

There are moments when the weight of unconfessed sin feels crushing, draining our joy, clarity, and strength. In today's message, Pastor Ricky shows how Psalm 32 leads us out of that suffocating place and into the relief only God can give. He explains how honest confession restores our fellowship with God and steadies our lives with renewed peace and direction. This is a message for anyone longing to breathe again and experience joy on the other side of repentance.

We all know how deeply we try to avoid being exposed, blamed, or held accountable, but in today's message, Pastor Ricky shows how confession is not the step towards shame; it's a step toward freedom. Drawing from the honesty of Psalm 32, he helps us see how God meets real brokenness with real forgiveness—trading the heaviness of hiding for the joy of being made clean. This message invites us to drop the excuses and step into the life God is offering.

Everyone one of us carries wounds, disappointments, or seasons where God feels distant. Yet Psalm 22 reveals a God who is closer than we fear and more faithful than we. In today's message, Pastor Ricky helps us recognize the shift from anguish to confidence that happens when we anchor ourselves in God's character rather than our circumstances. It is a reminder that the pain we feel is not the end of the story; God is still writing one of rescue.

Pain has a way of narrowing our world, of making us feel unseen, unheard, and alone. In this message, Pastor Ricky walks us into the raw honesty of Psalm 22, showing how God meets His people not in polished strength but in the depths of suffering. He helps us see that our cries do not push God away; they draw us into the very places where He brings comfort, clarity, and hope. For anyone in the pain club, this message is a lifeline.