Harvest Buffalo: Sermons: Recent Episodes
Harvest Bible Chapel Buffalo
It is our desire to be a life-changing church that will encourage every person to encounter the living God! We unapologetically preach the Word of God each Sunday. Here's where you can hear those sermons all the time!
As we jump into Matthew chapter 6, we learn that in the kingdom of God, motives always matter.
Pastor Ricky wraps up Matthew 5 by sharing that in the kingdom of God, love looks different.
Pastor Isaac Ketner (Harvest Binghamton) shares from the book of John that we have been invited to know, follow, and bear witness to Jesus.
Guest speaker: Erik Messerschmidt shares from the book of James 3 statements to preach to myself when I need patience in a trial.
Josh Baun, an Elder at Harvest Buffalo, shares from God's Word that there is nothing in your life that is more important than your relationship with the Lord.
As we finish the beatitudes, Pastor Ricky shares that our transformation is for the purpose of the King's glorification.
As the King is transforming our lives, we can expect righteousness to be confrontational and to receive persecution as confirmation of our faith.
The King’s agenda is to utterly & increasingly overhaul my life by making me a peacemaker.
This week we learn from Matthew 5:6-7 that the King's agenda is to utterly and increasingly overhaul my life by making me be the kind of person who possesses new appetites for righteousness and displays new instincts of mercy.
We continue through the Beatitudes focussing on verses 4 & 5. Here Pastor Ricky shares that the King (Jesus) is making us into the kind of person who makes space for grief and makes much of meekness.
Pastor Ricky is back from his summer sabbatical and ready to kickoff Fall with a new sermon series based on the Sermon on the Mount from the book of Matthew.
Guest Speaker, Brian Stebick is back to share part 2 of his mini series The Greatest Commandment.
Brian Stebick is Asst. Executive Director at our ministry partner, Camp Hickory Hill. We love having Brian come to share from God's Word with us -this week from Matthew 22 and Jesus' teaching of the Great Commandment.
This week Erik Messerschmidt brings us a message from Psalm 92 on how we can fuel our praise for the Lord.
This week, Josh Baun shares from Psalm 37 how we can go from worrying to being at peace by choosing to rest in God.
As we continue our summer guest speaker series through Psalms, Jared Hojnacki shares that when we reflect on the character and works of the Lord, it results in our worship, reverence and obedience.
Our very own Brian Graf is back to share from Psalm 23 three promises to live by that display the Shepherd's care.
Andrew Restrepo shares from 1 Peter that we can overcome difficult times by rejoicing
in our salvation.
Our Students Director, Cameron Foster shares from Micah 6 that the Lord delights in worship that aligns with what He really cares about.
Guest speaker Josh Baun shared from Psalm 34 that when we choose to seek God, we will experience His goodness.
Guest speaker, Brian Graf, shares from Psalm 32 three lessons that help us remain in the joy of forgiveness.
In this last sermon of the series, Pastor Ricky shares from 1 Timothy 6 that the loveliest place is where grace is our shared resource for spiritual change.
We worshiped together at Camp Hickory Hill and Pastor Ricky shared from 1 Timothy 6 on working with excellence.
Continuing the series The Loveliest Place, Pastor Ricky shares that the loveliest place is where family is our collective experience not a mere slogan.
Pastor Ricky continues the 1 Timothy series and in chapter 4 we are learning that The Loveliest Place is where our collective expectation for preaching aligned with God's.
This week Pastor Ricky shares a sermon from 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5 that The Loveliest Place is where the glory of God frames my everythings and everydays.
Pastor Ricky continues his sermon about Elders & Deacons in this Part 2 based on 1 Timothy 3:8-13. We learn that The Loveliest Place is where exemplary service is recognized and honored.
Pastor Ross Kearney is the lead pastor of Hope Bible Church in Niagara, ON. He shared with us from Romans 1:14-17 about the eagerness to share the good news comes from knowing the goodness of the news we share.
Celebrate Easter and the glorious gospel message as Pastor Ricky preaches from Luke 15 about the Prodigal Son.
Pastor Ricky shares from 1 Timothy, 5 Gospel Glories that are fuel for courageous stewardship.
Pastor Ricky continues the 1 Timothy series this week covering 1 Timothy 1:3-11. We learn that the loveliest place is where our gospel mission is clear and relentlessly protected.
Church planter resident, at Hope Bible Church in Niagara, ON, Andrew Restrepo, shares from Matthew 6 about the difference between the cares of the world and the cares of God.
We are blessed to have our ministry partners and friends from Nicaragua visit and share from God's Word with us today. Pastor Edwin gives a ministry update and Pastor Arnold shares the importance of putting off the weight of sin to run our race with perseverance, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
This week we start the new series: The Loveliest Place, a study on the book of 1 Timothy. Pastor Ricky leads this sermon series with the big idea that the loveliest place is where God's family lives out their identity and under God's authority.
Pastor Todd Dugard from Harvest Bible Chapel (Barrie, ON Canada) shares with us part of the series they are doing in Barrie, ON in the book of Acts.
Today we wrap up the Cries of the Heart series with the sermon, Cries of Forgiveness. Studying from Matthew 18 and Ephesians 4 we learn the cry of the one forgiven by God is to graciously extend forgiveness like God.
Looking at the Psalmist demonstrating in Psalm 13 what lamenting looks like, why we need to learn to lament and what it looks like to lament.
This is the kickoff sermon of the new series, Heart Cries. This week we learn about being fervent for God - better is 1 day in His house than 1,000 elsewhere!
Join Scott O'Malley in exploring what Proverbs has to say about raising children in the ways of the Lord so that they are ready for adulthood and saturated with the gospel. Scott is the Executive Director of Twelve Stones Ministries, a biblical counseling ministry located in Morgantown, IN.
From 1 John 5:1-5, Erik Messerschmidt shares how we can have assurance of eternal life.
Listen to Pastor Ricky's Christmas message on Luke 2:8-14 to celebrate that Christ is our King.
Pastor Earl Marshall from Hope Bible Church Oakville joins us to share from Psalm 90. A friend of Pastor Ricky's, a church planter, a former senior pastor, a seminary dean, husband to Brenda, father to 2 children, and grandfather to 5, Pastor Earl has learned to make his days count. Hear the 3 ways to make your days count by applying Psalm 90 to your life.
Guest speaker, Brian Stebick, is the Assistant Executive Director of Camp Hickory Hill. They are ministry partners with Harvest Buffalo. Brian shares with us the importance of remembering the awe and holiness of God in his message based on Isaiah 6:1-7.
We finish this sermon series in John 17:20-26. Pastor Ricky shows the 5 ways unity helps us experience the power of Jesus' prayer.
Listen to this powerful message that begins our deep dive into Jesus' prayer in John 17. Pastor Ricky helps us understand the incredible things Jesus prays as we get a glorious window into the person and work of Christ.
How do we face the broken world with courage? Jesus gives us 3 reasons to "Take Heart" in John 16:25-33. We finish chapter 16 in our series on the Powerful Words and Prayers of Jesus with Pastor Ricky.
Three life changing realities come from Jesus going away. What are they? Read John 16:4-24 with Pastor Ricky to find out.
We love the promises of God. But there is one promise that makes us shrink back a little. What is that promise? Pastor Ricky helps us understand John 15:18-16:4 to learn about the promise of persecution and the Helper that sustains us.
This fourth installment of I Say To You shows what Jesus' words tell us about our community. My personal abiding affects the community around me? The answer to that in this sermon from Pastor Ricky on John 15:12-17.
We continue to learn what Jesus wants his followers to do as they face the troubled world and their own troubled hearts. Pastor Ricky takes us to John 15:1-11.
After facilitating a Prayer Summit for us this weekend, praying for 3 days together with great joy, Pastor Paul Meldrum delivered the message for us this week. Paul and his wife Ronna work with The 6:4 Fellowship and serve at Flagstaff Bible Church in Flagstaff, Arizona. Today, Pastor Paul takes us to Isaiah 6:1-9 and Luke 5:1-11 to explore 4 changes the presence of a holy God creates in our lives.
In the second sermon in this series, Pastor Ricky helps us see what Jesus has given us to keep walking as Christians in this troubled world. Listen to find out just how much He has given us.
Is it possible to live in a troubled world without a troubled heart? We discuss Jesus' answer to this and more as we start this new sermon series on John 14-17.
For our Fall Kick-Off Sunday, Pastor Ricky shows from Genesis 1:26-27 why God is the ultimate relational being who stamped that eternal desire on our own hearts when he crafted us to be his image bearers.
In today's culture, it is now difficult to discuss the Image of God and not cover the topic of gender and sexes. Hear from Genesis 1 and 2 on the beauty, purpose, and glory of humanity as seen in men and women.
Joining us for the second time from Reclamation Church in Pittsburgh, PA, Brent Phillips brings a fresh message from Psalm 23. Learn what the posture of a believer should be when we remember we have a Good Shepherd no matter the circumstances of life.
After establishing that it is good for us to rest, Pastor Ricky preaches Genesis 2:1-3 and explains how God hopes we will spend our Sabbath.
Most of us like the idea of "rest". At the last Summer Sunday of 2023 in Chestnut Ridge Park, Pastor Ricky helps us continue to understand how God set the pattern for rest and tells us we "Image" him best when we follow his pattern!
Work is hard. Raising kids is hard. Helping aging parents is hard. School is hard. How does all of that fit into God's vision for life? Today we learn why getting tired and frustrated is part of the curse in Genesis 3. But there is hope! Pastor Ricky also points us to the hope in Christ found in the same passage!
Beginning a new series, Pastor Ricky opens up a critical conversation regarding how God created us. Join us in Genesis 1:26-27 to learn more about the Image of God that you and every other human carries.
Matthew 7:7-11 presents a promising picture of praying to God, but a confusing one when you feel your prayers have not been answered. Erik Messerschmidt preaches once again to unpack what Jesus was saying regarding the essentials for a godly prayer life.
As a member of Harvest Buffalo, Eric and Emily Almeter have served in many capacities. Now adding preaching to that list, Eric shares 3 ways remarkable peace can be obtained through Christ.
Joining us from the Biblical Counseling Center in Chicago, Tim Allchin gives us practical wisdom from the book of Proverbs on how to be wise friends and find wise friends.
We arrive at the end of the 1 Corinthians letter and thus the 1 Corinthians series. Pastor Ricky breaks down the last ten verses of chapter 16, where we learn from Paul, Stephanas, Forunatus, Achaicus, Aquila, and Pirsca -- all people who modeled compelling church relationships that are defined by service, hospitality, submission, honor, and grace.
For our first Summer Sunday in Chestnut Ridge Park, Brian Graf delivers the message on Hebrews 12:1-2. Faith touches every aspect of our life: from the words we speak to our loved ones to the decisions we make regarding our jobs. Brian helps us learn from this passage 4 encouragements that help us pursue a life of faith.
You know when someone asks you to summarize something in one sentence? The Apostle Paul does a great job doing that for his letter in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Pastor Ricky helps break down each command in these verses as we consider how to avoid wasting all that we have learned from this long letter.
You might think this is an irrelevant part of 1 Corinthians for us. Verses 16:5-12 don't have any commands for us, right? Pastor Ricky shows how all of Scripture teaches us as we observe Paul's example of scheduling and mentoring for gospel impact.
Giving is meant to be a regular part of our worship. Why? This sermon from Pastor Ricky will help us understand that answer as we see through the eyes of the apostle Paul on this subject in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.
We've discussed how the resurrection will drastically transform us in the future, but what about here and now? Does the resurrection make a mark on you today? Pastor Ricky dives into 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 to show how Paul applied the resurrection to his life, and it may turn some heads!
Bringing a timely and practical message on stewardship is Jeremiah Brinkman. Jeremiah and his family are dear members at Harvest and he also serves as leader for the SEND Network's Church Planting in the state of New York. Have your Bibles ready and listen to learn how to let go of what belongs to God yet steward what he has given you.
Pastor Ricky continues into the next point Paul makes: Something New is to come. Together, we learn what 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 is saying about resurrected bodies and heavenly glory.
1 Corinthians 15 has given us a lot about the resurrection already, but these next twelve verses help us answer the following questions: Where do Christians get their confidence from? And why do Christians live, speak, and preach the way they do? You'll even hear why we as a church have plans to plant more churches and how you can participate in that! Jump in with Pastor Ricky to continue learning about how the Resurrection radically transforms each and every bit of your life.
You won't want to miss this one. Pastor Ricky continues this series on 1 Corinthians as we cover this upside down section of the Apostle Paul's letter. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-22, we wonder what would Christianity be like if Jesus didn't raise from the dead? It is more drastic than you might think. Listen to feel the weight of that possibility and then see what the conclusion the Apostle Paul and Pastor Ricky arrive at.
On this Easter Sunday, Pastor Ricky's sermon continues our study on 1 Corinthians but in the most providential way, speaking on the most important news to ever be delivered--Christ is risen. Learn what the Gospel is, why it isn't just a religious thing churches talk about, and how it actually changes your life for the better.
From our dear friends at Hope Bible Church Niagara comes Nathanael De Leon, the Youth & Young Adults Director at the St. Catherines, Ontario church. Nathanael comes sharing a message on afflictions, something we all face. How does Scripture tell us to approach these dark times in our life? We turn to Psalm 34 to find out.
Pastor Jon Mollohan of Vertical Church Gallipolis in southeastern Ohio joins us to bring a message about the message. Not only is he leading his church well as they are experiencing lives changed and souls saved by the power of the gospel, but he is also leading pastors on the GCC Care Team that coordinates monthly prayer calls for GCC pastors. His message to Harvest Buffalo is one of utmost importance: embracing the Kingdom's Message. Pastor Jon delivers 3 ways we can embrace that message through Matthew 5:13-16. So listen and ask for God to help you apply the Word to your life.
Is Paul saying women should be silent in church at all times? Today's message covers that and more as we dive into the last verses of chapter 14. The apostle Paul writes some things in this section of the 1 Corinthian letter that may cause the hair on your neck to stand up. Pastor Ricky helps us understand what Paul is saying and how we are to apply it to today's church.
Covering a large chunk of chapter 14, Pastor Ricky preaches on how to use your gift for the benefit of others at church. The apostle Paul writes with analogies of musical instruments to help his readers understand the purpose of Spiritual Gifts and the difference between Mind and Spirit.
Today's sermon begins chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians. We continue to explore new spiritual gifts, but Paul also hammers home his command to do everything in love. Listen to hear Pastor Ricky unpack applying love to spiritual gifts like prophecy.
If you're looking for hope today, this sermon from Pastor Ricky will paint a picture of eternal hope -- the hope that will strengthen the weary believer and awaken the searching soul. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 helps us understand why love never ends and why spiritual gifts are childlike. "There's only one person in the whole universe that knows you, and he loves you."
Today, we arrive at the passage that many are familiar with: the Apostle Paul's list of love's characteristics. But just because many of us have heard this passage read at weddings doesn't mean we know the full extent of what Paul is trying to say! Listen to hear a breakdown of all 15 descriptors of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Continuing in Paul's focus on spiritual gifts, we come to a transition point. Pastor Ricky takes us into Paul's breakdown of the strategy of spiritual gifts. Yes, we begin to see what is of true value to the Apostle Paul and the work of God's church.
Something we don't like to say: I am needy. But today's sermon will help us remember why that is a good lesson to learn. We continue in chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians as Pastor Ricky delivers a message on how the Church should function as the "body" in order to meet the definite needs we have.
Picking back up in 1 Corinthians, we continue into chapter 12 where Paul begins to unpack the manifestation of the Spirit in the church. It is good and right to have a theology of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Ricky helps us begin that theology by demystifying Paul's language of variety, sameness, and the mentioned categories of spiritual gifts.
This week, Brian Stebick, the Assistant Director at our partner ministry Camp Hickory Hill, gives us a message from Ephesians 4:11-32. Brian shares how you can gauge your spiritual growth and health, the difference between those two things, and how your walk with Christ may dictate the growth of your church. Listen to hear a redemptive, encouraging, and challenging message.
Today, Pastor Ricky covers 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, which begins our exploration of Paul's talk on the Spirit and spiritual gifts. This section of chapter 12 is a foundational starting place for unity, enjoyment, and wisdom on this topic.
Do you ever feel like setting aside your walk with Christ, even just for a moment? Just to take a break? Erik Messerschmidt helps us dive into Colossians 2:11-15 to help us realize our consistent and never-fading motivation for walking with Christ--seeing what Christ has given us! So listen to discover the 3 primary ways Christ has blessed us with gifts that propel your spirit toward God-honoring living.
Not only did we have the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season this year, but we also had a Christmas blizzard change all sorts of plans and cause fear and heartbreak. How important then to remember that Peace has a Name--and that name is Jesus Christ. Pastor Ricky helps us know Christ more through the names he is given in Isaiah 9:6-7. Listen to find out how it would change your life to have a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
How would you describe Communion or The Lord's Supper? Routine, habit, ritual, meaningful, prayerful, exciting, boring, etc? Today's passage should help your heart fill with joy when you think about communion. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 helps us realize the Lord's Supper's full potential through Paul's eyes. Join Pastor Ricky as we explore how the Corinthians were doing communion wrong and how we can do it appropriately.
This is a tough one, especially for our culture. But the Corinthians struggled with it too. Luckily, Paul showed us how to apply God's design to the cultural landscape of the church at Corinth, and now we can learn how God's design applies to our cultural landscape. The difference between men and women and how that affects church life is an extremely hot topic right now. When you get to 1 Corinthians 11 in your bible, it often causes some eyebrows to raise. Pastor Ricky mentions that you might be embarrassed by this passage, hate this passage, or just be confused by this passage. Wherever you are, we hope you'll listen to understand God's design for men and women and how to avoid the extremes we often see abused in our culture.
From micro to macro, today's 1 Corinthians passage bridges our day-to-day focus on grey areas to the eternal purpose of God's people--to bring God glory. Pastor Ricky helps unpack what it means to bring God glory, how to enjoy your freedom to God's glory, and how to prioritize others in the name of God's glory.
Another treat around Thanksgiving, we get to hear from one of our very own, Jared Hojnacki! A part of the preaching cohort from this past spring, Jared shares a word of instruction and encouragement around Sabbath Rest. Jesus displayed a repeated use of the Sabbath for intimate time with the Father and recovery for future ministry. So how should we use our Sabbath? Or are you even taking the rest God wants for you? Listen to this Mark 2 message coming from the Harvest Buffalo office to explore more about Jesus' model of rest.
We read about the golden calf and the trees carved to be gods, but why does Paul tell the Corinthians to flee idolatry? That's the very first verse in today's passage in 1 Corinthians. If idolatry is possible for you, then how do we reveal it in our own lives? What do I do about idolatry in my own life? Pastor Ricky shows how Paul answers all of these questions in this passage as we continue to learn how to be a church united on what is true.
Pastor Jeremiah Canfield of Reclamation Church (GCC Church in Monroeville, PA) joins us this weekend with a powerful message of grace from God. Jeremiah and his family planted Reclamation Church in 2013 and has since seen God reclaim people, souls, and buildings. They have planted another church in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and have plans to plant more in the future. But today's message zooms in on the bad-to-good story of Peter's life that answers the question, "What do you do when you fail Jesus?" Listen to hear an incredible message of grace and forgiveness!
Why do we have the Old Testament? One of the reasons Paul gives is that we need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Join Pastor Ricky as we start chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians to learn what God wants to teach us about our present relationships and freedom through the squandering actions of the Israelites.
If someone models what they're telling you to do, your motivation to complete the instruction multiplies significantly. This week, we cover all of chapter 9 where Paul outlines how he is modeling giving up his rights in Christ in order to love others better. Join Pastor Ricky in this exploration of Paul's lesson around gospel love: If we've been radically loved, then we radically love.
This week, we dive into grey areas. This isn't about areas that are clearly marked as sinful in the words of Scripture. This is about the areas God has combined freedom and consciousness to guide each individual separately. By using the example of Halloween and Halloween parties, Pastor Ricky helps apply today's passage on food sacrificed to idols to your context so we can leverage 1 Corinthians 8 for loving one another better.
Growing up comes with many questions from others about relationships. Do you have a crush on anyone? Who are you dating? When do you think you'll find 'the one'? When are you going to get married? So this week, the Apostle Paul helps single people make wise long-term decisions about these questions. But he also helps us reevaluate how we talk about singleness and marriage to help one another focus on the eternal things rather than temporal things. So jump in to the end of 1 Corinthians 7 with Pastor Ricky to find out how you can reshape your present decisions by looking to your future glory.
In this sermon, Pastor Ricky helps us understand what Paul is going on about in this unique section of 1 Corinthians on circumcision and bondservants. How do those apply to us today? We continue to learn about our steadfast unity in Christ and some healthy ways Paul wants our diversity to be leveraged for God.
We try to cover as many biblical marital statuses as we can today. Single, married, married to an unbeliever -- Pastor Ricky explains how this next section of 1 Corinthians delivers a mission and some thankfulness to each person and relationship.
With a new Fall Season comes new schedules, new trials, new school years, new work projects, new family stages, and new rhythms in your day. In this special message to Harvest, Pastor Ricky shows how Scripture asks us to live a "Planted" life so that this new Fall Season doesn't blind us from our "Fruitfulness". Join the disciples out on a lake in Mark 4 to observe Jesus's urgent but unrushed approach to every moment.
On this exceptional Sunday, Pastor Ricky gives a message detailing what Scripture has to say about elders in the church as church members Josh and Rachel prepare to step into that role at Harvest Buffalo officially. If you are going to be led by a person fulfilling a position, you should know what the role entails. So dive in to the book of Titus to learn what God has set out as qualifications and guidelines for the church elder, and why that role should craft a healthy church environment for you.
We are told to pray, but often are not told how we can pray. Is it just like a normal conversation, but with the God of the universe? How do I address the God of the universe? What motivates me to pray to our Father in heaven? Questions like these are answered by our dear brother in Christ, Ed Habicht. An elder, Small Group Leader, and Welcome Team member at Harvest Buffalo, Ed is a faithful servant who loves to explore God's Word and deliver it to others. Join him as he helps us grow in our understanding of prayer through the words of Colossians 1:9-12.
Don't shy away from this topic just because the culture around us has twisted the narrative around marriage and intimacy. God has redeeming things to say about your marriage and everything that comes with it. Open your bible to 1 Corinthians 7 and join Pastor Ricky in a helpful and gracious message on understanding what sex was designed to be for your marriage. If you've been hurt by Christians in the past by this 1 Corinthians passage, we hope this message meets you with compassion and healing through a more Christ-centered application of the principles within. If you aren't married, this may be a helpful resource if you eventually get married, but know that next week's message is going to speak to the redeeming principles for single living. Parents, use wisdom when listening around your children. Listen and know that you are loved.
Jonah's Question for you: Are you running away, stuck in the belly, or living in obedience to the Lord? This week, Jeremiah Brinkman of the SEND Network joins us to share a gospel-filled message on the prophet Jonah. Jeremiah oversees SEND Network's church planting efforts in the entire state of New York outside of NYC. Listen to unpack all 4 chapters of the book of Jonah and hear incredible stories of redemption that will help you rediscover our infinitely loving God.
"Your body is a temple." But what does that change about what I do or think? You may even think, there's no way I can sponsor that message with what has happened in my past. But when you listen to this message, you'll hear how God cares about you and why so that you can embrace your identity wholeheartedly. What a blessing that would be.
A sensitive topic for many, Pastor Ricky helps us understand Paul's incredibly freeing and restorative view of sexuality and our bodies. Yes, there are boundaries, but you'll find out what framework those boundaries are built from. Yes, there is freedom in how we use our bodies, but you'll discover how your choices now impact the future treasure of the resurrection. Yes, we often carry guilt or pain from our past, but you'll find peace when you learn of God's awareness, compassion, and gift for you.
You may be afraid to press play on this one because of something in your own past or others' past, but everyone should listen to this message to know the power of the gospel applied to our bodies.
Listen to Pastor Ricky's message unpacking this section of Paul's letter to discover 4 ways to handle your own grievances and a major lesson on how the church should represent Jesus to the outside world. Though still on point with the rest of his thoughts, Paul takes a sidebar to instruct the Corinthians on some behavior he's heard about in their church: Using the public courts to resolve disagreements within the church. That may seem like a minor detail, but Paul connects that behavior to major incorrect views about Jesus and the Church! Let's learn together about a Gospel-centered way to handle disagreements.
A church family friend, Nathaniel De Leon presents the message this week! Coming across the border from a fellow GCC church, Nathaniel is the Youth & Young Adults Director at Hope Bible Church Niagara in St. Catherines, Ontario. He communicates this important message to our church with a genuine and earnest heart: You can't survive when you're alone. Quite a striking statement! Well, open your bibles to Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and hit play to join the rest of your church family in unpacking what Scripture has to say about that and more.
Jumping back into our 1 Corinthians series, we find ourselves in chapter 5 of Paul's letter. Here is where Paul begins getting extremely pointed with some of his instructions to the Corinthian church so that they can strive for the unity he has been describing in the first 4 chapters. So, listen with a soft and open heart because this is vital information to know as a church member and the topic is tough: Church Discipline. Pastor Ricky presents from this passage 3 reasons why we must respond biblically to unrepentant sin.
Transporting us back to ancient Israel, Erik Messerschmidt from the Summer Preaching Cohort is presenting our message this week. Erik and his wife Emily have been serving along with many others on the core team since the early days of Harvest Buffalo. Listen to hear how Israel's shortcomings point us to 3 ways we should live in the fear of the Lord rather than fear of disaster.
Unpacking the Scriptures for us today is Matt Hill, a student ministry leader at Harvest Bible Chapel Buffalo. Matt and his wife Melissa have served in many ways at Harvest. He now presents a special message from Acts 20 where we hear some incredible words from the Apostle Paul about living for Christ.
Wrapping up his introduction to church unity, Paul summarizes his thoughts and re-establishes the relationship he has with the Corinthian church. This sermon will feel like tying a nice bow around our discussion around unity. Because this passage is absolutely necessary to understand before we dive deep into the specifics of Paul's itemized corrections of the corinthian church. So listen, breathe in the grace of the Lord, and pray that the Lord sharpens your understanding of the church as a family.
Wrapping up chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians, today's passage reveals that we are owners of the entire universe! You might think, that's crazy. But Paul explains why along with reasons why you're heart might be blinding you to that kind of life.
Harvest Buffalo's very own Josh Baun presents God's Word to us at Church in the Park! All gathered in a pavilion in Chestnut Ridge Park, we hear what God has taught Josh about living a strong and courageous life.
This one is relevant to everyday, because fear from within and discouragement from others both threaten to undermine your courage in the Lord. So, your first step towards a courageous and strong life is to get your bible out and turn to Joshua 1. From there, listen eagerly to Josh as he preaches from God's Word.
A beautiful component of unity emerges in this part of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Get your hard hats on, because you're going to get a sneak peek at the blueprint for building God's church. But did you know you have a major responsibility in that construction project? Listen to find out!
Paul gets to the point in today's portion of 1 Corinthians. Any follower of Christ will benefit from hearing this message and revisiting this message in the future. Using the Corinthian church as a mirror, we can examine our own growth in our worship of Christ, our walk with Christ, and our work for Christ. The objective of that growth? To get better and better at showing the love of Christ in our relationships! What better goal could exist?!
If you've wanted to know more about the Holy Spirit in Scripture, you would probably go to the chapters a little later in 1 Corinthians like chapters 12-14. But today, we learn that the foundational truths of the Holy Spirit start at the beginning of this book. So open your bibles to learn why the Holy Spirit is essential to you and your church friends staying united.
Have you noticed that 1 Corinthians has mentioned wisdom a lot? We've touched on it some leading up to this section of chapter 2, but Paul is going to make us stop and ask the question, "Do I know the wisdom of God?" Rediscover the answer to that question and more as Pastor Ricky continues our study on the letter of 1 Corinthians.
We come to church each week expecting a sermon, but is that all we should expect? Are there expectations for the listener of the sermon? What is absolutely necessary content in each and every sermon? What identifies a truly good sermon versus a truly bad sermon? These are all questions with many answers, but today's passage in 1 Corinthians points out the 3 major expectations we all MUST have when it comes to the preaching of God's Word and the Gospel! There are plenty of applications for us in this message, especially for Harvest Buffalo's culture of preaching moving forward. So get out your bible and notepad and let's grow together!
Continuing our series in 1 Corinthians, we reach a passage where the good news of Jesus Christ is on full display. If you know all who Jesus Christ is, this message will get you shouting for joy with all the reminders of the power of the cross we see in Paul's words. If you don't know all who Jesus Christ is, then you'll be introduced with joy. The message you'll hear is not only good news for all, but is good news for you as well.
Paul unveils the big surprise of God's power and wisdom in today's section of 1 Corinthians! Continuing to learn about what Christian unity looks like, we discover the 3 things followers of Christ should rehearse to activate grace-filled community and relationships in the church.
We're about to dig into multiple chapters on unity and conflict, but Paul sets the example for us in the first 13 verses. Ever come to church and realize you're upset with someone and then you're hit with anxiety, worry, hurt, anger, or even quarreling? Pastor Ricky helps us see Paul's concern for these things, but also points us to where everything needs to start. And that starting point will refresh your soul like none other. Listen to find out where you should start with unity and conflict.
A new series unpacking the topically-varied letter of 1 Corinthians begins with a deep dive into the author's greeting--but what a greeting it is! If someone listed all of your greatest sins and rebuked you and called you a saint, would you feel loved? Pastor Ricky helps us see why you and the Corinthian church may share that exact same status.
From our friends at Reclamation Church in Pittsburgh, PA, Josh Stanley joins us to deliver a message on "Thinking as a Christian in a Secular Age". Josh presents a game-changing definition of "secular" and "Christianity" to help us understand what the Apostle Paul is warning us about when he tells the Colossians that there may seem to be "plausible arguments" for other faith traditions. Where does he point us to find the answer? Listen to Josh's message and read along in Paul's letter to discover for yourself!
Josh is a Pastor in Training at Reclamation Church in Monroeville, PA. Originally from Pittsburgh, he is pursuing his Masters of Divinity in Biblical and Theological Studies. He leads the young adult's ministry at Reclamation and is currently part of the ministry cohort for those going into full-time ministry. He has also started teaching introductory apologetics at his church.
Did you know that among God's other characteristics, he is the best at asking questions? In our final major story with Elijah, we see God's patience and soverignty on full display. You'll be amazed at the twist God gives us in the middle of this story and the message from Pastor Ricky. Listen to gain absolute confidence in the victory God has given us already!
From the mountain top to the valley, we follow Elijah into his most despair-filled days. In a relatable message, we learn how faith can be attacked by depression, fear, and anxiety. These things may try to crush your faith, but listen to this message to equip your faith so that it may not be destroyed in the times of depression and darkness. But just you wait to see how God also shows up in these times to show his surpassing power!
You may agree with the statement that you have "Faith" in God, but do you have God's definition of "Faith"? That's what you'll discover when you listen to this compelling message from Brian Stebick on the faith that God commends in Hebrews 11. Brian is the Assistant Executive Deirector at Camp Hickory Hill, a newly partnered ministry with Harvest Buffalo!
In the first 10 minutes of this message, you'll get to hear all about Camp Hickory Hill's ministry and how you can experience their beautiful campground, student camp weeks, and family weekends. Then, Brian will take us into Hebrews 11 and point out the incredible definition of faith that God delivers to us.
It's the big standoff! We've reached the point in Elijah's journey where we see all of the trust God has been building in Elijah confront the beliefs of the priests of Baal. And what a story this one is!
The message begins with William and Lucas reading the narrative in 1 Kings 18 for us. Then Pastor Ricky breaks it all down so that you can see the glory of God and principles of application for yourself!
As Harvest Bible Chapel Buffalo celebrates 5 years as a church, God's providence is on display as we discover what foundational faith looks like in seasons of miracles and seasons of questioning. We follow Elijah into his next encounter with difficulty, and we learn how to shape our instincts so that when accusations and grief arise, we can have a foundation to stand on. Listen to be reminded of the foundation Christ sets for us, the tool of prayer God has given us, and the powerful God we worship.
It may not seem like it, but seeing God at work in your life is a skill that can be cultivated in your walk with Christ. We see this in our next installment of Elijah's story as he encounters God's provision through a widow and her son. Join us in learning how to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and in all circumstances, even the ones that cause us doubt, pain, and questions.
At Harvest, one of our 3 W's is "Walking with Christ." But when the walk gets difficult, you have to fall back on the things that are of true, unbreakable value. Coming from GCC partner Reclamation Church in Pittsburgh, PA, Brent Phillips joins us to share 3 highly practical reminders that will keep you running the race. Brent Phillips is a Church Plant Resident at Reclamation Church, looking to plant a church in the Pittsburgh area in the near future.
As we dig into the rest of our first story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17, we encounter some strange puzzles that Elijah faced. You would think that Elijah would play a significant role as God's messenger in the years following his initial proclamation of a famine, but God had other plans. Jump into this well-known story of Elijah and the ravens and discover 4 certainties of the Christian life that we can see in Elijah's first assignment from God.
Beginning a new character study on Elijah, Pastor Ricky transports us back to the times of the kings of Israel and Judah! Get a big-picture view of the nation of Israel and its two kingdoms. Spoiler alert, it's not pretty. In the middle of all the strife in this nation is where we meet the prophet Elijah. Listen to the three things you need to know before exploring any of the wondrous stories we're about to get into in this brand new sermon series!
How you wear your gospel lens affects not only your personal faith, but also how you trust, serve, and enjoy the community around you! We continue this mini-series by focusing on the second-half of our resilient joy--relational resiliency. Jump in to hear how you can evaluate your community resiliency with the words "I" and "we".
In this mini-series, Pastor Ricky helps us transport to Paul's circumstances as a prisoner in Rome in order to see the full effect of the gospel at work in his life, the church's life, and his neighbors' lives! Hear about how you can pursue joy even when despair-filled questions cloud each moment.
This Sunday, we celebrated Christmas as a church family! In a day full of joyful singing and testimonies, Pastor Ricky delivers an eye-opening sermon on Jesus' I AM statement, "I am the Light of the World. You'll learn about the impact, historical context, and the application of that simple little phrase that packs a whole world of meaning behind it.
One of the most famous passages in Scripture is John 15. It contains the command to "Abide" in Christ because of this latest "I AM" statement: "I am the vine, you are the branches." In this sermon, Pastor Ricky unpacks Jesus' title as the Vine and helps us have a clarified sense of the command to abide in Christ.
Do you have security in your status in Christ? When people say that you're pushing your religion onto them when you try to share the news of Christ, do you shrink back? This week's "I AM" statement will help you have confidence AND be unashamed of Christ!
Lazarus has quite the testimony. Where is it grounded? In Christ. You should have quite the testimony. Where should it be grounded? In Christ. These are the things we should talk about! These are the things we want to talk about! So listen to be reminded of what TRUE life is and rejoice as we continue in our "Always" series!
This week, Pastor Ricky shares why we all need a shepherd. Because this week's "I AM" statement is tough for us to understand in today's culture. So listen to the third installment of the ALWAYS series to rejoice in the Good Shepherd's provision of salvation and guidance in your life!
We move to our second "I AM" statement. Due to some technical issues that occurred on Sunday morning, we had to re-record the sermon for you to listen to here. But Pastor Ricky still delivers the same passionate message: Jesus is FOR YOU! Your interactions with authority force you to make a decision as to where you'll put your trust and who you will listen to. So we learn from this week's passage just how kind and gracious or Savior is compared to the thieves and robbers that you need to know of to avoid.
Starting off this brand new series, Pastor Ricky sets up the profit of thoroughly examining these "I AM" statements from Jesus. And the first one up gives us the perfect example: "I am the bread of life." That announcement comes in the middle of multiple miracles and deep dialogue, so so listen to this first sermon in the ALWAYS series to become reintroduced to Christ, who always satisfies.
Now that we've discussed who we are, we can discuss what we DO. After establishing our mission and our pillars or pursuits, we now move to our three discipleship habits we want to see in our church and in quality disciples of Christ! If you're a part of our church, then you're probably already doing these three discipleship habits but you may need a reminder of why those habits cultivate the mission in our church's life! If you're new to our church or unfamiliar with Harvest's discipleship habits, you'll be excited to discover where our mission and your everyday life meet!
Justin Troup, the Executive Pastor of Harvest Union County, has seen some of the tactics used against the mission of God and he wants us to know how to defend against them. We turn to Nehemiah--a faithful example of a servant leader who remained steadfast in his mission when the enemy's mission pressed in to disrupt. How can we defend the truth against people who want to plant seeds of doubt? What promises can we turn to when the evil one attempts to deceive us? What is important enough to endure ridicule or suffering brought on by people who don't want to see God's kingdom succeed? Hear these answers and testimonies of God's saving power in this sermon from Pastor Justin Troup.
Now that we have a mission established, you also need to hear how we aim to accomplish that mission in the day-to-day and week-to-week. We have four main pursuits or pillars as we carry out making disciples. Everything, and we main EVERYTHING, that Harvest Buffalo does is immersed in the four main pursuits of our church. Listen to discover or relearn what those are and how you can be shaped by those pillars as well!
Sometimes, God literally puts someone in your seat for you to minister to. Pastor Ricky learned that when God connected His mission to even an 11pm flight back home from a funeral! But also, hear how that same mission shapes your own life!
If you're going to be a part of Harvest Buffalo and the mission we've been given in Scripture, you should know who we are and what we aim to do! Those two things impact everything that we do as a church and everything you experience as a family member of Harvest! And the same mission we are acting on is given to you personally too--so listen to ground your walk and church experience in a vision that Christ set for you and our church two thousand years ago!
God cares about the little things, but God also wants to make sure we know exactly what to do when things are going really bad or really well. Pastor James knows that and shares how prayer is the main tool for the job. Listen to the final installment of our journey through the letter of James as Pastor Ricky helps us hear James's message and put an everyday faith into practice through our prayer life.
Whether your personal life feels like a never-ending trial or you're weary from the repetitive brokenness of the world, James calls us to the same result: an everyday faith that lasts until the end! James wants to firm up the foundation of your faith by pointing to three different places: the past, the future, and the farmer. Pastor Ricky shares how to take your everyday faith and make it durable. Hear how your attitude, your witness, and your relationships can all gauge your faith's endurance and durability.
James switches gears on us but keeps the gas pedal floored. Pastor James brings up the touchy subject of our money and possessions, and he has some harsh words. But are they for us? Do the words we read in the first verses of chapter five apply to you and me? Are we those rich who are to howl and weep due to miseries coming upon us? Pastor Ricky helps us understand and sort out James's harsh words so that we can continue to build upon our everyday faith and enhance our witness for Christ.
Busy, busy, busy. That's how we often answer the question, "How are you?", right? How many times do you ask God how you should fill your calendar? Is that even a possibility--to have God give direct input in your planning? We'll touch on these questions in this Fall Kick-Off sermon from Pastor Ricky at Harvest Buffalo. James continues to shape our everyday faith by telling us how our knowledge of God should shape the way we talk about tomorrow.
In this sermon, Pastor Ricky and Pastor James help unpack the enormous impact of our own sin in relationships around us (including and most importantly with God!). But you won't want to miss this one, because when we identify sin, we can also sprint to the solution for that sin. And if you want to see relationships restored, marriages healed, parent-child relationships strengthened, and coworker relationships turned positive, then you need to read what James has to say and listen to the application we can take from it!
Navigating relationships in a broken world requires a little help.
Okay, maybe a lot of help. James continues his letter to the scattered church by diagnosing the cause of relational conflict. Arguments, fights, disagreements that foster bitterness, these descriptions of relationships probably touch wounds and scars in your life. Even though there are two parties in conflict, the good news is that YOU have grace-driven and Spirit-inspired decisions that you can make to invite peace into your relationships. James' diagnosis and prescription may be difficult to handle, but listen to be reminded of all the grace that is promised to come your way if you walk according to the Lord.
Here's one that every Christian needs to listen to: It's okay to ask God questions! Steve Stoltzfus, pastor of Harvest Union County in Mifflinburg, PA, takes us to a rarely opened book in Scripture to help us widen our communication with the Lord. If you're struggling with a personal situation that's causing you to question where the Lord's goodness is, then this sermon and Scripture is for you. If you're angry or saddened by injustices happening in the world around you, this sermon and Scripture is for you. If you wonder if being a follower of Christ leaves any room for questions, doubts, or discouragement, this sermon and Scripture is for you.
What does it mean to be a great Christian? Are YOU a great follower of Christ?
You may write these questions off as bait to make you sound arrogant, but a very real example of the pride that can sneak into our hearts shows up in the account of Jesus' disciples in Mark 10:32-35. In a moment of short-sightedness, the disciples begin arguing over who is the greatest or who will be the greatest. Where we need to start taking note is when Jesus deconstructs their vision of being a disciple and builds a completely new one! Marty Duren, the Director of Communications of our church network The Great Commission Collective, helps us understand and apply this radical pathway of loving God and loving others. And he even solidifies Jesus' teaching by showing you where to look elsewhere in Scripture to see this "greatness" lived out!
Do you look around and see perfect relationships with love and generosity thriving at every corner? Or do you see selfishness, brokenness, and sadness choking out more relationships? You'll probably agree that there is plenty of selfishness in our relationships. So, how do we go from broken connections with people to restored relationships? James gives us some answers as to what you should avoid and what you should cherish to achieve wisdom in your marriages, friendships, church relationships, and more.
How many times have the words you said to your coworkers, spouse, kids, or parents caused relational turmoil? How many times have you used words in anger and then regretted them? James knows exactly what you're talking about and he doesn't know a single way to stop those words from coming out of our mouths---except for one miraculous way!
James continues to make things very clear for his readers: True faith produces good works. Listen to this week's message to hear James's commands and Pastor Ricky's desires for Harvest Buffalo's faith to be alive and responding to needs. Discover if your faith needs some revival!
Did you know that your behavior can communicate whether you are loved or unloved? Did you know that if you don't understand the concept of adoption, you probably don't fully understand the good news of Christ? Pastor Nate Newell (Mission Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) unpacks Galatians 4:4-7 to unveil the inheritance we receive as adopted children of the King. Plus, discover the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit through the lens of adoption!
What's your first thought when you think of confession or repentance? This week, guest speaker Pastor Micah Colbert helps give you a biblical understanding of repentance. His goal is that you might even find joy in repentance and confession! That kind of radical shift needs God behind it. Follow along with Pastor Micah and Psalm 32 to discover how this blessing can sprout in your own life.
James continues to unveil some tell-tales of gospel deficiency. Next, we look at a characteristic that can be observed once people are gathered together. Listen to this sermon to make sure partiality has no part in your own Christian walk.
James starts to give vital pieces to his rubric as we continue to unpack his letter. When James looks at a believer, he looks at the mouth, the heart, and the mind to begin identifying authentic faith. Pastor Ricky helps us take James's rubric and develop application to live everyday faith that demonstrates itself to be true.
Where is James going with this? If you're reading along with us, you may have gotten to this section of James' letter and wondered how it all connects together. Today, Pastor Ricky helps us dive into Pastor James' next step to persevering through trials: Receiving God's Implanted Word.
In our second installment on James, Pastor Ricky helps us boast. Yes, boast! Whether you're looking for God's wisdom on how to continue on without financial resources, OR if you have an abundance of cash and are looking for God's will for your life, James has some clear-cut commands for you. So read the passage and jump into this message to find out how to point towards the gospel no matter how much funds you have!
You have probably heard it quoted over and over. Maybe it's been used to try to comfort you in times of suffering but instead, you found yourself questioning God's plan.
When James tells us to "Count it all joy" when we encounter the rough parts of life, does he command an automatic smile on our faces? Join Pastor Ricky for the first message of this new series as he dives into the book of James, where we'll discover the more eternal and Christ-centered formula for joy in the midst of trials.
This week, Jim Collins joins us to deliver a message of comfort and joy from Psalm 23. Jim moved his family from Las Vegas to the Western New York area as a Church Planting Catalyst with the North American Mission Board's SEND Network. Enjoy this eye-opening study of this pillar of the Psalms as Jim connects the ideas of Psalm 23 to Psalm 19 and John 10, establishing Jesus as the Good Shepherd who loves and protects his sheep.
After establishing your theology of life after death like we did in last week's message, then you can start asking others about their view of the afterlife. One of the best ways to engage people in eternal discussions is to ask the question, "What do you expect to happen when you die?" Pastor Ricky prepares us with questions and scriptures that will help you give an answer in that moment for the hope you have in Christ.
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Does the thought that there is something after this life cause your head to spin? Today's message focuses on the many views that exist about what follows after death on this earth and how the biblical view of the afterlife is completely different. And why does it matter, you might ask? Pastor Ricky tells you exactly why Jesus cared about the afterlife and why you should too.
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
After unpacking morality and where it comes from, you can now steer people to God by pointing to morality! In this message, learn how to answer questions about morality and ask questions that inspire unbelievers to behold the source of what is good and righteous.
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Want to know some of the people who are most ripe to hear the gospel? Those that are at their lowest and those that are on top of the mountain! Pastor Ricky breaks down 3 ways you can share the gospel with the broken and the unsatisfied. This message will not only be a great reminder of your identity in Christ, but it will also equip you to share that blessing with those who are searching because of their emptiness.
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Most people you'll encounter don't have an answer or a way of living that satisfies the question "Why are we here." If you want an answer to that question, or you want to be able to explain why a believer in Christ has meaning and purpose, then join Pastor Ricky in Isaiah 43! Then, when the creator of the Peanuts comic strip declares life a mystery, you'll have a hope-filled response!
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
In a time where many are seeking reconciliation, we turn to Jesus as our hope for reconciliation with God. Pastor Ricky unpacks some of the letter of Colossians to understand why Jesus Christ was the greatest of all time. But he wasn't the greatest just to be the greatest or have fame and wealth because of it. That wouldn't be as exciting for you and me. No, the reason Jesus came to be the greatest was for the purpose of reconciling the greatest offense of all time. What does that mean for you? Listen to find out.
From DNA to fossil records, this sermon puts the exclamation point on a series of sermons shouting of the beauty of God's creation! Not only will you rejoice in our Creator, but you'll also be equipped to engage in discussion around some of the most common scientific objections people bring up regarding life and humans as created beings.
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Continuing in our exploration of topics that are tied to our Christian worldview, we start to get practical. If you find yourself or someone else questioning how a Bible-believing person understands the beginning of all things, then you'll want to ask 2 simple (but mind-boggling) questions to start. Listen to start exploring and discovering for yourself!
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Religion and Atheism have at least this one thing in common: a worldview. We jump into our START sermon series by examining what worldview is and why you already have a worldview. But you can take the time to make sure you have made an informed decision about that worldview by answering 4 critical questions. Listen for more!
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Once we realize we're progressing and maturing in life, don't we automatically want to enjoy the fruit of the effort put into that growth? This weekend, we celebrate 4 years as a church! Pastor Brandon Capuano of Harvest Rochester shares how to enjoy and celebrate that faithfulness of the Lord over those 4 years without stopping the work set before us. And the formula is simple: meditation on God's Word.
For those who are Christians, do you spend time with unbelievers? Do you have a desire to see those people come to know Christ? Do you know what the Bible says you should do to help them know Christ? Do you have the conviction to follow through with the Bible's instructions? If you answered "NO" to any of those questions, or you want to refuel your passion to spread the good news, then this message is for YOU.
This sermon series was done in collaboration with Pastor Ryan Hall and all shared materials were used by permission.
Does Heaven seem boring or way too confusing to you? Let's try to change that. For our final sermon in this series on the grand story of the Bible, we look to the future. Though it is filled with strange visions and descriptions that make the strongest Christian question their own understanding, the book of Revelation was written with a clear purpose in mind. Pastor Ricky helps us see the excitement, joy, and transformation that the apostle John hoped these visions would inspire in you today.
Christ established the church and built it on many different people uniting under His name. So how in the world do all those people get along? We come to the second to last installment of our BEHOLD series to find out the answer to that question and more.
Jesus said that it's actually BETTER for the Spirit to be with us instead of him. Why is that? Let's explore that question and more as we get to know the Spirit of God that is here with us right now.
Did you know your death could be redeemed? We now explore the life, death, and resurrection of Christ in the gospels as we continue to explore what the Bible is all about. You may not have wanted Christ to go through the suffering and death he did, but his resurrection might show you why he did it for YOU.
The Old Testament is definitely exciting! Jumping back into our BEHOLD series, Pastor Ricky introduces us to the Prophet Jeremiah and his incredible predictions for the believer. In this sermon, you'll either discover the experience of a transformed life or renew your desire for the Lord and his work.
This is a message for anyone feeling trapped or overwhelmed in a rough season of life. Let guest speaker and the Montreal Representative for NAMB's Send Network, Daryl Molyneaux, lead you through the story of Jesus walking on water to show his disciples a glimpse of his glory and power. Daryl reminds us that Jesus is ready and waiting to rescue you, but you need to know how to reach out and hold on to him.
It's Christmas. Around this time, we have many expectations and plans. Pastor Ricky helps us navigate how we can find satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ even during a year that is full of canceled plans and unfulfilled expectations.
What do you do with a book of the Bible that doesn't mention God a single time? We continue in our BEHOLD series as we look at the book of Esther, where we learn how God works through our mistakes for our good and his glory.
Does it matter to us today that God has established a kingdom and he is the king? How does that really affect us? Join Pastor Ricky through a 190 chapter overview of how to see God's Kingdom throughout the Old Testament books. Plus, discover from 2 Samuel 7 how God wants us to live in that Kingdom.
Grumbling and complaining come easy to us. God knows it. He's experienced it from his people. Let's dive into an early example of Israel's complaints against the Lord to discover how our grumbling and complaining might cost more than we think.
Pastor Ricky delivers a special message on community and relationships specifically for these days of quarantine. Hear how Scripture tells us to identify unhealthy habits and replace them with habits that increase your joy among the community of the Church.
Have you ever sat down to read the book of Leviticus and thought, "Why, God?" Instead of cringing at the numerous laws God gives, it's possible to be filled with joy when observing God's law. And in this sermon, Pastor Ricky explains why the laws God gave Moses and the Israelites should cause you to love him even more in such a discouraging time.
We've learned how God created everything good, how the problem of sin was introduced, and when God promised to fix the problem. But now we explore God's preview into HOW he will fix the problem of sin. Join Pastor Ricky in Exodus 5-12 as we unpack substitution and salvation.
Why is it so hard to say "I'm ready" to the Lord? Pastor Ricky helps us take an in-depth look at the call of Moses to find out. But, you'll also discover how God has already prepared you and told you how to trust Him as you go live on mission.
A new character in the story is introduced: Joseph. God places Joseph in the story to teach about his sovereignty, blueprint for redemption, and preservation of promises.
The story continues to unfold as we dive into Genesis 12 to explore what instruments God likes to use the most to write his story. Pastor Ricky helps clarify how God's promises and our faith link together in everyday life as we look at the example of Abraham and Sarah.
After learning how God started the story with everything good, we jump into Genesis 3 and the Fall. Pastor Ricky explains some of the strange events that lead to the introduction of sin and unpacks how your shame and insecurities are connected to those strange events as we discover the beginning of hope.
Pastor Ricky launches this examination of God's Story by exploring how God used the act of creation to masterfully give explanation to your very identity and relationships in a conflicted 2020 culture.
We're at the start of a brand new sermon series and this one is all about understanding God's Story as a whole. Why did Christ come to redeem us and why is it important to you or your neighbor? Today, we start to answer that question. So pack your bags and get ready to head on a journey that might change your worldview.