Meta Church NYC: Recent Episodes
Pastors Ricky and Krista Ortiz
Meta Church is a church based in New York City, and we're committed to helping you experience the transformative power of Jesus in your life. In this weekly podcast from Pastors Ricky and Krista Ortiz, you'll hear messages that are encouraging, relevant to everyday life, and that will inspire you to take the next step in your journey with Jesus.
In this message, Johnathon Brooks shares what he's learned about the difference between having faith versus walking with trust.
In this week's message, Erik Stratman shares about his unexpected experiences with God as he's prioritized his faith and connected with God in more personal and intimate ways.
In this message, Karina Lawson shares how God used an unexpected (and rude) experience at a Christian worship concert to shape her heart for what true worship looks like.
In this message, Nicole Gallant shares a profoundly vulnerable message about learning how to fight against the enemy's lies and stand your ground in faith.
Have you ever felt like you were doing everything in your own strength just to hold things together—and still coming up short? In this powerful message, Daniel opens up about a personal season of parenting his daughter, where he found himself relying on sheer willpower to fix a situation only God could truly handle. That honest, relatable moment becomes the doorway into one of the most compelling stories in Scripture: the calling of Gideon!
Many of us have visions, dreams, and hopes for what our lives could (or should) look like. But more often than not, God has far greater purpose and significance for our lives than we could ever imagine. The only difference between experiencing what God has for us versus what we dream of on our own, is simply saying YES to God. In this message, Lily Phillips shares how saying YES to God altered the course of her life, gave her new purpose, and filled her with confident power.
If you think that God doesn't have a sense of humor, then you've got Him all wrong! In this message, Jason Choi shares his personal faith journey from atheism to Christianity and the humorous ways that God met him and connected with him.
Many people live their lives fearful or worried that God will drop them – either by accident or because He's found something "better." But the truth is you are God's special possession and you are completely secure in His hands! In this week's message, Maria Pedone shares her experience learning this lesson and discovering that God will never drop her!
So many Christians wrestle with exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout all because they are striving for God's approval rather than striding with God as His loved child. In this message, Renna Nightingale helps us learn the difference between striving and striding and shares how we can walk with God from a place of being fully loved.
What if your vision of God has been wrongly skewed and you've actually missed out on who He really is? In this message, Pastor Krista Ortiz brings to light the truth of God's nature and helps us see Him for He actually is.
If you've been feeling the pull to live for something bigger, to stop drifting and start responding, this message will meet you exactly where you are.
Have you ever felt like you were one more hard thing away from completely falling apart? Like the weight of everything you're carrying — the loss, the grief, the disappointment, the unanswered prayers — was just too much to hold anymore? If that's where you are right now, this message was made for you.
What if one question could completely change your life? Ricky reflects on a journey that took him from the brink of divorce and personal collapse to a life marked by deep blessing, restored relationships, and a generous spirit.
We all want change. We talk about it, pray for it, and hope for it. But what does genuine, lasting transformation actually look like in a person's life?
In this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz reminds us of a ministry focus that's been missing at Meta Church over the past two years. Using Acts 5-6, he reminds us that we've got to get back to the streets!
In this panel conversation, Meta Members Renna, Lily, and Isaac share profound testimonies of how God has worked through their lives and at Meta Church.
The first believers in the early church were radically transformed because they devoted themselves to this idea called: The Church!
Jesus's instruction was quite simple: GO! He told us we are to take His message of the Good News out to the world. It's up to us! The question is: Will you carry the message?
What makes you feel powerful? Is it agency? Control? Influence? Money? All of these things can make you feel powerful, but they pale in comparison to the power that Jesus promised we would receive through the Holy Spirit! In this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares how we can tap into the power the Holy Spirit provides.
We often show up for the highs of faith — the Easter Sundays, the mountaintop moments, the emotional breakthroughs — but when it comes to the everyday call to live on mission for Jesus, we quietly check out.
In this powerful Easter message, Ricky cuts straight to the heart of something most of us feel but rarely say out loud: we don't just want to be alive, we want to feel alive.
In the closing message of CUT DIFFERENT, Pastor Krista Ortiz shares what it means to be a person of integrity. Using the life of King David, Krista breaks down for us what integrity is and what it isn't.
In this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz offers a timely and practical word about why what you do repeatedly matters more than what you intend to do occasionally.
Have you ever thought about the importance of applying standards to your faith? It might be worth considering because your character and righteousness depend on it!
What if the reason your life isn't standing out has everything to do with what you actually believe — not what you say you believe?
If you've been asking yourself how to build a stronger faith, how to trust God for the impossible, or how to see God truly move in your life, this message is for you!
Have you ever had unwavering faith, prayed with everything inside of you, and still watched God not come through the way you believed He would?
In this message, Pastor Krista Ortiz walks you through what it looks like to keep exercising your faith and building the kind of faith that causes God to respond on your behalf.
Do you want to "go deeper" in your faith? Well, here's what you need to know: Deep faith isn't about knowledge. It's about ACTION. If you want to build great faith, it's going to require that you take action.
In this powerful message, Ricky challenges a common misconception that trips up many young Christians today: just because you're familiar with Jesus doesn't mean you actually know Him.
Ever wonder why your faith feels stuck? In this message, Ricky breaks down the one thing most Christians miss when trying to build breakthrough faith—and it's probably not what you think!
Have you ever wondered what kind of faith moves Jesus to action? Gleaning from Matthew 8 and 9, Pastor Ricky Ortiz identifies a very simple phrase Jesus spoke that reveals the secret to breakthrough faith.
2025 was a year of great significance and consequence for Meta Church. After 8+ years of planting church, 2025 was the year that the game changed!
The name Immanuel—"God is with us"—isn't just a nice theological concept. It's the reality that Jesus refused to be God without us. Our sin separated us from God, but His love refused to leave us isolated. Jesus's arrival means you never have to face a single day, moment, or situation alone.
There's nothing worse than receiving a gift at Christmas that you have no use for. Fortunately, the meaning and the message of Christmas is that God above has given to the world the most significant and meaningful gift possible!
In this powerful message, Ricky tackles one of the most universal struggles we face today—feeling insignificant in a world that constantly tells us we're not enough.
What if you finally stepped into the dream God has for you, only to watch it crumble because of choices you made? In this powerful conclusion to the JOSEPH series, Ricky delivers a sobering yet hopeful message about how to sustain the dreams God gives us.
Have you ever wondered why life had to be so hard? Why you had to walk through that painful season, face that betrayal, or survive those years that felt like a prison?
Ever feel like God has completely forgotten about you? Like you're doing everything right, but nothing's working out? You're not alone!
In this powerful and relatable message, Nicole explores one of life's most challenging questions: "How did I end up here?" Drawing from the story of Joseph in Genesis 39, she addresses those moments when life takes unexpected turns and we find ourselves far from where we hoped or dreamed we'd be.
If you've ever felt discouraged by people crushing your dreams or wondered whether you're pursuing your own agenda instead of God's purpose, this sermon will give you clarity, direction, and hope for moving forward in faith.
God has dreams for you that are about significance, not just maintenance. You're not an accident, and your life is meant for more than just getting by.
Have you ever felt your faith start out hot and passionate, only to watch it slowly fade into something cold and distant? In this message, Ricky Ortiz shares what it takes for your faith to catch fire and stay on fire!
In our struggles is where God's sanctifying grace meets us. In this message, Dr. Clem Ferris shares 5 things grace does for us in our battles.
God isn't simply interested in saving you; He wants to have a deep and intimate relationship with you and He's inviting you to experience that with Him.
"For God so loved the world that He gave..." – God has always been marked by His generosity. He gives freely to His children so that they, too, might grow in the grace of giving and spring forth with generosity as well.
If you are a child of God, you have been called and gifted by God to build His church and advance His Kingdom!
If you're tired of stale and stagnant Christianity, then it's time you move to the middle! If you're looking for something transcendent and transformative, then it's time to lock into Meaningful Community.
We often view difficulty and suffering as a punishment or consequence from God, but as Isaac Benelli shares, these aren't things that push us away from God but that can actually draw us closer to Him.
This week's message comes from Pastor Natalie de Haas of Spirit Church NYC. She shares a powerful word about Jesus transforming our lives so we can go out and fulfill the mission He's given us.
In less than a year, God has worked in transformative ways in the lives of Brittany and Alex Robles. In this Q&A, they sit down with Pastors Krista and Ricky Ortiz to share their journey of faith and transformation.
This edition of Summer Mixtape is a special message about overcoming some of life's biggest mistakes by Johnathon Brooks.
This edition of our Summer Mixtape series features an incredible word about surrendering to God's will and trusting His timing from Andrea Wurzburger.
Tune in this week as we hear an incredible word from Nicole Gallant about the conditions of our hearts and God's work.
In this candid panel conversation, Pastor Ricky Ortiz talks with Meta Church members Gus, Sky, Cynthia, and Lilly about their respective faith journeys and what it's looked like for each of them as they've tried to find their way back to God. As you listen, you'll find yourself refreshed by their honesty and relieved to know that no matter where you are on your own journey, God desires to meet you there and walk forward with you!
In this week's message, Maggie Dillard shares an encouraging word about the power of what faith can do in our lives!
Week 1 of our Summer Mixtape series kicks off with Pastor Karel de Haas sharing a word about how to stay on fire in the Spirit!
In this final message from our Daddy Issues series, we explore the Father's forgiveness and grace for His children.
God the Father is a Defender of all His children. Text the word DEFENDER to 332-334-7729 to receive a free 7-day devotional.
We all want approval... and the question we ask and wonder about is this: Does God approve of me?
Discipline never feels great as we're going through it, but when we experience God's discipline in our lives we can trust that it shows we're loved, that we belong, and that it's for our good.
At some point in each of our lives, we all learn that it's up to our own selves to provide for ourselves. This experience often leads us to question God's provision and His faithfulness in our lives.
What do you do when you feel like God is absent or distant? How do you find God's presence when He feels like He's hidden in obscurity?
All of us have thoughts, views, and perceptions about who God the Father is...the problem is that many of our thoughts, views, and perceptions are WRONG.
Is God really good? This is a burning curiosity within each of us. We want to know if God is good, and if so, what makes Him good. Fortunately for us, the message of Easter reveals the goodness of God in our lives.
Romans 12:10 instructs us to "honor one another above ourselves" but what does this actually mean? In this final installment, Pastor Ricky Ortiz breaks down what it looks like to honor one another in the same way that Jesus has honored us.
Showing hospitality is a Biblical command given to us all of us believers by God, and it's something Jesus modeled for us in clear and demonstrable ways.
For too long, we've missed the mark on knowing what it means and what it looks like to grieve with one another.
You were never called to carry your burdens on your own. And you were never called to ignore other people's burdens. Instead, we've been called to share one another's burdens.
What if Christians, and the Church, became the most encouraging group of people and the most encouraging place possible? We're called to encourage one another, and in this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares what's required for us to encourage one another!
Unforgiveness is a weight that far too many people carry; that's they the New Testament instructs us to forgive one another so that we can walk in freedom.
Believe it or not, the Christian faith is not about you! Jesus (and the New Testament) make it clear that the Christian faith is about others.
We all want approval... the feeling of being good enough and accepted by others. The problem is that, left unchecked, approval and validation can easily become an idol that gets in the way of your relationship with God.
The Idol of Self manifests in a multitude of ways and in this message, Pastor Krista Ortiz helps us identify these idols so we can smash them!
Every child is taught that you don't always get what you want; unfortunately, that doesn't mean that we learn the lesson. As we grow up, we continue to crave and long for more. This desire for more eventually becomes an idol... The Idol of More.
We often measure success through our careers, our finances, our titles, or our networks; but God defines success in an entirely different way and it's not what you think.
In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares the first idol we need to smash: the idol of Security! And when it comes to this idol, the question you have to ask is: Is This a Lie?
Smash the Idols is all about helping you destroy the things that stand in the way of you unlocking your spiritual potential and drawing close to God.
You can't dictate what you'll go through in 2025, but you can shape how you go through it! And these four 4 questions will help you do just that!
In this closing message of 2024, Pastor Ricky Ortiz highlights the things that are taking place and casts vision for what could be when we come together and give to our Christmas Offering.
Jesus made room for all people, and with Jesus all people felt at home! And in this week's message at Meta Church, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares vision for how we at Meta Church will continue to do the same.
We’ve seen our church grow, lives transformed, and people step into community and purpose while finding healing and acceptance. Our church has become more than a church – it’s become a home!
Wherever the message of the Kingdom of God was proclaimed, it was received and celebrated as Good News. That's because the message of the Kingdom is greater than the politics of our days.
In this week's message, Pastor Krista Ortiz shares how God's people are supposed to navigate uncertain or unstable political times.
In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares three qualities that separate Jesus and make Him far superior than any candidate we could think of.
In a highly contemptible political climate, Jesus stepped injected Himself into the political narrative by announcing and proclaiming a new Kingdom.
Sin breaks our relationship with God, and unconfessed sin creates a burden that we were never intended to carry. This burden puts a cap on our transformation and it prevents us from becoming like Christ. But confession is the bridge that connects us back to God.
If you've ever felt distant or disconnected in your relationship with God, then this week's message is for you!
Worshiping in Spirit and Truth is about engaging our emotion and our intellect. In other words, it's about giving God all we've got!
Jesus didn't just tell us we should connect with God, but He demonstrated to us what it means and looks like to connect with God through prayer.
What does obedience have to do with following Jesus and becoming like Him? Well, as it turns out: A LOT! According to Jesus, obedience is both a key measure of becoming a disciple and a measuring factor for how much you actually love Jesus. In John 14, Jesus said those who obey Him are the ones that actually love Him.
We see the world with our natural eyes, but we see the spiritual with the eyes of the Spirit. And as we see things through the Spirit we can see things as God sees them.
Do you remember those WWJD bracelets? They asked the question, "What would Jesus do?" Though well-meaning and inspired, it's somewhat a mute question. We don't need to ask what Jesus "would" do because we already know exactly what Jesus did do!
Thankfully, Jesus didn't just instruct us to follow His way, but He modeled the way for us so we could live like Him and become like Him.
During this conversation, Inés shares how her faith has fueled her work as well as the way her work has invigorated her faith. Inés has a passion for helping people follow Jesus, while also living in a such a way to that takes care of God's creation and God's people.
Meta Member, Wanda Staggers, was born in Harlem, NY, but after graduating from college she made her way down to South Carolina. She world as a single mom, raising four daughters on her own, while also learning to trust God in the big things and in the small things.
In this week's message, Maggie speaks on the significance of Jesus – who He is, what He does, and the difference He makes in our lives. The truth is that we not only need Jesus, but when we find Him, He changes EVERYTHING!
In her message, Fer shares her story of following Jesus and the way He has revealed Himself to her. She shares about the importance of actually being with Jesus and not just doing "Jesus things." This is something God has used to transform her and now she shares this message with us all.
In just a short time of following Jesus, EVERYTHING can change! That's the power of following Jesus! And that's the testimony shared by both Dan and Kaki in this week's Summer Mixtape message. Over the past year, Jesus has radically transformed who they are and how they're navigating faith, marriage, and life.
We live in a hurried, fast-paced world where we can easily find ourselves running at full speed 24/7. The challenge and difficulty with this is that we can also find ourselves easily burning out because we've run for so long or run without direction.
The pressures of culture and society push us to embrace a life apart from Jesus, which means the decision and commitment to follow Jesus into your 30s requires a lot more discipline and resilience.
What do you do when you've been patiently waiting for God for healing, deliverance, provision (or anything else really) and it doesn't seem like He's coming through yet?
Just because you’ve taken a step towards freedom does not mean you will continue to be free. If you want to be free, then you have to determine that you will remain free.v
Let's be honest: there are times where God tells us, or invites us, to do something and we would rather look the other way, pretend like we didn't hear it, or just flat out ignore what God has so clearly spoken.
Nobody wants to be called GREEDY. BUT… what if this thing that we say we despise is actually something that’s a part of each of us? And what if this characteristic we say we hate is actually within each of us??
Is He worthy? This is a question every follower Jesus has wrestled with. Just like the rich, young ruler in Mark 10, we all have to ask ourselves, and answer, this question when it comes to following Jesus.
A recent study done by Cornell University found that 85% of the fears we have NEVER materialize, yet the overwhelming majority of people are gripped by fear! Yet for many Christians, fear has an incredible stronghold on their lives. This is especially true when it comes to generosity. Without question, Fear is the number one reason why Christians are not generous.
There are strongholds in our lives that are keeping us from becoming the people God has called us to become. But these strongholds don't need to keep us back, it's time to leave the stronghold and break free!
We all have questions about sex, dating, and marriage... and in our final installment of our SWIPE RIGHT series, Pastors Ricky and Krista Ortiz take time to answer YOUR questions about all this and more!
What if the goal wasn’t simply to survive in marriage, but to thrive in marriage? In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz outlines the 5 KEYS YOU NEED TO THRIVE IN MARRIAGE. These five keys are essential to unlocking the potential, the joy, the fulfillment, the satisfaction, and the power that marriage has to offer!
What does the Bible really say about sex? Does God define or say who sex is for and how it should be engaged? And does it even apply for how we live today?
What does the Bible say about dating? That's a question a lot of Christians have when it comes to dating in the 21st century. Of course, we live in a different time period than when the Bible was written, so does that mean there is no guidance or suggestions?
The fact of the matter is that pornography reaches and impacts just about everyone, leaving so many people feeling defeated, discouraged, and in despair. In fact, many people feel like they are overcome by porn and unable to experience healing, freedom, and victory.
If you do a Google search for "finding the one" you will find that over 24 BILLION search results are populated in just 0.35 seconds! Clearly, this topic and this idea of finding the one is something we deeply care about and desire clarity on.
With each passing day, it seems like the worlds of sex, dating, and marriage has become increasingly complex, complicated, and confusing. But the truth is it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, God has A LOT to say about each of these areas! In this series, we’ll delve into the heart of what God says so we can discover the radical principles that challenge conventional thinking about love, sex, and commitment.
The Easter story offers us something different. It tells us there is grace available for everyone! And in this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares exactly how and why we can have the confidence that grace really is available to us all.
Good Friday is a day where we reflect on the cost of our salvation and price Jesus Christ paid on the Cross. But it's not just for reflection, it's for response. Because of what Christ has done, we respond by surrendering our lives.
We all have needs. Some needs we're well aware of, other needs have not made themselves as apparent just yet. But we still have needs. Thankfully, God's grace meets us in those places of need AND God's grace knows what we need before we even realize we need it ourselves.
We live in a world filled with brokenness. We see the brokenness in creation as we navigate the effects of climate change. We see the brokenness in others as wars and violence break out amongst different people groups. But we also experience the brokenness in ourselves as we struggle to overcome things like mental illness or addiction.
Is there anything - or anyone - beyond God's grace? That's a good question... There are people and actions that are so repulsive and so offensive that it's hard to imagine grace being made available to or for them. In fact, were it up to us, most of us would choose not to show grace and instead would feel justified in feeling or believing that they don't deserve our grace.
In a world filled with ungrace, how can it be that the grace described in the Bible is actually something we could all experience?
For the closing week of our I LOVE MY CHURCH series, Pastor Ricky Ortiz invites the Meta Leadership Team to share their heart and vision for our church.
Have you ever heard someone question the role or validity of the Church in today's society? More than ever, it seems like more people have become suspicious or doubtful of the significance of the Church.
God – in His divine wisdom and foresight – understood our innate need for community and provided a solution: The Church! It's in the context of a church that you're able to experience the power, freedom, love, and strength God intends for you to have. And that's because there is enormous power available to you when you're in a community.
It is estimated that there are somewhere between 350,000-380,000 Christian churches in the United States alone. That's a lot of churches! So when it comes to Meta Church, what makes this church distinct? Why would someone choose to go to this church instead of going to another church?
With all of the talk about Church Hurt and the things the Church has done that has negatively effected people, it's easy to forget about the role and responsibility we each play...
What are we supposed to do when this thing that Jesus loved and gave His life for – the Church – is at the center of deeply hurtful experiences? How do we navigate this kind of hurt? Do we pretend like it’s not a big deal? Do we walk away and write it off? Do we re-engage? And if so, is there hope that things could be different?
What is the "church"? Despite being a word that is widely and broadly used, there seems to be a lot of confusion around what the church, its role in society, and whether or not the church actually matters. More than ever, there seems to be a level of distrust and disdain toward the church.
Psalm 105:1-2 say, "Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds." And that's exactly what we're doing on this first Sunday of 2024! We're grateful for the ways God has used our ministry to impact the lives of people in New York City and beyond, and we're especially grateful that you've chosen to be a part of it!
There is much to learn from the Christmas story, but maybe more than anything is that the birth of the Messiah was an invitation to respond. Every person in the Christmas story that met Jesus couldn't help but stand in awe and respond in worship.
What would it take for you to stand in awe of God once more? What would He have to do? What provision would you need? What breakthrough would need to happen? What miracle would you need to see? And how inclined are you to believe it could happen?
In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz invites us to look at the Christmas story through the lens of the shepherds in Luke 2. These were ordinary guys, minding their own business and doing their normal job, when they are all of a sudden thrust into the forefront of the Messiah's arrival.
So what if I don't live with legendary faith? What difference does living with legendary faith make? What impact does it have on my life and the lives of those around me? And does it even matter?
Have you ever felt like the step of faith that God is asking you to take is taking it too far? Like what He's asking you to do requires too much or what He's having you go through crosses the line?
Legendary Faith is not something that comes easily. If you want to have the type of faith that Abraham, Moses, David, and other heroes of the faith had, then you're going to have to persevere through the ups and downs, highs and lows, and struggles and successes that are part of the faith experience.
When it comes to living with legendary faith, it's going to require more than just saying, "yes." Saying, "Yes," is important and it's necessary but on its own, it's insufficient. That's because legendary faith requires action, not just response.
God is calling on us to live our own heroic lives of faith filled with great adventure, incredible reward, and mighty triumphs. He’s writing a new faith story, and He’s urging you to step into it. He’s inviting us to live like legends!
Are you more concerned about what you can get from Jesus rather than actually being with Jesus? If so, then you might be missing the whole point of what it means to be changed.
What if we looked within our own lives and considered whether the attitudes and behaviors we despise exist within us? You see, if you want to see change in the world then you have to realize it starts with you!
If you ask people what they need to change, most people will respond with what they need to get. They'll say things like, "I need more of ______." Or, "If I could just get more of ____________." We've been trained to think about what they need few people would actually think about what they could give.
If you want to experience lasting, or significant, change in your life, it's going to require that you be TENACIOUS! To be tenacious is to be persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking the change that you actually desire.
A recent survey of 21,000 adults in 28 countries found that 72% of people surveyed said they want their lives to "change significantly." That same survey also found that 86% of those respondents said they want the world to "change significantly." So if that's the case, why are things still the same?
If our community is going to continue to grow and get better, than it's going to require one key component from each of us who calls Meta Church "home": SACRIFICE.
Every person wants to feel SEEN, HEARD, and UNDERSTOOD. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. We wall want to be KNOWN. This is why we all desire a community where we can belong.
Unity is the hallmark characteristic of citizens in God's Kingdom. In this message, Pastor Chaise Logan echoes Paul's message to the church at Philippi and urges us to pursue greater unity in the body.
What if there was a unifying language for God's people given to fulfill God's purposes? Something so distinct, yet so powerful, that the world couldn't help but take notice?
What happens when you've received from God and from His Holy Spirit? What are you supposed to do? Well, it's time to put it in action!
Since the first century church, there has been unnecessary confusion surrounding Spiritual Gifts. But the Apostle Paul sought to clear up the confusion in 1 Corinthians 12 and let us know that it's not complicated.
For more resources about Spiritual Gifts, visit https://meta.church/spiritual-gifts/
All throughout scripture, God has been working to get closer and closer to His people. He's demonstrated His love and revealed His heart by closing the gap that separates us from Him, and He's done so by sending His Son to die for us and His Spirit to dwell in us.
In this week's "Spirit Come" message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares different practices and disciplines you can follow if you want to continue abiding in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 says that if we walk in the Spirit, we won't commit the desires of the flesh. This means that if you walk in the Spirit, you can be free from the burdens and weight of sin. So why is it that so many Christians still struggle to live in freedom? Why do so many Christians find it difficult to walk in the Spirit?
Do you ever feel like your life is missing something? Like there could be–or should be–more to life than what you're experiencing, but you're not sure what it is or how to get it? What if we told you there is a way to find it?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the lives of believers? Is He active or inactive? Does it help or matter? And, ultimately, what does He change?
Have you ever asked or wondered who the Holy Spirit is? We tend to understand the personification of God the Father because we have a solid idea of what a father should be and what a father does. And we can grasp the personhood of God the Son because we see it embodied in the person of Jesus. But what about the person of the Holy Spirit??
Is it possible that we have forgotten one of the most important aspects of who God is??? Ask people about God, and they have beliefs, opinions, and understanding. Ask people about Jesus and they'll tell you He died on the cross to pay for our sins. But ask people about the Holy Spirit, and people will look at you confused or uncertain.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation you didn't expect to be in? A relationship (or lack of relationship)? A job or career? A city or a location? A stage of life? In those moments, we can't help but wonder what we are doing there and we become desperate to get out of it.
Why does suffering exist? What's the point of pain? If God is good, and He makes all things work together for good, then why does He allow bad things to happen? With things like cancer, illness, pandemics, natural disasters, violence and so much more – how do we reconcile there being a good God with the reality of suffering?
What happens when your dreams and longings to be a mom are completely dashed by tragic miscarriages, unexplained infertility diagnoses, and overwhelming sadness? How does someone deal with the paralyzing grief brought on by loss and pain?
In this unique conversation on Mother's Day at Meta Church, Pastor Ricky Ortiz sits down with MaryEsther Caldwell and Krista Ortiz to discuss what it looks like to keep one's faith in the midst of unthinkable loss and tragedy. These women share their journeys of infertility and miscarriages, while holding onto God despite the uncertainties and heartbreaks.
Have you ever upset or frustrated when someone else gets the blessing you’ve been praying for? If you've ever experienced that, then you've probably felt like shouting, "God, this isn't fair!" But in this message from Pastor Ricky Ortiz, he shares why we actually don't want things to be fair...and that's because GRACE is not fair.
There are times where we question and wonder if keeping our faith is worth it. Is the personal discipline is worth it? Is the toil it takes is worth it? Is the financial sacrifice worth it? Are the results worth it? Is the pursuit of God worth it?
Have you ever felt like God messed up? Like you did everything He asked you to do, but things just get worse? Almost as if you held your part, but God dropped the ball?
We often filter our thoughts, suppress our feelings, and pretend that everything is good. But that doesn't move us closer to God, nor does it allow us to build trust with God.
In recent years, there has been a rise of people who identify as non-religious. People have walked away from, or rejected, any form of faith. And many (former) Christians have left Jesus, the church, and Christianity altogether. But what if it didn't have to be that way? What if you walked away from something Jesus never initiated? Could it be that you ran away from something Jesus would have run away from, too? And could it be that you left something without even realizing that you could’ve kept the one thing that actually mattered?
What makes someone worthy of worship? In ancient days, kings were often heralded as divine incarnations of the gods, so they demanded and expected worship. Nowadays, most people wouldn't call themselves devout worshipers, but they still find something that appeals to their lives.
Trust is an interesting thing...it can take years to build, and just a moment to lose. So what happens when trust has been breached? How does one respond? And is it possible for someone, through their response, to demonstrate that they are worthy of being trusted?
If everything Jesus said about Himself is true – that He's the Son of God, Messiah, and King – then He is absolutely worthy of being followed.
In this final message from our DEVOTED series, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares examples from the life of Paul to guide us toward being fully committed to God at every stage of life and in every season of life, and poses the question: Do you want it?
"More" is not always better. We live in a culture that values obtaining and getting more in every area of life, even if (or when) it doesn't make sense. This belief often permeates our relationships and ends up sabotaging our most intimate relationships.
Do you ever wonder if it's possible to feel, or be, close to God? Or what it would take to have true intimacy with God? So many people live their lives knowing about God, hanging around people who follow God, and even choose to give their lives to God yet they never experience real intimacy with God.
This teaching was recorded as part of Meta Church's Vision Night on February 19th, 2023. In this talk, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares how you are probably just 2 or 3 decisions away from being on track to fulfilling God's vision for your life and he outlines 5 steps you can take to begin fulfilling the vision God has for you.
We want more than just knowledge of God and we crave more than just His awareness. Most of us are seeking something that goes beyond Sunday services and worship...What we long for is INTIMACY with God.
We all know the best stories are stories of transformation. It's the stories where a person changes from one thing to another. And in this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares 5 questions that lead to transformation.
What would your life look like if you lived with legendary faith? We read of the heroes of the faith such as Abraham, David, Moses, Paul, Peter, and others and often think that type of faith is impossible for us to have. But what if it wasn't?
As Christians, we're taught that our lives should revolve around God. That God should be the center of our orbit. He is supposed to be at the center of who we are, what we do, and why we do it. This is what it means to "worship" God. And in this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares three things every Christian ought to know about true worship.
Download the Prayer Checklist.
Within each of us is a desire to connect with the Divine and reach out to a Power higher and bigger than ourselves. That's because God has created us with default settings and one of those default settings is the desire to pray. Sadly, many of us have turned this setting off or we've allowed it to get crowded out by fear, worry, busyness, or pride.
Throughout the New Testament – and especially in the book of Acts – there is one thing above all else that seems to elevate the church and, in the process, completely overhaul the lives of those who engage it.
When we look back at 2022, we stand in awe of everything God did in and through our church! It's clear that God's hand was actively involved in restoring and reestablishing our church, which is why we're starting this new year by celebrating all that took place in the previous year.
But at the same time, we know that God isn't finished! Nor are we supposed to stay put. It’s time for us to write the next iteration of our church’s story! Meta 3.0 is about unlocking what’s next for our church and releasing it in our world.
Did you know you have the power to bring life or death with your words? With your words, and the things you say, you have the ability to build someone up or tear them down.
Nobody likes a stingy person. Fortunately, Jesus was the opposite of stingy. His life and His actions were marked by generosity. In every situation and interaction, He opted to believe, do, and give the most generous thing possible.
Have you ever felt incapable of living up to God's standards of righteousness? Or does it seem like it's impossible to measure up, even though you've been told that's exactly what a Christian should do?
Did you know you are unlike any other living thing in the whole of creation? You are so distinct and so unique, that nothing in the entire universe comes close to matching your level of design...and that's on purpose!
What you believe about God will dictate how you act and engage with God. So, who is God to you? What do you believe about Him? What thoughts and ideas fill your mind? Few questions (and answers) in life matter as much as the answers to these questions.
What if what God said about Himself is actually way different than the common perception people have of Him. For some people, it's easy to think of God as being angry or jealous or distant. And for others, they want a vengeful god who is just and wiping out anyone that does wrong. But the God of the Scriptures is so much more than that!
So many people believe God is always angry. Even more people grew up believing that if they did anything wrong, stepped out of line, or simply messed up – even if it was just once – that God would quickly strike them down in wrath.
But this perception or belief couldn't be any further from the truth! The reality is that God does get angry, but not for reasons you think. In fact, you actually want God to be angry because it reveals His great love. God said He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. This is who God is.
For many of us, the only love we have known has come with all sorts of qualifiers, conditions, and timelines.
And one of the challenges when it comes to knowing and fully embracing God’s love, is the seemingly fleeting and temporary nature of the love we often experience in this material world. With realities such as these, it’s no wonder why you might find it so difficult to believe that God’s love for you is fixed and unconditional.
Have you ever wondered: Will God really forgive me? What exactly does God forgive? Is there anything God doesn't forgive? Or does God's forgiveness have a limit? Then this message from Meta Church is one you absolutely don't want to miss!
Who is God? Many people have formed beliefs, ideas, and thoughts about without ever considering what God actually said about Himself. You see, God has a name. And when He shared His name with the world, He told us all exactly what that name means and who He is, as well as who He isn't.
God has given five gifts to the church – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher – to equip us for the work and ministry He has called us into. It's up to us live and walk in those gifts, and this week's message offer practical steps to help you do exactly that!
Do you ever dream of what could be? For you life? For your finances? For your future? Our dreams usually start with some form of "What if...?" As in, "What if this came true? What if this really happened?" We all have dreams and hopes for what could be, and at Meta Church we're no different. We dream and believe for every person to experience and encounter the transformative power of Jesus in their lives.
Fill out the Connection Card: https://forms.gle/wA33NtXBzhBGbRyj9
Chemistry can be a tricky thing to figure out and keep, but there is one thing that can help cultivate and accelerate the chemistry in a community faster than anything else. This one thing is essential if harmonic chemistry is what's desired in our church community.
If you've ever suffered a broken bone or if you've ever lost the function of one of your body parts, then you know how much of an impact that disability can have on your entire body. Each body part is not only necessary, but vital, in allowing your body to fulfill and accomplish all that it's supposed to.
In the same way, that's how it is with the church. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul used the analogy of the body to help Christians understand that each person is a part of the body, and each part plays a significant role.
And in Meta Church, this is no different. Each member of our community is a vital part of what God wants to do and how He wants to work in our church body. We need each member and we need each person to be actively engaged in our community. We need you!
We're living in a busy and hurried world. We're constantly on the go, moving from one thing to the next. On top of it all, most of us are either thinking about what could have been or where we will be next. But when we live this way, we miss out on the power of the present which has the power to radically transform people's lives!
Why does God allow evil to occur? Are we living in the end times? How do we deal with scriptural contradictions? These questions and more are what we're talking about on this week's "You Asked For It" message.
What are we to make of all of the cultural and social issues taking place? From women's rights and abortion, to racism and injustice, what does the Bible have to say about these things? And what should we say and do about them?
Who defines sexual immorality? What does the Bible say about living together before marriage? Does God approve of divorce?
We're kicking off our brand new series, YOU ASKED FOR IT, by answering questions like, "Can you lose your salvation?" "Does the Holy Spirit leave you?" How do you know if you have strong faith?" and many more!
Few things are as frustrating or disappointing as seeing someone squander or spoil their purpose. Your purpose is such a gift – a privilege, really – and it should be stewarded in that way.
Have you ever struggled to know what your purpose is? Does it feel like everyone else easily, or naturally, walks in their purpose while your purpose seems to elude you? Maybe you've even been frustrated by the fact that hardly anyone can tell you exactly how to find your purpose. All of this has made you wonder: "Is God playing some sort of cosmic game of hide and seek with my purpose?"
Have you ever considered who you need to be in order to fulfill your purpose? So much time, energy, thought, and resources are expended on finding one's purpose, but very little consideration is given to who a person needs to become in order to fulfill their purpose.
What am I here for? Is there more to life than this? What is the point of life? What is my purpose? Everyone has asked these questions and searched for the answers. We all want to believe there is more to this life and that who we are and what we do matters. There is something within our human existence that points to something greater.
We all know what it feels like to not want to lose something that we've worked so hard to obtain. The satisfaction of stepping into that moment, or experiencing that achievement, is so rich and so sweet that we don't want it to be lost.
Learning something new about yourself is always surprising. But have you ever been surprised by something negative within you that you weren't previously aware was there?
Stepping into God's promises doesn't come easy. If you want to take hold of the promises of God for your life, then you're going to need some resilience and perseverance to fight the battles that will inevitably come before you. In fact, in some cases, you'll have to even chase down the enemy that's seeking to rob you of the things of God in your life.
What would it take for the church to be the type of place where people felt secure and safe to share their questions, struggles, or troubles? What if the church – our church, Meta Church – was actually the type of place people wanted to come to in times of uncertainty? What would it take for that to be possible?
We've all been privy to certain performances that have been so compelling, so moving, and so awe-inspiring that it's caused us to respond with applause and enthusiasm. This is where we find ourselves in today's message from Joshua Chapter 6.
- Complete the FIRST & BEST Inventory here: https://forms.gle/A9s77TBxg4LS5g6L8
If the only difference between experiencing 60% of something good versus 100% of that thing was your level of self-preparation, would you prepare yourself? This is often the difference between seeing or hearing about the promises of God versus experiencing them for yourself.
In every new season and every new venture, it's important that you know what you're getting yourself into before you get yourself into it. There are things you must account for and things you must consider if you want to ensure you will have success in this new territory.
If God is calling us into a new season that's filled with potential and excitement, then why do we feel afraid and uncertain? And if it's God's promise to us, then why do we experience trouble or difficulty obtaining it? Shouldn't it come easily and without problems? These questions (and more) are the questions we often find ourselves asking as we prepare to step into the things God has for us.
Normal is such an easy thing to accept in our lives. Most of us would prefer to settle for normal and even be accepted as normal. But normal is not who we're called to be as followers of Jesus nor is it what we're supposed to return to. Jesus has called us and invited us into so much more.
Welcome to Easter Sunday at Meta Church! Today we're celebrating the resurrection with a message about something we all long for, yet struggle to find: HEALING! Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares a message this Easter about the healing and resurrection Jesus has offered to us all.
The Palm Sunday is a story filled with expectation! People were hopeful and excited that Jesus had arrived to claim His crown and role as King. But just a few days later, when those expectations weren't met, they became disappointed and eager to have Jesus crucified for His perceived letdown.
Have you ever felt unprepared? Like wholly unprepared? Maybe you've felt that way in work or school; or maybe you've felt unprepared in a much more serious life situation where you felt like you had no idea how to navigate the situation before you. Feeling unprepared can create both fear and paralyzation.
Jesus knew this, which is why He chose to prepare His disciples for what was about to happen during the lead up to the cross. He didn't want them to feel forgotten or ill-equipped, and He didn't want them to be left on their own to figure out.
What if the Easter story was meant to be more than a once-a-year occurrence in our lives? What if the events leading up to Easter weren’t meant to remain isolated to that period of time, but rather serve as metaphors for how we engage the Easter message in our everyday lives? What if the lead up to Easter is actually a blueprint for how faith is lived out in your life?
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT META CHURCH:
- Find us online at https://meta.church
- On Instagram at https://instagram.com/metanyc
- On Facebook at https://facebook.com/metanyc
We wrap up our Kingdom Come series with a final exhortation to live out Jesus' Kingdom principles in this world. Prior to His death, Jesus said He would give us the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, meaning it's up to us to access it and unlock it in our world.
Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, there was one thing He told His followers they would need if they were going to live out His Kingdom principles. In fact, He even went as far as to instruct them not to leave until they had received this one thing… What was it that they needed? It was the Holy Spirit! According to Jesus, His followers needed the Holy Spirit if they were going to live out and fulfill His Kingdom purposes.
So the question then becomes: If what Jesus said is true, then why is it that so many Christians live their lives apart from the Holy Spirit? We know about Him, we’ve learned about Him, but many of us struggle to faithfully walk with Him and be completely led by Him. In this week’s Kingdom Come message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares two reasons he believes we fail to walk in the Spirit and what we can do to change that.
Take a free Spiritual Gifts Test: https://spiritualgiftstest.com/embed-2/church-id/234A28/
Types of Spiritual Gifts: https://bit.ly/3IaDTAc
Ways to Activate the Holy Spirit: https://bit.ly/3CO5O81
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT META CHURCH:
- Find us online at https://meta.church
- On Instagram at https://instagram.com/metanyc
- On Facebook at https://facebook.com/metanyc
Our Heavenly Father is proud of His children when they live and abide by His Kingdom principles. The challenge is that His Kingdom principles are often paradoxical in nature. On the surface, they seem contradictory, but when exercised we see that they lead to His Kingdom growing and advancing just as He intends.
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
On Instagram: https://instagram.com/metanyc
On Facebook: https://facebook.com/metanyc
Email: hello@metachurch.cc
Web: https://meta.church
"I would rather be led by God and live a life that isn't always going to be easy, but as long as stay close to God and His Kingdom, I have the best opportunity for living a successful life and reaching my full potential." – Dave Thompson
In this conversation, Pastor Ricky Ortiz interviews Dave Thompson, a husband, father, business-owner, and entrepreneur, about what it means to seek after the Kingdom of God. Dave shares part of his testimony of coming to Christ, learning about God's Kingdom, and making decisions in his life, career, and business to orient all that he does around this Kingdom.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that God doesn't simply seek to use "professional" ministers in His Kingdom, but He's inviting all of us to find this hidden treasure and pursue the pearl of great price because in the end, it will all be worth it!
Whenever Jesus repeats Himself, and uses words like "Again" or "truly, truly" we ought to pay attention.
There's a reason Jesus is saying the same thing over again and there's something that He wants us to know. And as He talked about our role in His Kingdom – how we pursue it and what we give up in search of it – He wanted us to know one major thing: IT IS WORTH IT!
Jesus' invitation into the Kingdom of God is an "all in" type of proposition. Though this Kingdom is good, it requires that we give our all. And for some, giving their all to something they can't see fully yet feels a bit uncertain.
Fortunately, Jesus doesn't expect us to go into this blind. He's revealed some Kingdom distinctives so we don't walk into this "sight unseen."
Find us online at https://meta.church
On Instagram at https://instagram.com/metanyc
On Facebook at https://facebook.com/metanyc
In this week's message of our Kingdom Come series, Pastor Ricky Ortiz outlines why Jesus – and Jesus alone – is King in this Kingdom and what it means for us to follow Him with ALL that we are.
Find us online at https://meta.church
On Instagram at https://instagram.com/metanyc
On Facebook at https://facebook.com/metanyc
Did you know Jesus is on the record talking about the Kingdom of God over 125x in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Clearly the Kingdom mattered to Him, which means it ought to matter to us! In this new series, Kingdom Come, we’re going to discover what Jesus meant by “the Kingdom”, what it looks like in our daily lives, and what changes when we throw our lives into the Kingdom of God. So don’t miss this weekend as we begin this new preaching series that has world-changing implications!
What if there was a formula to experiencing spiritual breakthrough? A way – outlined by Jesus – that you could follow that would guarantee breakthrough in your life...Would you follow it? This week's message from Meta Church reveals that very thing!
This week's "Breakthrough" focuses on a practice we can all apply to find and experience spiritual breakthrough in our lives. In this message from Freedom Church Pastor, Rose Snowzell, she outlines a daily practice that has changed how she connects with God and how she goes about her day. And the good news is this something you can do, too!
In this week's message from Meta Church, Dave shares a prayer that led to spiritual breakthrough in his life as well as for his family and he invites us to pray this way, too.
The end of one year and the start of a new year are important times in our lives. We often put lots of thought, effort, energy, and attention into the start of a year with hopes of making this new year better than the last one. In this message from Pastor Ricky Ortiz, he shares 3 areas of focus that will help strengthen our faith year round.
We close out the year at Meta Church with a look at the origins of the Christmas story to see 3 distinct reminders of how God has been faithful in all things!
Throughout the Old Testament, God goes on the record to make some big and bold declarations about the coming of a Messiah. He made some audacious promises that were to fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ. And when Jesus was born, it proved God's faithfulness can be trusted with the biggest areas of our lives.
Just as He was faithful in the Christmas story, we can be sure that God will be faithful with our most important desires, dreams, and longings.
Have you ever noticed how faithful God was in the Christmas story? In every single detail and in every single moment, God knew exactly what was needed and to what end. He didn't miss a single beat and not one little thing was lost on Him.
The beauty is that His faithfulness in the little things some 2,000 years ago is what we can count on today. Just as He was faithful then, He is faithful now.
Gratitude is not gratitude unless it is outwardly expressed and communicated. And in the same way, you cannot be a grateful person if you are not expressing your gratitude to God and to others.
In this final installment of our GRATEFUL series, Pastor Krista Ortiz shares 3 ways you express your gratitude to God and live a life of gratefulness.
Do you know the key to activate and engage gratitude in your life? It's through the practice of Appreciation. Appreciation is the key to engaging the emotion of gratitude and helping you see the significance and worth of what you have and where you are.
Did you know that followers of God are instructed to be grateful, or give thanks, over 150 times in the Bible?! In fact, gratitude is not just something we're supposed to do, but it's something that transforms our lives when we live it out.
Is it possible to stand firm in your faith for decades? And if so, what does it take to stand firm when you go through trials and difficulties?
In this interview with Meta Member, Wanda Staggers, she shares her faith journey of standing firm in her faith despite facing financial troubles, experiencing a divorce, and having to raise 4 children as a single mom with multiple jobs.
Our whole "Stand Firm" series has focused on the different ways and areas where you can stand firm in your life, but all of this is dependent upon you standing firm in your faith.
It's easy to lose sight of your faith when you're in the midst of difficulties and trials, but these two things shared in this week's message are what you must always remember.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
When it comes to singleness, dating, and relationships, there is so much pressure and tension to date, "find the one," and have things all figured out. That's why this message for singles isn't about how to find the one, nor is it about simply accepting your singleness, but instead about helping you stand firm in who God has called you to be no matter your relationship status!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Have you ever found yourself in a season of life when it seemed like the easiest thing to do, maybe even the best thing to do, was quit or give up? Sometimes life has a cruel way of beating you down, overwhelming you, and bringing you to a point where you don't know how you could ever move forward...you desperately plea for God to intervene, but it doesn't seem like help or relief is on the way.
In this week's message from Pastor Ricky Ortiz, we'll discover two steps we can take to continue standing firm, even when the circumstances in our lives are pressing in on us.
Jesus instructed us to stand firm in our calling, but have you ever wondered what your "calling in life" actually is? Does it feel like other people know their purpose while your left scratching your head trying to figure things out? As a follower of Jesus, these things matter, but if you don't know your calling you won't be able to stand firm in it.
In this week's message from Meta Church, Pastor Ricky Ortiz walks us through the process to discovering your calling in life and knowing how to stand firm in against all opposition.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Many of us do our best to follow Jesus and live like Him in our world. But there's one area of God's nature that we don't always consider, yet if we lived like God in this area we'd be able to stand firm against whatever comes our way.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
We all want to feel strong and immovable in our lives and in our faith. But in certain seasons, we find ourselves being swayed – and even overcome – by our circumstances and our emotions. This isn't where we want to be, nor is it who we are supposed to be. In fact, we're called to "stand firm" in the midst of difficulty, uncertainty, and attack.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
So much of life is learning to navigate disappointment; but how do you handle disappointment when it's experienced and found in the person who is supposed to be your hope: Jesus?
This is the challenge and experience Pastor Krista Ortiz navigates in this week's message as she shares what she's been learning in her relationship with Jesus.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
When your future is unclear or uncertain, it's easy to feel discouraged or disheartened and feel like God is absent. And when you feel like God is absent, it's easy to forget all of the important things He's done, said, and revealed in your life.
That's why we're instructed throughout all of Scripture to "remember" – we're told to remember all that God has done in the past, who He's called us to be, and He reminds us that He's not forgotten about us.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Your relationship with Jesus was never meant to be stagnant or idle. In fact, it's supposed to be exact opposite! Through the Holy Spirit in you, God wants to continue to lead you, shape you, and help you grow into the person and child of God He envisioned from the beginning.
In this vulnerable and candid, 3-week series, Pastors Ricky and Krista will offer some of the things they've been learning in their relationship with God recently as a means of encouraging and inspiring you to reflect on what you're hearing and learning from God as well.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Despite the difficulties and challenges we've faced, God is calling each of us into something greater and more...radical! But He's not just calling us into something radical, He has actually called us to be a "radical church"!
In this message from Freedom Church's Pastor Chris Cooke, he shares with us 5 pursuits of a radical church.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
There comes a time when each person must decide what they will turn from and what they will turn to. These steps aren't always easy, but they're absolutely essential to experience the abundance and fruitfulness of God in our lives.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Why does following the way of Jesus actually matter? What difference does it make? And why is it so vital for Christians to live and be like Christ? The answer to those questions is what we'll be learning about in this week's message from Meta Church!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
In the days following Jesus' life, the first followers of Jesus lived lives that were so remarkably different than the cultural norm that the way of Jesus became irresistible. So what made this way so different? Why did it stand out? And what can we learn from them?
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
In this week's message from Meta Church, Ricky Ortiz talks about the necessity of "obedience" in following the way of Jesus. Jesus gave instructions in Matt. 28:20 that His disciples are to be obedient to what He says and if we desire to become like Christ then it's important we listen to what He says.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
We live in a world where it's so easy to focus on our selves... We become, and even celebrate, being self-serving, self-preserving, and self-seeking.
But when it comes to following the way of Jesus, none of those aspects of "self" were things Jesus did nor were they things He said we should aspire toward. Instead, Jesus made it clear that it shouldn't be ourselves, but rather how we love, serve, and care for others. In Jesus' words, "It's not about me."
We live in a world full of distractions, messages, and hurriedness – all working together to keep us from following the way of Jesus and becoming more like Him. So how do we combat the busyness and the noise?
Today's message from Meta Church answers that question precisely and introduces us to a practice we can apply to become more like Christ.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Every relationship succeeds or falls apart based on the parameters that define the relationship. In order for the relationship to succeed, both parties have to mutually agree and commit to those expectations.
And the same is true for any type of Community. When people become part of a community, they are committing to a set of values and ideals that are shared by the group as a whole. And in a church community, it's this shared commitment that has the potential to produce significant life transformation and help us all become more like Christ!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Few things are more disappointing or shameful than finding out someone or something is a fake. But if we're not careful as Christians, our worship can become as insincere or fake as anything else. We might sing songs or raise our voices in prayer, but if there is not substance in worship then we are simply pretending to be something more than we actually are.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Why is it that when we mess up, make a mistake, or do something wrong our default reaction is to conceal or hide it? We think that by covering it up, we'll be able to get past it. But the truth is that it only creates greater trouble.
Fortunately, God has a better way for us. A way that leads to restoration. A way that leads to freedom. And a way that leads us forward through a gateway of hope!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Did you know there is a way to check your status with God? That's right! In the Christian life, the strength of this one core spiritual discipline will reveal how close - or distant - your relationship with God actually is.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Do you remember those WWJD bracelets? "What would Jesus do?" They were cute and charming for a little while, but they didn't really make sense. Because of the Scriptures, we don't have to ask what Jesus would do, instead we can look at His life and see what He did!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Through the Holy Spirit, God has given us the tools we need to be equipped and empowered to follow the way of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers through a multitude of means so that we can live like Christ and become like Him in all ways.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
When Jesus left, He said there was something better coming to help us follow the way of Jesus. With this, it's becomes possible to follow the way of Jesus fully; but without it, it cannot be done.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Your identity is an integral part of who you are, woven into the very fabric of your being. It informs your view of yourself, dictates what you do, and even defines who you are. Sometimes this can be a good thing, other times it can have devastating consequences.
That's why God actually offers a BETTER identity. One that is solid, immovable, and significantly more secure than the identities we've carried with us our entire lives. This new identity is found in the person of Jesus Christ, and when you learn to walk fully in it, it radically transforms who you are, who you become, and what you do!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
The early followers of Jesus were simply known as "those who followed the way." But it was this "way" that would go on to change and transform the world we live in.
In this new series from Meta Church – The Way of Jesus – Pastors Ricky and Krista Ortiz lead us back to our roots of understanding who we are in Christ, what it means to become like Christ, and how we can live our lives like Christ in the world around us.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
God has more for you than what you hope for. Your hope is not just about what you receive, but the transformation God wants to produce in you!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
How can you hope when the provision hasn't come through? How can you hope when your loved one isn't getting better? How do you keep hoping when you're single and feel all alone? How is it possible to continue in hope when everyone else's prayers are answered and you feel like you've been overlooked or passed over?
In Part 2 of our HOPE series, Pastor Ricky Ortiz reveals some key insights to knowing how to hope even when all hope seems lost.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Hope is something we're all looking for, but we often struggle to have. Why is it that we're promised hope in Jesus, but we still manage to lose it? Join us for this new series on HOPE from Meta Church!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Happy Easter Sunday! We're celebrating the resurrection of Jesus with a new message from Pastor Ricky Ortiz. The Easter story is packed with emotions like uncertainty, doubt, grief, and even despair. But Jesus' resurrection reminds us that a new day has dawned and hope is here!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Whoever you are and wherever you are – you have been positioned there at this very moment with a God-given purpose! God is calling on you to re-engage with Him so that you can step into the fullness of all that He has for you!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Each of us has been placed and positioned where you are by God for a reason, but so long as you're concerned about the past or the future you will miss out on the power of the present.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
If we're ever going to advance the Kingdom of God the way God intends for us, then we're going to have to "step into the flows" He's designated that will cultivate tenacity within us and empower us to move things forward.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
The Christian faith ought to be marked by movement, progress, and possibility. In a lot of ways, it should look like a stream that's advancing and moving forward, not a lake that sits idle.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
If you had access to a tool that could change for you life for the better, would you use it? In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares a transformative tool you can use to alter the course of your life and legacy.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
When we talk about "holding nothing back" as a church, it's because we recognize that this is exactly what God has done for us. He's given us His first and best, so it only makes sense that we do the same.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
If you're hesitant to head into 2021 because of all that went wrong in 2020, then this message from Meta Church is for you!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
The moment you gave your life to Jesus, God bestowed upon you incredible purpose and potential! In fact, He desired to take you from an empty life to one that full with eternal purpose, but there are some things within each of us that can keep us from experiencing that purpose and fulfilling our potential if we're not willing to crush them.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
As the church grows and adjusts to external circumstances, it becomes easier for us to lose sight of what we're actually about. But from the beginning, Meta Church has always been about our mission which is, "To help every person experience the transformative power of Jesus!"
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
You always have a choice to decide who you will be and what type of love you will show. But here's the thing: who you decide to be and how you decide to love has life-altering potential and impact and you won't know who it impacts until you act!
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Love often requires us to do something out of the ordinary or unconventional. It may seem odd or feel foreign, but love knows no bounds. And here's the thing when we choose to love others the way Jesus has loved us: It must always be visible and it must always accurately display who God is.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Many of us have struggled to accurately assess our personal journeys and identify the good that has taken place in our lives this year. It's been a confusing year to say the least... On the one hand, we see some positives, but on the other it feels like something negative is growing up alongside the good, threatening to choke it out. It's like we've been yoyo-ing back and forth between the good and the bad, not able to see what God is doing.
In this bonus message on the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (originally preached for The Journey Church in Queens, NY), Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares an inspiring and timely word about the work God is doing in your life and why it's important to "Let It Grow."
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
During Jesus' final night on earth, He spent His last conversation with His friends talking about what mattered most to Him. Jesus wanted each of His followers to know what was most important so they could live it out long after Jesus was gone.
Connect with Meta Church online, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
To donate to Meta Church click here.
Do you find yourself struggling to make sense of this year, or your life? If "hindsight is 20/20" how come we still can't figure out what's going? Maybe that's because we're not always meant to look behind us, but actually to what's ahead of us.
To learn more about Meta Church, you can find us online, follow us on Instagram, or connect with us on Facebook.
In our lives, it's so easy to get distracted or sidetracked by current events, circumstances, or our own personal interests. But as we learn to follow Jesus, it's so important that we make the decision to walk in agreement with God so that we can experience His best for our lives.
To learn more about Meta Church, you can find us online, follow us on Instagram, or connect with us on Facebook.
On this episode of Let's Talk Racism, Pastor Ricky Ortiz is joined again by Talib Hudson, a PhD student and community-based Educator and Activist, to discuss the role of Christian faith in policy. The discussion focuses on the role public policy plays in the lives of people all across the United States, and the importance of Christians taking an active role in affecting public policy.
Talib's studies and work have put him on the ground working for public health and justice initiatives from grass roots organizations to the Manhattan District Attorney's office to national organizations for public advocacy. He is currently a PhD student at The New School focusing on Public and Urban Policy.
On this episode of Let's Talk Racism, Pastor Ricky Ortiz sits with native New Yorker, Talib Hudson, a PhD student and community-based Educator and Activist. In this conversation, we discuss the consequences of racial injustice for personal faith, the policies of Jesus, and personal responsibility to affect change.
Talib's studies and work have put him on the ground working for public health and justice initiatives from grass roots organizations to the Manhattan District Attorney's office to national organizations for public advocacy. He is currently a PhD student at The New School focusing on Public and Urban Policy.
Click here read the paper referenced about African American Inequality written by Harvard Business School.
Patience is something many of us struggle with (and often give up on), but what we don't always realize is that patience is the key to unlocking God's promises of faith in our lives.
This week's message comes from Pastor Gary Snowzell, who challenges us to lean in with patience and persevere through trials in order to experience the full blessings of God's promises.
To learn more about Meta Church, you can find us online, follow us on Instagram, or connect with us on Facebook.
When you gave your life to Jesus, what did you think you were signing up for? And what do you do when what you expected is not what you experience?
In his latest message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz speaks about how to persevere with commitment and tenacity even when life doesn't go as planned.
To learn more about Meta Church, you can find us online, follow us on Instagram, or connect with us on Facebook.
Compelled by incomplete and bias presentations of Black People and Black Culture, Documentarians Teanna & Peter Okojie set out to capture and tell stories of the Black Community that you don't hear or see. Tee grew up in San Diego, CA while Peter was born and raised in Nigeria, but their work has led them to travel the world to share Black stories more accurately. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of telling Black stories accurately through film, photography, and other media and the role storytelling plays in affecting positive change.
Additional Resources:
Watch: More of Peter's films and stories.
Read: Article by Teanna Okojie on Ethical Photography & Storytelling
Shop: For Clothing, Home Accessories, and Art click here.
Connect: With Teanna on Instagram, with Peter on Instagram
What does it take to change the world? The potential we have when we come together can literally shake up the earth and bring about something new from God.
Join us for a message from Pastor Perry Noble of Second Chance Church.
To learn more about Meta Church, you can find us online, follow us on Instagram, or connect with us on Facebook.
Compelled by incomplete and bias presentations of Black People and Black Culture, Documentarians Teanna & Peter Okojie set out to capture and tell stories of the Black Community that you don't hear or see. Tee grew up in San Diego, CA while Peter was born and raised in Nigeria, but their work has led them to travel the world to share Black stories more accurately. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of telling Black stories accurately through film, photography, and other media and the role storytelling plays in affecting positive change.
Additional Resources:
Read: Article by Teanna Okojie on Ethical Photography & Storytelling
Shop: For Clothing, Home Accessories, and Art click here.
Connect: With Teanna on Instagram, with Peter on Instagram
What do you do when you feel like there's been a delay in God's response to you? Or worse, when you feel you've been ignored or forgotten? This week's message is all about how Jesus responds and brings us out of despair.
We’re joined by our friend, Chaise Logan, who will be sharing a message about where Jesus is and how He responds in the midst of our pain.
To learn more about Meta Church, you can find us online, follow us on Instagram, or connect with us on Facebook.
Today's conversation features Robby Valderrama, Founder of the Praise Hands Podcast, to discuss Systemic Injustice and Racism in Society and the Christian Church.
Robby's intentional, cross-cultural work has put him in contact with faith leaders across various orthodoxies and denominations and from every walk of life to discuss ways Christians can affect positive change in the church and in society.
In this conversation, we look at ways the Church has contributed to systemic oppression and injustice, and what we can do today to create new systems of equality for people of color.
Robby recently wrote a paper titled, "A History of Race and Policing in America," which we highly recommend. In addition, you can learn more about Praise Hands and support their cause by clicking here or following along on social media.
Pastor Josh Snowzell from Freedom Church in Raleigh, NC, speaks about whether we choose to fight or flee in times of uncertainty and crisis.
Recent events in the US have reminded us of the deep work of reconciliation that remains and the gap that’s yet to be bridged. It is abundantly clear that we must all take responsibility to be part of the solution. We can no longer remain silent or absent.
These conversations are our attempt to offer insight, provoke personal change, and share hope for how we can all move forward.
These conversations are not perfect. They’re raw, they’re unedited, and they’re unfiltered. But we believe having conversations like this is part of our responsibility to create a better and more hope-filled future complete with justice and equality for people of color.
Take your time to listen to each episode, process what you hear, and work for the greater good. And wherever it’s appropriate, please share these conversations so others can do the same.
Though we struggle and face challenges, there is a crown to be obtained if we can run the race God has called us to. Our course may have changed, but our race has not ended.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Have you ever asked God “Why?” but felt like God didn’t respond? We all wonder why we had to go through something or what the purpose of it is, but the truth is we don’t always get answers to those questions. Today’s message is a conversation about what to do when we ask “Why?” but God doesn’t seem to answer.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Pastor Dave Thomas from Freedom Church UK shares a word that will help you discover what it’s going to take to advance forward from this season and into the life God has called you to live.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
In times like these, we all find ourselves longing for the way things once were. We wish we could do what we once did and go where we once went. We keep looking back, wishing for the way things used to be. But the truth is when things like this happen, we’re not meant to look back – much less “go back” – to the way things used to be. In fact, the more we find ourselves looking back to the life we once had, the more likely we are to miss the life we could have. We’re meant to look forward and to forge ahead, as difficult as it might be. We can grieve what we’ve left behind, but we mustn’t go back to it!
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Nothing makes us feel as vulnerable or helpless as being in need of healing in our lives. There's nothing we can do to make things better or fix our problems on our own, but God desires to speak healing over each of our lives.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
All of us have dreams, aspirations, and longings that are lying dormant within us. But here’s the thing about your dreams and aspirations: they are NOT supposed to remain dormant! God wants to awaken you to the dreams and visions He has for you.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Immediately after Jesus died, His disciples went into hiding and spent the following 50 days in quarantine and locked down. They were afraid for their lives and fearful of the unknown and uncertainties that existed. But there in quarantine, the Holy Spirit would show up and lead them out braver than ever before and the world was never the same!
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
The story of Easter is one of life, hope, and awakening! The resurrection of Jesus is a reminder that God wants to awaken His people to purpose, calling, and destiny.
To help those directly impacted by COVID-19, you can donate by texting META to 77977 or visiting https://meta.church/give and selecting “COVID-19 Relief” from the dropdown menu.
To learn more about Meta Church, connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
It's Palm Sunday, and we're celebrating by reflecting on Jesus' message of hope for our lives. With everything turned upside down, and many of our hopes dashed, Jesus offered a way that we can maintain hope even when things haven't worked out the way we wanted.
To help those directly impacted by COVID-19, you can donate by texting META to 77977 or visiting https://meta.church/give and selecting “COVID-19 Relief” from the dropdown menu.
During a time when everything has changed and our worlds have been flipped upside-down, we all find ourselves asking the same question: "Is it possible to experience REAL peace in times like these?"
Fortunately, Jesus shared 2 keys that are essential to discovering and experiencing real peace in our lives.
To help those directly impacted by COVID-19, you can donate by texting META to 77977 or visiting https://meta.church/give and selecting “COVID-19 Relief” from the dropdown menu.
What do you do when everything in life changes? COVID-19 has brought on unprecedented waves of change, and we must learn to either ride those waves or be overcome by them.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
With all of the news surrounding COVID-19 / Coronavirus, it's easy to feel afraid or confused about how Christians ought to respond in times like this.
Fortunately, God speaks into these types of situations and offers wisdom and insight in how we can live our lives free from fear. In this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares 4 things we must remember in times of uncertainty to help us overcome fear and live in peace and freedom.
**This message is about Christian individuals spiritual response to fear and NOT a commentary on public health orders or procedures. For specific information regarding how to protect yourself and the lives of others around you, please refer to your local, state, and federal civic leaders and health professionals.
The goal of being with Jesus isn't about what He can do for you, but about what Jesus wants to do with you. He wants to transform you, and when you stick with Him, you will experience the best He has to offer.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
When your health starts to fail and it feels like the bottom is dropping out, what do you need to remember and what does Jesus want you to know?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Life has a way of overwhelming us and beating us down – be it financial, relationship, career, dreams, or even faith – we get stressed to the point of breaking and we don't know where to turn.
But what if God is the One doing the breaking? God has a way of allowing the circumstances of life the break us down, so that He can build us into something that blesses the multitudes.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
What if you found out that what you've been looking for can't be found where you've been searching? At the same time, what if everything you've been searching for was only meant to be found in Jesus?
In this message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz talks about how we can often misplace our attention and affection on something other than Jesus, but when we look to Jesus instead we'll find everything we're looking for.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Nobody likes the feeling of wasting time, yet all of us have found ourselves frustrated in relationships, career situations, and even in our faith because we feel like we've done everything we're supposed to do, yet nothing has changed.
Sometimes Jesus asks us to do something we've already done, but if we're willing to do what He says we could be right on the brink of the breakthrough and the blessing we're looking for.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Have you ever felt alone? Like REALLY alone? Our guess is that you don't like that feeling. The good news is that Jesus promised He would ALWAYS be with you. The question is: Are you with Him?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Prayer was never intended to be a passive way of connecting with God, but rather an authoritative means of seeking God's promises and provision in our lives. But in order to see the breakthrough, we have to commit to 4 keys in prayer.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
God has greater things in store for each and everyone of us this new year, but in order to see 2020 clearly we might need our vision adjusted with perspective and direction.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
In this week's message at Meta Church, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares a vulnerable and heartfelt message following the passing of his father. #IWill is about making a commitment to go from being "I wish" people to "I will" people and watching God transform our lives and the world around us when we do.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
To give to the Make Room Offering visit https://meta.church/give or text META to 77977 (U.S. only).
There comes a moment when it's time to sacrifice in order to make room. You have to let go of one thing, in order to obtain, see, or experience another thing. Fortunately, when God invites us to "make room," it's always like a game of "Bigger & Better" where what we offer pales in comparison to what God returns to us.
"Make Room" is our theme for this year's Christmas Offering at Meta Church. We believe God has incredible blessings in store for our church and our people in 2020 and beyond, so we're taking steps as a community to step out in faith and give financially to support all that God wants to do.
"Make Room" is our theme for this year's Christmas Offering at Meta Church. We believe God has incredible blessings in store for our church and our people in 2020 and beyond, so we're taking steps as a community to step out in faith and give financially to support all that God wants to do.
In week 2 of "Make Room", Pastor Krista Ortiz details the process of preparing for more. God always wants to deliver and provide more than enough, but we have to prepare ourselves to receive what He's ready to give.
To give to the "Make Room" offering, visit https://meta.church/give and select Christmas Offering from the dropdown menu.
"Make Room" is our theme for this year's Christmas Offering at Meta Church. We believe God has incredible blessings in store for our church and our people in 2020 and beyond, so we're taking steps as a community to step out in faith and give financially to support all that God wants to do.
In the first message of our "Make Room" series, Pastor Ricky Ortiz lays out the journey God has had us on as a church and he casts the vision for where we believe God is taking us in the New Year.
To give to the "Make Room" offering, visit https://meta.church/give and select Christmas Offering from the dropdown menu.
With all good things, there always seems to be a "catch". And the "catch" when it comes to hearing God's voice is that if we don't respond to it, we won't ever experience all that He's promised.
In the final message of our "Voices" series, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares with it's so crucial that we respond to and act on God's voice in our lives.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
What if there are practical ways to tap into hearing God's voice and we've been missing them all along? There are channels we can utilize to tune into God's frequency, so when He asks, "Can you hear me now?" We can respond with a resounding, "Yes!"
In this message, Pastors Ricky & Krista co-teach the channels we can leverage to better hear God's voice in our lives and respond.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
When we look for God's voice, we tend to search in the miraculous, the mighty, or the profound. But God desires something greater - He's more interested in revealing how close He is, not just who He is.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
How do you know the voice you are hearing is the voice of God? Is there a way to distinguish God's voice from the voice of shame, the voice of doubt, or the voice of fear?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
How can a good God allow things like cancer, illness, and mental health problems to exist? Why doesn't He see our struggle and do something about it? It just doesn't add up...
In the final message of our series, "Do You See Us Down Here?" we're tackling these questions and trying to figure out what God sees and how He can still be good in the midst of pain and suffering.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
In a world full of anger, violence, and injustice what are we to do? How do we navigate these times and what can we do differently? What if God has already given us the tools we need to build something different? Something better?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Why does it seem like everyone else's life and plans work out in their favor? What is God doing when our dreams and plans aren't coming to fruition?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Racism. Hatred. Discrimination.
It seems like this is becoming more and more prevalent not only in the world, but in the church. So what do we do about it? How do we respond? And how do we bring about change?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Few things make us feel as empty or as alone as a lack of significant, or meaningful, relationships in our lives. We all long for connection, community, and love - but when those things are missing from our lives we feel like something must be wrong with us. This is especially true when it seems everyone else around us has thriving relationships. It doesn't make sense that we long for something that seems impossible to attain. And all of this makes us wonder, "Does God really see me down here?"
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Have the circumstances of life ever made you wonder what God was doing? Have you felt like God has forgotten about you, or ignored what you're going through?
To connect with Meta Church, visit us online at https://meta.church or connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.
So many of us hold onto beliefs, ideas, or false notions about who God is and what He does based on things we've heard, picked up along the way, or maybe even assumed.
But what if what we've believed about God up to this point is slightly off? What if what we've believed is wrong? What if God actually wants us to know who He says He is, not who others say He is?
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online or find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Throughout history, God has always moved in response to, and on behalf of, His people when they bring their best to Him. When we bring God our best in every area of our lives, He takes it and multiplies it so it impacts the lives of countless others.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
There are times in our lives and faith where we feel like imposters. We feel like if God knew the "real" us, He wouldn't want anything to do with us. Instead, it's in those moments when God is drawing us closer to Him.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
The enemy is at work against us, using words, phrases, and statements to believe we are less than who God actually says we are. In this message, Caroline shares her journey of learning to discover who God has called her to be and how she can live into that.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Challenges in life leave us feeling worn down, exhausted and hopeless. But through the challenges he's faced, Stephen shares how he's learned to see challenges as an asset and the gateway to experiencing God in his life.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
It's easy to grow up believing one thing about God, only to discover later in life that who God actually is is vastly different. In this message, Andrea shares her journey of learning to accept and understand God's love in her life and the difference it's made.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
"Stories" is a series featuring individuals from Meta Church sharing their stories of how God as it work in their lives and the lessons He's teaching us in and through our stories.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. You can also connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
It is true that Jesus promised we could become unshakeable...but there is a catch. To become unshakeable is to embrace the key that it hinges upon. These are Jesus' terms and conditions...
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Is it possible for you to experience incredible difficulty or tragedy, yet walk through it all with peace? Could you imagine enduring the most trying of circumstances, yet come out unscathed? And if so, what does that even look like?
In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz builds on the words of Jesus – who promised we could be at peace – to show us what this peace looks like in the midst of life's greatest trials.
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Jesus assured us that if we stick with Him, He would deliver on every promise and every word. He will not fail us. But He did promise to floor us with His faithfulness and provision.
Connect with us online. Or find us on Instagram or Facebook.
To be unshakeable does not mean you don't fall, it means you get back up. Jesus promised you can have unshakeable faith even when life is overwhelmingly difficult.
To connect with Meta Church, visit us online. Or find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Engaging your vicinity is no easy task. It can feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar. But when you engage in your vicinity, and step into the middle (the space between you and them), you'll find yourself in the middle of dynamic change.
For more information and resources from Meta Church, visit us online at meta.church. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
We all desire to be seen, heard, and understood. We all – no matter who you are – know what it's like to feel overlooked or go unnoticed. But it's not just us, it's the people within our vicinities. Everyday, we have the opportunity to see those who feel unseen. It's why Jesus invites you to see for yourself...
For more information and resources from Meta Church, visit us online at meta.church. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
When you moved into your neighborhood, something came with you. We all bring unique experiences, gifts, and skills to the vicinities around us. And everyday we are presented with opportunities to engage our neighborhoods, places of work, and communities in meaningful and impactful ways.
For more information and resources from Meta Church, visit us online at meta.church. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
We've all had experienced, or faced, troubling circumstances that extended beyond moments or even seasons. It's like you take hit-after-hit until you've bottomed out in a deep valley. The problem is you don't know how you'll get back to the top.
In this week's message, Pastor Ricky Ortiz shares about being stuck in a Valley of Trouble and how God speaks and works to restore hope and possibility.
For more information and resources from Meta Church, visit us online at meta.church. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
If you could change one thing about your life what would it be? Why would you choose that one thing or that one area? Could it be that the one thing you'd want to change is the one thing God is asking you to let go of?
In this week's message, Brooke Armonaitis shares her journey of surrender and what God taught her when she chose to completely let it go.
For more information and resources from Meta Church, visit us online at meta.church. Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
The NEW that was established by Jesus turned the world upside-down. 2000 years later, and we're still being impacted by what Jesus put into existence. But it wasn't just Jesus, it was people like YOU who embraced what Jesus offered and transformed the whole world!
For more information and resources from Meta Church, visit us online at meta.church.
Or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Before Jesus' death, He issued a new commandment that would dictate how all of His followers would live. This new commandment was simpler: to love others as Jesus loved us. It was a simple command, but it raised the standard for how all followers of Jesus should live their lives.
Connect with us online at https://meta.church.
Or find us on Instagram at https://instagram.com/metanyc. And on Facebook at https://facebook.com/metachurchnyc.
We all want to believe that we could be more than we currently are, but we struggle with the tension and reality of falling back into old ways. But the "new" Jesus offers gives us the chance to step into something so much more!
The "new" Jesus established didn't just create a new path to God or a new covenant for how God relates to us; it established the opportunity for every person to undergo personal transformation and become a new person.
Connect with us on Instagram at instagram.com/metanyc or on Facebook at facebook.com/metachurchnyc.
You can find us online at https://meta.church.
Many of us are scarred by empty statements and hollow promises. We've all fallen prey to something that was just too good to be true. Maybe that's how you've viewed the promises of God...but we have good news for you: you can trust His promises!
To learn more about Meta Church, visit us online or find us on Instagram or Facebook.
When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, He implemented something new. He fulfilled, then abolished, the old path of getting to God and forged a new path to God. He took a complicated system, and made it as simple as engaging in a relationship with Him.
Find us online here.
And connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
What if we got it backwards? What if salvation isn't the finish line, but rather the starting line? What if Jesus has so much more for you when you engage in life beyond salvation?
Connect with us online at meta.church.
Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook.
There was one thing that Jesus talked and taught about repeatedly that poses the greatest threat to our hearts. This one thing has the power to subdue and control our hearts; but fortunately He gave us a path to follow in order to protect our hearts.
**Learn more about Meta Church online.
Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.**
For many of us, we place our value and our identity on the things we do and the things we achieve. While that may lead to success in our professional contexts, this mindset can have damaging consequences when it comes to faith and following Jesus. That's because according to Jesus, IDENTITY > RESPONSIBILITY.
**Learn more by visiting us online at meta.church.
Connect with us on Instragram and Facebook.
If you'd like to give to Meta Church, you can give online by clicking here.
When you hear the word "church," what do you think of? What comes to mind? Chances are you associate the word church with a building, or some sort of space that was considered holy or sacred. But when Jesus introduced the word church, He never thought about a space, or a building. In fact, what Jesus had in mind was so much better...
A fresh revelation of Jesus in your life transforms how you engage the people in your life. In this message, Pastor Ricky shares practical insight on how to build bridges and connect with the people in our lives in order to begin faith conversations.
Few of us are naturally skilled or gifted in the area of patience. This becomes obvious when the people we're praying for and the life-change we're believing for, don't occur within our timeframe. But Jesus isn't restricted or confined to our timelines. He sees what others can't and He empowers us to do the same so we can see the people love experience transformation.
How would you go for something you love? What type of distance would you cover or obstacles would you overcome? In Luke 5, we learn of a group of friends who were willing to overcome whatever it took to bring their friend to Jesus and the transformation that it produced!
There's something transformative that takes place when people we know meet Jesus. Not just in their lives, but in ours as well. So why don't we connect the people we love to Jesus? What stops us or keeps us from bringing them to Jesus? Sometimes it's just that we don't care as much as we could.
What separates the Legends of Faith from those who wish for legendary faith is not that they wished, hoped, or even believed – it's that they experienced! The good news is that God desires for you to live your own legendary story of faith and not have to borrow from the faith of those around you.
How far would you be willing to go to have a lasting impact on the people around you? What would you be willing to do in response to what God has asked? Living a life of legendary faith is always about our willingness to embrace both the "What" and the "Who" God has for us, no matter what it takes.
What do yo want most in life? Is it a career, a relationship status, a platform, or something else? And why? What's the motive behind it, or the beneficiary of it? Chances are what you want, and why, have more to do with you than anyone else. But legendary faith is achieved when we shift our focus from "us" to God.
What if the faith you wish you had was on the other side of the relationship you could have? The greatest barriers to faith we experience can be overcome when we learn to engage in a relationship with the God who calls us into faith.
What would your story, and your life, look like if you gave God the pen and let Him write your story? The greatest faith we can have requires that we let go of our control and our fear, and choose instead to give God our best by letting Him write the story of our lives.
In part 2 of our Live Like Legends series, Pastor Krista looks at the story of Cain and Abel to learn what separated ones offering from the other, and thus solidified one's place in the history of humanity and the landscape of faith.
Do you ever feel like you're lacking in the area of faith? When compared to others or the legends of the faith, does it feel like your faith is inadequate or insufficient? But what if it is possible for you to grow in faith, and see God use you in unthinkable ways? What if the truth is that God desires for you to have Legend Status when it comes to faith?
In 2018, we saw God work in unbelievable ways in and through Meta Church. He transformed lives, expanded our reach, and provided beyond our wildest imagination! Yet all that we saw and experienced in 2018 is nothing compared to what's to come!
This week's message is our invitation to give to our annual Christmas Offering. We believe God has greater things in store for you, our church, and our city in 2019 and we'd love to invite you to give and support the ministry of Meta Church in New York and beyond. To give, visit meta.church/give or text META to 77977.
Have you ever felt the excitement about a gift you would receive or a moment you would experience? The anticipation is so high, that you can hardly stand it! When we look to the story of the shepherds in Luke 2, we see that they were overjoyed at the coming of the Messiah and their opportunity to share in the miracle.
What would it take for you to stand in awe of God? What would God have to do to blow your mind, or exceed your expectations? What miracle would have to happen? What fear or anxiety would have to be removed? What problems would we have to overcome?
When you look back on the events and circumstances of your life, you'll find that God was working intentionally to root out certain things, drive in better things, and build up new things all needed in order for you to reach your destiny.
When you feel forgotten or abandoned, it's easy to shut down and give up. Though you may feel like you've been stripped of your hope and you've become a prisoner of your circumstance, you still have a choice to make that can determine your future.
On the road to "reaching" your destiny and calling, you're going to encounter some setbacks and detours. It's inevitable that things won't go as originally planned or as you desired. So what happens then? How do you navigate those moments so that you can continue to reach what you were made for?
Have you ever thought about how hard God is trying to reach you? God is doing everything He can to reach you first, so you can reach what He has planned for you.
Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you worked, or what steps you took, the closer you got to Jesus the more you struggled or felt challenged? Or maybe you've felt like you're stuck in a perpetual state of defeat. Either way, God has promised you more victory in your life and it's yours for the taking.
There are so many more opportunities for influence and impact that God wants to send your way. The trouble is we get ourselves caught up in things that become strongholds in our lives and keep us from making the most of the opportunities God gives us.
You were made for more - that's been the theme of this series, but God didn't just make you for more, He gifted you with and for more! Every follower of Jesus has received significant gifs in order to accomplish far more than we thought possible.
God makes HUGE proclamations and promises about what His love could do in us, but why is that so many of don't feel loved? In his letter to the Christians at Ephesus, Paul was urging believers to not settle for anything less than the fullness of God's love, for if they (and we) could grab hold of God's love, we could experience infinitely more than we could ask or imagine.
Have you ever felt out of place or wondered if there was more to life than just showing up to work and doing your job?
We believe God has designated a specific purpose over your life that is greater than anything you could envision (or fulfill) on your own! The good news is God doesn't leave you on your own to figure it out; through Jesus Christ you have the ability to live in the fullness of your purpose and leave a legacy that matters.
Have you ever felt weak or powerless? Not a great feeling, huh? Rarely do we feel as helpless as when we feel weak. But this isn't the way it has to be, nor is it the way God designed. God designed us to experience the fullness of His power. The same power that conquered the grave is the power that God bestows upon us for every situation in life.
The life of Nehemiah is one in which we see the enemy constantly attacking, thwarting plans, and sowing seeds of discouragement amongst the people of Judah. Satan wants nothing more than to keep you from fulfilling your purpose and mission.
But when the enemy attacks our efforts, we can respond like Nehemiah did and fight back the discouragement in order to proceed forward. God has given us victory over the opposition and over our discouragement, so don't stop now!
Are you tired of getting to the end of your week and feeling spent or exhausted? Could it be that God designed a better plan for us that would actually revitalize us and help us be more engaged in the world around us?
In part 4 of "To Be Or Not To Be," Pastor Ricky teaches through God's design for rest, refreshment, and re-engagement. A plan from God that sets us up to live fully-engaged and present with the world around us.
In a world full of distractions, how do you demonstrate that you're present? What are your 'Proofs of Presence'? There are everyday actions and commitments that reveal whether we are truly present and fully engaged, or whether we're checked out. Listen to the full message to hear 'Proofs of Presence' from Pastor Krista Ortiz.
What we see affects how we engage...but if we can't see the need, we won't respond to it. But God has greater vision for your life and He's inviting you to make the most of your opportunities by being fully-engaged in the moment. Do you see it?
It's easier than ever to feel rushed, hurried, and distracted. We move from one thing to the next, leaving us feeling exhausted and empty. But what if a decision to stop running to the next thing, and engaging fully in the moment, could lead to massive transformation in your life and the lives of those around you?