Word of Life

Paul certainly isn’t trying to tell us not to do those good works. But your motives matter. As Pastor Richard continues our study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we’ll be reminded that our only boast should be in Christ. As we live in gratitude for what He’s done for us, our hearts should be driven to love and serve others. That should motivate our good works, not any effort to earn or maintain our place in God’s Kingdom.

For some of us, that may be convicting. We live in a world and culture that has lost sight of what it means to be kind, and it’s just as bad in the Church. We should be beacons of kindness and grace, but for many of us, put a camera in our car as we drive down the freeway, and you won’t see a reflection of Christ. Today, Pastor Richard will challenge us to be intentional about sowing to the Spirit of Christ in us – living out His grace every day.

If you’ve ever had a garden, you can’t just sit there and watch it happen. It’s a slow process, and you’ll go crazy waiting for those sprouts to pop through the soil. As Pastor Richard will illustrate in today’s message, God’s harvest is often gradual as well. Continue to feed into those souls through sharing the Word and praying, but you won’t always see instant results. You’ll need to let go and trust in God that He will do His work in time. 

If you were blessed to have a good father, you know that they were always on your side. They may have disciplined you and had high expectations, but you knew they had your best interests in mind. Now, of course, no earthly parent is perfect. But as Pastor Richard will point out in today’s message, God loves you as a Father, and He is perfect. You can trust Him with full confidence that He will provide for you and guide you. 

What an encouraging word of truth. We have an everlasting source of hope and peace in Jesus! As you journey through this life, this world will try to take everything from you. They can take your job, your money, your comfort, even more precious things, like family and friends, but they cannot take Jesus from your heart. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, the hope Jesus brings can never be taken from us. 

In today’s message, Pastor Richard says that the beauty of community is that when you’re overwhelmed, there will be someone to support you. The same goes if someone else is overwhelmed; you may be able to support that person and walk with them through their struggles. Loving one another begins with being there for that person during a tough season, the same way Jesus was there for others when they were struggling as well.

I get it; sometimes, loving people can be very hard. But imagine the impact you would have if you loved someone no matter what happens. In today’s message, Pastor Richard says that no matter what happened and where you’re at in life, Jesus has always loved you, and He will continue to love you. So why should you hate someone else? Jesus demonstrated perfect love, and you have an opportunity to show everyone what that love looks like. 

Have you ever had so much pride that you swore you weren’t wrong about someone but ended up just being dead wrong? It’s humbling, and it’s probably how the Pharisees felt after Jesus’ death and resurrection. In today’s message, Pastor Richard says that Jesus didn’t come to earth with pride and with the agenda to prove everyone wrong. He came humbly and quietly. He wasn’t trying to get any attention. In fact, He was hated by those who claimed to know Him. 

If you were to plant a flower in rocks, how well would it grow compared to a flower in soil? The soil gives it proper nourishment and is held in the water so that it can grow. The rocks would do the opposite, which would eventually kill the flower over time. In today’s message, Pastor Richard says if a seed is planted in good soil, then it’ll turn into good fruit. If your faith is rooted in Him, then your life will bear great fruit and be full of blessings.

Ever read a ridiculously long history of a long-standing business? Once a business owner starts a business, that person will forever be the owner. Like how Christ started the church. In today’s message, Pastor Richard reminds you that Jesus is the head of the church. No one else. There can be leaders within the church, but no one is above the King of all kings. No matter who started the church, and who runs the church, it all belongs to Jesus.

What an encouraging word of truth. We have an everlasting source of hope and peace in Jesus! As you journey through this life, this world will try to take everything from you. They can take your job, your money, your comfort, even more precious things, like family and friends, but they cannot take Jesus from your heart. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, the hope Jesus brings can never be taken from us. 

In the history of Christianity, as well as in many other world religions, people have gauged the favor of God in their lives by their earthly success. To be healthy, wealthy, or powerful has been seen as a sign of divine approval. But, as Pastor Richard examines the book of 1st Peter, we’ll be reminded that following Jesus will often mean the opposite. It will bring hardship, but it’s worth it for the spiritual abundance He promises us. 

If I were to stand next to someone shorter than me, what’s the glaring difference between us? Well, I’m taller than that other person, but here’s some news: God sees us all the same. In today’s message, Pastor Richard reminds you that as humans, we’re all sinners. You may think that compared to the rest of the world, you’re a good person, but you’re still a sinner in need of a Savior. That’s why Jesus came and saved us all now and forever!

Imagine getting invited to an event, and you only know one person, but that one person knows EVERYONE. It’s pretty great; you get all of the same privileges as that person since you’re the guest, and everyone welcomes you with open arms! In today’s message, Pastor Richard says that the beauty of accepting Christ is that He clothes you in righteousness so that you can spend eternity in Heaven. What an honor it is to be so close to Him!

If someone told me that I’m unhealthy, what would I do? Well, I definitely wouldn’t be eating the same diet. I can change my diet on my own, but I can’t grow closer to God without Him. In today’s message, Pastor Richard says that transformation doesn’t occur because of what you do. Transformation occurs when you trust God to change you from the inside out. You can’t do anything apart from Him; putting your faith in God says that you’ll trust Him with everything.

I love, love. Love brings so much joy to my life. I love my family, friends, and my mom's cooking. We are naturally born to love things, and God calls us to love each other more than anything. In today’s message, Pastor Richard reminds you that above all else, love one another. Love is so important, especially as a Christian. Everything that God has created and structured for you is done in love. How can you exhibit God’s love for you today?

When you become a Christian, your gratitude-driven passion can gradually morph into a form of religion. Instead of living a righteous life to glorify your Savior, you focus on good works to appear good to others and earn your place. It’s no longer about the grace and freedom you’ve been given, but it becomes about the position you earn. Today, Pastor Richard will warn us to be on guard against this toxic mindset that easily infiltrates the Church.

In the history of Christianity, as well as in many other world religions, people have gauged the favor of God in their lives by their earthly success. To be healthy, wealthy, or powerful has been seen as a sign of divine approval. But, as Pastor Richard examines the book of 1st Peter, we’ll be reminded that following Jesus will often mean the opposite. It will bring hardship, but it’s worth it for the spiritual abundance He promises us. 

There’s nothing wrong with saving money and making investments. It’s a smart move to plan for the future. But, as Pastor Richard will warn in today’s message, be careful not to place your hope and trust in your financial position. Banks can fail, and markets can crash, but we have a source of peace and security that never fails. In Jesus, we find the hope for eternal life, and the spiritual riches He offers far surpass those of this world.

Have you ever worked for a boss who seemed to enjoy their position of authority a little too much? When they had the chance to make your job a little harder in some way, you could be sure they would take it. As Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, sin and the Law are both harsh taskmasters, and neither will ever be satisfied. But Jesus is a gracious and kind leader, whose yoke is easy and burden light.

There’s a reason the song Amazing Grace has been such a powerful and ubiquitous anthem for millions of believers over the 250-plus years since it was written. The grace God’s extended to us in Christ is shocking in its contrast to the self-serving nature we’re all born into. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, when we fully rest in the grace we’ve been given, we can find true, lasting freedom. 

When you live in the freedom that Christ provided on the cross, you’re going to make some enemies, even amongst fellow believers. We’re challenged by Scripture to “live at peace” with everyone, and to rein in our freedom if it offends others, but there are some people who will be offended no matter what. Today, Pastor Richard will warn of this inevitable friction and encourage us to stand strong in the promise we’ve been given.

Have you experienced the transformative power of Christ’s love? What did He free you from? How did He change your life and heart? If you have answers to those questions, you’re ready to preach the Gospel. You don’t need formal training or a degree. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, each one of us has a mission to spread the truth of the Gospel, and each one of us is equipped by the Holy Spirit to share it effectively.

If you survey your own heart and life, what’s a driving factor or passion for you? How does it fit in your heart relative to Jesus? Is Jesus your main focus, and that thing is secondary? Even if it’s a good thing, like family, for example, if it comes before Jesus, it’s an idol. As Pastor Richard continues our study in Paul’s letter to the believers in Galatia, we’ll be challenged to put Christ at the center of everything we do. 

There’s nothing wrong with saving money and making investments. It’s a smart move to plan for the future. But, as Pastor Richard will warn in today’s message, be careful not to place your hope and trust in your financial position. Banks can fail, and markets can crash, but we have a source of peace and security that never fails. In Jesus, we find the hope for eternal life, and the spiritual riches He offers far surpass those of this world.

If Jesus appointed you as His hiring manager and gave you some resumes to look over, Peter’s likely wouldn’t stand out. It would end up at the bottom of the pile. As a fisherman, he’s likely an early riser and hard worker, but his ability to follow directions and understand complex concepts is lacking. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, it wasn’t about who Peter had been, but about who Jesus would transform him into.

Your invitation into the family of God is not a reflection of your merit. That may feel offensive at first, but the same is true for every other believer in His family. None of us deserves what He offers us. We’re all born into sin and only deserve to be separated from Him. As Pastor Richard will clarify in today’s message, the broad inclusivity of God’s family fully reflects God’s goodness and should inspire us to live in gratitude.

If you’re a parent, can you imagine if your own child refused to eat the food you offered, sleep in the house you provide, or accept any of your gifts? You’d be concerned, to say the least. You want to bless and provide for them, and it would be painful to watch them choose suffering instead. As Pastor Richard will remind you in today’s message, you have access to all the blessings of our Heavenly Father. Are you choosing to suffer instead?

The Bible teaches us that righteousness is something that no amount of money can buy. When the rich young ruler comes to Jesus, he learns that none of his riches or good deeds are enough to buy his salvation. But Pastor Richard reminds us that the mystery of righteousness is that it is freely given! The righteousness that saves us isn’t based on our own good deeds; it is based on our inheritance of the righteousness of Jesus.

Many of the most painful moments in our lives come from broken promises. If you’re a child of divorced parents, you know just how much those broken promises not only hurt you, but also those around you. Well, Pastor Richard reminds you today that God’s promises are more trustworthy than the promises of any man or woman who has ever lived! You can rely on God’s faithfulness, just like you can rely on the sun rising every morning. 

Do you remember Jesus’ parable about the wise man who built his house on the rock, and the foolish man who built on sand? Well, when you try to earn salvation through your own good works, you’re not giving yourself a solid foundation! One act of sin can undo a lifetime of good deeds, but Pastor Richard reminds you today that the grace of God is a solid foundation to build your faith on! God’s grace never runs out, and it won’t let you down.

If Jesus appointed you as His hiring manager and gave you some resumes to look over, Peter’s likely wouldn’t stand out. It would end up at the bottom of the pile. As a fisherman, he’s likely an early riser and hard worker, but his ability to follow directions and understand complex concepts is lacking. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, it wasn’t about who Peter had been, but about who Jesus would transform him into.

As Pastor Richard expressed through that profound C.S. Lewis quote, this life, in this sinful world, leaves all of us wanting. We catch momentary glimpses of peace, joy, and contentment, but when we try to hold on to them, they slip away. God allows this discontent and suffering not because He’s cruel, but because it draws our attention towards Him. He uses these experiences to show us that He is indeed the only source of hope and peace.

Have you ever gone through an important meeting with someone, only to realize after the fact that you had something stuck in your teeth? If you had looked in a mirror beforehand, you might have avoided that embarrassing situation! Well, Pastor Richard teaches you today that the Law of Moses is like a mirror for your soul. Its main purpose is to show you the grave nature of your sin, so that you recognize your need for a Savior.

When we read the story of Abraham’s faith in God, we’re not just looking back on a person who lived thousands of years ago. We’re reading the story of someone who worshipped the same God that we do today, but without knowing the name or the story of Jesus! Pastor Richard wants us to understand that we aren’t saved by how well we know God’s Word, or how much money we give to the poor. We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ!

There is someone out there today tuning in to this program who has never heard the message of grace that we read about in God’s Word! If that’s you today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that following Jesus is the best decision you will ever make! Just ask Him to come into your life and purify you of your sin, and He will begin to transform you from the inside out! God wants to make you into the person you were created to be.

“Love” is a word that gets thrown around quite a bit in our modern vocabulary. We “love” so many things that the word gets a little stale, and we forget what it means to truly love someone. But in today’s message, Pastor Richard wants to remind us of the significance of God’s love for us, and the love that we get to show Him. Jesus doesn’t want our good works or our religious checklists; He just wants our love and our devotion!

If you were to follow the Old Testament law to the letter every single day of your life, but at the very last moment you broke one of God’s commandments, you would no longer be considered righteous in God’s eyes. It’s impossible to meet His standard for righteousness without help! Pastor Richard wants to remind you today that none of the religious traditions in this world can buy your salvation. You can only receive it by grace through faith.

As Pastor Richard expressed through that profound C.S. Lewis quote, this life, in this sinful world, leaves all of us wanting. We catch momentary glimpses of peace, joy, and contentment, but when we try to hold on to them, they slip away. God allows this discontent and suffering not because He’s cruel, but because it draws our attention towards Him. He uses these experiences to show us that He is indeed the only source of hope and peace.

As Pastor Richard wraps up the book of James, we’ll be reminded of this challenging theme. Faith isn’t something that only happens inside and stays there. It’s something you practice, and it impacts your daily life. If you claim to be following Christ and your life looks the same as it did before salvation, you may have created your own version of Christ. When you trust in Him, your life will be transformed in an undeniable way.

When you break it down to its basic function, every computer runs on a series of ones and zeros, yeses and nos, ons and offs. There isn’t a “maybe” or an “in between” option in a binary system. Pastor Richard teaches you today that in the eyes of God, every person who has ever lived is seen as either sinful or righteous, and that means that all who are seen as righteous are also seen as equal in God’s eyes. No believer is more important than another!

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to let our “yes” be “yes”, and our “no” be “no”. God hates hypocrisy in any form, because it can discredit our testimony to those around us. In today’s message, Pastor Richard teaches us that hypocrisy was already sneaking into the early Church because Peter viewed the Gentile believers in Antioch as being inferior to the Jewish believers. We cannot allow these disagreements to divide the body of Christ.

I’m sure there’s someone you’ve looked up to as a hero of the Christian faith. People like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, William Wilberforce, and Mother Teresa made huge impacts for the Kingdom of God, but their time on Earth has come and gone. In today’s message, Pastor Richard encourages you to be brave, because God has big plans in store for your life! Who knows, the things you do for God now may inspire a future hero of the faith! 

Serving God doesn’t always mean you’ll be up on a stage sharing the Gospel. For some people, serving God will be sharing meals with the unhoused people in their community. Others will serve God by paying for someone’s groceries when they don’t have enough resources to feed their family. In today’s message, Pastor Richard reminds you that God uses people behind the scenes just as much as He uses those in the public spotlight.

In the Bible, God makes it a point to use unlikely people to accomplish His will on Earth. Moses had a speech impediment, and yet he was God’s mouthpiece to Pharaoh. David was the youngest son of an unassuming shepherd, and the Lord made him King of Israel. Pastor Richard wants to teach you today that God can do great things with your life if you will say “yes” to Him. That single word of faith can turn the trajectory of your life around!

As Pastor Richard wraps up the book of James, we’ll be reminded of this challenging theme. Faith isn’t something that only happens inside and stays there. It’s something you practice, and it impacts your daily life. If you claim to be following Christ and your life looks the same as it did before salvation, you may have created your own version of Christ. When you trust in Him, your life will be transformed in an undeniable way.

Everyone has dreams and aspirations for what lies ahead. Some people really go the extra mile by planning for their final farewell, like investing in those hefty insurance plans. But what if I let you in on a little secret? Those things might just be a waste of time! Today, Pastor Richard shares insights on the unpredictability of life and emphasises that everything is ultimately in God’s hands. Why not trust in the One who has created you? 

The world tells us that we have to work hard to earn things in life. Things don’t just get given to you unless you receive a large blessing from a family member or a generous stranger. But Pastor Richard wants to remind you today that the most valuable thing you have can’t be bought with all the money in the world! The gift of salvation you have in Jesus is something you can’t earn, and we shouldn’t give up that gift for any reason under the sun!

When you’re cheering for a sports team, you may be tempted to talk like you’re part of the team! “Did you see the game last night? I can’t believe we pulled off the win!” But most of us watching have nothing to do with the team’s success. Pastor Richard reminds us today that we don’t get to take any credit for our salvation, because we are saved only by the grace of God! Jesus did all the work; all we have to do is receive His free gift!

When you look at the New York Times’ bestsellers list, you’ll see a section dedicated to self-help books. These books sell millions of copies, as people try to change themselves through the sheer power of will. But in today’s message, Pastor Richard encourages you to seek the kind of transformation that only comes from following God! When you say no to the desires of your flesh, the Holy Spirit will make you into a new creation!