As a high school student, I was blessed with a teacher and principal who cared enough to invest in me. They cared more about my grades and study habits. Instead they went out of their way to challenge my faith and even asked hard questions about my conduct to ensure that I was appropriately applying […]
Generations: World Changers
January 17, 2021Psalm 78:1-8Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes Psalm 78:1-8Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have […]
This Is the Way
I must admit, I recently found myself anticipating Thursday nights since it was the drop of Mandalorian’s new episode. If you haven’t seen the show, this bounty hunter lives by a code that says, “This is the way.” For him, it drives his commitment and even unwillingness to remove his helmet. This example does remind […]
Generations: Child’s Play
January 10, 2021Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes Ephesians 6:1-3Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” I. Demonstrate God In Our Home Warnings […]
Starting Point
Why do we make new year’s resolutions? I imagine most of us have made some commitment to nutrition, diet, debt reduction, or family commitment. These goals can certainly be positive, and I am all in favor of creating lofty goals. However, we desire an ideal and assume we can get there overnight. It takes long […]
Generations: Starting Point
January 2, 2021Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. A Picture of Relational Unity Ephesians 5:21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Push the other to grow more than me II. Walk in Wisdom Ephesians 5:15-20Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, […]
Welcome to SeaWorld! Just Kidding…
As a child, a family vacation did not go as planned and I was traumatized by the let down. With the excitement and anticipation of a trip to Sea World, we turned around from the gate and headed back to the hotel once dad realized how expensive it was. Needless to say, I didn’t let […]
So Close, So Far Away
December 27, 2020Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes Matthew 2:1-12Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and […]
Christmas Eve: From Our Home to Yours
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year While that is the title for a song, it is also the sentiment of many at Christmas. Perhaps that is due to the parties and presents, but it also is because we make much of Jesus at Christmas time. Certainly, we should make much of him all […]
Lessons Learned from COVID
A few weeks ago I felt a rapid onset of discomfort, chills, and illness. Long story short, this began a 16 day battle with COVID-19. As it swept through my house, we navigated the uncertainty and fear that has been fed through this pandemic. I will confess, it was an experience I don’t ever want […]