Do you enjoy watching the news? Many don’t because it is often filled with negativity. However, I’ve watched the news more in the past two months than in the past several years. To help many take a break from the dark and gloomy news, actor John Krasinski created a pop-up show called “Some Good News.” […]
Forged: Building Together
May 31, 2020Ephesians 4:25-32Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Recommit to the Team Ephesians 4:2525 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Truthfulness promotes unity. II. Revolt Against the Norm A. Resolve Anger Ephesians 4:26-2726 Be angry and do […]
Growing Ground
I broke new ground in a garden this summer. In year’s past, I have cheated with raised beds, bagged soil, and starter plants. For the first time, I did it the old fashioned way with tilled clay and seeds. Time will tell of the results from my labor, but this visual helps me better understand […]
Forged: Stronger Together
May 24, 2020Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. March To the Beat of a Different Drum Ephesians 4:17-1917 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of […]
Stepping Into Our Potential
I grew up playing basketball, and spent many days on my dirt side yard basketball “court” working to develop my skills. As much as I loved the sport, I remember barely making the team in 8th grade and struggling to grow into my size 13 Jordans. My skill level was way behind my height and […]
Forged: Growing Together
May 17, 2020Ephesians 4: 14-16Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Delayed Growth Ephesians 4:14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. A. Unanchored B. Drifting 1. Fierce Wolves Acts 20:29-3029 I know […]
Measured Growth
As a child, my brother and I would race to our closet door and want to be measured. It was there that our parents charted how tall we were and what age. I remember stretching my neck as tall as I could to cause the marker to go a little higher. My measured growth made […]
Forged: Working Together
May 10, 2020Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Fractures Result From Improper Focus Ephesians 4:7-87 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” Unity has not […]
Forged
A few years back I binge watched “Forged in Fire” by the “History” channel. This fascinating display of craftsmanship was a reality based competition that required artisans to forge a weapon through a variety of metals. While I’ve never crafted anything out of metal, I was mesmerized by the skill in melding metal together to […]
Forged: United Together
May 3, 2020Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Framework for Identity Ephesians 4:1-24 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love Our calling is: 1. […]