In this Advent sermon, Pastor RaMona explores the profound truth that God has always wanted to be in relationship with humanity. Using John 1:1-14 as her foundation, she explains that the Word (logos) was not just a message from God but God Himself, who has existed from the beginning and through whom all things were made. She traces God's consistent desire for relationship from the Garden of Eden, where He walked with Adam and Eve, through His promise to dwell among the Israelites in Exodus 29:45-46.Pastor RaMona acknowledges that during the holidays, God can sometimes feel distant, especially when we're dealing with strained relationships, illness, or loss. However, she emphasizes that God is always present—we just need to turn around and run into His arms, like children greeting their returning fathers. The incarnation represents the culmination of God's ancient desire to draw near, as Jesus didn't remain distant in heaven but "became flesh" to experience our joys and sorrows. Because God is love (1 John 4:8), He pursues us consistently and calls us into transformative relationship that enables us to love others and be His hands and feet in a broken world.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In this sermon, Pastor David explores the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-56, where Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, joyfully confirms Mary's news of carrying the Messiah. Pastor David vulnerably shares his own Christmas pain from 2014 when he and his wife experienced their second miscarriage during Advent, highlighting how difficult holiday celebrations can be amid personal grief.

The sermon emphasizes how God uses ordinary people in extraordinary moments to confirm joy and purpose in others' lives. Pastor David points out that Elizabeth could have responded with jealousy to Mary's news but instead chose to celebrate with her. He challenges us to pray for Holy Spirit-filled moments this Christmas where we might bring comfort to others who are hurting, just as a family once invited him and his wife to their Christmas celebration during their time of loss. The message concludes with a powerful question: "Can we be used by God to help other weary people rejoice this year?"

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In this Advent sermon, Pastor David examines Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel, highlighting three often-overlooked aspects of this familiar Christmas story. First, Mary was troubled not by the angel's appearance but by his words that she was "highly favored," suggesting many of us struggle to believe we're worthy of God's favor. Pastor David notes that God's favor doesn't guarantee an easy life—rather, those favored by God often face significant trials, as did Job, Joseph, Moses, and Paul.

Second, Mary recognized the scandalous nature of her divine pregnancy and the conflict it would bring to her relationships. Pastor David emphasizes that obedience to God's calling always comes with a cost, illustrated through a powerful story about a pastor who remained faithful in ministry even after losing his son in a tragic accident. Finally, despite the impossibility of her situation, Mary found peace in the angel's assurance that "no word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:37), responding with humble submission. Pastor David concludes that while both sin and obedience involve trouble, the key difference is that obedience brings peace amid problems—a crucial reminder during Advent that we are weary people sustained by God.

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In "The Weary World Rejoices," Pastor David examines how Christmas, despite its wonder, often leaves us exhausted—a weariness that echoes the experience of God's people 700 years before Christ's birth. Through Isaiah 9:1-7, we see a prophecy of hope given to people walking in darkness, promising that "a child is born" who will bring light and peace.

Pastor David explains that while this prophecy ultimately pointed to Jesus, God also provided an immediate fulfillment through King Hezekiah, described in 2 Kings 18 as one who "trusted in the Lord" and "did what was right." This demonstrates God's pattern of providing both present glimpses of hope and long-term fulfillment of His promises. The sermon concludes with a challenge: as we wait for God to move in our difficult circumstances, we should also become "Hezekiahs" to others—embodying Christ's hope through practical acts of kindness and generosity this Christmas season.

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In this sermon, Pastor David tackles the faith-breaking question: "Why is the World so Broken if God is Good?" He explains that God originally created everything "good" (Genesis 1:31), but sin entered through human choice when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. This disobedience introduced metaphysical effects—entropy and disorder—into the world, leading to cancer, natural disasters, and relational brokenness.Pastor David emphasizes that God's goodness hasn't changed despite these circumstances. Referencing Romans 8:18-22, he notes that all creation is "groaning" but there's hope beyond our current suffering. He illustrates this through Horatio Spafford's story, who wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" after losing his possessions and four daughters, yet still recognized God's goodness. The sermon concludes with the promise from Revelation 21:3-5 that God will ultimately restore everything, making all things new—a future hope that makes present troubles endurable.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In this sermon, Pastor Leo confronts the question "How can a loving God send people to hell?" by challenging our cultural understanding of both God and Hell. He argues that many Christians have absorbed unbiblical views of God from sources like Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" rather than seeing God as Jesus revealed Him. Using Colossians 1:15 and Hebrews 1:3, Pastor Leo emphasizes that Jesus is "the exact representation" of God's being.

Pastor Leo interprets Jesus' teachings about Hell in Matthew 5:29-30 as primarily warning about the hellish consequences of sin in this life, while still affirming the reality of eternal judgment. Drawing from C.S. Lewis' concept that "the doors of hell are locked from the inside," he passionately argues that God doesn't send anyone to Hell—people choose it through their rejection of God. He concludes with the powerful reminder from John 3:16 that God sent His Son "so that no one need be destroyed," emphasizing God's relentless love that pursues us despite our sin.

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In this sermon, Pastor David addresses the common experience of God feeling distant during difficult times. Using Psalm 13 as his foundation, he shares how David's lament resonated with him during his own struggles after Hurricane Katrina disrupted his college education. Pastor David introduces John Ortberg's concept of "the dark night of the soul" – periods when God seems absent during our suffering, not because we've moved away from God, but because God has intentionally stepped back.The sermon emphasizes that these periods of divine distance serve a purpose in our spiritual formation. Rather than simply praying for the suffering to end, Pastor David suggests asking, "God, who do you want me to become in the midst of this?" He explains how God used David's suffering – whether being hunted by Saul or his son Absalom – to form him into the king and father he needed to become. The appropriate response during these dark nights is to wait faithfully on the Lord, trusting His purpose even when He feels absent.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In this sermon, Pastor David tackles the question "Can I Lose My Salvation?" by first establishing that salvation comes "by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). While nothing external can separate us from God's love as Romans 8:38-39 affirms, Pastor David explains the Methodist belief that we can, through our own free will, choose to walk away from our relationship with Christ.

Pastor David contrasts this with the "once saved, always saved" doctrine, using Scripture like John 15:6 where Jesus says, "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." He emphasizes that faith is more than a one-time decision—it's an active process of listening to and following Jesus. The sermon concludes with hope that like the Prodigal Son, those who walk away can be restored, but ultimately salvation involves persistent faith rather than a single prayer followed by living however one wants.

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In this sermon, Pastor David tackles the practical question "Does God care about my mental health?" by acknowledging how many people struggle with depression, anxiety, fear, and other mental health challenges. He shares his personal experience with generalized anxiety disorder, explaining how for years he prayed for relief before receiving a medical diagnosis and treatment. Pastor David emphasizes that mental health struggles are addressed in Scripture, citing 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you," and Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."The sermon culminates with the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 18-19, who experienced severe depression after a spiritual victory. Pastor David highlights how God responded to Elijah's mental health crisis with compassionate care—providing rest, food, and presence—demonstrating that God absolutely cares about our mental wellbeing and sometimes answers our prayers through counseling, treatment, medication, or divine intervention rather than simply removing our struggles.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In her sermon, Pastor RaMona tackles one of faith's toughest questions: "How do I forgive someone who hurt me?" Beginning with the remarkable story of Eric Lomax, who forgave his Japanese torturer fifty years after World War II, she establishes that forgiveness, while difficult, is necessary for our spiritual and emotional wellbeing. She explains that unforgiveness leads to bitterness, rage, and various physical, emotional, and spiritual problems as Paul warned in Ephesians 4:31-32.Pastor RaMona emphasizes two key reasons for forgiveness: to prevent bitterness from festering within us, and because our own forgiveness from God depends on it. Drawing from Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 and His teaching on prayer in Matthew 6, she reminds us that God expects us to extend to others the same grace we've received. She shares her personal journey of forgiving her abusive ex-husband, concluding that forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or excusing harmful behavior, but rather releasing the hurt and choosing freedom over bondage to past pain.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In this sermon, Pastor David addresses one of faith's most pressing questions: "How can I know God's will for my life?" He begins by establishing God's general will for all believers through Micah 6:8, which calls us to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This universal calling includes defending the weak and oppressed (Psalm 82:3-4), practicing mercy even when undeserved, and maintaining a humble daily walk with God.

Pastor David then distinguishes between decisions where God gives us free will to choose and situations where God has a specific plan. For discerning God's specific will, he offers a practical checklist: dedicated prayer, Scripture study, seeking wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15), and sometimes asking for a sign as Gideon did with the fleece (Judges 6:36-40). Ultimately, discovering God's will requires surrender, as Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, transforming our minds and submitting ourselves fully to God so that "he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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In this sermon, Pastor David addresses the challenging question of why hypocrites fill the church. He begins by acknowledging his own hypocrisy—times when his actions don't align with his preaching—and suggests most Christians share this struggle. The problem, Pastor David explains, isn't that Christians sometimes fail to live up to their beliefs, but rather when they refuse to recognize this failure.

Jesus reserved His harshest words for religious leaders who maintained a righteous appearance while harboring corrupt hearts, as seen in Matthew 23 where He repeatedly calls them "hypocrites" and "whitewashed tombs." Pastor David reminds us that "the church isn't filled with perfect people but people being made perfect," and offers the "Jesus Prayer" as a humble acknowledgment of our need for mercy: "Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner."

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In this inspiring service, Pastor David Dorn tackles the pivotal question of whether Jesus is the only way to God, using relatable anecdotes from tech brand loyalties to highlight how we often become convinced our preferences are supreme, yet Jesus stands as the ultimate exclusive truth. Drawing from scriptures like John 14:6, he emphasizes Jesus as the way, truth, and life, the gate to salvation, and urges believers to live with conviction, loving enemies amid societal divisions and actively inviting others to the narrow path. Through worship songs celebrating God's victories and goodness, announcements about community events like Harvest Fest, and a call to evangelism, the message challenges us to be fully sold out for Christ, partnering with the Holy Spirit to guide others to Him, all while reminding us that God fights our battles and desires all to choose Him.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In this sermon, Pastor David tackles one of faith's most challenging questions: "Why does God allow suffering?" As part of a 10-week series addressing common spiritual questions, Pastor David shares how his understanding of suffering has evolved through his own painful experiences. He identifies four sources of suffering: our own choices, harm inflicted by others, spiritual oppression, and natural disasters.Using the story of Job as his primary text, Pastor David emphasizes that Job was blameless yet God allowed Satan to test him. This illustrates an important distinction - God didn't cause Job's suffering but permitted it. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:6-7, Pastor David explains that suffering tests and proves the genuineness of our faith, which is "of greater worth than gold." He concludes that suffering shapes us profoundly, and our response to it - maintaining faith or abandoning it - determines whether we emerge better or bitter from our trials.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In the concluding sermon of our "Try Faith" series, Pastor RaMona examines Hebrews 11:1, reframing faith as trusting in what we hope for and cannot see. She acknowledges that everyone—even the most faithful—experiences seasons of doubt, fear, or rebellion. Through three powerful Biblical examples, she illustrates this universal struggle: Manasseh who rebelled against God after his father's death (2 Chronicles 33:3-6), Peter who denied Jesus three times out of fear (Matthew 16:17-20), and the Prodigal Son who walked away from his father's house (Luke 15:17-24).The heart of Pastor RaMona's message is that God's redemptive love remains constant despite our wavering faith. She vulnerably shares her own season of walking away from faith, when she wouldn't speak Jesus' name because she felt unworthy. Her encouraging conclusion reminds us that just as Jesus restored Peter three times after his three denials, God continually restores us to faith because "God is greater than all our sin" and nothing can separate us from His love. For those not "all in" with their faith, Pastor RaMona extends a warm invitation to "try faith again," assuring us that God is waiting to celebrate our return.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In this sermon from the "Try Faith" series, Pastor David explores the nature of faith using the definition from Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." He illustrates this concept with a children's shape sorter toy, showing how we often try to force things to happen our way instead of trusting God's timing and methods.

Pastor David examines Abraham's story as a powerful example of faith during waiting. Though Abraham waited 25 years for God to fulfill His promise of a son, Romans 4:18-21 celebrates his unwavering faith. However, Pastor David notes that Abraham had moments of weakness when he tried taking control back from God—most notably having a child with Hagar, which created family conflict and eventually led to divisions that still impact our world today. The sermon concludes with an encouragement to maintain what Eugene Peterson called "long obedience in the same direction," trusting God's timing rather than forcing our own solutions.

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As we continue with our "Try Faith" sermon series, in his sermon "Faith Under Pressure," Pastor Leo examines what faith looks like when life doesn't go according to plan. Using Hebrews 11:1 and the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3, he illustrates how pressure can either break us or prove us—and faith determines which outcome we experience. The three Jewish men demonstrated remarkable faith through their dual declaration: first, their confidence that God could save them, and second, their commitment to remain faithful "even if He doesn't."Pastor Leo shares his personal journey through divorce, revealing how the truth that "God is good even when my circumstances are not" anchored him through his darkest moments. He emphasizes that we don't face life's furnaces alone—God is present in our trials, and we're supported by community. As Jesus promised in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." True faith under pressure doesn't just survive—it stands, stays, and shines, knowing that the God who is able is also the God who is with us.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx

In Pastor David's third sermon in the series "Try Faith", he explores the nature of faith through the analogy of stepping onto ice and the Biblical account of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33. He explains that faith isn't about how passionate we are, but rather about the trustworthiness of Jesus—like thick ice that holds you regardless of how nervous you feel stepping onto it.

Pastor David describes "hinge moments" where small acts of faith lead to dramatic life changes, sharing his own experience of choosing to leave a comfortable but unhealthy ministry position. The key, he emphasizes, is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus amid life's storms rather than focusing on our circumstances. When Peter looked at Jesus, he walked on water; when he focused on the waves, he began to sink. Pastor David concludes with a challenge to take risky steps of faith toward Jesus, reminding us that even when we feel like we're drowning, Jesus is only an arm's length away when we pray, "Lord, save me!"

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Continuing in the "Try Faith" series, Pastor David revisits the definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." He emphasizes that faith isn't merely a momentary action but an outlook on life that relies on Jesus showing up in our circumstances, making "good things out of hard things."

Pastor David examines Matthew 4:18-22, where Jesus calls His first disciples, suggesting that rather than strangers immediately dropping everything to follow Jesus, they likely had established relationships with Him already. This relationship foundation made it possible for them to leave behind comfort and security when Jesus called. He reminds us that following Jesus isn't always easy, referencing Matthew 20:22-23 where Jesus asks James and John, "Are you able to take the suffering that I am about to take?" Despite the cost, they still chose to follow Him. Pastor David challenges us to cultivate our relationship with Jesus through prayer, incorporating His teachings into our daily lives, participating in communion, and sharing our struggles with Him—preparing us for when He calls us to step out in faith.

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In this first sermon of the series "Try Faith", Pastor David unpacks what it means to have faith, starting with the definition from Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." He explains that faith is fundamentally about confidence in Jesus to bring hope to seemingly hopeless situations, even when we can't see the outcome. Pastor David observes that many Christians have "manufactured our end results" rather than living a truly Christ-reliant life, which is why we "say we believe, but we never see the power of God."

Pastor David uses Abraham and Sarah's story as a powerful example of faith in action. At ages 75 and 65, they were called by God to leave their home and family to follow Him into the unknown, with the promise of becoming a great nation despite their childlessness. Their willingness to step out in faith—despite the difficulty and their own imperfections—changed the world. Pastor David challenges us to move beyond auto-pilot and predictability, to take risks in response to God's leading, and to "try faith" both by engaging with church activities and by living with daily dependence on God.

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