Hickory Ridge-cast

What do you do when following Jesus seems to make life harder instead of easier? In this message, Ethan Mast explores 1 Peter 4 and reminds us that trials don't always mean we've taken a wrong turn. If you're walking through a confusing season, this message offers encouragement to stand firm, keep doing good, and trust that Jesus is with you in the storm.

"Why do bad things happen to good people?" In this message, we'll answer that question and look at the three most common lies we're tempted to believe when life is falling apart. If you're in the midst of difficulty, we pray this sermon is an encouragement to you. Our hope is you can know that there is treasure in your trial, that God hasn't left your side, and there is a destination worth pushing...

We lock our front doors, protect our homes, and plan for our children's futures - but what about the digital door? In this message, Pastor Justin explores the hidden dangers of life online and challenges us to guard our hearts, identify our vulnerabilities, and fight for what matters most. From social media and screen time to temptation, anxiety, and unhealthy influences, this practical message of...

Digital communication is convenient, and often incredible! It allows us to talk with people that are half the world away from us, and access all kinds of important information. But what happens when we try to replace in-person, face-to-face connections with the ease of texting, DM's, or Zoom? In this message, Pastor Justin breaks down what the Bible has to say about the power of our physical prese...

What do you do when you don't know what to do? Pastor Justin explores how praise position us for breakthrough, even before the circumstances change. Through the story of Jehoshaphat and the armies of Judah, this message reminds us that when fear magnifies problems, praise magnifies God! If you're facing a stronghold, struggle, or season of uncertainty, discover why worship may be one of the most p...

Pastor Justin talks about the invisible prisons so many people live in - strongholds of fear, shame, addiction, anger, lies, anxiety, generational patterns, and ungodly beliefs that quietly shape our lives from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles you can’t seem to break, this message is a reminder that the stronghold you're facing is not stronger than the God you serve!

What do you do after you’ve messed up and damaged a relationship? In this message, Pastor Justin unpacks one of the most misunderstood words in the Bible (repentance) and shows how it’s far more than simply asking for forgiveness. We'll walk through "The Five R’s of Repentance" necessary to heal a relationship. And we'll look at how when we truly repent, God can not only bring forgiveness and reco...

In this message, Beth Greco, President of the Hoving Home, shares stories of addiction, recovery, surrender, and the life-changing power of Jesus. Through personal testimony and Scripture, we'll look at how obedience isn’t about perfection, but about trusting God enough to follow Him one step at a time. If you’ve been waiting for breakthrough, healing, or direction, this message is a reminder that...

Worship is more than music. It’s whatever sits on the throne of your life. In this message, Polly Sanders unpacks what true worship is, why every person worships something, and how God alone is worthy of that place. From the holiness of God, to the sacrifice of Jesus, and the rituals of the ancient temples, this message is a powerful reminder that worship isn’t just something we do on Sundays... i...

When is two ever more than five? When is it more than ten? When is giving four bucks more generous than giving $5,000? Only in God's Economy! In this message, Pastor Justin explores the concept of giving and generosity. Because it's one of the most important attributes we have to walk out if we want to live lives that please God. We'll look at everything from scarcity vs abundance mindsets, to rad...

We love the idea of having friendship with God. But in order to be friends with God, we need to have something else first: fear of Him. In this message, Pastor Justin explains why the fear of God isn’t about being afraid, but instead, living in real awe, honor, and reverence of the grandiose of God. By looking at moments like Mount Sinai, and the final chapters of Job, we'll discover how making Go...

Faith isn’t just how you start your relationship with God... it’s how you live it. In this message, Pastor Justin challenges the idea of earning approval through effort, and points instead to a life of steady, ongoing faith. Through the example of Enoch, we’re reminded that what pleases God most is a life that keeps walking with Him, trusting Him, and staying close over time.

We love to celebrate God's forgiveness for us. We'll sing about it, cheer for it, and put up art that reminds us of it. But when we need to forgive the people that hurt US? It's a whole different story. In this message, Pastor Justin unpacks why forgiveness isn't about letting someone else off the hook, but about finding real freedom for yourself. If you’ve been carrying hurt, replaying pain, or s...

Even for followers of Jesus, life can feel empty. We can look at our house, family, or health, and know from the outside, everything seems okay... but on the inside, we feel an emptiness. In this Easter message from the book of John, Pastor Justin explains that believing facts about Jesus isn’t the same as experiencing Him. We can believe that the tomb is empty, but it isn't enough. We need to ENC...

We’re quick to judge others. And we love to decide who deserves a chance and who doesn’t. But you know who doesn't operate like that? Jesus. In Luke 19, Jesus stops in the city of Jericho and chooses the last person anyone expected to eat and stay with... Zacchaeus, a corrupt and hated tax collector. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t measure up, this message from Mike Steinsdoerfer might just cha...

In this message from the book of Hosea, Pastor Justin talks honestly about something we don’t often think about; that there are things we do that actually tick God off. Yet even when we frustrate Him, or our hearts grow cold, God’s love keeps pursuing us and inviting us to return to a real relationship with Him. We pray this message encourages, inspires, and challenges you no matter where you are...

Our God has FEELINGS. He's more than an ethereal cloud, or distant deity... He's a Father. In this message, Pastor Justin shares that God is deeply personal and His heart is affected by how we live. God genuinely cares when we sin, walk away, or choose to follow something other than Him. This sermon also looks at how God sometimes lovingly disrupts our plans, using obstacles to redirect and protec...

Hosea is a story in the Bible full of scandal, sin, symbolism, and salvation. In part one of this three week series, Pastor Justin begins breaking down the first chapter of Hosea, and how it seeks to answer the age old question: "If anyone really knew me, deep down, my hidden thoughts, secret desires, failures, and emotions, would they really love me?" By exploring the book of Hosea, we'll come fa...

Here are stories of surrender, redemption, and joy, shared by Jim Forakis. Jim has served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Valley branch of Adult & Teen Challenge for over 20 years. Using scripture and testimonies, we pray Jim's message will be an encouragement to you today!

As we close out this series on learning how to be more like Jesus, we have to touch on the idea of His heart. How does Jesus, and by extension, our Heavenly Father, feel about us? What emotions and plans does He have for us? Despite how we often feel about ourselves, the truth is God's heart towards us is caring, gentle, tender, and fiercely loving. If you've ever struggled with self-hatred, ident...

We all like to feel heard. To be understood. To know that someone really listened to us. And yet, so many of us struggle to be good listeners. Jesus is the greatest listener that ever lived, and if we're willing to learn from Him, we'll find a skill that is worth the effort to practice. Because listening done correctly can do more than just make someone feel good... it can save lives!

Have you ever felt stuck in your own thoughts? In this message, Pastor Andy Sileno explains how our thoughts shape our emotions, words, and actions... and why God wants access to our minds, not just our hearts. Through Scripture and practical insight, this message shows how prayer and truth create new pathways that lead to life and peace. You don’t have to be controlled by unhealthy thoughts. God...

What does walking with the Spirit look like? This sermon explores what it means to walk with the Spirit and to be led by the Spirit. In Luke 3 we saw Jesus submit to the Father and was affirmed by the Spirit stepping into his role as the Son of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about our words, and how we talk to other people! "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words." says Proverbs 18:21 So how do we talk in a way that shows others we are followers of Jesus? How do we learn how to talk like Jesus? In this message, Pastor Justin explores how...

What do you do when you’re doing everything you can and nothing seems to change? In this message, Pastor Justin speaks to anyone facing resistance, delay, or discouragement. This message isn’t about pretending life is easy or waiting passively for things to get better. Instead, it explores how real breakthrough often begins before conditions improve - through trust, action, and choosing to worship...