Cross of Grace Church Sermons

In this message from Haggai 1:1-11, Pastor Ricky challenges us to examine what we’re truly building with our lives as he revisits Israel’s decision to prioritize their own comfort while neglecting God’s house. Through this ancient story, we see how our modern pursuits for security, achievement, and temporary satisfaction can mirror misplaced priorities, even as God graciously calls His people back...

Have you ever wondered what real transformation looks like in 2026? Pastor Ricky reveals how Romans 12 flips our resolutions upside down—it's not about trying harder alone, but being transformed through gospel identity and Christian community. Through engaging insights from research and Scripture, he shows how three surprisingly simple practices—open tables, open Bibles, and open lives—create last...

Have you ever felt the weight of life’s anxieties stealing your peace? Teaching through Psalms 4 and 5, Stephen unpacks how David faced his own ‘Sunday scaries’ by establishing intentional morning and evening rhythms that replaced stress and uncertainty with trust in God’s presence. Drawing from both David’s example and his own military experience, Stephen shows that true peace comes not from self...

Have you ever wondered what makes Christmas more than just a seasonal moment? In 2 Samuel 7, Pastor Ricky unpacks God’s covenant with David, revealing how this ancient promise points to Jesus and offers us not a temporary visit, but permanent residence in God’s eternal kingdom. Through Christ’s perfect kingship and sacrifice, we’re given the ‘key of David’—welcomed not as guests, but as adopted ch...

What if the greatest crisis moments of life aren't about finding quick answers, but discovering who we truly turn to? In this message from 1 Samuel 28-31, Pastor Ricky contrasts King Saul, who sought guidance from the dead while surrounded by the living God, with David, who turned to the living God even when surrounded by death. Through this vivid account, we’re reminded that seeking comfort in de...

Which voice are you listening to—foolishness, pride, or godly wisdom? In 1 Samuel 25, Pastor Ricky unpacks the dramatic encounter between David, Nabal, and Abigail, showing how Nabal’s pride and David’s vengeful reaction reveal how easily foolishness multiplies, while Abigail’s wise intervention models counsel that considers others, exercises self-control, and keeps the Lord’s ways central. This m...

Have you ever felt hunted, exhausted, or alone? Sal takes us into the cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22-24, where David—cornered and on the run—faces a defining choice between grasping for control or entrusting himself to God’s faithful hands. Through divine provision, direction, and protection, God gathers unlikely allies, preserves a remnant priest, and meets David in his crisis, revealing that He...

Teaching from 1 Samuel 18-20, Pastor Ricky takes us on a journey through the dangerous path of jealousy and the liberating road to contentment through the contrasting stories of Saul and Jonathan. While Saul's jealousy over David's success poisoned his relationships and led to his downfall, Jonathan's extraordinary contentment with being "second" showcases a transformative truth: embracing God's p...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the giants in your life? Teaching from 1 Samuel 17, Pastor Ricky unpacks the familiar story of David and Goliath to reveal that our true enemies aren’t what we think—they’re the world, the flesh, and the devil—and shows how Jesus, the greater David, has already defeated them at the cross. While we’re not called to be David, we’re invited to follow his example of h...

Have you ever felt paralyzed by fear when facing impossible odds? In this biblical account from 1 Samuel 13–15, Pastor Ricky shows how our perspective shapes our actions—we can either fixate on obstacles like Saul, steering ourselves toward disaster, or we can see God’s presence and power like Jonathan, steering toward triumph. But our ultimate hope isn’t in becoming like Jonathan, but in followin...

In this message from 1 Samuel 12, Pastor Ricky unpacks Samuel’s powerful challenge to a nation caught between God’s way and their own. Like Israel, he shows how our natural inclinations often work against God’s direction, yet surrendering to Him leads to true peace and flourishing. This message invites us to release our grip on “our way” and embrace the path God has lovingly designed for our good...

In this powerful sermon exploring 1 Samuel 10-11, Pastor Ricky illuminates how Saul's journey from cowardice to courage mirrors our own struggles with fulfilling God's calling. He reveals that God's call isn't just for "special" vocations - it encompasses our roles as Christians, family members, workers, and community members. Just as Saul finally stepped into his calling with God's help, we too c...

In Sal's powerful exposition of Isaiah 55:1-13, he unveils God's extraordinary invitation to feast without cost at His table. Drawing on powerful imagery of spiritual thirst and abundance, this message reveals how God's ways of grace upend our assumptions about earning His favor. Whether you're spiritually hungry or wondering if there's more to life, this sermon illuminates the transformative powe...

In this message from 1 Samuel, Pastor Ricky unpacks how Israel’s attempts to control God through the Ark of the Covenant revealed His true nature—holy, sovereign, and deeply committed to His people. We’re reminded that God can’t be used, ignored, or defeated, yet He still shows mercy to His people through Christ. This message invites us to stop trying to get God on our side and instead join His, f...

Have you ever experienced the deafening silence of God's voice growing dim in your life? In this stirring message from 1 Samuel 3, Daniel unveils the stark reality of a time when "the word of the Lord was rare" – not because God had stopped speaking, but because His people had stopped listening. Daniel skillfully connects this ancient narrative to our modern struggle to prioritize God's Word amids...

In this powerful message from 1 Samuel 2, Pastor Ricky explores how the tragic fall of Eli’s house reveals our own vulnerability to spiritual decline. He shows that our greatest danger isn’t dramatic rebellion but subtle shifts in what we value most, causing everything else to slide toward destruction. Yet hope breaks through in Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest, who extends His hand to catch...

Sal unpacks Hannah's prophetic song from 1 Samuel 2:1-10—a divine song that reveals God's pattern of exalting the humble and bringing down the proud. He helps us see that true strength comes not from our own abilities or status, but through complete dependence on our holy God, who consistently displays His power through human weakness. This message shows us how just as Hannah's personal story of b...

What if the key to transforming your life isn’t found in grand gestures, but in a simple turning of the heart? In this powerful message from 1 Samuel 1, Pastor Ricky shows how even the smallest act of turning to God can change everything. In a world of endless options and quick fixes, he reveals that true transformation begins by surrendering to God as King and aligning our deepest desires with Hi...

Have you ever wondered what true friendship looks like through God's eyes? Drawing from John 15:12-17, Pastor Chuck unveils how God designed friendship as more than just companionship—it's a divine gift reflecting His own relational nature, bringing diverse people into deep community. Whether you're seeking deeper relationships or wondering how to navigate difficult ones, this urgent call to actio...

Will our eulogy reflect mere accomplishments, or will it tell of a life marked by love for Christ and His church? In this message from John 17, Pastor Ricky reveals Jesus’ intimate prayer before the cross—a prayer that unveils Christ’s deepest desires for His followers: that we would know God, grow in genuine community, and live on mission. This inspiring message outlines practical daily rhythms t...

Have you ever felt lost, yearning for a sense of home and belonging? In this powerful sermon on the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15, Pastor Vince Corpus invites us to see ourselves in both the rebellious younger son and the resentful older brother, reminding us of the unconditional love that our heavenly Father offers each of us. No matter our past, the Father invites us back with open ar...

Pastor Ricky invites us to discover the stability and joy found in recentering our lives around God, as illuminated in Psalm 33. This powerful scripture reveals that while we often anchor our hopes in transient things—relationships, careers, or success—true fulfillment comes from recognizing God's steadfast love and perfect character. This sermon reminds us that embracing the trust of a child towa...

Pastor Ricky dives into the transformative truths of Psalm 32, revealing how the act of confession is a divine trade—trading our sin for God’s blessing. He shares how, in an attempt to avoid vulnerability, we can fall into the trap of blaming others and minimizing our own faults, but Psalm 32 encourages us to be forthright about our transgressions for a reason: true confession leads to joy, safety...