Church and Ministry on Rice Family Ministries

Intro to Thessalonians - 1 Thess 1:1

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

September 20, 2026

Introduction to Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Introduction

We are going to jump back into our series on Pauline Epistles. I have covered some of the longer Pauline Epistles, (Romans, Cointhians), as well as Ephesians and Galatians. So we are going to start a series on 1 Thessalonians. While it is not a lengthy book, there is a lot in it.

Tonight, we will only cover some introductory information, which will help us set a backdrop to the book.

Mark 1:9 - Getting into the Ministry

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

November 10, 2024

Getting into the Ministry

Mark 1:9-11

Introduction

We are not out of the first chapter of Mark, and we see the beginning of Jesus ministry. The message is titled, “Getting into the Ministry” because there are many lessons that we can learn from Jesus getting started in the ministry. We all, every one of us should be involved in ministry! I’m not talking about being a preacher, I’m talking about getting involved in the ministry of our local church.

Revelation 2:8

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

September 4, 2022

The Dependable Church

Revelation 2:8-11

Introduction

This is the shortest of the letters to the churches.

Nothing negative is mentioned in the letter to the church of Smyrna. Smyrna was also a wealthy commercial city. Perhaps not as great as Ephesus, but still a wealthy city.

The message is that of encouragement through persecution. Persecution, is not an enjoyable topic, and yet, it is given by Christ himself, who know more about persecution, and suffering than anyone else! Jesus lived an absolutely SINLESS life, and didn’t deserve not even one lash of punishment, yet he took it, for our sakes. It is he, “which was dead, and is alive;”

Revelation 2:12

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

September 11, 2022

The Defiled Church

Revelation 2:12-17

Introduction

We are going to look at one another state of the church. While these very well can represent ages, they very well could stand for stages or states in which a church may be.

Last week, we looked at Smyrna, as the Dependable Church, who stands through persecution. It was pointed out to me afterwards, that even now, the christians in Smyrna face persecution! So, while it is very popular to define these as ages, they also can be a status of current churches.

Revelation 2:18

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

September 18, 2022

The Defiant Church

Revelation 2:18-29

Christ - the “Son of God”, eyes like unto a flame of fire (judgement), feet like brass,

Eyes like unto a flame of fire - judgement

feet are like fine brass - righteous

God’s judgement is righteous.

God’s judgement in this portion, can seem harsh to us, but it certainly is not. It is just. We have a very skewed sense of right and wrong, and tolerate much more wickedness than God does.

Revelation 3:1

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

September 25, 2022

The Dead Church

Revelation 3:1-6

Introduction

The Spirit certainly speaks of the Holy Spirit of God. The idea, is that Jesus has life! The Spirit would certainly represent life, that is why in Eph 2:1-2

Eph. 2:1 ¶ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Mark 3:8 - A Seaside Multitude

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A Seaside Multitude

Mark 3:8-12

Introduction

In our last message entitled the “Sabbath Showdown” out of Mark, 3:1-8 we covered

I. The Crippled Man (withered hand) II. The Compassionate man (Jesus) III. The Contentious Men (Pharisees) IV. The Converted Men

In keeping with the continuity of the passage, we note that Jesus had left the synagogue having clearly put the Pharisees in their place. He went to the seaside. One cannot hardly read the passage without taking notice of the word “multitude” that shows up in verse 7, 8, and 9 that it is a prominent point of the passage. There is emphasis in the crowd.

Romans 12:4

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

One Body

Romans 12:4-13

Introduction

After beseeching believers to present themselves to the Lord, the topic is now turned to the body of the believers.

I. Unity of Body (4-5)

A. Parts

1. Membership - in order to be a member, you must be 1. Saved, 2. Scripturally Baptized (or from a church of like faith).

2. One body - We are talking about one local church here. Many people refer to the "body" of believers

God purchased the church with his blood!

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Mark 3:13 - Close to God

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Close to God

Mark 3:13-21

Introduction

We are going to look at those who are close to God. Man throughout history is trying to get close to God. There is only one way to get close to God!

Jesus is constantly interacting with people in his life time. The difference between how Jesus interacts, and how we interact, is he never made a mistake! His interactions were intentional. Everything written in the Bible about the life of Jesus is deserving of study, and learning! He provided for us a perfect example in every area of life.

Revelation 3:7

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

October 2, 2022

The Dedicated Church

Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction

Christ is the key holder, the keeper, the one who opens, and closes doors which no one else is able to. It is important to recognize Christ, and see Him for who He is, and what He is able to do.

To the church in Philadelphia, there are more descriptive phrases attributed to Jesus than any of the other churches.

Romans 12:10

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Church Checklist

Romans 12:10-16

Introduction

Last week, we laid a foundation for this week. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Rom 12:9). This week, I want to teach more through a check list that we should have in our life. He wrote in the beginning of the chapter concerning presenting our bodies. He then talked about being a part of a local new testament church. Our love is to be sincere. There is a simple list that I want

Revelation 3:14

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

October 16, 2022

The Deceived Church

Revelation 3:14-22

Introduction

The attributes of Christ revealed in each passage are the ones appropriate for the need of the church. He reveals Himself as we need Him.

Not all the churches received a negative commentary. Two churches were simply encouraged to continue in the things they were doing. However, of the ones not doing right, I want to recap the verses:

Mark 9:30 - Lessons about Salvation and Service

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

October 19, 2025

Lessons about Salvation & Service

Mark 9:30-50

I. Salvation’s Plan (Mark 9:30-32)

A. Dissemination of information (30)

i. Possibly, because of his popularity, they would have protected him.

ii. Private teaching to the disciples.

 ◦ Having a personal relationship with Jesus… get something others are not. 
 ◦ Your personal walk with the Lord is important! -

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Mark 11:15-18 - Lessons from the Lord

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

February 22, 2026

Lessons from the Lord

Mark 11:15-18

Mark 11:12-33

Introduction

We have been going through the book of Mark on Sunday mornings, and we have gotten behind a little. So, I will continue that series tonight. We are picking up toward the end of Jesus ministry. His disciples have spent a great deal of time ministering with him. Last time, we looked at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We are going to look at three lessons given by the Lord.

Proverbs 19 - Influence

Tue, 05 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

May 5, 2020

Influence

Proverbs 19

Introduction

Sometimes as christians we get the idea, that we are powerless, and have no influence here on this earth. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth. We are to be a testimony. Much of that has to do with our influence on other people. As a young person right out of Bible college, a pastor whom I greatly respected recommended I read, “How to win friends and influence people.” A book, I never would have picked up and read on my own. There is a practical side to influencing people. If we want to have a good influence, which we should have in our community, we must understand these very practical truths from the Bible to help us understand our influence on people.

Proverbs 24:27 - Qualities for Leaders

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

February 3, 2021

3 Good qualities for Leaders

Proverbs 24:27

Introduction

You may not think of yourself as a leader, but in reality, you probably are a leader in some form or fashion. Fathers are to be leaders of their families… therefore they are leaders. Mothers are to be leaders to their children and spend a great deal of time teaching, many times simply by example. You may be a manager at work, and lead people. You may be a business owner, and carry more responsibility on your shoulders. It doesn’t matter if you lead few, or lead a multitude, you should strive to do the best at whatever you do in life. Leadership is not something to be taken lightly. It is also one of those areas that we all could use improvement in.

Mind of Christ - Philippians 2:1-5

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

August 23, 2026

The Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:1-5

Introduction

We started a little mini series on the mind. We have talked about our mind being stayed on God (Isa 26:3). We have considered what things we are to think about in Phil 4:8. Last week we saw 4 types of minds in the Bible, 1. The Condemned mind 2. The Carnal mind 3. The corrupt mind 4. The Converted mind.

David becomes King

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

October 26, 2025 - AM

David Becomes King

2 Samuel 5:1-5

Introduction

Leadership is important, but godly leadership is far better than worldly leadership. The majority of books on leadership (even many of those authored by christians) emphasize a humanistic, worldly type of leadership over God’s leadership manual.

Humanistic leadership is used to in the professional world to build corporations, and is vastly different a style than that of spiritual leadership taught and emphasized in the Scripture.

Doctrine of the Bible

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

October 26, 2025

Doctrine of the Holy Bible

Introduction

Last week we noted that the church is responsible for doctrinal purity.

1 Timothy 3:15 — But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

We noted in 1 Timothy 4, there is 1. Bad Doctrine, 2. Good Doctrine, Then we must 3. Attend to doctrine (take responsibility to teach) and 4. Continue in Doctrine, not change, not be swayed.

Obedience to God

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

October 26, 2025 - AM

Obedience to God

Acts 8:26-39

Introduction

Our passage this morning is probably the most clear passage exemplifying baptism in all the Bible! There are other passages that discuss baptism, but this one is very clear.

I. The Soulwinner (Philip)

• Philip was already actively sharing Jesus!

Acts 8:5–6 —5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Importance of Doctrine

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

October 19, 2025 - PM

Importance of Doctrine

1 Tim 3:14-1Tim 4:15

Introduction I’m planning on in this series, covering the doctrine of the church. There are the things we believe, and stick to.

The word ‘doctrine’ used more frequently in this chapter than any other chapter in the Bible. It is a topic which shows the importance of Doctrine.

By way of introduction, These last few verses of chapter 3 really help set the stage that is about to be filled with doctrine. We notice he has written so the behavior in the church is to take place. He has covered the qualifications of the people to hold the office of Pastor (1Tim3.1) and Deacon (1Tim3.8), he is about to cover what should be taught in the church. • Vs 15 – “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” ◦ The church is responsible for guarding, and maintaining truth! ◦ That is why there are many different churches, they don’t all have the same droctine ◦ That is why labels are important… what doctrine do they teach? – ▪ Church of God, I can tell you some of the differences of doctrine. Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc… it isn’t hard to find and know.
▪ Baptist, we know what they believe. (Difference between Independent, Southern, American).
▪ When you start to have churches pop up today, Faith Family, Rivertree, and all these churches who call them selves non-denominational have no idea what they believe… and I don’t think some of them know what they believe.
▪ Christian is an ambiguous label. – It literally doesn’t mean anything these days.

When God Speaks

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

September 28, 2025 - Sunday School

When God Speaks

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Introduction

Last week we considered the barrenness of Hannah, and discontentment that plagues our society today. Today, we are going to learn about God speaking to us!

I will never forget, I was in college, and working with kids in Jr. Church. A couple of the boys needed to go to the bathroom, so we walked to the main bathroom. When we got in there, there was a speaker in the bathroom, and you could hear the preacher in the main auditorium over the sound system. All of the boys got quiet and the preacher over the speaker was clear. One of those boys blurted out, “God is that you?” to the voice he heard over the speaker. I will never forget that boy asking that in the bathroom that day. The reality is God does want to speak to you, but he doesn’t speak today with an audible voice to use. He has given us all we need to know in his Word!

The Call of God

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

August 24, 2025

The Call of God

Exodus 3:1-6

1 Timothy 1:12 - “12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;”

Introduction

What is the call of God? I mention that I was called by God when I was thirteen years old. I sometimes say, I surrendered my life to God when I was 13 years old. I have a definite time, when I know God was working on my life, and calling me to preach. There was no burning bush like Moses, there was no bright light in the sky or voice from heaven like Paul, there was no voice of God calling my name like Samuel, there simply was a certainty that God wanted to use my life! No voices, no visions, just me and God.

Office of Deacon

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

January 19, 2025

Office of Deacon

1 Tim 3:8-13

Introduction

Every year in the business meeting, we vote on deacons, of the church. The office of a deacon is clearly laid out in Scripture for us. I want to teach about the office of the deacon tonight. God has blessed us with good deacons over the years, and we are very appreciative of that. Sometimes, in some places, there is a lot of confusion about what a deacon is, and what a deacon does.