Ridgecrest Baptist Church - Sermons

In this exploration of Mark 12, we uncover the deceptive nature of religion and how it can be used to undermine truth. We're reminded that Jesus, the embodiment of truth, faced opposition from religious leaders who tried to trap Him with clever questions. Through three distinct scenarios - political arrogance, theological ignorance, and spiritual relevance - we see how the enemy still uses these tactics today to confuse and mislead us. The key lesson? We must be grounded in Scripture and truly know God's heart, not just religious knowledge. This message challenges us to move beyond surface-level faith and truly...

The Resurrection was the ultimate proof that Jesus was who He said He was and that He did exactly what He said He would do. Pastor Ray continues our resurrection celebration with a message titled, "Just Like He Said He Would!"

Chip Ingram said, “The cross is the greatest example of humility and devotion in the universe. Jesus put your needs ahead of His own. He considered you more valuable than Himself.”

Pastor Ray shares a Palm Sunday message titled, "The Pathway to the Cross."

Chuck Locke shares a message from Galatians 5 entitled, "Everyday Kindness."

Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” Join us this Sunday as Pastor Ray shares a message titled, “Desperation that Led to Restoration” from his series, The Story of Jesus.

Dave Ramsey has written, True leadership is servanthood. Put the interests of others at the center of your decisions.

Pastor Ray continues his series, The Story of Jesus with a message titled, “Kingdom Influencers.”

This week, we continue looking at the story of the rich young ruler and uncover profound truths about discipleship and the nature of following Christ. The central message challenges us to examine what truly controls our lives and whether we're willing to surrender everything to follow Jesus. We're confronted with the reality that positive qualities and sincere desires alone aren't enough - true discipleship requires complete surrender to Christ's lordship.

In this powerful exploration of discipleship, we look into the story of the rich young ruler from Mark 10. We're challenged to consider our own spiritual condition - are we, like the young man, eager to follow Jesus but blind to what truly controls our hearts?

Chase Faulk shares a message from Psalm 90 entitled, "Time Flies."

Chuck Locke shares a message from Galatians 5 entitled, "Everyday Patience."

Lance Griffin shares a message from Romans 12:2 entitled, "The Matter Of The Mind."

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ. The central scripture, Mark 8:31-38, reveals Jesus' call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This isn't a call to casual Christianity, but to a life of deep commitment and transformation. Just as maple syrup requires a painstaking process to refine raw sap into something valuable, our spiritual journey demands dedication and perseverance. We're reminded that there are no shortcuts in discipleship - it's a lifelong process of cultivating spiritual discernment, contemplating self-denial, and committing to serious devotion...

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the nature of faith that is both tried and triumphant. The story of the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7 serves as our guide, revealing profound truths about tenacious belief. We learn that faith is not a spiritual game, a magic formula, or a blind leap, but rather a confident trust in Jesus Christ. As we journey through life, our faith will be tested, much like this woman's was. But her persistence teaches us the importance of remaining steadfast, even when faced with apparent rejection. The message challenges us to cultivate a faith...

Andrew Murray wrote, “The world asks, ‘What does a man own?’ Christ asks, ‘How does he use it?’” 

Pastor Ray concludes this series with his message, “The FaithfulSteward.”

Charles Spurgeon once said, “No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow.”

Pastor Ray continues the series “Faithful” with his message titled The Faithful Servant.

As we embark on a new year, let's reflect on the profound importance of faithful worship in our spiritual lives. The message draws inspiration from Psalm 100, reminding us that worship is not a spectator sport, but a participatory event that should fill us with joy and gratitude.

We're challenged to enter God's presence with gladness, even when we don't feel like it, understanding that this is both a command and a discipline. The power of gratitude is emphasized, not just for its physical and emotional benefits, but for its spiritual impact on our relationship with God. As...

Watchman Nee wrote,  “Spiritual advancement is measured by faithful obedience.” As we start the new year, join us as Pastor Ray shares a message on how we can live faithfully for God in 2025.

In this message from Pastor Ray Jones, we're challenged to examine the authenticity of our faith.
Are we like the Pharisees, holding to a superficial religion, or do we have a genuine, transformative relationship with God? The sermon dives into Mark 7, where Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their traditions and lip service to God. We're reminded that true faith isn't about outward appearances or rituals, but about a heart that's close to God.
This message urges us to move beyond mere information about God to a life-changing transformation through Christ. It's a call to distinguish between human...

In this powerful exploration of the feeding of the 5,000, we're reminded of God's limitless provision and the importance of faith in seemingly impossible situations. This pivotal miracle, recounted in all four Gospels, teaches us that Jesus not only meets our physical needs but also nurtures our spiritual growth. As we face our own 'impossible' challenges, we're encouraged to bring what little we have to God, trusting Him to multiply it beyond our imagination. The story beautifully illustrates how God uses ordinary things - like five loaves and two fish - to accomplish extraordinary feats. It challenges us to examine...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to consider our true identity as citizens of God's kingdom. Drawing from 2 Peter 3, we're reminded that while we live in this world, our ultimate allegiance is to Christ. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of living with kingdom intensity, recognizing that Christ's return is imminent. We're called to be alert, active, and purposeful in our faith, not relaxing our spiritual vigilance even in times of perceived victory. The parallels drawn between animal instincts before natural disasters and our need for spiritual alertness are particularly striking. This message encourages us to reevaluate our priorities, focusing...

In this powerful message rooted in Joel chapter 1, we're called to 'Wake Up' and recognize the spiritual challenges of our times. The prophet Joel's warnings to ancient Israel resonate deeply with our modern struggles. Just as locusts devastated the land then, our joy and spiritual vitality can be devoured by worldly distractions today. We're urged to notice the times, share about them, and respond with renewed devotion. The call to fast, gather in assembly, and cry out to God isn't just ancient history—it's a blueprint for our spiritual revival. As we face our own 'locusts,' whether they're co...

Watchman Nee wrote, “I need forgiveness for my sins, but I need also deliverance from the power of sin... I appreciate the blessed fact of God's forgiveness, but I want something more than that: I want deliverance. I need forgiveness for what I have done, but I need also deliverance from what I am.”

Pastor Ray continues his series, The Story of Jesus with a message titled “Of Pigs and People.” 

In this powerful exploration of the Parable of the Sower, we delve into the four types of soil representing different conditions of the human heart. This parable, found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, offers profound insights into why people respond differently to God's Word. We're challenged to examine our own hearts: Are we the hard path where the Word is easily snatched away? The rocky ground where faith withers under pressure? The thorny soil where worldly concerns choke our spiritual growth? Or are we the good soil, producing a bountiful harvest? This message reminds us that our response to...

Billy Graham said, “To be a disciple is to be committed to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and committed to following Him every day.” 

Pastor Ray shares a message titled, “A Call to Action” from his series, The Story of Jesus.

This week, we explore the profound lessons from the story of Jesus healing a leper in Mark 1:40-45. We're reminded of our own spiritual condition - our sin sickness that separates us from God. Just as the leper approached Jesus with desperation, we too must come to Him with urgency, recognizing our need for His cleansing touch. The leper's humble submission and faith serve as a model for our own approach to Christ. We learn that while we can ask Jesus for help, we must also accept His will, avoiding the trap of treating Him like a genie granting...

This week, we're reminded that Jesus is still the answer to all of life's questions and challenges. The Gospel of Mark shows us Jesus' threefold ministry of healing, deliverance, and declaration. We see how Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law and many others, demonstrating that He still heals today through medicine, miracles, or by taking us to heaven. The message encourages us to trust in Jesus' healing power, even when outcomes differ from our expectations. We're also challenged to embrace our own ministry of reconciliation, sharing the good news of Christ with others.

This week, we look into the reality of spiritual warfare and the authority of Jesus Christ over demonic forces. The key scripture comes from Mark 1:21-28, where Jesus confronts an unclean spirit in the synagogue. We learn that demons are real, active in our world, and often hide behind seemingly good or progressive ideas. However, we're reminded that Jesus has ultimate authority over these forces. As believers, we don't need to live in fear, but we must be aware and vigilant. The message encourages us to stand firm in our faith, resist the enemy through praise and scripture, and...

This week we explore the call of Jesus to discipleship through Mark's Gospel. We're reminded that following Jesus is not just about salvation, but a complete surrender of our lives. The story of Jesus calling His first disciples teaches us that God often chooses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. We're challenged to consider our own response to Jesus' invitation: 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' This call isn't just for vocational ministry, but for all believers to live purposefully for God's kingdom. The message emphasizes that it's not about our qualifications, but our willingness...

Bro. Ray begins a BRAND NEW sermon series called "The Story Of Jesus."

We explore the significance of baptism through the lens of Jesus' own baptism in the Jordan River. We learn that baptism is not just a ritual, but a profound act of obedience and identification with Christ.

Biblical baptism is by immersion, as demonstrated by Jesus Himself. This act symbolizes our repentance and new life in Christ. We're reminded that there's a strong connection between our obedience to God and experiencing His power in our lives.

Just as the Holy Spirit...

Bro. Ray is back from his July sabbatical and concludes his series "On Purpose."

In this message, we're reminded of God's purpose for our lives and the importance of living it out faithfully. The central theme revolves around 2 Corinthians 13, where Paul admonishes the Corinthians to examine themselves and get their spiritual act together. We're challenged to consider why God may intervene in our lives, preserving us for His greater purpose. The message draws parallels between the Corinthians' struggles and our modern cultural challenges, urging us to value our souls above all else. We're encouraged to guard against...

Aaron Dickinson shares a message from Colossians 1 entitled, "Two People You Need To Know."

Lance Griffin shares a message from John 18 entitled, "The Truth Is Out There."

John Mark Comer once said, “Spiritual friendships do not work unless both members are fully committed to the transformational journey with Christ.”

Chase Faulk shares a message from Hebrews 10 entitled, "A Confident Plan."

Corrie Ten Boom said, “Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” Join us this Sunday as Pastor Ray shares a message titled “Faith Displayed—On Purpose.

Paul Washer writes, “The mark of a man of God is God upon the man.”

Pastor Ray shares a message from his current series “On Purpose” titled, Be A Man of God.

Pastor Chuck Locke shares a message from Psalm 95 entitled, "The Weight & Wonder of Worship."

Pastor Chuck Locke shares a message from Psalm 28 entitled, "What's Your Song?"

John Wesley said,  “One of the principal rules of religion is, to lose no occasion of serving God. And, since he is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve him in our neighbor; which he receives as if done to himself in person, standing visibly before us.”

Pastor Ray continues his series “On-Purpose” with a message titled, Serve God—On Purpose.

Ronald Reagan said,  “The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America - our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal.” Bro. Ray shares a special message titled… Three Dangers Facing America.