I’m starting a new podcast in early 2017 with the purpose of promoting the people & community of Garretson. Watch the video below and send me some suggestions of people to interview!
Christmas IS For Broken People! (New Message)
Christmas IS For Broken People! (Click to Open)
For many people, Christmas is a time of immense depression & loneliness. What we don’t realize is that the message of Christmas is SPECIFICALLY for broken people!
In this Christmas message, I preach through Luke 2:8-10. My prayer is that this encourages you in your faith and helps you understand just how much God loves you. If this message has impacted you, please consider sharing it on social media!
Three ESSENTIALS of Following Jesus
(If you are reading this in your e-mail you will have to go to the actual page to watch the video)
Here are some of my reflection on Matthew 10:27-28. My prayer is that this encourages you in your faith and challenges you to take Jesus seriously!
Christmas Is For Broken People…
(If you are viewing this in your e-mail, you will have to go to the actual page in order to watch the video)
If you are wrestling with depression, anxiety, or loneliness this Christmas, the message of Christmas is FOR YOU!
If you live in the Garretson area, I’d be absolutely thrilled to have you & your family join us for Christmas Eve. The service is at 5pm at the school in Garretson. Anyone & everyone is welcome regardless of your religious beliefs, political views, sexuality, etc!
Greatness Redefined (New Message!)
The Table – Week 2 – Time to Serve (Click to Listen!)
Many of us have toxic views of greatness. We tend to measure greatness by money, status, & power. In God’s Kingdom, we see that greatness is ENTIRELY different than how we view it.
In this message, I spend some time teaching through Luke 22:24-27; paying specific attention to how Jesus redefines greatness.
Three Things Christians SHOULD Learn from Mormons!
I must place a disclaimer here: I do not believe the LDS (i.e. Mormon) Church is a Christian church. Their doctrine differs significantly from historical Christianity to such a degree that they are outside of orthodox faith. For more information on this, I encourage you to watch this video by Ravi Zacharias.
I met with three members from the LDS church (Mormon church) this morning to talk about Jesus. Although I disagree strongly with their doctrine and view of God, there are at least three things we can learn from the Mormon church.
1. We need to emphasize the importance of missions!
Virtually every young man in the Mormon church embarks on a 2-year mission between the ages of 18 – 25. This mission is self-funded and often takes these young adults to different parts of the world. In preparation for the mission field, many of these missionaries learn to speak in a foreign language to effectively witness about their faith.
On the contrary, many Christians this age are content with playing beer-pong and watching pornography. It is an absolute shame that we, who have been entrusted with the message of the Gospel, do not take sharing our faith as seriously as Mormons!
2. We need to seek to do GOOD to our neighbors!
These young men I visited with were well aware I was not going to become a convert. They understood that I am a pastor attending seminary and was interested in simply hearing their stories and challenging them with some thought-provoking questions.
NEVERTHELESS, these young men offered to help me move over the next week. Mormons understand the absolute necessity of serving other people through practical acts of service. As part of their 2-year mission, they devote themselves to community service in order to add value to the city they are called to.
What if we as Christians searched for practical ways to serve our neighbors? What if we offered to help total strangers move? What if we were known by what we were FOR rather than what we were AGAINST?
3. We need to understand WHAT we actually believe!
One of the vital doctrines that puts Mormonism outside of Christianity is their view of the Trinity. Historical Christianity teaches that there is only one God who exists eternally in three distinct persons. Mormonism teaches that there are 3 gods who make up the “Godhead” and if we obey the commands of the church, we can also become gods.
Here’s the thing… these fresh-faced teenagers could actually articulate to me what the Mormon church teaches about God. Although they are wrong, they at least thought through who God is!
The vast majority of Christians’ eyes gloss over when someone mentions the Trinity… or the Atonement… or Propitiation…. or Eschatology… or Ecclesiology… (you get the point!)
DOCTRINE IS IMPORTANT!
I disagree greatly with the Mormon church. I believe Mormons need to turn from their false religion and embrace Biblical Christianity as revealed through Scripture and thousands of years of church history. Nevertheless, there are many things the Mormon church does far greater than our churches… and it’s to our shame!
Our World is Falling Apart.
Young children experiencing excruciating abuse & humiliation as victims of sex trafficking.
Babies have bodies destroyed by the viciousness of cancer.
Men & women squeeze the cold steel of a handgun while pointed it at themselves; intent on escaping the cruelty of this world through suicide.
Many are in bondage to addiction – drugs, alcohol, pornography – and are powerless to overcome the chains which choke life out of their souls.
Each of us has experienced the utter darkness of this world. For every moment of joy, there are numerous incidents of earth-shattering pain. We cry out for redemption but it seems to be a distant reality; we scream to God for healing but our bodies continue to decay.
The world we live in is marked by suffering, corruption, and brokenness. It has been this way since the first humans chose to willfully disobey God. Their rebellion unleashed the power of death to reign over all of creation.
It is into this wicked and sin-sick world that God became a man.
The Incarnation. Emmanuel. God with us.
Jesus.
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil…” – John 3:19
Today marks the first Sunday of Advent. It in this season that we return our focus to the One who really matters – Jesus Christ. He is the only One who gives hope to this world. I want to encourage you to spend intentional time over the next few weeks considering the incredible reality of the Gospel.
Jesus lived the life we could not live; died the death we deserve to die; and resurrected from the dead VICTORIOUS over the world, Satan, and our flesh.
In the midst of the hopelessness which rules in our culture, Jesus is the embodiment of Hope.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world…” – John 16:33
The Danger of Forgetfulness
Thieves of Thanksgiving – Week 1 – Forgetfulness (Click here to listen!)
Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. One of his most effective tactics is causing us to forget God’s faithfulness. In this message, I share some practical steps on fighting against this spiritual amnesia.
P.S. I have the honor of preaching every week at The Rescue Church in Garretson, SD. If you live in the area, I would love to have YOU be my guest. The service is at 10am and we meet at the school in Garretson!
Christians, Politics, & Donald Trump
I have resisted the strong urge to comment publicly on politics. My resistance has officially been broken.
My heart has been crushed by the mud-slinging happening among Christians. Our response to this election has exposed the false gods we have elevated in our hearts, churches, and country.
1. We worship man.
The only explanation for the bitterness and emotional vomit that unfolds on social media is that we find our hope in man, not God. When our idols are threatened, we respond with sharp words soaked in venom.
We give lip service to the ideal of trusting in God but our actions & words contradict this confession.
When we attack and demonize others due to their politics beliefs, we worship man. Those who truly worship God understand that the Gospel tears down the dividing walls of hostility that separate people – it doesn’t build them (Ephesians 2:14).
2. We worship our country.
We forget that our primary citizenship is not here (Philippians 3:20). Often our patriotism turns into idolatry when we equate the United States with the Kingdom of God. We make this mistake by using promises God made towards Israel and applying them to the U.S.
God is not dependent on the United States to advance His mission.
The day is coming when the United States will only exist in history books. The Church of Jesus Christ will outlast the United States and any other nation – regardless of how powerful they are.
Our citizenship is first and foremost in God’s Kingdom. This is a Kingdom which cannot be shaken and will endure for eternity. It is led by God himself – King Jesus – who rules and reigns with complete righteousness.
3. We worship certain policies.
Many Christians do not realize that the church began to face corruption once it received political power. For the first 300 years of the church, Christians were considered the scum of the earth. They were slandered, persecuted, and abused. In the midst of this dark time, the church grew exponentially.
Eventually, Christianity became a favored religion in the Roman empire during the rule of Constantine. This produced power-hungry leaders who demanded that the State bow to their religion. Brutal wars were fought over points of doctrine; bishops used violence to force adherence. This is a far cry from Jesus’ call to be peacemakers.
We aren’t called to be politically powerful. Revival doesn’t begin by making Christianity “great” again. Enacting certain policies or electing the right judge will not bring about lasting change. Revival only begins when the hearts of men & women are exposed to the power of the Gospel.
As election day nears, I encourage you to vote your conscience.
- Does your conscience allow you to vote for Donald Trump? Then do it.
- Does your conscience allow you to vote for Hillary Clinton? Then do it.
- Does your conscience allow you to vote for a third-party candidate? Then do it.
On November 9th, Jesus will still be King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus promised that the world would know us by our love for each other; let’s quit attacking other people over temporary issues! The Kingdom of God welcomes democrats, republicans, independents, and any other party!
Our Kingdom is built on the person & work of Jesus Christ – not an elected official or political system!
The Attraction of Emotional Health (Message)
The Attraction of Emotional Health (Click HERE to listen!)
God desires that we live such emotionally healthy lives that those who reject the Gospel are attracted to the way we live. Unfortunately, many our our lives are filled with dysfunction and unhealthy conflict.
In this message I share some practical steps on how we can witness to the Gospel by becoming peacemakers. Be sure to leave a comment on how this message has spoken to you, I’d love to hear your feedback!
Tyler Ramsbey 