Harvest Church Omaha

Harvest Church Omaha - Pastor Jeff Kaiser, Pastor German Ricca
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Weekly sermons from Harvest Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Encountering Jesus—Empowering You To Impact The World. Biblical teaching and practical encouragement to help you grow in faith, follow Christ, and impact your world with the Gospel.

  1. 4d ago

    No Longer Separated

    Centering on Romans 8:35–39, this message explores the profound truth that nothing in all of creation can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Pastor Karina Ricca addresses the honest reality of human suffering, reminding us that hardship and faithfulness can coexist. When we face trials like tribulation, distress, persecution, or famine, these circumstances are never proof of God's abandonment. Instead, the cross remains our fixed point of reference, showing us an eternal, sacrificial love that precedes our responses and never shifts, no matter how much our emotions fluctuate. Drawing from passages like Psalm 44:22 and Colossians 2:15, the sermon highlights Jesus as Kyrios—the sovereign Lord over the spiritual realm, time, and space. Even when opposing powers or worst-case scenarios press in, Christ has disarmed the enemy, and He continually intercedes for His people at the right hand of the Father. Because His victory is secure, we are "more than conquerors" through Him who loved us. The invitation is to move past mere head knowledge into a deep, personal conviction, living each day with the bold assurance that God's unconditional love anchors us through every season.

  2. Sep 27

    Walking With A Limp

    The sermon, "Walking With A Limp," centers on the transformative power of a divine encounter, drawing profound lessons from Jacob's wrestling match with God at Peniel in Genesis 32. Jacob, initially known as "Jake the Snake" for his conniving and self-reliant nature, was fleeing from his brother Esau, whom he had wronged. In his fear, Jacob sent his family and possessions ahead, leaving himself alone to confront his past and an uncertain future. It was during this solitude that Jacob wrestled all night with a mysterious "man," an encounter that left him both wounded and blessed. Though his hip was dislocated, Jacob refused to release the man until he received a blessing, leading to his renaming as "Israel," meaning "one who has struggled with God and with humans and has overcome" (Genesis 32:28). This physical wound, a permanent limp, became a powerful symbol of his chosen brokenness and humility. The speaker powerfully connects this to a personal experience of being violently shoved to the ground, yet ultimately saved, illustrating how God's hand can both wound and preserve life, leaving a lasting mark. This profound encounter transformed Jacob's approach to his estranged brother. Instead of continuing his manipulative ways, Jacob, hobbling and in pain, went ahead of his family and bowed seven times before Esau (Genesis 33:3). This act of genuine humility, born from his Peniel experience, paved the way for a tearful reconciliation, echoing the parable of the prodigal son where a father runs to embrace his returning child. The core message here is that our own "limp"—our brokenness and past encounters with God—fosters compassion and enables us to meet others, even those who might be considered enemies, with humility. The sermon emphasizes that seeing the face of another, even a hostile or difficult person, can be "like seeing the face of God" (Genesis 33:10). Beneath the anger and defensiveness, the image of God still glows, however broken. This perspective empowers believers to engage in difficult conversations, knowing that no encounter is a waste, and often these challenging interactions can lead to unexpected moments of connection, a handshake, or even a prayer request. Ultimately, the sermon calls us to fulfill our ministry with patience and endurance, as admonished in 2 Timothy 4:1-8, recognizing that our own "limp" helps us to love our enemies and persist in faithful witness, trusting God to work through every conversation.

  3. Sep 20

    No Longer Wasted

    This sermon, titled "No Longer Wasted," centers on the powerful promise of Romans 8:28, that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." The message invites us to view this verse as a multi-faceted diamond, revealing six dimensions of God's profound care for us, especially in seasons of suffering and confusion. Using the vivid illustration of a boy struggling with a puzzle piece that doesn't seem to fit, the sermon highlights how often we feel certain parts of our lives are "wasted" or don't belong. However, just as the father sees the whole picture on the puzzle box, our heavenly Father sees the complete image of our lives and knows exactly where every piece fits. God's care is certain because His word declares, "we know," even when our feelings might waver. It is comprehensive, meaning nothing – no good, bad, or painful circumstance – is outside His reach; He actively causes *all things* to work together. This care is profoundly redemptive, with the ultimate "good" being our transformation into the likeness of Christ, as Romans 8:29 clarifies. God uses life's challenges, like a sculptor shaping stone, to form our hearts and make us more like His Son, not merely to make our circumstances easy. His care is also deeply relational, specifically promised to "those who love God." This points to a Father who is intimately involved in our suffering, not distant, and who initiated His love for us (1 John 4:19). Furthermore, God's care is purposeful; our individual stories are part of His grander kingdom purposes, far beyond our comfort or limited understanding. Finally, His care is incredibly secure, as Romans 8:29-30 outlines a divine chain of events from foreknowledge to glorification, assuring us that our ultimate destination in Christ is not uncertain. Therefore, even when we face betrayal, loss, or unanswered prayers, we are encouraged to re-label these seemingly "wasted" pieces as "not finished." God is actively working, even when we cannot see or feel it, turning what was meant for evil into blessing, as seen in the story of Joseph (Genesis 50:20). Our calling is bigger than our comfort, and God is shaping us for glory, promising that our worst seasons do not get to write the final chapter of our lives.

  4. Sep 13

    No Longer Slaves

    Pastor Karina Ricca’s sermon, "No Longer Slaves," powerfully unpacks the liberating truth of Romans 8, emphasizing that through Christ's sacrifice, the "door" to freedom has been opened, and believers are no longer held captive by sin and the flesh. She begins by reminding us that while we may have lived in a "cage" of sin for so long that we began to think it was our home, the blood of Jesus has broken that claim. The old master—sin, the enemy, and our fallen nature—has lost its rightful ownership over us. Therefore, as Romans 8:1 declares, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Our position has been changed forever, not by anything we earn, but by God's grace. A central theme of the message is distinguishing between struggle and slavery. Though the Holy Spirit now dwells within us (Romans 8:9), we still encounter temptation and the "voice" of the old master. However, the presence of this voice or the reality of our struggles (like anger, fear, or insecurity) does not mean we are still slaves. Our identity is no longer defined by these struggles; rather, "the struggle is real, but the struggle is not your identity." True Christian living is not about self-improvement or willpower, but about "dying more" to self and allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us. As Romans 8:13 states, "if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." This transformation involves both "putting off your old self" and "putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). It's not just about stopping what's wrong, but actively starting to do what's right. The sermon culminates in the profound truth of adoption. We have not received a "spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of adoption as sons by whom you cry out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Romans 8:15). This adoption shifts our mindset from asking, "Am I enough?" like a slave, to declaring, "I belong!" like a child. Failure no longer means we are finished; instead, we know to run to our loving Father. This sonship brings immense confidence and intimacy, far surpassing even the best earthly father. As children of God, we are also "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17), meaning our future is secure, tied to Christ with an inheritance of eternal life, resurrection, and glory. Even suffering and difficult seasons do not cancel our adoption or our place in God's family. Pastor Ricca encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the Father's heart, reminding us that we have a place at the table and are empowered to live a life of righteousness and holiness, not to earn our salvation, but to honor the God who brought us home.

  5. Sep 6

    No Longer Condemned

    This sermon, "No Longer Condemned," launches our series through Romans 8 by drawing a powerful contrast between the desperate human struggle described in Romans 7 and the liberating truth found in Christ. Pastor German Ricca emphasized that we often find ourselves, like the Apostle Paul, crying out, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" (Romans 7:24). This cry reveals a foundational truth: we cannot rescue ourselves through willpower, good intentions, or trying harder to follow rules. Paul's own experience, even as someone who delighted in God's law, showed that an "another law at work" within us wages war against our desire to do good, leaving us feeling like prisoners to sin (Romans 7:21-23). The good news, introduced by the pivotal word "therefore" at the beginning of Romans 8, is that Jesus is the rescuer. He alone can fill the gap between what we want to do and what we actually do. The sermon highlighted that being "in Christ" is not about our feelings or performance, but a decisive position before God. When God looks at us, He sees us through Christ, not apart from Him. This means that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). This isn't a suggestion to ignore sin, but a declaration that Christ has fully dealt with it through His sacrifice, condemning sin in the flesh so that the righteous requirement of the law might be met in us (Romans 8:3-4). A key distinction made was between conviction and condemnation. Condemnation, often from the enemy or our own past regrets, leads to shame, hiding from God, and self-punishment. It keeps us trapped in cycles of guilt, even for sins God has already forgiven, as seen in the example of those struggling with the memory of past abortions. In contrast, conviction, from the Holy Spirit, gently points out sin but leads us to Jesus through repentance, confession, and transformation. The Holy Spirit empowers us, transforming us from the inside out, enabling an obedience that was impossible through our own strength. We are called to stop trying to pay for what Christ has already paid for, and instead, embrace God's forgiveness and live from His acceptance. Ultimately, the message urged us to build our spiritual lives on a deep, reinforced foundation in Christ, much like the "Miracle House" in Nepal that withstood a devastating flood because of its strong foundation. Our faith should not be "surface level." When accusations come, our answer is not "I am better than I used to be," but "I am in Christ." This truth allows us to fight *against sin and grow stronger in the Spirit, rather than fighting for* God's acceptance, which is already secured in Jesus.

  6. Aug 30

    Discerning True and False: Standing Firm in Sound Doctrine

    This sermon urges us to take seriously the growing threat of deception in our world, particularly concerning false prophets and teachers. Drawing from Jesus' warnings in Matthew 7 and 24, the message highlights that in the last days, "many will mislead many," and that often, "signs and wonders" can be the very tip of the spear of deception, used to mislead even the elect. The speaker identifies two primary kinds of false teachers: those who are intentional "wolves in sheep's clothing" and those who are themselves deceived and, unknowingly, deceive others (2 Timothy 3:13). To equip believers for discernment, four categories of dangerous teaching are presented: extra-biblical (teachings without any biblical foundation, like claims of sleeping angels), unbiblical (interpretations that contradict Scripture, such as saying Israel in the wilderness was under God's favor when they were under judgment), heretical (denying core tenets of historic, orthodox Christian theology, like Jesus ceasing to be God on earth), and blasphemous (disrespecting God's majesty, such as crude jokes about angels around God's throne). A key concern raised is the "lowering of God's Word" and the "lowering of God Himself," where God is reduced to a "BFF" or "butler," diminishing His awe and holiness. This often coincides with an exalting of man, blurring the lines between human and divine power. The sermon also cautions against preaching that emphasizes only one or two of God's attributes (like love or goodness) while omitting His holiness, righteousness, justice, and wrath, which leads to an unbalanced and dangerous understanding of His character. Furthermore, we are reminded that God's genuine movement and touch in a service are not necessarily an endorsement of the speaker or their potentially flawed message. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to adopt a Berean spirit (Acts 17:10-12), eagerly receiving the Word but diligently examining the Scriptures daily to test all teachings and ensure they align with God's truth, rather than relying on emotional experiences or spiritual excitement. The most dangerous deceptions often contain 99% truth mixed with a small, poisonous lie, much like Satan's temptation in Genesis 3. Therefore, we must continually handle the "real thing"—God's full, balanced Word—to recognize the counterfeit.

  7. Aug 23

    No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper

    This sermon proclaims a powerful truth: God always gets the final word. Anchored in Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn," the message demonstrates how God's sovereign plan prevails over every opposition and accusation. Through a vivid "flyover" of the book of Esther, we witness Haman's ascent to power and his prideful demand for homage. When Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to bow, Haman's arrogance escalates into a genocidal plot against all Jewish people. This moment presents a crucial challenge: are we willing to compromise our convictions when pressured, or will we stand firm for Christ alone? Mordecai's unwavering stance, even when everyone else conformed, serves as a powerful example. The sermon then highlights Esther's pivotal role. Initially hesitant, she is challenged by Mordecai's conviction that "if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place... Yet who knows whether you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14). Esther embraces her responsibility, declaring, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). This courage, fueled by fasting and a deep trust in God, despite His seeming absence from the narrative, sets the stage for a divine reversal. God's silence, we are reminded, is never His absence; He is always at work, even when we cannot see His hand. Ultimately, Haman's pride leads to his downfall, as he is exposed and hung on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai. Mordecai is honored, and the Jewish people are delivered. This dramatic reversal underscores that God specializes in turning situations around. The sermon emphasizes that just as Jesus, despite condemnation and crucifixion, had the final word over death and hell, so too does God have the final say in our lives. We are called to resist bowing to shame, condemnation, false guilt, or any "Haman" in our lives, trusting that God's faithfulness is the true hero of every story. Our confidence is not that we will avoid all hurt, but that nothing can separate us from Christ or overturn God's saving purposes. As we partake in communion, we celebrate not our own righteousness, but His finished work, remembering that Jesus' sacrifice ensures our freedom and wholeness, and that His covenant is everlasting.

  8. Aug 16

    He Hasn't Changed

    Psalm 103 teaches that worship starts with a deliberate choice, not a mood. David looks in the mirror and speaks to himself: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” commanding his whole being—mind, will, emotions, and body—to kneel in reverence before God and to refuse the slow drift into spiritual forgetfulness. The sermon warns that one of the greatest dangers to faithfulness is not suffering, but comfort. When life improves, it’s easy to enjoy God’s gifts while ignoring the Giver, sliding from blessing to comfort, then self-sufficiency, then forgetfulness and ingratitude. The antidote is intentional remembering, because remembering fuels gratitude and gratitude keeps dependence on God alive. David anchors worship in God’s unchanging character, not in circumstances. He calls believers to “forget none of His benefits,” rehearsing who God continually is and does: He forgives all sin and removes it completely; He heals in multiple ways and ultimately through resurrection hope; He redeems our lives from the pit like a kinsman-redeemer; He crowns us with steadfast love and compassion, giving us a new identity; and He satisfies us with what we truly need, sometimes through provision and sometimes through correction or closed doors. As we command our souls to bless the Lord and remember His grace—especially in good seasons—God renews our strength like an eagle, giving fresh endurance and perspective to worship through grief, storms, and everyday life. All of this finds its fullest fulfillment in Jesus, who drew near, carried our burden, and secured our freedom so we can live in grateful, dependent worship.

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About

Weekly sermons from Harvest Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Encountering Jesus—Empowering You To Impact The World. Biblical teaching and practical encouragement to help you grow in faith, follow Christ, and impact your world with the Gospel.

Information

  • Creator
    Harvest Church Omaha - Pastor Jeff Kaiser, Pastor German Ricca
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Harvest Church Omaha
  • Show Website
    Harvest Church Omaha