Reading City Church

We are continuing our study of what the Bible says about Satan, specifically the influence that he has (or doesn't have) on the world. The purpose of this study is to define our true identity in the love and power of God and how we do not need to fear the world or its ruler, no matter what we face. Part of this is acknowledging the ways of the world that are not aligned with the Truth of who God i...

To many Americans, the idea of Satan seems very archaic and ignorant. The Western world does not accept the existence of evil beings as readily as the idea of angels or other holy beings. We are generally hesitant to label darkness in the world. Recognizing the ways that we've been formed by the world and choosing to turn to God's truth is important and that's what we've focused on a lot in the pa...

This is the first part of our new series about the supernatural things that are described in the Bible. Our intention for this series is to make our faith big again - to break out of the boxes that we put God into and to embrace wonder again. We're starting with studying what the Bible says about angels: what they do, why they exist, and how they appear. There will be lots of scripture references...

We are concluding our short series about women and men in the Church by acknowledging wounds of the past and taking a peek into a potential future of how the Church could operate if we move in grace and understanding - knowing that we won't always get things right. We are after a life-giving vision of women and men side by side, based on the clear heart of God in scripture, made a reality through...

We are continuing to examine God's heart for men and women in the context of scripture, culture, and our own biases. The filter through which so many view the scriptures is still through an unredeemed lens - one that seems bent on preserving the consequences of sin instead of the new way of redemption, or reconciliation, and trust between men and women. This week, we are specifically looking at t...

We're continuing to look at the role and interactions of women and men in the Bible, this week from the perspective of the New Testament. Jesus affirmed women with a depth that is difficult for us to grasp today. He redeemed them, engaged them, elevated them, equipped them with His teachings, and sent them to proclaim His truth. He revealed a kingdom that included men and women, side by side. This...

This is the beginning of a short series that is meant to give a larger understanding of God's heart for women and men. This Sunday we're starting with the Old Testament, specifically Genesis to set up God's original design for creating humanity - male and female - in the image of God. We're starting out by recognizing that many of the roles, reactions, guidelines, and other norms that determine ho...

Every year we take some intentional time to reflect on the goodness of God in our community and our church. We use this time to talk about the life of the church and the budget, but also to remember what matters most in our relationship with God and each other. This is our last week to hear a short challenge about a topic that is important for your spiritual formation. You'll also hear from a few...

Every year we take some intentional time to reflect on the goodness of God in our community and our church. We use this time to talk about the life of the church and the budget, but also to remember what matters most in our relationship with God and each other. In the next three weeks, you'll hear a short challenge about a topic that is important for your spiritual formation. You'll also hear from...

Every year we take some intentional time to reflect on the goodness of God in our community and our church. We use this time to talk about the life of the church and the budget, but also to remember what matters most in our relationship with God and each other. In the next three weeks, you'll hear a short challenge about a topic that is important for your spiritual formation. You'll also hear from...

We all have 3 versions of ourselves. There's the "Ideal You" which is the you that you usually present to the world. The "Real You" which is the you that you only show to certain trusted family or friends who have earned your trust. There's also a "Real, Real You" which is the you that is eternal. It's the You that was created in the image of God that Jesus created brand new. There are forces that...

In this Advent season, we are looking at men and women who chose to follow a difficult calling from God and then gifts that came through their obedience. This week, we learn about Simeon and Anna and their "Delayed Gift." There are processes that take place in our times of waiting that grow our character, expand our ability to trust & help us let go of our need to control the outcomes of things. I...

During the Advent season, we are looking at the good gifts of God that often show up in surprising ways and we may not consider to be gifts at the time. This week, we are focusing on the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the "unexpected gift." They are faced with acknowledging a hurt they've carried for a long time - the lack of a child - and a miraculous promise. The unexpected gift can come a...

In anticipation of Christmas, we are opening and examining the very good gifts that Christ gives us, which we may or may not understand. This week, we start with the "unseen gift" and read the stories of Mary and Joseph as they take on a responsibility and gift they never anticipated: birthing and raising the Son of God. Change comes through unseen gifts. Our struggles offer us unseen gifts that c...

We are finishing our segment of scripture for this series by returning to the question of "what matters most?" Jesus addresses a crowd of people who are used to certain responses, religious ways of living, or cultural biases and he challenges how they are observing a situation. His words would have been confusing and difficult for them to accept. In the same way, his words challenge us to reform o...

When spiritual realities are mentioned in the Bible they are often cause confusion (both for us and for the audience at the time). These kinds of passages require lots of prayer and patience to allow God to speak to us and discern for us what we need to pay attention to. Today, we are focusing on Jesus' warning about how darkness can cause us to fight against each other, scatter, or simply disconn...

We often miss the beauty in some Bible stories or passages that we hear frequently. In this continuation of our study in Luke, we listen to the prayer that Jesus teaches his disciples. It's a simple prayer that he gives them because they ask. We can approach God in the same way - even when we feel lost or have no idea what to say. He tells us that His spirit is with us, teaching and guiding us. Yo...

We continue reading Luke with the story that highlights two of Jesus' closest friends: Mary and Martha. This story is meant to jolt us into a different way of seeing what matters most in this life and how the most honored actions in the kingdom of God come from the least likely people. Mary's messy emotions and unconventional openness was welcomed and embraced by Jesus. He sees her depths and meet...

One of the amazing things that Jesus taught us during his time on Earth was how to be human. This series is called "What Matters Most" because we are examining the things that mattered the most to Jesus while He spent time here. In this passage, Jesus shows us what spiritual authority means. He teaches us that spiritual authority has nothing to do with our perception of our worth; our title, posit...

In the previous sermon, we considered the different kind of resolution that Jesus set in his mind on his journey to Jerusalem. Now, we look at the same verses to study the different kind of response that Jesus had in contrast to the culture he was raised in and the expectations of the time. When we are on our own journeys, how do we respond differently than what may be expect? As we fall on His gr...

This is what matters most: to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ and purpose to follow His spirit. This may not look like what we expect. Sometimes it feels like wandering with little to no direction. This is the part of faith that is difficult because we may feel like a spiritual nomad. However there are rich and beautiful things that He will show us along the way. This is the first sermon in our fall...

Every year in September, we have a Welcome Back Sunday to review some of the values, changes, and opportunities at RCC. This year we are also exploring the Biblical support for time management and how God blesses the investment of our time.

Jesus constantly challenged perceptions and ideas that were taken for granted as fact. He continues to do this. In Luke 9:46-50, Jesus used the example of a child to explain that it's often those who we look down on or ignore who have great value in the kingdom of God. We are quick to make assumptions or hold tightly to what we think is right to justify ourselves. God is asking us to surrender the...

We don't have to look hard to face the reality of darkness. It's real in our world, but Jesus is clear that we are not without hope. In this section of Luke, he casts out the darkness from a little boy who is suffering. He rebukes his disciples for their inability to meet the need. His desire was for them to understand that his extraordinary, life-giving kingdom must flow through common, everyday...

Continuing in our intensive study in Luke, today we read about Jesus' transfiguration. This is the only time when Jesus actually shows some of the essence of who he is to a few of his disciples. God is being fully accessible and approachable to his people for the first time. The idea of the eternal glory of God that we will one day enter and is within our humanity because of Jesus, can seem very u...