Rivercrest Presbyterian Church - Sermons

We have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the basis from which all Christian hope flows, that our God keeps His promises. So, our hope isn't in ourselves, or in our faith, but in His faithfulness. 

The people of God are called to unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind. Towards one another this is edifying and an encouragement as we are lights in this world, but Peter also calls us to engage with the evil in the world. Though it is not easy, by blessing those who are evil to us we proclaim a powerful witness of the gospel.

In the middle of Peter's first letter he addresses wives and husbands. While remembering our identity as believers in Christ, as living stones and a holy nation, we are to live in marriage as God has called us to. Through love, imperishable beauty and honor, wives and husbands are to live so that their spouse notices their gospel transformed life. 

Called to be servants as well as to be rooted in our elect exile identity, Peter is pointing us to the way Christians are to live in an unjust world. With the gospel always before us, we look to Christ as our example to live by, and by grace the world will see His glory in His Church.

The life of a believer as a member of the Church should be a light to the world. This light shines through our good works, but is rooted in our graciously given identity: beloved children of the King.

With foundational elements and truth of gospel proclamation, the Church today through the power of the Holy Spirit, is to be a light to the world. The identity of God's people are secure in His promises.

Christ is the Word of God who is the imperishable seed now in all believers. Therefore, Peter is encouraging the Church today to live as we've been called and to put away relational wreckage. In this we love one another as family with a pure heart, that others who are without Christ may know Him by the way we love one another. 

Our identity directs how we live. For those who trust in Jesus Christ, their identity is secured in His resurrection. In this victory we now live as obedient children as Peter calls us, full of hope and faith to be holy because of the salvation purchased for us in Christ rising from the grave.

Prophets pointed towards the Messiah and looked forward to His redemption and salvation. Believers now, aided by the angels and the Holy Spirit, know Christ as the Messiah and live in the knowledge of His life, death, and resurrection while looking forward to Him fully redeeming all things. 

Jesus is living hope for those who have faith in Him, both in His death and resurrection. He did not stay dead and His promises come to fruition, meaning that the inheritance set before us, one that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading will be kept for us in heaven. Past and future assurance aid the believer in the present, in Christ our living hope.

Peter introduces himself in his first letter as rooted in Jesus Christ. For believers our identity is sealed by the blood of Christ as His beloved. This world is not our home, and living as a Christian will mean rejecting the easy way of the world, but our identity is secure in our Savior. 

Our lament can quickly turn to praise, trust and hope because of the promises of God. Through Christ and His atoning death and resurrection, by faith we can be saved to fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore, knowing we will never be abandoned or forgotten.

Esther protected her people with faith and courage, and in conquering their enemies they represented God's justice. This conquering wasn't political or social, but rather spiritual, and in response to deliverance they were commissioned to celebrate Purim each year; a reminder of God's victory and steadfast love for His people. Today as the church we ought to often celebrate the wond...

In Esther 8 we see the story completely turn. She has endured through a long struggle to finally save her people, the Jews. Like Esther, Christians have two choices in their daily lives; the way of fear or the way of faith. In Christ we know that "perfect love casts out fear".

In exposing her ethnicity and becoming vulnerable to death, Esther seeks liberty and justice in Persia. Because of her courage and reputation, the king listens to her and brings destruction on Human, the one who wanted destruction for the Jews. As Christians today we are to be conduits of the good news of Christ who set the example for us in self-sacrifice.

The events of Esther now are realized to be comedy. In a matter of hours in dramatic irony, God's providence leads to the honor of Mordecai instead of Haman, showing that God is not just in the mountaintop moments in our life, but also in every small moment.

Esther has fasted, prayed and planned to meet with the king about the salvation of the Jews. Her faith and courage for her people points us to Jesus, who came purposefully and gave His life to ransom slaves to sin.

When the issue becomes greater than a simple solution, Esther is faced with a massive decision. Mordecai's faith in God's deliverance of the Jews is what ultimately encourages Esther in that same faith where she will risk her life for her people just as Christ will do at Calvary.

It is difficult to stand against the culture and conformity of the world, in fact it led Jesus to the cross. Believers in Christ are called to not conform to this world but stand apart of the sake of the gospel, and no matter what happens, the Lord will bring them home.

No one can choose where they are born, to whom they are born, or when they are born. Despite the injustice and cruelty that goes on in the world, God works providentially to fulfill His plan and purposes. In the end there is everlasting joy, peace, love and glory of the One who keeps covenant promises.

Despite having what appeared to be all the power and control anyone could wield, the king of Persia's pride consumes him as the queen refuses his request. The Lord is the true and everlasting King who upholds righteousness and justice, and is never left powerless because of His omnipotence and sovereignty. 

Christians walk in this world full of hope knowing that Christ has and is accomplishing salvation for us. Our call to walk with Him involves rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation and being constant or persistent in prayer.

On Christmas Eve we celebrate the arrival of the Promised Messiah who has been ruling and reigning over all things since creation. Because He loves the world, He came into it humbly and now we worship to give Him all glory.

Declaring the name of the Lord and worshipping His holy name is the purpose of the Church. Uniting together with Him and remembering what is true gives us purpose and wholeness in Christ.

God's power, preeminence and His promises assure us today of righteousness,  of His lovingkindness towards us and that we should fear the Lord in holy humility.