Riverbluff Church Sermons

Parable of the Wheat & the Weeds Like much of the world, this morning I am prayerful that we are witnessing the ending of Israel’s war with Hamas.  Last week marked the two-year anniversary of the barbaric attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians that sparked this war.  That act, brought the reality of the existence of “pure evil”, back to the forefront of news headlines and coffee shop conversations....

"Avoid Becoming an Unintentional Pharisee" JESUS was genius in His teaching! Matthew 7:28-29 describes how his hearers experienced His teaching: “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority…” As JESUS’ teaching ministry expanded, He made the decision to frequently use parables as a primary teaching method as M...

Along with many others in our nation and around the world, I continue to believe that GOD is pouring out HIS Spirit in a powerful way, in our day! Many of you have prayed for such a movement of GOD.  Now I am convinced our prayer should be “LORD DON’T PASS US BY”.  Two weeks ago, we explored that topic and looked at steps we could take to not be passed by.  Last Sunday we looked at a clear pathway...

While much has been said this week about the political assassination of Charlie Kirk and its potential to catalyze a movement of young Christian conservatives, JESUS tells us no true, lasting change will come to us or to our nation, until Biblical REPENTANCE and FAITH comes! Last Sunday, we focused on a warning, that if we are not mindful and responsive, GOD’s Kingdom, that is all around us, could...

What can we do when so much in our culture is rapidly disintegrating around us? The writer of Psalm 46 faced such times, stating: “earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea… nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble” But then the Psalmist reminds us: “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord…” As...

On the opening pages of the Bible, GOD unfolds HIS Blueprint for the best way Human Beings, the crown of HIS creation, can flourish. We call that Blueprint, “The Family”! This Sunday we close out our Summer Teaching Series ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE, examining our FATHER’s meticulously detailed plans for “The Family”. In this message, Pastor Joe Still leads us to celebrate and recommit ourselves to GOD...

I love what J. I. Packer, author of that great book KNOWING GOD once said of theology: "Theology is for doxology and devotion—that is, the praise of God and the practice of godliness... Theology is at its healthiest when it is consciously under the eye of God of whom it speaks, and when it is singing to his glory." Dr. Packer taught that theology that didn’t lead us to passionate worship of GOD an...

As of August 14, the death toll stands at 141 from the tragic flooding that took place a month ago in Texas, as the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks. Additionally, 165 people are still reported missing. Once caught in the rapid moving flood waters, victims could not save themselves.  They couldn't even call out for help as they struggled to breathe. Their only hope was for someone else on the...

Eighty years ago, this past Wednesday, was the anniversary of the only time nuclear bombs have ever been used in war. And while opinions continue to be sharply divided over whether President Harry Truman’s decision to use nuclear weapons was justified, the human tragedy and global “nuclear fear” accompanying that decision, is not debated by anyone. All of this is but one symptom and manifestation...

The LORD has given us a special opportunity to welcome Pastor & Evangelist, Dr. Frank Reynoso to open GOD’s Word to us! Frank has been involved in ministry for over 30 years. After growing up in the Bronx and living a life of gangs, drugs and crime, Reynoso relocated to Orlando, FL where he accepted Christ in 1992, shortly after began a street ministry in Orlando’s inner city called Answer to Life...

Stating “What’s the point…”, Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, recently sparked discussions by openly grappling with existential questions about the meaning and purpose of his career and life! Psalm 144:3 poses a provocative question that we should all ponder deeply: “O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?” Psalm 144:3 (...

One of the reasons I’m a Christian is because the Christian worldview clearly describes reality. It is not hard to see the impact of sin and evil on the world—injustice, war, oppression, racism, hatred, violence, abuse, rape, murder, addiction, selfishness, and every evil known to humanity. The Bible points out all of this, explaining the cause and proclaiming the only solution! While it is very e...

Most of us, when walking into a dark room, immediately begin to run our hand along the wall in search of the light switch. We do this to illuminate the room we’re entering because we don’t want to crash into furniture and break a precious little toe, or something worse! Often, when characters in cartoons get an idea, a little light bulb appears above their heads. This is an indication that they’ve...

We are blessed to celebrate the 249th anniversary of our nation’s independence. It began at the signing of that great document known as our Declaration of Independence, signed in Philadelphia, PA, on July 4, 1776. A short 12 years later, on June 21, 1788, another great document was ratified by the 13 original colonies (now states) and the “Constitution” became the official framework of the governm...

In this message from Pastor Joe Still, we'll examine the teachings from God’s Word about the Humanity of our Lord Jesus. This will also help us remember Him and know Him as He really is; stirring an even greater affection for Him.  2 Peter 1:3 from God’s Word gives us this great promise: “For as you know Him better, He will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly...

I am so very grateful to GOD for the privilege I’ve had this week to observe our incredible team of Kingdom servants, a.k.a. our VBS Team. The Holy Spirit has worked powerfully through each and every one of them to joyfully magnify JESUS in the hearts and minds of children and students. It has filled me with joy. As we continue in our ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE series, with our time in GOD’s Word this...

Dads, it is not too late to tell your family that what you want for FATHER’S DAY is for them to come to church with you! This Sunday we get to celebrate dads at Riverbluff. We’ll have several from our church family sharing some of their heart-felt thoughts about their dads and husbands. We will also continue in our ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE teaching series. This Sunday, we turn our attention to what w...

If my math is correct, there are 201 more shopping days until Christmas!! Did that statement surprise you?  Are you wondering, “Why on earth is Pastor Joe bringing Christmas up in June?”   I think most of us would agree, that for the world, Christmas is the most celebrated of the Christian Holy Days, with Easter coming in second. For many Christ-followers in the “Western World”, those are often th...

The Great Commission…most all of us are quite familiar with the final words our Lord Jesus shared with His disciples, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, instructing them to “go and make disciples.” Indeed, with this command, Jesus gave His followers a “life purpose” that would guide them wherever they would go and with whomever they would speak from that day forward. Certainly, in the years tha...

We continue this Sunday with our series on Essential Beliefs. This week we will be focusing on Eternal Security. I have a friend who retired from pastoring, and he often says that one of the enemy's biggest schemes is to steal the joy of Christians. Have you ever had thoughts like: Am I really saved? Did I follow the right steps to gain salvation? How can I go to heaven after what I've done? If yo...

The previous message in our ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE teaching series, we began with the essential beliefs Christians have about GOD. We continue that journey here in part two of that message! Pastor Joe Still looks at three characteristics that are absolutely unique about our GOD.  We’ll see how those unique characteristics deeply impact everything we do!

Our culture seems to have a fascination with celebrities, people who are rich or powerful or popular. We want to know about what they do, how they live, and even what they wear. It’s the topic of many magazines, podcasts, and late night shows. What if one of these could actually interview GOD? He is, after all, the most powerful personality in the entire universe. No one is richer than GOD! It is...

Christian Confessions, Creeds, & Core Belief expressions, have been around a very long time, some since the 2nd century. I, along with others would argue that some of the New Testament statements found in the writings of the Apostle Paul, became the earliest Creeds of the Christian Church. Do these hold value for us today? I believe JESUS' half-brother, Jude, would answer, “yes” to that question,...

When you were growing up, maybe like me, you were taught the prayer, “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food." Many of us learned at an early age, God's great and God's good! If you've been in church any length time, you’ve heard some pastor or worship leader say, “God is good," and the congregation shouts back, "All the time." Then he'll say, "All the time," and they say, "God i...

While Riverbluff’s “Weekly Update” arrives in your inbox every Friday, this one comes on what is the most sacred Friday of the year. It is often called Good Friday. It is “good” because it is the day, over 2,000 years ago, when GOD demonstrated how truly Good and unconditionally Loving HE is toward humanity. HE demonstrated this by sacrificing HIS one and only begotten SON on the Cross of Calvary....