Radiant Church Visalia

Scripture References: Genesis 11:26 - 12:6; Hebrews 11:8-10 Intro: Following God is not a static position but a dynamic journey – a walk of faith. This requires movement. We explore this today through the foundational story of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 11-12), examining the two essential elements of faith's walk: leaving the familiar and arriving where God leads. Key Points: Faith Involves L...

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Hebrews 11:1; John 10:27 Intro: Good morning. Today we start a mini-series called "The Feel of Faith," exploring not just what faith is (Heb 11:1) but what it feels like, using biblical stories. Today: Hearing by Faith . Do you believe God speaks personally today? Many struggle with this, feeling they don't hear Him or that it's not that i...

Scripture References: Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 6:5-6; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 10:24-25 Intro: Welcome. We're entering a new season emphasizing small groups ("Packs"). Why? Because we desire growth – not just knowing about Jesus, but becoming like Him. How does genuine spiritual growth happen? It occurs when our faith steps out and collides with God's faithfulness. Research and observ...

Scripture References: Genesis 1; Job 38:4-7; Deuteronomy 14:22-27; Nehemiah 8:8-12; 2 Samuel 6:14-22; Leviticus 25; Luke 4:16-21; Luke 14:15-24; Revelation 19:6-9 Intro: We often focus on what's wrong or incomplete, overlooking progress and blessings. But Scripture reveals celebration isn't just optional; it's a commanded spiritual discipline. God Himself celebrates, and He built rh...

Scripture References: Revelation 3:14-21; Romans 12:11-12; Malachi 1:10 Intro: Concluding the series on the seven churches in Revelation, we address the most famous: Laodicea. Setting aside potential negative baggage from past "clobber sermons," we aim to hear Jesus' heart. His message, though direct, is ultimately uplifting, clarifying, and intended for our good, revealing His desi...

Scripture References: Revelation 3:7-13; Isaiah 22:22 Intro: Greetings. Sharing personal updates, including the difficulty of my father's cancer journey, reminds us that life brings challenges. Yet, faithful service matters. Today, we look at Jesus' letter to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3) – a church facing intense fear and weakness, yet commended for faithfulness. This ancien...

Scripture References: Revelation 2:18-29 (Main); 1 Kings 18-19; Ephesians 6 Intro: This sermon by guest speaker Tom Shaw examines Jesus' letter to the church in Thyatira, found in Revelation 2:18-29. Paradoxically, this smallest of the seven cities received the longest letter. It addresses a church strong in love and service but weak in holiness due to tolerating compromise, providing relevan...

Scripture References: Revelation 3:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Ephesians 5:25-27 Intro: Welcome. Speaker Mike continues the series on the Seven Churches in Revelation, asking "What is the Spirit saying?" Today focuses on Jesus' letter to Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), a church with a good reputation but a deadly internal reality. This ancient message serves as a wake-up call against spiritual...

Scripture References: Revelation 2:12-17; Numbers 22-25; Jude 1:3-4 Intro: Continuing our series on the seven churches in Revelation, we look today at Pergamum. Following Ephesus (lacking love) and Smyrna (suffering well), Pergamum receives both commendation and sharp rebuke. This letter reveals what Jesus loves (faithfulness under pressure) and what He hates (compromising His truth). Let's a...

Scripture References: Revelation 2:8-11; Acts 16:11-40; 1 Peter 1:6-7 Sermon Notes: Intro: What makes a church "good"? Is it programs, size, popularity, biblical teaching, loving community? As we continue studying Jesus' letters to the seven churches, we look at Smyrna. Jesus praises this church, not for what it offered (very little), but for what it endured . It teaches us that fai...

Scripture References: (Implicit Themes: Romans 8:28, Galatians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Prodigal Son narrative) Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: My Father's Son: A Story of Redemption and Restoration) Happy Father's Day – honoring earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. Gratitude for the church community's welcome and for family. Sharing a personal testimony of God's...

Scripture References: Revelation 2:1-7 Acts 19:1-41 Acts 20:28 Intro: Explanation of the purpose of studying the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3. Emphasis on understanding Jesus' perspective on the church, not just human opinions. Highlighting the relevance of these ancient letters to contemporary churches. Announcement of upcoming church planting efforts and the desire...

Scripture References: Revelation 1 (esp. vv. 9-20); Matthew 16:13-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; Daniel 7:9 Intro: Good morning. Today, guest speaker Glenn Power begins a new series exploring Jesus' messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Before examining what Jesus likes and dislikes in His church, it's crucial to see who is speaking. Revelation 1 gives us a breathtaking vision of the glo...

Scripture References: Matthew 11:28-30 (paraphrase); Romans 7:15-25; Song of Solomon 1:5; Luke 7:36-50 Intro: Concluding our series on finding rest for weary souls (Matt 11:28-30), we address a core truth: real rest eludes us unless we learn to receive God's love and grace in our weakness . It's easy to feel loved when we're "crushing it," but what happens when we stumble,...

Scripture References: Genesis 32:22-31; Genesis 27; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Peter 3:18 Intro: We continue exploring rest for our weary souls, seeking the "easy yoke" Jesus offers (Matt 11). Many of us feel a deep restlessness, an insecurity, a sense of striving but never arriving ("I still haven't found what I'm looking for"). Today, we look at Jacob&ap...

Scripture References: Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Ephesians 2, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy Intro: Invitation to "come to Jesus," acknowledging weariness and the need for rest. The tension in the Christian life: we have a savior, but we still struggle. The call to surrender and find rest in Christ's yoke. Key Points: Jesus's...

Scripture References: Matthew 28:16-20; John 3:16 Intro: Welcome. Today concludes our "Encounters" sermon series, looking at Jesus' post-resurrection appearances. We've seen Him show up unexpectedly, graciously, meeting people exactly where they were (Emmaus, Peter, Thomas). Today we examine His final encounter before ascending: The Great Commission (Matt 28), His parting manda...

Scripture References: John 20:24-31; Hebrews 12:5-6 (implied) Intro: We're exploring encounters with the resurrected Jesus – proof He is alive! Central to following Him is faith, or perhaps better put, trust . In a world marked by broken trust, truly trusting God can be hard, yet it's essential. How do we grow in trust? Thomas's famous encounter in John 20 offers profound keys. Key...

Scripture References: John 21:1-19; Luke 22:31-34, 61-62; Psalm 34:5 Intro: Following last week's look at the Emmaus road, this sermon focuses on another post-resurrection encounter: Jesus restoring Peter by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21). This isn't just history; it's an invitation for us to encounter the risen Christ today, to believe His goodness, receive His grace, and allow Him...

Scripture References: Luke 24:13-35; John 6:35; Revelation 2:4-5 Intro: Welcome. Speaker Travis introduces a new series, "Encounters," exploring Jesus' appearances after His resurrection. These encounters confirmed His victory over death and launched the global Gospel movement. A common theme: Jesus shows up differently than expected, often meeting disappointment with grace (Peter,...

Scripture References: Genesis 33; Genesis 32:22-32; John 18:1-8; Proverbs 1:33; Psalm 138:3; Romans 10:13; John 17:23, 26 Intro: Welcome to this sermon with guest speaker Andrew Wilson. We'll be looking at Genesis 33, a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob. Jacob, whose name means "grabber," spent much of his early life tricking and manipulating to get ahead. But after a life-changin...

Scripture References: Matthew 15:21-28 Sermon Notes: Intro: Welcome to this special sermon featuring guest speaker Vinu from Living Hope Church in Mumbai, India. Instead of just sharing information, Vinu shares a powerful insight God gave him from Matthew 15 about dealing with offense. Key Points: The Canaanite Woman's Plight (Matt 15:21-28): A woman desperately seeks Jesus for her demon-poss...

Scripture References: Luke 24:1-12, John 10:10, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 8:10-11, Matthew 11:28-30 Intro: Easter: a celebration of Jesus' resurrection. The reality of Jesus' presence and power today. The account of the women at the empty tomb (Luke 24:1-12). The emotional journey of the women: hope, disappointment, and surprise. Key Points: The Empty Tomb: The women's expectation of...

Scripture References: Matthew 6:9-15; 1 Peter 2:23; Matthew 5:3-4; Psalm 23:1, 4 Intro: Welcome. Today's sermon, by guest Tom Shaw, explores Forgiveness via the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6). While central to faith, forgiveness can feel irrelevant if we don't recognize our offenses —unresolved hurts, bitterness, judgments we carry, often subtly, against others. Offense is a trap that robs...

Scripture References: Matthew 6:11 / Luke 11:3; Matthew 6:25-33; John 6:35; Philippians 4:6; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; James 4:3 Intro: Continuing our series, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray," we move through Jesus' model prayer. Having established approaching God as "Our Father" whose name is holy and whose kingdom/will we desire, we now come to the seemingly simple p...