Rio Vista Church Sermons

The Rhythm of Grace, our study of the life of Jesus as found in the book of Luke, begins with the people of that time and place living under the tyrannical rule of Herod and longing for life! What is it that you long for, especially at this time of year?

(Series conclusion.) The death of King David, and David's final words to his son Solomon. Death forces us to face the inevitability that we will come to an end and, if we're wise enough to do it, gives focus to the however many days we have remaining.

The most difficult questions begin with just three letters: Why? Why doesn't God answer my prayer? Why is God allowing me to suffer? Truly difficult questions, but there is an answer. It might not be one that we want, but it's definitely one that we need.

David's last thoughts are of his house, his father, and the generations to come. David's house was in shambles but he knows God's everlasting covenant will make it ordered and secure. Likewise the future of our own families is not in our hands, but God's.

The voice in our story changes this week, from the narrator telling us the story of David to David himself as he approaches the end of his life. We begin to see his final thoughts, and David is thankful for God’s salvation, both now and what will come.

David and the nation of Israel have been facing a three year long drought, something completely devastating to a culture like theirs in that time. In the midst of that drought, the people lose heart but David cries out to God as he writes Psalm 4.

King David has been restored to his throne, but he is unable to reconcile his people, so peace eludes him in his kingdom. This is a contrast to our true king, Jesus, will will come and reconcile all things to himself, bringing a beautiful peace forever.

Driven off the throne by his son Absalom, David fights to regain his kingdom. Absalom is killed, restoring the rightful king to his throne and bringing peace to the kingdom. God's son also died to bring peace and restore the true King to His throne.

If everything else in your world was stripped away from you--your family, job, or health--would having God alone be enough for you? David has lost almost everything and this week he loses his kingdom, and we see his answer. What about us? Is God enough?

What are the consequences of sin? Sin doesn't just cause bad THINGS to happen, it changes people. Especially those who've sinned. This week we see how David's fall into sin changed him, and it's not pretty. Sin brings us low, but Jesus can lift us up!

More consequences from David’s sin. His own children become involved in shocking acts of rape and murder. It is a horrible perversion of God’s design, in which a man protects a woman. No woman should suffer abuse alone. There is help and hope for them!

We have seen a lot of David the hero, but last week we saw David the sinner. This week, David's sin is unmasked in front of everyone. What can we learn from his repentance? Just as David found hope in God, so we find hope in the unfallen one: Jesus!

There is a story of tragedy in the life of every Bible hero, save one: Jesus. This is not just the story of the fall of David, it is the story of the fall of his entire world. This week we see that David is just like us. We never fall in isolation.

God made promises to King David: To give him a great name, a secure land, and rest from his enemies. These promises freed David from having to live in fear. This week we see the generosity and self sacrifice that someone freed by God's promises can show.

This week, we see God instruct David in the opposites of humility and pridefulness. It's easy for pridefulness to creep in disguised as false humility, which is where David found himself. We serve a humble King who exalts his HUMBLE servants!

What is worship to you? Singing, (maybe) clapping, (sometimes) raising your hands? To God, worship is a clear indication of how we regard Him. King David shows us that whenever we worship, however we do it, we must worship with all our might!

David unites the tribes and becomes king over both Israel and Judah and in the process of doing so, he is faced repeatedly with seemingly overwhelming odds. Time and again, though, he shows that when we give our battles to the LORD, we have already won.

Following the death of Saul, David is anointed king and a civil war breaks out. Men scheme and plot, but David continues to trust the purposes of his King. A cautionary tale about how the roots of grief can produce bitterness in our hearts.

Emotion dictates our behavior, attitude, and actions. David grieves over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. In the case of Saul, that is remarkable since he tried to kill David. Your enemy is NEVER another brother or sister in Christ. We are all one body.

What is the difference between sentiment and compassion? How far do you have to be moved from feeling to taking action? The Story of the King continues with Saul meeting his end and David reaching a new beginning.

David has sought refuge from Saul among the Philistines. He uses deception to convince them he is on their side. How do we reconcile that with the God of truth we serve, who wants us to live truthfully? Tom Hendrikse has a clear answer to that question.

What is the distance between faith and fear? This week we study an extremely unusual story that shows us clearly how someone goes off the rails when motivated by fear rather than faith. Is fear keeping YOU from doing what you know God wants you to do?

Have you been wronged and cry out for vengeance? Most of us have heard "vengeance is mine, says the Lord." Does that mean God is your hit man? What if, instead of doing something TO the ones you seek vengeance against, you should do something FOR them?

When confronted with ungrateful and insulting behavior from another, David became furious and aimed to kill Nabal. But his passion was calmed by wise counsel from Abigail. When passion rules over thought, where is YOUR wise counsel coming from?

We talk a lot about the faith of Abraham. He is a model for all who came after him. But what exactly WAS Abraham's faith? What DID he believe about God? He believed then what we must today, that God can bring life out of that which was dead.