Rio Vista Church Sermons

A significant percentage of adults surveyed said they were under so much pressure from Christmas they wish it could be canceled -- it cost too much. It cost God an infinite amount more, and brings them the answer to all those pressures and stress.

Mary goes to the home of her relative Elizabeth, who recognizes that the baby Mary is carrying is their Lord. Both are moved to praise. An encounter with Jesus should always move us to praise despite whatever hardship or struggle we are presently facing.

One of the most amazing things about God is that he’s a God who seeks to be with us. God designed us in his image, we reflect who he is, and we can learn things about him from understanding the elements of that reflection.

The mind of Jesus when it comes to wives is that they complete their husbands, making a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The power to do this comes through many avenues, but primarily this one: respect.

Doug Sauder, President of 4KIDS of South Florida, speaks to us on the subject of adoption. Doug says that Christians, more than any other group, should support adoption--since we ourselves were adopted into God's spiritual family.

What is the mind of Christ when it comes to husbands? As Tom explains it, "God isn’t just your father, he is your father-in-law, since your wife is his daughter also. How do you suppose your father-in-law wants you to treat her?"

Is there anything more important to you than your family? How can you effectively lead your children in worshiping God? From Deuteronomy chapter 6, Tom Hendrikse answers these and many other questions.

What is the mind of Christ when it comes to love? Pastor Matt Lomenick brings us a message in which the topic of love is examined from all sides. The love we have for each other, the love we have for God, and most importantly, the love God has for us!

What is your culture? Well, really, culture is…everything. It’s what we do and how we do it. How we do we engage it? What is our reaction to it? How do we INITIATE culture?

What is it that you value most of all? Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is a treasure worth far more than all of the other treasure you have. Is he asking you to give up everything you have if you want to be in his kingdom? Listen and find out.

There is no more politicized “hot button” message in 21st century America than the question of abortion. What should we do, as individuals and as a church, when someone has an unplanned pregnancy? Is it time to fight, or is it time to love and support?

Series conclusion. John writes the epilogue of his Gospel, and records Jesus giving his disciples the charge of going out to become fishers of men. Jesus also lovingly restores Peter, who was crushed by his own failure in denying Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus is central to Jesus’ message. The grave is no longer an end, but a beginning. Jesus brings life from death, first for himself, and then for every one of his followers.

Why was it necessary for Jesus to be crucified? Not why was it necessary for Jesus to DIE, any Christian can answer that, but why was it necessary for Jesus to be CRUCIFIED? Jesus himself said it was in Luke chapter 24.

We find out how the Jewish leaders and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate handled the Truth of God. Everything needed to happen exactly as it did, in order for Jesus to fulfill his mission. How then will WE handle the truth of God?

Watch and pray, storing up the Word of God so that you will be prepared for the day your faith is on trial. Wait on the Lord’s deliverance, not seeking momentary comforts that will ultimately betray you, and know that he restores you when you fail.

The ones who had Jesus arrested weren’t concerned with his mission, they wanted their nation back and any Messiah who wasn’t going to make that his mission was someone to be eliminated. Jesus, however, was set on his mission. What’s our first priority?

Jesus was gathered with his disciples for one final time. Yet in this prayer John records, Jesus wasn’t praying for himself at all. His concern was solely on his disciples. The question is will we live for his mission and represent God to this world?

Most people would say that death terminates life, but Christians should see it as the exact opposite. God brings life out of death. The resurrection reality of Jesus brings liberating joy and overwhelming peace.

Orthodox Christians confess that God is three persons in one. Jesus says that God’s primary interaction with our lives in this world will be through the Holy Spirit. What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

John 15:18 through 16:4 teach that the world WILL hate the followers of Christ because they don’t belong to the world. Jesus doesn’t want us to be surprised by this. How and why will the world hate us? Should we care? How SHOULD we handle it?

John 15: Jesus teaching that he is the true vine and we are the branches. God is the vineyard keeper who prunes branches to produce even greater amounts of fruit. Tom explores the realities of pruning and staff members experiencing extraordinary trials.

In John 14 Jesus tells his disciples that he will send them the Holy Spirit. We explore the often controversial and emotionally charged views of the Holy Spirit. What does having the Holy Spirit given to us really mean? How should it change our lives?

The end of John 13 and the start of chapter 14 describe Jesus’ final hours. He knew how short his time was, so everything he did or said now was important. Sam takes us through the passage and highlights these teachings, explaining what they mean.

From John chapter 13. Spiritual growth occurs in loving community. Pastor Matt Lomenick talks about what that loving community can empower us to do, and what pitfalls can occur if it isn’t present in our lives.