Rio Vista Church Sermons

Following the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus attends a feast at Bethany where Mary pours expensive perfume on his feet and wipes it with her hair. She demonstrated that she valued Jesus more than her most precious possession in this world. So should we!

God chose Joseph to be the earthly father to Jesus. Pastor Tom Hendrikse reveals this extraordinary man to be an example for fathers today as Joseph demonstrated that he knew God's word and would live it no matter what it cost him.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, but only AFTER his sisters Martha and Mary had to go through the suffering of watching Lazarus die. What Jesus wanted them to know, that HE WAS the resurrection and the life, mattered more than what they would suffer.

Jesus tells the crowd that he is both the good shepherd and the door to the sheepfold. He explains that his sheep will know his voice and come when he calls. Pastor Tom asks the question: Are you one of his sheep? Because it is good to be a sheep!

Jesus and the disciples encounter a man born blind and the disciples ask Jesus who sinned, this man or his parents. Jesus tells them neither did, but this man's suffering was designed that God's glory might be shown!

Jesus declares himself to be the Light of the world. When the Jewish religious leaders object, this prompts Jesus to confront them about who their TRUE father was. Because you WILL look like your father, the question is whether that is God the Father?

Hannah suffered not being able to have children, pleading with God to help her. Yet he waited until her request was not about HER but rather about HIM. Mothers often suffer for their children but God redeems that suffering for his glory.

Jesus is the ultimate finisher who leaves nothing undone. He will accomplish in us everything God has purposed for us to do. And on the last day, we will stand triumphant, not because of our own success, but because of his!

This week we read a story about a woman who, it says, "was caught in the act of adultry." Would Jesus discredit himself by not following the Scriptures, or would he violate Roman rule and laws? Neither, as it turns out.

John chapter seven could be characterized as the place where true faith and self-interest collide. True faith empties itself of self-interest and exaltation, replacing it with God-interest and exaltation. Jesus says then we will know His teaching.

John chapter 6 is familiar ground, the feeding of 5000 and Jesus walking on water. One of the "I am" statements is here, "I am the Bread of Life." Jesus addresses uncomfortable topics: contentment to remain as we are and focus on ourselves and others.

Following His resurrection, Jesus encountered two disciples. Jesus showed them how Moses and all the prophets had declared that these things had to happen to the Messiah. We’ll study an example of this as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!

Jesus tells the Jewish religious leaders that if they had believed Moses, they would believe Jesus, because Moses wrote about Him. Did Moses write about Jesus? If so, where? We’ll look at one fascinating example from Exodus chapter 15.

Our God heals! But the Scriptures teach is that God doesn’t heal according to our purposes -- God heals according to His purposes. Is that still a comforting thought? Do we have faith that His purpose is always good?

An investigation of the ways education has changed in our country since religion was carefully excluded from it. Sam Kastensmidt makes the case that a bible-based education is the BEST way to train the great thinkers of tomorrow.

Follow-up from the Samaritan woman’s plea for the her town to "come and meet this man." Many believed in Him. Then Jesus returns to Galilee where He was welcomed, but for the wrong reasons. John asks us ALL a question: Why do YOU seek Jesus?

From John chapter 4, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. She has searched for satisfaction everywhere the world tells you to find it, and found nothing. Jesus tells her that He can give her Living Water and a eternally satisfying life.

From John chapter three, with Nicodemus coming to Jesus under cover of night. Tom Hendrikse takes you inside the mind of Nicodemus and leads us on a journey through the Old Testament symbols and their meanings–information Jesus wants us to have as well.

From Hosea chapter 3, a message about the love story God wanted you to know. The prophet Hosea was told by God to take a wife under unusual circumstances and then later to redeem her under even MORE unusual circumstances. Who are WE in this story?

From Mark 14:3-9, the story of Mary’s anointing of Jesus gives us an example of a generous heart. Why is generosity such a rare event today? God wants us to be generous, but why? Generous living can break chains you don’t even see are holding you down!

From John chapter two, Jesus driving the merchants and the money-changers out of the temple. Tom takes us through this passage bite by bite, stopping to taste all the metaphors and images John has put here so that we might learn their meaning.

This week, we hear the story of the first miracle Jesus performed in public, the changing of water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. It is a familiar story, but there may be things you miss if you read through it too fast.

Our series looking at the life and teachings of God's Living Word, Jesus Christ, continues with Jesus beginning to assemble the group of twelve men who would become His apostles. Tom brings us a powerful lesson on what it means to follow Jesus.

Jesus said John the Baptist was the greatest man ever born. Greater than Moses or Abraham? What made John so special? Tom teaches us about this unique man of God. Join us as we come to know the Living Word of God through a study of John's Gospel.

A series from the Gospel of John. By knowing the written word of God, we come to know the Living Word of God--Jesus Christ, who brings order out of chaos, shines light into the darkness, fills all emptiness, and brings life from what was dead.