River City Calvary Chapel with Pastor Mike Butera

In Acts 8:26–40, Philip is called by God to leave a fruitful ministry and go to a desert road, where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch searching the Scriptures. Through obedience, Philip explains how Isaiah’s prophecy points to Jesus. The eunuch believes, is baptized, and goes away rejoicing, while Philip is carried by the Spirit to continue preaching elsewhere. This passage highlights God’s guidance,...

Pastor Mike warns believers about the reality and danger of false teachers who secretly infiltrate the church, motivated by greed and corruption. Through biblical examples—the judgment of fallen angels, the flood in Noah’s day, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah—God’s justice is revealed, yet His mercy is seen in rescuing the righteous like Noah and Lot. The message challenges us to recogni...

The sermon by Pastor Mike exposes the deceptive nature of the New Age Movement, showing that it’s not new but rooted in the ancient lies of the serpent in Genesis 3. It highlights core beliefs like pantheism, self-deification, and the pursuit of personal enlightenment, warning that these philosophies divert people from the truth of God’s Word. Believers are encouraged to discern truth from falseho...

In 2 Peter 2:1–11, we are warned that false teachers will come, twisting truth and leading many astray with greed and deception. Yet God’s justice is sure—He judged the fallen angels, the flood generation, and Sodom, and He will not overlook falsehood today. At the same time, He proves Himself faithful, preserving those who belong to Him, just as He rescued Noah and Lot. This passage calls us to b...

Acts 8:1–8 recounts how persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel. Though they lost security and unity, God used their scattering like seeds in the wind, bringing the message of Christ to new places—turning trouble into great joy through salvation, healing, and transformation.

Stephen defends himself by recounting Israel’s history, how the nation repeatedly rejected God’s deliverers yet God continued to offer salvation. He accuses them of idolatry and misunderstanding the law, tabernacle and temple. Stephen’s gaze toward Jesus grants peace as he forgives his killers, urging believers to keep eyes on Christ.

Peter 1 outlines spiritual building blocks—faith, virtue, knowledge, and more—promising stability and fruitfulness to all who grow in Jesus with diligence and remembrance.

This Sermon by Pastor Mike captures the arc of Stephen’s speech: the persistent resistance of God’s people through generations, the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan despite that resistance, and the ultimate rejection of Jesus, the Promised One. It also aligns with the themes of location (God meeting people outside the expected “holy” places), obedience, and spiritual pilgrimage emphasized throug...

Peter urges church leaders to lead humbly and believers to live with humility, trust God, and stand firm in faith. He reminds them that suffering is temporary, but God will restore and strengthen them.**

The early church faces growing challenges—division, unmet needs, and rising opposition. This message explores how the apostles responded with wisdom, choosing seven Spirit-filled men to lead with compassion and integrity. Among them, Stephen steps forward as a powerful example of faithful service and bold witness. Join us as we learn how godly leadership, servant hearts, and Spirit-empowered coura...

Peter urges believers to arm themselves with the mindset of Christ—ready to suffer in the body to live for God’s will instead of human desires. He reminds them that they’ve already spent enough time living in sin, and now their lives should reflect transformation. Though others may not understand their change and may mock or judge them, everyone will one day give an account to God. Even those who...

The supernatural work of God is not just a story from the early church—it’s a living reality for every believer today. God’s power is not limited by our circumstances, our failures, or even death itself. We see this in the miraculous healing of Jerry, who was medically dead for 30 minutes, and in the ongoing testimony of changed lives among us. The book of Acts reminds us that the same Spirit who...

Life is full of distractions and worries, and it’s easy to let our focus drift to the things that seem urgent—money, security, daily needs, and the anxieties of tomorrow. But Jesus calls us to something deeper and more freeing: to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This isn’t just a nice saying or a verse to memorize, but a radical invitation to reorder our priorities and trust t...

In the early days of the church, we see a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, marked by unity, generosity, and a deep sense of God’s presence. The believers were not only proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus with boldness, but they were also living out the gospel in practical ways—caring for one another, meeting needs, and demonstrating radical obedience. There was a spirit of great grace among the...

Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2 come to a church under intense persecution, a people who were literally being martyred for their faith. Yet, God’s word to them—and to us—is not to promise an escape from suffering, but to call us to live as those who belong to another world, even as we walk through the pain and injustice of this one. Suffering, whether on a grand scale like the tragedies we see in the n...

We see the early church facing intense opposition and threats from the religious authorities, yet responding not with fear or self-preservation, but with bold, unified prayer. The believers, though vastly outnumbered by the powerful Sanhedrin and the multitude of priests, turned their eyes to the Lord, acknowledging Him as the Creator and Sovereign over all. Their prayers began with worship, recog...

Tonight’s reflection centers on the struggle with envy and resentment, especially when witnessing the prosperity of those who seem to disregard God. Drawing from Psalm 73, the journey begins with honest confession—recognizing how easy it is to slip into bitterness when life feels unfair and others appear to thrive without regard for righteousness. The psalmist, Asaph, voices a universal human expe...

Peter and John stand boldly before the religious leaders, refusing to be silenced about Jesus. Though ordinary men, they are recognized as having been with Him—and that changes everything. This passage reminds us that time spent with Jesus empowers even the unlikely to speak truth with courage.

This message opens with a portrait of Peter—impulsive, bold, often off-base—yet transformed by the Spirit of God into a foundational leader in the early Church. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:1–2, we see Peter address believers who are exiled and scattered, reminding them of their true identity: chosen by God the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Through Peter’s backsto...

Peter addresses the astonished crowd after the healing of the lame man at the temple gate. He boldly redirects the glory to Jesus Christ, proclaiming that it was not by their own power but by faith in the risen Savior that the man was healed. Peter then urges the people to repent, turn to God, and receive times of refreshing. This message is a passionate reminder of God’s mercy and the fulfillment...

In this powerful conclusion to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we are given practical instruction for living out our faith in everyday relationships—between children and parents, and between workers and those in authority. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He equips us for the spiritual battles we face daily, calling us to put on the full armor of God. This message will challenge and encourage us to wa...

Ephesians 6:1–4 reminds us of the powerful role of fathers in the home. Children are called to obey and honor their parents, which brings blessing, while fathers are encouraged not to provoke their children but to raise them with Godly instruction and care.

In this powerful passage from Ephesians 5:22–32, the Apostle Paul paints a beautiful and challenging picture of marriage rooted in Christ’s love for the Church. Wives are called to respect and support their husbands, while husbands are commanded to love their wives sacrificially—just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. This isn’t about control or inequality; it’s about mutual s...

In Luke 7, we witness a powerful moment of worship and brokenness as a woman—known only by her past—kneels at Jesus’s feet, weeping, washing His feet with her tears, and pouring out costly perfume. While others judged her, Jesus saw her heart. This message reminds us that true worship flows from a place of deep gratitude. The greater the forgiveness, the greater the love. Whether you've walked wit...

In this honest and challenging passage, Paul calls us to a higher standard — one that transforms our words, our emotions, and our relationships. Ephesians 4:26–32 reminds us not to let anger take control, not to give the enemy a foothold, and to walk in kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. This message speaks to the heart of real-life struggles — bitterness, grudges, careless words — and shows u...