River City Calvary Chapel with Pastor Mike Butera

Acts chapter 3 gives us a powerful window into how God works the miraculous through ordinary people who are simply available, attentive, and obedient. Peter and John, on their way to the temple for prayer, encounter a man who has been lame from birth, begging at the gate called Beautiful. This man’s need is obvious, but what unfolds is not just a story of physical healing—it’s a lesson in how God’...

Paul’s words in Ephesians 4 remind us that our position in Christ—what He has done for us and how He has blessed us—should naturally lead us to desire growth and maturity. Just as children long to grow up, so should we, as believers, long to grow in Christ, leaving behind our old ways and embracing the new life He offers. God’s grace is not only about unity but also about the beautiful diversity w...

As we move into Ephesians chapter 4, the focus shifts from understanding what God has done for us to how we are to live in response. The Christian life is not about striving to earn God’s love or favor, but about resting in the finished work of Christ. Before we can “walk” in a manner worthy of our calling, we must first learn to “sit”—to rest in the truth that God’s love for us is perfect, unearn...

Today’s passage draws us into the heart of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, written from a Roman prison cell. Despite his chains and the uncertainty of his future, Paul’s focus is not on his own suffering, but on the flourishing and unity of the church. He models a life that is not self-centered, but Christ-centered, urging believers to live in a way that reflects the humility and love of Jesus....

Acts 1:8 marks a pivotal moment in the life of the early church: Jesus ascends to heaven, and the Holy Spirit descends upon the believers. This is not just a historical event, but a model for every believer today. Pentecost, often misunderstood, was originally a joyful festival celebrating the harvest, and it was during this time that God chose to pour out the Holy Spirit in a new and powerful way...

Paul’s life is a powerful testimony to the grace and sovereignty of God. Once a zealous persecutor of the church, Paul was radically transformed by a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. This encounter not only changed his heart but also set him on a path to become the apostle to the Gentiles—a role that would have seemed unthinkable given his background. Through Paul, God revealed a mystery that...

Ephesians 2 opens our eyes to the profound reality of our spiritual condition before Christ and the immeasurable grace that God has poured out on us through Jesus. Our natural state, apart from Christ, is not just one of weakness or imperfection, but of spiritual death—a separation from the very purpose for which we were created: to know, love, and serve God. This is the “walking dead” condition,...

Jonah's anger at God's mercy towards the Ninevites reveals a deeper issue within him—a lack of compassion and an inflated sense of self-righteousness. He is more concerned with his reputation and personal comfort than with the salvation of an entire city. This is a reminder that God's ways are higher than ours, and His mercy extends beyond our understanding. God's questions to Jonah are not for Hi...

This story reminds us that God uses every part of our journey, even our failures and detours, for His purposes. Nothing is wasted in His hands. The very circumstances of Jonah’s rebellion became the backdrop for a miracle that pointed an entire city to God. We are called to commit our whole lives to Him, to trust that He can redeem every mistake, and to live urgently in light of His grace.

In our journey through the book of Jonah, we explore the profound lessons embedded in this narrative, which is often mistakenly relegated to children's stories. Jonah, a prophet of God, is called to deliver a message to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness. However, Jonah's reluctance and eventual flight from God's command reveal a deeper struggle within him—a struggle that many of us can rela...

Jonah's attempt to flee from God's presence results in a series of descents, symbolizing the spiritual decline that accompanies disobedience. This reminds us that running from God never leads to true freedom or fulfillment, but rather to a path of spiritual and emotional decline.

We are called to something radically different: to live honorably even when rejected, to submit with grace even when treated unjustly, and to endure suffering not with bitterness—but with the quiet strength of Christ. This message unpacks what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the cornerstone chosen by God and yet rejected by men. Through His suffering, He bore our sins so that we migh...

In this powerful message titled “Kept,” we explore 1 Peter 1:4–10, where Peter reminds us of the living hope we have in Christ—an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. Even through trials, God is refining our faith like gold, proving it genuine and preparing us for praise, glory, and honor when Jesus is revealed. This sermon dives deep into the truth tha...

In this powerful reflection on 2 Timothy 1:1–7, we hear Paul’s heartfelt reminder to stir up the gift within us and walk in boldness. God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear — but of power, love, and a sound mind. This message is for anyone who’s been holding back, feeling discouraged, or needs to reignite their faith.

The early church was marked by a deep hunger for God’s Word. They didn’t just listen passively; they allowed the Word to transform their hearts and minds. This is a call for us to approach Scripture with open hearts, asking God what He wants to say and do in us. Alongside this, genuine fellowship—koinonia—was central. It wasn’t about surface-level interactions or cliques, but about opening our liv...

Today marks a significant moment as we reflect on the birth of the Church in Acts 2, the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power upon the first believers. This was not just a historical event, but a living reality that continues to be essential for every follower of Jesus. While all who believe in Christ have the Holy Spirit within them, there is a distinct empowering—the “u...