River City Vineyard - Teachings

Expectation for the appearance of the Kingdom of God was exceptionally high on the day Jesus' entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. So he told a story. That story was just as important then as it is now. How do followers of the King do his business with his currency as they wait for his kingdom to appear?

Paul's farewell address to the leaders of the Ephesian church is incredible. His final charge to the leaders is a heartfelt, passionate, tearful appeal to keep the community together without being scattered by threatening "wolves". Just think of the kingdom potential of a Church resistant to the divisions introduced by leaders emphasizing non-essential truths.

Paul's farewell to the Ephesian leaders is full of great leadership qualities. Spend some time reading and thinking through Acts 20. Please share some of your insights.

Eutychus means "good fortune" and how fortunate he was the night he fell from a third story window to the pavement below. By embracing the dead life returns in those moments when the Kingdom breaks through.

As Paul is preparing to press on from Ephesus the city erupts in protest against the perceived threats to the Temple and the worship of Artemis. Notice who is protesting, who is angry, who is violent, who is threatened. Please also notice that Paul's message is not against Artemis. It is for the King and his Kingdom. Yes, we have something to learn from our history for today!

More and more people following Jesus. The Message increasing. The power of the Kingdom of God winning out over Jewish and Greek magic. The Message prevailing. It happened in Ephesus, a city of 300,000. How can it happen in cities today?

Paul did his best to make the things of the Kingdom real and convincing to others. In a two year window of opportunity the Province of Asia was saturated with the Good News of the Kingdom. How are we doing in our announcement to our generation?

The Holy Spirit is the game changer. He empowers our living and our witness from the inside out. We just can't do it without God inside us.

The beginning of a New Year gives us the opportunity to raise the bar of expectancy and commitment. Jesus wants to do a few things through our community this year. With his help and encouragement from one another we will build community, improve teamwork, engage in our domains, and take advantage of our learning communities equipping all of us for Kingdom ministry.

What does Jesus wanna do this year? *Build community*Improve teamwork*Impact the bigger world around us for the better*Journey toward understanding in Israel and Palestine*Equip the saints for the work of ministry

Will our generation worship the King or rage against him?

Jesus is Savior. He does provide us with the means to be forgiven and to forgive, but he also intends so much more for all of humanity. We tend to focus on external behavior. He goes right to the heart.

To what degree does God love humanity? How does he demonstrate that love? Does Jesus communicate God's love or God's judgment? A few good questions to ask at this time of the year.

"In those days"____when hope for a personal Messiah was at a highpoint in Jewish history. "In those days"____when the Roman emperors were addressed as savior. It just so happened that Jesus____Messiah and Savior___was born in Bethlehem. This is the joyful event announced for all of humanity.

Who is preparing our generation for the return of Messiah?

Advent is a season of waiting for Messiah. Since He has come and is coming, we commemorate His first coming as we prepare for his return.

Happy ThanksGiving! "Be cheerful no matter what; Pray all the time; Thank God no matter what..."

Generation to generation we tell the story of our King and his arriving kingdom.

Cathy Nobles, the founder and director of the Reconciliation Walk Community in Luton, UK, shares a word of encouragement with River City Vineyard.

All who follow Jesus are strengthened by the presence and power of God. May we share the experience of this ancient praise from the Qumran community: "Thou hast caused the Spirit of Thy Holiness to fall on me."

Paul is accused of inciting illegal worship in Corinth. Guess who comes to his defense. Maybe it is time for the "accused" to keep their mouths shut and let God provide the defense.

Encouragement to make new friends out and about in the cities where we live.

What do the folks around us at work, school, and in the neighborhood know about Jesus?

Volunteering this summer in Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem was very interesting!

Do we know of God or do we know God? Are we seeking to find God or have we found Him? When we find Him do we live day by day in friendship with Him or do we connect with Him through dutiful religion that keeps Him at a distance shrouded in the unknowable?