River City Vineyard - Teachings

How important is the garden in our faith? Here is the beginning of exploring an important aspect of our faith as we follow Jesus.

When Paul writes to Timothy's about God's House, whta was he imagining? How can we learn from Paul's instruction?

Holiness is a state of being not a state earned by doing holy things. Holy activities flow from a being who is holy. We become holy by being with the One who is holy.

Jesus became like us so that we could become like him. This is the purpose of the Christian life. This is the reason church exists. This mystery is very important and awe inspiring.

It is past time to act for the sake of Gaza.

What we say at a time of suffering is important. We hope to bring comfort to the suffering. But, sometimes what we have been taught to say communicates discomfort and misrepresents who God is.  

What do we do when the soul is not well?

The dangers of judgement toward self, others, and even toward God.

Hpw are we to embody the greater good in a time of war and violence?

What are we to understand about Pentecost?

Out of love!  Not duty. Not compulsion. Not convention. Out of love.

For us to celebrate resurrection, we must understand Jesus really did die.

As we journey through this season of Great Lent, we stop at the cross this morning. Our Orthodox Church Fathers include a reminder of the cross in the liturgy of the Great Lent. It is such a helpful reminder of our journey's end.

How important is it for the church (people believing in and following Jesus not an institution or a building) to become like Jesus?  St Gregory Palamas and others thought it was very important. The means was the spiritual exercise of contemplation and the Jesus Prayer. May we learn from the example and teaching of those who have gone before us in following Jesus and in becoming like him.

This year we will follow the Eastern Tradition for the season of Lent, the Great Lent. This morning we will introduce the season.

What is God like? Who is God? What does relationship with God look like? All these questions arise during the Season of Epiphany. How has God made himself known to us in Jesus Christ? That has been our question through thin season. This morning we share our "a-ha_moments with one another.

How does reveal himself in the baptism of Jesus?

How is God through Jesus made known in the proclamation of John?

How is God made know through Jesus as a boy at the Temple during Passover? Hoping we all have an "A-Ha" moment or two.

How does God appear through Jesus in the escape of Joseph, Mary, and the baby to Egypt from the murderous rage of King Herod?

The faith of two women who see redemption arriving.

We have waited for love and it has come!

"In his name the Gentiles will hope." Matthew paints a beautiful portrait of God's chosen One, Jesus. caring for the "outsiders" resulting in both their well-being and the hope they all discover in relationship with Jesus.

Can we trust God?     with all that we cannot see?     with all that we do see?     with all that is needed for living a worthwhile life?     with the one-of-a-kind God-expression?