River Oaks Church Sermons

Introducing the letter of Paul to the church at Ephesus, by David Camera. Application questions: How would you describe yourself to someone you did not know?  What impact does our identity have on the way we live?  Read Acts 19:1-20:41. Summarize Paul’s ministry in Ephesus in your own words.  How does Paul describe himself? Why is this important?  How does Paul describe the Christians in Ephesus? ...

A sermon on the qualifications for ordained leadership in the church by Rev. David Camera. Application questions Review the list of character qualifications in this passage. What sorts of categories do they include? Why does Paul include these and not others that modern leadership gurus might include (like 'visionary leader' or 'efficient' or 'charismatic speaker')? Why must an elder/deacon be abl...

A sermon on remembering God's faithfulness and offering prayerful praise by pastoral intern Daniel Turner. Application questions: What does Paul offer thanks for? Why is it important to thank God for what you see in others (and not just yourself)? What are you thankful for as you head into 2026? Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com .

A sermon on the last verse in the Johannine prologue by David Camera. Application questions: We often hear the phrase, “seeing is believing.” What do we mean by it, and it is true in relationship to believing in Jesus?  If someone said to you, God has revealed himself to many people, throughout history, Jesus is only one of them. How would you respond in light of John 1:1-18?  What is faith accord...

A Christmas Eve homily by Pastor David Camera. Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com

A sermon on the "the Word became flesh" in John 1:14-17 by Greg Lanier. Application questions: Reflect on this claim: “‘The Word became flesh,’ as part of the bigger picture of the Triune God, is the deepest and boldest claim imaginable.” Why might this be true? Read Exod 25:5; 29:46; Lev 26:11-12; Ezek 11:20; 2 Cor 6:16; Rev 21:3. How do these passages show that the core theme of the Bible is tha...

A sermon on John 1:6-13 by Pastor Cody Brobst. Application questions: Review the prologue (John 1:1-18) together and notice what concepts repeat.  Why is Christianity incompatible with other worldviews (hint: John 14:6)?  How is the Light revealed through witnesses?  What makes John the Baptist’s witness unique specifically?  What are ways you most enjoy revealing the Light (witnessing) to others?...

An advent sermon on John 1:1-5 by David Camera. Application questions: Do you put up Christmas lights? If so why?  Read Genesis 1:3-5. How did God create all things? What was the first thing He created?  John starts with "In the beginning” to connect the coming of Jesus to Genesis 1. What is John teaching us by doing this?  Summarize in your own words what we learn about the “Word” in these verses...

A sermon concluding our series on Exodus by David Camera. Application questions: Do you think most people believe that it is easy for loving God to allow people to dwell in His presence forever? Why or why not? What must we not forget about ourselves and about God?  Summarize the narrative of Exodus so far in your own words.  What was the purpose of redemption?  What is therefore surprising about...

A sermon on the ark as the shadow of the presence of God by Greg Lanier. Application questions: Reflect on the fact that these chapters re-narrate what we’ve already covered, only now the craftsmen actually do the fabrication that earlier Moses had instructed. What is Scripture trying to teach us with this repetition?  Reread the following passages to trace the ark of the covenant through the Bibl...

A sermon on genuine heart change (vs. a "change of heart") from Exodus 35-36 by Rev. David Camera. Application questions: Share some ways you have experienced a “change of heart” in your life. What causes such changes?   Recap what has happened in the Exodus story from chapter 32-34.  What evidence of a change of heart do we see in the Israelites in this passage?  In Numbers 10, the Israelites fin...

A sermon on God's disclosure of his name and attributes to Moses on Mt. Sinai, by Rev. David Camera. Application questions: Make a list of life and death issues, choices and situations as a group.  Look back to Exodus 3:13-17. What do we learn about God’s name in this passage?  The name “LORD” is literally “I am” in Hebrew. Explore together what God’s name “I am” teaches us about His nature.  What...

A sermon on Moses's veiled/unveiled face in beholding the glory of the Lord at Mount Sinai, by pastoral intern Cade Horton. Application questions: Meditate on the different ideas and metaphors that the Bible uses to talk about God’s glory (e.g., God’s “Name,” dark clouds, lightning, radiance, fire, etc.). Are there any you can think of that were or weren’t used in the sermon? See also... Isaiah 6...

A sermon on God revealing himself to Moses in Exodus 33 by Rev. David Camera. Application questions: Have you ever been in the position of mediator between two people?   If so, what were the circumstances and what was the outcome?  What is surprising about the Israelite response in vs 4, considering what they just did in chapter 32?  What is the reason the Lord says he cannot go with His people? W...

A sermon on the golden calf incident by Dr. Levi Berntson. Application questions: How does Israel’s distrust here mirror the earlier complaints about hunger and thirst (Ex. 16–17)?  In what ways does this scene echo Genesis 3, where distrust in God’s word leads to rebellion?  The NT often warns about unbelief in the wilderness (e.g., Hebrews 3:7–19; 1 Corinthians 10:6–11). How do these NT writers...

A sermon on God's equipping of his people to serve him by Rev. David Camera. Application questions: When you think of ministry in the church, what comes to your mind?  How would you describe the work of the ministry? Who does it and what do they do?  Who is the focus of chapter 30? Where do they work and what do they do?  Who is the focus of chapter 31? Where do they work and what do they do?   Wh...

A sermon on the purification of the priests in Exodus 29 by Rev. David Camera. Application questions: What is your favorite style of dress and why? (Formal, fancy, casual etc.) Have you ever been improperly dressed for an occasion? What was the occasion and what did you do? How did you feel?  Why were the priests given special clothes to wear? (Cr. 28:43)  What does it mean to be consecrated?  How...

A sermon on the priestly garments in Exodus 25 by Pastor Cody Brobst Application questions: Can you think of a time you needed a representative to stand in your place? How might that change how we view the ministry of the Old Testament priesthood?   What are the various articles of the High Priest’s outfit? Talk together about what each part signifies (ephod, breastpiece, etc.) as you make your wa...

A sermon on the altar, courtyard, and lamp by Dr. Greg Lanier. Application questions: Discuss the location of the altar. How does it remind us of our sin before a holy God? When you’re facing friction with someone, how can the visual symbolism of the altar help you deal with your own heart?  Discuss the role of the altar. In what way is it a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the work of Christ? Read Romans 12...

A sermon on the design of the tabernacle in Exodus 26 by Rev. David Camera. Application questions: How would you say the design of a building or a house and its interior influence us?  Look at a picture of the Tabernacle online or in your bible. How is the Tabernacle designed?  What was the design of the Tabernacle intended to communicate to us? About God? About ourselves? About access to God?  Wh...

A sermon on the tabernacle furnishings in Exodus 25 by Rev. Dr. David Camera. Application questions: What is your prized possession and why? How did you acquire it? What would it take to cause you to give it away?  Look at the list of possible contributions to the tabernacle in verses 1-7. What do they all have in common? Where did these former Hebrew “slaves” get some of the most valuable items i...

A sermon on the "Song of Moses and the Lamb" in Revelation 15, by Pastor David Camera. Application questions: What was the last exciting thing in your life (person, place, event etc.) you praised to others? What motivated you to share your excitement?  What is it about God (His nature, character or actions) that truly excites you and why?  Look at Rev. 15:3-4, list the reasons why God is praised. ...

A sermon on the heavenly song of praise to God in Revelation 11 by Pastor David Camera. Application questions: Picture a kingdom. What elements do you need to have a kingdom?  How would you describe God’s Kingdom?  If God is King, why did Jesus teach us to pray, “Your kingdom come?” What does this tell us about the nature of the kingdom now?  Look at Mark 1:14-15. How did Jesus describe the nature...

A sermon on the heavenly song(s) around the throne of the Father and the Son in heaven by Rev. Dr. David Camera Application questions: Why do/should Christians sing together? Brainstorm a list of reasons.  You have heard of the phrase, “He/she sings your praises.” Why do people praise? What does praise reveal about us?  Look at the 3 verses of this heavenly song. Who is the subject? Why is the Lam...

A sermon on the "great commission" to multiply, fill, and subdue the earth as God's image-bearers, by Rev. Dr. Matt Newkirk Application questions: We were created for mission What does it mean to be an "image-bearer" of God?  When do you feel most validated as God's image-bearer? How does this passage change that system of worth for you? We need each other for that mission Why is the whole church...