Riverbend Church

In his address following the tragic shooting at Silver Rail, Ben draws upon the biblical narrative of Jesus visiting Bethany to illustrate how God responds to profound human grief and trauma. Ben explains that Jesus entered a community overwhelmed by the death of Lazarus and offered two distinct forms of healing depending on the specific needs of the individuals He encountered. For Martha, who app...

Katy presented a message based on John 20:19-22 focused on finding resilience, peace, and action during times of community crisis. The talk encourages believers to reject anxious reactivity and instead partner with the Holy Spirit by embracing four key rhythms: grieving with hope, moving toward pain with compassion and resilience, embodying a non-anxious presence, and engaging in ordinary acts of...

In his response to the recent tragedy at Silver Rail, Andrew addresses the community's profound grief and the complex questions surrounding the problem of evil. While the desire for clear explanations and justice is entirely valid, cognitive answers alone cannot heal the deep relational and emotional wounds caused by such trauma. True healing begins with experiencing God's presence, grounded in th...

We interrupt our Revelation series to slow down and care for the community following the tragic events that transpired at Silver Rail Elementary School this past week.

In his continuation of the "Behold the Lamb" series, Andrew explores Revelation 19 to illustrate that the biblical narrative culminates not in fiery destruction, but in a celebratory wedding. The text contrasts the tragic fall of Babylon -a symbolic empire representing the "cult of self" and worldly autonomy - with heaven's joyous response, where a great multitude shouts "Hallelujah" to praise God...

In his presentation on financial stewardship, Ben explains that true Christian discipleship requires not just a transformation of belief and worship, but also a "conversion of the pocketbook" regarding how money is handled. The teaching establishes three primary biblical priorities for financial giving: funding the spread of the Gospel, supporting the work of the Church, and providing for the poor...

In his teaching on Luke 12, Andrew emphasizes that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God, calling believers to embrace biblical "stewardship" over modern concepts of absolute ownership. Because Christ first served humanity by securing an eternal, un-spoilable inheritance, Christians are freed from financial anxiety and the fear of scarcity. As caretakers of the Master's estate, individua...

In Ben's message, "Watch Out For Greed," he outlines the severe biblical warnings regarding the spiritual dangers of wealth and the deceitfulness of riches. Scriptural passages from Luke and Mark caution that life does not consist of an abundance of possessions and that the desire for wealth can enter in and choke out the word, rendering it unfruitful. Similarly, teachings from Matthew and 1 Timot...

In his sermon launching a miniseries on generosity, Andrew acknowledges the cultural discomfort surrounding church discussions about money while asserting that generosity is a core theme in Jesus's teachings and essential for spiritual transformation. Contrasting modern society's equation of wealth with happiness, the talk highlights social-scientific research supporting Jesus's claim that giving...

Every human heart carries two questions: Am I fully known—and am I still loved? The enemy takes our deepest wounds and uses them to whisper false names over us: rejected, unwanted, unworthy. But at Jesus’ baptism, we hear a different voice. Before Jesus performs a miracle, preaches a sermon, or proves anything, the Father calls him beloved. And through Jesus, that love is opened to us. We don’t ac...

In his personal testimony, Andy shares how an early faith built on a performative identity and constant church involvement was dismantled through three distinct seasons of hardship. This foundational crisis began in college with a sudden onset of severe depression that stripped away an outwardly joyful persona, an experience that ultimately served as an invitation into spiritual depth, humility, a...

In her teaching on Alpha Sunday, Lauren uses her personal transition from a superficial familiarity with Christianity to a genuine relationship with Jesus to illustrate the power of authentic, agenda-free friendship. Drawing from the Gospel of John, the message highlights how Christ consistently met people where they were, asking curious questions to understand their hearts rather than demanding i...

In his teaching on Revelation 18 and 19:10, Nic explains that the apocalyptic visions of Babylon's destruction are not depressing demolitions, but rather God’s necessary preparation for re-creation, likening God to a visionary architect restoring the world to its Edenic design. The text uses "Babylon" as a timeless symbol for corrupt human empires driven by the cult of self, independence from God,...

In his teaching on Revelation 18 and 19:10, Andrew explains that the apocalyptic visions of Babylon's destruction are not depressing demolitions, but rather God’s necessary preparation for re-creation, likening God to a visionary architect restoring the world to its Edenic design. The text uses "Babylon" as a timeless symbol for corrupt human empires driven by the cult of self, independence from G...

In his teaching on Revelation 17, Nic explains the apocalyptic vision of God's final judgment on Babylon, depicted as a "great prostitute" to symbolize a seductive empire characterized by idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This specific imagery reveals how corrupt worldly systems use wealth and influence to lure people away from God, an enticement so deceptive that even the apostle John initial...

In his teaching on Revelation 15 and 16, Steve Marshman explores the concept of God's holy and just wrath, distinguishing it from irrational human anger. These chapters detail the pouring out of the "Seven Bowls of Wrath," which are described as God's final act of judgment against unrepentant evil and sin, signaling the complete eradication of these forces. The judgments intentionally echo the pla...

In his sermon on Revelation 14, Michael uses the lighthearted metaphor of "dog problems" to introduce profound human questions regarding suffering, ongoing evil, and the realities of divine justice. The message explains that Revelation's apocalyptic imagery depicts a spiritual proxy war between the followers of Jesus, referred to as "Team Lamb," and unseen demonic forces, termed "Team Dragon". Emp...

In his teaching on Revelation 13, Andrew explores how the enemy's spiritual strategy shifts from overt domination to subtle imitation by offering a counterfeit, seductive version of the good life. The apocalyptic vision introduces a dragon and two beasts, symbolizing recurring corrupt human empires and false religions that demand ultimate allegiance in every generation. This "unholy trinity" mimic...

In his sermon on Revelation 12, Andrew addresses the tension believers often feel between the theological claim that Satan is defeated and the tangible reality of evil and suffering in the world. He argues that maintaining a surface-level "fragile triumphalism" without a robust theology of spiritual conflict leads to hidden fear, doubt, and ultimately a loss of hope. The apocalyptic vision in Reve...

In her message on Mark 10, Katy explores the discipline of empathetic listening as a profound method for embodying the healing love of Jesus in a divided and isolated world. True listening extends beyond basic conversational skills; it requires paying attention to both spoken words and unspoken emotions, granting dignity to those society often overlooks. This compassionate posture is perfectly mod...

In his teaching on John 13:1-17, Andrew contrasts modern "influencer culture," which bases self-worth on competing for public attention, with the counter-cultural example of Jesus. The narrative focuses on Jesus taking the lowest position of a servant to wash His disciples' dirty feet just hours before His crucifixion. This act was not a brief departure from His divine identity; rather, it demonst...

Ben Joyce brings a message on Revelation chapter 12

In his teaching on Revelation 11:1-14, Nic tackles one of the most notoriously difficult passages in the apocalypse, interpreting its complex symbols as a profound message about the church's role and resilience during times of worldly judgment. The act of John measuring the temple is understood not as a literal architectural survey, but as a symbolic representation of God's presence and protection...

In his teaching on Revelation 10, Andrew explains that the apocalyptic visions serve to reveal heaven's perspective on current reality, demonstrating that Jesus is actively forming His church to witness to the world before the final judgment. The passage acts as an intentional interlude where a mighty heavenly angel stands with feet planted on both land and sea, signifying that the entire conteste...