Rivercrest Presbyterian Church - Sermons

Jesus Christ, through Peter, heals Aeneas and raises Dorcas back to life. The miraculous power of Jesus points us toward His ultimate healing, of saving sinners to everlasting life. Jesus is alive, He is the Head of His Church, no one is too far gone from His healing power, and He is indeed making all things new. Christians are to share what Jesus has done in their life, so that others would turn...

The conversion of Saul is all about Jesus. No one is beyond the Lord's reach of salvation and His grace not only brings life but also trajectory. For all believers, the old is gone and the new has come. Now as disciples, we are called to go and make disciples and share the gospel with everyone - even if uncomfortable and in ways we are afraid to go.

Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch provide an active parable for Christians today. The eunuch was a man whose life was full of barriers and exclusion, but now he's been brought into transformed life. And Philip helps the eunuch to understand his position and the text of Isaiah. Today, the marks of the church include pursuing the Lord in His Word, responding obedience, and witnessing our faith in...

The church faced persecution, the first martyr Stephen is buried, and still the gospel spreads. In going to different regions, the disciples proclaim Christ. Even in the region of Samaria, a place where the apostle John was rebuked by Jesus for wanting to destroy, there are converts and signs being done. Through struggle and trial, the people of God are united. The gospel is available to everyone...

As the church faced a controversy, the apostles sought for unity. They charged the congregation to find men of good repute who were full of wisdom and the Spirit. The seven men chosen were not called based on their skills, talents, or outward appearance, but based on their fruitfulness in the gospel. Christians today are to remember Who calls us to gospel work, and to consider character first, and...

Growth brings change, discomfort, and new needs. In the early church, things were not always simple and easy, rather they were unpolished. They faced challenges as a result of more and more people coming to faith and interacting with the rest of Jerusalem. Each of God's people, as they are filled with the Holy Spirit, are called to care for and strengthen the church in unity, through every tr...

The apostles' keep preaching the same message; of Jesus crucified at the hands of sinful men and then raised to life for their salvation by faith. Their witness of believing the gospel message they are teaching is impacting their entire community, and it's challenging many of the people who feel threatened by it. Christians today are to remember their allegiance and obedience to the Lord...

Everyone in the early church had everything in common; they shared, they met needs, they sold possessions and gave. This is what true community looks like, surrounded by faithful believers in Christ who trust in their Savior for security and provision. Ananias and Sapphira however gave, not out of honor for the Lord, but for public image. We are warned to not pretend and put up false images of our...

Peter and John, along with the apostles and early church members, boldly proclaim of what they have seen and heard. Even in the opposition of the Sadducees, they speak the truth of the resurrection of Christ. Christians today are to proclaim with the same boldness, not just be believers in private or comfortable situations. 

A man who used to only sit is now walking. One who only used to beg is now praising. A man who spent his days stuck outside the gate is now brought in. That's not improvement. That's not renovation. That's transformation. That's new life. And that's what Jesus offers us. Salvation always begins with the Lord's initiative. And it always brings us into a walk with Jesus...

The early church is seeing people come to faith in Jesus by the thousands. With the Holy Spirit on the move, the church is born and is growing rapidly. People are devoted to good things, the things of God - to prayers, fellowship, breaking of bread, and the apostles' teachings. They also shared everything, where no one was lacking, and they had all things in common. God is rewiring humanity t...

The reliability and historical proof of Christ are undeniable. Peter is preaching what is true of Jesus, and of what humanity did to Him. We all must come to answer the question: "Who is Jesus?", and if He is real, then He is Lord and worthy of giving our lives to.

The Holy Spirit is poured out at Pentecost, filling everyone in the early church. Jesus fulfilled His promise to send the Helper, and now Christians who trust in Him are empowered by the Holy Spirit to go and witness the Lord we love who saved us.

As the disciples look to replace Judas, they are found actively waiting on the Lord. The criteria for Matthias, the apostle chosen to join the others, was that he knew Jesus and was a witness to the resurrection. This is how believers are to live too, as witnesses to the risen Christ.

In continuation from Luke's gospel account, the book of Acts aims to present the historical accounts of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the early church. Knowing Christ will return, but not when, we are humbly not in control. Instead, believers are called to witness the risen Jesus in our daily lives. 

As the Israelites would have sang this Psalm as they ascended to Jerusalem, they proclaimed the dangers and snares that they faced in their lives. David knew this feeling of being surrounded as he wrote this Psalm, and we can understand this feeling today. And even so, the Lord is on the side of His people and He will faithfully deliver.

The book of Ruth ends in a genealogy. A small family that was faithful had no idea how the Lord would work to bring the lineage of His Son through them. God has, is, and will continue to bring about His covenant promises by ordinary, not meaningless, ways. And by His steadfast love, we will walk faithfully in Christ who is our eternal hope.

Ruth and Boaz marry and the Lord provides a son. The focus is now on Naomi, who was once bitter, is now holding her grandson. The women rejoice around her and the neighborhood celebrates, just as Christians today are to do. The Lord takes what is empty and makes it full. So even if our lives seem beyond repair, we look to Jesus, who comes from this lineage, to know that we are full in Him.

Ruth is being redeemed by Boaz in a seal of public display. Redeemed people are claimed people. And from redemption comes an overflow of joy. Christians today are to rejoice in the joy of their salvation and share the hope they have received from their Redeemer to the world.

Redemption always costs something. It's not clean or easy. And for Boaz it looks like legal action. He has weighed the responsibility and is ready to redeem if the nearer kinsman redeemer refuses. This unknown redeemer, concerned with earthly inheritance, isn't willing to pay the cost. By grace, we have a Redeemer in Jesus Christ, who gave up His inheritance in heaven to come pay the cos...

Ruth and Boaz exhibit faith in courageous action. Going to the threshing floor meant putting everything on the line, yet Ruth goes and makes a proposal to Boaz. In knowing he is a redeemer, they both understand the Lord's provision here, and the matter will be settled in the morning. These two point the greater love story of Christ our Redeemer sheltering us under His wings. However this life...

Naomi's attitude has gone from bitter to hopeful as she guides Ruth towards Boaz. Knowing he's a redeemer, Naomi encourages her daughter in law, and Ruth listens. Often God can feel distant, we can feel in the dark, but the Lord is always at work in His providence. Noting happens apart from His will and plan, even when we can't see it.

In ordinary ways, Ruth and Boaz are experiencing God's providential kindness. They both witness to others and to one another of the Lord's faithfulness. The redemption isn't just words or a rescue, but communion. By God's grace we don't glean on the outside but are welcomed to the table and into His family.

Ruth relies upon the Lord, knowing that those who follow His law will be a refuge for her. Boaz welcomes her into his fields and Ruth is able to glean from the extra grain. Both Boaz and Ruth are being obedient and faithful in their circumstance, and this will prove to be life-giving.

In hopelessness, but not rebellion, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law away from her and the Lord, and to return back to their old way of life in Moab. It is evident that this family was close and talked about the Lord. Orpah leaves, but Ruth in faith returns with her mother-in-law and encourages her. God always meets us in the return, and gives us fellow believers to remind us of His great love and...