Riverstone York: The Message

In our final Sunday as Riverstone, we looked at Joshua 3-5, considering how God led Israel through a great transition. During times of transition today, there are three truths we can remember as we honor God through every change and season.

The Israelites had been in the wilderness for a long time—so long that they started to think God's leadership and provision weren't good enough. Have you ever been in that situation? Our world certainly is. Numbers 21:4-9 helps us consider what went wrong and God's solution.

Paul closes his letter by referring to the support of the Philippian church. He offers gratitude infused with theology as he maintains his firm position: Jesus is the defining reality of his life. As such, he knows contentment and joy. We're invited to find contentment and joy in Jesus, too.

Philippians is all about joy, but it's mostly about Jesus. In Philippians 3, Paul says don't settle for religious joy, selfish joy, or even merely knowing Jesus. Instead Paul reveals that the greatest joy comes from pursuing Jesus.

Philippians is packed with popular verses we know and love. But the parts in between are just as important! In this message, we look at a portion in which Paul focuses on two people who exemplify a life of humble service, following Jesus' example. Philippians 2:19-30.

Rev. Dennis Hummel unpacks Romans 7:15-25.

Paul wrote to encourage the church at Philippi. In doing so, he called them be clear on the truth, be humble in action, and be different than the world. If they would do this, they would have joy as a byproduct of their obedience. From Philippians 1:27-2:18

In light of the killing of three police officers and injury of two others in our community, we took time to worship, pray, and try to better understand the evil in our world and the confidence we have when God is with us. (Psalm 23, Genesis 3, Ephesians 6)

True joy found in Jesus surpasses disappointments, circumstances, and life itself. Paul wrote about that to his friends, the Philippians, while chained to a roman soldier. He encouraged them—and encourages us—to live with a divine perspective, allowing us to have have joy despite everything going on in our lives and in our world.

From Psalm 51 Know what you've done. Know who you're talking to. Know what He offers. Know how to live in light of this.

As we turn to 2 Samuel 12, we meet King David, silent and suffering. He knows God, loves God, trusts God, and yet sin has gotten into his life. Thankfully for David—and for us—God won't let sin win.

One of the frustrating parts of a Christian's life is the presence of sin. You know God. You love God. You know His Word. Yet sin still gets into your life. It happened to King David. It happens to you. Let's consider why that is.

Rev. Dennis Hummel leads us through a study of Psalm 119 as we consider the call to continually grow in our faith.

As Paul concluded his letter to Titus, he continued to impress the importance of a Christian's beliefs modifying his/her behavior. It turns out, intentionality should be a big part of a mature Christian's life.

Paul told Titus to help the church on Crete understand how to act. Then, he provided an incredible explanation as to why their behavior matters so much. It turns out, by having a good grasp on grace, they realize the incredible privilege it is to have behavior that matches beliefs.

As Paul is instructing Titus to build the church on Crete, the expectations aren't only for elders. Everyday Christians—older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and even slaves are called to exhibit behavior that proves their belief. It begs the question, "Who believes the gospel is true, simply because they've been watching you?" Titus 2:1-10

Paul told Titus to put mature believers in place as stewards of God's people throughout the churches on Crete. Though Titus 1:5-16 tells us the kind of man an elder should be, it's a good reminder of what a mature believer looks like, too!

Titus 1:4-9 God's people should be family-oriented. God's people should be orderly .God's people should be guided .

The Epistle to Titus begins with an important greeting telling us that Paul wrote the letter. Within that greeting, Paul reveals his mindset, mission, and motivation for his ministry and for writing this letter to his young friend, Titus.

As you read through Acts, the boldness of believers was a key part of God's work in forming and strengthening the early church. Is our boldness today strengthening church? Consider a passage from Acts 4 in this week's message.

We kick off a mini-series in Acts by looking at the very beginning of the book. In Acts 1:1-11, we see important directives for the disciples back then and for us today as we seek to have a strong witness.

Romans 12:1-2 reminds us of the transforming power of God's mercy through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Is your life transformed? Is your walk affected? Listen in as Dennis Hummel helps us consider how to walk in the resurrection.

The Gospel According to Matthew finishes with Jesus appearing to His disciples, giving them important instructions. Within these few verses, we see three cautions for Matthew's Jewish readers and for believers today. Matthew 28:16-20

The greatest proof that Jesus is the true Messiah is His resurrection. In this message, we unpack the moments before, during, and after that first Easter as Matthew shows us, "He is risen, indeed!" (Matthew 27:62-28:15)

Judas. The Chief Priests and Elders. Pilate. The Jewish People at Large. They all rejected Jesus. People still reject Jesus today and it's important that we understand the real results of rejecting Him. Matthew 27:3-26