The River Church Sermons

One of the significant memories I have of my high school Jesus days was going to Calvary Santa Ana for concerts and evangelistic rallies. Jesus was my high and the afterglows remain a highlight. It was such a big part of my life, my parents sat me down to find about more about these Jesus rallies. I remember that a hyped anticipation of the Lord returning was in the air like a crisp cold morning t...

I don’t have a proper sermon blurb. (This is on purpose; not a procrastination thing) Instead, if you’ll allow me, I’m inviting three embarrassingly-simple, grammatically-challenged questions to percolate into your week: 1) Where is creative wisdom in your world? 2) How is your quiet? 3) What do you hope? Let’s explore some ancient wisdom (1 Thessalonians 4) and merge these potent preguntas into y...

Everyone wants to win at life. Whether it’s in your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your friendships, or in your job, we want to win. It defines who you are. It sets the course of your life. What’s that look like to you? For Paul, first Thessalonians chapter 3 tells us that it’s about your faith. Five times he mentions faith. One commentator says faith isn't everything but it most cert...

“Leadership is influence,” said the professor when asked to define leadership. My conclusion: if we influence others, we are leaders. You and I, whether we admit it or not, are leaders in our own sphere of influence. How might we refine the positive influence of our life in those we love? Our River Church community is learning from the followers of Jesus in the coastal town of Thessalonica; and th...

I wonder what it was like to go to church in the fist century. There were no buildings, no loud speakers, and no smoke machines. People showed up in homes, hosted by followers of Jesus who shared the letters of Paul, circulated by Paul’s runners. Oral accounts were told of Jesus and the disciples. There was a sense of excitement as people gathered to learn of Jesus and share what they had with one...

Did you see River Runs Through It? It’s based upon a book by Norman Maclean about his family, one of two sons of a Presbyterian pastor. At the end of the book, he looks back on his life. His parents and brother are all gone. He is alone standing on the edge of the river he spent his childhood, fishing. He says he is haunted by the waters. They hold the mystery of his life. They tell the story. I a...

Most people who haven't had much of a background in attending a church or hearing sermons have at least heard of the “golden rule” (a term not found in the Bible, but certainly taught in the Bible), or quite possibly, the sermon on the mount, (“blessed are the poor in spirit”), but for sure they've heard the story of the Good Samaritan. He is called” good" because he stopped and cared for a comple...

Generosity is much more, but not less, than giving of your money and resources. Generosity is regarded as a virtue. Furthermore, we resemble God in His goodness when we are generous. If you desire to grow in generosity, you can learn more about the Biblical meaning of generosity through this podcast and the additional resources and curriculum provided here.

Your life is a series of short stories forming a larger narrative. This fascinating narrative is the sum total of your reflection on, and reaction to, the multitude of experiences rushing toward you every day. Your testimony to the world, to quote Luke Schroeder, is your personal reflection and reaction to your experiences with the living God [listen to Luke’s excellent podcast on Testimony here.]...

A testimony is a personal story of how God has interacted in your life. This is the story of how Jesus entered into your life, and how you have been changed through knowing him. This story is your story and it is powerful and beautiful; it has the power to change others journeys with God around you.

We are planing a very exciting time together this Sunday as we celebrate the most important historical event that has literally rocked this world; The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrection is the account of God coming down to earth to die in our place so that we could live. From death to life so that we could experience new life. It is the most hope filled message of the yea...

What comes to mind when you read the words, share the gospel? For me, in light of my history as a Christian and my quasi-neurotic personality, I’m immediately struck with a handful of rather negative impressions. Brace yourself, this is going to start off on a downer, but I promise, the message won’t be. My feelings and thoughts at the prospect of “evangelism” probably begin with shame: “I don’t s...

Throughout the Bible we see God's people, over and over again, share the story of God's redeeming and transformative love. The theological word for this is evangelism and it is the act of sharing with others about God’s story and the nature of God’s kingdom. This is something we do with our words and with the actions of our lives.

Challenge Ideas: Quick Dip - Listen to the podcast about Sabbath on The Art of Following Jesus Page (https://riversouthbay.org/jump-in/the-art-of-following-jesus). Buoy Swim - Listen to the podcast and do the worksheet. Pier to Pier - Listen to the podcast, do the worksheet, and utilize an additional resource listed on the podcast description. I almost didn’t want to tell you what I’ll be teaching...

Jesus’ words in Mark 2:27 reveal to us a true gift from God...the Sabbath. Yet, if there is a gift from God that many of us choose to reject it is the Sabbath. “Stop work and rest” that’s impractical. “One day off from work” I cannot afford to take time off. Our culture does not honor a break from our productive lives. Yet, the Sabbath is a gift from God that we need to receive. It is a gift that...

We all want the efforts of our lives to mean something--we want to live lives of purpose, passion and impact. But can't we all also think of people who are full of passion to change the world while oozing ugly, self-righteous pride? And in a world with so many needs and in which certain types of contributions are glorified while others are ignored, burn out often feels inevitable. So as we learn t...

Spiritual Giftedness is referring to different spiritual gifts or talents given by the Holy Spirit to all believers in order to serve others and experience the body of Christ working together. These gifts are God's supernatural strength and ability showing up in our lives in various ways.

In this topic of the Holy Spirit, we discuss the mission of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and as a part of the Godhead. In John 14 verse 16, Jesus tells us of an "advocate" that he will ask the Father to provide us with forever. In this session, we give practical tools on how to invite our Heaven sent helper and advocate into our daily lives. View the worksheet and other resources for The Art...

Following Jesus is a wonderful journey that encompasses all of our lives. And one of the best parts of this journey is that we are in it together! It is wonderful to be a part of the people who are following the words and ways of Jesus of Nazareth, allowing him to change our values, goals, and lifestyles! This week we will be focusing on the topic of "honor." I am sure many parents are hoping the...

As a follower of Jesus, and having enjoyed the power of His forgiveness, honor is a part of the fabric of who we are, our new identity in Christ—it is a gift that we can give to others and enjoy the blessing of joy it brings to us. Join us as we take a peek at HONOR. View the worksheet and other resources for The Art of Following Jesus on our website: https://riversouthbay.org/jump-in/the-art-of-f...

Grace is the unfettered love of God that is available to all. It says, "You are forgiven, you are loved, you are important to me.” It seasons life in a way that brings out the true flavor of what God has for our delight. Without it, we are held in bondage to retribution, retaliation, and unforgiveness. Without it we would live in a world where you get what you deserve, only that what is earned. Th...

Challenge Ideas: Quick Dip - Listen to the podcast on Grace on The Art of Following Jesus Page (https://riversouthbay.org/jump-in/the-art-of-following-jesus). Buoy Swim - Listen to the podcast and do the worksheet. Pier to Pier - Listen to the podcast, do the worksheet, and utilize an additional resource listed on the podcast description. In this adventure of following the words and ways of Jesus,...

Communion is arguably the most beautiful and special act that Christians do together. It symbolizes the sacred union that we have with Jesus Christ because of his death, and it shows the unity we have with each other as we belong to Christ. We partake of the same loaf of bread (unless we are gluten free...) showing our communal relationship. This life changing practice finds its home in the regula...

Growing up the table was the place that held our family together the strongest. We met each night formally around a beautiful walnut table with inlaid cherry that my father had made years earlier than my birth. It sat in a formal dining room where rich and intimate conversation about life and our dreams took place. We caught up and got to know each other around that table. We were truly a family a...

Many of us associate worshipping the Lord with raising our hands above our head and singing songs of praise at church on Sunday mornings. Some of us enter into this physical posture and spiritual place with ease, while others find it uncomfortable or awkward. While this is definitely one form of worship, there are actually many other ways that we can enter into worship. Things like dancing, creati...