Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.6.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # River Community Church Knowing and Loving God and Making God's Love Known to Others ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.rivercc.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://www.rivercc.org/blog/) - On this page you will find links to the daily devotionals, the Sunday study guide and sermon notes from the Sunday morning messages at River - [1 John 2:28-3:10 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/24/1-john-228-310-devotional-day-2/) - John gives us three "tests" in his letter. He gives them several times, indicating how important they are to his purpose for writing this letter. - [1 John 2:28-3:10 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/23/1-john-228-310-devotional-day-1/) - Do not "see" as the world "sees," look through the lens of the gospel. - [1 John 2:28-3:10 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/22/1-john-228-310-sermon-notes/) - About 40 years had passed since Rome and Britain had been at war, at a cost of 250,000 people...a huge number when you consider the population was much smaller then than now. Finally, that war was coming to something of an end but other wars were ongoing all across the empire. Recently a Volcano had - [1 John 2:28-3:10 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/22/1-john-228-310-discussion-guide/) - 10.22.23 1 John 2:28-3:10 Discuss: What do you think is the right balance between a healthy awareness of events in the world around you and an unhealthy "dose" of events? Does this balance change from person to person and at different times in our lives? What evidence is there of a healthy versus an unhealthy balance? - [1 John 2:18-27 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/20/1-john-218-27-devotional-day-5/) - Pray this morning for those people in your life who have walked away. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be at work in their lives. - [1 John 2:18-27 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/19/1-john-218-27-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 79:8-13 Do - [1 John 2:18-27 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/18/1-john-218-27-devotional-day-3/) - One way you can meditate on a verse is to say it repeatedly, each time emphasizing a different word in the verse. - [1 John 2:18-27 - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/15/1-john-218-27-discussion-guide/) - Q1) How has the recent phenomenon of Christian “deconstruction” touched your life? Has it left you disoriented, confused, angry, or discouraged? Read 1 John 2:18-27 John had planted churches in modern-day Turkey but, over time, some individuals within these churches rejected essential theological beliefs about Jesus, left the church, and took some members of the - [1 John 2:18-27 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/17/1-john-218-27-devotional-day-2/) - Over and above the cultural depictions of Jesus, we must be rooted in and trust the inspired, authoritative truth of God’s Word. - [1 John 2:18-27 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/15/1-john-218-27-sermon-notes/) - Over past several years, social media has been filled with a steady stream of individuals who are renouncing their faith in Christ and their membership in His church - Some of these individuals were, at one time, viewed as famous and influential Christians: author Joshua Harris, musician Marty Sampson, megachurch pastor Dave Gass, Desiring God - [1 John 2:18-27 Devotional – Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/16/1-john-218-27-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 76:7-10 And - [1 John 2:15-17 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/13/1-john-215-17-devotional-day-5/) - You decide what you love. Your heart, your love follows your investments. Give yourself away for the glory of God and the good of others. - [1 John 2:15-17 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/12/1-john-215-17-devotional-day-4/) - What do we have that we have not been given, Paul asked rhetorically. If all that we have is a gift, then why would we boast as if we had done something to earn or to deserve what we have? - [1 John 2:15-17 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/11/1-john-215-17-devotional-day-3/) - What he is pleased to give us or withhold from us is his call, not ours. Use your eyes to "see" the goodness and glory of God. - [1 John 2:15-17 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/10/1-john-215-17-devotional-day-2/) - When we pursue Christ, we always want more of him. This is a healthy discontent. This is the single discontent that always leaves us both satisfied and wanting more. - [1 John 2:15-17 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/09/1-john-215-17-devotional-day-1/) - If we love God, we didn't "fall" in love with him, we made certain choices in response to his grace. Right now, you are making a choice to love God: you are spending time in his word and in prayer. Good job! - [Sermon Notes - 1 John 2:15–17](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/08/1-john-215-17/) - Did you hear about the beautiful female celebrity who was seen at a sporting event with the famous and talented professional athlete? It was all over the news. Terry, are you kidding me who hasn't heard of Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce? Who? I was talking about Marylin Monroe and Joe DiMaggio; - [Discussion Guide - 1 John 2:15–17](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/08/discussion-guide-1-john-215-17/) - Discuss: "The world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever." How might this verse, when used as a lens for seeing the world through, impact what you think and feel about world events and personal events? How might it impact what impresses or depresses you? - [1 John 2:7-14 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/06/1-john-27-14-devotional-day-5/) - Who has God given you to love? How can you show love to them? Take a minute and write their name down. Pray. Ask God to show you how to love this person. - [1 John 2:7-14 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/05/1-john-27-14-devotional-day-4/) - God, please use our love for one another as your light to an unbelieving world. So that people walking in darkness would see the wonder of your glorious light. - [1 John 2:7-14 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/04/1-john-27-14-devotional-day-3/) - Our love is not meant to be a weapon or meant to be a tool to manipulate. It is meant to be a sign of Christ in our lives. He is our King. Our love is meant to exalt Him. - [1 John 2:7-14 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/03/1-john-27-14-devotional-day-2/) - Selfless and sacrificial love does not have to be huge acts of love. Sometimes they are just practical and simple. Will you be available to love others in the way that God calls you to love them? - [1 John 2:7-14 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/02/1-john-27-14-devotional-day-1/) - You do not love perfectly, but if you have committed your life to Christ and you are responding to Him, He is working in you. Thank Him for his work and presence in your life. - [1 John 2:7-14 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/01/1-john-27-14-sermon-notes/) - Love is complicated. Love is confusing. Love takes work. Listen to secular music and we can be convinced everyone wants love but there is confusion about love. Here’s a song you know. I want to know what love is… I want you to show me. I want to feel what love is… I need you - [1 John 2:7-14 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/10/01/1-john-27-14-discussion-guide/) - Opening Question: Q1: What are some of the ways that our culture twists love? Q2: How does your desire for love and acceptance cause you to slip into sin and twist love? Q3: Is there someone who has been demanding that you love them in a certain way? How did you respond? How did they - [1 John 2 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/29/1-john-2-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 29:3-9 The - [1 John 2 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/28/1-john-2-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 58:9-11 Before - [1 John 2 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/27/1-john-2-devotional-day-3/) - If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Cor. 13. If we don't love, whatever we do, it doesn't really matter. - [1 John 2 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/26/1-john-2-devotional-day-2/) - We don't obey in order to be saved, but when we obey we are drawing near to God. If we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with God. - [1 John 2 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/25/1-john-2-devotional-day-1/) - Consider the fact that Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is the Cosmos creating God with us. - [1 John 2 - Themes - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/24/1-john-23-27-sermon-notes/) - Thomas Paine wrote the Age of Reason in 1794. It was the first anti-Christian best seller...and it triggered Bible-burning parties on both sides of the Atlantic. Paine's fury wasn't directed at God but at churches, which he wrote were set up to terrify and enslave mankind..."my own mind," he said "is my own church." Paine - [1 John 2- Themes - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/24/1-john-23-27-discussion-guide/) - Read: Thomas Paine (Author, The Age of Reason, 1794) "Churches are set up to terrify and enslave mankind; my mind is my church." Richard Dawkins (Atheist Author, current) "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction." Q1: Why do you think they said (believed) this? (Be generous with them.) - [1 John 1:9 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/22/1-john-19-devotional-day-5/) - This practice of tuning into the Spirit's voice is not only important for conviction of sin but also for the comfort of forgiveness. - [1 John 1:9 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/21/1-john-19-devotional-day-4/) - Have you been living in godly sorrow or worldly sorrow? Will you take God at his word and learn to disregard the lies of the enemy? - [1 John 1:9 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/20/1-john-19-devotional-day-3/) - We do believe. We really do. But we need help to believe. We desperately do. - [1 John 1:9 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/19/1-john-19-devotional-day-2/) - We should be proactive rather than passive in our lives, but we must embrace the great fact that we do not have control… God does. - [1 John 1:9 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/18/1-john-19-devotional-day-1/) - Doubt is a troubling word, for good reason. On our own, future outcomes are all in doubt. Doubt is a word that should make us run to the Lord Jesus. - [1 John 1:9 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/17/1-john-19-discussion-guide/) - Opening: John Bunyan wrote at the end of his autobiography: I am inclined to unbelief. I suddenly forget the love and mercy shown in Christ. I keep trying to be good enough rather than relying on God's grace. My mind wanders when I pray, and often my prayers are cold and lifeless. I forget to - [1 John 1:9 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/17/1-john-19-sermon-notes/) - 9.17.23 1 John 1:9 "Now the battle was lost. I fell like a bird shot from a treetop, down into great guilt and fearful despair. I went miserable out to the field, with a heart as heavy as any man could bear. I was past hope of being saved, bound for eternal punishment." He wrote - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/15/1-john-15-22-devotional-day-5/) - We can continually mess up, fess up, and move on. This is not taking sin lightly; this is taking God seriously. - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/14/1-john-15-22-devotional-day-4/) - Don't deny your sins; confess them and be free. Don't wallow in the mud of your sins; be cleansed and be free. - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/13/1-john-15-22-devotional-day-3/) - We must learn to do "spiritual breathing." Exhale confession, inhale forgiveness. We confess our sins to God; we experience his immediate forgiveness. Such a wonderful promise. - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/12/1-john-15-22-devotional-day-2/) - God is light, and in him is not darkness at all. The same cannot be said about us, so we must constantly confess our sins and move back into his light. - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/10/1-john-15-22-sermon-notes/) - "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 has been one of the most important verses of Scripture in my entire adult life. I first remember reading it and then memorizing around 1978. I was 19 and just beginning - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/11/1-john-15-22-devotional-day-1/) - Today will you see that because the Son has risen, your sins are forgiven and you can walk in the light? - [1 John 1:5-2:2 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/10/1-john-15-22-discussion-guide/) - 1 John 1:5-2:2 Discussion Guide Read: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1:9 Explain: One author described this verse as "spiritual breathing." Not as in some weird spiritual practice but rather as thinking about this as something that should become - [1 John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/08/1-john-11-4-devotional-day-5/) - Salvation to fellowship is not just a future reality, it is a very present experience for believers. An experience that we are meant to enjoy now and find joy in forever. - [1 John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/07/1-john-11-4-devotional-day-4/) - John writes that the facts are clear. Because the gospel is true, we can, and we must be confident. - [1 John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/06/1-john-11-4-devotional-day-3/) - Focus on biblical doctrine, holiness, and relationships. These are our birthrights in Christ. We should thrive in these things. - [1 John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/05/1-john-11-4-devotional-day-2/) - John saw, with his human eyes, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and John was empowered to see with understanding what it meant. - [1 John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/04/1-john-11-4-devotional-day-1/) - We must not start with self; we must start with God. There is evidence in creation for God. - [Sermon Notes - 1 John 1:1–4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/03/sermon-notes-1-john-11-4/) - An article from Harvard medical school stated that self-confidence has a bell curve. It gradually rises during late teen years, peaks during middle age and tends to decline after age 60. I'm on the downhill slope. Midlife is where people occupy the highest positions of power, status, importance...they are working, involved in relationships, and more - [Discussion Guide - 1 John 1:1–4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/03/discussion-guide-1-john-11-4/) - 1 John 1:1-4 Discussion Guide Certainty Discussion: (pick and choose from the following questions) Describe a time when you were certain of something and turned out to be wrong. What are you certain of now? What do you feel like you ought to be more certain of, but are not? How does reading news, personal - [2 Peter 3:12-18 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/09/01/2-peter-312-18-devotional-day-5/) - We have agency in our own spiritual growth. We don't have to merely hope it happens; we are responsible to see to it that it happens. - [2 Peter 3:12-18 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/31/2-peter-312-18-devotional-day-4/) - Since truth is such a precious resource and the Bible is God's source of truth, how do you think you are doing in terms of prioritizing getting more truth into your head and heart? - [2 Peter 3:12-18 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/30/2-peter-312-18-devotional-day-3/) - Don't wait for wisdom to "fall on you"...do what Proverbs says we are to do..."go get wisdom!" - [2 Peter 3:12-18 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/29/2-peter-312-18-devotional-day-2/) - Remember, God doesn't need you to defend him, and his existence is independent of any proposed evidence for or against him. - [2 Peter 3:12-18 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/28/2-peter-312-18-devotional-day-1/) - God is alive and involved. We can trust his promises as he has actually made them. - [2 Peter 3:12-18 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/27/2-peter-3-12-18-sermon-notes/) - Linda, came to faith after her husband, Moses, died. Jesus has transformed her life. -He has not, however, given her all her earthly dreams...she is not wealthy, or healthy (like most would measure health)...she lives in a wheelchair, she lives with constant physical pain. -She is often sad because her life is difficult...but she is - [2 Peter 3:1-11 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/25/2-peter-31-11-devotional-day-5/) - You should “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and you should love your neighbor as you love yourself." - [2 Peter 3:1-11 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/24/2-peter-31-11-devotional-day-4/) - In the Bible, the truth revealed regarding the second coming of Christ is designed for ethical, not mere intellectual effect. It is meant to change who we are, how we live, and how we love others. - [2 Peter 3:1-11 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/23/2-peter-31-11-devotional-day-3/) - We tend to question God's power and character when we elevate ourselves to his level, or lower it to ours. When we truly see him "high and lifted up," we are more likely to worship him than question him. - [2 Peter 3:1-11 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/22/2-peter-31-11-devotional-day-2/) - The greatest intervention into the universe was the incarnation. God became man and dwelt among us. That same Lord Jesus will return someday. This is a settled fact. - [2 Peter 3:1-11 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/21/2-peter-31-11-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 141:1-2 O - [2 Peter 3:1-11 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/20/2-peter-31-11-sermon-notes/) - Gary Morson is professor of Humanities at Northwestern University and an expert on Russian literature. I listened to an interview with him that was fascinating. He talked about the Russian Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century. It was driven by the ideology of Marx that was implemented by Lenin and Stalin. The official - [2 Peter 2:1-22 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/18/2-peter-21-22-devotional-day-5/) - Obey God by faith. Believe him when he says, "this is the way to go, walk this way." - [2 Peter 2:1-22 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/17/2-peter-21-22-devotional-day-4/) - Christ is reshaping us into the image of God with ever increasing glory. Self-control is the path to that kind of freedom. Self-control is not merely an act of the will; it is a fruit of the Spirit. - [2 Peter 2:1-22 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/16/2-peter-21-22-devotional-day-3/) - You may feel like you are a "likable" person, and perhaps you are. Regardless of what you feel, you are a sinner in need of a savior. Remember that and be grateful. - [2 Peter 2:1-22 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/15/2-peter-21-22-devotional-day-2/) - We should be filled with loving compassion, but we must be guided by the truth. We must take the long view with people. What they think of us right now isn't as important as what happens to them in eternity. - [2 Peter 2:1-22 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/14/2-peter-21-22-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 134 1 - [2 Peter 2:1-22 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/13/2-peter-21-22-sermon-notes/) - In the early twentieth century Charles Ponzi cheated people out of 200 million in today's dollars. This included family and friends, rich, poor...he was an equal opportunity crook. He is the namesake for a Ponzi scheme (though he was not the first) Robbing Peter to pay Paul There is no real wealth or goods being - [2 Peter 1:16-21 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/11/2-peter-116-21-devotional-day-5/) - We will all die; the details of that certainty belong to the Lord. While we live, the choice to be found faithful belongs to us. - [2 Peter 1:16-21 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/10/13860/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 130 1 - [2 Peter 1:16-21 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/09/2-peter-116-21-devotional-day-3/) - If we begin in the right place, with the majestic God, then believing that he used humans to give us his word isn't really that difficult after all. - [2 Peter 2: 16-21 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/06/2-peter-2-16-21-sermon-notes/) - What if you were told, conclusively, the way in which you would die...and that it would not be pleasant? How would that affect how you live? Would you avoid certain situations, foolishly thinking you could avoid the inevitable? Would you spend your days thinking about it...fearing it...wondering "is this it, is this the day?" Each - [2 Peter 1:16-21 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/08/2-peter-116-21-devotional-day-2/) - Don't waste time deciding if God's word is trustworthy; settle it. Spend your time and energy understanding and applying it. - [2 Peter 1:16-21 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/07/2-peter-116-21-devotional-day-1/) - Commit yourself to walking in Christ today and ask Him to be at work in you. - [2 Peter 1:1-15 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/04/2-peter-11-15-devotional-day-5/) - What would it look like for you to “make every effort” to “pass it on”? To your children? To the children or youth in our church? To a younger man or woman in the church? - [2 Peter 1:1-15 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/03/2-peter-11-15-devotional-day-4/) - Peter is not arguing that our rejection of sin or our pursuit of good works are effective in securing salvation, but that those two things are effective in revealing salvation. - [2 Peter 1:1-15 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/02/2-peter-11-15-devotional-day-3/) - Peter challenges us to “make every effort” to supplement our faith with a pursuit of godliness. This challenge stems directly from Peter’s reminder that God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. - [2 Peter 1:1-15 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/08/01/2-peter-11-15-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 121:1-4 I - [2 Peter 1:1-15 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/31/2-peter-11-15-devotional-day-1/) - Ask the Father to empty you of yourself today. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew with His presence and power. Commit yourself to walking in Christ today and ask Him to be at work in you. - [2 Peter 1:1-15 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/30/2-peter-11-15-sermon-notes/) - Last Tuesday night I went with a group of Challenge students to Super Summer to talk with high school juniors and seniors about Christian Challenge - To be honest, I wasn’t super excited about going but, in end, I walked away deeply encouraged That night I sat next to a man named Bob - I - [1 Peter 5:6-14 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/28/1-peter-56-14-devotional-day-5/) - Put away all forms of "poor me," and instead turn your attention away from self to the God of all grace. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. - [1 Peter 5:6-14 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/27/1-peter-56-14-devotional-day-4/) - If we trust God, then we will trust his timing. If we do not trust his timing, we do not trust him. This is hard stuff. This is true stuff. Trust God by trusting his timing in your life. - [1 Peter 5:6-14 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/26/1-peter-56-14-devotional-day-3/) - Have you acted with pride towards God or others? Repent, God desires to be your friend not your foe. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. - [1 Peter 5:6-14 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/25/1-peter-56-14-devotional-day-2/) - You can be very confident and humble at the same time. You can be proud and insecure at the same time. Do what humility does. Love people, trust God. - [1 Peter 5:6-14 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/24/1-peter-56-14-devotional-day-1/) - The only legitimate boast is "I know the Lord." All other boasting is insane and soul-deadening. If you know the Lord, you have reason to rejoice. - [1 Peter 5:6-14 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/23/1-peter-56-14-sermon-notes/) - This week the movie Oppenheimer was released. Oppenheimer is credited with being the "father of the atomic bomb" for his role in organizing the Manhattan Project, the research and development undertaking that created the first nuclear weapons. Oppenheimer, or "Oppie" to his friends and students, was a professor of theoretical physics at Berkeley, and was - [1 Peter 4:12-19 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/21/1-peter-412-19-devotional-day-5/) - "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. - [1 Peter 4:12-19 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/20/1-peter-412-19-devotional-day-4/) - Insults, or any form of suffering for Christ is, in fact, a blessing. Whether you feel it or not, this is a fact. - [1 Peter 4:12-19 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/19/1-peter-51-5-devotional-day-3-2/) - We can also be sure that others will be helped by how we trust God through trials. Again, our suffering will not lead to anyone's salvation, but it can lead them to the Savior. - [1 Peter 4:12-19 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/18/1-peter-412-19-devotional-day-2/) - In this life, we will continue to be surprised by suffering. Jesus understands our confusion and he does not dismiss it. "Do not be surprised" is not a rebuke, it is a gentle encouragement. - [1 Peter 4:12-19 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/17/1-peter-412-19-devotional-day-1/) - You should not fear the questions of others; truth does not depend on your ability to defend it. The gospel is true. - [1 Peter 4:12-19 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/16/1-peter-4-12-19-sermon-notes/) - At my dad's viewing a couple of Friday nights ago, I saw my granddaughter Norah, sitting with her dad, looking flooded. I sat down next to her and said, "It's okay to be sad about Bubba, Jesus was sad at the death of a friend even though he knew his friend would live again. She - [1 Peter 5:1-5 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/14/1-peter-51-5-devotional-day-5/) - When there is an atmosphere of humility, everyone flourishes. We value each other’s’ strengths and giftings and we recognize our own weaknesses. - [1 Peter 5:1-5 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/13/1-peter-51-5-devotional-day-4/) - Submitting to leadership within biblical limits doesn’t mean we follow leaders blindly. We follow leaders as they follow Christ and are faithful to his word. - [1 Peter 5:1-5 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/12/1-peter-51-5-devotional-day-3/) - The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of character over personal charisma. Character development takes time; it requires a slow cooker, not a microwave. - [1 Peter 5:1-5 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/11/1-peter-51-5-devotional-day-2/) - Peter’s exhortation to the entire church is this: in the midst of your suffering, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator (4:19). Remember God’s faithfulness in the midst of this trial. - [1 Peter 5:1-5 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/09/1-peter-51-5-sermon-notes/) - One of my favorite quotes comes from 19th Century author George Eliot in her novel Middlemarch. (Her real name was Mary Ann Evans but wrote under a pen name). Here’s the quote: “..for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and - [1 Peter 5:1-5 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/10/1-peter-51-5-devotional-day-1/) - The sheep of the flock don’t follow leaders blindly, but they ought to follow their leaders joyfully and humbly as their leaders follow Christ. - [1 Corinthians 15 - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/07/1-corinthians-15-day-5/) - This is the bottom line to the resurrection… death has been swallowed up in victory, and the sting of death has been defeated. - [1 Corinthians 15 - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/06/1-corinthians-15-day-4/) - As you go about your day, think about what the resurrection means for you personally. How does it impact what you're doing? Why does it matter? - [1 Corinthians 15 - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/05/1-corinthians-15-day-3/) - Ask God to give you understanding and insight into your identity in Christ, who you are, where you came from, where you are going, and understanding God's purpose for your life. - [1 Corinthians 15 - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/04/1-corinthians-15-day-2/) - The Gospel's truth does have tremendous benefits for our lives here in the present, but if we only look to the present, we fail to miss the depth and the breadth of all God has done in his redemptive work. - [1 Cor. 15 - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/03/1-cor-15-day-1/) - Notice what Paul said was of the most importance. He said, "Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures… and that he was seen by many other witnesses to include himself. - [1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/07/02/1-corinthians-1535-49-sermon-notes/) - A couple months ago, I read an article by Kim Henderson in World Magazine titled, “Wrestling with Hard Truths; Nashville Christians cling to the hope of the gospel amid overwhelming sorrow.” Patty and I had just been talking about the shooting, so when I saw the article, I started reading it to her. I had - [1 Peter 4:12 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/30/1-peter-412-devotional-day-5/) - What will matter the most are not intellectual answers, though they are important. What will matter the most is relationship. Take your questions to Jesus, but choose to trust him whether your questions are answered to your satisfaction or not. - [1 Peter 4:12 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/29/1-peter-412-devotional-day-4/) - Our goal this week is to use our minds to try and get the big picture that Scripture paints on the topic of suffering, and to lean into God and trust him with our hearts. Think God's thoughts. Love God. Grow in faith and faithfulness. - [1 Peter 4:12 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/28/1-peter-412-devotional-day-3/) - What do you personally know about God? When he says to you, "trust me" and gives no further answer, will you simply trust him? - [1 Peter 4:12 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/27/1-peter-412-devotional-day-2/) - By all means pray that God would relieve you of suffering; this is honoring to him and he may choose to do what you ask. But whether he does what you ask or not, you must remain faithful. You must choose to bring him glory. - [1 Peter 4:12 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/26/1-peter-412-devotional-day-1/) - Jesus is God's final answer to the question, "When will you do something about our suffering?" He has and he will. Jesus has come and Jesus will return. - [Sermon Notes 1 Peter 4:12](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/25/sermon-notes-1-peter-412-13/) - The group, Fun, rose to fame in 2012, with the album "Some Nights", which included the song of the year, "We are young." Their genre is called Rock Pop...I call it passionate nihilism...energetic nothingness. I am not mocking the music...I think they are enormously talented; I am referring to the fact that the driving melody - [1 Peter 4:1-11 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/23/1-peter-41-11-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 53:1-3 The - [1 Peter 4:1-11 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/22/1-peter-41-11-devotional-day-4/) - While there is great variety in how God has gifted us, there is uniformity in why he has gifted us. We have been gifted to serve others. - [1 Peter 4:1-11 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2023/06/21/1-peter-41-11-devotional-day-3/) - The cosmos is on a timer. So is your life. Since this is true...be faithful! Control yourself for the glory of God and the good of others. - [May 14 - Acts 13-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/14/may-14-acts-13-14/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 13 - Acts 11-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/13/may-13-acts-11-12/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [2 Timothy 1:8-12 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/10/2-timothy-18-12-discussion-guide/) - Deathbed Vision: Courage, Suffering, and Gospel Confidence INTRO: This week’s sermon from 2 Timothy 1:8–12 challenged us to think seriously about what kind of vision we are casting with our lives. Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell, near the end of his life, urging Timothy not to shrink back in fear or shame, - [2 Timothy 1:8-12 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/10/2-timothy-18-12-sermon-notes/) - 5.10.26 2 T 1:8-12 Happy Mother's Day! Rodney took the opportunity afforded by the passage last week to celebrate mothers...as Paul celebrated Timothy's mother and grandmother and their impact on his faith. Mother's day evokes many different emotions. My mom is in heaven and so is Christy's...her's passed just one year ago...so for us, today - [May 7 - Acts 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/07/may-7-acts-1-2/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 6 - John 21](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/06/may-6-john-21/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 16 - Acts 17-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/16/may-16-acts-17-18/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 15 - Acts 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/15/may-15-acts-15-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 12 - Acts 9-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/12/may-12-acts-9-10/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 11 - Acts 7-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/11/may-11-acts-7-8/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [2 Timothy 1:1-7 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/03/2-timothy-11-7-sermon-notes/) - Today we begin our time in 2 Timothy. It is a passing of the torch from Paul to his beloved protege Timothy. In your Bible you turn from one page to the next and it looks like just another letter to Timothy, but much has happened between letter 1 and letter 2 especially for Paul. - [2 Timothy 1:1-7 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/03/2-timothy-11-7-discussion-guide/) - OPENING PRAYER: Lord, open our eyes so that we may contemplate wondrous things from your Word. Help us not just hear it, but respond to it. Shape our hearts to trust you, to live generously, and to hold firmly to your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen. INTRO: Paul writes 2 Timothy from prison, suffering and - [April 29 - John 9-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/29/april-29-john-9-10/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 30 - John 11-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/30/april-30-john-11-12/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 9 - Acts 5-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/09/may-9-acts-5-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 8 - Acts 3-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/08/may-8-acts-3-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 5 - John 19-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/05/may-5-john-19-20/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 4 - John 17-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/04/may-4-john-17-18/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 2 - John 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/02/may-2-john-15-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [May 1 - John 13-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/05/01/may-1-john-13-14/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 28 - John 7-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/28/april-28-john-7-8/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 27 - John 5-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/27/april-27-john-5-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 6:17-21 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/26/1-timothy-617-21-sermon-notes/) - Several years ago, Lillie and I had a distant family member live with us for the summer – She was a college student at a different university and she was doing an internship in Wichita for the summer, so we offered for her to live with us for a couple of months We saw it - [1 Timothy 6:17-21 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/26/1-timothy-617-21-discussion-guide/) - 1 Timothy 6:17–21 – Give and Guard OPENING PRAYER: Lord, open our eyes so that we may contemplate wondrous things from your Word. Help us not just hear it, but respond to it. Shape our hearts to trust you, to live generously, and to hold firmly to your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen. INTRO: Paul - [April 23 - Luke 23-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/23/april-23-luke-23-24/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim 6:11-16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/19/1-tim-611-16-sermon-notes/) - 1 Tim 6:11 "But as for you O man of God. flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness." These verses mark a dramatic shift in this letter; Paul is turning up the passion volume as he comes in for finish. Think about Paul...a real man, writing a real letter, about real - [1 Timothy 6:11-16 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/19/1-timothy-611-16-discussion-guide/) - 4.19.26 – Run the Right Race: Flee, Pursue, and Fix Your Eyes on Christ OPENING PRAYER: Lord, open our eyes so that we may contemplate wondrous things from your Word. Help us to not just hear it, but respond to it. Shape our hearts to love what you love and pursue what you are for. - [April 25 - John 3-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/25/april-25-john-3-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 24 - John 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/24/april-24-john-1-2/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 22 - Luke 21-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/22/april-22-luke-21-22/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 21 - Luke 19-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/21/april-21-luke-19-20/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 20 - Luke 17-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/20/april-20-luke-17-18/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 16 - Luke 11-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/16/april-16-luke-11-12/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 15 - Luke 9-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/15/april-15-luke-9-10/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 6:2-10 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/12/1-timothy-2-10-discussion-guide/) - 4/12/26—1 Timothy 6:2b–10 Opening Prayer “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.” (Psalm 119:18) Lord, help us see clearly today. Shape our thinking through your Word, not the world. Teach us what truly matters, and give us hearts that are content in Christ. Amen. INTRO: This week’s sermon challenged - [1 Timothy 6:2-10 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/12/1-timothy-62-10-sermon-notes/) - Families, churches, businesses, clubs, schools, cultures...are shaped by what the leaders in those spaces... -Communicate -Demonstrate -Celebrate What you teach. What you do. What you make much of. This determines the beliefs, values and behaviors all around you. Children, grandchildren, employees, really all those you have influence with who listen to you and watch you. - [April 18 - Luke 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/18/april-18-luke-15-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 17 - Luke 13-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/17/april-17-luke-13-14/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 14 - Luke 7-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/14/april-14-luke-7-8/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 13 - Luke 5-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/13/april-13-luke-5-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 9 - Mark 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/09/april-9-mark-15-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 8 - Mark 13-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/08/april-8-mark-13-14/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [Easter 26' Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/05/easter-26-sermon-notes/) - Everyone worships Humans breath air, humans eat food, humans worship. It is built into us. Ecc. 3:11 "God has put eternity in our hearts." Christy and I visited some of our oversees workers from River last month. It stood out to me, once again, that humans are religious at their core. We are made to - [Easter Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/05/easter-discussion-guide/) - Easter 2026 – Everyone Worships: The Gospel and the Joy of the Risen Christ OPENING PRAYER Lord, thank you for the gospel—good news of great joy. Thank you that Jesus lived, died, and rose again in our place. We are grateful that you have rescued us and given us new life. Open our eyes to - [April 2 - Mark 3-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/02/april-2-mark-3-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 1 - Mark 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/01/april-1-mark-1-2/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 11 - Luke 3-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/11/april-11-luke-3-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 10 - Luke 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/10/april-10-luke-1-2/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 7 - Mark 11-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/07/april-7-mark-11-12/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 6 - Mark 9-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/06/april-6-mark-9-10/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 4 - Mark 7-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/04/april-4-mark-7-8/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [April 3 - Mark 5-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/04/03/april-3-mark-5-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 6:1-2 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/29/1-timothy-61-2/) - In the book, “The Great Stain” Frederick Douglass is quoted as saying “Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. To be the - [1 Tim. 6:1-2 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/29/1-tim-61-2-discussion-guide/) - 3.29.26 – Living What You Proclaim Opening Prayer: “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.” (Psalm 119:18) Lord, we come to you asking that you would open our eyes to see your truth clearly. Help us not just to understand your Word, but to live it. Shape how we think, - [March 31- Matthew 27-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/31/march-31-matthew-27-28/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 30 - Matthew 25-26](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/30/march-30-matthew-25-26/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 28 - Matthew 23-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/28/march-28-matthew-23-24/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 27 - Matthew 21-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/27/march-27-matthew-21-22/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 26 - Matthew 19-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/26/march-26-matthew-19-20/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 25 - Matthew 17-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/25/march-25-matthew-17-18/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim. 5:17-25 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/22/1-tim-517-25-sermon-notes/) - Herman Bavinck was a Dutch theologian writing in the late 19th Century/ early 20th Century. One of the reasons I admire him is because he was a brilliant theologian with a pastor’s heart. He wrote a 4-vol. systematic theology but condensed that into a smaller 1-vol. work for young adults in his church. Then, he - [March 19 - Matthew 7-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/19/march-19-matthew-7-8/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 18 - Matthew 5-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/18/march-18-matthew-5-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 5:1-16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/15/1-timothy-51-16/) - Autonomy is the idol of our age. Consider that proposition with me. Autonomy is the idol of our age. Personal autonomy is the idea of self-governance. I am sovereign over myself. My truth, my desires, my rights are of utmost importance, and they often triumph over my duties and obligations to others. Our default assumption - [1 Timothy 5:1-16 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/15/1-timothy-51-16-discussion-guide/) - Opening Prayer As you begin your time together, take a moment to thank the Lord for bringing your group together. Ask him to open your eyes to understand his Word and to shape your hearts to live it out. “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.” (Psalm 119:18, CSB) - [March 24 - Matthew 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/24/march-24-matthew-15-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 11 - Rev. 8-11](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/11/march-11-rev-8-11/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 23 - Matthew 13-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/23/march-23-matthew-13-14/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 21 - Matthew 11-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/21/march-21-matthew-11-12/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 20 - Matthew 9-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/20/march-20-matthew-9-10/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 17 - Matthew 3-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/17/march-17-matthew-3-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 16 - Matthew 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/16/march-16-matthew-1-2/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 12 - Rev. 12-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/12/march-12-rev-12-14/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim. 4:11-16 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/08/1-tim-410-16-discussion-guide/) - 3.8.26 – Watch Your Life and Doctrine Closely Opening Prayer: Begin with a brief prayer thanking the Lord for bringing you together and asking him to open your eyes to his Word and help you listen well to his Spirit and apply what he shows you. — “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things - [1 Tim. 4:11-16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/08/1-tim-411-52-sermon-notes/) - A friend called recently about a subordinate who was caught doing something at work that will likely cost him his career, years of accumulated long-term pension, and public shame. He asked me for some advice on how to proceed, because he assumed I had dealt with this before....I said, sadly, "Yes, I have." I have - [March 5 - 1 Peter 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/05/march-5-1-peter-1-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim. 4:6-10 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/01/1-tim-46-10-sermon-notes/) - Have you ever heard of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat? It's a trick where the magician shows you what looks like an empty hat, then he reaches in and pulls out a rabbit! Do you think a rabbit can actually come out of an empty hat? No? Well, you are right, - [1 Tim 4:6-10 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/01/1-tim-46-10-discussion-guide/) - 3.1.26 – Train for Godliness: Grit, Grace, and the Living God INTRO We live in a world where myths are constantly presented as truth, and truth is often dismissed as myth. Cultural ideas shift daily. Arguments come and go. But ultimate truth does not move. The gospel is fixed. Jesus is the truth. Paul tells - [March 14 - Rev. 19-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/14/march-14-rev-19-22/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 7 - 1 John 2-5; 2 John; 3 John](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/07/march-7-1-john-2-5-2-john-3-john/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 13 - Rev. 15-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/13/march-13-rev-15-18/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 6 - 2 Peter 1-3; 1 John 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/06/march-6-2-peter-1-3-1-john-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 4 - James 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/04/march-4-james-1-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 10 - Rev. 4-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/10/march-10-rev-4-7/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 3 - Hebrews 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/03/march-3-hebrews-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 9 - Jude; Rev. 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/09/march-9-jude-rev-1-3/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [March 2 - Hebrews 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/03/02/march-2-hebrews-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 26 - 2 Tim. 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/26/february-26-2-tim-1-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 25 - 1 Tim. 2-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/25/february-25-1-tim-2-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim. 4:1-5 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/22/1-tim-41-5-sermon-notes/) - About a month of ago, many of you got a text message like the one on left from “Pastor Terry Williams” asking for Target gift cards – When I got message, I laughed because I know Terry well enough to know: 1) That’s not his number, 2) He would’ve called me about something like this, - [1 Tim. 4:1-5 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/22/1-tim-41-5-discussion-guide/) - 2.22.26 – The Deception and the Correction INTRO In 1 Timothy 3, Paul reminded us that the church is the pillar and buttress of the truth. Immediately after that, he warns Timothy that deception will arise within the church. Some will depart from the faith—not because truth failed, but because lies were believed. In 1 - [February 19 - Eph. 3-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/19/february-19-eph-3-6/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 18 - Gal. 5-6; Eph. 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/18/february-18-gal-5-6-eph-1-2/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 24 - 2 Thes. 1-3; 1 Tim. 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/24/february-24-2-thes-1-3-1-tim-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 23 - 1 Thes. 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/23/february-23-1-thes-1-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 27 - Titus 1-3; Phm.; Heb. 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/27/february-27-titus-1-3-phm-heb-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 28 - Heb. 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/28/february-28-heb-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 21 - Col. 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/21/february-21-col-1-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 20 - Phil. 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/20/february-20-phil-1-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 17 - Galatians 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/17/february-16-galatians-1-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 16 - 2 Cor. 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/16/february-16-2-cor-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 TIm. 3:14-16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/15/1-tim-314-16-sermon-notes/) - The Dead Poets Society: was a 1989 film starring Robin Williams The setting for the movie is a fictional all boys prep school with a long history of pressure to conform to tradition. The school has four pillars for their education...tradition, Honor, Discipline, and Excellence Those actually sound pretty good to me...but not to Robin - [1 Tim. 3:14-16 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/15/1-tim-314-16-discussion-guide/) - 2.15.26 – The Church: A Hidden Glory INTRO In 1 Timothy 3:14–16, Paul explains why he is writing — so that the church will know how to conduct itself as God’s household. This passage is not about buildings or programs; it is about identity. Terry walked us through four realities in this text: the church - [February 12 - 1 Cor. 14-16; 2 Cor. 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/12/february-12-1-cor-14-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 11 - 1 Cor. 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/11/february-11-1-cor-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 3:1-13 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/08/1-timothy-31-13-sermon-notes/) - There are thousands of books, seminars, and even college degree programs on leadership. Interestingly, you can get a PhD in leadership without ever having led anyone...what does this say about those program's view of what leadership is? I will tell you...they believe that leadership is primarily cognitive, its knowing stuff. There are hundreds of definitions - [1 Tim. 3:1-13 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/08/1-tim-31-13-discussion-guide/) - February 8, 2026 Leadership That Leads Somewhere 1 Timothy 3:1–13 INTRO: This week’s sermon reminded us that leadership is unavoidable. Whether we embrace it or deny it, leadership always emerges—and it always leads people somewhere. The real question is not if leadership will happen, but where it will take people. Paul’s instructions to Timothy are not abstract theory or - [February 14 - 2 Cor. 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/14/february-14-2-cor-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 13 - 2 Cor 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/13/february-13-2-cor-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 10 - 1 Cor. 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/10/february-10-1-cor-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 9 - 1 Cor. 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/09/february-9-1-cor-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 5 - Romans 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/05/february-5-romans-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 4 - Romans 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/04/february-4-romans-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim 2:8-15 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/01/1-tim-28-15-sermon-notes/) - I got a question from River next kids that reads like this... Is God he, she, or both? I want you to try something for me. Get up. Now walk forwards five steps. Stop! Okay now walk backwards five steps. Stop! Good job! Now, I want you to walk forward and backwards five steps at - [1 Tim 2:8-15 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/01/1-tim-28-15-discussion-guide/) - February 1, 2026 Men, Women, and God’s Good Design 1 Timothy 2:8-15 INTRO: This week’s sermon addressed 1 Timothy 2:8–15. Paul places his instructions within the context of gathered worship, gospel mission, and God’s good design. We were reminded that worship is never just about what happens “in here.” Corporate worship is meant to shape - [February 7 - Romans 14-16; 1 Cor. 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/07/february-7-romans-14-16-1-cor-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 6 - Romans 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/06/february-6-romans-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 29 - Acts 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/29/january-29-acts-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 3 - Acts 26-28; Romans 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/03/february-3rd-acts-26-28-romans-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [February 2 - Acts 22-25](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/02/02/february-2nd-acts-22-25/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 28 - Acts 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/28/january-28-acts-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 27 - Acts 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/27/january-27-acts-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 2:1-7 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/25/1-timothy-21-7-discussion-guide/) - January 25, 2026 The Priority of Prayer and the Urgency of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1–7 INTRO: This week’s sermon reminded us that healthy churches don’t drift into prayer and mission—they are shaped by them. Paul writes to Timothy at a moment when the church is facing internal pressure and confusion, and he begins by - [1 Timothy 2:1-7 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/25/1-timothy-21-7-sermon-notes/) - Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 2:1–7 River Community Church 25 January 2026 Introduction In 1746, the American pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards authored a book entitled, An Humble Attempt. The full title is 29 words long, so people just use the short title. The book called on the church in America to be united in prayer - [January 21 - John 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/21/january-21-john-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 22 - John 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/22/january-22-john-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 1: 18-20 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/18/1-timothy-1-18-20-sermon-notes/) - I went with my mentor to pray and learn as he was going on a pastoral visit. As he began to deal with the individual, things became strange...the man went into a trance like state, and he began to speak in another voice, and my mentor addressed not the man but demons who were apparently - [1 Tim. 18-20 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/18/1-tim-18-20-discussion-guide/) - January 18, 2026 Fighting the Good Fight INTRO Followers of Christ are not living in peacetime—we are living in a real spiritual battle. In this passage, Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor facing opposition and pressure, reminding him that faithfulness will require courage, clarity, and resolve. This is not a call to fear the - [January 30 - Acts 14-17](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/30/january-30-acts-14-17/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 26 - John 18-21; Acts 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/26/january-26-john-18-21-acts-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 31 - Acts 18-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/31/january-31-acts-18-21/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 15 - Luke 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/15/january-15-luke-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 14 - Luke 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/14/january-14-luke-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Timothy 1:12-17 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/11/1-timothy-112-17-sermon-notes/) - Would you like to visit this beach? What about this one? But neither one is the whole picture...this is. How you frame a thing is what that thing becomes to you. If you are reading through the NT you read this recently...Matthew 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will - [1 Tim. 1:12-17 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/11/1-tim-112-17/) - January 11, 2026 Framing Life with the Gospel, 1 Timothy 1:12-17 INTRO: Life often feels smaller than it should—especially in seasons of pain, disappointment, fear, or confusion. This week, Terry reminded us that how we frame life shapes how we experience it. A frame that’s too small can distort reality, shrink our hope, and cause - [January 12 - Mark 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/12/january-12-mark-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 24 - John 14-17](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/24/january-24-john-14-17/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 23 - John 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/23/january-23-john-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 20 - Luke 22-24: John 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/20/january-20-luke-22-24-john-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 19 - Luke 18-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/19/january-19-luke-18-21/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 17 - Luke 14-17](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/17/january-17-luke-14-17/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 16 - Luke 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/16/january-16-luke-10-13/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 13 - Mark 14-16; Luke 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/13/january-13-mark-14-16-luke-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 7 - Matthew 21-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/07/january-7-matthew-21-24/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 8 - Matt. 25-28; Mark 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/08/january-8-matt-25-28-mark-1/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 10 - Mark 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/10/january-10-mark-6-9/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 9 - Mark 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/09/january-9-mark-2-5/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 6 - Matthew 17-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/06/january-6-matthew-17-20/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 5 - Matthew 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/05/january-5-matthew-13-16/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [1 Tim 1:1-11 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/04/1-tim-11-11-discussion-guide/) - January 4, 2026 Guarding the Gospel 1 Timothy 1:1–11 INTRO: As we begin a new year and restart small groups, we’re also beginning a new sermon series through 1 and 2 Timothy—letters written to help the church remain healthy, faithful, and centered on the gospel. In this opening message, we were reminded that the gospel - [1 Tim. 1:1-11 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/04/1-tim-11-11-sermon-notes/) - New Testament scholar D. A. Carson once reflected on his career teaching seminary students. Here is what he said: “If I have learned anything in 35 or 40 years of teaching, it is that students don’t learn everything I teach them. What they learn is what I am excited about, the kinds of things I - [January 1 - Read Matthew 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/01/january-1-read-matthew-1-4/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [Daily Devotional for 2026](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/31/daily-devotional-for-2026/) - In 2026, the daily devotional will look different than last year. The devotional will be posted Monday - Saturday, but it will not contain any comment on the reading for the day. Instead there will be a set of questions for you to answer as you seek to apply God's word to your life. We - [January 3 - Read Matthew 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/03/january-3-read-matthew-9-12/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [January 2 - Read Matthew 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2026/01/02/january-2-read-matthew-5-8/) - Turn to God 1 Peter 2:2, 3 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to help you see what he has revealed in His Word. His word - [2 Tim 3:16-17 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/28/2-tim-316-17/) - Well, Church, we did it. We’ve read through the entire Bible this year — cover to cover — from Genesis to Revelation! And what a journey. We started the year in Genesis, hearing God speak the world into existence. We saw the fall of humanity and the consequences of sin. We watched Jesus step into - [Week 52: Day 6: Revelation 19-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/27/week-52-day-6-revelation-19-22/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Revelation 19-22 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 5: Christ's Second Coming and Reign: God's Future for the Kingdom Background Information: Revelation 19-22 Scripture begins with "In the beginning God created the heavens and - [Week 52: Day 5: Revelation 14-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/26/week-52-day-5-revelation-14-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Revelation 14-18 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Revelation 14-18 The Battle Hymn of the Republic was written by an abolitionist early in the Civil - [Week 52: Day 4: Revelation 11-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/25/week-52-day-4-revelation-11-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Revelation 11-13 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Revelation 11-13 Paul wrote that the real struggle is not against flesh and blood, but rather it - [Week 52: Day 3: Revelation 6-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/24/week-52-day-3-revelation-6-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Revelation 6-10 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Revelation 6-10 Atheist Bertrand Russell believed that Jesus was a man of high moral goodness, but he - [Week 52: Day 2: Revelation 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/23/week-52-day-2-revelation-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Revelation 1-5 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Revelation 1-5 The book of Revelation is a real letter, written to real churches in real historical - [Week 52: Day 1: 1 John 1-5, 2 John, 3 John](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/22/week-52-day-1-1-john-1-5-2-john-3-john/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 John 1-5, 2 John, 3 John Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 John 1-5, 2 John, 3 John Many antichrists have planted themselves - [Revelation 21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/21/revelation-21/) - Advent: means the arrival of a notable person or event. We celebrate advent season because of the arrival of the incarnate God...there is no one more notable than him. He came to bring us salvation...no event in history is more noteworthy than that. But Advent season is a time between times...we celebrate the first arrival - [Week 51: Day 6: Jude, 2 Peter 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/20/week-51-day-6-jude-2-peter-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jude, 2 Peter 1-3 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Jude, 2 Peter 1-3 Over and over, infiltrators found their way into the New Testament - [Week 51: Day 5: 2 Timothy 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/19/week-51-day-5-2-timothy-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Timothy 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 2 Timothy 1-4 Paul has lived sacrificially for the gospel. He has faithfully held to good - [Week 51: Day 4: Hebrews 9-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/18/week-51-day-4-hebrews-9-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Hebrews 9-13 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Hebrews 9-13 Tabernacle is a word that means dwelling place. It was a portable tentlike structure that - [Week 51: Day 3: Hebrews 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/17/week-51-day-3-hebrews-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Hebrews 5-8 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Hebrews 5-8 What kind of father would want his children to live never knowing for sure if - [Week 51: Day 2: Hebrews 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/16/week-51-day-2-hebrews-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Hebrews 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Hebrews 1-4 If God didn't speak, we would be hopelessly ignorant and hopelessly lost. In his mercy, - [Week 51: Day 1: 1 Peter 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/15/week-51-day-1-1-peter-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Peter 1-5 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Peter 1-5 Thirty years after Jesus's death and resurrection, Peter wrote his letters to the - [1 Peter 1 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/14/1-peter-sermon-notes/) - Atheist biologist Richard Dawkins: Loves the warm feelings of Christmas. He said "I am a cultural Christian, but not a believing one." "I love Christmas carols. I feel at 'home' in a Christian culture." He said that he hates songs like “White Christmas" but loves songs like "Hark the Herald Angel Sings." What he loves, - [1 Peter 1 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/14/1-peter-1-discussion-guide/) - 12.14.25 – A Firm Faith: Fully Trusting and Faithfully Training Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon walked us carefully and clearly through 1 Peter, showing us that a firm, resilient faith is not built on feelings, nostalgia, or circumstances. Peter reminds us that while - [Week 50: Day 6: 1 Timothy 1-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/13/week-50-day-6-1-timothy-1-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Timothy 1-6 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Timothy 1-6 Paul's protege Timothy was sent to Ephesus to confront some folks who had - [Week 50: Day 5: Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/12/week-50-day-5-ephesians-5-6-titus-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3 In the dark, vibrant colors fade to colorless grey and then - [Week 50: Day 4: Ephesians 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/11/week-50-day-4-ephesians-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ephesians 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Ephesians 1-4 Our word for dynamite comes from the Greek word for power. Paul wrote of God's - [Week 50: Day 3: Philemon, Colossians 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/10/week-50-day-3-philemon-colossians-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Philemon, Colossians 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Philemon, Colossians 1-4 In God's kind providence, Onesimus, the runaway slave, seeking his freedom, met Paul, - [Week 50: Day 2: Philippians 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/09/week-50-day-2-philippians-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Philippians 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Philippians 1-4 Paul wrote to the church he had planted in Philippi, Greece from a prison cell. - [Week 50: Day 1: Acts 27-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/08/week-50-day-1-acts-27-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 27-28 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 27-28 Though God did not prevent Paul from suffering he protected his life over and over. - [Philippians 1:3-21 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/07/philippians-13-21-discussion-guide/) - 12.7.25 – To Live Is Christ: Finding Purpose in Joy and Sorrow Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 Summary This sermon contrasted two worldviews: a hopeless, empty universe without God—and the gospel’s picture of a purposeful, sovereign, loving God. Terry began with Bertrand Russell’s bleak philosophy to - [Philippians 1:3-21 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/07/philippians-13-21-sermon-notes/) - I am going to read from "The Free Man’s Worship" by atheist Bertrand Russell, I'm going to tell you why I am doing this later...but for now, just listen to the emptiness of his ideas. To Dr. Faustus in his study the demon told the history of the Creation, saying: The endless praises of the - [Week 49: Day 6: Acts 24-26](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/06/week-49-day-6-acts-24-26/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 24-26 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 24-26 King Agrippa, the ruler of a large geo-political region, and Festus a powerful governor in - [Week 49: Day 5: Acts 20:4 - 23:35](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/05/week-49-day-5-acts-204-2335/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 20:4 - 23:35 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 20:4 - 23:35 Paul wrote the greatest theological treatise of all time, the book - [Week 49: Day 4: Romans 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/04/week-49-day-4-romans-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Romans 13-16 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Romans 13-16 Human systems of thought try to hang human morality and purpose in thin air. Why - [Week 49: Day 3: Romans 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/03/week-49-day-3-romans-9-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Romans 9-12 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Romans 9-12 Since Israel is God's chosen people, and the Gospel is God's plan for the ages, - [Romans Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/02/romans-discussion-guide/) - 11.30.25 – Unashamed: The Power of the Gospel Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO: In Romans 1:16–17, Paul anchors his entire letter in two verses: he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation, and in the gospel the righteousness - [Week 49: Day 2: Romans 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/02/week-49-day-2-romans-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Romans 5-8 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Romans 5-8 Death came to the many through the sin of the one. Life from the one, - [Week 49: Day 1: Romans 1-4, Acts 20:1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/12/01/week-49-day-1-romans-1-4-acts-201-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Romans 1-4, Acts 20:1-3 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Romans 1-4, Acts 20:1-3 We would be without hope of knowing God if he had - [Romans 1 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/30/romans-sermon-notes/) - *Washington DC...simply "D.C." *It is the center of the world's, superpower..."hegemony" (hedge-em-mah-knee) *Hegemony: Dominance of a single nation over all others...that's us at this point in history. *Many people around the world long to be citizens of the US...it confers great privilege and opportunity. *DC is home of "POTUS"...the acronym for the most powerful human - [Week 48: Day 6: 2 Corinthians 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/29/week-48-day-6-2-corinthians-10-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Corinthians 10-13 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 2 Corinthians 10-13 Jeremiah wrote that we should not boast of our wisdom, strength, or wealth. - [Week 48: Day 5: 2 Corinthians 5-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/28/week-48-day-5-2-corinthians-5-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Corinthians 5-9 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 2 Corinthians 5-9 We are embodied beings, spiritual and physical hybrids. Our destiny is not to - [Week 48: Day 4: 2 Corinthians 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/27/week-48-day-4-2-corinthians-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Corinthians 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 2 Corinthians 1-4 Our suffering is made much worse when we believe it has no ultimate - [Week 48: Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/26/week-48-day-3-1-corinthians-15-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Corinthians 15-16 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Corinthians 15-16 If chapter thirteen is a staple at weddings, chapter fifteen has been read - [Week 48: Day 2: 1 Corinthians 12-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/25/week-48-day-2-1-corinthians-12-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Corinthians 12-14 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Corinthians 12-14 To a church divided into many factions, Paul doubles down on the beauty - [Week 48: Day 1: 1 Corinthians 9-11](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/24/week-48-day-1-1-corinthians-9-11/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Corinthians 9-11 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Corinthians 9-11 Paul first states his rights as an apostle, then he reveals that he - [1 Cor. 11:17-34 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/23/1-cor-1117-34-discussion-guide/) - 11.23.25 – Mishandling the Lord’s Supper: A Call to Gratitude and Self-Examination Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 Summary In our passage today, 1 Corinthians:11:17-34, we see that the Lord’s Supper had become shaped by the surrounding culture—marked by selfishness, status, and division. Instead of remembering Christ - [1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/23/1-corinthians-1117-34-sermon-notes/) - I read this week about physicist Louis Slotin who while working in his final weeks of the Manhattan project was exposed to radiation and died. He was an expert in bomb assembly. At around 3:00 pm in the afternoon Slotin was giving a demonstration of the “critical assembly” to Alvin Graves, a scientist who was - [Week 47: Day 6: 1 Corinthians 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/22/week-47-day-6-1-corinthians-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Corinthians 5-8 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Corinthians 5-8 Sadly, the church at Corinth not only mirrored the sins of the wider - [Week 47: Day 5: 1 Corinthians 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/21/week-47-day-5-1-corinthians-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Corinthians 1-4 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Corinthians 1-4 The city of Corinth in southern Greece was an important trade and military - [Week 47: Day 4: Acts 18:19 - 19:41](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/20/week-47-day-4-acts-1819-1941/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 18:19 - 19:41 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 18:19 - 19:41 Paul encountered what he believed, at first glance, to be a - [Week 47: Day 3: 2 Thessalonians 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/19/week-47-day-3-2-thessalonians-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Thessalonians 1-3 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 2 Thessalonians 1-3 The believers in Thessalonica were experiencing continuing persecution for their faith. This is - [Week 47: Day 2: 1 Thessalonians 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/18/week-47-day-2-1-thessalonians-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Thessalonians 1-5 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: 1 Thessalonians 1-5 Thessalonica was one of the towns in Greece that Paul, Silas, and Timothy - [Week 47: Day 1: Acts 17:1 - 18:18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/17/week-47-day-1-acts-171-1818/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 17:1 - 18:18 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 17:1 - 18:18 Paul shared the gospel with Jews in the Temple and with - [Acts 17:1-15 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/16/acts-171-15-sermon-notes/) - How do churches grow? Some say by being relevant to the culture, adopting the right methods, strategies, or styles. Of course, there is a danger in measuring success by the wrong standards. We can be tempted to look at numbers, youthfulness, or aesthetics as a sign of a healthy growing church. None of those things - [Acts 17:1-15 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/16/acts-171-15-discussion-guide/) - 11.16.25 – The World Turned Right-Side Up Acts 17:1–15 Key verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon walked us through Paul and Silas’ ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, showing a repeated pattern that still holds true today. In each city they entered, Paul went straight - [Week 46: Day 6: Acts 15-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/15/week-46-day-6-acts-15-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 15-16 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 15-16 Barnabus was said to be a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. When - [Week 46: Day 5: Galatians 4-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/14/week-46-day-5-galatians-4-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Galatians 4-6 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Galatians 4-6 Paul was not opposed to keeping Jewish holidays or other markers of the Jewish faith; - [Week 46: Day 4: Galatians 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/13/week-46-day-4-galatians-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Galatians 1-3 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Galatians 1-3 The churches in the region of Galatia, modern day central Turkey, were facing a theological - [Week 46: Day 3: James 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/12/week-46-day-3-james-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: James 1-5 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: James 1-5 James, the half-brother of Jesus, didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah until after his resurrection. - [Week 46: Day 2: Acts 12-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/11/week-46-day-2-acts-12-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 12-14 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 12-14 There are four different Herods mentioned in the New Testament. The Herods were a ruling - [Week 46: Day 1: Acts 9-11](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/10/week-46-day-1-acts-9-11/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 9-11 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 9-11 Ananias and Barnabus showed great courage and faith by allowing Saul entrance into their lives. - [Acts 15 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/09/acts-15-discussion-guide/) - 11.9.25 – The Gospel at the Center: Unity, Disagreement, and the Mission (Acts) Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO Luke and Acts are two volumes of one story: what Jesus began to do and teach, and how He continues His work by the Spirit through His - [Acts 15 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/09/acts-sermon-notes/) - Luke and Acts were written as part one and two of a single work. Luke's gospel tells us what Jesus did and taught, and his book of Acts tells us how the message of the gospel spread through the witness of the church. It was written to a friend and probably patron named Theophilus...he likely - [Week 45: Day 6: Acts 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/08/week-45-day-6-acts-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 5-8 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 5-8 Why would you need to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit to wait - [Week 45: Day 5: Acts 1-4, Psalm 110](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/07/week-45-day-5-acts-1-4-psalm-110/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Acts 1-4, Psalm 110 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 4: Christ's Church: God's People Advance the Kingdom Background Information: Acts 1-4, Psalm 110 Luke and Acts were written by Luke as part one and - [Week 45: Day 4: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/06/week-45-day-4-matthew-28-mark-16-luke-24-john-20-21/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background Information: Matthew 28, - [Week 45: Day 3: Matthew 27: 32-66, Mark 15: 21-47, Luke 23: 26-56, John 19: 17-42, Psalm 22](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/05/week-45-day-3-matthew-27-32-66-mark-15-21-47-luke-23-26-56-john-19-17-42-psalm-22/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 27: 32-66, Mark 15: 21-47, Luke 23: 26-56, John 19: 17-42, Psalm 22 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of - [Week 45: Day 2: Matthew 27:1-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28 - 19:16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/04/week-45-day-2-matthew-271-31-mark-151-20-luke-231-25-john-1828-1916/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 27:1-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28 - 19:16 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background Information: - [Week 45: Day 1: Matthew 26:36-75, Mark 14:32-72, Luke 22:39-71, John 18:1-27](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/03/week-45-day-1-matthew-2636-75-mark-1432-72-luke-2239-71-john-181-27/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 26:36-75, Mark 14:32-72, Luke 22:39-71, John 18:1-27 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background Information: Matthew 26:36-75, - [Matthew 26:36-46 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/02/matthew-2636-46-sermon-notes/) - Since 2007 I've been interested in the study of human resilience. I've read a bunch of books, met with some national experts, and I've been to days and probably even weeks of training. I've also put together my own training and field tested it in Iraq, with kids during covid, with businesses and non-profits. I - [Matthew 26:36-46 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/02/matthew-2636-46-discussion-guide/) - 11.2.25 – When Your Best Isn’t Enough: Training to Trust God Like Jesus Did Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon from Matthew 26:36–46 brought us into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus faced His darkest night. He was fully God and fully man—feeling - [Week 44: Day 6: John 14-17](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/11/01/week-44-day-6-john-14-17/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: John 14-17 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background Information: John 14-17 Throughout history, the founders of various - [Week 44: Day 5: Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, Luke 22:1-38, John 13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/31/week-44-day-5-matthew-261-5-14-35-mark-141-2-10-31-luke-221-38-john-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, Luke 22:1-38, John 13 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background Information: - [Week 44: Day 4: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/30/week-44-day-4-matthew-24-25-mark-13-luke-215-38/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background Information: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, - [Week 44: Day 3: Matthew 22:15 - 23:39, Mark 12:13-44, Luke 20:20 - 21:4, 13:31-35](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/29/week-44-day-3-matthew-2215-2339-mark-1213-44-luke-2020-214-1331-35/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 22:15 - 23:39, Mark 12:13-44, Luke 20:20 - 21:4, 13:31-35 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King Background - [Week 44: Day 2: Matthew 21:23 - 22:14, Mark 11:27 - 12:12, Luke 10:1-19, John 12:37-50](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/28/week-44-day-2-matthew-2123-2214-mark-1127-1212-luke-101-19-john-1237-50/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 21:23 - 22:14, Mark 11:27 - 12:12, Luke 10:1-19, John 12:37-50 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King - [John 14:1-11 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/26/john-141-11-discussion-guide/) - 10.26.25 – Comforting Counsel for Troubled Hearts (John 14:1–11) Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s message from John 14:1–11 reminded us that Jesus gives real comfort for real troubles—not empty words or vague optimism, but solid hope grounded in who He is and what - [John 14:1-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/26/john-141-14/) - What is it that troubles your heart? What is it that weighs heavily on your heart? All of us, to some degree, carry burdens that trouble our heart. Maybe it’s a health diagnosis, grieving the loss of a loved one. Maybe it’s your job or finances; relational strife, broken trust. Perhaps it’s the pain of - [Week 43: Day 6: Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31 - 19:27](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/25/week-43-day-6-matthew-20-mark-1032-52-luke-1831-1927/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31 - 19:27 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31 - 19:27 "Did - [Week 43: Day 5: Matthew 19, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 16:1 - 18:30](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/24/week-43-day-5-matthew-19-mark-101-31-luke-161-1830/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 19, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 16:1 - 18:30 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 19, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 16:1 - 18:30 Marriage - [Week 43: Day 4: Luke 14-15](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/23/week-43-day-4-luke-14-15/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Luke 14-15 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Luke 14-15 Our priority tends to be ourselves. What would happen if we moved through - [Week 44: Day 1: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 11:55 - 12:36, Matthew 21:1-22, Mark 11:1-26, Luke 19:28-48, John 2:13-25](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/27/week-44-day-1-matthew-266-13-mark-143-9-john-1155-1236-matthew-211-22-mark-111-26-luke-1928-48-john-213-25/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 11:55 - 12:36, Matthew 21:1-22, Mark 11:1-26, Luke 19:28-48, John 2:13-25 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 3: Christ's Deliverance of His People: God's Work through the Death, Resurrection, and - [Week 43: Day 3: Luke 12:1 - 13:30](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/22/week-43-day-3-luke-121-1330/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Luke 12:1 - 13:30 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Luke 12:1 - 13:30 Many thousands were jostling to see Jesus, and yet - [Week 43: Day 2: Luke 10, John 10:1 - 11:54](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/21/week-43-day-2-luke-10-john-101-1154/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Luke 10, John 10:1 - 11:54 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Luke 10, John 10:1 - 11:54 We tend to think of - [Week 43: Day 1: John 7-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/20/week-43-day-1-john-7-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: John 7-9 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: John 7-9 Much of Jesus' public ministry given in the gospels is centered around the - [Matthew 6:19-24 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/19/matthew-619-24-discussion-guide/) - 10.19.25 – The Engine of the Heart: Where Your Treasure Is Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon from Matthew 6:19–24 continues the theme of authority—who or what has authority in your life. Jesus calls us to look beneath the surface of our habits, - [Matthew 6:19-24 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/19/matthew-619-24-sermon-notes/) - 10.19.25 Years ago, I called a friend who had left his lovely wife and small children for his secretary. He said..."Terry, I didn’t mean for this to happen; I just fell in love with her." "No, you have lost your mind, that's what has happened." He responded defensively..."My counselor assures me my thinking is okay." - [Week 42: Day 6: Matthew 17-18, Mark 9:2-50, Luke 9:28-56](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/18/week-42-day-6-matthew-17-18-mark-92-50-luke-928-56/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 17-18, Mark 9:2-50, Luke 9:28-56 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 17-18, Mark 9:2-50, Luke 9:28-56 Jesus, the master communicator, used - [Week 42: Day 5: Matthew 16, Mark 8;11 - 9:1, Luke 9:18-27](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/17/week-42-day-5-matthew-16-mark-811-91-luke-928-56/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 16, Mark 8;11 - 9:1, Luke 9:18-27 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 16, Mark 8;11 - 9:1, Luke 9:18-27 Jesus - [Week 42: Day 4: Matthew 15, Mark 7:1 - 8:10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/16/week-42-day-4-matthew-15-mark-71-810/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 15, Mark 7:1 - 8:10 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 15, Mark 7:1 - 8:10 The legalists of Jesus' time - [Matthew 8 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/12/matthew-8-discussion-guide/) - 10.12.25 – Everyone Has a Master: The Illusion of Control Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon from Matthew 8:18–34 showed us that following Jesus is not about adding Him to an already full life—it’s about surrendering control to the only One who truly - [Week 42: Day 3: Matthew 10; 14, Mark 6:7-56, Luke 9:1-17, John 6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/15/week-42-day-3-matthew-10-14-mark-67-56-luke-91-17-john-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 10; 14, Mark 6:7-56, Luke 9:1-17, John 6 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 10; 14, Mark 6:7-56, Luke 9:1-17, John - [Week 42: Day 2: Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-38, Mark 4:35 - 5:43, Luke 8:22-56, 9:57-62](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/14/week-42-day-2-matthew-818-34-918-38-mark-435-543-luke-822-56-957-62/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-38, Mark 4:35 - 5:43, Luke 8:22-56, 9:57-62 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-38, Mark 4:35 - 5:43, - [Week 42: Day 1: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/13/week-42-day-1-matthew-131-53-mark-41-34-luke-81-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18 Parables are just stories or - [Matthew 8 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/12/matthew-8-sermon-notes/) - Jesus has called us to crown him as Lord...to know and love him...and he has commanded us (given us the privilege) to go and make him known to others. The gospel is how the world is changed...God has called us to be a part of his plan to change the world. For 35 years we - [Week 41: Day 6: Matthew 12:22-50, Mark 3: 22-35, Luke 8:19-21, 11:14-54](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/11/week-41-day-6-matthew-1222-50-mark-3-22-35-luke-819-21-1114-54/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 12:22-50, Mark 3: 22-35, Luke 8:19-21, 11:14-54 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 12:22-50, Mark 3: 22-35, Luke 8:19-21, 11:14-54 The - [Week 41: Day 5: Matthew 8:5-13, 11:1-30, Luke 7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/10/week-41-day-5-matthew-85-13-111-30-luke-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 8:5-13, 11:1-30, Luke 7 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 8:5-13, 11:1-30, Luke 7 John was a gritty man. He lived - [Week 41: Day 4: Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, 11:1-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/09/week-41-day-4-matthew-5-7-luke-620-49-111-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, 11:1-13 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, 11:1-13 Jesus gave the most famous sermon in - [Week 41: Day 3: Matthew 8:1-4, 9:1-17, 12:1-21, Mark 1:40 - 3:21, Luke 5:12 - 6:19](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/08/week-41-day-3-matthew-81-4-91-17-121-21-mark-140-321-luke-512-619/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 8:1-4, 9:1-17, 12:1-21, Mark 1:40 - 3:21, Luke 5:12 - 6:19 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 8:1-4, 9:1-17, 12:1-21, Mark - [Week 41: Day 2: John 3-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/07/week-41-day-2-john-3-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: John 3-5 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: John 3-5 The most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, comes embedded in a - [Week 41: Day 1: Matthew 4:23-25 - 8:14-17, Mark 1:21-39, Luke 4:31-33](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/06/week-41-day-1-matthew-423-25-814-17-mark-121-39-luke-431-33/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 4:23-25 - 8:14-17, Mark 1:21-39, Luke 4:31-33 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom Background Information: Matthew 4:23-25 - 8:14-17, Mark 1:21-39, Luke 4:31-33 In - [John 3 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/05/john-3-discussion-guide/) - 10.5.25 – You Must Be Born Again (John 3) Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week Terry preached from John 3, where Jesus has a nighttime conversation with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a respected teacher of Israel who recognized that Jesus had authority, but he struggled - [John 3 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/05/john-3-sermon-notes/) - The most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, comes embedded in a nighttime conversation with a Jewish religious leader. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus had kingdom authority because he saw his kingdom power. What this expert in Jewish law could not initially comprehend was that the only way for people to enter the Kingdom of - [Week 40: Day 6: Matthew 4:1-22, Mark 1:12-20, Luke 4:1-30 - 5:1-11, John 1:35 - 2:12, Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 5: 1-11](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/04/week-40-day-6-matthew-41-22-mark-112-20-luke-41-30-51-11-john-135-212-matthew-1354-58-mark-61-6-luke-5-1-11/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 4:1-22, Mark 1:12-20, Luke 4:1-30 - 5:1-11, John 1:35 - 2:12, Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 5: 1-11 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 2: Christ's Ministry; God's True King Manifests His Kingdom - [Week 40: Day 5: Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3, John 1:15-34](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/03/week-40-day-5-matthew-3-mark-11-11-luke-3-john-115-34/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3, John 1:15-34 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 1: Christ's Coming; God's True King Arrives Background Information: Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3, John 1:15-34 John the Baptist was - [Week 40: Day 4: Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/02/week-40-day-4-matthew-2-luke-239-52/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 1: Christ's Coming; God's True King Arrives Background Information: Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52 Matthew's childhood history of Jesus aims to give clear evidence as to - [Week 40: Day 3: Matthew 1, Luke 1:1 - 2:38](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/10/01/week-40-day-3-matthew-1-luke-11-238/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Matthew 1, Luke 1:1 - 2:38 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 1: Christ's Coming; God's True King Arrives Background Information: Matthew 1, Luke 1:1 - 2:38 This carpenter's son from nowhere has a lineage - [Week 40: Day 2: Psalm 106, John 1:4-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/30/week-40-day-2-psalm-106-john-14-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 106, John 1:4-14 Act 3: God's New Covenant People Scene 1: Christ's Coming; God's True King Arrives Background Information: Psalm 106, John 1:4-14 In calling Jesus the Word (Logos), John was using contemporary language that - [Week 40: Day 1: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/29/week-40-day-1-nehemiah-11-13-psalm-126/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126 The restoration of the temple and the city were causes of joy, but - [Luke 1:1-4 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/28/luke-11-4-discussion-guide/) - 9.28.25 – That You May Have Certainty (Luke 1:1–4) Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week we step into the New Testament. Luke begins his Gospel with a purpose statement—he writes so that believers would have certainty about the things they have been taught. In - [Sermon Notes Luke 1:1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/28/sermon-notes-luke-11-4/) - “That You May Have Certainty” Luke 1:1-4 River Community Church 28 September 2025 How do you live with certainty in an uncertain world? Is it even possible to have certainty? We live in a postmodern age, where truth is in trouble. Fundamental creation order realities such as the distinction between male and female are denied - [Week 39: Day 5: Nehemiah 5-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/26/week-39-day-5-nehemiah-5-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Nehemiah 5-7 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Nehemiah 5-7 Proverbs 25:28 says that a man without self-control is like a city without walls. A lack of - [Week 39: Day 6: Nehemiah 8-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/27/week-39-day-6-nehemiah-8-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Nehemiah 8-10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Nehemiah 8-10 Nehemiah was restoring the physical wall, and Ezra was working to rebuild the wall of truth around - [Week 39: Day 4: Nehemiah 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/25/week-39-day-4-nehemiah-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Nehemiah 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Nehemiah 1-4 Originally, Ezra and Nehemiah was a single book describing the return of some of the exiles back - [Week 39: Day 3: Ezra 7-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/24/week-39-day-3-ezra-7-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezra 7-10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Ezra 7-10 Ezra returned to Judah after Esther had become queen. Her courageous actions, along with Mordecai's wisdom, had - [Week 39: Day 2: Malachi 1-4, Psalm 50](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/23/week-39-day-2-malachi-1-4-psalm-50/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Malachi 1-4, Psalm 50 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Malachi 1-4, Psalm 50 The exile has come and gone. The people, what is left of them, - [Week 39: Day 1: Esther 6-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/22/week-39-day-1-esther-6-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Esther 6-10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Esther 6-10 Strange coincidences collide in this amazing story. The King can't sleep and decides to read the royal - [Malachi Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/21/malachi-discussion-guide/) - 9.21.25 – Malachi: Living Faithfully in a Toxic World Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO: This week’s sermon reminded us that we live in a world filled with constant news, conflict, and noise. We are not built to handle the flood of toxic input, yet - [Malachi Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/21/malachi-sermon-notes/) - John Stott described preaching as bridging the chasm between God’s unchanging WORD and our ever-changing WORLD. I do not believe that we should live our lives always chasing the news...it is a vain pursuit...it refuses to be caught. We should try to understand current events as best we can, from various vantage points...not just the - [Week 38: Day 6: Esther 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/20/week-38-day-6-esther-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Esther 1-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Esther 1-5 Esther gives the historical reason for the Jewish celebration of Purim, an annual one-day celebration that marks - [Week 38: Day 5: Zechariah 8-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/19/week-38-day-5-zechariah-8-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Zechariah 8-14 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Zechariah 8-14 The narrative jumps about thirty-five years into the future. The temple is now rebuilt, but Persia still - [Week 38: Day 4: Zechariah 1-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/18/week-38-day-4-zechariah-1-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Zechariah 1-7 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Zechariah 1-7 Zechariah preached to the returned exiles. They had experienced the fulfillment of the promise, and yet their - [Week 38: Day 3: Haggai 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/17/week-38-day-3-haggai-1-2/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Haggai 1-2 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Haggai 1-2 Haggai, Zerchariah, and Malachi preached to the post exile Jewish people. Most of their predecessors had preached - [Week 38: Day 2: Ezra 4-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/16/week-38-day-2-ezra-4-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezra 4-6 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Ezra 4-6 The people would experience opposition from the residents of the land for around seventy years. They had - [Week 38: Day 1: Ezra 1-3, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/15/week-38-day-1-ezra-1-3-2-chronicles-3622-23/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezra 1-3, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again Background Information: Ezra 1-3, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Fifty years after the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, the Persians - [Esther Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/14/esther-sermon-notes/) - 9.14.25 Esther In military training the teaching technique, originally attributed to Aristotle was often used: Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them. This planned redundancy, depending on the content and the presenter...can be tedious. But it can also be effective. Scripture does this, we have - [Esther Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/14/esther-discussion-guide/) - 9.14.25 – Esther: Providence in the Shadows Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO: Esther is a unique book—God’s name is never mentioned, yet His hand is everywhere. What looks like coincidence—insomnia, timing, beauty, courage—is actually providence. Esther teaches us that God’s sovereignty rules over nations, His - [Week 37: Day 6: Daniel 10-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/13/week-37-day-6-daniel-10-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Daniel 10-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Daniel 10-12 Daniel's final vision occurs during the time that thousands of Israelites had returned to the Promised Land - [Week 37: Day 4: Daniel 4-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/11/week-37-day-4-daniel-4-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Daniel 4-6 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Daniel 4-6 King Nebuchadnezzar had seen and heard of God's glory, but he remained personally unconvinced of the need - [Week 37: Day 5: Daniel 7-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/12/week-37-day-5-daniel-7-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Daniel 7-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Daniel 7-9 Daniel's vision takes us back to the reign of Belshazzar. He sees four beasts, representing four earthly - [Week 37: Day 3: Daniel 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/10/week-37-day-3-daniel-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Daniel 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Daniel 1-3 Daniel and his friends were a part of the first wave of exiles taken from Jerusalem to - [Week 37: Day 2: Ezekiel 45-48](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/09/week-37-day-2-ezekiel-45-48/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 45-48 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 45-48 Ezekiel's vision of the new Temple and the restored land is a combination of symbolism and realism. - [Week 37: Day 1: Ezekiel 41-44](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/08/week-37-day-1-ezekiel-41-44/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 41-44 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 41-44 Prophetic visions use symbolism to describe future concrete realities. We often use idioms to describe everyday realities. - [Daniel 6 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/07/daniel-6-discussion-guide/) - 9.7.25 – The God Who Delivers from Death (Daniel 6:1–28) Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO: This week we looked at one of the most well-known stories in Scripture—Daniel in the lion’s den. Though familiar, Aaron reminded us not to miss its depth: Daniel’s life of - [Daniel 6 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/07/daniel-6-sermon-notes/) - If you have a Bible, I invite you to open to the book of Daniel 6; “Daniel and the Lion’s Den.” We are going to read the whole chapter. It is a narrative of faithfulness and God’s deliverance. Daniel 6 is a familiar story to many of us––perhaps the most well-known story in the book. - [Week 36: Day 6: Ezekiel 37-40](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/06/week-36-day-6-ezekiel-37-40/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 37-40 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 37-40 The day will come when the people have a new Shepherd, a restored land, and new hearts. - [Week 36: Day 5: Ezekiel 33-36](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/05/week-36-day-5-ezekiel-33-36/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 33-36 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 33-36 God's will for the nations does not preclude individual human choice. Every man and woman is able - [Week 36: Day 4: Ezekiel 29-32](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/04/week-36-day-4-ezekiel-29-32/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 29-32 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 29-32 Ezekiel turns his prophetic gunsights on Egypt. Egypt was a superpower in decline at this time. They - [Week 36: Day 3: Ezekiel 25-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/03/week-36-day-3-ezekiel-25-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 25-28 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 25-28 The fall of Jerusalem will come two years after the death of Ezekiel's wife. Now, between her - [Week 36: Day 2: Ezekiel 21-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/02/week-36-day-2-ezekiel-21-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 21-24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 21-24 A sword for slaughter is a descriptive and recurring phrase in Ezekiel. It was too late to - [Week 36: Day 1: Ezekiel 17-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/09/01/week-36-day-1-ezekiel-17-20/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 17-20 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 17-20 In Exodus 20 God said that he visits “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to - [Ezekiel 37:1-12 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/31/ezekiel-371-12-discussion-guide/) - 08.31.25—Can These Bones Live? Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO Ezekiel was given a vision of a valley full of dry bones—a picture of death, despair, and hopelessness. God asked him, “Can these bones live?” The answer revealed in the vision is that God alone has - [Ezekiel 37:1-12 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/31/ezekiel-37-sermon-notes/) - Can these bones live? This is the question that God asks Ezekiel after he leads him to the valley of dry bones. Probably one of the most famous scenes in the book of Ezekiel, found in chapter 37 It may be but it is also dry and desolate. A place of death. An uncovered grave - [Week 35: Day 6: Ezekiel 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/30/week-35-day-6-ezekiel-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 13-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 13-16 The leaders of Israel came to Ezekiel presumably for a word from God. God's only word to - [Week 35: Day 5: Ezekiel 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/29/week-35-day-5-ezekiel-9-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 9-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 9-12 Self-appointed prophets often give sermons and write books assigning end-time meaning to current political events. Various evil - [Week 35: Day 4: Ezekiel 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/28/week-35-day-4-ezekiel-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 5-8 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 5-8 It may be tempting, as you read of God's righteous anger against sin, to judge God. "How - [Week 35: Day 3: Ezekiel 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/27/week-35-day-3-ezekiel-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ezekiel 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Ezekiel 1-4 The Babylonian king took ten thousand exiles in 597; this included all the officials, craftsmen, and leaders. - [Week 35: Day 2: Lamentations 3:37 - 5:22](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/26/week-35-day-2-lamentations-337-522/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Lamentations 3:37 - 5:22 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Lamentations 3:37 - 5:22 Babylon's two-year siege of Jerusalem was horrific. Children starved, mothers were reduced to - [Week 35: Day 1: Lamentations 1:1 - 3:36](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/25/week-35-day-1-lamentations-11-336/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Lamentations 1:1 - 3:36 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Lamentations 1:1 - 3:36 A lament is a passionate expression of grief. We do not grieve like - [Lamentations Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/24/lamentations-sermon-notes/) - Dr. Wendell Watters was Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at McMaster University; he published an article entitled ‘Christianity and Mental Health’. In it he writes: I want you to entertain the hypothesis that Christian doctrine, the existential soother par excellence, is incompatible with the principles of sound mental health and contributes more to the genesis (beginnings) - [Lamentations Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/24/lamentations-discussion-guide/) - 8.24.25 – Lamentations/Ezekiel: Despair, Desperation, and God’s Faithfulness Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon reminded us that Christianity doesn’t ignore suffering—it gives us a place to stand in it. Lamentations shows us the dignity of grief and the reality of judgment, but also - [Week 34: Day 6: Jeremiah 51, Psalm 137](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/23/week-34-day-6-jeremiah-51-psalm-137/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 51, Psalm 137 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Jeremiah 51, Psalm 137 Why does Jeremiah go on and on in such great detail about the - [Week 34: Day 5: Jeremiah 49-50](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/22/week-34-day-5-jeremiah-49-50/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 49-50 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Jeremiah 49-50 Jeremiah writes of the judgment that will befall all of the nations, but he reserves especially harsh - [Week 34: Day 4: Jeremiah 45-48](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/21/week-34-day-4-jeremiah-45-48/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 45-48 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Jeremiah 45-48 Baruch was Jeremiah's aid and scribe. He wrote and worked alongside Jeremiah for many years. Like Jeremiah, - [Week 34: Day 3: Obadiah, Psalms 82, 83](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/20/week-34-day-3-obadiah-psalms-82-83/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Obadiah, Psalms 82, 83 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Obadiah, Psalms 82, 83 Obadiah is the shortest book in the OT. It is a series of - [Week 34: Day 2: Jeremiah 41-44](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/19/week-34-day-2-jeremiah-41-44/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 41-44 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Jeremiah 41-44 Ishmael, a member of the royal line, continued to stubbornly disobey God in spite of the Babylonian - [Week 34: Day 1: 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36:1-21, Jeremiah 52](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/18/week-34-day-1-2-kings-24-25-2-chronicles-361-21-jeremiah-52/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36:1-21, Jeremiah 52 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36:1-21, Jeremiah 52 Jeremiah and Second Kings end - [Small Group Sunday Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/17/small-group-sunday-discussion-guide/) - INTRO: Terry reminded us that life is not about living “for the moment” but “in the moment with eternity in view”. To live faithfully for the long haul, we need God’s Word, God’s Spirit, and God’s people. Small groups are one of the primary ways God provides encouragement and accountability so that we don’t lose - [Small Group Sunday](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/17/small-group-sunday/) - If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together. "Okay Terry, you've said that a million times...honestly I want to go fast." No...you really don't. Fast doesn't last, that's the whole point. To take that approach is to sell out your future...it is the guarantee of stacking up - [Week 33: Day 6: Jeremiah 38-40, Psalms 74, 79](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/16/week-33-day-6-jeremiah-38-40-psalms-74-79/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 38-40, Psalms 74,79 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People Background Information: Jeremiah 38-40, Psalms 74,79 Safety is a buzzword that describes a common pursuit of a certain feeling. - [Week 33: Day 5: Jeremiah 33-37](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/15/week-33-day-5-jeremiah-33-37/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 33-37 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 33-37 Jeremiah was confined in a jail cell when God spoke to him again. - [Week 33: Day 4: Jeremiah 29-32](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/14/week-33-day-4-jeremiah-29-32/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 29-32 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 29-32 Babylonian exile came in two parts. The first, in 597 BC, included the - [Week 33: Day 3: Jeremiah 25-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/13/week-33-day-3-jeremiah-25-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 25-28 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 25-28 God was going to pour out his cup of wrath on his people. - [Week 33: Day 2: Jeremiah 21-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/12/week-33-day-2-jeremiah-21-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 21-24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 21-24 The narrative jumps to the last king of Judah, Zedekiah. The Babylonian threat - [Week 33: Day 1: Jeremiah 17-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/11/week-33-day-1-jeremiah-17-20/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 17-20 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 17-20 Jeremiah is a collection of poems, prophecies, and some historical narrative compiled by - [Jeremiah 29 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/10/jeremiah-29-sermon-notes/) - Do you have "purpose anxiety" Evidently it's a thing. It's defined as "the gnawing sense that one’s life should have an overarching purpose, but it’s unclear how to discover it." “There’s a lot of commands to find purpose, but not a lot of support to find purpose,” said Michael Steger, a professor at Colorado State - [Jeremiah 29 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/10/jeremiah-29-discussion-guide/) - 8.10.25 – Living with Purpose in Exile Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRODUCTION We all wrestle with purpose. The search can produce a low-level anxiety—what some call “purpose anxiety.” But God has not left us in the dark. Through Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles, we’re shown - [Week 32: Day 6: Jeremiah 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/09/week-32-day-6-jeremiah-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 13-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 13-16 Jeremiah performed an acted parable where he buried some underwear for a long - [Week 32: Day 5: Jeremiah 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/08/week-32-day-5-jeremiah-9-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 9-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 9-12 Human pride is ridiculous. To boast in your wisdom, strength, and wealth is - [Week 32: Day 4: Jeremiah 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/07/week-32-day-4-jeremiah-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 5-8 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 5-8 Humanity has often considered its historical trajectory as progress and not regress. People - [Week 32: Day 2: Joel 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/05/week-32-day-2-joel-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joel 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Joel 1-3 Is a tornado that destroys a town judgment from God on sin? What - [Week 32: Day 3: Jeremiah 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/06/week-32-day-3-jeremiah-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jeremiah 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Jeremiah 1-4 Jeremiah ministered for over fifty years, from the time of the good king - [Week 32: Day 1: Habakkuk 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/04/week-32-day-1-habakkuk-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Habakkuk 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Habakkuk 1-3 In the final decades before Israel's fall to Babylon, the prophet Habakkuk addresses - [Jeremiah 7:1-25 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/03/jeremiah-71-25-discussion-guide/) - 8.3.25 – Tearing Down the Talisman INTRO: This week’s sermon from Jeremiah 7 confronted the danger of symbolism without substance—clinging to religious forms while ignoring the God they point to. The people of Judah trusted in the temple as a talisman, but their hearts were far from God. The message was clear: God desires repentance, - [Jeremiah 7:1-25 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/03/jeremiah-71-25-sermon-notes/) - This week, in our chronological Bible reading, we start the book of Jeremiah. On Thursday, we’ll come to chapter 7—which is often called the Temple Sermon. It’s a striking picture of “symbolism without substance.” If you’ve got your Bible, go ahead and turn to Jeremiah 7. That’s our passage today. As you’re turning, I want - [Week 31: Day 6: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/02/week-31-day-6-2-kings-22-23-2-chronicles-34-35/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35 How could God's word have - [Week 31: Day 5: Zephaniah 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/08/01/week-31-day-5-zephaniah-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Zephaniah 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Zephaniah 1-3 Zephaniah lived and ministered during the final decades of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. - [Week 31: Day 4: Nahum 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/31/week-31-day-4-nahum-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Nahum 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Nahum 1-3 The mighty and seemingly invincible Assyrian empire, with its capital city of Nineveh, - [Week 31: Day 3: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/30/week-31-day-3-2-kings-21-2-chronicles-33/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33 Manasseh was terrible. He was - [Week 31: Day 2: Isaiah 64-66](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/29/week-31-day-2-isaiah-64-66/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 64-66 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 64-66 We might wish that Isaiah would speak in less poetic ways and in - [Isaiah 59-65 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/28/isaiah-59-65-discussion-guide/) - 7.28.25 – Isaiah 59–66: Sorrow, Beauty, and Glory Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRODUCTION This week, Trace walked us through Isaiah 59–66. These chapters show us the sorrow of sin, the beauty of salvation, and the glory of God’s Redeemer. Trace reminded us that this Redeemer - [Week 31: Day 1: Isaiah 59-63](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/28/week-31-day-1-isaiah-59-63/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 59-63 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 59-63 As foreign nations overwhelm God's promised land and promised people, the people are - [Sermon Notes Isaiah 59-66](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/27/sermon-notes-isaiah-59-66/) - My dad passed away about four years ago and trying to process his death along with some other difficult things in life left me disoriented – For a time, I couldn’t put words to why I was disoriented – I couldn’t even articulate that I was disoriented – I just knew something was out of - [Isaiah 59-66](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/27/isaiah-59-66/) - My dad passed away about four years ago and trying to process his death along with some other difficult things in life left me disoriented – For a time, I couldn’t put words to why I was disoriented – I couldn’t even articulate that I was disoriented – I just knew something was out of - [Week 30: Day 6: Isaiah 54-58](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/26/week-30-day-6-isaiah-54-58/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 54-58 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 54-58 One of the most common objections to the exclusive truth claim of the - [Week 30: Day 5: Isaiah 50-53](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/25/week-30-day-5-isaiah-50-53/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 50-53 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 50-53 Israel has failed to be God's faithful servant, but there is one who - [Week 30: Day 4: Isaiah 46-49, Psalm 135](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/24/week-30-day-4-isaiah-46-49-psalm-135/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 46-49, Psalm 135 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 46-49, Psalm 135 The gods of mighty Babylon, Bel and Nebo, will - [Week 30: Day 3: Isaiah 43-45, Psalm 80](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/23/week-30-day-3-isaiah-43-45-psalm-80/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 43-45, Psalm 80 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 43-45, Psalm 80 God said that he would ransom his people from - [Week 30: Day 2: Isaiah 40-42, Psalm 46](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/22/week-30-day-2-isaiah-40-42-psalm-46/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 40-42, Psalm 46 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 40-42, Psalm 46 Judah was going to be taken into captivity in - [Isaiah - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/21/isaiah-discussion-guide/) - The Servant and the Story: God’s Global Gospel Plan Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO This week’s sermon challenged us to wrestle with one of the most common questions about the gospel: What about those who have never heard? We were reminded that God has revealed - [Week 30: Day 1: Isaiah 38-39, 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/21/week-30-day-1-isaiah-38-39-2-kings-20-2-chronicles-3224-33/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 38-39, 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9 - 19:37, 2 Chronicles - [Isaiah - The Servant Songs](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/20/isaiah-the-servant-songs/) - One of the common objections to the exclusive truth claim of the gospel is that it seems unfair to those who have never heard the name of Jesus. "How can you say there is only one way to heaven, Jesus, when many have never heard of him?" This came up twice in my conversations in - [Week 29: Day 6: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9 - 19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalm 76](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/19/week-29-day-6-isaiah-36-37-2-kings-189-1937-2-chronicles-321-23-psalm-76/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9 - 19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalm 76 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9 - [Week 29: Day 5: Isaiah 31-35](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/18/week-29-day-5-isaiah-31-35/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 31-35 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 31-35 Everyone lives by faith. Everyone puts their confidence in someone or something. The - [Week 29: Day 4: Isaiah 27-30](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/17/week-29-day-4-isaiah-27-30/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 27-30 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 27-30 Some of God's promises were unconditional, like the promise of an eternal king - [Week 29: Day 3: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/16/week-29-day-3-2-kings-181-8-2-chronicles-29-31-psalm-48/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48 Hezekiah - [Week 29: Day 2: Isaiah 23-26](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/15/week-29-day-2-isaiah-23-26/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 23-26 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 23-26 Isaiah paints a picture of devastation by personalizing cosmic bodies. The earth mourns - [Week 29: Day 1: Isaiah 18-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/14/week-29-day-1-isaiah-18-22/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 18-22 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 18-22 Isaiah takes us on a geographical/prophetical tour of the nations: Assyria, Babylon, Moab, - [Sermon Notes King Hezekiah](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/13/sermon-notes-king-hezekiah/) - 7.13.25 Feeling safe is a good thing, being safe is a better thing. And They are not always the same thing. You can feel safe but be in actual danger. A person can worry about a random pain, fearing the worst..."Oh no, I have some terrible cancer." And it turns out to be indigestion. Another - [Week 28: Day 6: Isaiah 13-17](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/12/week-28-day-6-isaiah-13-17/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 13-17 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God's people Background Information: Isaiah 13-17 When Isaiah lived and wrote, it would be a century before Babylon became - [Week 28: Day 5: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/11/week-28-day-5-2-kings-16-17-2-chronicles-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28 In 722 BC, the northern kingdom of - [Week 28: Day 4: Micah 5-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/10/week-28-day-4-micah-5-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Micah 5-7 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Micah 5-7 For fifty-nine years, Micah labored as a prophet of God in Judah. God gave him - [Week 28: Day 3: Micah 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/09/week-28-day-3-micah-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Micah 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Micah 1-4 Micah lived in a small town in the south, and he was a contemporary of - [Week 28: Day 2: Isaiah 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/08/week-28-day-2-isaiah-9-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 9-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Isaiah 9-12 Isaiah prophesies that Zebulun and Napthali would be the first to fall to the Assyrians. - [Week 28: Day 1: Isaiah 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/07/week-28-day-1-isaiah-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 5-8 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Isaiah 5-8 Isaiah spends the first five chapters urgently calling for repentance and announcing judgment. Finally, in - [Micah 5:3-5 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/06/micah-41-3-sermon-notes/) - A good friend asked about my time in Denver last weekend and the funeral of our grandson. It led to a conversation about suffering and how people can become angry with God. My friend, who has suffered in many significant ways throughout his life, became self-reflective...I could see it in his face. I asked, "what - [Micah 5:3-5 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/06/micah-53-5-discussion-guide/) - 7.7.25 – Learning to Trust When You Don’t Understand Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRODUCTION This week’s message began with a real-life conversation about suffering and faith. It’s common to feel anger, doubt, or confusion when life doesn’t make sense. But what if trust doesn’t always - [Week 27: Day 6: Isaiah 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/05/week-27-day-6-isaiah-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Isaiah 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Isaiah 1-4 Imagine yourself standing in a valley and looking into a mountain range. Some mountains are - [Week 27: Day 5: Hosea 10-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/04/week-27-day-5-hosea-10-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Hosea 10-14 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Hosea 10-14 Hosea ends with a proverb, a timeless invitation to learn from what happened to Israel: - [Week 27: Day 4: Hosea 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/03/week-27-day-4-hosea-6-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Hosea 6-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Hosea 6-9 The Lord is as faithful as the spring rain that he sends, that leads to - [Week 27: Day 3: Hosea 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/02/week-27-day-3-hosea-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Hosea 1-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Hosea 1-5 Hosea is a tragic prophet who is called to illustrate his prophecy with his own - [Week 27: Day 2: Amos 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/07/01/week-27-day-2-amos-6-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Amos 6-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Amos 6-9 Amos ministered during a time of unprecedented prosperity in the Northern Kingdom. This prosperity was - [Week 27: Day 1: Amos 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/30/week-27-day-1-amos-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Amos 1-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Amos 1-5 Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer who lived on the southern border between - [Amos Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/29/amos-discussion-guide/) - 6.29.25 – Amos: Justice, Judgment, and Jesus Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO Amos was a real man—a shepherd by trade—called by God to speak during a time of national prosperity in Israel’s history. Outwardly, the people were thriving. Inwardly, they were unraveling. They claimed to worship - [Amos Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/29/amos-sermon-notes/) - “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” – These words were spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, in middle of civil rights movement in America – They are - [Week 26: Day 6: Jonah 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/28/week-26-day-6-jonah-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Jonah 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: Jonah 1-4 Jonah is a short book clearly demonstrating that God has a heart for all people. - [Week 26: Day 5: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/27/week-26-day-5-2-kings-14-15-2-chronicles-25-27/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27 The kings would often become victims of - [Week 26: Day 4: 2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/26/week-26-day-4-2-kings-12-13-2-chronicles-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24 The kingdom is in steady military and - [Week 26: Day 3: 2 Kings 9-11, 2 Chronicles 22:10 - 23:21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/25/week-26-day-3-2-kings-9-11-2-chronicles-2210-2321/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 9-11, 2 Chronicles 22:10 - 23:21 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 9-11, 2 Chronicles 22:10 - 23:21 The sons of - [Week 26: Day 2: 2 Kings 8:16-29, 2 Chronicles 21:1 - 22:9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/24/week-26-day-2-2-kings-816-29-2-chronicles-211-229/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 8:16-29, 2 Chronicles 21:1 - 22:9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 8:16-29, 2 Chronicles 21:1 - 22:9 It's important to - [Week 26: Day 1: 2 Kings 5:1 - 8:15](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/23/week-26-day-1-2-kings-51-815/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 5:1 - 8:15 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 5:1 - 8:15 God has always been at work among the nations; - [Jonah Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/22/jonah-sermon-notes/) - In 1950s, group of American missionaries who had been working in Ecuador sensed God calling them to start a new work by attempting to reach tribe of people known as Auca (Ow-cah), who lived in rainforests of Ecuador - Aucas were an isolated tribe and they were known to be violent – No one had - [Jonah Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/22/jonah-discussion-guide/) - 6.22.25 – Jonah: The Rebel Prophet and the Relentless Mercy of God Key Verse for 2025 “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO: Jonah was a real man (see 2 Kings 14:25), and the story is rooted in history—not myth. The story is not primarily about a great fish—it’s about a - [Week 25: Day 6: 2 Kings 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/21/week-25-day-6-2-kings-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Kings 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 2 Kings 1-4 Ahaziah sent messengers to the false god Baal to bring back some good - [Week 25: Day 5: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/20/week-25-day-5-1-kings-22-2-chronicles-18-20/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18-20 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18-20 Ahab is thoroughly foolish. He gathers a - [Week 25: Day 4: 1 Kings 20-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/19/week-25-day-4-1-kings-20-21/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 20-21 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 20-21 1 Kings 20:11 is one of the few wise things to come from - [Week 25: Day 3: 1 Kings 17-19](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/18/week-25-day-3-1-kings-17-19/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 17-19 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 17-19 Elijah bursts on the scene as the new Moses, calling Israel away - [Week 25: Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25 - 16:34, 2 Chronicles 17](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/17/week-25-day-2-1-kings-1525-1634-2-chronicles-17/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 15:25 - 16:34, 2 Chronicles 17 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 15:25 - 16:34, 2 Chronicles 17 The Northern - [Week 25: Day 1: 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/16/week-25-day-1-1-kings-151-24-2-chronicles-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16 David is said to have been - [2 Chronicles 16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/15/2-chronicles-16-sermon-notes/) - CHILD DEDICATION The title “Child Dedication” may imply that it primarily focuses on the child, and in some ways, it does. However, today is truly about us—as parents and as a church family. While it benefits the child, it starts with our commitment. This is a moment of dedication—not just for a child, but for - [Week 24: Day 6: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/14/week-24-day-6-1-kings-13-14-2-chronicles-11-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12 Whether King or unnamed prophet, the - [Week 24: Day 5: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/13/week-24-day-5-1-kings-12-2-chronicles-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people. Background Information: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10 The Kingdom of Saul, David, and - [Week 24: Day 4: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, Proverbs 30-31](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/12/week-24-day-4-1-kings-10-11-2-chronicles-9-proverbs-30-31/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, Proverbs 30-31 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, Proverbs 30-31 "Blessed be - [Week 24: Day 3: Ecclesiastes 7-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/11/week-24-day-3-ecclesiastes-7-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ecclesiastes 7-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Ecclesiastes 7-12 "For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days - [Week 24: Day 2: Ecclesiastes 1-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/10/week-24-day-2-ecclesiastes-1-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ecclesiastes 1-6 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Ecclesiastes 1-6 The evidence points to Solomon having written Ecclesiastes towards the end of his life. - [Week 24: Day 1: Proverbs 27-29](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/09/week-24-day-1-proverbs-27-29/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 27-29 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 27-29 When you memorize Scripture, you are putting "buttons" in your mind that the Holy - [Ecclesiastes Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/08/ecclesiastes-discussion-guide/) - 6.8.25 – Learning to See: Ecclesiastes, Hebel, and Hope This week’s sermon from Ecclesiastes walked us through the reflections of an aged Solomon—a man gifted with wisdom who ultimately squandered much of his life chasing pleasure and self-made meaning. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes life “under the sun” as hebel—vapor, vanity, futility. Everything seemed like a - [Ecclesiastes Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/08/ecclesiastes-sermon-notes/) - It was a unique name for a unique lady. I officiated her funeral two weeks ago. I began by giving some background on the root of her name. It is thought to derive from the Greek word for lighthouse, so named for an engineering marvel of the ancient world, built in 300 BC off - [Week 23: Day 6: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/07/week-23-day-6-1-kings-9-2-chronicles-8-proverbs-25-26/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26 God's promise - [Week 23: Day 5: Psalms 146-150](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/06/week-23-day-5-psalms-146-150/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 146-150 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 146-150 In Scripture, we see God at work in the cosmos, including our own small - [Week 23: Day 4: 2 Chronicles 4-7, Psalms 134, 136](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/05/week-23-day-4-2-chronicles-4-7-psalms-134-136/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Chronicles 4-7, Psalms 134, 136 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Chronicles 4-7, Psalms 134, 136 Remember, Chronicles may seem to simply - [Week 23: Day 3: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalm 11](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/04/week-23-day-3-1-kings-7-8-psalm-11/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalm 11 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalm 11 The people of Israel got what they wanted: - [Week 23: Day 2: 2 Chronicles 2-3, 1 Kings 5-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/03/week-23-day-2-2-chronicles-2-3-1-kings-5-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Chronicles 2-3, 1 Kings 5-6 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Chronicles 2-3, 1 Kings 5-6 David's life work was to establish - [Week 23: Day 1: Proverbs 21-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/02/week-23-day-1-proverbs-21-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 21-24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 21-24 In Proverbs, we read about parenting, responding to authority, the pursuit and use of - [1 Kings 8 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/01/1-kings-8-discussion-guide/) - 6.1.25 – Wholly True to the Lord: 1 Kings 8 This week’s sermon from 1 Kings 8 showed us a majestic and sobering vision of worship. As Solomon dedicated the temple, God’s glory filled the space, reminding us that worship is about encountering the living God. This chapter gives us a picture of corporate worship - [1 Kings 8 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/06/01/1-kings-8-sermon-notes/) - When you show up at church on Sunday morning, what do you expect? Do you expect to catch up with friends or to receive encouragement? Or perhaps you show up because you like the satisfaction that it provides: it makes you feel like a good person. Maybe you’re here and you really don’t want to - [Week 22: Day 6: Proverbs 17-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/31/week-22-day-6-proverbs-17-20/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 17-20 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 17-20 "The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool - [Week 22: Day 5: Proverbs 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/30/week-22-day-5-proverbs-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 13-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 13-16 The "heart" in Scripture is called the "source" or "wellspring" of our lives because - [Week 22: Day 4: Proverbs 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/29/week-22-day-4-proverbs-9-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 9-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 9-12 Reading Proverbs can overwhelm the mind. Bullets of wisdom fly at you in rapid-fire - [Week 22: Day 3: Proverbs 5-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/28/week-22-day-3-proverbs-5-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 5-8 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 5-8 Proverbs is written so that the young may become wise and the already wise - [Week 21: Day 2: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/20/week-21day-2-1-kings-1-2-psalms-37-71-94/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94 David was a passive - [Week 22: Day 1: Song of Solomon 5:2 - 8:14, Psalm 45](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/26/week-22-day-1-song-of-solomon-52-814-psalm-45/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Song of Solomon 5:2 - 8:14, Psalm 45 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Song of Solomon 5:2 - 8:14, Psalm 45 Though Song - [Proverbs 1:20-33 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/25/proverbs-120-33-discussion-guide/) - 5.25.25 – Embracing Wisdom’s Call: Living Secure in Christ INTRO This week’s sermon from Proverbs 1:20–33 reminded us that wisdom is not tucked away in scholarly towers—it cries out in the everyday bustle of life. Wisdom calls to the simple, urging repentance and offering life. But there is also a warning: those who ignore her - [Proverbs 1:20-33 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/25/proverbs-120-33-sermon-notes/) - Embracing Wisdom’s Call Proverbs 1:20–33 River Community Church One of my favorite lines in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy occurs at the council of Elrond when Elrond, the great wise Elf, summons various peoples of Middle Earth to a secret council to determine what to do with the Ring of Power. Out of - [Week 21: Day 6: Song of Solomon 1:1 - 5:1](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/24/week-21-day-6-song-of-solomon-11-51/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Song of Solomon 1:1 - 5:1 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Song of Solomon 1:1 - 5:1 Some in the history of the - [Week 21: Day 5: Psalm 119:89-176](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/23/week-21-day-5-psalm-11989-176/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 119:89-176 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalm 119:89-176 The movie "Conclave" is a fictional account of the search for a new Pope - [Week 21: Day 4: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/22/week-21-day-4-1-kings-3-4-2-chronicles-1-psalm-72/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72 Solomon begins - [Week 21: Day 3: Psalm 119: 1-88](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/21/week-21-day-3-psalm-119-1-88/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 119: 1-88 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalm 119: 1-88 Psalm 119 has twenty-two stanzas, arranged according to the twenty-two letters of - [Week 21: Day 1: Psalms 111-118](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/19/week-21-day-1-psalms-111-118/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 111-118 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 111-118 Psalms 111 and 112 are called acrostic poems, which means that, in the original - [Psalm 119 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/18/psalm-119-discussion-guide/) - 5.25.25 – Holding On to the Word: Living Under the Authority of Scripture INTRO In a world full of competing voices, Psalm 119 calls us to build our lives on something solid—the Word of God. The sermon reminded us that ideas have power, and the ones we trust shape who we become. We were challenged - [Psalm 119 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/18/psalm-119-sermon-notes/) - 5.18.25 Psalm 119 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion (a commander of 100 soldiers) came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you - [Week 20: Day 6: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalm 68](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/17/week-20-day-6-1-chronicles-27-29-psalm-68/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalm 68 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalm 68 "But as it is, God has arranged each - [Week 20: Day 5: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/16/week-20-day-5-psalms-131-138-139-143-145/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145 Psalm 131 reminds us of Deuteronomy 29:29; David has "weaned" - [Week 22: Day 2: Proverbs 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/27/week-22-day-2-proverbs-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Proverbs 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Proverbs 1-4 Proverbs are principles about how life works. They are not direct promises to be - [Week 20: Day 4: 1 Chronicles 23-26](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/15/week-20-day-4-1-chronicles-23-26/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Chronicles 23-26 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Chronicles 23-26 Remember Ezra is writing all this after the Kingdom had fallen. The - [Week 20: Day 3: Psalms 108-109](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/14/week-20-day-3-psalms-108-109/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 108-109 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 108-109 We cry out to God for the victory of good over evil. We long - [Week 20: Day 2: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/13/week-20-day-2-2-samuel-24-1-chronicles-21-22-psalm-30/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30 The Last - [Week 20: Day 1: Psalms 97-99](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/12/week-20-day-1-psalms-97-99/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 97-99 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 97-99 These Psalms were sung in praise to God for victory in earthly battles. Victory - [1 Chronicles 21:1 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/11/1-chronicles-211-discussion-guide/) - 5.11.25: Week 20 — Trusting God in the Tension Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” — 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO In David’s final recorded story in 2 Samuel, we see a man confronted with the tension between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. David’s decision to count his army brought judgment, yet in his - [1 Chronicles 21:1](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/11/sermon-notes-10/) - Happy Mother’s Day I said on Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection 52 times a year, it is why we worship on Sunday's not Saturdays...so Easter Sunday is a good thing, but it should not be the only celebration of resurrection. In a similar way, though it is great to have a specific day to - [Week 19: Day 6: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/10/week-19-day-6-2-samuel-22-23-psalm-57/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57 Why was Saul removed from the throne for - [Week 19: Day 5: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/09/week-19-day-5-2-samuel-19-21-psalms-5-38-42/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42 David is a King - [Week 19: Day 4: Psalms 26, 40-41, 58](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/08/week-19-day-4-psalms-26-40-41-58/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 26, 40-41, 58 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 26, 40-41, 58 David says that he loves the house of God because - [Week 19: Day 3: 2 Samuel 16-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/07/week-19-day-3-2-samuel-16-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 16-18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 16-18 Ahithophel had been a trusted counselor of David, but he was also - [Week 19: Day 2: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/06/week-18-day-2-psalms-3-4-13-28-55/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55 Many are against him. They say - [Week 19: Day 1: 2 Samuel 13-15](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/05/week-19-day-1-2-samuel-13-15/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 13-15 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 13-15 David is again proving to have been mighty in the battlefield and - [2 Samuel 13-19 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/04/2-samuel-13-19-discussion-guide/) - 5.4.25: Week 19 Discussion — Pride, Passivity, and the Yoke of Christ Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 INTRO: The tragic story of David and Absalom shows the devastating consequences of pride and passivity. David appeared strong in public but was passive within his family, while Absalom, though - [2 Samuel 13-19 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/04/2-samuel-13-19-sermon-notes/) - A yoke is a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to a plow. The yoke allows the two animals to share a load together. Lamentations 3:27 says "It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young." What does this mean and why is it - [Week 18: Day 6: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/03/week-18-day-6-psalms-32-86-102-103-122/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122 Paul wrote in Romans 4 that - [Week 18: Day 5: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 51](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/02/week-18-day-5-2-samuel-11-12-1-chronicles-20-psalm-51/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 51 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 51 David, the - [Week 18: Day 4: Psalms 65-67, 69, 70](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/05/01/week-18-day-4-psalms-65-67-69-70/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 65-67, 69, 70 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 65-67, 69, 70 The Psalms were written for community worship. People tend to - [Week 18: Day 3: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/30/week-18-day-3-2-samuel-10-1-chronicles-19-psalms-20-53-60-75/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms - [Week 18: Day 2: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/29/week-18-day-2-2-samuel-8-9-1-chronicles-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18 In 2 Sam. 7:11, God told - [Week 18: Day 1: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1-2, 33, 127, 132](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/28/week-18-day-1-2-samuel-7-1-chronicles-17-psalms-1-2-33-127-132/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1-2, 33, 127, 132 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms - [2 Samuel 7-12 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/27/2-samuel-7-12-sermon-notes/) - Several years ago, heard an older man named John talk about one of his most formative experiences as young Christian – He was young, eager, and hungry to grow in his relationship with Lord – He went to a conference and, at conference, had a chance to meet a well-known pastor and theologian – John - [2 Samuel 7-12 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/27/2-samuel-7-12-discussion-guide/) - 4.27.25: Week 19 Discussion — The Wisdom of a Repentant Heart Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:1. INTRO: Everyone stumbles, but not everyone returns. David’s story teaches us that what sets someone apart as “after God’s own heart” is not perfection but repentance. In 2 Samuel 7–12 and - [Week 17: Day 6: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/26/week-17-day-6-psalms-89-96-100-101-107/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107 In Psalm 89 we have the - [Week 17: Day 5: Psalms 15, 23, 24-25, 47](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/25/week-17-day-5-psalms-15-23-24-25-47/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 15, 23, 24-25, 47 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 15, 23, 24-25, 47 We recall the awesome holiness of Mount Sinai - [Week 17: Day 4: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/24/week-17-day-4-2-samuel-511-623-1-chronicles-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16 When the King of Tyre (Lebanon) - [Week 17: Day 3: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalm 133](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/23/week-17-day-3-2-samuel-51-10-1-chronicles-11-12-psalm-133/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalm 133 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalm 133 David the - [Week 17: Day 2: 1 Chronicles 7-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/22/week-17-day-2-1-chronicles-7-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Chronicles 7-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Chronicles 7-9 You don't need to try and pronounce each name and ponder these - [Week 17: Day 1: Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/21/week-17-day-1-psalms-81-88-92-93/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93 Psalm 81 is tied to the Feast of - [Easter 2025 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/20/easter-2025-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:1. INTRO: With Easter having passed, it’s a good time for us as Christians to reflect on our beliefs. The resurrection of Jesus is the central truth that should shape every aspect of our lives. If it’s true, then everything matters. If it’s not, - [Easter 2025 Sermon](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/20/easter-2025-sermon/) - In the summer of 1982, I was working on a large Oil Rig in East Texas. My shift went until 11 at night. One day, near the end of my shift, I was tired and inattentive, I was walking on a narrow walkway just under the main deck, so about 20 feet off the ground. - [Week 16: Day 6: 1 Chronicles 6, Psalms 36, 39, 77-78](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/19/week-16-day-6-1-chronicles-6-psalms-36-39-77-78/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Chronicles 6, Psalms 36, 39, 77-78 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Chronicles 6, Psalms 36, 39, 77-78 After the exile, Israel - [Week 16: Day 5: 1 Chronicles 3-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/18/week-16-day-5-1-chronicles-3-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Chronicles 3-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Chronicles 3-5 Ezra is writing to a people returned from exile, when all the - [Week 16: Day 4: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/17/week-16-day-4-psalms-49-84-85-87/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87 Man’s glory is empty; it is a mere - [Week 16: Day 3: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Psalms 43-44](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/16/week-16-day-3-1-chronicles-1-2-psalms-43-44/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Psalms 43-44 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Psalms 43-44 Chronicles is not merely a repetition of information - [Week 16: Day 2: Psalms 6, 9, 10, 14, 21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/15/week-16-day-2-psalms-6-9-10-14-21/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalms 6, 9, 10, 14, 21 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalms 6, 9, 10, 14, 21 David begins in deep despair, then - [Week 16: Day 1: 2 Samuel 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/14/week-16-day-1-2-samuel-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 2 Samuel 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 2 Samuel 1-4 First and second Samuel were written as a single narrative, but because - [Psalm 14 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/13/pslam-14-sermon-notes/) - Several years ago, as a part of an ad campaign for the British Humanist organization a placard was placed on buses that said: "There’s probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” "Probably"...that's a pretty big caveat but at least they are honest...you can't disprove God. Not to be outdone, over on the - [Psalm 14 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/13/psalm-14-discussion-guide/) - 4.13.25: Weeks 16, Psalm 14 Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: Some claim that atheism leads to freedom and happiness. But does doing whatever we want truly lead to joy—or to something else entirely? What does real freedom mean? True freedom is knowing what’s right and having - [Week 15: Day 6: Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/12/week-15-day-6-psalm-121-123-125-128-130/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130 Psalms are not promises, they are poems. They speak what - [Week 15: Day 5: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/11/week-15-day-5-1-samuel-28-31-1-chronicles-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10 David is in a predicament; he - [Week 15: Day 4: Psalm 35, 54, 63, 18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/10/week-15-day-4-psalm-35-54-63-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 35, 54, 63, 18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalm 35, 54, 63, 18 To be betrayed by men of his own - [Week 15: Day 3: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalm 17, 73](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/09/week-15-day-3-1-samuel-25-27-psalm-17-73/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalm 17, 73 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalm 17, 73 What are we to think of - [Week 15: Day 2: Psalm 56, 120, 140-142](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/08/week-15-day-2-psalm-56-120-140-142/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 56, 120, 140-142 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalm 56, 120, 140-142 Twice David makes this confession of faith, "In God, whose - [Week 15: Day 1: Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/07/week-15-day-1-psalm-7-27-31-34-52/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52 These were desperate times for David--disorienting - [Psalm 27 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/06/psalm-27-sermon-notes/) - Conclave is a 2024 film billed as a "political thriller" It is, but the politics surround religion at the Vatican. It is based on a fictional depiction of a gathering(conclave) of cardinals to elect a new Pope. The Cardinal in charge delivers a sermon where he declares that "The one sin I have come to - [Psalm 27 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/06/psalm-27-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025: 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. 1 Timothy 4:16 Opener: This week, we will finish 1 Samuel and read 16 Psalms. King David wrote a significant number of the psalms. They express a wide range of emotions, from confession to praise and everything in between. David poured his heart out to - [Week 14: Day 6: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalm 91](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/05/week-14-day-6-1-samuel-21-24-psalm-91/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalm 91 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalm 91 David, in a desperate flight from murderous Saul, - [Week 14: Day 5: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 59](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/04/week-14-day-5-1-samuel-17-20-psalm-59/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 59 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 59 Saul the King cowered in fear in the - [Week 14: Day 4: 1 Samuel 13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/03/week-14-day-4-1-samuel-13-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 13-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 13-16 The people had asked for a king and now they have one. - [Week 14: Day 3: 1 Samuel 9-12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/02/week-14-day-3-1-samuel-9-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 9-12 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 9-12 Israel wanted a king like the other nations had, and this was - [Week 14: Day 2: 1 Samuel 4-8](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/04/01/week-14-day-2-1-samuel-4-8/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 4-8 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 4-8 Israel was now so far from the truth of God that they - [Week 14: Day 1: 1 Samuel 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/31/week-14-day-1-1-samuel-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: 1 Samuel 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people Background Information: 1 Samuel 1-3 Samuel was the last Judge and the human instrument of the establishment - [1 Samuel - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/30/1-samuel-sermon-notes/) - In his well-known book, Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby describes “Seven Realities of Experiencing God” The seven realities are: 1) God is always at work around you – 2) God pursues an ongoing relationship with you – 3) God invites you to become involved with Him and His work – 4) God speaks to reveal Himself, - [1 Samuel Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/30/1-samuel-discussion-guide/) - 3.30.25: Weeks 14, 1 Samuel Key Verse for 2025 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely.[1] 1 Timothy 4:16 Opener: This week, we will read 1 Samuel, which tells an important part of Israel's history. At the beginning, Israel is just a loose group of tribes without strong leaders. Though God would allow for Israel to - [Week 13: Day 6: Ruth](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/29/week-13-day-6-ruth/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Ruth Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Ruth Finally, a breath of fresh air. In Ruth we have an important time stamp. We know that - [Week 13: Day 5: Judges 19-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/28/week-13-day-5-judges-19-21/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Judges 19-21 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Judges 19-21 Chapter 19 is shocking, and that is the point. It begins by reminding us that - [Week 13: Day 4: Judges 14-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/27/week-13-day-4-judges-14-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Judges 14-18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Judges 14-18 Samson is a fool from the start. Disregarding covenant law and his parents’ wish, he - [Week 13: Day 3: Judges 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/26/week-13-day-3-judges-10-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Judges 10-13 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Judges 10-13 With terrible irony, God tells his people when they cry out for relief from their - [Week 13: Day 2: Judges 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/25/week-13-day-2-judges-6-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Judges 6-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Judges 6-9 Poverty stricken, living in caves and holes, the people were in a terribly desperate situation. - [Week 12: Day 2: Joshua 7-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/18/week-12-day-2-joshua-7-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 7-10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 7-10 Just as Adam's sin echoes through the ages, Achan's sin cost countless lives and prolonged - [Week 13: Day 1: Judges 2-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/24/week-13-day-1-judges-2-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Judges 2-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Judges 2-5 Just as Moses and Joshua had feared, Israel failed to drive out the Canaanites and - [Judges 17-18 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/23/judges-17-18-sermon-notes/) - Today, people value independence and diverse perspectives… Here’s the problem with this idea: everyone ends up perceiving truth differently. The prevailing idea valued right now is relativism, meaning that right and wrong can vary by culture or by individual. There are no absolute moral rules, only social norms that evolve over time. This viewpoint is - [Judges 17-18 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/23/judges-17-18-discussion-guide/) - Opener: This week we will be in the Books of Judges and Ruth. You may feel like you need a shower by the time you finish reading Judges—it’s a brutally honest account of life where everyone does what seems right in their own eyes. You’ll conclude the week’s reading in Ruth, a book that covers - [Week 12: Day 6: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/22/week-12-day-6-joshua-23-24-judges-1/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1 Joshua ends with the great leader calling for Israel to be - [Week 12: Day 5: Joshua 19-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/21/week-12-day-5-joshua-19-22/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 19-22 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 19-22 Accidentally killing someone in the cultures outside of Israel would have been responded to with - [Week 12: Day 4: Joshua 15-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/20/week-12-day-4-joshua-15-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 15-18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 15-18 This tedious appointing of the land is the fulfilment of what had been approved by - [Week 12: Day 3: Joshua 11-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/19/week-12-day-3-joshua-11-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 11-14 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 11-14 Israel fights a defensive battle against a large coalition of forces from the north. Joshua - [Week 12: Day 1: Joshua 3-6](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/17/week-12-day-1-joshua-3-6/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 3-6 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 3-6 In chapter five Joshua encounters an angelic warrior and asks, "Whose side are you on, - [Joshua 23 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/16/joshua-23-sermon-notes/) - 3.16.25 Joshua What does "rest" mean? He was laid to rest: dead Her elbow rested on table: It means the elbow is supported by something else The defense rests: Action and argument have stopped He rested after a long day: Nap, fishing, walking...rest is a change in activity that restores. A musical rest: A pause - [Joshua 23 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/16/joshua-23-discussion-guide/) - 3.16.25: Weeks 12, Joshua Key Verse for 2025 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely.[1] 1 Timothy 4:16 Opener: This week, we will explore the Book of Joshua. Joshua succeeds Moses and leads the Israelites in crossing the Jordan River into Canaan. Under Joshua’s leadership, the people successfully campaigned to conquer Canaan and enter the promised - [Week 11: Day 6: Joshua 1-2, Psalm 105](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/15/week-11-day-6-joshua-1-2-psalm-105/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Joshua 1-2, Psalm 105 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 4: The Land: God's place for his people Background Information: Joshua 1-2, Psalm 105 Joshua picks up after Moses has died. Joshua is Moses' successor - [Week 11: Day 5: Deuteronomy 31-34](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/14/week-11-day-5-deuteronomy-31-34/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 31-34 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 31-34 We come to the end of what is called the Pentateuch, - [Week 11: Day 4: Deuteronomy 28-30](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/13/week-11-day-4-deuteronomy-28-30/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 28-30 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 28-30 God made the covenant with Israel. They would become a nation - [Week 11: Day 3: Deuteronomy 24-27](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/12/week-11-day-3-deuteronomy-24-27/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 24-27 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 24-27 The laws given to Israel kept God's holiness front and center, - [Week 11: Day 2: Deuteronomy 20-23](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/11/week-11-day-2-deuteronomy-20-23/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 20-23 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 20-23 War is terrible. Always has been, always will be. War is - [Week 11: Day 1: Deuteronomy 16-19](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/10/week-11-day-1-deuteronomy-16-19/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 16-19 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 16-19 Moses describes the three annual pilgrimages that were to take place - [Deuteronomy 29-30 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/09/deuteronomy-29-sermon-notes/) - There are 215 videos on our website where I have responded to our River kids’ questions over the years. After all that, I still get some unique variations of questions. Questions are good, I want our kids to be very comfortable asking them. A good friend once asked a question as a child and was - [Deuteronomy 29-30 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/09/deuteronomy-29-30-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: This week, we will conclude Deuteronomy. This completes the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, and transitions into the opening chapter of Joshua, which is the first of the historical books. Everyone has questions, and asking them - [Week 10: Day 6: Deuteronomy 12-15](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/08/week-10-day-6-deuteronomy-12-15/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 12-15 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 12-15 Moses regulates the killing of animals for food; the blood must - [Week 10: Day 5: Deuteronomy 8-11](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/07/week-10-day-5-deuteronomy-8-11/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 8-11 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 8-11 God knew their hearts; they needed to know them as well. - [Week 10: Day 4: Deuteronomy 4-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/06/week-10-day-4-deuteronomy-4-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 4-7 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 4-7 The people who lived in the land of Canaan worshipped the - [Week 10: Day 3: Deuteronomy 1-3](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/05/week-10-day-3-deuteronomy-1-3/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Deuteronomy 1-3 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Deuteronomy 1-3 Pay careful attention to the first verse, as it explains the - [Week 10: Day 2: Numbers 33-36](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/04/week-10-day-2-numbers-33-36/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 33-36 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 33-36 Today's reading begins with an itinerary of the 40 places Israel - [Week 10: Day 1: Numbers 29-32](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/03/week-10-day-1-numbers-29-32/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 29-32 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 29-32 Rituals are the keys to understanding a family's or a society's - [Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/02/deuteronomy-61-9-discussion-guide/) - 2.23.25: Weeks 10, Deuteronomy Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: This week, we finish the book of Numbers and move into Deuteronomy. Remember that Deuteronomy means "the second law" or a “repetition of the law.” It is the book most often quoted by New Testament authors and - [Deuteronomy Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/02/deuteronomy-sermon-notes/) - Aldous Huxley was a humanist author whose writings have been influential even among those who haven't even read them. He helped shaped culture (I would say misshaped it) through his writing that some cultural elites adopted into their worldviews. The cultural elites, in his time were educators, politicians, philosophers, public thinkers (newspapers). Now they are - [Week 9: Day 6: Numbers 25-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/03/01/week-9-day-6-numbers-25-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 25-28 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 25-28 From God's protection and promise of blessing in the story of - [Week 9: Day 5: Numbers 21-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/28/week-9-day-5-numbers-21-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 21-24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 21-24 You can get whiplash from reading of Israel's experiences of the - [Week 9: Day 4: Numbers 17-20](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/27/week-9-day-4-numbers-17-20/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 17-20 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 17-20 This is the third story where the Lord clearly indicates that - [Week 9: Day 3: Numbers 14-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/26/week-9-day-3-numbers-14-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 14-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 14-16 Israel shrinks back in faithless fear as the spies return from - [Numbers 14 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/24/numbers-14-discussion-guide/) - 2.23.25: Weeks 9, Numbers 14, Training to Trust God Our Rescuer Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: In week nine, we focus on the Israelites' 39-year journey in the wilderness, emphasizing the importance of trusting and obeying God. Today, we will focus on chapter 14. As we - [Week 9: Day 2: Numbers 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/25/week-9-day-2-numbers-10-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 10-13 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 10-13 Israel finally begins the journey to the Promised Land. They leave - [Week 9: Day 1: Numbers 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/24/week-9-day-1-numbers-6-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 6-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 6-9 Nazirite means "consecrated." These laymen and laywomen dedicated themselves to total - [Numbers 14 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/23/numbers-14-sermon-notes/) - Tony Dungy, former NFL coach said - “Champions don’t do extraordinary things. They do ordinary things, but they do them without thinking and they do them too fast for the other team to react.” He believed that the key to winning football games was changing his players’ habits. In the game, he wanted players to - [Week 8: Day 6: Numbers 3-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/22/week-8-day-6-numbers-3-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Numbers 3-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Numbers 3-5 Numbers is named after the two military census that were taken. - [Week 8: Day 5: Leviticus 26-27, Numbers 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/21/week-8-day-5-leviticus-26-27-numbers-1-2/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 26-27, Numbers 1-2 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 26-27, Numbers 1-2 The blessings given in response to obedience - [Week 8: Day 4: Leviticus 23-25](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/20/week-8-day-4-leviticus-23-25/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 23-25 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 23-25 God designed days of rest, celebration and remembrance into Israel's calendar. - [Leviticus 16 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/16/leviticus-16-discussion-guide/) - 2.16.25: Weeks 8, Leviticus 16:1-22, The Day of Atonement. Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: In week eight, we will read Leviticus and move into Numbers. As we work through Leviticus, it’s important to remember what we’ve covered so far. Genesis presents God as the creator and - [Week 8: Day 3: Leviticus 19-22](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/19/week-8-day-3-leviticus-19-22/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 19-22 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 19-22 What does it mean that God is holy? The holiness of - [Week 8: Day 2: Leviticus 15-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/18/week-8-day-2-leviticus-15-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 15-18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 15-18 Normal human biological functions were not sin and did not violate - [Week 8: Day 1: Leviticus 11-14](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/17/week-8-day-1-leviticus-11-14/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 11-14 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 11-14 Priests have been selected, and now the ministry of the priests - [Leviticus 16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/16/leviticus-16-sermon-notes/) - Over the past four weeks, the world’s largest religious gathering has been taking place in India. It’s a six-week festival called the Kumbh Mela. It began on Jan 14 and will last through Feb 26. During this period, it’s expected that there will be 400 million participants in this pilgrimage. For perspective, that’s about 100 - [Week 7: Day 6: Leviticus 8-10](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/15/week-7-day-6-leviticus-8-10/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 8-10 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 8-10 The priests are chosen to be mediators between God and Israel. - [Week 7: Day 5: Leviticus 5-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/14/week-7-day-5-leviticus-5-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 5-7 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 5-7 Leviticus has 5 main types of ritual sacrifices. These sacrifices communicate - [Week 7: Day 4: Leviticus 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/13/week-7-day-4-leviticus-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Leviticus 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Leviticus 1-4 Exodus ends with Moses unable to enter the tabernacle because of - [Week 7: Day 3: Exodus 37-40](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/12/week-7-day-3-exodus-37-40/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 37-40 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Exodus 37-40 This section gives the actual order of how the Tabernacle was - [Exodus: Tabernacle Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/09/exodus-tabernacle-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: What guides us through life? We need something more than our heart or our feelings. We can learn from experiences, both good and bad. We are to actively make choices to believe and trust God and believe and live by his - [Week 7: Day 2: Exodus 33-36](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/11/week-7-day-2-exodus-33-36/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 33-36 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Exodus 33-36 Moses, in his role as priest, intercedes on behalf of the - [Week 7: Day 1: Exodus 29-32](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/10/week-7-day-1-exodus-29-32/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 29-32 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Exodus 29-32 As you read chapters twenty-nine to thirty-one you may begin to - [Exodus: Tabernacle Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/09/exodus-tabernacle-sermon-notes/) - Tim Bergling, whose stage name was Avicii, was a Swedish remixer and producer. He quickly rose to fame in the Electronic Dance Movement culture, his main instrument was basically a laptop. His rise and fall were meteoric. "Wake me up" topped the charts around the world in 2013. He rose to prominence at the age - [Week 6: Day 6: Exodus 25-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/08/week-6-day-6-exodus-25-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 25-28 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Exodus 25-28 The Tabernacle was the portable tent where God's presence dwelt among - [Week 6: Day 5: Exodus 22-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/07/week-6-day-5-exodus-22-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 22-24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Exodus 22-24 People tend to think that Moses received the Ten Commandments, and - [Week 6: Day 4: Exodus 19-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/06/week-6-day-4-exodus-19-21/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 19-21 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people Background Information: Exodus 19-21 Moses is the priest, going up the mountain to the presence - [Week 6: Day 3: Exodus 14-18](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/05/week-6-day-3-exodus-14-18/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 14-18 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people. Background Information: Exodus 14-18 Over and over God's purpose is that Egypt would know that he is God. The Exodus is - [Week 6: Day 2: Exodus 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/04/week-6-day-2-exodus-10-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 10-13 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people. Background Information: Exodus 10-13 They have come to be known as the "ten plagues," but the word means "blow, or strike." - [Week 6: Day 1: Exodus 5-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/03/week-6-day-1-exodus-5-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 5-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people. Background Information: Exodus 5-9 Moses, the reluctant leader, goes to Pharoah and things become much worse for the people. His leadership - [Exodus 3 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/02/exodus-3-sermon-notes/) - There is no such thing as a purely objective history. The historian has to make decisions based on his or her worldview, and motivations for writing It's why you can read different histories of the same person that come to vastly different conclusions about that person. Then there is the fact that if you were - [Exodus 3 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/02/exodus-3-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Intro: Human History is important to read and understand. But there is no such thing as a purely objective history. It is written from human perspectives and contains human errors. It teaches us truths about what happened and why it happened. However, - [Week 5: Day 6: Exodus 1-4](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/02/01/week-5-day-6-exodus-1-4/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Exodus 1-4 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people. Background Information: Exodus 1-4 Exodus is the continuation of God's story; he is in control, and he is working out his - [Week 5: Day 5: Job 40:6 - 42:17, Psalm 29](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/31/week-5-day-5-job-406-4217-psalm-29/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 40:6 - 42:17, Psalm 29 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 40:6 - 42:17, Psalm 29 Seemingly chaotic natural forces are under the - [Week 5: Day 4: Job 37:1 - 40:5, Psalm 19](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/30/week-5-day-4-job-371-405-psalm-19/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 37:1 - 40:5, Psalm 19 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 37:1 - 40:5, Psalm 19 Elihu has been misguided in some of - [Week 5: Day 3: Job 33-36](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/29/week-5-day-3-job-33-36/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 33-36 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 33-36 Elihu is as annoying as he is patronizing. Job is a sinner, but his words - [Week 5: Day 2: Job 29-32](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/28/week-5-day-2-job-29-32/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 29-32 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 29-32 Job describes in detail how good his former life was. Then he describes the horrors - [Job 42 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/26/job-42-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Opener: We will finish reading Job by the end of this week. It tells the story of suffering, struggle, faith, and, ultimately, the profound weight of God's glory. Job recognizes his own insignificance and dependence on God, compelling him to worship despite - [Job 42 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/26/job-42-sermon-notes/) - God glory is a revelation or manifestation of his character, beauty, nature, power, worth. God's glory is God revealed. God's glory is revealed in all of his works. John 9 As he(Jesus) was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that - [Week 5: Day 1: Job 25-28](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/27/week-5-day-1-job-25-28/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 25-28 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 25-28 Bildad’s third speech is short, and Zophar issues no more speeches; mercifully, his friends are - [Week 4: Day 6: Job 22-24](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/25/week-4-day-6-job-22-24/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 22-24 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 22-24 Eliphaz is blatant in calling Job a sinner. This is not so much because he - [Week 4: Day 5: Job 18-21](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/24/week-4-day-5-job-18-21/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 18-21 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 18-21 It is important to note that none of the characters in this book are Israelites. - [Week 4: Day 4: Job 14-17](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/23/week-4-day-4-job-14-17/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 14-17 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 14-17 Job vacillates between hope and despair. He despairs the finality of death but holds on - [Week 4: Day 3: Job 10-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/22/week-4-day-3-job-10-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 10-13 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 10-13 Job doesn't doubt God's power or his right to do what he wants with that - [Week 4: Day 2: Job 6-9](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/21/week-4-day-2-job-6-9/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 6-9 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 6-9 The words of Job's friends are like tasteless food, like the empty promise of water - [Job 1 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/19/job-1-sermon-notes/) - I read Richard Wurmbrands book, "Tortured for Christ” several times as a young man and would find myself sometimes on my knees as I read it...I was so challenged and moved by it. He was a Romanian pastor who spent 14 years in soviet prisons being tortured for his faith. To consider his life, in - [Job 1 - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/19/job-1-discussion-guide/) - Key Verse for 2025 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely.[1] 1 Timothy 4:16 Opener: We will explore the Book of Job over the next two weeks. Job is the man who does everything right, yet he loses everything: his children, his wealth, and his health, despite being blameless. Job’s story raises theological questions about the - [Week 3: Day 6: Genesis 47-50](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/18/week-3-day-6-genesis-47-50/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 47-50 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 47-50 These chapters are full of God's faithfulness and human faith. The blessings and "curses" Jacob - [Week 3: Day 5: Genesis 44-46](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/17/week-3-day-5-genesis-44-46/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 44-46 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 44-46 This is one of the most moving stories in the Bible. Just contemplate for a - [Week 4: Day 1: Job 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/20/week-4-day-1-job-1-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 1-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Job 1-5 This is not a story of cosmic dualism, Satan versus God. God is sovereign, he - [Week 3: Day 4: Genesis 41-43](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/16/week-3-day-4-genesis-41-43/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 41-43 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 41-43 How quickly and easily we can read these chapters and fail to see how much - [Week 3: Day 3: Genesis 38-40](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/15/week-3-day-3-genesis-38-40/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 38-40 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 38-40 These chapters set up a compare and contrast between Judah and his younger brother Joseph. - [Week 3: Day 2: Genesis 34-37](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/14/week-3-day-2-genesis-34-37/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 34-37 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 34-37 Jacob's sons were foolish and violent. Their sister’s rape was a crime, but according to - [Genesis 45 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/12/genesis-45-discussion-guide/) - 1.12.25: Weeks 3, Genesis 45 Opener: Terry opened his sermon by discussing the terms “Meist,” “Meism,” and “Meology.” Do you remember how he described a Meist? What exactly is it? Question: How does Meism differ from Christian Theism (Biblical Theology)? What does each “ism” tell us about how to pray, how we should respond to - [Genesis 45 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/12/genesis-45-sermon-notes/) - HG Wells was an author and so-called futurist who died in 1946 at the age of 76. My personal definition of a futurist is someone who guesses about what the future will look like and then, if they become famous, they are remembered for the very few times they were right and not for the - [Week 3: Day 1: Genesis 30-33](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/13/week-3-day-1-genesis-30-33/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 30-33 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 30-33 Jacob's life is full of man-made drama. He has married two sisters (polygamy was never - [Week 2: Day 6: Genesis 27-29](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/11/week-2-day-6-genesis-27-29/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 27-29 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 27-29 All four characters are at fault in this narrative. Esau sold his birthright and then - [Week 2: Day 5: Genesis 24-26](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/10/week-2-day-5-genesis-24-26/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 24-26 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 24-26 The "servant" of Abraham is a nameless but faithful man. He obeys Abraham and goes - [Week 2: Day 4: Genesis 20-23](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/09/week-2-day-4-genesis-20-23/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 20-23 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 20-23 God protected Sarah to ensure the promise of a covenant son. Meanwhile, Abraham used fearful - [Week 2: Day 3: Genesis 17-19](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/08/week-2-day-3-genesis-17-19/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 17-19 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 17-19 God would keep his covenant promises, but Abraham's part in fully enjoying those promises was - [Week 2: Day 2: Genesis 14-16](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/07/week-2-day-2-genesis-14-16/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 14-16 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people Background Information: Genesis 14-16 Melchizedek was an ancient king of Salem (the name means peace). He, along with another - [Week 2: Day 1: Genesis 12-13](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/06/week-2-day-1-genesis-12-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 12-13 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God calls a Covenant People Background Information: Genesis 12-13 God's work in salvation history begins just as the creation of the world began, with - [Genesis 1-29 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/05/genesis-1-29-discussion-guide/) - .5.25 Discussion Guide—Weeks 1 & 2, Genesis 1-29 I wanted to start by giving you a brief explanation of this week’s discussion guide. Looking at the chapters (Gen 1-29), it can seem like there is a lot of material to cover in a small group setting. This discussion guide covers the first two weeks of - [Genesis 1-29 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/05/genesis-1-29-sermon-notes/) - Economist Thomas Sowell grew up in housing project called Bed-stuy, NY in the 30's and 40's, he dropped out of High School and joined the Marines. After the Korean War he graduated with honors from Harvard and went on to earn a master’s and a PHD. My dad, born one year after Sowell, also dropped - [Week 1: Day 6: Genesis 10-11](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/04/week-1-day-6-genesis-10-11/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 10-11 Act 1: God's Plan for All People Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life Background Information: Genesis 10-11 God would someday call a specific people to become - [Week 1: Day 5: Genesis 8-9 & Psalm 12](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/03/week-1-day-5-genesis-8-9-psalm-12/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 8-9 & Psalm 12 Act 1: God's Plan for All People Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life Background Information: Genesis 8-9 & Psalm 12 In the New - [Week 1: Day 4: Genesis 6-7](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/02/week-1-day-4-genesis-6-7/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 6-7 Act 1: God's Plan for All People Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life Background Information: Genesis 6-7 The main story line of chapter six is that - [Week 1: Day 3: Genesis 3-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2025/01/01/week-1-day-3-genesis-3-5/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 3-5 Act 1: God's Plan for All People Scene 2: The Fall: Rejecting God's vision for life Background Information: Genesis 3-5 In these chapters you read of the fall of mankind from God into - [Week 1: Day 2: John 1:1-3, Psalm 8 & 104](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/31/week-1-day-2-john-11-3-psalm-8-104/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: John 1:1-3, Psalm 8 & 104 Act 1: God's Plan for All People Scene 1: The Creation: The God of all of life. Background Information: John 1:1-3, Psalm 8 & 104 Some translations say that - [Week 1: Day 1: Genesis 1-2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/30/week-1-day-1-genesis-1-2/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Genesis 1-2 Act 1: God's Plan for All People Scene 1: The Creation: The God of all of life. Background Information: Genesis 1-2 This is a description of how the cosmos came to be. It - [Nehemiah 8: 1-12 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/29/nehemiah-8-1-12-sermon-notes/) - Does anyone know what Oxford’s Word of the Year is? It’s Brain-Rot! Yep, that’s right, Brain-Rot! It refers to the overconsumption of trivial online content. Who knows? Maybe people are beginning to understand that overconsumption of social media really does harm their brains. And how about this: Did you know that books experienced a resurgence - [John Recap - Day 7](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/29/john-recap-day-7/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John Recap Day 6](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/28/john-recap-day-6/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John Recap - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/27/john-recap-day-5/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John Recap - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/26/john-recap-day-4/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John Recap Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/25/john-recap-day-3/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John Recap Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/24/john-recap-day-2/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John Recap Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/23/john-recap-day-1/) - In 2025 the devotionals will be geared around the chronological bible reading. Each devo will have a scripture passage to read and then a simple question for reflection. In this last full week of December we will read through the book of John. The devotion below is similar to the devotional format that we will - [John 21: Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/22/john-21-sermon-notes/) - Two of the things my grandkids have learned not to say around me are: I'm bored That's not fair They slip and say them on occasion, and I don't get mad, or belittle them. But they know, it just won't get traction with me. In fact, they get the same response every time. What is - [John 20 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/20/john-20-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. SCRIPTURE READING: John 20 - Christian Standard - [John 20 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/19/john-20-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm 19:7-11 The instruction of the Lord - [John 20 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/18/john-20-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 18:16-19 He - [John 20 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/17/john-20-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 47:8-9 God - [John 20 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/16/john-20-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 46:1 God - [John 20 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/15/john-20-discussion-guide/) - Many small groups have taken this week off, or if they are meeting, they’re having their group party as they bring the year to a close. Christmas is only a week away! If your group meets and you're utilizing today’s discussion guide, we will concentrate on John 1 and Luke 2 for an Advent reflection. - [John 20 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/15/john-20-sermon-notes-advent/) - I've had many people over the years ask me, "So the WSU football team went away after the Plane crash right?" I say, "No, the plane crash was in 1970, the last season was 1986." How many of you thought the crash was the end of the football team? How many didn't know there was - [Global Missions Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/13/global-missions-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 66:1-4 Shout - [Global Missions Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/12/global-missions-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 24:14 – “And this - [Global Missions Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/11/global-missions-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 24:14 – “And this - [Global Mission Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/10/global-mission-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Scripture Reading Psalm 67:1-2 1 May God - [Global Missions Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/09/global-missions-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Scripture Reading Luke 2:30-32 30 For my - [The Nations - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/08/the-nations-discussion-guide/) - Q1: Aside from the moments you’ve spent reflecting on Brad’s sermon, the devotionals, and getting ready for our group time, if you were to guess how much time you've put into thinking about international missions, what number would come to mind? Be honest. (This isn’t a time to shame anyone, but rather a time to - [Nations (Dec. 8) Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/08/nations-dec-8-sermon-notes/) - Shortly after Jesus’ birth, his parents took him to the temple in Jerusalem, as was the custom of Jews at this time. And while they were there, they were approached by an elderly man named Simeon. When he saw the baby Jesus, he knew something was being fulfilled that the O.T. scriptures had been promising - [Missional Partners Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/06/missional-partners-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 66:1-4 Shout - [Missional Partners Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/05/missional-partners-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm 5:4-6 For you are not a - [Missional Partners Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/04/missional-partners-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 64:1 Hear - [Missional Partners Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/03/missional-partners-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 123:1-4 I - [Missional Partners Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/02/missional-partners-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 122:1-9 I - [Missional Partners - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/01/missional-partners-discussion-guide/) - Discussion Guide 12.1.24 Missional Partners Share with others in the group about some of the experiences you have had serving with our missional partners. You can find a list of our partners here: rivercc.org/about Share with your group how you have personally benefited through serving with our ministry partners. Terry was impacted by an FCA - [Missional Partners - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/12/01/missional-partners-sermon-notes/) - When Frodo set off on his journey to destroy the ring of power he did no set off on his journey alone. He had the fellowship of the ring to labor with him and to help him on his quest. As a church we are the body of Christ. We are one of many local - [Thanksgiving Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/29/thanksgiving-devotional-day-5-2/) - Psalm 104 1 My soul, bless the LORD! LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with majesty and splendor. 2 He wraps himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, 3 laying the beams of his palace on the waters above, making the clouds - [Thanksgiving Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/28/thanksgiving-devotional-day-4-2/) - Psalm 136 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. 4 He alone does great wonders. His faithful love endures forever. 5 He made the heavens skillfully. - [Thanksgiving Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/27/thanksgiving-devotional-day-3-2/) - Psalm 106 1 Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. 2 Who can declare the LORD’s mighty acts or proclaim all the praise due him? 3 How happy are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times. 4 Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people. Come - [Thanksgiving Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/26/thanksgiving-devotional-day-2-2/) - Psalm 145 1 I exalt you, my God the King, and bless your name forever and ever. 2 I will bless you every day; I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation will declare your works to the next - [Thanksgiving Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/25/thanksgiving-devotional-day-1-2/) - The River devotionals for this week will focus on thanksgiving. Each devotional will consist of one Psalm and some thoughts from that Psalm to guide your thanksgiving. Psalms were meant to be heard and not just read silently. If you can, read the Psalm aloud. As you express your thanksgiving, express it audibly rather than - [Communion Service](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/24/john-20/) - Two weeks ago I sat in the back yard with my 6th grade grandson and I told him some stories of God's work in my life. I can give rational evidence for God's existence, even as I can for my wife, Christy's existence...it would be a little silly, since her existence is obvious. I don't - [John 18 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/22/john-18-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 112:1 Praise - [John 18 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/21/john-18-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a pure - [John 18 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/20/john-18-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 50:1 The - [John 18 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/19/john-18-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 139:13-16 For - [John 18 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/18/john-18-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 18:1-3 I - [John 18 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/17/john-18-discussion-guide/) - Q1: Who or what have you found to be impressive in a healthy sense of the word? (High IQ, made a great sacrifice, musical talent, athletic ability, etc.) *Humans are made in God's image and can do amazing things; it is good to recognize this fact. Q2: What does it look like when this becomes - [John 18 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/17/john-18-sermon-notes/) - In 1986 after Michael Jordan scored 63 points in a playoff game, Larry Bird said "That was God disguised as Michael Jordan." So, a grown man wearing a costume made up of colorful shorts and a tank top, on a team named over an animal...a bull. Ran up and down a wooden court, 94 feet - [John 17 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/15/john-17-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 75:1 We - [John 17 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/14/john-17-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 104:1-4 Praise - [John 17 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/13/john-17-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 103:1-5 Praise - [John 17 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/12/john-17-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 42:1-4 As - [John 17 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/11/john-17-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 131:1-3 Lord, - [Week 4: Day 1: Job 1-5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/13/week-2-reading-1-genesis-12-13/) - The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People. Read God's Word: Job 1-5 Act 2: God's Covenant People Scene 1: The People: God Calls a Covenant People Background Information: Job 1-5 This is not a story of cosmic dualism, Satan versus God. God is sovereign, he has - [Discussion Guide John 17](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/10/discussion-guide-john-17/) - Read: John 17 (out loud). As you read, try to remember it is a verbal prayer Jesus prayed in front of his disciples. Discuss these biblical tensions together: -Talk about them in a real world, not a theoretical way. -If you have a current struggle with one of these tensions, briefly use that to form - [John 17 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/10/john-17-sermon-notes/) - In Europe during the High Middle Ages (1000 to 1300AD) theology was said to “queen of the sciences.” When we think science we think of the study of the natural world: biology, chemistry, physics. But at the time, knowledge of the temporal world included theology. Theology was "queen of" or supreme over the other fields - [John 16 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/08/john-16-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 98:1-3 Sing - [John 16 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/07/john-16-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 7:9-17 Let - [John 16 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/06/john-16-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 96:7-13 Ascribe - [John 16 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/05/john-16-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 65:9-13 You - [John 16 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/04/john-16-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 4:6-8 Many - [John 16 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/03/john-16-discussion-guide/) - 11.3.24 John 16 Discussion Guide Read: 1 Peter 1. Q1: What are some practically important things it says to those of us who are concerned about the election this week? What does it tell us about how to handle other things with which we are concerned? Pray: For the election results and for our country. - [John 16 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/03/john-16-sermon-notes/) - Wednesday morning, November 9, 2016, I walked out of lodging on Tyndall AFB in Florida to go to coffee with an chaplain friend. I said, "How you are doing?" He said, "Terrible!" He was clearly distressed..."What happened?" "You don't know?" "Know what?" "Trump won." He said with anger and digust. I had given up the - [John 15:18-27 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/11/01/john-1518-27-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 31 Lord, - [John 15:18-27 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/31/john-1518-27-devotional-day-4/) - you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. - [John 15:18-27 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/30/john-1518-27-devotional-day-3/) - Build your life on the truth of the gospel—make that the settled direction of your life. - [John 15:18-27 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/29/john-1518-27-devotional-day-2/) - Take a moment now and be honest with God and tell Him what's going on in your head right now. Ask Him for wisdom on how you can abide in Him. - [John 15:18-27 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/28/john-1518-27-devotional-day-1/) - Also, thank the Lord for revealing Himself to you and for allowing you to share His name through your words and actions. - [John 15:1-17 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/24/select-john-151-17-devotional-day-4/) - To trust and to love Jesus is to obey him. - [John 15:18-25 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/27/john-1518-25-discussion-guide/) - READ John 15:18-27 aloud in the group. Remind your members of how the passage connects with verses 1-17. 15-18 In a Nutshell: The world hates Christians because of our link with Jesus. We are not a part of the world; we belong to Jesus, so we’re not to be surprised when troubles come our way. - [John 15:18-25 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/27/john-151-17-sermon-notes-2/) - You don’t hear much about Christian persecution in the news. But it’s a real thing; it’s happening today, and the numbers are appalling. I was looking at some statistics on the OpenDoors website. They’re a Christian organization that annually ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face extreme persecution. This year’s report stated that 5,000 - [John 15:1-17 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/25/john-151-17-devotional-day-5/) - Embrace appropriate feelings, but never chase them. To chase feelings is foolish and a diversion from long term faithful obedience. - [John 15:1-17 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/23/john-151-17-devotional-day-3/) - If we chase obedience, we are moving towards Christ. - [John 15:1-17 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/22/john-151-17-devotional-day-2/) - It is essential that we are reading, studying, and talking about God's word to be pruned by it. - [John 15:1-17 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/21/john-151-17-devotional-day-1/) - God uses his word to shape us into the image of his Son so that we will be faithful in all the days of our lives. - [John 14 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/20/john-14-discussion-guide-2/) - We most often focus more on how we feel than on what we know to be true. This discussion guide is designed to help us focus more fully on "faith in God" and not "faith in feelings."- Read John 14 out loud together: Twice Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled" in this passage. - [John 15:1-17 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/20/john-151-17-sermon-notes/) - In the past month I attended a couple of events that gave me opportunity for reflection. I attended a WSU football reunion that included a few former NFL players, all who are now physically very far from their prime...and all largely forgotten. -One well known teammate was honored for his great sports achievements but he - [John 14 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/18/john-14-devotional-day-5/) - Tell your heart to believe what is real, not just what you feel. Train to trust-- it is hard, but good work. - [John 14 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/17/john-14-devotional-day-4/) - Do you want to show your love for God today? Obey him. How should you obey him? The clearest way is to look for how to show people love. - [John 14 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/16/john-14-devotional-day-3/) - To pray in Jesus’ name is to seek glory and to desire his will be done, not our own. - [John 14 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/15/john-14-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 75:1 We - [John 14 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/14/john-14-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 104:1-4 Praise - [John 14 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/13/john-14-discussion-guide/) - -Please follow this discussion guide in order this week- -We most often focus more on how we feel than on what we know to be true. This discussion guide is designed to help us focus more fully on "faith in God" and not "faith in feelings."- Read John 14 out loud together: Twice Jesus - [John 14 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/13/john-14-sermon-notes/) - I read of a couple who moved to a new city four months ago who were telling their neighbors that they were "Climate refugees." They did their research, and they settled on a city that had mild summers, less drought, low wildfire risk, distance from the coast and sea level rise." There were no hurricanes - [John 13:18-38 Devotional Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/11/john-1318-38-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 131 Lord, my - [John 13: 18-38 Devotional Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/10/john-13-18-38-devotional-day-4/) - We must continually trust God to help us, and we must continually give grace to one another as we mess up, fess up, and move on. - [John 13: 18-38 Devotional Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/09/john-13-18-38-devotional-day-3/) - We sing what we want to be true, but what is not always true personally. Our singing is worship done by faith. - [John 13: 18-38 Devotional Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/08/john-13-18-38-devotional-day-2/) - We must train ourselves to trust God that someday all will be made right. - [John 13: 18-38 Devotional Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/07/john-13-18-38-devotional-day-1/) - Without the truth of God's word, the world will be a blur. With the truth of God's word, you will see more clearly that this is God's world. - [John 13: 18-38 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/06/john-13-18-30-sermon-notes/) - Christy's mom lay in a small bed in her apartment in the basement of her sister's house. Blind, in pain and unable to care for herself...she spends her days mostly sleeping, always hurting She was once an elegant lady...an interior designer, immaculate, engaging...an eye for color and beauty...a pianist, a flower gardener......now the world of - [John 13:18-38 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/06/john-1318-38-discussion-guide/) - Read: A key concept for understanding the Bible (and reality itself) is sometimes called the "already/not yet" Kingdom of God. We live between the advents, the first and second coming of Christ. During these "last days," as the Bible calls them, the Kingdom of God is advancing heart by heart through the Spirit-empowered ministry of - [John 13 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/04/john-13-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 94:1-3 The - [John 13 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/03/john-13-devotional-day-4/) - You can, if you have not yet, learn to love Christ in a way that the pursuit of his mind in you can be your great joy. - [John 13 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/02/john-13-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 122:3-5 Jerusalem, - [John 13 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/10/01/john-13-devotional-day-2/) - Have this mind, which is yours in Christ Jesus. What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? - [John 13 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/30/john-13-devotional-day-1/) - We must refuse to be conformed; we must be transformed. - [John 13 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/29/john-131-17-sermon-notes/) - Yesterday I spoke to some college students at the fall retreat at a breakout session entitled, "How to live in the victory of Christ when my mental health feels out of control." Originally I was asked to speak to the topic of "How to live in the victory of Christ when my mental health is - [John 13 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/29/john-13-discussion-guide/) - DG John 13 1. If I believe I have agency (the ability to take action), then I have hope. If I have hope, I am more likely to act. If I take consistent action, then I will experience change. -People often feel hopeless because they believe their choices won't matter. -People often don't experience change - [John 12:44-50 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/27/john-1244-50-devotional-day-5/) - Keep walking in the freedom and blessing of the light. Do not give up. - [John 12:44-50 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/26/john-1244-50-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm 26:1-3 Vindicate me, Lord, for I - [John 12:44-50 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/25/john-1244-50-devotional-day-3/) - When we think about God’s judgement, we should bewail our own sins and thank God for his grace and mercy toward us. - [John 12:44-50 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/24/john-1244-50-devotional-day-2/) - We live in between the advents. Now, today, is a time for repentance and belief. - [John 12:44-50 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/23/john-1244-50-devotional-day-1/) - He was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. In what ways do you need to surrender to his lordship today? - [John 12:44-50 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/22/john-1244-50-discussion-guide/) - 9.22.24 Discussion Guide Read: John 12:44–50 Q1: In verse 45, Jesus says “whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” Clearly, the Bible affirms that Jesus is God. Think about your co-workers or perhaps unbelieving friends or family members. Why do you think people are content with thinking about Jesus as a “good moral teacher?” - [John 12:44-50 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/22/john-1244-50-sermon-notes/) - George Washington’s Farewell Address was published in American newspapers in 1796 at the end of his second term. Historians talk about the significance of this address as Washington called for national unity and warned about political factions, domestic troubles, and foreign entanglements. Sounds familiar. The most important aspect of his farewell address is how he - [John 12:20-36 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/20/john-1220-36-devotional-day-5/) - You are forgiven, cleansed, and adopted in Christ. This is the truth of who you are. Believe this, and walk in newness of life. - [John 12:20-36 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/19/john-1220-36-devotional-day-4/) - At the cross, we receive forgiveness for our past, present, and future sins. - [John 12:20-36 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/18/john-1220-36-devotional-day-3/) - Cling to Jesus, and humbly pray with him, “Father, glorify your name.” - [John 12:20-36 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/17/john-1220-36-devotional-day-2/) - How can you reflect on Scripture to remind yourself of what is true in moments of deep distress? - [John 12:20-36 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/16/john-1220-36-devotional-day-1/) - How does reflecting on Jesus as fully human help you connect with him as your savior? - [John 12:27 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/15/john-1227-discussion-guide/) - 9.15.24 John 12 Read: John 12:20–36 Optional theological reflection on Christ: To be biblically faithful, we must affirm Jesus was fully God and fully human. This isn’t simply pie-in-the-sky theology that has no bearing on our lives. Why did Jesus have to be fully human? Jesus had to be fully human so he could act - [John 12:27 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/15/john-1227-sermon-notes/) - My daughter was born last month in August. In those first few weeks when Elizabeth was nursing, she did what any good wife of a Baptist preacher would do–– watched all the Harry Potter movies. At the beginning of the movies, the WB logo appears floating in the clouds; famously as the movies progress from - [John 11 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/13/john-11-devotional-day-5/) - We will only become more like Jesus as we approach sin, death, and unbelief as he did. He wept. - [John 11 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/12/john-11-devotional-day-4/) - Do not attempt to save your life for yourself; you cannot do it. Do not waste it, but spend it in faithful service. - [John 11 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/11/john-11-devotional-day-3/) - "Our light and momentary troubles," Paul wrote, "Are achieving an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all." - [John 11 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/10/john-11-devotional-day-2/) - We can have the kind of intimacy with God that all of us, in our hearts, long for. - [John 11 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/09/john-11-devotional-day-1/) - Reflect on the gospel, not just politics and war and all the things that shape us into fearful, unbelieving people. - [John 11 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/08/john-11-sermon-notes/) - Not everyone is afraid of death -Some are more afraid of life, as it is, than death as they perceive it to be I say that because I've used the fact that most people have a fear of death in evangelism before, and I've had people tell me..."I'm not afraid of death...when you’re dead, you’re - [John 11 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/08/john-11-discussion-guide/) - Read: John 11 Q1: Are you afraid of death, why or why not? Does having faith that will triumph over death keep you from fear of the dying process or of losing those you love? How does a sure faith change how we think about and approach death as compared to those who do not - [John 10:22-42 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/06/john-1022-42-devotional-day-5/) - We need everyday help from one another to walk in everyday faithfulness with Jesus. - [John 10:22-42 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/05/john-1022-42-devotional-day-4/) - If we are not spending daily time in God's word and in prayer, then we are not going to grow in our relationship with Christ. - [John 10:22-42 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/04/john-1022-42-devotional-day-3/) - Do not let your own sin rob you of your confidence in Christ. - [John 10:22-42 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/03/john-1022-42-devotional-day-2/) - Jesus said that no one can snatch those who are his from out of his hand. - [John 10:22-42 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/02/john-1022-42-devotional-day-1/) - Are you trusting Christ alone for your salvation? Then live with the productive confidence in your salvation that Christ has promised. - [John 10:22-42 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/01/john-1022-42-sermon-notes/) - In the fall of 1977 I was a freshman at WSU, and I was miserable. -I felt like I was failing at everything. -I was struggling in the classroom and getting pummeled on the football field...I had a concussion and a couple of broken bones and that was from practice, because I was on the - [John 10:22-42 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/09/01/john-1022-42-discussion-guide/) - Q1: In what ways did your parent(s) make it easier or more difficult for you to comprehend the love of God? (This could be tough for some people, so you are not obligated to share, but it could help others understand you better if they heard this part of your story) Q2: Why is false - [John 10:1-21 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/30/john-101-21-devotional-day-5/) - Train for godliness. Train to live in this life without lack with the Good Shepherd. - [John 10:1-21 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/29/john-101-21-devotional-day-4/) - What Jesus has said to you must be believed completely and absolutely. - [John 10:1-21 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/28/john-101-21-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 118 1 - [John 10:1-21 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/27/john-101-21-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 27:5-6 For - [John 10:1-21 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/26/john-101-21-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 116:12-14 How - [John 10:1-21 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/25/john-101-21-sermon-notes/) - Psalm 23 A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the - [John 9 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/23/john-9-devotional-day-5/) - We are not strong, smart, or good, but we worship a Savior who is all of those things. - [John 9 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/22/john-9-devotional-day-4/) - There has never been anyone like Jesus in human history. No one wiser, kinder, or more powerful. - [John 9 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/21/john-9-devotional-day-3/) - We are being changed by his Spirit, and after physical death we will be finally changed into the image of Christ. - [John 9 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/20/john-9-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 80:1-7 Listen, - [John 9 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/19/john-9-devotional-day-1/) - Worship God as the eternal, creator God that he is. If that blows your mind, all the better. - [John 9 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/18/john-91-41-sermon-notes/) - John 9 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, and when he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”, 36 “Who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?” he asked. 37 Jesus answered, “You have seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 “I believe, - [John 8:31-58 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/16/john-831-58-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 16:7-11 I - [John 8:31-58 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/15/john-831-58-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 75:1 We - [John 8:31-58 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/14/john-831-58-devotional-day-3/) - As we train for godliness and become like the Lord Jesus, we can more and more "do what we want" because more and more we will want what God wants. - [John 8:31-58 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/13/john-831-58-devotional-day-2/) - The truth is the gospel, the good news of Jesus. The freedom is from sin, death, and separation from God - [John 8:31-58 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/12/john-831-58-devotional-day-1/) - Paul wrote, "I have learned to be content in every circumstance, whether living in plenty or want. - [Sermon Notes - John 8:31-58](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/11/sermon-notes-john-831-58/) - In an AP article last week, a political strategist argued that Trump needs to respond to the message that Harris was building, around protecting Americans’ freedoms — he wrote that she was taking ownership of a word that Republicans often try to make a centerpiece of their campaigns. To that point, Harris's campaign walk off - [John 8:12-30 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/09/john-812-30-devotional-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 39:7-11 “But - [John 8:12-30 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/08/john-812-30-devotional-day-4/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 38:1-4 1 - [John 8:12-30 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/07/john-812-30-devotional-day-3/) - Jesus spilled his blood for our sin, how can we not give full energy and effort to no longer live in our sin? - [John 8:12-30 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/06/john-812-30-devotional-day-2/) - He is drawing people to himself, to the light of his life. Will you see where he is at work in their lives and join him? - [John 8:12-30 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/05/john-812-30-devotional-day-1/) - The light of his life is real life. We are transformed now and forever. - [Sermon Notes - John 8:12-30](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/04/sermon-notes-john-812-30/) - Claire McKeever in her book, "Blessed are the Women" talks about being negatively impacted by the "purity movement" of the 1990's. She says that she is still a Christian but disagrees with what she learned in the movement. She says that it left her without tools for her dating relationships and made her feel disconnected - [Haggai 2:20-23 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/02/haggai-220-23-devotional-day-5/) - How would you answer this question about Jesus: “Is He safe?” - [Haggai 2:20-23 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/08/01/haggai-220-23-devotional-day-4/) - He will make all things new and we will be with Him fully, finally, and forever. We can trust Him to punish all pain and evil in a righteous way. - [Haggai 2:20-23 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/31/haggai-220-23-devotional-day-3/) - Pray that the King would break your heart for the peoples of the earth - [Haggai 2:20-23 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/30/haggai-220-23-devotional-day-2/) - Humble yourself. Submit to the King. Worship Him. - [Haggai 2:20-23 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/29/haggai-220-23-devotional-day-1/) - “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.” - [Haggai 2:20-23 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/28/haggai-220-23-sermon-notes/) - One of many joys of being parents, for my wife and I, has been reading to our kids - My six-year-old and I just finished reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis for second time - He’s read through whole Narnia series once with my wife, now I’m taking him back - [Haggai 2:10-19 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/26/haggai-210-19-devotional-day-5/) - Ask the Spirit to prompt you to acts of obedience today. Ask Him to help you see obedience as a means of blessing. - [Haggai 2:10-19 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/25/haggai-210-19-devotional-day-4/) - Approach Jesus with confidence today. - [Haggai 2:10-19 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/24/haggai-210-19-devotional-day-3/) - Jesus is the New and Better Sin Offering by which, if you touch it, you can be made holy. - [Haggai 2:10-19 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/23/haggai-210-19-devotional-day-2/) - “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor” (Prov. 21:21) - [Haggai 2:10-19 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/22/haggai-210-19-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 22:21-24 But - [Haggai 2:10-19 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/21/haggai-210-19-sermon-notes/) - Every year, when my wife and I renew our foster care license, we have to take an online class called “Universal Precautions” which is basically a compilation of common sense parenting advice that State has to make foster parents watch because of liability issues - Advice like: “Don’t give children guns” and “Keep your prescription - [Haggai 2:1-9 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/19/haggai-21-9-devotional-day-5/) - If you are familiar with the common “locks” in your life, have you identified New Testament promises that can be trusted as keys to unlock those “locks” consistently? - [Haggai 2:1-9 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/18/haggai-21-9-devotional-day-4/) - Thank God for the foretaste of salvation He has given you. Trust Him with the benefits of your salvation that remain hidden and unattainable in this life. - [Haggai 2:1-9 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/17/haggai-21-9-devotional-day-3/) - Christ commands us, as Christians, to be strong, to work, and to fear not. - [Haggai 2:1-9 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/16/haggai-21-9-devotional-day-2/) - God’s issues three promises in this passage: I am with you, my Spirit remains in your midst, and then a promise of future redemption. - [Haggai 2:1-9 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/15/haggai-21-9-devotional-day-1/) - Lament is a biblical and healthy form of expressing yourself to God. Healing, hope, and faith in your life may start with a lament. - [Haggai 2:1-9 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/14/15380/) - Late in 17th century, Puritan John Bunyan wrote an allegory of the Christian life called The Pilgrim’s Progress - Book was wildly successful - Sold 100,000 copies in first 10 years - It was translated into some 200 languages and, at one point in time, was second only to Bible in minds of many Christians - [Haggai 1:1-15 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/12/haggai-11-15-devotional-day-5/) - The church is an earthly extension of the New and Better Temple, with Christ as the Heavenly Cornerstone. - [Haggai 1:1-15 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/11/haggai-11-15-devotional-day-4/) - The church is the place, God help us, where heaven meets earth. We are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. - [Haggai 1:1-15 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/10/haggai-11-15-devotional-day-3/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 70:1-5 God, - [Haggai 1:1-15 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/07/haggai-11-15-sermon-notes/) - I started running competitively in 7th grade and quickly discovered that I had some natural ability - I cannot venture to count number of miles I ran over next eight years, number of races I competed in, or number of medals I won - Ultimately, that’s not what’s most significant about this story What is - [Haggai 1:1-15 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/09/haggai-11-15-devotional-day-2/) - It is true for us today that God may, in an act of merciful judgment, blow away the vain pursuits of this life to show us our spiritual barrenness. - [Haggai 1:1-15 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/08/haggai-11-15-devotional-day-1/) - Remember that it is God’s mercy to show us our sin so that we might turn to Him - the Giver of Life. - [John 7:53-8:11 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/05/john-753-811-devotional-day-5/) - Hallelujah! Thank God for the forgiveness and grace that flow from the foundation of his justice. - [John 7:53-8:11 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/04/john-753-811-devotional-day-4/) - You don’t go to war in your own strength but rather empowered by the Spirit. How can you live walking in step with the Spirit? - [John 7:53-8:11 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/03/john-753-811-devotional-day-3/) - Just as Jesus did with the woman, so he does with us. He shows us grace and simultaneously challenges us to grow and change. - [John 7:53-8:11 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/02/john-753-811-devotional-day-2/) - We desperately need God’s Word because God’s Word brings life. - [John 7:53-8:11 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/07/01/john-753-811-devotional-day-1/) - The Bible is totally true and trustworthy. God is there and God has spoken. - [John 7:53-8:11 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/30/john-753-811-sermon-notes/) - The last time I preached, I mentioned my love for footnotes, so in God’s providence, it’s fitting that today I am going to preach an entire sermon on a footnote. The text today is the well-known story with Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery. It begins in 7:53 and goes through 8:11. Let - [John 7:25–52 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/28/john-725-52-devotional-day-5/) - He is Lord, or he is not. We will follow him, or we will not. - [John 7:25–52 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/27/john-725-52-devotional-day-4/) - "The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him." - [John 7:25–52 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/26/john-725-52-devotional-day-3/) - We can live with supreme confidence that the purposes of God will be seen in our lives and ultimately in our death. - [John 7:25–52 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/25/john-725-52-devotional-day-2/) - John has written his gospel, and God has given it to us so we would believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that by believing we would have life in his name. - [John 7:25–52 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/24/john-725-52-devotional-day-1/) - Many today operate with confident ignorance in regard to the gospel. - [John 7:25–52 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/23/john-725-52-sermon-notes/) - In the early 2000s, four men, called the "new atheists" became fairly well known on the speaking and writing circuits. They were, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Chris Hitchens and Daniel Dennet. Dennet and Hitchens are no longer atheists, because they have both died. These four men capitalized on the terror attack on 9.11.2001 to paint - [John 7:1-24 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/21/john-71-24-devotional-day-5/) - The test of a true seeker is whether they are addicted to seeking or whether they actually want to discover truth or not. - [John 7:1-24 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/20/john-71-24-devotional-day-4/) - Jesus was not using faulty reasoning when he gave this ultimate case of an appeal to authority. His teaching did come from his Father. - [John 7:1-24 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/19/john-71-24-devotional-day-3/) - Out of those billions of people there has been just one person who was exceptionally wise and good who claimed to be God. His name is Jesus. - [John 7:1-24 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/18/john-71-24-devotional-day-2/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 78:1-4 My - [John 7:1-24 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/17/john-71-24-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 147:1-6 Hallelujah! - [John 7:1-24 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/16/john-71-24-sermon-notes/) - Israel had 7 main celebrations, three of which were annual pilgrimage feasts that took place in Jerusalem. These celebrations were mandated in Leviticus 23. The big three feasts were: Passover, celebrated in March/April on our calendars. There were actually two feasts—Passover, followed by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread—its purpose was to remember, for all - [John 6:60-71 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/14/john-660-71-devotional-day-5/) - God is sovereign, and unless he granted salvation to us, we would not be saved. - [John 6:60-71 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/13/john-660-71-devotional-day-4/) - "Lord, where else can I go? You have the words of eternal life. I repent of all demanding and submit fully to you." - [John 6:60-71 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/12/john-660-71-devotional-day-3/) - Give thanks to God for his saving and keeping grace. Let worship overpower worry in your life. - [John 6:60-71 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/11/john-660-71-devotional-day-2/) - If you are born again, give thanks to God for the work he has done to save you. - [John 6:60-71 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/10/john-660-71-devotional-day-1/) - Physical bodies will all someday come to and end. Nations will all someday come to an end. The one who does the will of God will live forever. - [John 6:60-71 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/09/john-660-71-sermon-notes/) - When Franklin Roosevelt was married to Elanor, her uncle, President Teddy Roosevelt attended the wedding in NY. At the reception...for Franklin and his new bride, the President talked nonstop for an hour and half...he made the event about himself. The newlyweds were largely forgotten at their own wedding. Teddy's oldest daughter, who had little respect - [John 6:1-58 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/07/john-61-58-devotional-day-5/) - Worship is the cure for the folly of pride. Pride makes us stupid; worship makes us wise. - [John 6:1-58 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/06/john-61-58-devotional-day-4/) - We do not know how God can be fully sovereign and yet we can have freedom, but the two realities do not contradict each other. They are not enemies; they are compatible. - [John 6:1-58 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/05/john-61-58-devotional-day-3/) - Jesus promised to quench the one essential thirst. We thirst for relationship with God. Our greatest need is redemption. That need has been met in Christ. - [John 6:1-58 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/04/john-61-58-devotional-day-2/) - We must be people who are continually grateful for what he has already done; this is essential. Give thanks now for your salvation. - [John 6:1-58 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/03/john-61-58-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 33:6-9 The - [John 6:1-58 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/06/02/john-61-58-sermon-notes/) - The Sun's diameter is 865,000 miles. That's almost four times the distance from the earth to the moon. These numbers defy my imagination. I've stood before the Grand Canyon, tall mountains, and the seemingly endless ocean and my senses are overwhelmed by the scope of our tiny planet. But how can we comprehend this kind - [2 Timothy 3:16-17 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/31/2-timothy-316-17-devotional-day-5/) - Ask the Holy Spirit to increase your desire for God’s Word. Ask Him to reveal any barriers—sins—that are keeping you from His Word. - [2 Timothy 3:16-17 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/30/2-timothy-316-17-devotional-day-4/) - Be willing to put in the effort to align your beliefs and behaviors, especially when it comes to God’s Word. - [2 Timothy 3:16-17 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/29/2-timothy-316-17-devotional-day-3/) - The Bible is a gift from God, containing His words for us. It has God as its author, salvation as its purpose, and truth as its content, free from any errors. - [2 Timothy 3:16-17 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/28/2-timothy-316-17-devotional-day-2/) - Thank God for speaking to us, for giving us His word as a guide and a light to navigate life. - [2 Timothy 3:16-17 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/27/2-timothy-316-17-devotional-day-1/) - God has given us all we need to know in his word. Trust him to lead and speak to you. - [2 Timothy 3:16–17 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/26/2-timothy-316-17-sermon-notes/) - I'm not a big fan of podcasts, but there are a few that I really like listening to, like "One Minute with the Bible.” It's a series of short episodes with scripture passages organized around a theme. Each episode is just over a minute long. But here is one thing you need to know about - [2 Timothy 3:16–17 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/26/2-timothy-316-17-discussion-guide/) - Read: 2 Tim 3:1-5; 14-17 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers - [John 5 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/24/john-5-devotional-day-5/) - Believe me, no evidence will surface at any time that will prove to be the undoing of the gospel. You do not have to wonder if it is true, it is. You do have to decide whether you will live decided or deciding. - [John 5 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/23/john-5-devotional-day-4/) - God help us. Listen to the words of Jesus in this passage and tell your own heart, "worship him, there is truly no one like the Lord!" - [John 5 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/22/john-5-devotional-day-3/) - The Scriptures pointed to a person, Jesus. They pointed to a relationship with this person. Many then, and many now, become experts in the Scriptures without enjoying relationship with Jesus. - [John 5 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/21/john-5-devotional-day-2/) - This same Jesus can be taken at his word that the dead in him will someday be told to "get up" and we will get up into resurrected bodies. We must not doubt that he has the power to do this. - [John 5 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/20/john-5-devotional-day-1/) - We want relief from suffering. We want the best physical life possible now. Some, according to God's plan, have more and some have less physical health than others. - [John 5:1–47 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/19/john-51-40-discussion-guide/) - Discussion Guide John 5 Read: (Let everyone know that after you read this chapter out loud you will ask them each to give one point that stands out to them, or one question they have about the text). After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 By the Sheep - [John 5:1–47 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/19/john-51-40-sermon-notes/) - Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment about quantum (very small) physics. It was meant to show how it is absurd to try and apply quantum theories to larger objects, like a cat. But in just the past few months, I've seen two different shows that mention Schrodinger’s cat and they use it (out of context) - [John 4:31-54 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/17/john-431-54-devotional-day-5/) - Whatever your day holds, it is a gift from God. Spend it, do not waste it. - [John 4:31-54 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/16/john-431-54-devotional-day-4/) - Truth is a beautiful thing, even when it is hard. We never want to embrace illusion, even when, or especially when it simply makes us "feel" better in the moment. - [John 4:31-54 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/15/john-431-54-devotional-day-3/) - So, tell your story of coming to faith in Christ as often as you can, but do not fail to tell them of Christ crucified and risen from the dead. - [John 4:31-54 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/14/john-431-54-devotional-day-2/) - Take care of your things, but never let things rule over you. See the world as Jesus did. Live in the world as Jesus did. - [John 4:31-54 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/13/john-431-54-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day For as high - [John 4:31-54 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/12/john-431-54-sermon-notes/) - This verse concisely describes what we see in the world and in our own hearts and lives: “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Jeremiah 2:13 Last week we looked at Jesus' encounter with the - [John 4:31-54 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/12/john-431-54-discussion-guide/) - Read: John 4 27 Just then his disciples arrived, and they were amazed that he was talking with a woman. Yet no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me - [John 4:1-30 Devotional – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/10/john-41-30-devotional-day-5/) - What has God been trying to tell you about your life, but you have been distracted away from hearing him? - [John 4:1-30 Devotional – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/09/john-41-30-devotional-day-4/) - Jesus alone has the living water that everyone needs. It is a great kindness when we help people understand this fact. - [John 4:1-30 Devotional – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/08/john-41-30-devotional-day-3/) - Ask him now, "Jesus, would you give me a drink? Would you refresh me anew with living water?" He will answer "Yes, I will." - [John 4:1-30 Devotional – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/07/john-41-30-devotional-day-2/) - Slow Down. Sit down. Live with purpose. Give your life away. Be like Jesus. - [John 4:1-30 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/06/john-41-30-devotional-day-1/) - I can be like Jesus even when I am worn out and have to sit down. Slow down. Sit down. Be like Jesus. - [John 4:1-30 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/05/john-41-26-sermon-notes/) - A single verse in Scripture best describes what we see when we look around in the world, and very often what we see when we look in the mirror...is Jeremiah 2:13 My people have committed two sins: "They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that - [John 4:1-30 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/05/john-41-26-discussion-guide/) - Discussion Guide Read: John 4:1-30 Q1: How does Jeremiah 2:13 describe what is happening in this story. My people have committed two sins: "They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." -Jeremiah 2:13 Q2: How have you (in the past or - [John 3:22-36 Devo - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/03/john-322-36-devo-day-5/) - Jesus is the eternal Son sent from the Father, who fully has the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son. - [John 3:22-36 Devo - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/02/john-322-36-devo-day-4/) - The one whom God sent (Jesus), utters the words of God. Therefore, when Jesus speaks, he speaks as God and with authority. - [John 3:22-36 Devo - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/05/01/john-322-36-devo-day-3/) - God will often use his Word and/or people to correct our own “stinking thinking.” Have you experienced this? - [John 3:22-36 Devo - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/30/john-322-36-devo-day-2/) - Reflect on God’s providence in your own life. How has God shown his goodness to you? - [John 3:22-36 Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/29/john-322-36-devo-day-1/) - “He must increase, but I must decrease” was much more than merely a slogan for John the Baptist. - [Sermon Notes - John 3:22-36](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/28/sermon-notes-john-322-36/) - George Eldon Ladd was a very influential theologian in the 20th Century, particularly within evangelicalism. He was a professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary where he taught for 30 years. Many of you, perhaps, may never have heard of his name, but you’re familiar with his theology. At River, we’ve often talked about - [Discussion Guide John 3:22-36](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/28/discussion-guide-john-322-36/) - Compare and contrast the following two statements: “I did it! I did it!” “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” The first statement comes from an influential New Testament scholar who boasted in his own achievements/respectability. The second statement is from John the Baptist, who took joy in making much of Christ. Which statement - [John 3:1-21 Devo - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/26/john-31-21-devo-day-5/) - We ourselves are to continually respond to God's invitation to believe. As we do, he changes us. - [John 3:1-21 Devo - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/25/john-31-21-devo-day-4/) - Give thanks to God that you can hold a Bible in your hand and read the story of God's mission of love spread out through the ages. - [John 3:1-21 Devo - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/24/john-31-21-devo-day-3/) - The problem is sin. The solution requires admitting this up front and then accessing the only solution for sin: Jesus. - [John 3:1-21 Devo - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/23/john-31-21-devo-day-2/) - We don't see the devastating extent of sin's impact on our lives. That impact is total. We don't need a remodel; we need new birth. All of us do. - [John 3:1-21 Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/22/john-31-21-devo-day-1/) - We do believe the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. We also can become easily sidetracked or diverted from what matters the most. - [John 3:1–21 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/21/discussion-guide-2/) - Read: John 3:1-21 Q1: When you became a Christian, you were born again. The change may not have been immediately noticeable or it may have been dramatic. What is true is that your life trajectory was changed. How has the gospel changed your life? Where might you be now had Jesus not saved you? Q2: - [Sermon Notes – John 3:1–21](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/21/sermon-notes-john-31-21/) - Robert Lang gave his life to Christ in 1979, 45 years ago...he is a good friend who lives in Chicago. It's not a long time in human history, but a long time none the less...to see that something substantial happened all those years ago. We met at WSU in 1978...at first we were sort of - [John 2:13-25 Devo - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/19/john-213-25-devo-day-5/) - Oh God, help us be consumed with zeal for your honor. Please. - [John 2:13-25 Devo - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/18/john-213-25-devo-day-4/) - God has the right to demand that we show him a sign. The sign of a heart that is fully and faithfully his. - [John 2:13-25 Devo - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/17/john-213-25-devo-day-3/) - We should find comfort that nothing can thwart the will of God; he is in control. - [John 2:13-25 Devo - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/16/john-213-25-devo-day-2/) - Everyone who encountered Jesus was struck by his authority. - [John 2:13-25 Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/15/john-213-25-devo-day-1/) - Today we will read and remember the truth that Jesus is the Passover Lamb who was slain for our salvation. - [John 2:13-25 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/14/john-213-25-sermon-notes/) - On occasion people ask me my thoughts on political/cultural issues and I sometimes tell them. I say sometimes...but It's not that I don't have opinions...like most of you, I have opinions on almost everything...even things I probably shouldn't have opinions on. It's not that I am afraid of being controversial...I'm not...I probably should be less - [John 2:13-25 - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/14/john-213-25-discussion-guide/) - John 2:13-25 Discussion Guide Q1: What is an appropriate amount of time to spend reading about, thinking about, and talking about current political/cultural issues? What is an appropriate manner in which to do these things? Why? (This is pure opinion, so all I am asking for is your opinion) Q2: How could Ephesians 4:29 - [John 2:1-12 Devo – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/12/john-21-12-devo-day-5/) - Be still, ask God to reveal any area of sin or anything that you have withheld from him. Now, if you are willing, repent and relinquish control to him. - [John 2:1-12 Devo – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/11/john-21-12-devo-day-4/) - Why doesn't God answer all your prayers in the way you would like him too? Do you have a biblical theology of unanswered prayer? - [John 2:1-12 Devo – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/10/john-21-12-devo-day-3/) - The only instruction recorded in the Bible from Mary, the mother of Jesus, is "Do whatever he tells you." This is very good advice. - [John 2:1-12 Devo – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/09/john-21-12-devo-day-2/) - Start with a conviction that this is the Word of the Lord. Then have a heart that is ready to hear and respond to God's word. - [John 2:1-12 Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/08/john-21-12-devo-day-1/) - We must see the goodness and the glory of the Lord in every aspect of our lives. - [John 2:1-12 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/07/john-21-12-sermon-notes/) - A good friend's son died two weeks ago. I received a text from him asking if we could talk...so as soon as I could, of course I called him. His wife, also a close friend, answered his phone for him and said that he was taking out the trash..."even in these times", she said, the - [John 2:1-12 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/07/john-21-12-discussion-guide/) - Read: On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this - [Easter 2024 Devo - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/05/easter-2024-devo-day-5/) - Jesus has won a final victory over sin and death by his sinless life and resurrection from the dead. Sin has lost its power. - [Easter 2024 Devo - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/04/easter-2024-devo-day-4/) - As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. - [Easter 2024 Devo - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/03/easter-2024-devo-day-3/) - Be known as the person who most readily had the good news of Jesus on their mind and tongue. - [Easter 2024 Devo - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/02/easter-2024-devo-day-2/) - To walk in the Spirit means most importantly to walk in obedience to Jesus. As we live in the realm of God's desires and design for our lives, we walk in the realm of the Spirit's power in our lives. - [Easter 2024 Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/04/01/easter-2024-devo-day-1/) - Your life is worth celebrating because God has made you. You do not have to earn his favor through your efforts. - [Easter 2024 – Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/31/easter-2024-sermon-notes/) - Several years ago, my dad gave me an envelope with instructions for his funeral, on the outside he had written..."Don't open until I am very ill or gone." I opened it that day...I didn't want to commit to something I had not seen, I wanted to discuss it with him ahead of time. "You will - [Easter 2024 – Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/31/easter-2024-discussion-guide/) - Q1: What is the hardest funeral you have ever attended? Why? Q2: What is the most encouraging funeral you have ever attended? Why Q3: Do you think much about your own death? Why or why not? Q4: How does thinking of your own death make you feel, or act? Q5: Psalm 90:12 gives biblical precedent - [Psalm Sunday Devo - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/29/psalm-sunday-devo-day-5/) - He has truly given us everything we need for life and godliness. Look to him to be your provider. - [Palm Sunday Devo - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/28/palm-sunday-devo-day-4/) - He is good and gracious. How do you need to be vulnerable before Jesus? - [Palm Sunday Devo - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/27/palm-sunday-devo-day-3/) - Pray that you would have a broken heart for the lost, opportunities to share about Jesus’ work, and boldness to share. - [Palm Sunday Devo - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/26/palm-sunday-devo-day-2/) - Ask him to give you compassion for those around you who are blind to their sin. - [Palm Sunday Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/25/palm-sunday-devo-day-1/) - Live under his authority and enjoy the safety and protection that he provides. - [Palm Sunday Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/24/palm-sunday-sermon-notes/) - Through the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) you can quickly manipulate photos and create voice-recordings that sound like the voice of a famous or influential person. I read an article about a financial worker who wired $25 million dollars to who they thought was the CEO of the company because they thought they were on - [Next Generation Week 3 – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/22/next-generation-week-3-day-5/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 52 1 - [Next Generation Week 3 – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/21/next-generation-week-3-day-4/) - Keep reading, keep learning, keep understanding, and over time God's word will more fully shape how you move through life. - [Next Generation Week 3 – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/20/next-generation-week-3-day-3/) - Tell God you are ready to obey, now ask him for wisdom as to what it means for you to love him fully. - [Next Generation Week 3 – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/19/next-generation-week-3-day-2/) - Fear Him. Be in awe of Him. Worship Him. The Lord our God, the Lord is one. - [Next Generation Week 3 – Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/18/next-generation-week-3-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 18:4-6 The - [Faithfulness with the Next Generation 3 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/17/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-3-sermon-notes/) - We moved to Wichita in 1969, when I was 11. A couple of months after we moved here, Woodstock, took place in New York State...drawing almost half a million people to a farmers field for a music festival...it spotlighted the generational differences of the time. The spring after we moved here, the tragic Kent State - [Faithfulness with the Next Generation 3 - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/17/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-3-discussion-guide/) - Opening challenge: (Optional, for fun and to get you thinking "generationally") Match these names for the generations with their birth dates. *Extra Credit—Give a cultural distinction or key historical event for the generations. **Extra, Extra Credit—Name a song from each generation Greatest Generation Early-2010s-Mid-2020s Silent Generation 1981-1996 Baby Boomers 1901-1927 Millennials/Generation Y 1965-1980 - [Next Generation Week 2 – Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/15/next-generation-week-2-day-5/) - Pray for wisdom using wisdom. "God, the answer is 'yes' I will do what you want, now please help me know what it is you want." - [Next Generation Week 2 – Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/14/next-generation-week-2-day-4/) - Recognize what wind blows in your life and learn to lean into it. Whatever part of you does not look like Jesus, you can change there. Do not lose heart or hope. - [Next Generation Week 2 – Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/13/next-generation-week-2-day-3/) - Do not accept status quo in your life. Your capacity for Christlikeness is not a fixed factor. - [Next Generation Week 2 – Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/12/next-generation-week-2-day-2/) - You do not have to become an expert in theology, but you must make sure that the ideas you actual have about God are accurate. - [Next Generation Week 2 - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/11/next-generation-week-2-day-1/) - We must have the courage to act on what we know. God help us have wisdom; God give us courage. - [Faithfulness with the Next Generation 2 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/10/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-sermon-notes/) - Bernard Howard, asked in a Gospel Coalition article whether "Gentle Parenting" is biblical. Of course, gentleness, a fruit of the Spirit, is biblical...but he was addressing a parenting philosophy. This philosophy is driven by a wave of Instagram parenting "experts" and podcast gurus. I say that tongue in cheek...you can listen to last week's message - [Faithfulness with the Next Generation 2 - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/10/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-2-discussion-guide/) - The background for 1 Chronicles 12 is that King Saul had rebelled against God and had taken his own life. David, God's chosen King was now gathering support from the many tribes throughout the land. The list in this chapter describes some of these who became loyal to David. As you read the chapter you - [Next Generation Devo - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/08/next-generation-devo-day-5-2/) - How does God want you to bless the next generation? - [Next Generation Devo - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/07/next-generation-devo-day-4-2/) - If you become weary or lose heart...cry out to God, rouse yourself and tell your own soul what it must do. - [Faithfulness with the Next Generation 1 - Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/03/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-1-sermon-notes/) - My friend was a pastor, an engaged father and husband and follower of Christ. His son was a normal kid who went through a spell of rebellion in his teens. One night the son snuck out (as I also did as a teen)...joined up with a friend, that friend went into a convenience store and - [Next Generation Devo - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/06/next-generation-devo-day-3-2/) - Surrender again today to the God who was, and is, and is to come. He is the creator and rightly ruler of all things. - [Next Generation Devo - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/05/next-generation-devo-day-2-2/) - What we can do and what we must do is fix our hearts and minds on faithfulness. - [Next Generation Devo - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/04/next-generation-devo-day-1-2/) - There is no room for us to be passive and overly relaxed. We should not fret and worry, but we must step up! - [Faithfulness with the Next Generation - Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/03/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-discussion-guide/) - 3.1.24 Discussion Guide Determinism is the idea that what we believe to be a choice is an illusion. The outcomes of our lives are fixed by factors mostly or completely outside of our control. The Bible presents God as fully sovereign and humans as being fully responsible/choosing beings. There is a mystery in how this - [Exodus 34:5-8 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/03/01/exodus-345-8-devotional-day-5/) - Are you worshiping God according to your own terms or are you worshiping him as he has revealed himself? - [Exodus 34:5-8 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/29/exodus-345-8-devotional-day-4/) - At the cross, we see God display his justice alongside his mercy and grace. - [Exodus 34:5-8 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/28/exodus-345-8-devotional-day-3/) - God wants to see us turn from our sin and turn toward him and trust him. Thank God he is so patient with us! - [Exodus 34:5-8 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/27/exodus-345-8-devotional-day-2/) - Praise and thank God for who he is––a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth. - [Exodus 34:5-8 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/26/exodus-345-8-devotional-day-1/) - The one true and living God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth. - [Exodus 34:5-8 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/25/exodus-345-8-discussion-guide/) - Exodus 34:5–8 Discussion Guide Discuss (option 1): We have likely encountered popular misconceptions about God suggesting that the God of the Old Testament is mean, angry, and full of violence whereas the God of the New Testament (Jesus) is loving, gracious, and nice. We should not be dismissive of the fact that there are some - [Exodus 34:5-8 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/25/exodus-345-8-sermon-notes/) - This morning we’re going to take a one-week break from the Gospel of John and look at a passage in Exodus. Exodus 34:5–8. This is one of the most important passages in the entire OT, indeed in the entire Bible. This is a foundational passage that reveals who God is. It reveals God’s nature and - [John 1:19-51 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/23/john-119-51-devotional-day-5/) - Keep coming to God's word and to God in prayer. - [John 1:19-51 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/22/john-119-51-devotional-day-4/) - You exist to know and love God, and to make his love known to others. - [John 1:19-51 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/19/john-119-50-devotional-day-1/) - Making life about self is exhausting. Jesus invites you to joy today. The joy is to make more of him and less of you. - [John 1:19-50 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/21/john-119-50-devotional-day-3/) - Ask him to help you love people and make Jesus known to them. Whoever they are and however they appear...he is their greatest need. Ask God to help you see it. - [John 1:19–51 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/18/1-john-119-51-sermon-notes/) - A main component of the Army Master Resilience program: -The Negativity Bias/Hunt the Good stuff The negativity bias often comes into play when we read Scripture and when some people hear the words of the Lord. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, - [John 1:19–51 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/18/1-john-119-51-discussion-guide/) - Discuss: How do you see the "negativity bias" at play in your life? Consider your words, your thoughts, your responses to others. Consider how you read Scripture. Be honest, try to name a time in the past week where you have "leaned negative" and could have "hunted" and found the "good stuff"? For instance you - [John 1:19-50 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/20/john-119-50-devotional-day-2/) - You need only be faithful; you don't have to be anxious or guilty. Ask God to open your heart and open doors. When he does, move as he leads. - [John 1:1-18 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/16/john-11-18-devotional-day-5/) - Where is God leading you now? Will you be content if he says to "be still, stay put?" - [John 1:1-18 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/15/john-11-18-devotional-day-4/) - There is only one way to can be saved. We must receive Jesus and believe in his name. His "name" means him, all that he is. - [John 1:1-18 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/14/john-11-18-devotional-day-3/) - Our calling is to be found faithful in all God brings our way, and our continual life message needs to be, "Jesus must increase, I must decrease." - [John 1:1-18 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/13/john-11-18-devotional-day-2/) - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. - [John 1:1-18 Devotional - Day 1](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/12/john-11-18-devotional-day-1/) - Hearing God’s Voice from His Word James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word. Psalm of the Day Psalm 102:1-2 Lord, - [John 1:1-18 Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/11/john-14-18-sermon-notes/) - The book of John is a long expansion on the prologue...a prologue is a short introductory section to a book. Following the prologue where Jesus is introduced as the eternal, cosmos creating, God who become human. John then gives Jesus' historical words and actions that back up this amazing introductory truth claim. Today we are - [John 1:1-18 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/11/john-14-18-discussion-guide/) - Read: John 1:1-18 Chiastic Structure of the prologue a.1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life - [John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 5](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/09/john-11-4-devotional-day-5/) - Grow in understanding him. The more you do, the more he will be glorified, and the more you will experience his joy. - [John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 4](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/08/john-11-4-devotional-day-4/) - Let your mind ponder him if you so choose, but above all else, call your own heart to worship him. - [John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 3](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/07/john-11-4-devotional-day-3/) - Tell your heart to be grateful for what God has made known to you. - [John 1:1-4 Devotional - Day 2](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/06/john-11-4-devotional-day-2/) - There is only "the" truth, and knowing that truth is of the utmost importance. - [John 1:1-4 Discussion Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/2024/02/04/john-11-4-discussion-guide/) - Read: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of ## Pages - [Home](https://www.rivercc.org/) - River meets every Sunday Morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am at 2130 N. Oliver in Wichita KS Most Recent Sermon Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close Terry Williams - May 10, 2026 2 Timothy 1:8-12 - [Home](https://www.rivercc.org/) - River meets every Sunday Morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am at 2130 N. Oliver in Wichita KS Most Recent Sermon Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close Terry Williams - May 10, 2026 2 Timothy 1:8-12 - [Home](https://www.rivercc.org/) - River meets every Sunday Morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am at 2130 N. Oliver in Wichita KS Most Recent Sermon Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close Terry Williams - May 10, 2026 2 Timothy 1:8-12 - [Home](https://www.rivercc.org/) - River meets every Sunday Morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am at 2130 N. Oliver in Wichita KS Most Recent Sermon Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close Terry Williams - May 10, 2026 2 Timothy 1:8-12 - [Home](https://www.rivercc.org/) - River meets every Sunday Morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am at 2130 N. Oliver in Wichita KS Most Recent Sermon Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close Terry Williams - May 10, 2026 2 Timothy 1:8-12 - [Giving](https://www.rivercc.org/give/) - You can give your regular tithe to River Community Church online. Giving is only accepted through Electronic Funds Transfer. - [Dodgeball](https://www.rivercc.org/dodgeball/) - When: Saturday, Oct 14th 3-6:30 p.m. Who: You and five of your friends. (middle school age and up) Registration is Required because space is limited. Where: on the field next to the church Register as a team: Team captains sign up. You do not need to list your team members. We will play 6 - [Leadership Documents](https://www.rivercc.org/leadership-documents/) - This page contains documents created by River Community Church in Wichita KS. These documents are resources for small group leaders and LIT's (leader in training). - [River Family Adventure 2023](https://www.rivercc.org/adventure/) - River Family Adventure 2023 July 27th – 29th Colorado Springs, Colorado Hello River Family! It’s been seven years since our last trip to Colorado. In that time, we completed an extensive two-year building renovation project and we did so in the midst of a pandemic. What a crazy time! Through it all our focus was - [River News - May 12, 2026](https://www.rivercc.org/news/) - MEN'S THING IS BACK! Men, plan to join us at Terry Williams' place this Fri., May 15th - Sat., May 16th for a great time of connection, spiritual encouragement, and optional fitness challenges-plus a barbeque with all the fixings. If you plan to come or you would like more information, just sign up here so - [About](https://www.rivercc.org/about/) - River was started in 1990 in Wichita by Terry Williams. On this page you will learn about River's staff, beliefs and values. - [River Christian Training](https://www.rivercc.org/rct/) - Register for Courses Theological training in and for the church In today’s culture, we need more theological training, not less. River Christian Training provides an opportunity for believers to nurture their confidence in the truth of the gospel so we can better know and love God and make his love known to others. What to - [Small Group Search](https://www.rivercc.org/small-group-search/) - If you are looking for a small group to plug into, please use the form on this page. Our church small groups meet throughout the city and throughout the week. - [Safe Church Policies](https://www.rivercc.org/safe-church/) - One of the aspects of church life is to gather together. As churches gather they can also be vulnerable targets for people who intend to harm those who gather. We have created policies and procedures to help ensure that as people gather at River they can feel safe as well as know that their children - [Church Membership](https://www.rivercc.org/membership/) - Joining a church is making a commitment to a body of believers. To join means: “to become united, associated, or combined; associate or ally oneself.” When you join a church, you are making a declaration that you believe God has asked you to participate in community with a particular body of believers, giving of your - [Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/about/jim-lewis/) - Jim lives in Wichita and has been a part of River since 1995. After a career in the Air Force Jim went to Seminary now leads the small group ministry at River. - [Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/about/trace-kendrick/) - Trace has his Master's and Bachelor's Degree from Wichita State. A former athlete at WSU, Trace now leads River's College ministry - Christian Challenge - [Youth Group](https://www.rivercc.org/youth/) - The Youth Group at River meets at 2130 N. Oliver most Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. All of the kids in Youth Group also participate in small groups on Sunday - [Technology Seminar](https://www.rivercc.org/technology-seminar/) - Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close Trace Kendrick - September 21, 2025 Seminar on Technology and the Family Listen Download Audio From Series: "Seminar on Technology and the Family" Further Resources Facebook Tweet Link Share - [Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/about/aaron-lewis/) - Aaron leads River Christian Training at River which includes master’s level accredited Seminary courses as well as the Training Center which includes ministry training and personal mentorship. Aaron graduated from Maize High School and received a Bachelor degree from Wichita State University. He also received his Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and - [Bible Resources](https://www.rivercc.org/bible/) - Church-Wide Bible Reading Plan will Start Mon Dec 30th, 2024 Beginning on December 30th, we will be reading through the Bible in Chronological order as a church. The daily devotions that we send out will be encouraging people to read and meditate on the Bible. Each reading will take about 10-15 and the plan is - [Kids Choir](https://www.rivercc.org/kids-choir/) - Information for the River Kids Choir - [Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/about/rodney-bartlett/) - Rodney has been a part of River since 1995. He leads the worship at River and has a Music Education Degree from Wichita State University. - [Sherri Brummer](https://www.rivercc.org/about/sherri-brummer/) - Sherri has been a part of River for many years. She attended Wichita State University and has her Masters from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. - [Christian Challenge](https://www.rivercc.org/christian-challenge/) - God has placed our building next door to Wichita State University and Christian Challenge is the college ministry at River geared towards College Students. - [Refugee Support](https://www.rivercc.org/refugee/) - There are people from River who are actively caring for refugees and international students living in Wichita. Below is a list of current needs for refugees or international students. If you have one of the items listed, please fill out the form below. Thanks Items Needed Sofa Deep Freeze Small Desk - [Daily Devotional](https://www.rivercc.org/daily-devotional/) - You can subscribe to our Daily Devotionals via email or via text. The devotionals go along with the sermon at River from the previous Sunday. - [John](https://www.rivercc.org/john/) - "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."John 20:31 Resources for the Gospel of John Scripture Memory You can click on the button below to download a PDF of the scripture memory verses for - [Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture](https://www.rivercc.org/cwcc/) - Below is a podcast by Terry Williams and Brenda White. Terry and Brenda dialog about topics in church and culture as it relates to our River Community Church family. You can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts or you can listen below. - [Forms](https://www.rivercc.org/forms/) - This page contains a link to all the active River forms and sign-ups for different events. If you have a question about this page please contact the office. If you cannot find a sign-up form here, you can also check the church calendar at rivercc.org/calendar Church-wide Events Adult Baptism Classes Leadership Community Sign-Ups There are - [Privacy](https://www.rivercc.org/privacy/) - PRIVACY NOTICELast updated February 21, 2023This privacy notice for River Community Church ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), describes how and why we might collect, store, use, and/or share ("process") your information when you use our services ("Services"), such as when you:Visit our website at https://www.rivercc.org, or any website of ours that links to this privacy - [Test Slider](https://www.rivercc.org/test/) - Weather Update for Sun. Jan. 25thWe will have one in person service at 11:00 am. There will be no childcare. The service will be live-streamed at 11:00 and a recording of the service will be posted to www.rivercc.org View Live Stream Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied - [Paintings](https://www.rivercc.org/paintings/) - These paintings correlate with the sermons given on Sunday Mornings at River Community Church and correspond with the sermon series throughout the year. - [Groups Engine](https://www.rivercc.org/groups-engine/) - [River Training Center](https://www.rivercc.org/rtc/) - What?What is the Training Center?Intentional, personal training for post college individuals who have a growing sense that God is leading them toward a vocational ministry assignment of some kind or current River group leaders and leader assistants. The training center is a two-year commitment designed to help individuals begin to acquire the character, competency, and - [Sunday Service](https://www.rivercc.org/songs/) - Song Lyrics Saved My Soul You my God have saved my soul I am Yours forevermore I won’t be moved of this I’m sure You are my God and You saved my soul I was lost when you came for me Held in chains by the enemy But You broke them in victory Now I’m - [Welcome](https://www.rivercc.org/welcome/) - River is located at 2130 N. Oliver. We meet every Sunday morning at 9:30 am and 11:00 for worship. Our service are identical and last about one hour. - [Children](https://www.rivercc.org/children/) - Kids learn and worship differently than adults. At River we have tailored our children's ministry to teach the truths about God in a child's language - [River Cafe](https://www.rivercc.org/cafe/) - River Cafe Click on a button below to make a donation. Donate $3 Donate $5 Donate $7 Donate $10 Donate $20 Suggested Donation for a Mug – $7 Suggested Donation for a Hat – $20 - [Marriage Retreat](https://www.rivercc.org/marriage-retreat/) - Marriage Retreat 2022 Follow Up information Below is the content and resources from the Marriage Retreat in January 2022. Terry’s talk on Friday night was not recorded because we had technical issues but his notes are on this page. Recordings from Marriage Retreat Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been - [Small Groups](https://www.rivercc.org/small-groups/) - Small Groups are at the heart of our ministry at River. We want people to experience God and Community. Small groups are the vehicle we use to help people grow. - [Build At River](https://www.rivercc.org/build/) - The building project is called Build@River. We are improving and expanding our building and in the process we are asking God to Build our Faith and Build our Community - [Erin Bergeron](https://www.rivercc.org/about/erin-bergeron/) - Erin has worked with Children at River and in Pre-schools. She is more than our Children's Director, she is a mom who cares for the well-being of your child. - [Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/about/terry-williams/) - Terry attended High School and College in Wichita. He is the founding Pastor of River Community Church and has served in the Air National Guard since 1997. - [Calendar](https://www.rivercc.org/calendar/) - This page contains a list of all of the upcoming events at River in Wichita KS. We meet every Sunday morning for worship at 2130 N. Oliver - [Sermons](https://www.rivercc.org/sermons/) - This page contains links to the All of the Sunday morning sermons delivered River Community Church. River meets on Sunday Mornings at 2130 N. Oliver Street - [Cards](https://www.rivercc.org/cards/) - [wpcc] - [For The Church Institute](https://www.rivercc.org/ftc/) - The course will begin February 21st 4:00-5:00 pm at River. This is a 10 week course that is open to anyone who attends River and it will be taught via video by a professor from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Register for Course If you have questions about the course, please contact Jim Lewis. Course Description - [River Kids](https://www.rivercc.org/riverkids/) - Sunday morning resources for Super Church kids (Ages 3 – 1st grade). Resources will be updated on Fridays. The resources include a lesson, an activity sheet, and related videos. Super Church Resources Sunday resources for River Next kids (2nd grade – 5th grade). Resources will be updated on Fridays. The resources include a lesson, an - [Carols](https://www.rivercc.org/carols/) - Order of the Evening Lynda 2021 N. Old Manor #204 Wichita, KS 67208 Lisa 3615 E. 10th N. Wichita, KS 67208 Judy 641 N. Woodlawn #54 Wichita, KS 67206 Lance 1600 S Woodlawn Blvd, Wichita, KS 67218 Songs Joy to the World (C) Joy to the world! The Lord is come Let earth receive - [Bouncy Not Breaky](https://www.rivercc.org/bouncy/) - Episode 10 – What’s on the Outside does not Make You Bouncy.  Episode 9 – Even Soldiers Feel Breaky Sometimes  Episode 8 – Help Your Friends Be Bouncy!  Episode 7 – God Loves You & Always Answers Your Prayers  Episode 6 – Be Kind and Patient  Episode 5 – Choosing - [sendvideo](https://www.rivercc.org/sendvideo/) - Hey River Family, If you would like to send a video to be used in one of our videos for the service there are two ways to get the videos to us. 1. Upload to Dropbox and share with tech@rivercc.org 2. Upload to Google Drive and share with tech@rivercc.org. If you have problems or questions - [prayer](https://www.rivercc.org/prayer/) - Prayer Service will begin at 12:15pm - [River Community Worship March 15 2020](https://www.rivercc.org/march15/) - Self guided worship service for March 15, 2020. James Smith shares a word of warning and encouragement from Proverbs 7. - [Scripture Memory](https://www.rivercc.org/memorize/) - In 2020 we are focusing on Proverbs as a church. Our aim is to walk in the Wisdom of Christ. We have selected 52 passages from Proverbs to memorize this year. One passage for each week. The passages are listed below. The passages are also added to the River Scripture Memory group on Biblememory.com Bible - [Leadership Community](https://www.rivercc.org/leadership-community/) - Leadership Community is a training for Small Group Leaders and Leaders in Training that takes place periodically at River Community Church in Wichita KS. - [Operation Christmas Child](https://www.rivercc.org/occ/) - WHEN and WHERE Sunday November 10th 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at RIVER River will be packing shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. Why are we participating in Operation Christmas Child? Operation Christmas Child provides an opportunity for a local worker on the ground to share the gospel with children and families. Each shoebox contains a Gospel presentation - [pofm](https://www.rivercc.org/pofm/) - River Leader’s Lifestyle Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21 As a small group leader at River, we want to be leaders who Communicate Biblical - [Men's Thing](https://www.rivercc.org/mens-thing/) - Purpose: Strengthen relationships / Physical challenge for men to work towards / Encourage and spur one another on / Catch the vision for having a Battle Buddy in their lives / To gather as men and have fun. Theme: Enlist a Battle Buddy—Someone to walk alongside as we train for godliness. Heb. 10:24-25 “24 And let - [GL](https://www.rivercc.org/gl/) - A Group Leader’s Calling Leading God's People toward God's Purposes Multiply Leaders Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts Meetings Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts Mission Far far away, - [Give Online](https://www.rivercc.org/give-online/) - NOTE: River is charged a percentage of your donation, in addition to a fee for each transaction. If you would like to avoid these charges and ensure that 100% of your giving comes to the church, we suggest you set up an online bill payment to River through your bank. Your bank’s bill payment system - [Prepare & Enrich Workshop](https://www.rivercc.org/pe/) - Marriage Enrichment and Preparation training geared towards singles, dating couples, engaged couples and married couples. The training is Mar. 22nd & 23rd - [2019 Memory Verses](https://www.rivercc.org/2019-memory-verses/) - In 2019 we are focusing on one memory verse each month. By focusing on just one verse per month we will have time to meditate more deeply on the scripture and allow it to influence our thinking and perspective. January: Psalm 1February: Psalm 23March: Matthew 6:9-13April: Galatians 5:22-23May: Ephesians 6:14-18June: Matthew 6:25-31July: Philippians 4:4-8August: Philippians 2:3-7September: Colossians 3:12-14October: Hebrews 12:1-3November: Habbakuk 3:17-18December: Isaiah 53:4-6 - [River Ministry Training](https://www.rivercc.org/rmt/) - PURPOSE A two-year process to help individuals discern a call to vocational ministry and to provide foundational ministry training in the core areas of content, competency, and commitment. PREREQUISITE A member of River and Leadership Community COMPONENTS/OVERSIGHT Core Content/Staff Instructors Core Competencies/Staff Supervisor Core Commitments/River Mentor Core ContentCore CompetenciesCore Commitments Requirements: Read all assigned material - [Host An International Student](https://www.rivercc.org/host/) - If you would like to host an international student for Thanksgiving this year, please fill out the form below. If you have problems viewing the form, click here. Loading… - [Close The Gap Home](https://www.rivercc.org/close-the-gap-home/) - Closing the Gap on Faith and Love Play Video This year, as a church family, we are intentionally pursuing "closing the gap" on faith and love in our lives. We believe a life of faith is a matter of direction not perfection. A part of this faithful direction is to continually partner with God and - [Advent Reflection](https://www.rivercc.org/advent-reflection/) - These reflections are similar to the advent candle that some traditions light each week leading up to Christmas. You can celebrate Christ's coming with these reflections. - [Leadership Workshop 2017](https://www.rivercc.org/leadership-workshop-2017/) - River hosted a Leadership Workshop on Feb 18, 2017. The workshop included a presentation on relevant leadership skills as well as a panel discussion of business leaders. - [Romans Memory Verses](https://www.rivercc.org/romans-memory/) - In 2017 we will be going through Romans on Sunday morning and in our small groups. We will not be doing memory verses on Sunday morning in the worship service, but a scripture memory plan is provided on this page. The scripture memory plan begins on January 15 and ends December 31. Download Verse List - [Psalm Verses](https://www.rivercc.org/psalm-verses/) - This page contains a list of scripture verses from Psalms that we are memorizing as a church. We will say these verses when we gather on Sunday mornings. - [Give Via Text](https://www.rivercc.org/give-text/) - To set up giving via text, simply text “GIVE” to (316) 448-2488 and you will see the following screen. Once you have set up your giving, you may text GIVE and the amount to this phone number. NOTE: River is charged a percentage of your donation, in addition to a fee for each transaction. If - [Member Directory](https://www.rivercc.org/member-directory/) - We have recently moved to a new website and the online member directory did not make the move the new website :) We do have printed out directories available in the foyer on Sunday mornings. They are updated frequently please pick one up on Sunday. If you utilized the member directory online and would like - [Ministries](https://www.rivercc.org/ministries/) - Our commitment at River is to Know and Love God and Make His Love Known to others. Life is busy so we also work to keep our ministries simple and sustainable. - [Contact](https://www.rivercc.org/contact/) - River is located at 2130 N. Oliver in Wichita KS. You can contact the office at office@rivercc.org or by phone at (316) 652-9601 ## Slides - [Auto Draft](https://www.rivercc.org/home_slider/auto-draft/) - [Auto Draft](https://www.rivercc.org/home_slider/auto-draft-5/) - [Auto Draft](https://www.rivercc.org/home_slider/auto-draft-3/) - [Auto Draft](https://www.rivercc.org/home_slider/auto-draft-2/) ## Portfolio - [Psalms - Compilation](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-compilation/) - January 2016 - [Psalms - Thanksgiving](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-thanksgiving/) - [Psalms - Conclusion](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-conclusion/) - [Psalms - Disorientation - Reorientation](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-disorientation-reorientation/) - [Psalms - Songs of Jesus](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-songs-of-jesus/) - [Psalms - Justice](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-justice/) - [Psalms - Emotions](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-emotions/) - [Psalms - Life's Greatest Questions](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-lifes-greatest-questions/) - [Psalms - Epistemology](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-epistemology/) - [Psalms - Proclamation](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-proclamation/) - [Psalms - Pain and Suffering](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-pain-and-suffering/) - [Psalms - Despair and Fear](https://www.rivercc.org/portfolio/psalms-despair-and-fear/) ## Messages - [Message: "2 Timothy 1:8-12"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-1-8-12/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Tim. 1:1-7"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-tim-1-1-7/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 TIm. 6:17-21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-6-17-21/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "Ep. 7 An Interview With Sue"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ep-7-an-interview-with-sue/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." Sue talks about how she came to know the Lord and shares memories of how she had seen Him work. - [Message: "1 Timothy 6:11-16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-6-11-16/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim. 6:2-10"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-6-2-10/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "Easter 2026"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/easter-2026/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Tim. 6:1-2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-6-1-2/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Timothy 5:17-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-5-17-25/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Timothy 5:1-16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-5-1-16/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim 4:11-16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-4-11-16/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim 4:6-10"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-4-6-10/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim. 4:1-5"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-4-1-5/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim 3:14-16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-3-14-16/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim. 3:1-13"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-3-1-13/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim 2:8-15 "](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-2-8-15/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Timothy 2:1-7"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-2-1-7/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim 1:12-17"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-1-12-17/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim. 1:1-11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-1-1-11/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "1 Tim. 1:18-20"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-tim-1-18-20/) - A message from the series "1 Timothy." - [Message: "Nutrition Resiliency Training"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/nutrition-resiliency-training/) - A message from the series "Physical Resiliency." - [Message: "The Word That Carries Us"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-word-that-carries-us/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Revelation 21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/revelation-21/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "1 Peter 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Philippians 1:3-21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/philippians-1-3-21/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Romans 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-1/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "1 Cor. 11:17-34 Lord's Supper"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-cor-11-17-34-lords-supper/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Acts 17:1-15"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/acts-17-1-15/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Acts 15"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/acts-15/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Matthew 26:36-46"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/matthew-26-36-46/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "John 14:1-11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-14-1-11/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Matthew 6:19-24"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/matthew-6-19-24/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Matthew 8"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/matthew-8/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "John 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-3/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "That You May Have Certainty Luke 1:1-4"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/that-you-may-have-certainty-luke-1-1-4/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "King Hezekiah"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/king-hezekiah/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Malachi"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/malachi/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Seminar on Technology and the Family"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/seminar-on-technology-and-the-family/) - A message from the series "Seminar on Technology and the Family." - [Message: "Esther "](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/esther/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Daniel 6"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/daniel-6/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Ezekiel 37:1-12 "](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ezekiel-37-1-12/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Lamentations"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lamentations/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Small Group Sunday"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/small-group-sunday/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Jeremiah 29"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/jeremiah-29/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Jeremiah 7:1-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/jeremiah-7-1-25/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Jeremiah 7:1-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/jeremiah-7-1-25/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Isaiah 59-66"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/isaiah-59-66/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Isaiah - The Servant Songs"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/isaiah-the-servant-songs/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." - [Message: "Micah 5:3-5"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/micah-5-3-5/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Amos"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/amos/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Jonah"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/jonah/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "2 Chronicles 16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-chronicles-16/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Ecclesiastes"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ecclesiastes/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Kings 8"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-kings-8/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Proverbs 1:20-33"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-1-20-33/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Psalm 119"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/psalm-119/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Chronicles 21:1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-chronicles-21-1/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "2 Samuel 13-19"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-samuel-13-19/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "2 Samuel 7-12 "](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-samuel-7-12/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Easter 2025 "](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/easter-2025/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Psalm 14"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/psalm-14/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Psalm 27"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/psalm-27/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Samuel"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-samuel/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Judges 17-18"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/judges-17-18/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Joshua 23"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/joshua-23/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Deuteronomy 29-30"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/deuteronomy-29-30/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Deuteronomy 6:1-9"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/deuteronomy-6-1-9/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Numbers 14"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/numbers-14/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Leviticus 16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/leviticus-16/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Exodus: Tabernacle"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/exodus-tabernacle/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Exodus 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/exodus-3/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Job 42"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/job-42/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Job 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/job-1/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Genesis 45"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/genesis-45/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Genesis 1-29"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/genesis-1-29/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Nehemiah 8:2-12"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/nehemiah-8-2-12/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "John 21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-21/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 20"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-20/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "The Nations"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-nations/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Missional Partners"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/missional-partners/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation Week 4"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/rct-the-legacy-of-the-reformation-week-4/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation." Aaron lectures on the English Reformation and the role of women in the Reformation. - [Message: "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation Week 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/rct-the-legacy-of-the-reformation-week-3/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation." Aaron lectures on John Calvin and the French evangelical movement. - [Message: "John 18"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-18/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "Ep.6: Living as a Church Family"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ep-6-living-as-a-family/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." - [Message: "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation Week 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/rct-the-legacy-of-the-reformation-week-2/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation." Aaron lectures on Martin Luther and the Reformation in Germany. - [Message: "John 17"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-17/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 16"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-16/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation Week 1 Part 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/week-1-introduction-and-john-wycliffe/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation." Aaron covers introductory matters concerning the Protestant Reformation and the nature of Protestantism. - [Message: "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation Week 1 Part 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/week-1-part-2/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Legacy of the Reformation." Aaron lectures on John Wycliffe and the Pre-Reformation period. - [Message: "John 15:18-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-15-17-25/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 15:1-17"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-15-1-17/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 14"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-14/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 13:18-38"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-13-18-38/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 13"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-13-1-17/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 12:44-50"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-12-44-50/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 12:27"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-12-27/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-11/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 10:22-42"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-10-22-42/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 10:1-21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-10-1-21/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 9"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-9/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 8:31-58"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-8-31-58/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 8:12-30"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-8-12-30/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "Haggai 2:20-23"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/haggai-2-20-23/) - A message from the series "Haggai." - [Message: "Haggai 2:10-19"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/haggai-2-10-19/) - A message from the series "Haggai." - [Message: "Haggai 2:1-9"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/haggai-2-1-9/) - A message from the series "Haggai." - [Message: "Haggai 1:1-15"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/haggai-1-1-15/) - A message from the series "Haggai." - [Message: "John 7:53-8:11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-7-53-8-11/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 7:25–52"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-7-25-52/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 7:1-24"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-7-1-24/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 6:60-71"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-6-60-71/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 6:1-58"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-6-1-58/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "Parenting a Prodigal"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/parenting-a-prodigal/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Godly Home." This is a follow up to the Parenting training that we held in March. Terry and Rodney spoke about parenting a prodigal and Terry brought some practical advice for parents who might have a prodigal. - [Message: "Ep.5: Mentoring"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ep-5-mentoring/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." - [Message: "2 Timothy 3:16–17"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-3-16-17/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "John 5:1–47"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-5-1-40/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 4:31-54"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-4-31-54/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 4:1-30"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-4-1-26/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 3:22-36"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-3-22-36/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 3:1–21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-3-1-21/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 2:13-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-2-13-25/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 2:1-12"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-2-1-12/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "Easter 2024"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/easter-2024/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Family Worship"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/family-worship/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Godly Home." - [Message: "Palm Sunday"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/palm-sunday/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Bringing Up Children in the Training and Instruction of the Lord"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/bringing-up-children-in-the-training-and-instruction-of-the-lord/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Godly Home." - [Message: "Faithfulness with the Next Generation 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-3/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "A Biblical Theology of the Family"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/a-biblical-theology-of-the-family/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Godly Home." - [Message: "Faithfulness with the Next Generation 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-2/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Faithfulness with the Next Generation 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/faithfulness-with-the-next-generation-1/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Ep.4: Living in the Tension Part 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ep-4-living-in-the-tension-part-2/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." Terry and Brenda continue their discussion of living in the tension. They talk about the Read/Act model, the primacy of Scripture, River’s summary of our position on women in ministry, and more. - [Message: "Exodus 34:5-8"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/exodus-34-5-8/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "John 1:19–51"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-1-19-51/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 1:1-18"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-1-4-18/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "John 1:1-3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-1-1-3/) - A message from the series "The Gospel of John." - [Message: "The Spiritual Disciplines - Lecture 4"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-spiritual-disciplines-lecture-4/) - A message from the series "RCT: Knowing and Loving God and Making His Love Known to Others." - [Message: "2–3 John"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-3-john/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ep. 3: Living in the Tension"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ep-3-living-in-the-tension/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." Terry and Brenda discuss how we live in the tension between varying views on women in ministry. What are variations of complementarianism? What does it look like at River? More details of this expansive topic will be explored in future episodes. - [Message: "The Spiritual Disciplines - Lecture 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-spiritual-disciplines-lecture-3/) - A message from the series "RCT: Knowing and Loving God and Making His Love Known to Others." - [Message: "Daniel - Week 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/daniel-week-3/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "The Spiritual Disciplines - Lecture 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-spiritual-disciplines-lecture-2/) - A message from the series "RCT: Knowing and Loving God and Making His Love Known to Others." - [Message: "Daniel - Week 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/daniel-week-2/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "The Spiritual Disciplines - Lecture 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-spiritual-disciplines-lecture-1/) - A message from the series "RCT: Knowing and Loving God and Making His Love Known to Others." - [Message: "Daniel - Week 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/daniel/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "New Year's Eve"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/new-years-eve/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Christmas Eve"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christmas-eve/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Gospel Readiness - Luke 2:25–38"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/gospel-readiness/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "River Missions Fair"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/river-missions-fair/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Various ministry partners from River share about their ministries. - [Message: "John 20:19-23"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/john-20-19-23/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Ep 2: Philosophy of Ministry"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ep-2-philosophy-of-ministry/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." Terry and Brenda discuss Philosophy of Ministry and answer the questions: What is a philosophy of ministry? Why does it matter? & What is our philosophy of ministry at River? - [Message: "Thanksgiving in Suffering"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/thanksgiving-in-difficulty/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Worldviews Lecture 3"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/worldviews-lecture-3/) - A message from the series "RCT: Understanding the World Through a Biblical Lens." - [Message: "1 John 5"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-5/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Worldviews Lecture 2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/worldviews-lecture-2/) - A message from the series "RCT: Understanding the World Through a Biblical Lens." - [Message: "1 John 4:7–21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-4-7-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Worldviews Lecture 1"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/worldviews-lecture-1/) - A message from the series "RCT: Understanding the World Through a Biblical Lens." - [Message: "1 John 4:1-6"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-4-1-3/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Doctrine of the Church"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/docrtine-of-the-church/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief II." - [Message: "Ep. 1: Why are we part of the SBC?"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/episode-1-why-are-we-part-of-the-sbc/) - A message from the series "Conversations about Women, Church, and Culture." Terry and Brenda sat down to talk answer the question - Why are we a part of the So. Baptist Convention? - [Message: "1 John 3:11–21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-3-10-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 John 2:28-3:10"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-2-28-3-10/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 John 2:18-27"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-1-18-27/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Doctrine of Future Things"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/doctrine-of-future-things/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief II." - [Message: "1 John 2:15–17"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-2-15-17/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Doctrine of Salvation"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/doctrine-of-salvation-rct-christian-belief-ii/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief II." - [Message: "1 John 2:7-14"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-2-7-14/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 John 2 - Themes"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-2-3-27/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "God the Holy Spirit"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/god-the-holy-spirit/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief II." - [Message: "1 John 1:9"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-1-5-9/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 John 1:5-2:2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-1-5-2-2/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 John 1:1–4"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-john-1-1-4/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Peter 3:12-18"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-peter-3-12-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Peter 3:1-11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-peter-3-1-11/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Peter 2:1-22"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-peter-2-1-22/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Peter 2:16-21"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-peter-2-16-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Peter 1:1-15"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-peter-1-1-15/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 5:6-14"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-5-6-14/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 4:12-19"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-4-12-19/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 5:1-5"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-5-1-5/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Corinthians 15:35-49"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-15-35-49/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 4:12"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-4-12-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 4:1-11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-4-1-11/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 3:8-22"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-3-8-22/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "God Our Rock - Psalm 62"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/god-our-rock-psalm-62/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "God of All Comfort - 2 Cor 1:3-11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/god-of-all-comfort-2-cor-1-3-11/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 3:1-7"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-3-1-7/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 2:13-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-2-13-25/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Next Generation Sunday 2023"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/next-generation-sunday-2023/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Old Testament Poetry, Wisdom Literature, and Prophecy"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/old-testament-poetry-wisdom-literature-and-prophecy/) - A message from the series "RCT: Principles for Interpreting Scripture." - [Message: "1 Peter 2:11-12"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-2-11-12/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Old Testament Narrative and Law"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/old-testament-narrative-and-law/) - A message from the series "RCT: Principles for Interpreting Scripture." - [Message: "1 Peter 2:1-10"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-2-1-10/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Genre, Context, Gospels and Letters"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/genre-context-gospels-and-letters/) - A message from the series "RCT: Principles for Interpreting Scripture." - [Message: "1 Peter 1 - The Word of God"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1-the-word-of-god/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 1:17-25"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1-17-25/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Foundations of Biblical Interpretation"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/foundations-of-biblical-interpretation/) - A message from the series "RCT: Principles for Interpreting Scripture." - [Message: "1 Peter 1:13"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-2-12-3-6/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Peter 1:10-13"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1-10-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 1:3-9"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1-3-9/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Peter 1:1-2"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-peter-1-1-2/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "James 5:12-20"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-5-12-20/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "James 5:1-11"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-5-1-11/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Philemon"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/philemon/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Doctrine of God the Son" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/doctrine-of-god-the-son/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief 1." - [Message: "James 4:11-17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-4-11-17/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Doctrine of Humanity" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/doctrine-of-humanity/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief 1." - [Message: "James 4:4-10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-4-4-10/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "James 4:1-3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-4-1-3/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Doctrine of God" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/doctrine-of-god/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief 1." - [Message: "Doctrine of the Word of God" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/doctrine-of-the-word-of-god/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christian Belief 1." - [Message: "James 3:13-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-3-13-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "James 3:1-12" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-3-1-17/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Message from James 3 on the importance of taming the tongue - [Message: "New Year's Sermon" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/new-years-sermon/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Advent 2022 - Week 4" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2022-week-4/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Advent 2022 - Week 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2022-week-3/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Advent 2022 - Week 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2022-week-2/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Advent 2022 - Week 1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2022-week-1/) - A message from the series "Advent." - [Message: "Psalm 118" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/psalm-118/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "James 2:14-26" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-2-14-26/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "James 2:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-2-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Sunday morning message from James 2:1-13 - [Message: "James 1:18-27" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-1-18-27/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry preaches on James 1:18-27. - [Message: "James 1:12-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-1-12-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "The Mission of God - The Church" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-mission-of-god-the-church/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Mission of God." - [Message: "James 1:9-12" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-1-9-12/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "The Mission of God - Jesus" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-mission-of-god-jesus/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Mission of God." - [Message: "The Mission of God - Old Testament" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-mission-of-god-old-testament/) - A message from the series "RCT: The Mission of God." - [Message: "James 1:1-8" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/james-1-1-8/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 13:15-25" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-13-15-25/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 13:1-14" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 12:18-29" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-12-18-29/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 12:1-17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-12/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 11" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-11/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Nurturing Confidence" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/nurturing-confidence/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Hebrews 10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-10/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 9" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-9/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 8" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-8/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "How is God 3 in 1?" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/how-is-god-3-in-1/) - A message from the series "River Kids' Questions." - [Message: "Hebrews 7" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-7/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 6" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-6/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 5" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-5/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 4" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-4/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 3" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-3/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Hebrews Chapter 3 - Do Not Harden Your Heart - [Message: "Hebrews 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-2/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Hebrews 1:1-3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/hebrews-1-1-3/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Titus 3:1-15" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/titus-3-1-15/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Titus 2:1-15" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/titus-2-1-15/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Titus 1:1-16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/titus-1-1-16/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Timothy 4:1-22" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-4-1-22/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Timothy 3:1-17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-3-1-17/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Timothy 2:14-26" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-2-14-26/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Timothy 2:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-2-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Timothy 1:1-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-timothy-1-1-14/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Easter" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/easter/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Timothy 6:1-21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-6-1-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Timothy 5:1-25" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-5-1-25/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Christ and Culture: Faith & Doubt" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-and-culture-faith-doubt/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." - [Message: "Christ and Culture: Heaven & Hell" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-and-culture-heaven-hell/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." - [Message: "1 Timothy 4:1-16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-4-1-16/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Timothy 3:1-16" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-3-1-16/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Christ and Culture: Race and Racism" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-and-culture-race-and-racism/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." - [Message: "1 Timothy 2:11-15" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-2-11-15/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Timothy 2:1-10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-2-1-9/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Christ and Culture: Gender Roles" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-and-culture-gender-roles/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." - [Message: "Christ and Culture: Politics and the Church" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-and-culture-politics-and-the-church/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." - [Message: "Christ and Culture: Human Sexuality" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-and-culture-human-sexuality/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." - [Message: "Christ in Culture: Post Truth?" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christ-in-culture-post-truth/) - A message from the series "RCT: Christ and Culture." Week one of Christ in Culture at River Christian Training. Aaron delivered a lecture on Truth and how truth is under attack and the necessity of standing on Truth. - [Message: "Building Dedication" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/building-dedication/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Timothy 1:1-20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-timothy-1-1-20/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Thessalonians 2 & 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-thessalonians-2-1-17/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Thessalonians 1:1-12" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-thessalonians-1-1-12/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "The Marvelous Mystery of Marriage" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-marvelous-mystery-of-marriage/) - A message from the series "Marriage Retreat 2022." Aaron presented the overall storyline of marriage and the God's design for marriage. - [Message: "Prepare / Enrich Exercises" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/prepare-enrich-exercises/) - A message from the series "Marriage Retreat 2022." Trace explained several of the core exercises for Prepare / Enrich. After his explanation, couples took the exercise and practiced. - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-4-1-5-11/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Leadership and Faithfulness" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/leadership-and-faithfulness/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 3:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-3-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 3:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-3-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 3:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-3-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Psalm 136" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/psalm-136/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 2:1-20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-2-1-20/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 2:1-20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-2-1-20/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 1:1-10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-1-1-10/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Colossians 3:18-4:18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/colossians-3-18-4-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." We finished our time in Colossians today. Terry talked about how the gospel is a real story about the good news of Jesus. The gospel directs all of our relationship and he challenged us to share this good news with others. - [Message: "Colossians 3:1-17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/colossians-3-1-25/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Colossians 2:1-23" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/colossians-2-1-23/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Colossians 1:1-29" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/colossians-1-1-29/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Thessalonians 5:16-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-thessalonians-5-16-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry brings a Thanksgiving challenge from 1 Thessalonians 5 - [Message: "Philippians 4:1-23" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/philippians-4-1-23/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry finishes our time in Philippians by sharing Paul's strategy for the church to stand firm. - [Message: "Philippians 3:1-21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/philippians-3-1-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Philippians 1:27-2:18" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/philippians-1-27-2-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Philippians 1:1-26" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/philippians-1-1-26/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ephesians 5:22-6:24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ephesians-5-22-6-24/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ephesians 4:17-5:21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ephesians-4-17-5-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ephesians 4:1-16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ephesians-4-1-32/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ephesians 3:1-21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ephesians-3-1-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ephesians 2:1-22" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ephesians-2-1-22/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Ephesians 1:1-23" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/ephesians-1-1-23/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "Galatians 6:1-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/galatians-6-1-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the power of the Gospel to give us the freedom to love one another. - [Message: "Galatians 5:2-26" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/galatians-5-2-26/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Trace talks about the importance of walking in the Spirit in our pursuit of knowing God and bearing fruit. - [Message: "Galatians 4:1-5:1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/galatians-4-1-5-1/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry discusses the contrast between the freedom of faith and the slavery of law keeping. - [Message: "Galatians 3:1-29" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/galatians-3-1-29/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the new covenant of Christ's blood and the relationship of the Law to the New Covenant Christian. - [Message: "Galatians 2:1-21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/galatians-2-1-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks the importance of living daily life as one who has been crucified with Christ. - [Message: "Galatians 1:1-24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/galatians-1-1-24/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about living for the approval of God, not the approval of man. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 13:11-14" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-13-11-14/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry finishes out our look at 2 Corinthians by discussing the salutation. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 12:1-10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-12-1-10/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about embracing the Good News of the Gospel and our own personal weakness so that God's strength might shine through us. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 11:1-33" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-11-1-33/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the importance of taking our thoughts captive and allowing the truth of the Gospel to shape our hearts. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 10:1-18" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-10-1-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Jim talks about living with Kingdom values and taking on the character of Christ. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 9:1-15" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-9-1-15/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about biblical generosity and cooperation. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 8:1-24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-8-1-24/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about Christian generosity and faithfully living for Christ. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 7:1-16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-7-1-16/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 6:1-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-6-1-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the importance of living with a Christian worldview. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 5:1-21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-5-1-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "2 Corinthians 4:1-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-4-1-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about living with joy in the face of trial. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 3:1-18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-3-1-18/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the hope we have in Christ, which gives us boldness. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 2:1-17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-2-1-17/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about living in the Gospel tension of mourning and rejoicing. - [Message: "2 Corinthians 1:1-24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/2-corinthians-1-1-24/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about living a "decided" life and looking to God for comfort in the face of affliction. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 16:1-24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-16-1-24/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about being watchful, standing firm in the faith, and doing everything in love. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 15:1-58" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-15-1-58/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the reality of the resurrection and its implications for our lives. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 14:1-40" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-14-1-40/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Corinthians 13:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-13-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about love as the central theme of Paul's message to the church at Corinth. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 12:1-31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-12-1-31/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the purpose of the spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 11:1-34" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-11-1-34/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about trusting in the Word of God and working to understand it and apply it to life as a learner of Christ. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 10:1-33" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-10-1-33/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Aaron talks about exercising Christian freedom for the glory of God and the good of others. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 9:1-27" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-9-1-27/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about pursuing truth regardless of the consequence and love regardless of the cost. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 8:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-8-1-13/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about exercising Christian freedom in Christ in a way that honors Christ and others. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 7:1-40" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-cor-7-1-40/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry looks at 1 Corinthians 7 and Paul's teaching on marriage and singleness. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 6:1-20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-6-1-20/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about how the reality of the Gospel and God's goodness helps us think about pursuing holiness, especially in the area of sexual purity. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 5:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-5-1-3/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the need for purity in the church and the process the church has been instructed to use to protect it. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 5:1-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-5-1-3/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the need for purity in the church and the process the church has been instructed to use to protect it. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 4:1-21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-4-1-21/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry looks at 1 Corinthians 4 and talks about living to be found faithful before God. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 3:1-23" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-3-1-23/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." - [Message: "1 Corinthians 2:1-16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-2/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry looks at 1 Corinthians 2 and talks about the great revelation of truth God has made known to us through His Word, through Christ, and through His Spirit. - [Message: "1 Corinthians 1:10-31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-corinthians-1-10-31/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry talks about the importance of finding unity and hope in Christ alone. - [Message: "Series Introduction" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/series-introduction/) - A message from the series "New Testament Letters." Terry introduces the sermon series that will span the next two years, the New Testament letters, and the focus of the study, to affect our beliefs, values, and behaviors. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 38" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/3-proverbs-week-38/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." In a review of the year, Terry takes one final look at Proverbs 3:5-6 and talks about the wisdom of a two-dial lifestyle. - [Message: "Advent - Week 4" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-week-4/) - A message from the series "Advent." Jim talks about the announcement of joy, the experience of joy, and the resiliency of joy available to us through the Advent of Christ. - [Message: "Advent - Week 3" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-week-3/) - A message from the series "Advent." In the third week of Advent, Trace looks at 1 John 4:7-11 and talks about the love of God in Christ. - [Message: "Advent - Week 2" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-week-2/) - A message from the series "Advent." In Week 2 of Advent, Aaron looks at Isaiah 9:1-7 and talks about the peace of Christ. - [Message: "Advent - Week 1" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/64-advent-week-1/) - A message from the series "Advent." Rodney discusses hope as a key aspect of Advent. - [Message: "Contentment - Week 4" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/contentment-week-4/) - A message from the series "Contentment." Terry looks at Psalm 103 and talks about the wisdom of worship. - [Message: "Contentment - Week 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/contentment-week-3/) - A message from the series "Contentment." Terry talks about the wisdom of contentment in living with open hands. - [Message: "Contentment - Week 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/contentment-week-2/) - A message from the series "Contentment." Terry looks at the third chapter of Habakkuk and talks about proactively pursuing hearts that are growing in contentment. - [Message: "Contentment - Week 1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/1-proverbs-week-38/) - A message from the series "Contentment." Terry looks at Proverbs 27:20 and talks about being content. - [Message: "The Grace of Gathering Together" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-38/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Terry looks at Hebrews 10:19-25 and talks about the importance of meeting together as the church. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 37" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-37/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 14:30 and talks about framing our thinking and shaping our lives more fully around the Gospel. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 36" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-36/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 11:4 and talks about reframing our perspective in light of Gospel truths. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 35" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-35/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry talks about the wisdom involved in reframing every situation in life to view it as an opportunity for God to work for good. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 34" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-34/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry talks about walking in humility and making wise decisions for our own good and the good of others. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 33" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-33/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 9:7-9 and talks about the importance of listening to others, even their critique, in order to grow in wisdom. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 32" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-32/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 9:10 and talks about wise decision-making. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-31/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at several Proverbs and discusses decision making. Namely, the tension of making plans and holding them loosely. - [Message: "Leadership Kickoff 2020" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/leadership-kickoff-2020/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." Terry talks about leading through times of crisis. - [Message: "Next Generation Sunday" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/84-next-generation-sunday/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Trace looks at 1 Thess. 2:1-12 and talks about the why, what, and how of investing in the next generation. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 30" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-30/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Romans 14 and talks about having the ability to read the cultural situation and act with wisdom. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 29" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-29/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 28" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-28/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 3:1-12 and talks about developing wise habits. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 27" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-27/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 4:20-27 and talks about three principles for developing wise habits. - [Message: "Joel 2:12-13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/joel-2-12-13/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Terry looks at Joel 2:12-13 and provides principles for navigating the current crises in America. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 26" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-26/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 29:25 and talks about living in fear of God, not of man. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 25" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-25/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Ruth and talks about operational wisdom, a framework for making wise decisions. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 24" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-24/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Jim looks at a series of Proverbs about wise speaking and wise living. - [Message: "Interview with Earnest Alexander" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/interview-with-earnest-alexander/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Terry and Earnest have a conversation about the current racial situation in America. Audio from both services is included in the podcast. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 23" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-23/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 18:13 and James 1:19-21 and talks about combatting confirmation bias. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 22" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-22/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry talks with Robert Garner from Youth Horizons. In the message he discusses the Wisdom of the gospel. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-21/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." - [Message: "The Enduring Community" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-enduring-community/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-20/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry continues to talk about Wisdom and our words. This week he discusses the use of the tongue described in the book of James. The tongue is a powerful instrument that can be used for good or evil. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 19" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-19/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry continues talking about wise words according to Proverbs. He discusses an anatomy of Wise Words. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-18/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry provides a report on foolish words according to Proverbs. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-17/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry introduced the power of our tongue and the importance of collaborating with the Holy Spirit to shape our words. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-16/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Colossians 1:15-20 and talks about the supremacy of Christ in the face of our weakness. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 15" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-15/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." - [Message: "Easter 2020" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/easter-2020/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Terry talks about Christian hope in light of the resurrection. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 14" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-14/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry talks about Jesus as the ultimate manifestation of wisdom. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/37-proverbs-week-9/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 8-9 and talks about having a settled direction in the pursuit of Lady Wisdom. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 12" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-12/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry speaks today on Prudence as we continue our message series through proverbs. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 11" from James Smith](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-11/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." James shares from a professional counselor's perspective the importance of heeding the warnings to flee sexual temptation in Proverbs 7. James is reading from The Message version of the Bible if you would like to read along. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-10/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry talks about his top 25 Proverbs and why he values each of them. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 9" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-9/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 5 and talks about contentment and worship as a defense against the wayward woman. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 8" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-8/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 4 and talks about how our hearts are the command posts of our lives. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 7" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-7/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs chapter three and talks about making an internal decision to choose wisdom and recruiting external help. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 6" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-6/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 2 and talks about being passionate in the pursuit of wisdom. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 5" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-5/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry talks about the practical, ethical, and theological aspects of wisdom. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 4" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-4/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry helps us understand how to read and apply Proverbs correctly, with context in mind. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-3/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry looks at Proverbs 2:9-20 and talks about choosing between the path of folly and the path of wisdom - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-2/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry continues with an introduction to Proverbs and talks about how the book works. - [Message: "Proverbs - Week 1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/proverbs-week-1/) - A message from the series "Proverbs." Terry gives an introductory overview to the study of Proverbs. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 46" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-46/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry wraps up the series from 2019 and segues to the series for 2020, a study of the Book of Proverbs. - [Message: "Advent 2019 - Week 4" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2019-week-4/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry talks about the balance of living in the fullness of the "already" promises of God's Kingdom without trying to claim its "not yet" promises. - [Message: "Advent 2019 - Week 3" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2019-week-3/) - A message from the series "Advent." Trace talks about Messianic expectations, Messianic reality, and the need to trust in Jesus, the King. - [Message: "Advent 2019 - Week 2" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2019-week-2/) - A message from the series "Advent." Rodney looks at the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke and talks about the virgin birth. - [Message: "Advent 2019 - Week 1" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-week-1/) - A message from the series "Advent." Jim talks about hope as an indispensable quality of life and the hope that we have in Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 45" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-45/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Colossians 3:1-15 and talks about relational resiliency as we prepare for communion. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 44" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-44/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Phillipians 4:4-7 and talks about building gratitude and mental resiliency. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 43" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-43/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Romans 8 and talks about the transformational power of the Gospel. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 42" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-42/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about gratitude as the key component in all human thriving. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 41" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-41/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Romans 12:1-2 and talks about offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God. - [Message: "Parenting Seminar Session 1 (2019)" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/parenting-seminar-session-1-2019/) - A message from the series "Parenting Seminar." - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 40" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-40/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the resurrection and the spiritual and physical nature of being human. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 39" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-39/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Rodney talks about God's love for us and how we are called to love others. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 38" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-38/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the Bible and whole-life balance. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 37" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-37/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the role of community in helping us think and live well. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 36" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-36/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about taking thoughts captive and loving God with our minds. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 35" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-35/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about loving God with all of our minds through worship. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 34" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-34/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about how we are to use our minds to thrive in God's boundaries, trust through the mysteries, and love in the diversity. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 33" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-33/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about faith, reason, and loving God with our minds. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 32" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-32/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life's Questions." On Student Sunday, Terry talks about the joy of investing in the next generation. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-31/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks summarizes the summer portion of this series as he talks about Christ transforming culture. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-31/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks summarizes the summer portion of this series as he talks about Christ transforming culture. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 25" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-25/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Rodney talks about the exclusive claims of Jesus. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 26" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-26/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Trace talks about the biblical perspective on nations and how we, as followers of Jesus, should pray and engage in response. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 27" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-27/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Jim looks at the biblical perspective on government and politics. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 28" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-28/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Aaron talks about criminal justice in light of the overall narrative of the Bible. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 29" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-29/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Galatians 3:26-19 and talks about the biblical view of race. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 30" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week30/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the Biblical view of poverty. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-24/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about pursuing faithfulness through courage, community, and consistency. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 23" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-23/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Psalm 19 and talks about the pursuit of happiness. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 22" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-22/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the resiliency and the importance of relationships. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-21/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about identity in Christ. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-20/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the biblical understanding of death. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 19" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-19/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about Psalm 15 and a lifestyle of integrity. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-18/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about work balance and sabbath rest. Jamin also discusses his painting for the year. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 17" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-17/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about how the Gospel transforms our toil into calling. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-16-notes/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talk about work as a calling and the perspective of "Christ in culture." - [Message: "Build@River Intro" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/build-river-intro/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life's Questions." Terry talks about River's history over the past almost 30 years and how that leading is directing us now to improve our building. The project is called Build@River and we are asking God to build our faith and our community. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 15" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-15/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about how Jesus entered into our pain and, therefore, provided a resolution to our suffering. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-13/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry discusses five different responses to the problem of evil and suffering. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 14" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-14/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about suffering and the role of mystery. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 12" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-12/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the book of Revelation and how the future impacts the present. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 11" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-11/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at the New Testament letters, Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Covenant, and the power of the Gospel. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 10" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-10/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the Gospels and Acts and going to Jesus to quench our thirsts. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 9" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-9/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at the wisdom literature and talks about having confidence in the Scripture. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 8" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-8/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at Isaiah 1:1-2:4 and talks about the role of the prophets in the biblical narrative. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 7" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-7/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the reign of Israel's kings, the curse of idolatry and the gift of repentance. - [Message: "The Value of Small Groups" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/the-value-of-small-groups/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." Terry talks about small groups as a strategy for dealing with despair. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 6" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-6/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry walks through the books of Judges and Ruth and talks about God's sovereignty and human responsibility. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 5" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-5/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at the Book of Joshua and talks about having confidence in God. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 4" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-4/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry gives a summary of the first five books of the Bible and shows that God's primary concern is for us to know him and love others. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-3/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry looks at the narrative arc of Scripture in response to the questions: 1) Where did the world come from? 2) Why is it so messed up? 3) Is there any hope for it? - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/lifes-questions-week-2/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Terry talks about the accuracy and authority of the Bible. - [Message: "Life's Questions - Week 1" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/difficult-questions-week-1/) - A message from the series "Answers to Life\'s Questions." Rodney talks about the Bible as the story of reality and training to trust in God. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 48" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/12-closing-the-gap-week-48/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Galatians 5:1-6 and talks about closing the gap on faith expressing itself in love. - [Message: "Advent 2018 - Week 1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-48/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry looks at the Exodus and talks about waiting on God. - [Message: "Advent 2018 - Week 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2018-week-2/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry talks about actively waiting on the Second Coming of Christ. - [Message: "Advent 2018 - Week 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2018-week-3/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry talks about waiting with hope. - [Message: "Advent 2018 - Week 4" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-2018-week-4/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry talks about the importance of keeping perspective as we actively wait on Christ's second advent. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 47" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-47/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Jim looks at 1 Thess. 5:15-16 and 1 Cor. 11:17-26 and talks about Closing the Gap with regard to thanksgiving. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 46" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-46/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry discusses the River heart attitude of giving and receiving Scriptural correction. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 45" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-45/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at 2 Cor. 9:6-15 and talks about the River heart attitude of supporting the work financially. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 44" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-44/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Hebrews 13:17 and talks about the River heart attitude of submitting to leadership within biblical limits. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 43" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-43/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Phil. 2:3-8 and talks about the heart attitude of putting the interests of others ahead of our own. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 42" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-41/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Matthew 5:23-24 and talks about the River heart attitude of maintaining clear relationships. - [Message: "Having Appropriate Boundaries" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/having-appropriate-boundaries/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." Terry talks about the importance of boundaries in life and ministry and how to pursue appropriate boundaries. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 41" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-40/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at 1 John 1:5-10 and talks about the heart attitude of living an open and honest life. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 40" from Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-39/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Aaron looks at 1 Peter 4:10-11 and 1 Cor 12:4-7 and talks about the heart attitude of participating in the ministry. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 39" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-38/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Acts 1:8-11 and talks about the power of God at work in us to make us witnesses to the world. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 38" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-37/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Matthew 28:19-20 and talks about being and making apprentices of Jesus. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 37" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-36/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at 2 Thess. 1:8-9 and talks about closing the gap on loving others through the Gospel. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 36" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-35/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at John 3 and talks about closing the gap on reaching out. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 35" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-34/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about the biblical perspective on time and work. - [Message: "Practicing the Heart Attitudes" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/practicing-the-heart-attitudes/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." Terry talks about the shaping values of River called the Heart Attitudes and the importance of leaders practicing these values in our church. - [Message: "Next Generation Sunday" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/next-generation-sunday/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Trace looks at 2 Tim. 2:1-2 and talks about investing in the next generation. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 33" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-33/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Ephesians 6:10-19 and talks about praying in the Spirit. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 32" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-32/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Rodney looks at the life of Moses and talks about the possibility and reality of having an intimate relationship with God. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-31/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Mark 10:13-16 and talks about receiving the Kingdom of God like a child. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 30" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-30/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about aligning our prayers with the facts of faith. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 29" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-29/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 28" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-28/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Matthew 6:9-13 and talks about closing the gap in prayer. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 27" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-27/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Rodney talks about the forgiveness God offers and our responsibility to forgive others. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 26" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-26/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Matt. 6:9-13 and talks about trusting in and being grateful for God's provision. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 25" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-25/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Matthew 6:9-13 and talks about praying to close the gap between God's Kingdom and earth. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 24" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-24/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Matthew 6:9-13 and talks about having a conversational relationship with God. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 23" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-23/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at 1 Thess. 5:16-17 and talks about training and growing in faith through prayer. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 22" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-22/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Mark 1:35 and Deut. 29:29 and talks about the importance of prayer. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 21" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-21/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at James 5:16-18 and talks about confessing our sins to one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 20" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-20/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Romans 15:1-7 and talks about accepting one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 19" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-19/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Ephesians 4:30-32 and talks about being kind to and forgiving one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 18" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-18/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about speaking the truth to one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 17" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-17/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Jim looks at Galatians 5:13-16 and talks about serving one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 16" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-16/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about living in harmony with one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 15" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-15/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about encouraging one another. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 14" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-14/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Galatians 6:1-5 and talks about how we should carry one another's burdens. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 13" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-13/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about the resurrection of Jesus. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 12" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-12/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at John 19:16-30 and talks about Jesus' finished work at the cross. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 11" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-11/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Easter Season: Christ the Servant - [Message: "Spiritual Warfare, Developing People" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/spiritual-warfare-developing-people/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." Terry talks briefly about spiritual warfare and Rodney talks about developing people as followers of Jesus. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 10" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-10/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Rodney talks about closing the gap in humility. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 9" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-9/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about Heb. 12:1-12 and faith in the midst of suffering. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 8" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-8/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Heb. 11:20-31 and talks about walking in faith. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 7" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-7/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Today Terry spoke from Hebrews 11:13-16. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 6" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-6/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Hebrews 11:11-12 talks about closing the gap in faith. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 5" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-5/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry talks about plodding and plunging in faith by living with a "yes" to God. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 4" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-4/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Heb. 11:4-6 as he talks about closing the gap in faith. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 3" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-3/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Hebrews 11:3 and talks about closing the gap in faith. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 2" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-2/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry looks at Heb. 11:1-2 as he talks about closing the gap in faith and love. - [Message: "Closing the Gap - Week 1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/closing-the-gap-week-1/) - A message from the series "Closing the Gap 2018." Terry introduces the series for 2018: Closing the Gap. - [Message: "New Years Eve 2017" from Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/new-years-eve-2017/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Jim challenges us to close the gap in Christ-likeness in 2018 - [Message: "Christmas Eve Service" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/christmas-eve-service/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry speaks both to the children and the adults about Jesus the life-light. - [Message: "Advent - Luke" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-luke/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry looks at the advent in Luke. - [Message: "Advent - Matthew" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-matthew/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry looks at the advent story in Matthew. - [Message: "Advent - John" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/advent-john/) - A message from the series "Advent." Terry approaches advent through the Gospel of John. - [Message: "Interview with Ty Kane" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/interview-with-ty-kane/) - Interview with small group leader Ty Kane - [Message: "Thanksgiving" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/thanksgiving/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." Terry talks about gratitude and thanksgiving. - [Message: "Romans - Week 44" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-44/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 16. - [Message: "Romans - Week 43" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-43/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Rom. 15:14-33. - [Message: "Developing a Missional Lifestyle" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/developing-a-missional-lifestyle/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." At Leadership Community we re-visited the practices in Evangelism that we introduced last year. We focused on our role in being faithful and trusting God. - [Message: "Parenting Seminar 2017 Part 1" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/parenting-seminar-2017-part-1/) - A message from the series "Parenting Seminar." Terry introduces his philosophy of parenting and calls parents to the importance of having a vision for parenting grounded in faithfulness. - [Message: "Romans - Week 42" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-42/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Rom. 15:7-13. - [Message: "Romans - Week 41" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-41/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 15:1-6. - [Message: "Romans - Week 40" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-40/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Rom. 14:13-23. - [Message: "Romans - Week 39" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-39/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 14:1-12. - [Message: "Romans - Week 38" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-38/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 13:8-14. - [Message: "Romans - Week 37" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-37/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Rom. 13:1-7. - [Message: "Romans - Week 36" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-36/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 12:9-21. - [Message: "Investing in the Next Generation" from Trace Kendrick](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/investing-in-the-next-generation/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." This week was Student Sunday. We talked about the youth ministry at River and about Christian Challenge, the college ministry. Trace talked about investing in the next generation. - [Message: "Facilitating Change" from Risa Rhemert](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/facilitating-change/) - A message from the series "Leader\'s Retreat 2017." Risa instructed leaders again on Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change to help group leaders gain skill in helping others close the gap in their lives. - [Message: "Leadership - Gift & Responsibility" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/leadership-gift-responsibility/) - A message from the series "Leadership Community." Terry spoke at the Leader's retreat from 1 Peter 4:8-10. Calling leaders to see their opportunity to lead as both a gift and a responsibility. - [Message: "Romans - Week 35" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-35/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Rom. 12:3-8. - [Message: "Romans - Week 34" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-34/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 12:1-2. - [Message: "Romans - Week 33" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-33/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 11:33-36. - [Message: "Gospel Stories" from Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/gospel-stories/) - A message from the series "Miscellaneous Messages." We look and listen in to some Gospel Stories from River Community Church. - [Message: "Romans - Week 32" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-32/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Rom. 11:1-32. - [Message: "Romans - Week 31" from Terry Williams](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/romans-week-31/) - A message from the series "Romans 2017." Terry talks about Romans 10:14-21. - [Message: "King Hezekiah"](https://www.rivercc.org/messages/king-hezekiah/) - A message from the series "Chronological Bible." ## Organizers - [Aaron Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/organizer/aaron-lewis/) - [Rodney Bartlett](https://www.rivercc.org/organizer/rodney-bartlett/) - [Brenda White](https://www.rivercc.org/organizer/brenda-white-2/) - [Jim Lewis](https://www.rivercc.org/organizer/jim-lewis-2/) - [Sherri Brummer](https://www.rivercc.org/organizer/sherri-brummer-2/) ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://www.rivercc.org/category/uncategorized/) - [Daily Devotional](https://www.rivercc.org/category/devo/) - [Small Group Study Guide](https://www.rivercc.org/category/small-group-study-guide/) - [Sermon Notes](https://www.rivercc.org/category/sermon-notes/) - [Ministry Toolbox](https://www.rivercc.org/category/toolbox/) - [Marriage Retreat](https://www.rivercc.org/category/marriage-retreat/) - [River Christian Training](https://www.rivercc.org/category/river-christian-training/) ## Tags - [Devo 10-23-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-23-16/) - [Devo 10-30-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-30-16/) - [Devo 11-06-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-06-16/) - [Devo 11-13-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-13-16/) - [devo 11-20-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-20-16/) - [Devo 11-27-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-27-16/) - [Devo 12-4-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-12-4-16/) - [Devo 12-11-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-12-11-16/) - [devo 12-18-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-12-18-16/) - [devo 12-25-16](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-12-25-16/) - [Devo 1-1-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-1-1-17/) - [Devo 1-8-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-1-8-17/) - [Romans 1](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/romans-1/) - [Devo 1-15-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-1-15-17/) - [Devo 1-22-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-1-22-17/) - [Devo 1-29-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-1-29-17/) - [Devo 2-5-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-2-5-17/) - [Devo 2-12-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-2-12-17/) - [Devo 2-19-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-2-19-17/) - [Devo 2-26-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-2-26-17/) - [Devo 3-5-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-3-5-17/) - [Devo 3-12-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-3-12-17/) - [Devo 3-19-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-3-19-17/) - [Devo 3-26-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-3-26-17/) - [Devo 4-2-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-4-2-17/) - [Devo 4-9-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-4-9-17/) - [Devo 4-16-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-4-16-17/) - [Devo 4-23-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-4-23-17/) - [Devo 4-30-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-4-30-17/) - [Devo 5-7-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-5-7-17/) - [Devo 5-14-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-5-14-17/) - [Devo 5-21-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-5-21-17/) - [Devo 5-28-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-5-28-17/) - [Devo 6-4-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-6-4-17/) - [Devo 6-11-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-6-11-17/) - [Devo 6-18-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-6-18-17/) - [Devo 6-25-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-6-25-17/) - [Devo 7-2-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-7-2-17/) - [Devo 7-9-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-7-9-17/) - [Devo 7-16-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-7-16-17/) - [Devo 7-23-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-7-23-17/) - [Devo 7-30-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-7-30-17/) - [Devo 8-6-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-8-6-17/) - [Devo 8-13-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-8-13-17/) - [Devo 8-20-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-8-20-17/) - [Devo 8-27-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-8-27-17/) - [Devo 9-3-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-9-3-17/) - [Devo 9-10-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-9-10-17/) - [Devo 9-17-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-9-17-17/) - [Devo 9-24-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-9-24-17/) - [Devo 10-1-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-1-17/) - [Devo 10-8-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-8-17/) - [Devo 10-15-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-15-17/) - [Devo 10-22-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-22-17/) - [Devo 10-29-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-10-29-17/) - [Devo 11-5-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-5-17/) - [Devo 11-12-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-12-17/) - [Devo 11-19-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-19-17/) - [Devo 11-26-17](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo-11-26-17/) - [advent](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/advent/) - [closing the gap](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/closing-the-gap/) - [winter season](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/winter-season/) - [easter season](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/easter-season/) - [spring season](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/spring-season/) - [one anothers](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/one-anothers/) - [bear one anothers burdens](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/bear-one-anothers-burdens/) - [Summer Season](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/summer-season/) - [prayer](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/prayer/) - [Gospel Community](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/gospel-community/) - [outreach](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/outreach/) - [heart attitudes](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/heart-attitudes/) - [thankfulness](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/thankfulness/) - [advent season](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/advent-season/) - [daily devotional](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/daily-devotional/) - [devo](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/devo/) - [proverbs](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/proverbs/) - [1 Corinthians](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/1-corinthians/) - [Bible-Reading](https://www.rivercc.org/tag/bible-reading/) ## Project Categories - [Psalms](https://www.rivercc.org/project-type/psalms/) - [Artwork](https://www.rivercc.org/project-type/artwork/) ## Event Categories - [Youth](https://www.rivercc.org/events/category/youth/) - [Leaders](https://www.rivercc.org/events/category/leaders/) - [Church-Wide](https://www.rivercc.org/events/category/church-wide/) - [Challenge](https://www.rivercc.org/events/category/challenge/)