River of Life Church Sauk Centre (Audio): Recent Episodes
River of Life Church Sauk Centre, MN
Join us weekly to listen to the message from River of Life Church. Our goal is to share the word of God in a way that relates to you so you can put it to work in your everyday life.
What does spiritual warfare actually look like? Ephesians 6 reminds us that our enemy is not other people, but spiritual forces of evil. The armor of God gives us what we need to stand firm and remain connected to God through prayer.
What does it really look like to put others before yourself? In Ephesians 5:21–6:4, Paul challenges us to approach our relationships with humility, love, and a willingness to serve others out of reverence for Christ.
Following Jesus was never meant to be about behavior management. Real change begins much deeper than that. We're often tempted by cheap imitations of the life we were created for, believing they'll satisfy what only God can. But Jesus invites us not to just avoid the wrong things, but become who we were created to be.
The church was never meant to be a place we attend, it was always meant to be a people we belong to. As Paul begins the second half of Ephesians, the focus shifts from who we are in Christ to how we're called to live. What does it look like to pursue unity, embrace the unique role God has given each of us, and become the body of Christ together? When every person does their part, the church reflects Jesus to the world.
God’s plan has always been bigger than we can see. Even in the middle of hardship, Paul points us to the power of God at work within us. A power that strengthens our hearts, roots us in Christ’s love, and reminds us that God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.
From the beginning, the church was made up of people from very different backgrounds. Paul's words in Ephesians 2 remind us that Jesus brought them together, replacing division with unity and turning strangers into one community.
If we're saved by grace and not by our works, why do good works even matter? The answer is that grace changes us. We could never earn our salvation, but when Jesus transforms our lives, it changes the way we live.
Paul doesn't pray for the church in Ephesus to have an easier life. He prays that they would know God more, see the hope they've been given, and understand the incredible power that's available to every believer. It's a reminder that God is still opening eyes, changing hearts, and giving strength to His people today.
What happens when ordinary people are equipped to answer God's call? Rev. Sam Johnson from Priority One shares stories of faith, transformation, and the impact of training and equipping Christian leaders around the world. Hear how God is working through local churches and pastors to bring hope, strengthen communities, and advance the Gospel across the globe.
Most people spend their lives trying to figure out who they are. But what if your identity was never meant to be discovered in your achievements, failures, relationships, or past? Ephesians opens with a powerful reminder of what God says is already true about those who are in Christ, and it changes everything.
Jesus told His followers to wait. Not for a strategy, a plan, or more teaching, but for power. What happened next launched the church, transformed ordinary people, and raises an important question for believers today: is that promise still for us?
The Holy Spirit isn't distant or inactive. He lives within every believer. The same Spirit who filled the tabernacle and the temple now dwells in God's people. Living with an awareness of His presence changes how we face temptation, follow Jesus, and honor God in our everyday lives.
Many followers of Jesus find themselves stuck in cycles of struggle, trying to live out their faith in their own strength. Understanding the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Advocate, and constant presence reveals God’s design for a life marked by guidance, freedom, and the fullness of walking with Christ.
Generosity is more than money and far more than obligation. 2 Corinthians 9 paints a picture of a life shaped by open hands, where obedience, joy, and sacrificial trust in God redefine what it means to give.
The gospel is for every person in every place. God calls His Church to live with compassion, generosity, and a vision that reaches from our own communities to the ends of the earth.
What does it look like to move beyond “God as a part” of life into a constant awareness of His presence in every moment? Walking by the Spirit means turning everyday routines into a shared experience with God, where His voice guides, His presence comforts, and His power produces real spiritual fruit. As the tension between flesh and Spirit plays out daily, a life centered on Christ begins to overflow with holiness, direction, and peace.
A life centered on Christ isn’t about giving Him a portion, it’s about recognizing His presence in every part of life. Jesus describes this connection as abiding, where real spiritual growth comes from staying connected to Him rather than striving harder.
Christ isn’t just meant to come first, He is meant to be everything. Instead of separating life into different categories, every part of life is meant to be lived with Him present in it all.
Easter celebrates the moment everything changed. The grave couldn’t hold Jesus, and death was defeated once and for all. What began in sorrow now overflows with hope, life, and victory.
Good Friday invites us to slow down and sit at the foot of the cross. The suffering of Jesus reveals the depth of God’s love and the cost of our redemption.
On Palm Sunday, the crowd welcomed Jesus with praise and expectation, believing He came to change their circumstances. But the road to the cross reveals a Savior who didn’t come to meet human expectations, but to offer something greater through His sacrifice. Even when we don’t understand or feel let down, God remains faithful and is working toward a greater promise beyond this world.
We often find ourselves in difficult seasons of life. As we look to the Psalms, we see a biblical model in how David responds during some of the most challenging moments of his life.
The darkest moment in the life of David reveals how sin rarely appears suddenly, but grows through a series of small choices that eventually spiral into destruction. Yet even in David’s failure, we see that sincere humility and repentance can lead to forgiveness and redemption.
At the height of his success, David shows us that we never outgrow our need for God. What would change if God truly sat on the throne of our lives and He was our only audience?
David spends 10 years in the wilderness running for his life from Saul. We can learn a lot from David's wilderness season.
Not every struggle comes from doing something wrong. Sometimes obedience leads straight into opposition. David’s story reminds us what it looks like to trust God when things suddenly turn against you.
David faced a giant no one thought he could defeat, but he saw the situation differently. He stepped forward in faith, trusting God to do what only He could, and reminds us that courage and obedience matter more than the odds.
God moves forward with His purposes even when seasons feel uncertain or risky, calling people to trust and obey Him fully. It reveals a God who values the heart over appearances, works through humility, and often begins His greatest plans long before anyone else sees what He’s doing.
God’s redemptive plan has always moved through His people. The Church is not a backup plan, but the means by which God brings hope to a broken world.
Jesus’ final words were not a suggestion but a calling. His followers were sent with purpose, authority, and responsibility to carry hope beyond themselves. Some go, many send, all participate. When the church lives on mission, generosity becomes worship, prayer becomes partnership, and the gospel moves far beyond what any one person could reach alone.
Every day we choose what comes first. In the book of Joshua, he presents a clear challenge: decide who will have your loyalty. God calls His people to remove what competes for their hearts and to lead their homes with intentional faith.
The start of a new year invites honest reflection on what truly holds first place in life. Jesus’ call to seek God above all else challenges believers to examine their priorities and realign their lives around what matters most. When God moves from an afterthought to the foundation, renewal, clarity, and purpose begin to follow and shape daily rhythms, worship, generosity, and intentional seasons of prayer.
This Sunday our Youth share what God has been speaking to them and challenge us to grow in our faith.
Life can feel heavy, especially when we find ourselves walking through seasons of pain, uncertainty, or loss. The Christmas story reminds us that Jesus was born into a world filled with darkness, suffering, and fear. His arrival brought light that could not be overcome.
Christmas is the story of grace, an invitation to a seat at God’s table. Freely given and full of hope.
The Christmas story is all about the Good News of Jesus. Mary & Joseph, the shepherds, the wisemen, King Herod...It's such a good story.
But we can miss the real reason for the season if we get caught up in all the busyness and cultural stuff. We need to slow down and really think about this Good News.
Pride has a subtle way of slipping into our lives. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and even how we approach God. Mary’s song tells a different story. From a humble heart, she celebrates a God who lifts the lowly, opposes the proud, and fills those who know their need. Her response invites an honest look at how pride crowds out grace, and how humility makes room for Christ and the joy He brings.
It’s easy to make life all about us, our plans, our comfort, our image. But Jesus invites us to something better: choosing humility, noticing people, and serving in the small everyday moments.
Earthly treasure fades, but what we invest into God’s kingdom lasts forever. When we loosen our grip on what won’t last and fix our eyes on Jesus, our choices, generosity, and obedience become treasure that endures.
Our lives and our walk with Jesus are like a race. We run it well when we lay down what weighs us down, deal with the sin that trips us up, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as our strength and example.
Parenting on purpose means showing our kids what it looks like to love God and live for Him, and teaching them to do the same.
The body of Christ is strongest when generations come together, learning from one another, serving side by side, and pursuing one mission.
You can’t choose your family tree, but you can choose what grows from it. God gives us the power to break cycles of the past and plant new roots for the generations to come.
The feet of Jesus have always been a place people run to—where the hurting find healing, the desperate find hope, and the grateful bow in worship. Being at His feet brings us back to what matters most, reminding us of His forgiveness, His presence, and His power at work in our lives.
The hands of Jesus reveal His power and His love—hands that created, healed, and still reach for us today.
Tithing is God’s plan to fund His church and keep Him first in our hearts. It reminds us that everything we have has been entrusted to us by Him, and it calls us to steward our finances in a way that honors His kingdom. Through this principle, God provides for His church while shaping our hearts to live with faith, generosity, and trust.
God has entrusted each of us with more than we realize—our resources, our time, even our words. Everything we hold belongs to Him, and He calls us to manage it faithfully. But what does it mean to steward those things well?
Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from choosing the right places, the right people, and the right moments that lead us closer to Christ.
We've been talking about spending time with God so that we can truly know Him more and become the person He wants us to be.
In this week's message we start talking about what we can practically do to make that time with Jesus actually happen.
So often we try to change ourselves through discipline—and while discipline has its place, true transformation comes only from God. Scripture reminds us that we cannot bear fruit on our own; it’s only when we abide in Him that real change begins to take root. As we stay connected to God, our lives are transformed, and we naturally grow to reflect Him more and more.
There's something missing from our contemporary Christianity. We've become busy and have lost the practice of spending extended amounts of time with God. We need to get back to "Just a closer walk with thee", as opposed to "If I have time."
What is baptism really about? Discover what the Bible says, why it matters, and if it’s your next step.
In a world where communication is increasingly filtered through screens and algorithms, this message explores the tension between God’s embodied design for connection and our disembodied digital lives. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and cultural insight, it reveals how technology can both bridge and break the communion and fruitfulness we were created for.
Peace can be hard to find in our world, but the peace Paul writes about is far greater than anything the world can offer. God gives us a peace not like the world gives—a peace that surpasses all understanding.
In Philippians chapter three, Paul talks about people who have traded the good news of Jesus for the things of this world, and he weeps for them, longing that they would come to know God. In the same way, we are challenged not to trade the things of God for the world, and to long for those around us to know Him.
Because of Jesus, even the parts of our past we’re not proud of can remind us how far His grace has brought us. When we see our story through the lens of Christ, everything looks different.
It's easy to lose sight of all that God has done for us—and even easier to take His blessings for granted. Philippians reminds us to do everything without grumbling or complaining so that our lives shine as a testimony of God's work in us. It's a call back to gratitude and a heart posture that reflects His goodness to the world around us.
Today we welcome Todd Marshall from Worship Is Life as our guest speaker. In this message, Todd unpacks how worship goes beyond Sunday morning—it's a way of life. True worship flows out of our relationship with God and impacts how we live, love, and connect with others every day.
It’s easy to reach for what we think we deserve—to chase recognition, status, or being first. But Jesus calls us to something different. As we grow in faith, we begin to see that true maturity looks like humility—putting others above ourselves, because that’s what Jesus did.
Paul was deeply committed to his calling, yet he still faced moments of struggle. We see his resolve to honor Christ no matter the outcome. He also didn’t walk that path alone—he relied on prayer, the Spirit, and the support of his Christian community. His life reminds us that we stand firm together, striving side by side for the gospel and exalting Christ in all we do.
As we begin studying the letter to the Philippians, we see Paul expressing deep gratitude for the way the church has supported him—both spiritually and physically. Paul is clearly dedicated to God’s mission, and he’s backed by a church that is equally committed to helping him carry out the calling God has placed on his life.
As believers, we have the Holy Spirit—but how often do we actually seek Him and rely on His power to move in and through us? We don’t just want Him to show up in our struggles—we want Him to empower us to boldly share the Gospel with those around us.
At some point in life, we will all experience grief. It might come through the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or even the loss of a dream, a sense of security, or our health. Grief takes many forms, and how we respond to it can shape us deeply. In the midst of our pain, it’s important to remember that God is near—walking with us through our hardest moments.
Life gives us plenty to worry about—money, kids, the house, the car, work, even our own self-worth. But God doesn’t just command us not to worry; He calls us to seek Him first. Peace doesn’t come from having everything under control—it comes from trusting the One who is.
Romans says we’re transformed by renewing our minds—but what does that actually mean? Can our lives really change just by changing the way we think? Yes! Real transformation begins in the mind. When we align our thoughts with truth, it changes the way we live and experience the world.
The gospel is for everyone, but there are still people around the world who have never heard about a God who loves them. It’s not that they’ve rejected Him—they’ve just never had the chance. They have no Christian friends or neighbors, no churches, no Bible. In some places, it’s even illegal to be a Christian. As followers of Jesus, we must care about both: the lost in our own communities and the unreached across the world.
Guest speaker Paul Hurckman shares what God is doing around the world and how God is inviting us to be a part of God’s work in impactful ways.
Life is full of challenges, but how we respond makes all the difference. When we face trials, we have a choice: to grow bitter with resentment or to lean into gratitude.
He is risen! The tomb is empty, and hope is alive. Jesus conquered death, and because He lives, we have new life. Celebrate the victory!
The innocent for the guilty. The righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus saw us as the reward for His suffering. Pause and reflect on the price He paid—for you.
Disappointment comes when our reality doesn’t match our expectations.
Life can be full of those moments—when things don’t turn out the way we hoped, and sometimes, that disappointment is even directed at God. The same was true for the people in Jesus’ day. They expected a powerful king, but instead, they got a suffering Savior. What do we do with our disappointments? How do we respond when life lets us down—and could trusting God's plan, even when it doesn't match ours, lead to deeper faith and unexpected hope?
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus feeds over 5,000 people with just a small boy’s lunch. What seemed small became more than enough in His hands. This story reminds us that God can do far more with what we give Him than we ever could on our own.
Have you ever counted down the days to a vacation, only to return just as exhausted as before? We long for the moment we can finally take a break—from work, responsibilities, and the chaos of everyday life. But when that break comes, it never seems to be enough. Before we know it, we're overwhelmed all over again. Jesus offers a deeper kind of rest—not just in moments of escape, but in the middle of our work, our struggles, and our everyday lives.
We’ve all been there—too much to do, not enough time, unexpected bad news, financial stress, or family struggles. When life feels like it’s too much, how should we respond?
As Christians and as a church, we must be mindful of our tendency to drift spiritually. How can we combat complacency and continue to move forward in our relationship with God?
It is possible to be completely saved but not completely free. What does it look like or mean to live in freedom and walk in God's authority?
Statistically, many in our churches today have faced or been affected by abortion personally. Like many difficult topics, it’s not just about what we believe but how we respond to those around us. How should the church faithfully uphold truth while extending grace and compassion?
The Church has often struggled with how to respond to issues of homosexuality and gender in a biblical way. Unfortunately, many Christians aren’t even sure what the Bible actually says on the subject. So, what does Scripture teach, and how should we engage with those around us with both truth and grace?
How should Christians respond to deportations? More than a political issue, this is about people—people who need Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are called to see them with love, compassion, and a heart for the Gospel.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul gives us an illustration about the pursuit of victory in life. Just as athletes train and strive to win a crown that eventually fades, we too can work hard to achieve success—but in the end, those rewards are only temporary. Instead, we should be chasing something that actually lasts, something with eternal value, rather than just things that won’t matter in the long run.
The Bible shows us that a pastor’s calling is not just to reach the lost but to equip the church for ministry. A pastor’s role is to train and empower every believer to serve. We are all ministers, called to bring God’s love to those around us.
It’s easy for church to become a personal experience—focusing only on what we get out of it—while losing sight of those around us who also need God and a church family. But God's heart is for everyone to know Him. Do we share that same desire for those who are still searching for Him?
Today we welcome missionary guest Greg Colegrove with Convoy of Hope. He shares a message of the importance of investing in what really matters. There are so many demands and distractions in life, it's easy to spend our time on things that don’t truly matter. Are we investing in what will last?
Deep down, we all desire to be better at prayer and to spend more time with God. However, many times we find ourselves distracted, unsure of how to pray, or even doubting its effectiveness. Something so vital to following God often feels so difficult. So, how can we make prayer a bigger part of our relationship with Him?
It’s difficult to make room for God when our lives are overflowing with busyness. Fasting is a way to intentionally remove distractions and create space for Him. As we experience physical hunger during a fast, it serves as a powerful reminder of our deeper spiritual hunger and need for God’s presence in our lives.
Christmas is a season of wonder and joy, but all too often, it passes quickly, and we return to our everyday routines, leaving that joy behind. As we step into the new year, may we discover a wonder that extends beyond Christmas—a wonder rooted in all that God has done for us. Let us be reminded that God's peace never ends.
Jesus brings peace! The beauty of His peace lies not in the absence of struggles but in His presence within those struggles.
The Wisemen might seem like an unusual choice for God to invite to worship Him. Yet, God's wonder transcends our expectations of who should or could worship Him. This Christmas, may we open our hearts to the wonder of God that can fill every person.
When Jesus was born, God didn’t choose kings or religious leaders to share the news—He chose everyday, hardworking shepherds. Discover how God awakens us to the wonder of His plan!
The Christmas story is filled with wonder—God using unlikely people, like Mary, to give birth to Jesus, and the shepherds and wise men coming to worship Him. Yet, it is also marked by suffering: Mary’s pregnancy in a hyper-religious culture, the journey to Bethlehem, and fleeing from Herod. Similarly, when we choose to follow God and allow Him to work through us, we will inevitably face opposition from the world.
Have you ever been in wonder of something—the Grand Canyon, the northern lights, or towering buildings? That initial sense of awe is unforgettable, but over time, we often lose that wonder. Our prayer for you this season is that you never lose the wonder of Christmas and all that God has done!
Pornography is everywhere—on our screens, in our culture, and often in plain sight. It's a problem that's been normalized but carries devastating consequences, destroying marriages, careers, and lives. So, how can someone break free from this cycle of addiction and find hope and healing with God?
In this new message series, we’re tackling some of the tough topics in today’s culture and exploring what the Bible has to say about them. This week, we’re focusing on alcohol—what Scripture teaches and how we can respond in a way that honors God and reflects His wisdom.
In the Bible, Jesus focused on the people that didn’t know the love of God. Following his example, River of Life Church is an outward focused church. That is why we are Kingdom Builders! We financially give passionately and generously, above our regular tithes and offerings, to vetted organizations that help build the kingdom of God Locally, Globally and in the Future Generations.
Today, we’re honored to have our guest speaker, Chris Pruett, with us. He reminds us of a powerful truth: it's easier to raise a generation than to change one. In a world where everyone is competing for influence over our kids—and over us—it's more important than ever that our kids know who they can trust and where they truly belong. And that place is with Jesus.
Many of us have the desire to grow closer to God, but also experience the frustration when our efforts fall short. Rather than relying just on our own strength, we need to train our mind, body, and spirit to pursue God intentionally and partner with Him. By practicing spiritual disciplines daily, we can develop a deeper relationship with God—much like an athlete training for a marathon, preparing for what is ahead.
What you believe shapes the way you think, and your repeated actions shape your behavior. If you truly want lasting change in your life, you need to address both. Simply thinking or knowing the right things isn’t enough—it’s about putting what you know into practice.
Most of us try to avoid discomfort at all costs. We have heated and cooled seats in our cars, we rarely go hungry, and we pretty much never have to go without. But have you ever thought about how all this comfort might be holding us back? The truth is, if we're always staying in our comfort zones and avoiding challenges, we’re not really growing. The Bible reminds us that it’s through the struggles and trials in life that our character is shaped and our faith gets stronger.
Community is essential for our spiritual growth, but it’s about more than just showing up to church on Sundays! We need real, intentional relationships that help us heal from our past and draw closer to God. It’s in those deeper connections where we find support, encouragement, and a place to grow.
How do we live like Jesus? How do we actually do what he did? As the church, we are called to not only follow Jesus in spirit but we are called continue his work on earth as it is in heaven. This means healing the sick, praying for the lost, opening up our homes and our lives to those far from God. The end goal is to do what he did.
Today we explore how the world around us influences who we become, often without us realizing it. From where we live to the people we spend time with, these factors shape us. But Romans 12 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of the world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Becoming more like Jesus is a lifelong journey of surrender.
If we want to become like Jesus or do the things that he did, we first need to be with him. This is the baseline for following Jesus.
In this message, we kick off our new series, "Practicing the Way," inspired by John Mark Comer's book with the same title. We’ll unpack what it really means to FOLLOW Jesus as His apprentice.
We’ll explore Jesus' call to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did, and how this ancient practice still applies to our lives today. Join us to learn how to live more closely with Jesus and grow in His ways!
How do you stand up in a culture you don’t agree with? Today we looked at three examples in the book of Daniel where people did just that. Taking a stand against evil may look different that we think.
Politicians use all sorts of tactics and language to get us to believe we are at war against the other side.
Are we at war? If so, who is our enemy...and what does it look like to take a stand like Ephesians 6 tells us to?
What we believe shapes how we live, but too often, Christians rely more on cultural opinions than on the Bible. Understanding God and living out our faith correctly demands a deep, personal engagement with Scripture.
Our natural tendency is to lean either towards grace or towards truth, but when we do, we get it wrong. Scripture tells us that Jesus came full of both grace and truth. As His church, we are called to uphold both in everything we do!
The Good News of Salvation is a beautiful gift meant for everyone, but how can someone accept this gift if we don’t go and tell them about it? The message of Jesus was meant to be shared to those around us. We must be living out our faith and telling of God’s love for people.
Throughout the Bible we see God places his favor on people to carry out his plans and further the Kingdom of God. God’s favor is still available today! This week we look at what God’s favor is and how we walk in it.
Without praise in our life we are missing something that is foundational in the Christian life. See how powerful praising God at all times can impact not only your life, but the church as a whole!
God wants to change the way you think because your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. If you want to change your life, you need to change the way you think and replace it with God’s truth.
Asking God for help is just the beginning. Real change happens when we also take action and stop living in the same old patterns—life change is a partnership with God.
God wants to change your life! He wants to give you hope, heal your brokenness, and give you purpose. We first have to allow give Him permission to heal the deepest parts of us.
We all have something in our life we wish was not there—something we did, said, or continue to do. In other words we are ALL broken people, but God loves broken things and makes them beautiful!
We often want to make a name for ourselves, that is the American dream! However, letting go of our own ambitions and focusing on what God wants for us, we find a deep, lasting sense of purpose.
Life is full of different seasons, but what are we suppose to do when we find ourselves between seasons and feel lost or confused with what to do next?
Have you ever wanted to experience and hear from God more? What if that was possible; are you willing to make a place to stay for God?
The day of Pentecost marked a change in how God related with his people. We see this all over the Bible and can be powerful when we understand how God wants to be with us!
It’s easy to be insulated in our own bubbles and forget about global events. However, God is a global God and cares for all people around the world! Let’s embrace our role in His global mission.
As we introduce our Global Project for 2024, we can see how we can make a massive impact for the Kingdom of God as we strategically invest in materials to train pastors around the world.
When we submit to the prompting of the Spirit of God in our lives, we will be lead to serve and uplift others, extending love and hope, to those in need!
When we choose to follow Jesus we are given the free gift of salvation! We are also choosing a lifetime journey of making ourselves more like Christ, but we don’t have to do it alone—we do it through the power of the Spirit!
Joe continues his life story and shows us to truly have hope in Jesus we first need to accept his message of salvation.
Joe's book is available HERE
Our guest speaker, Joe Anderson, shares his powerful life story of difficult circumstances and how nothing but God could redeem it.
Joe's book, "The Tension of Redemption" is available HERE!
Jen Sandvig shares her story as God walked with her through forgiving others, depression, anxiety, and the importance of leaning on the Body of Christ—the Church—to help her through it all!
Adam Neubert shares his personal testimony how God moved in his life brining him from apathetic complacency to a deep relationship with God!
As we celebrate the miracle of Easter and hear the Easter story, we see that God continues to use unlikely people to move his Kingdom forward. God still changes lives today!
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5
Jesus was often misunderstood by those closest to Him—the disciples. He was also misunderstood by most of the people, thinking He would free them from their oppressors, Rome, but Jesus came to offer them spiritual freedom.
Have you or your intentions been misunderstood? We see the disciples misunderstanding Jesus throughout the gospel of Mark—they often projected their own expectations and desires on him, rather than understanding his teachings and mission. We still do this today if we aren’t careful!
The disciples faced many challenges even while they physically walked with Jesus. These challenges helped strengthen their faith in Him for what they were to face ahead in their lives. Similarly, God uses our challenges in life to deepen our faith in him and help us become who he wants us to be!
We were never meant to do things to earn favor or forgiveness from God. Instead we do things from a heart that overflows with gratitude for who He is and what He has done for us!
In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, challenging societal norms but also revealing his heart for the lost. How can we take a step toward seeing others through the eyes of a loving God and embracing his mission to seek and save the lost?
Jesus called ordinary, unqualified people to be his disciples, breaking the social norms of His time. True discipleship is not how much you know; it's a continual journey of mirroring Jesus in character and action.
Embark on an exciting journey through the Gospel of Mark in our new series! Join us as we dive into the dynamic storytelling of Jesus' life, as found in the book of Mark. This week we kick off with chapter 1 and the impactful baptism and wilderness encounter, exploring the wonder of Jesus, the Messiah, and delving into the call to repentance that's more than just belief—it's about transformative change in our lives. Let's discover together!
In this message we dive into Hebrews 10 and talk about the power of being connected in our faith journey. We're digging into why it's crucial to connect with people further along in their faith journey, mentor others in faith, and surround ourselves with encouraging friends who sharpen us. It's a call to go beyond a private faith journey and embrace the beauty of growing together in community.
As a tree’s roots grow deeper and stronger when faced with the stress of nature, so does our faith as we face times of difficulty. We have a choice to make—we can grow bitter or grow deeper with the God that loves us.
As the body of Christ, it’s important that we are all moving in the same direction to grow the Kingdom of God. Join us to celebrate what God has done last year and to see the vision for the coming year at RLC to build the Kingdom of God.
If we want to be rooted in our faith, be unwavering, and move forward in our faith with God, we need to prioritize hearing from God through his word!
A new year helps us reflect and want change in our lives. What if we spent the first weeks of this year seeking and hearing God more to help us be the Church he wants us to be? Join us this week as we fast together to seek direction for the new year!
You have power in your story! Listen here as one of our congregation members shares what God has done in their life and how he is using their story to further the Kingdom of God!
You have power in your story! Listen here as one of our congregation members shares what God has done in her life and how He is using her story to further the Kingdom of God!
Christmas means so many things to many of us, but perhaps the greatest thing of all is the reminder the Christmas story brings—God wants all of us to be part of what He is doing in the world.
Many people will celebrate Christmas this month, but for some it will be different! We can truly experience Christmas as we truly seek Jesus.
The Christmas story is the greatest story ever told, but over the years it almost becomes too familiar. This Christmas, let’s allow the Christmas story to awaken us to the things that God has for us and see this story in a new and powerful way.
In America, it’s easy to spend all that we have on just us and our purposes, but God wants us to be generous toward others and His kingdom. How can we do that in a world that pushes us to only think about ourselves?
Jesus said “You cannot serve both God and money.” He knew how much money would pull at our hearts and distract us from Him. If we want God to be King of our hearts, then He also needs to be King over our finances.
There are so many things in life competing for your attention, but God doesn’t just want to be part of your life, he wants your whole heart!
As Christians, we believe that praying is important but we tend to get too busy to ACTUALLY pray. Let’s be the Body of Christ and pray for the people and things the Bible teaches us to.
Prayer is essential with our relationship with God, but it can seem difficult to find time or how to pray. Listen here to see what some of the basic steps we can take to pray more effectively and regularly!
The Bible tells us that we are the body of Christ with Jesus being the head—leading us and guiding us! The only way we can make Jesus the head of our lives is consistently spending time with him!
In the Bible, every christian is a minister! See how all of us have a role to play in making the church the way it was meant to be.
God created his church to complete his mission and love the world, but the church is so much more than something we go to, the church is His people. He desires us to be united in all that we do so we can change a broken world.
One of the biggest things that keeps us from moving forward with God is being offended. God’s kingdom cannot multiple if we are divided with one another.
We all live with burdens... But God didn't create you to carry that stuff around all the time! Our job is to walk WITH Jesus and give Him all our burdens. This week we'll look at why it's important to give it to God and how to do it!
Are you tired of a busy life? Do you wish that you could stop for a moment? Jesus offers rest for those that need it through living the way he intended us to live.
Missionary Darth Ly shares his story surviving the Cambodia Killing Fields of the 1970s. A story of great pain and suffering and how God is now using Dareth to reach the people of Cambodia for Jesus.
To know more and give to Dareth and his ministry in Cambodia visit https://darethly.com/
We all want to move forward in our walk with Christ—know him more, hear from him, follow him—but it seems we continually get distracted. How do we live a life that is less distracted and more focused on God when life demands so much?
Has your schedule and life felt full, but something was still missing? Integrity means that we are filled completely and with the right things. Often, we try to add the world into our lives, but only filling it with God can bring us wholeness.
Temples are mentioned all over the Bible, at one point Christians are called temples of the Holy Spirit. What does this mean for us today and how can the history of temples in the Bible change the way we live our lives?
God has not designed you to live in fear or to be a victim. He has made you to be MORE than a conqueror and to follow him through every difficult season! How do we get there though? When life continues to challenge us and knock us down, how can we keep moving forward?
God created us to be in relationship with Him but also each other! God said it is not good for us to be alone. Who is in your life that can encourage you and you can share the best and the worst with?
Pastor Tyler shares his heart and vision for the start of RLC St. Joseph location and shares a message of trusting God with our life story and developing a relationship with Him along the way.
Have you ever wanted to go back to “the way things used to be” in your life? it’s easy to want to go back to the familiar, but through seasons in life, God is calling us into something new to help us grow with him.
Have you every tried harder at something and seemed to get worse, not better? Sometimes it can feel that way with our faith. We try to stop or start something, but we still struggle. God did not ask us to try harder, but, instead, told us to seek him. Listen to this message on how being close to God changes us!
We all get stuck just going through the motions and living a “good enough” life. But God has called us to be more! In this message we dive into some signs that we are slipping into complacency and how we can battle living a complacent life.
Have you ever found yourself in a season that was lacking focus or even focusing on the wrong thing? When that happens we can usually find ourselves in a fog not knowing what to do next. What if we decided to refocus our lives on God and what he wants to do in and through us?
We often read the Bible in sections but the Bible is one big story—the story of how God sent Jesus to save us. As we look at the Bible as a whole, we see Jesus becoming the sacrificial spotless lamb that paid the price for our sins.
In the Bible we see God responding to people’s faith as they step toward Him. In what areas in your life can you step toward God in faith today?
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas found themselves in a less than ideal situation. However, they still turned to God and praised Him! How were they able to respond in such a way in such a hopeless situation?
In the Old Testament, Caleb was said to trust God wholeheartedly and have a different spirit. Even though he saw the same thing everyone else did, he decided to trust God and respond differently. When we follow God wholeheartedly, we will often find ourselves going against the norm. In what ways can you follow God with your whole heart and trust him?
We see a pattern in the Bible with people getting baptized in the Holy Spirit after believing in Jesus. What does this mean for us and how should we respond to this pattern?
We see a pattern in the Bible of people believing in Jesus and then getting water baptized. How do we practice water baptism today, and why do we do it?
We see Jesus healing in the Bible, the tension comes from the question, “Does he still do it today?” Let our response be like those in the book of Daniel, my God is more than able…but even if he doesn’t I will continue to serve Him!
In the space between what happens to us and how we respond, is the ability to choose how we will respond. Will we choose to focus on the negative or look for God’s goodness in every situation?
In Romans 8, Paul tells us there is bad news and good news. The bad news? We will have trouble in our lives. The good news? This life is temporary and we will spend eternity—forever—with Jesus, and no one or thing can take that from us!
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God has a plan to use everything in your life to help grow you spiritually—the positive, negative, and even your sin. This only happens when you humbly turn to him in all things.
The Bible never says, “everything happens for a reason.” So what does it say and how should we approach suffering in our lives?
Just as Jesus was brought from death to life, we are also brought to life with him! Today we celebrate what Jesus’ resurrection has done for us!
Jesus paid it all for you and took your place. Take time to reflect on the weight of your sin that he bore on the cross.
If we view suffering in our life as an opportunity for God to move, then we also allow suffering to strengthen our faith.
God is a global God with a global heart, and Jesus gave a global mission. How should we respond to God’s heart and His mission?
Some areas of the world have no opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus. That means there is no Bible, no church, and no one to tell them. God wants us to partner with Him by praying and begin to speak for Him, so that all would know His love for them!
The most critical thing we can do to reach those around the world that need Jesus is to pray. Mark Durene, a life long missionary to Thailand, shares his heart for the Buddhist world and invites us to pray for those in spiritual darkness.
Click HERE to join RLC's Prayer community for the Buddhist World
Click HERE to give to March's Global Project - Buddhist World
Have you found yourself only turning to God in a difficult situations or when you need something? God warns us against the tendency to forget about him when things are going well, and reminds us to give him glory in all situations!
Christianity, and our connection with God, has everything to do with the condition of our hearts. However, if we are not careful, pride tends to find a way into our lives and hearts and can often go unnoticed. Take a look at this week’s message to see how we can examine our lives and keep humbly following God.
As Christians, we constantly battle the pull of the world and is multiplied when we don’t have to rely on God for our daily needs. How do we continually rely on God and desire the life He has for us?
Have you ever questioned what you believed was true? As scary as this may be, we must approach believing in the Bible and God with humility and realizing that we may not always have it right. Let us live lives that seek to glorify God, not ourselves.
The good news of the Bible is the Kingdom of God is here! At River of Life Church we are Kingdom Builders—building the Kingdom of God globally, locally, and in our future generations, so that everyone has the opportunity to hear the gospel. What will you do to become a Kingdom Builder?
Click HERE to see our RLC Kingdom Builders booklet and pledge card.
Money is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible, so God must have something to say on it! However, God knows that it’s not about money, but our hearts. He wants your heart and for you to trust Him with everything!
Money is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible, so God must have something to say on it! However, God knows it’s not about money, but our hearts. He wants your heart and for you to trust Him with everything!
Jesus said in Matthew, “When you fast…”, meaning he is assuming if we are Christians, we will fast. So why should we fast and what is it? This week we look at this powerful tool to help us connect to God and disconnect from the world around us. Let’s start this year closer to God and seeking him more than we have before!
Prayer and Fasting info click HERE
It can be difficult to praise and thank God when life gets hard, when you face the unthinkable, or when you feel alone. However, choosing to praise God in our pain does not mean we forget what is happening around us. It means we are choosing to remember who God is and that he is worthy of our praise in the middle of it all!
Song: "Worthy of my Praise" - Phil Wickham
The Christmas season can be a wonderful time of year with family, gifts, and traditions, but for some it is a difficult time of year. The Christmas story reminds us that God cares for broken people and wants everyone to be included in what he is doing. This season, we pray that you would know God cares for you, and that is why he sent Jesus!
Could you imagine foreigners showing up in your hospital room after having a baby to bring you gifts and worship your baby? As strange as that is, the wisemen showed up to worship baby Jesus, and give him gifts—they most likely did not even speak the same language! This shows us that ALL people are included in God’s story. No matter who you are, Jesus—the gift of Christmas, is for you!
Do you ever wish Christmas could feel the same as it did when you were a kid? The lights, decorations, treats, gifts, and the anticipation of the big day filled us with joy and excitement during this season! However, the wonder of the season is not found in our traditions but in how we respond to God’s greatest gift!
The Christmas story starts with an angel telling Mary she would have a Son and to name Him Jesus. Mary’s response was not, ‘why me?’ and ‘why now?’ Instead she responded with humility saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Are we ready to hear from God and are we ready to respond in the same way?
Have you ever wondered what your neighbor does to afford a home that is so much bigger and better than yours? In our culture, it is so easy to be discontent with what we have as we see what everyone else has. Living a life of gratitude means living a life of contentment and being satisfied with all the good things God has given us!
As we work to build a life of gratitude, it should grow beyond our gratefulness for the things we have. We can also be grateful for God’s presence and purpose in our lives even when we are walking through life’s greatest challenges!
Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you” or being polite, but a life style and daily practice of gratefulness. As we make gratitude a practice, it changes how we view the world!
Often times the way to get out of the cave of depression and anxiety is to rediscover your purpose. God's desire for you, and for every discouraged and depressed person, is to get you back into a life of influence and meaning. God made you on purpose, and has a purpose for your life!
Often the answer to our feelings of depression and anxiety is a change of perspective. However, when the “storm” of depression is all around us, it’s hard to see anything but the storm. God encourages us to look up to Him in these moments; expressing our deepest hurts and emotions to Him, and He will meet us!
Rumination causes us to lose sight of the truth. Instead of seeing ourselves the way God sees us, we see other stuff. Stuff that isn’t true. And we live in regret and shame from our past. Rehashing what we did… where we went… what we said… We chew on it, then swallow it, and then regurgitate it up again… Each time it gets amplified a little louder… So how do we battle our own thoughts and live in God's truth? That's what this week is all about.
Isolation and comparison can be detrimental to us when we face depression and anxiety. Yet, when we need relationships the most, we move away from other people and compare our everyday lives to someone’s highlight reel. God never intended for us to handle life on our own, and has made you to be you!
Is feeling physical pain a gift or a curse? The truth is, pain alerts us when something is wrong in our bodies and we need it to survive. Depression and anxiety can act in the same way—to alert us that something is out of balance in our lives. What areas in your life are out of balance?
Statistically, you or someone you know has experienced depression and anxiety at some point in their life. This is a massive issue in our world today and Christians are not immune to experiencing it in their lives! So, what does the Bible say about it? In this new series we explore the life of a man in the Bible that experienced depression, but also experienced God caring and comforting him in a powerful way! God knows what you’re going through, and He loves you!
Every commitment in life has a cost, and Jesus asks us to count the cost of following Him. Today, we get to hear powerful stories of people that have counted the cost to leave behind their old life and say, “I have decided to follow Jesus,” as they are water baptized!
Jesus is the best news the world has ever heard! And every one of us needs to do our part, even if it’s not comfortable or easy. In this message, we'll look at the importance of the individual when it comes to sharing our faith in a local context. Because we all have a part to play. And we all need God's help to do it.
The book of Ephesians tells the Church to make every effort to be and stay united, because a broken and divided church cannot heal a broken world. As we are united and put Jesus at the center of our lives, we can see a change in our local communities!
The early church spread the news of Jesus’ love, not with theology and good preaching, but how they served others around them with selfless living. How could we affect our neighbors, coworkers, and community today by living a selfless life?
Have you ever wondered how others experience God in a powerful way and have lasting life change? Someone in our church family shares their journey of healing in their life that started with the pursuit of God. If we want to experience God, we need to take a step toward the beautiful relationship with Him that He intended for us to have!
Sin is seldom talked about in today’s culture and yet it has the power to destroy your life. The good news is God can heal and restore what is broken because of His love for us! Listen as we hear from someone in our church family share how their life was destroyed by sin, but redeemed by the love and grace of God!
Have you ever quit something, but later came back and succeeded? At the end of Colossians we see a relationship that was once torn by differences, but is now restored! In the same way, God never gives up on us no matter how many times we quit or fail!
What should the household look like as a Christian family? We see that it is based a lot less on "who does what" in the house. And it is based a lot more on "Who" we do it for. Everything we do should be marked by love and self-sacrifice as we try to live the way Jesus did. As we do everything as if we are doing it for God.
Paul continues his letter to the church in Colossae by shifting from, “What Christ has done for us,” to “What we should do” in response. We are challenged to take off the old life and put on the new life that God intends for us to have!
Respond Here
A couple from our church share their story of following God and how that lead to their journey into full time missions. They challenge us to do the same asking, “how much of God do you want in your life?”
Give to missionaries through Kingdom Builders:
https://rlcmn.church/kingdom-builders
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In the letter of Colossians, Paul writes to a church that is being pulled away from Jesus into their old way of living or pulled toward a set of rules to be right with God. We still have these pulls in our lives, what is the greater pull in your life?
In the second section of Colossians, Paul says he “strenuously contends” with all the energy Christ has given him so that people may know Jesus. Do we have a powerful burning desire for others to know Jesus? What does it look like for us to strenuously contend for those around us?
Paul starts the book of Colossians with encouraging the church Jesus is supreme meaning Jesus is God and is overall all creation. Paul also writes, Jesus is sufficient—meeting all the requirements for salvation, the work is finished! Jesus still does that for us today!
The foundation for spiritual growth is a daily, disciplined, private time with God. What does it look like for you to make a disciplined time with God part of your everyday life?
When we plant a tree, growth doesn’t happen instantly, instead it happens day by day. Just as a tree grows daily, we should too in our relationship with God.
Psalm 145 describes a generation passing down their faith to the next generation. Today, we continue to have a biblical duty as the Church to pass down our faith and love of God to the next generation. Here, we look into how we can do that.
The Bible tells us to “impress” our faith on our children and make God part of everything we do. Are we intentionally taking time to create an environment in our homes and lives that promotes spiritual growth?
Have you ever felt the pressure of, “Am I doing enough in this world to get ahead, to leave something for my kids, how will they remember me?” What if you could leave them something so much greater? The Bible talks about many people that left a legacy of loving God to the future generation. See what your part is and why leaving a legacy of loving God can be the greatest thing you can do!
Click Here to Respond
What if you have a misunderstanding about something that could radically change your relationship with God? The book of Acts describes power the apostles had from the Holy Spirit, but this gift was not just for them but also for us today!
Respond Here
The word Pentecost is only in the Bible three times but it has 1300 years of history behind it. Act 2 introduces the day of Pentecost, but why is it important for us today and how did it change things for the Church?
Have you ever thought about how everything you have is only on loan? From the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, Jesus shows us that He has entrusted us with everything we have, not to be used for our own desires, but to further His kingdom.
Jesus tells His disciples, narrow is the road to eternal life, but we know we are saved by his love and grace. If we are saved by grace why do we need to live the way Jesus wants us to? Listen to this to see how God has so much more for us when we follow Him on the narrow road.
Have you stopped to think how short life is? We all know this and have probably heard someone say it at some point. However, the bigger question is, have you thought about your forever?
Respond: www.rlcmn.church/respond
Easter is not just another Christian holiday, it offers so much more for everyone! Listen to this to see how the Easter story greatly impacts our lives today!
Respond Here
Have you ever wondered if God loves you? God loves you so much he sent His son to die for you! When we look at the cross and what Jesus endured on Good Friday, we start to see how deep His love really is.
When our experiences don’t match our expectations, we get disappointed. Throughout the Bible, people put expectations on Jesus that did not align with His purpose. In what ways have we set inaccurate expectations of God in our own lives?
Every church takes communion, but it seems to look different depending where you go. Have you wondered why we’re instructed to take communion? See here why it is such a significant part in our relationship with Jesus and with each other.
The religious people of the Bible had issues with Jesus to the point of setting him up to be killed. How did they miss who Jesus really was? Check this out to see how we can avoid missing Jesus in our own lives.
Are we aware of the need for God not just locally, but around the world? God is a global God and has given us a global mission. The question that remains is what can and what should we do?
When something gets personal everything changes, what we value, how we spend our time and even our passions. Our guest speaker, Justin Mack, shows us what God is passionate about, and how we can make that passion our own.
Powerful moments from God can have an impact that lasts a lifetime. They fill the pages of the Bible, but often seem rare in our lives. Check this out to see what can we do to facilitate these powerful moments with God and potentially change the course of our lives.
Have you ever tried to get to know someone without spending time with them? It's hard, and you don't get to know them very well! Similarly, it is hard to know God if we are not spending daily time with Him, and He wants to spend time with us too. Here, we show you some practical ways to do that.
Resources talked about in this message:
Prayer
Bible Reading
Respond to Message
When we do life together, our ability to grow as individuals is multiplied because we were not meant to do life alone! We should all have relationships that are primarily built on the mutual pursuit of God. Check this out to see what that could look like in your life.
"One more... Growing in Christ" is the mission of River of Life Church, but how do we as individuals continue to grow? Sometimes life can feel so full and busy that it's hard to grow in any of our relationships, especially with God. Check this out to see how we can have more of God in our lives.
"In the Bible, every Christian is a minister, but some are called in a different way." Some of us may be feeling a pull to live the way God intended us to, and some others will feel a different pull to become pastors, teachers, and missionaries. Listen to this to see our vision for people being called and to respond.
We believe that every Christian and every Church has a responsibility to those who have not yet heard. We are creating a community of individuals passionate about generosity and reaching the lost and hurting in our world. We believe one of the most effective things we can do as Christians is give financially to further the Kingdom of God. We want to invite you on this journey with us and to become a kingdom builder. Check out this message to get involved today!
Does church ever feel routine or like it should be something more? It is easy to drift into complacency as an individual and a church if we are not careful. Watch this to hear the new big vision of River of Life Church and to see what your part is to keep us moving forward with God's mission.
Fasting can be confusing. "Why do I do it? I just feel hungry. I don't really get anything out of it." Watch to find out how fasting is more than being empty but also about becoming full.
As we start the new year, our wish is that we would truly make Jesus number one in our life. That we would change before we have to and take steps each day to simply grow in our relationship with God. What does it look like for you to take a giant step forward in your spiritual life this year?
The phrase "The little Lord Jesus" is sung multiple times in this classic Christmas song. It gives us a picture of this precious little baby sleeping so peacefully. But what about the other word in that phrase we seem to skim over. The word 'Lord' is a powerful word that has huge implications. But what does it really mean?
This little town was home to one of the biggest historical events in the history of the world. We're going to look at what this town was a part of and how it affected both men and women for all eternity.
'O Holy Night' is a favorite classic Christmas song of many people around the world. We're going to dig into one phrase that seems to jump out of this song: "A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices." What's happening that is so thrilling? Why is the world so weary?
Worship is not a music genre and it's not the section of our church services where we sing. Worship is so much more.
We naturally are selfish and prideful creatures. To make matters worse, pride is hard to define, difficult to see in ourselves, and detested by God. So what is the antidote to pride? Humility!
It's hard to remember to be grateful when things are going well. It probably should be the opposite. But when things are good, we seem to forget about needing God and being thankful for all the good things that come from Him.
Sometimes we get stuck in the American church because there is no persecution. It's so easy for us to focus on our gatherings because it's safe. This takes away the need for God's people to scatter and share the Good News. If we are not intentional about this second part, it simply doesn't happen.
We dive in to our series "Unstuck", looking at things that bring us freedom and help us grow in our relationship with God. One of those things is tithing and being obedient to God with our finances. Tithing is a simple act of obedience that helps us keep God first in our lives, helps us trust God more, and helps the church spread the gospel of Jesus! So, let's answer the question "Why do/don't I tithe?"
Last week we looked at forgiving others. An even more difficult topic has to do with forgiving ourselves. Many of us are stuck and unable to move forward because of the guilt and shame from the things we have done in our past.
Unforgiveness is one of the most debilitating in our walk with God, and our life in general. What they did to you was not right. It hurt! We acknowledge that. But right now, it's time for you to start the process of forgiving them. This forgiveness doesn't let them off the hook or mean that you have to completely trust them again, but it can set YOU free! Not forgiving someone doesn't hurt them, it makes you stuck!
When the body of Christ all uses what God has given them for His mission, we see lives changed and the declaration of that through water baptisms, like we are witnessing today.
The church hasn't always done a great job when it comes to helping people who deal with depression. Whether you are someone who deals with it or not, this interview and message can help us start moving in the right direction when it comes to this topic.
Anxiety is something that affects many more of us than we know. Today we are not talking about medical anxiety, but the type of anxiety that comes out of fear or nervousness about what might happen. We don't want that. We want peace. So, let's take a look at how we can start to make the transition from anxiousness to peace.
Most people in American are just too busy to live emotionally healthy and spiritually rich lives. But Jesus has a different way...a better way! We're going to look at Matthew 11:28-30 in a way you may have not seen it before.
If we're not careful, negativity can invade every area of our lives. We can even let negativity ruin the best of situations. So, how do we overcome negativity and find the positive in every circumstance?
There is almost always a ritual or trigger that starts the process of sin in our lives, and not just sexual sin, even though it is the focus of our message today. So, what does it look like to not fall into the trap of sin? How do we proactively win the battle against temptation and sin in our lives?
Many of us are stuck. We are struggling to move forward with our relationship with God. God wants to be free! Free from all sin, not just sexual sin, even though that is what we are focusing on in this message. But before we can be free from sin, there has to be some sort of crisis.
In the final week of looking at David, we are going to see him be forgiven for one of the biggest sins in the entire Bible. This is especially amazing because Saul, the king that was removed before David, was removed for something that seems so much smaller. Why did God accept David’s apology but not Sauls? What we’re about to learn is an important part of having a healthy relationship with God.
David was called a man after God's own heart. What made him different than the king before him, Saul? They both made mistakes. Maybe it had to do with the humility of David. Let's look at it together.
We learn how to live a victorious life when we come up against the enemy and hard circumstances through this next part of the story of David.
Today we’re starting our 4 week look at the life of David. The event of David being anointed King as a young boy is the first mention of his life. We’re going to look at three lessons that we see in this encounter with the prophet Samuel and his father Jesse.
In the life of a followers of Jesus, there are hurdles that can cause us to stumble if we're not careful. That's bad enough, but we also need to be careful that we aren't the ones placing those hurdles in the path of other Christians. So, what could these two types of hurdles look like? We're glad you asked...
The target of the archer is the gold center bullseye of the target. But, there is an affliction that plagues some archers called "Gold Fever", where they let the air loose as soon as they see the gold bullseye in their sights before they get their true aim.
Sometimes as followers of Jesus, we can suffer from the same affliction. We act before we have our true aim on the target that Jesus would have us go after.
We try to balance our Christian lives by doing the good stuff and not doing the bad stuff through sheer will power. Then, WHEN we fall, we feel like junk and throw in the towel.
Instead, what if we realized that it's more about having a relationship with the Holy Spirit and letting him guide you and help you stayed balance?
With the Olympics happening over the next few weeks, we have found some inspiration as to what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. In First Corinthians chapter 9, the apostle Paul talks about how athletes discipline themselves in an extreme way to win a prize that is temporary. The question becomes: "How much more should we be COMMITTED, as Christians, when our reward is eternal.
Peter was one of the most faithful disciples Jesus...most of the time. There was an important moment where he failed to be faithful and it almost caused him to miss out on what Jesus had for him. But an encounter in John 21 with Jesus put him back on track. Maybe we need an encounter like this...
Our country and it's leadership doesn't always go the same direction that we as Christians would like to see it go. So, how do we respond when our leadership doesn't do things in a way that is honoring to God?
Jesus tells a story about planting seeds that is supposed to get his audience thinking about the condition of their hearts. What kind of soil is the message of God landing on when it is shared with you?
There are three stories that Jesus tells to a group of people to help them understand a little bit more about who He is. Let's see if we can learn something as well.
Jesus has multiple encounters with children during his ministry, and both times he tells adults that we should be more like them. Their faith, innocence, and sense of adventure are things that Jesus want us all to have. Let's look a bit deeper at these encounters and what we can learn.
Have you ever thought, "God is the all-powerful creator of the universe. He doesn't need me to do anything for Him." You're right! He doesn't need you...but He wants you to be a part of what He's doing. Let's learn more about this by looking one of the first encounters Peter ever has with Jesus.
In Luke chapter 9, Jesus tells the crowd of people that they have to take up their cross to truly follow Him. Do we follow him with everything and all the time, or do we flex & choose what areas we want to follow Him in?
John chapter 8 has an intense encounter between Jesus, the religious leaders, and a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. We see two very different responses to this woman's sin. Let's see what we can learn from them.
In Luke chapter 5 Jesus has an interesting encounter with a tax collector & his friends, and a group of religious leaders that we can learn a lot from about how Jesus sees people.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to leave a legacy of faith in the next generation? As mothers (fathers, grandparents, or even influences in your kid’s friend's lives), we have the opportunity to point the young people in our lives toward Jesus. At the end of our lives, let it be said of us that we had faith, lived it out, and passed it on to those around us.
Imagine having a disease so contagious and so deadly that you were exiled from any populated area and no one would even get anywhere near you. Now imagine a person who loved you so much that they didn't care about all that: They were willing to be close to you, talk to you, and even touch you. That's what Jesus does for a man in this week's encounter.
What can we learn from a woman who interrupts another miracle Jesus is on his way to? Her interruption inadvertently causes a little girl to die because the miracle was too late in coming... Or was it?
John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask a question that shows John's struggle with Jesus not meeting his expectations. We all have things that we struggle with when it comes to what Jesus teaches, does, or does not do. Jesus tells John not to let those things cause him to stumble. Do we have expectations of Jesus, maybe that we don't even realize, that are causing us to stumble?
The encounter that the woman at the well had with Jesus revealed a deep issue that plagues us all. We are all searching for something that will satisfy us and fill us up. Jesus tells the woman about the only thing that will satisfy each and every one of us.
Easter is a chance for all of us to see Jesus for who he really is. As we look at the journey of a man named Nicodemus and his journey to belief in Jesus, maybe you'll see a step or two that mirrors your own.
To get to the ends of the earth, you have to go through your own town. Reaching the people around us for Jesus is part of God's command to GO into all the world. So what does that look like? How does God want to go about that?
A main component to us being a people and a church on mission is having a heart for lost people. God's heart is that none should perish, and he wants us to do feel the same. So how do we develop this heart and what will it compel us to do?
In Romans 9, the apostle Paul talks about how he feels an obligation to those who have not heard the name of Jesus. We too should feel compelled in the same way. Some of us are not called to go, but we all can be senders for those that do go.
DON'T MISS THIS MESSAGE. THIS IS WHO WE ARE! The last thing Jesus says to his disciples before leaving this earth is to go to all parts of the earth to tell others about him. We are a church that is all about this mission! We want to reach people around us and on the other side of the world.
The final Dangerous Prayer that we are looking at comes from Isaiah chapter 6 where he prays, "Send me." What if we became completely surrendered to God to the point of going anywhere, anytime, to do anything He asks us to. This prayer could totally change the trajectory of your life...so get ready!
For our second Dangerous Prayer, "Break me", we looked at two stories about broken things from Mark 14. We asked the question: "What if praying safe prayers like 'Bless us' & 'Keep us safe' is the equivalent to praying 'Don't let me grow.'" We're looking at how, many times, we grow more when we are broken.
We are in the habit of praying safe prayers: "Bless me" "Help me" "Keep me safe." God wants us to go deeper - to be more dangerous with our prayers. Our first dangerous prayer, "Search me", is taken from King David's Psalm 139, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Prayer is the key… it’s the answer… it’s central to everything we do, everything we talk about. Central to our relationship with God – but specifically, central to living out our faith! This week we take a 30,000ft view of prayer throughout the Bible and how we can apply it to our lives.
Guest speaker Kevin Senapatiratne shares some insight on prayer and how we can bring that connection with God into our everyday lives.
Jesus did many miraculous and amazing things. He wasn't able to do these things just because he was the Son of God, but because of his connection with the Father. In John 15, Jesus shares a great illustration using a vine, the branches, and the fruit on the branches to describe why it is so important to "remain" in Him.
God is calling us to a new movement of prayer. Join us as we talk about the importance of prayer and how the next 21 days will be a springboard for us and our church family.
Being the OFFENDED can be just as unhealthy and wrong as it is to be the OFFENDER. But there's good news: You can choose if you are going to be offended. "SAY WHAT?" Join us as we talk about one of the biggest plagues that is attacking our country today.
We live in a world where people seem to be offended more easily than ever before. It is compounded with the ability to share our "expert opinion" anytime we want. What would it look like if we were more worried about being loving than we were about being right?
The type of joy the world talks about is different from the joy the Bible talks about. This is the perfect time of year to figure out how to have the joy that Jesus wants for us.
The concept of peace is found throughout the Bible. Jesus talks about it many times and the apostle Paul starts every one of his letters with it. So, why is it important and how do we get it?
Advent is a time where we prepare for the coming of Christmas: The birth of Jesus. That birth is what gives us the Hope we are talking about today; Hope that is not in our earthly circumstances. If we were to tie our hope to our earthly circumstances, we would definitely feel let down by God. So, what is this hope really all about?
We all have goals with our money, whether we know it or not: Providing for our family, saving for retirement, and so many more. But the number one goal that brings all the others into balance is honoring God with everything he has given us.
Wealth can make us feel like we are better off than we are and cause us to not rely on God. There's not many things that are more dangerous than putting our hope and trust in our money.
No one really thinks they are rich...but if you're watching or listening to this, you are rich. Don't believe it? Check this message out and see what you think when it's over.
Isn't it funny how we get angry at God when he does something we don't like? Think about it: Do we really think that we are smarter than He is? In the third and final message on the book of Jonah, we see Jonah angry at God multiple times. Let's see what we can learn from the back-and-forth between God and Jonah.
Have you ever felt far from God? In part two of our series of messages on the book of Jonah we see a few different groups that are far from God for different reasons, but ultimately they are made right with God after they both do the same thing. Join us as we explore more about finding God’s grace when we don’t deserve it.
The book of Jonah is a powerful little book of a prophet who doesn't want to do what God has asked him to do. In part one, we will see what we can learn from Jonah and his encounter with God as he flees from Him.
There are certain moments in our life where something happens and there is a turning point that changes the trajectory of our path. What if today was one of those for you?
As followers of Jesus, living for God's kingdom should be the top priority in our life. We don't do this by just trying to be a good person. Join us as we look at how bearing good fruit comes directly from staying connected to Jesus.
The second part of bringing the Kingdom of God here is for us as human beings to be transformed. There are three parts of us that are included in this transformation: Body, soul, & spirit. Join us as we look at Romans 12 to see what this transformation looks like.
Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God more than anything. He talks about the Kingdom of God coming to earth...but what does that look like? We may think we know what the Kingdom of God is, but we may be thinking about it all wrong.
As American Christians, we can very easily DRIFT into apathy. We can get distracted and lose our focus that should be set on God and continually moving closer to Him. So how do we combat this apathy and move closer to God?
After Jesus raises from the grave, he gives his disciples a mission to spread his name to the ends of the earth and then ascends to Heaven. This is the beginnings of the Christian Church. The question is, what can we learn from this early church?
In our time at 30,000 feet we have seen God trying to bring us back to Him. This week, with His son Jesus coming to earth, we see his ultimate plan take shape. Alongside Jesus coming to die for us, he also came to live as an example for us.
Coming back from captivity, the Israelites had one thing on their mind: Making Jerusalem look good on the outside again. The problem was that they were not as concerned about following God.
As we continue on in our series of looking at the Bible from 30,000 feet, we come to the place where the Israelites are taken into captivity by Babylon. We will see some God’s temple destroyed, meet a guy named Daniel, and take a look at the prophetic dreams of a man named Ezekiel. Don’t miss this pivotal week in the story of the God as we start to hear about the coming king that will rule forever.
This week we are looking at the part of God's story where the Kingdom of Israel is split and the kings of both struggle to follow God, and in turn the people they lead struggle to do the same.
Join us as we take a look at the first two kings that ruled over the Israelites, Saul & David, to see what we can learn from their two very different seasons as kings.
This week, our big picture view of the Bible from 30,000 ft will look at 6 stories from the book of Judges. We will see a cycle of turning away from God, punishment, repentance, salvation, and complacency play out over and over again through this book and talk about what it looks like for us to consistently follow Jesus instead of getting stuck in this cycle ourselves.
This week, our big picture view of the Bible from 30,000 ft starts with the birth of Moses and ends with death of his predecessor, Joshua. We will look at how Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt before passing leadership on to Joshua, who led them into a land of their own where they could be set apart for God.
We're taking the next month to take a 30,000 ft view of the Bible. This week we are looking at the first 2,200 years of human history that highlights people like Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Joseph. Don't miss week #1 of 30,000ft.
So many things have been changing this year that we have had to pivot and change the direction our lives are going in different ways.
America is known as a country full of wealth and freedom. Those are great things, but sometimes they can be negative things when it comes to our relationship with Jesus.
If you are speaking the Truth with little or no concern for the person you are speaking to, you are not speaking the Truth in love. So what does this look like?
When we remember where we came from, it's easier to treat others with love while sharing the Truth.
Truth without love is noise, love without truth is incomplete. Jesus modeled both truth and grace in everything he did!
With all the racial injustice in the world, God is concerned with justice. We may not understand or know how to respond, but we can listen and desire to be part of the change.
A divided church cannot heal a broken world. Listen in as Pastor Kyle lays out the importance of unity in the church from Philippians chapter 1.
One of the most essential things for us is human interaction. Being a part of a community of believers is an integral part of growing spiritually. Join us as we talk more about this essential part of our lives.
As Christians, it is essential that we have a genuine care for other people. Join Pastor Kyle as we look at the truths from 2 Timothy 2 and Philippians chapter 2, and deal with our own hearts that are bent towards selfishness.
Your worth and value is not measured by what you can or cannot do. Instead, by what Proverbs 31 outlines for us.
Pride is like a virus that can come into our lives and destroy our lives. So what does it look like for us to move from pride to humility?
The word "Essential" means absolutely necessary or extremely important.
The first essential thing we are going to be looking at in this series of messages is that it is essential that God is the foundation of our lives. Join us as we figure out what that looks like for us.
We are in a time of waiting...waiting to see how everything is going to play out with this virus stuff.
But God has given us a purpose, and no matter what happens in the world or in our lives, that purpose doesn’t change.
Today we celebrate and remember the most important day in the history of the world! This TRUE STORY stars two people: 1) Jesus & 2) a very unexpected person indeed. Join us to find out why.
Last week we saw that during times of crisis throughout history, the Christians were on everyone's lips because of what they were willing to do to show compassion. This week, we see in Philippians that we can shine like stars if we learn to have a positive attitude.
In uncertain times, like we are in now, we mostly ask God to take away our problems. But we can learn something from three guys in the book of Daniel. They found out that following God, no matter what it means for us, is the best way to live out any situation.
Many of us are PROGRAMMED for worry, fear, anxiety...But God promises us something so much better: "Peace that surpasses all understanding"; Supernatural peace; Peace when there should be no peace.
Join us as we talk about what it looks like to focus our thoughts, like Philippians 4:6-7 say, so that we can have that peace.