Riverview Church Novelty: Recent Episodes
Riverview
Located in the heart of Novelty, Ohio, we are a Bible-focused, non-denominational fellowship that loves Jesus and the world he came to redeem. Because we’ve been transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit, we exist to glorify God by developing mature followers of Jesus Christ through the power of his Word. Sermons are by Pastor Dave Fry and Pastor Seth Jones.
The greatest joy of the Christian life is not just serving God, but knowing him as our Father.
To follow Jesus is to step into a new family, where faith and obedience matter more than flesh and blood.
To reject the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus is to reject the only path to forgiveness.
Jesus isn’t looking for fans—he’s calling true followers who will be near him and sent out by him.
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, and the rest we long for isn’t found in rule-keeping but in relationship with him.
The message of salvation is the good news that Jesus has fulfilled God's promises through his death and resurrection, offering complete forgiveness to all who believe.
Jesus doesn’t avoid sinners; he pursues them with redeeming love and transforming grace.
Jesus has the authority to forgive sins because He is the Son of Man, and He knows our deepest need.
Jesus not only has the power to heal but also the authority to cleanse the unclean and restore the outcast to God.
Jesus possesses divine authority over all things—His Word commands, His power delivers, and His touch restores. How will we respond?
The kingdom of God is here, and King Jesus calls us to repentance, faith, and a life of discipleship.
Mark tells us about Jesus’ preparation for ministry as the Christ so that we would prepare ourselves to receive him as the Son of God.
The Gospel of Mark introduces Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, challenging us to see Him
rightly, embrace His mission, and respond in faith and discipleship.
Speaking boldly for Christ means communicating with respect, honesty, conviction, and persuasion.
To engage unbelievers with wisdom, we must build redemptive relationships by being moved by their lost condition, considerate of their context, making the truth clear, and ministering with patience.
To fulfill our mission, we must depend on God in prayer, asking for strength to speak his word with all boldness.
God providentially places people in our path, calling us to recognize these divine appointments and respond with a heart ready to share.
We must urgently embrace our calling, trusting that the Spirit of God will empower us to be faithful witnesses of Jesus wherever he sends us and until he returns.
In Psalm 1 we see the joy, the security, and the destiny of the word centered man provide for us three reasons why we should devote ourselves anew to being people of the Word of God in 2025.
In a world of distractions and competing priorities, God calls us to make room in our hearts for Jesus, who came to save us and will come again to reign.
Our lives can have eternal purpose because Jesus is the risen Savior who overcame death and invites us into His mission as our Everlasting Father.
True and lasting peace comes only through reconciliation with God, offered by Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
We have hope because Jesus is the Mighty God and has the power to meet our deepest needs.
We give thanks because God’s covenant faithfulness, sovereign rule, and steadfast love in Christ assure us of His presence.
When we feel alone, faithfulness means reaching out for help, letting go of resentment, looking up to God, and leaning in to bless those around us.
Being faithful to the end requires the conviction to pour out our lives for Christ, commitment to never quit or compromise, and confidence in our eternal reward.
Faithfully ministering God’s Word requires a clear sense of accountability, constant readiness, vigilance against opposition, and personal resolve.
The doctrine of the clarity of Scripture teaches us three ways to keep our Bibles open when we are tempted to close them.
Faithfulness in the last days requires a commitment to follow the pattern of godliness set by those who have gone before us and to trust in Scripture's sufficiency to transform our lives and equip us for ministry.
We can be faithful in the last days by avoiding those whose character and conduct oppose the truth and by trusting in God’s ability to expose them for who they truly are.
To be faithful in fighting indwelling sin, we must cleanse ourselves from every impurity, pursue righteousness with others, and respond to opposition with patience and grace.
In a world of lies, remaining faithful to Christ means maintaining a firm stand against error and a clear commitment to the truth.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 we will observe one dimension of Scripture and four following implications that we might treasure this book as no common word.
We can remain faithful through false accusations by trusting in Christ's vindication, the power of God's Word, and the certainty of His promises.
God provides an abundance of grace in Christ so that we can be strengthened and remain faithful to our calling, even when we feel weak.
Our faithfulness is measured not by how we begin but by how we endure, especially when tempted to walk away from our calling.
We don’t have to be ashamed of our belief in the gospel because we can faithfully embrace suffering in God’s power, anchor our hearts in His sufficient grace, and rest our confidence in his unchanging character.
God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control, enabling us to serve Him faithfully even when we feel afraid.
As our Good Shepherd, Jesus provides unwavering guidance, protection, and provision, inviting us to trust Him fully and experience His peace and contentment in every circumstance.
Hezekiah shows us three simple but important principles we must remember in the face of trials, temptation, and terror.
The key to overcoming challenges in family discipleship lies in prioritizing the heart, relying on the Holy Spirit, finding joy in obedience, and placing unwavering hope in Jesus.
By God’s grace, we can create and sustain a culture of Christian discipleship in our homes through consistent Christ-centered modeling and mentoring.
God has designed parents to be the primary tool he uses to lead their children to know and love Jesus.
Because of the great salvation we have in Christ, we should live as people who honor God in everything we say and do.
God has blessed us abundantly, and we should use our wealth to bless others, not ourselves.
The pursuit of wealth can be a treacherous path, leading us away from the faith and into spiritual ruin. However, embracing godliness with contentment can offer us a joy that lasts.
The gospel frees us to live under broken systems of authority in a way that preserves our Christian witness and promotes brotherly love.
When waiting for the promises of God, worship the God of the promises (worship while you wait).
Christ wants the people of His church to treat one another as a family should and to care for those who don’t have a family to care for them.
When difficult circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, God gives us everything we need to remain stable in Christ.
Redemption is illustrative of our greatest need, Christ’s great worth, God’s great love, and our greatest hope.
The church needs men and women who will lead in serving others with Christlike character, resulting in good standing and great confidence in Christ.
The church needs men who aspire to lead and care for it according to the character of Christ.
God wants men and women in the church to glorify him by joyfully following the commands and patterns he has established for our good.
God is in the business of restoring all things, so trust and obey King Jesus even in the mundane.
God wants the church to pray for everyone because he offers salvation to all people through the work of Jesus.
Fighting for the gospel is necessary and good, but it is a difficult and potentially dangerous endeavor.
The gospel is glorious because Jesus came to save sinners, and Paul is an example of Jesus' power to save the worst sinner of all.
Preserving the purity of the gospel in the church requires courage and discernment to lovingly correct those who wander from the truth.
The apostle Paul greets Timothy with a letter rooted in Christ's authority and hope and serves as God’s blueprint for life in the church.
Jonathan Edwards is an example of a man who was resolved to make every thought, deed, and attitude count for the glory of God.
Kingdom citizens entrust their lives to their Father and seek first Christ’s Kingdom and righteousness.
Mary is a voice of faith in God’s Word and character who tells us Jesus is the Son of God and that we can be saved from our sins by trusting in him.
Elizabeth is a voice of blessing as she tells us about Jesus, the promised Messiah who brings salvation to all who repent and believe.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Moses provides three exhortations to keep us from the dangers of idolatry and lead us into the kind of life that God blesses.
The judgment God gave because Adam’s sin contains a promise of restoration through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 3 explains what happened to God's good creation and why things are not how they should be.
Genesis provides a solid historical foundation for the belief that God is the Creator of all things and that he did it in six literal days.
God cares about people and wants us to handle his people with care. He wants us to be tender with what is valuable to him, which is why gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Trusting in God’s unwavering commitment to his promises provides a solid foundation for our faithful obedience to his will and faithfulness in our dealings with others.
God manifests his goodness in tangible ways, and through the good sacrifice of Jesus, he redeems us for good works by the Spirit.
God has shown kindness out of compassion for our needs and despite our sins, and we should show kindness to others in Jesus’ name.
We can patiently endure hardship in life and bear with the faults of others because God is patient with us and works all things for our good.
Because God has made peace at the cross, we can experience his peace within and live in peace with others.
Nothing is more central to Christlikeness than love. It is proof of the abiding life of God in the life of every true believer in Jesus.
Believers who walk by the Spirit show goodness to all people, especially other believers.
Jesus builds His church through the bold witness of His followers who live in submission to His Spirit.
We must keep in step with the Spirit by bearing one another’s burdens instead of judging one another in selfishness.
If we walk by the Spirit, we can triumph over the sinful desires of the flesh and live in true spiritual freedom.
To stand firm in our freedom through Christ, we must listen to what the whole law teaches about becoming true children of God.
Making mature disciples of Jesus might be one of the most difficult things we do for the Lord, but if we labor faithfully, it will also be the most satisfying.
Don’t live as a slave to the Law when you can live as a child of God and heir of salvation through faith in Christ.
Because being loved as a child of God is based on His promise, not His Law, we are saved by faith, not obedience.
Jesus still sends every Christian into the world to represent him as he was sent to represent the Father.
The Day of the Lord is coming, you can’t run away, hide, or stop it, but you can be ready.
Don't rely on good works to save you. God's blessing is a gift; you can only receive it by faith in Christ.
Faith in Christ is better than faith in works because of how we experience the work of God in our lives.
Because we are justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law, we should live a righteous life, not a morally reckless one.
Because there is only one gospel, we must ensure our conduct keeps in step with the truth of the gospel, or we may be in opposition to it.
Jesus was prepared to be adored as Israel’s King, yet he lamented over those who rejected him and were blind to the peace that only he could bring.
Because there is only one gospel, we must know, defend, proclaim, and live it faithfully before all people.
In life, we will regularly be faced with the temptation to compromise the truths of God’s Word. But through the encouragement of Scripture, we can stand firm in the faith.
There is no reason to proclaim any other gospel because the gospel we have received comes from God and transforms lives.
We can believe that Jesus is the only source of eternal salvation because that’s the only gospel God has given his apostles the authority to proclaim.
We can forgive others from the heart because God has forgiven us a more outstanding debt.
Jesus tells us how to pursue those who sin against us and respond if they refuse to listen.
Jesus tells us how to pursue those who sin against us and respond if they refuse to listen.
The LORD has anointed his Servant to save poor, brokenhearted, captive sinners and
transform them into representatives of his salvation to all people.
The LORD’s servant will successfully bring salvation to Israel and to all the
nations of the earth.
Express your love for the Lord by being thankful for how he hears your pleas
and meets your needs.
God’s sufficiency in our suffering produces Christian maturity, brotherly affection,
and divine blessing.
We can boast in our weakness because, through it, we experience the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Fools boast in what they think they can accomplish in their strength, but the faithful boast in what they know God will do in their weakness.
Those in positions of authority must use it for the good of others and the glory of Christ, not for themselves.
Jesus expects us to multiply his resources while he is away and promises to reward those who are faithful.
God has given us a powerful strategy for waging spiritual warfare against the enemies of Christ.
Give generously to others, and God will reward you well so that you can give even more generously for His glory.
There are two kinds of grief over sin, but only one is a sufficient response to the gift of salvation we’ve received in Christ Jesus.
The second step on the discipleship pathway is to treasure the knowledge of God through his Word and his Son.
We have been reconciled to God in Christ and called to be ambassadors of his ministry and message of reconciliation.
A Christian’s life and ministry should be motivated by the fear of the Lord and the love of Christ.
Because Jesus lives, we possess the hope of eternal glory, an eternal body, and an eternal home.
God makes himself known through our weakness so that the sufficiency of his power is put on display for all to see.
The new covenant is better than the old because it is sufficient to meet our spiritual needs in Christ.
In Christ our work for the Lord is commended and our confidence is established in the sufficiency of his grace.
Sin is painful and deserves to be punished, but forgiveness should be granted to those who repent so that we don’t fall prey to the devil.
Living with integrity requires we maintain a clear conscience, tell the truth, and love others more than ourselves.
Affliction teaches us to rely on God and not ourselves in the unshakable hope of being delivered for His glory through the prayers of His people.
God always meets our suffering with a sufficient supply of his comfort, salvation, and grace.
Abortion is a moral evil that Christians need to speak about with clarity and compassion.
If God exists and the Gospels are true, it’s rational to believe the Christmas miracles.
Moral failures can hinder our potential, but they can’t hinder the power of God that points us to Christ.
Though our ultimate success in fulfilling God’s calling on our life is achieved in His power and strength, we will not succeed if we fail to finish well.
Behind the deliverance of sinful people are successful leaders empowered by a great God.
Christ’s kingdom is a place that for now has both believers and unbelievers existing side by side, often indistinguishably. Yet, one day He will separate those who genuinely believe and bear fruit of godliness from those who do not.
Though Israel entered the land with a dependent heart of devotion to the Lord, their delayed obedience led to divine chastisement.
Jesus’ cry of surrender demonstrates his love for his Father, his trust in God’s care, and his willingness to fully let go.
Jesus’ cry of affection tells us that Jesus loves his grieving mother and his fearful disciples in fulfillment of the law of God.
The Day of the Lord is coming; you can’t run away, hide, or stop it, but you can be ready.
Christ’s death means victory over sin, and his resurrection means victory over death, that all who believe in him would have eternal life with God.
Jesus’ cry of suffering reveals the degree to which he languished under the judgment of God as a man in our place that we could be saved and satisfied in him.
Jesus’ cry of desolation demonstrates just how much sin deserves to come under God’s righteous judgment and also how deep God’s love is to spare us from it in Christ.
Jesus’ cry of pardon reveals his commitment to the ministries of prayer and intercession on behalf of sinners.
The sword of the Spirit is our only offensive weapon by which we counter the enemy's attacks.
The shield of faith is our defense against the Devil's attempts to undermine the character of God and our obedience to him in love.
The shoes of gospel peace help us stand our ground when assaulted by the enemy and prepare us to take the gospel to a world in need.
God equips us with the breastplate of righteousness so that we may stand firm against enemy accusations.
Standing firm against the enemy means having the truths of God's word fastened to our heart through the work of God's Son.
Because the enemy wants to steal the riches God has granted us in Christ, we must prepare to stand firm against him in the strength of the Lord's might and dressed in the whole armor of God.
God’s people are to seek the good of the people around them, while committed to the difficult truth of God’s Word and hoping in God’s promise for full blessings in the future.
The Pharisee’s show us that self-righteousness can keep us from the love of God at Advent.
Paul gives us six ways and two reasons to be Christlike and Spirit-filled in the workplace.
God desires to build Spirit-filled families where children obey and honor their parents, and fathers nurture their children.
God desires to build Spirit-filled families where children obey and honor their parents, and fathers nurture their children.
God desires husbands to display the fullness of the Spirit in the way they love their wives like Christ loves the church.
God desires wives to display the fullness of the Spirit in the way they submit to their husbands.
Biblical lament is a grace that helps Christians grieve pain and loss while leaning into God with a heart of worship and trust.
It is God’s will that we yield every thought and action to the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit in our life.
In light of the evil times in which we live, we need God’s wisdom to make the most out of every opportunity for gospel impact in the world.
We are to imitate God and walk in love instead of selfishness, knowing that God will judge those who disobey.
In Christ, together we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, filled with the love of Christ, and empowered for the glory of God.
We are unified because, as recipients of Paul’s ministry, we are also called to be used by God, understanding the mystery of God, to faithfully proclaim the riches and wisdom of God, even as we suffer with hope in God.
We are united because God has changed our status as strangers and aliens to citizens and saints, members of God’s family, built into a holy temple for the Spirit of God.
We are united because Christ is our peace and enables us to live in peace with one other.
We are united because though we were once far from God, we have been brought to him by the blood of Christ.
The Bible teaches that there is only one race (the human race), that sin is the cause of racism, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to bring racism to an end.
Our Christian credibility rests on the way we live and serve in times of blessing or adversity.
Though God’s kingdom begins small, it grows large over time and becomes a blessing to all who receive it.
God will be glorified in our church as we make disciples for the multiplication of churches.
God will be glorified in our church as we faithfully multiply leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Being anchored to God’s unshakable promises in Christ means that we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to him in any storm.
You can endure the discipline of God because in Christ you are not alone, you are a child of God, and you are being transformed.
Looking to Jesus through life and death will keep us anchored because He has triumphed over the grave.
Though we may feel the full force of suffering in this life, Jesus keeps us securely anchored to the hope of our eternal salvation.
Jesus anchors us to God's promises and enables us to live securely through all life's storms.
Only by the grace of God can we be saved from our sin and live in the joy of serving him.
The church is the place where God has chosen to most profoundly display the glory of Christ.
Because God is sovereign, we can fervently pray with gratitude for spiritual growth in our own lives and the lives of others.
In Christ God sealed every believer with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our spiritual inheritance.
In Christ, God has purchased our freedom from slavery to sin and its dreadful consequences.
Because God planned to save us before we planned to serve Him, we can respond with humility, holiness and gratitude.
Jesus is our great High Priest who perfectly intercedes for us before the throne of God.
Jesus is our Prophet who instructs us in the truths of God which lead us into a right relationship with God.
Jesus is the Great I AM who offers us a satisfying spiritual life in the present tense.
Because life is unpredictable and death is certain, we should live each day in the joy and fear of the Lord, who is our loving Creator and righteous judge.
A little wisdom is better than folly, but a little folly can make even the wise look foolish.
The eternal God rules over every season of your life, therefore enjoy his gifts and trust his good purposes.
Growing Christians habitually worship God, walk in community, work with their gifts, and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.
We don't have to be afraid of the evil things that happen in this sin-cursed world because God has a plan that overcomes evil with good.
Suffering may cause us to question God's love, but God proves his love in that though we deserve to be rejected and judged, we are instead accepted and loved.
There are times when we may feel overwhelmed and forgotten, but God remembers and rescues his people according to his kindness and grace.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, we can cry out to him, commune with him, commit our way to him, content ourselves in him, and confidently rest in his abundant provision.
Sin separates us from a holy God, but through the sacrifice of Jesus, God makes atonement for our sins and carries them away for those who confess their sin and trust in Jesus.
Paul's last words to the Corinthians are just as important as all the rest. They may be the last but they are not the least. They contain an important message of exhortation, greeting, warning, and blessing for God's people then and today.
The gospel not only provides comfort for sinners, but also a call for spiritual growth and maturity in the lives of God's people.
Faithful financial giving to the Lord's work is both a priority and a privilege for the people of God.
The glorious nature of our future resurrection fuels our work for the Lord here and now.
There are disastrous consequences to our life and faith if there is no resurrection of the dead.
The church must function in an orderly manner because God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
God’s compassionate character is to be reflected in the way we show compassion to the world that he made and so deeply cares about.
Because Jesus has revealed God's love for us by meeting our greatest needs, we can show our love for him by meeting the greatest needs of his people.
Christmas is all about incarnational giving and living. It's about giving more of yourself in personal, sacrificial relationship with those you know and love.
Spending less doesn't mean spending nothing. Rather, it means biblically evaluating how much you spend, what motives drive your spending, and how others are affected by it.
We all have obstacles to worship at Christmas, but we can worship God fully if we keep a willing, obedient, seeking, and sacrificial heart.
Sometimes our greatest need is to be healed from the ingratitude in our heart, not the illness in our body.
God is still a miracle-working God, but miracle-workers and healers are not for the church today.
The gift of tongues is the gift of speaking known languages, not unintelligible speech.
The gift of prophecy played a vital role in the foundation of the church, but the gift of prophecy is not for the church today.
The ironclad promise of God is a glorious future in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.
Apostles were foundational to the church, but there are no longer apostles in the church today.
God call us to live a new way of life, for the good of others, by the power of his Spirit working in us.
God is most concerned with our hearts in worship. Therefore, we must be committed to examining our hearts in light of the Gospel every time we gather for corporate worship.
Got has created authority structures for our good and we should honor what God has created.
A successful Christian life requires dedication, determination, and discipline that is motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel empowers us to freely serve the interests of others in order to win them in faith to Christ.
The Gospel enables us to give up our rights and entitlements for the sake of loving others as Christ has loved us.
Christian maturity is defined not by how much you know, but by how much you love, and love for others should guide the exercise of Christian liberty.
Singleness isn't often seen as a plus, but in some circumstances, it can be the best option for securing an undivided devotion to the Lord.
Godliness isn't necessarily achieved by making radical changes to our circumstances, but by learning to be content in the midst of them.
What is the aim of your Christian life? What are the goals and commitments that keep you on mission devoted to God?
We live in a hyper-sexualized society that makes it difficult to remain sexually pure, but Christians can avoid sexual sin when equipped by the Holy Spirit with the truths of God's Word.
Conflict is a part of life in this fallen world, but Christians can handle conflict in a way that reflects the love and wisdom of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The cost of godliness can be great, but not as great as the cost of compromise. Paul teaches us how to avoid moral failures in the church and in our personal lives.
Dealing with sin in the church is painful and can by very messy, especially when the guilty are unrepentant. Thankfully God gives us clear instruction on how the church can handle unrepentant sin.
Every Christian is called to be a disciple-making disciple. What qualities do we need in order to fulfill our calling effectively?
What does our relationship with Jesus look like now, until the day when we see Him face to face in Heaven?
Considering our calling in Christ Jesus to be humble servants, it is foolish to be proud.
We're often very concerned with what people think of us, but it's what God thinks that should matter most.
We can trust God's omnipotent hand to hold us fast no matter what trials and temptations we face.
Jesus is worthy of occupying the center of our lives, but because of our sin it's easy to let him get pushed to the perimeter. Here are three ways we can keep Jesus at the center.
Every Christian wants to be spiritually mature, but some still act like infants in Christ. Paul helps us identify two marks of spiritual immaturity that every believer needs to grow beyond and leave behind.
What are the ideas that fueled the Protestant Reformation and why do they still matter today?
Christianity isn't anti-intellectual, rather it's a rational faith rooted in God's wisdom, given by God's Spirit, for God's people.
If we are going to have God's blessing as a church, then we must make sure we are preaching the right message, with the right method, for the right reason.
Though the cross of Christ is foolishness to the world, it is the wisdom and power of God for salvation to all who believe.
We can't have victory over sin on our own, therefore God plans to use his people to restore us and bear our burdens.
Because each day can be full of discouraging news and overwhelming circumstances, we need to encourage one another with truths that are greater than our troubles.
God calls us to submit to one another and mutual submission requires humility and trust.
Serving is not easy, but when we remind ourselves of our identity in Jesus, serving becomes part of who we are.
Though we are many, we are each called into the unity of uncommon community known as the body of Christ. Each of us needs the community and the community needs each one of us.
In Christ, we have been made complete before God, liberated from the bondage of sin, raised to newness of life, forgiven all of our sins, and have victory over demonic powers.
How do we go from building a relationship with people in our circles of influence to proclaiming the Gospel?
Living missionally means cultivating a meaningful gospel presence in the lives of the people in our circles of influence.
God has called every follower of Jesus to engage in sharing the Gospel with people who do not know him.
We can accomplish far more for the Lord together than we can individually, but we each must play our role.
If the church is going to be effective in accomplishing its evangelistic mission, we've got to maintain our priorities.
Be careful never to allow the exercise of your personal freedoms in Christ to cause another Christian to stumble.
The gospel should affect the way we view our personal freedoms in Christ and keep us from being judgmental toward those who might have different convictions.
Love is not just a warm feeling; it is doing what God requires, and he requires that we urgently keep his commands.
The Gospel transforms the way we conduct ourselves in love toward both believers and the people of the world.
The Gospel transforms the way we conduct ourselves toward believers in love and in peace toward the world.
Effective ministry in and through the church is advanced when everyone humbly uses their God-given gifts to serve one another.
Discerning God's will doesn't have to by a mystery. He has provided a way for us to discern his good, acceptable, and perfect will.
We can and should expect fruitful gospel ministry in 2017, but it can't be taken for granted. We must do our part.
Based on the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5, the Lord has us here because he has given us a job to do. He has called us to be his ambassadors.
We can worship God fully when we understand who he truly is and the extent of what he has done for us.
By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves by giving to those who truly need our help.
The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone is not material, but relational.
The humility of Advent should change the way we think about how to spend the resources God has entrusted to us.
Life is not as bad as it seems because God has a people he's chosen to save and a plan he's accomplishing in and through their lives.
Why do so many people live and die without ever coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Paul draws his final conclusions about why the people of Israel hardened their hearts toward Christ while the Gentiles received the gospel eagerly.
Paul explains Israel's rejection of Jesus in light of God's sovereignty. Salvation is by God's sovereign grace, not man's free choice.
Paul explains Israel's rejection of Jesus in light of God's sovereignty. Salvation is by God's sovereign grace, not man's free choice.
Paul shows us that the heart behind biblical evangelism is love for God and love for lost people.
The world may not value weakness, but from God's perspective we can see that when we are weak, we are truly strong.
No matter how we fail or what troubles come our way, nothing can separate us from the sovereign, loving, and saving purposes of God.
Believing that God will work all things together for the good for his people doesn't require a leap of faith. Rather, it's upheld by the reality of God's sovereignty in salvation.
Believing that God will work all things together for the good of his people doesn't require a leap of faith. Rather, it's upheld by the reality of God's sovereignty in salvation.
When we just don't know what to pray, the Holy Spirit helps our weakness by interceding for us according to the will of God.
There's a lot going on in our word today that can be both frightening and enraging. How can Christians live in a Christ-honoring way when the world seems so chaotic and out of control?
Have you ever felt like something is just not worth your time, energy, resources, and investment? May things are just not worth it, but God promises that the work we do for the Lord will never be in vain. It's totally worth it!
Understanding our adoption as God's children is key to living a fruitful life in the Spirit.
Victory over sin is just as much about the way you think, as it is about the decisions you make.
How do you overcome indwelling sin? This message explores how the Spirit secures our position in Christ, which sets us free from the power of sin and death.
True freedom from sin will never be found keeping the law (even though the law is good), because of the gigantic gap between the demands of the law and the sinfulness of the flesh. Only the cross of Christ can bridge that gap.
Being free from sin does not depend on keeping more rules, but on properly understanding the relationship between law and sin.
Paul shows us what it practically means to find your identity in Christ and then to walk in newness of life.
The Grace of God in Jesus Christ does provide freedom, but freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.
While the people of Jerusalem celebrated the arrival of Israel's long awaited king, the king wept over the people. This text shows us why Jesus cried and what grieves the heart of God.
Paul contrasts Adam with Christ. All that Adam brought into the world. Christ overcame.
Not only does God freely justify sinners by faith alone, he also pours out his blessings on those he graciously justifies.
By Following in the footsteps of Abraham's faith we can discover how we can truly become righteous in God's sight.
By following the footsteps of Abraham's faith we can discover how we can truly become righteous in God's sight.
By following in the footsteps of Abraham's faith we can discover how we can truly become righteous in God's sight.
The saving righteousness of God is available to everyone through faith in Jesus Christ.
The failure to honor God is a universal problem. Both Jews and Gentiles together are under the power of sin and have failed to keep God's law; consequently, no one is righteous.
Paul anticipates and answers Jewish objections to his argument that both Jews and Gentiles will be equally condemned for unrepentant sin apart from faith in Jesus Christ.
Before judging other for their sins, we must understand that we need salvation just as much because God will equally and righteously judge us for our sins.
Before judging others for their sins, we must understand that we need salvation just as much because God will equally and righteously judge us for our sins.
What happens when people keep telling God to get out of their lives? This message will explore what happens when God grants their request.
What happens when people keep telling God to get out of their lives? This message will explore what happens when God grants their request.
This message explores the ways people suppress the truth about God in their unrighteousness.
This message explains the reason humanity needs salvation so desperately by exploring the nature of divine wrath.
Paul gives us several reasons why we should not and cannot be ashamed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus had a heart for people. He loved them, and patiently changed them from the inside out. The gospel can take root in us and give us a heart for people just like Christ's.
In this introduction to Paul's letter to the Romans, we will discover several ways the Gospel transforms our lives.
In this introduction to Paul's letter to the Romans, we will discover several ways the gospel transforms our lives.
Don't worry or become angry when the wicked prosper. It won't last. They will be judged and God's truth will be vindicated. Simply trust and delight in God. Commit all your ways to him as you wait for him to act. He always wins in the end.
God promises that all who belong to Christ will remain in Christ, never to be lost, forgotten, or forsaken.
God promises to completely meet our every need in proportion to the greatness of his riches in Jesus Christ.
God promises every believer an inner peace that's incomprehensible, unassailable, and independent from personal circumstances. He promises to calm his child, even if he doesn't calm the storm.
We do not have to be overwhelmed by the constant barrage of temptations that come our way. God promises to give us a way of escape, a way to persevere victoriously in and through all temptations.
God promises to answer the prayers of the righteous from the abundance of his goodness and grace.
God offers the hope of complete forgiveness to anyone who hears the word of Jesus and believes in him.
Every Christian has the living water of the Holy Spirit flowing within and is already a fruit tree growing amid the heart of life circumstances.
Living a Cross-centered life that transforms you into the likeness of Christ is the result of daily repentance and faith that looks deeply at sin alongside the magnificent grace of Christ.
Because Christ now lives in me, I have everything I need to respond in new ways to what I face daily. I have a new identity and new potential.
Our hearts are always the cause of our responses and actions, so that our battle for change is always fought in the heart.
The biblical picture of the THORN bush captures how sinners tend to respond sinfully to the blessing and difficulties of life.
The Bible describes life this way: We live in a broken world as people who struggle daily.
Practical hope, comfort, and direction result from looking at our lives and our world from God's big picture respective.
God's work of personal transformation is intended to take place within the community of God's people.
The hope of personal growth and change rests on our relationship with a person, Jesus Christ, who powerfully acts to change your heart and make it more and more like his.
Living with God's ultimate destination in view gives hope and perspective in our daily situations and relationships.
There are often gaps between what we say we believe and how we live. But if Christ fills these gaps there is hope for real and lasting change.
If we are to grow as a church we are to focus on the things that will help us keep our best days ahead of us.
The events in this final chapter of Acts serve as an illustration of how God promises to work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.
Sometimes faithfully defending our hope in God calls us to simply share our story of how God transformed our lives.
Persecution isn't meaningless. It is sometimes what God uses to bring about his good and sovereign purposes in the lives of this people all over the world.
The Church of Jesus Christ can and should reasonably proclaim the saving truths of Jesus Christ regardless of how the world responds.
Godly courage comes to all who seek the Lord, his presence, and his plan for their life.
Paul shows us how to keep a good testimony for Christ even in the midst of very difficult circumstances.
Genuine unity in the church isn't always easy to achieve, but with the right attitude and the right response to conflict, unity can be one of the church's most valuable assets.
Discerning God's will in a particular situation isn't always easy, especially when two believers disagree. But disagreements among fellow believers don't have to turn into disasters.
Paul shows by his example how Christ centered values drive successful ministry in and through the local church.
Paul shows by his example how Christ centered values drive successful ministry in and through the local church.
Why do some people follow Jesus for a time, only to fall away in the end? This message will expand our understanding of the reasons for spiritual defection and ways we can avoid it.
Living for Christ in this world will appear to turn it upside down, but it is really God's means of setting it right.
God calls all believers to proclaim the gospel habitually, but He is in control of the results.
Keeping the gospel at the center of our Christian identity and duty will help us avoid many pitfalls.
A Godly mother can have a profound influence upon her children and their potential for future faith and service in Jesus Christ.
The only thing big enough, and worthy enough, and glorious enough to fully captivate and satisfy the soul of man is God Himself.
Discipleship is best done over the long haul. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It's a long-term investment that becomes more and more profitable over time.
Disciple-making is best done over the long haul. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It's a long term investment that becomes more and more profitable over time.
Life is full of adversity and some relationships are full of hostility. Do you stand firm or run away when you face such circumstances. In God's strength you can stand firm.
The mission God has given us to complete is possible because God is faithful, and his faithfulness should touch everything we do.
Sometimes the enemy and our flesh get the better of us, but by God's grace failure isn't final.
The Devil will counter gospel truth with the lies of false teachers. Yet the servant of God must respond to them in the Spirits power and with the Word of truth.
God calls his people to live a life on mission, he calls them to a life of service because service is nearest to the heart of Jesus.
In Acts 12 we not only see just how destructive the power of an evil ruler can be, but how evil can be overcome by the infinite power of a holy God.
The grace of God through the gospel brings repentance leading to life, even to the least likely.
The aim of the gospel is more than just an informed mind. Its aim is a transformed life.
If we don't preach Christ we're not preaching the gospel. The good news is all about Jesus.
If we don't preach Christ we're not preaching the gospel. The good news is all about Jesus.
This psalm deals with the problem of the wicked flourishing while the righteous languish, and it reveals God's consistent goodness to those who are pure in heart.
God desires His people to be successful in ministry and He is faithful to equip His people with the keys that are necessary for success.
These verses show three ways God sharpened Saul, and prepared him for effective ministry. These are ways God prepares us for ministry as well.
Jesus Christ continues His relentless pursuit of sinners even when those sinners relentlessly resist Him. Yet those whom He chooses to save cannot resist Him forever.
Though the faith of some appears genuine at first, it doesn't always last. Failures of the heart become obstacles to saving faith.
God is so committed to his promises that he is willing to use great difficulty (even persecution) in the lives of his people to see his promises fulfilled.
Death is inevitable. It is not a question of if, but when. So, are you ready for that moment? Is your heart prepared to die, is it prepared to die well?
Stephen was a godly man and a powerful gospel voice. Christians today can learn from the way he reflected the glory of God in the midst of great opposition.
The church is made up of many parts, and all these parts must work together if we are to efficiently accomplish our mission.
No matter what the enemy throws at the church and its proclamation of the Bible, its advancement cannot be stopped.
No matter what the enemy throws at the church and its proclamation of the gospel, its advancement can't be stopped.
God knows what to do when we don't. God is powerful when we are not. He will meet all our needs if we seek and obey Him.
All Christians will face some sort of opposition to their witness. Yet, because of God's greatness we can pray for the courage to speak Christ's Word with all boldness.
If Christians live in obedience to the exclusive claims of Christ and the teachings in the Bible, we will face opposition in this world. But we don't have to be defeated. God's Word tells us how we can face opposition without falling apart.
God doesn't want you to be oblivious to the spiritual realities that are found in his Word and through his Son. Therefore, He may do something dramatic to get your attention. Listen to Him, and He will open your eyes to wonderful things you may not see.
Luke illustrates one of the signs and wonders that filled the early church with awe. This story reminds us that Jesus is ruling over his church. The Lord is drawing the people out of their bondage to sin into the joy of His forgiveness and eternal life.
Luke paints a portrait of the characteristics a church possesses when the Holy Spirit is in control.
Those who witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit and heard the apostle Peter preach the gospel were pierced to the heart with the power of God's Word.Conviction flooded their soul as they pondered the guilt of their sin. Peter tells them how they can...
Acts 2 describes the birth of the church through the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit who indwells and empowers every believer to be Christ's witness.
Acts 2 describes the birth of the church through the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit who indwells and empowers every believer to be Christ's witness.
There is a great deal of confusion in the church today regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit. What is it? Who receives it? And when is it received? These are questions that if answered biblically can help bring clarity to an often misunderstood doctrine...
The disciples were anticipating the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, but Jesus gives them a greater vision for the kingdom of God. How big is your vision for the kingdom? Are you aware of your mission and the power God provides for its advancement?
Even as Jesus faces the terrible reality of bearing God's wrath for us, he's teaching us about realities we must all consider. They are realities rooted in the cross.
Though Jesus possessed divine power and authority, he chose to submit himself to wicked men so that we would be saved.
While Jesus agonizes alone in prayerful submission to his Father's perfect will, his disciples sleep, Judas betrays, and Peter denies the one he promised to follow.
While Jesus expresses his supreme love by offering himself up as the sacrificial Lamb, the disciples show the height and blindness of pride.
Autumn is a time for reckoning. It's a season in life when we reflect upon what spring and summer months have produced. It's also a time for expressing our thanks for the abundance of God's grace.
Summer seasons in the heart and life are a little taste of heaven. During these times, God wants us to rest in the relationships and rewards of our labor without becoming spiritually lazy.
God breaks through barrenness of your spiritual winters with the renewal and new growth of spiritual spring in your heart and life.
Christ's triumph over death means that even in the winter seasons of your life, you can say " Death, where is thy sting?"
This passage puts before us a serious caution about sin's deceitfulness and an essential call to community that reinforces the power of indwelling sin as well as our need for daily ministry of the body of Christ.
How does a church keep its standards high and yet keep drawing sinners near? By keeping the gospel at the center of all it thinks, says, and does.
When faced with the demands of the Sermon on the Mount, sinners should be terrified. Yet when faced with the Savior who fulfilled all God's demands on their behalf, a sinner's terror should turn to admiration and obedience.
Jesus makes the last of his kingdom comparisons in the Sermon on the Mount by comparing two builders--the wise and the foolish. The foolish man builds a life that won't stand the storms sent to test it. But the wise man builds a life that will last...
Not every profession of faith in Christ is a saving profession. Jesus shows us how two people can say many of the right things, but unless he does the will of God, he will not be given entrance to the kingdom of heaven.
Things aren't always what they seem. Sometimes the best lies are hidden deep within the truth. Jesus warns us against false teachers who are both deceitful and destructive. Yet he also shows us how we can discern the difference between those teachers...
Jesus invites us to make a decision about entering his kingdom and how we will then live. We each stand at a crossroad, and the road we choose to travel will have an eternal consequence. Will you choose the broad road that leads to death or the narrow...
Sometimes we don't know how to practically live out the perspectives and priorities of God's Kingdom. However, Jesus gives us counsel, comfort, and a course of action as we seek God's discernment.
Unfair, overcritical, and harsh judgments can have a profound effect on our lives and the lives of others. Therefore, it is important that citizens of God's kingdom bring their perspective of judging others in line with His.
God doesn't want you to be overly concerned about basic things that you have no control over anyway. Rather, he wants you to depend on him to provide because he cares deeply for you.
Citizens of God's kingdom should share His perspective toward the most important things in life. Jesus helps us evaluate our perspective toward earthly possessions by confronting what our hearts treasure, what our eyes fancy, and where our allegiances...
Just because you look like you are humbly serving God, doesn't mean that your devotion is real. Why you do something is just as important as what you do. Therefore, if you practice your righteousness before people in order to be seen by them, you will...
Just because you look like you are humbly serving God, doesn't mean that your devotion is real. Why you do something is just as important as what you do. Therefore, if you practice your righteousness before people in order to be seen by them, you will...
Just because you look like you are humbly serving God, doesn't mean that your devotion is real. Why you do something is just as important as what you do. Therefore, if you practice your righteousness before people in order to be seen by them, you will...
One of the most profound ways you can reflect the fact that you are truly a child of God is not by simply loving your neighbor, but by loving your enemy as well.
When you are wronged and your rights are infringed upon, your response should not be vindictive or resentful. Rather, Jesus wants you to be generous and forgiving toward those who afflict you.
God delights in the truth. Those who follow Christ must be people of the truth. Therefore, it is better not to make a promise than to make a promise you can't or don't intend to keep. So, say what you mean, and mean what you say.
Jesus shows how the requirements of God's Law go much deeper than many people realize or are willing to admit. Impure thoughts are just as sinful as impure deeds.
Jesus shows how the requirements of God's Law go much deeper than many people realize or are willing to admit. The sins of anger and murder have the same source and bear the same awful consequence.
As followers of Jesus Christ, God has called us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, to be distinct from and influential in the decaying and darkened society around us.
If your life reflects the spiritual attitudes of the Beatitudes then you will be persecuted. But you will also be blessed with the joy that comes from knowing you belong to God's family and are counted worthy of suffering for Jesus' sake.
Since Christ has made a way for peace to exist between God and man; those who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord become his ambassadors of peace, declaring his message of reconciliation.
God desires his people to be clothed with a purity that comes from within—a purity of heart. Such purity is a necessary quality of all who will see the Lord and dwell in his kingdom.
Christians don't need to dress God's message or his messenger to be more fashionable. They need to adorn their hearts with purity and the radiance of God. That's why Jesus characterized citizens of God's kingdom by saying, "Blessed are the pure in heart...
Feeling the reality of your own spiritual poverty and need for God's mercy will fuel your practical acts of love and mercy toward the lives of others.
Those who belong to the kingdom of heaven have an underlying hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is more necessary to their existence that their daily intake of food and water. Yet, it's a hunger that leads to eternal satisfaction.
The world tells us that only the strong survive. But Jesus tells us that only the meek will inherit the earth.
When we realize how spiritually needy we truly are, our natural response will be to mourn over it. Spiritual bankruptcy begets spiritual sorrow. Yet, God's comfort quickly falls on those who fall before Him.
Poor in spirit, poverty stricken and beggarly poor. Those are accurate descriptions of all who belong to God’s kingdom. Yet, what they lack has been supplied by God’s abundant grace.
Belief in the resurrection isn't always instantaneous. It's often a process of discovery as we come face to face with the facts. Such was the case with the characters who found themselves looking into an empty tomb. Can you find yourself in their response...
If we follow Jesus on his way to the crucifixion, we will encounter all kinds of people who were forced to engage in who he was and why he died. Each one beckons us to consider how we will respond to who Jesus is and what he has done by offering himself...
Taken as a whole, the messages to the seven churches of Asia constitute a comprehensive warning to us from Christ himself. But are we listening? More importantly, what steps are we going to take towards change?
To be successful in life, everyone needs a good example to follow. Even churches need a role model if they are to learn how to be most effective in serving Christ. The Jerusalem Church is such an example, providing a model for what every church should...
Jesus is the Lord of His church, and as Lord he will fulfill His promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lord needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches...
When tragedy strikes we often tell people, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you." But what should we pray for? How do we pray when people are afraid, hurting, and even angry? Jesus gives us a model to help us focus our prayers for people according to...
Jesus is the Lord of His church, and as Lord He will fulfill His promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lord needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches...
Jesus is Lord of His church, and as Lord he will fulfill His promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lord needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches...
Jesus is Lord of His Church, and as Lord he will fulfill his promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lords needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches in...
Jesus is the Lord of His church, and as Lord he will fulfill His promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lord needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches...
Jesus is the Lord of His church, and as Lord he will fulfill His promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lord needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches...
Jesus is Lord of His church, and as Lord he will fulfill his promise to build His church and make it victorious. Yet sometimes the Lord needs to evaluate, remodel and even rebuild individual churches. We see this in the example of the seven churches...
Successful ministry in the occurs most effectively when faithful people form solid partnerships for the sake of the Gospel, each one using their unique gifts and abilities to reach the lost and build the church.
Christ-centered people love to talk about Jesus. In fact, they love to talk to him and tell others about him too.
A man who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ has no other option than to parent his children in a way that reflects the splendor of his Heavenly Father.
Being a Christian doesn’t just affect the way you spend Sunday morning. It affects your most daily and intimate relationships. You can’t just follow Jesus at church on Sunday and not follow him at home and work the rest of the week.
Being a Christian doesn’t just affect the way you spend Sunday morning. It affects your most daily and intimate relationships. You can’t just follow Jesus at church on Sunday and not follow him at home and work the rest of the week.
In addition to the virtuous spiritual clothing that should adorn a Christian’s outward behavior (Col. 3:12-14), the presence of Christ’s peace, Word, and name should be deeply embedded within a Christian’s heart.
Because a Christian has a new identity in Christ, it is important to dress the part, to clothe yourself with the appropriate Christian virtues.
Sin is an embed enemy and a constant threat. It is an enemy within and the Christian must remain ever vigilant and offensively fighting against it.
Perhaps you've heard the saying, "They're so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good." Well, there are reasons why every Christian can and should keep their thoughts heaven bound!
Christians are always in danger of being held captive deceptive religious ideas that do more to hinder one’s spiritual freedom in Christ than enhance it. Paul defends against three: legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.
It is possible for seemingly healthy Christians to be led astray by false teaching. Therefore, those who are wise will accept God's charge to resist and remain focused on Christ.
Those who begin to walk with Christ should continue to walk with Christ, and as a result reap the rewards of a life that is lived in Him.
Christ-centered relationships will produce a burden of love that never goes away and a prayer life that is ready for battle. Paul’s love for the church and his own prayers for its people, serve as a model for what a Christ-centered passion can produce...
Though Jesus was born of a woman and died as a criminal, he is the risen Savior and supreme Lord over everything. Therefore, he deserves to be first in everything; and we can delight in giving him that place in every way.
Spiritual growth is more than church programs, religious activity, and Bible reading plans. It is a progressive centering of Jesus Christ in all areas of life and the production of spiritual fruit in connection to him.
Spiritual growth is more than church programs, religious activity, and Bible reading plans. Rather, it is a progressive centering of Jesus Christ in all areas of life and the production of spiritual fruit in connection to him.
There is no book in the New Testament, including John's Gospel, which presents such a comprehensive picture of the supremacy of Christ.
Under the indwelling influence of sin the tongue has the potential for great destruction. But under the control of the Holy Spirit the tongue has the promise of being used as an instrument in Christ's redeeming hands.
Holiness is what God desires more than anything else for His people. Therefore, a church that desires God desires holiness and is willing to follow God's pattern for discipline and process of restoration.
The church should be committed to giving counsel and guidance that is thoroughly grounded in God's word and unspoiled by the empty philosophies of the world.
Children are a blessing from God, and he calls the church to support parents in their responsibility to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Because of the complexity of marriage issues, the emotions that accompany them, and the consequences for families and society, the church must be equipped with right thinking toward marriage that will lead to right behavior within it.
Our Church is committed to glorifying God by building a "culture of peace" that reflects God's peace and the power of the Gospel of Christ in our lives.
There are many reasons why people may connect to a local church body, but there is only one reason that possesses any lasting value. Only the gospel redeems people back to one god, from one central problem, by one Saviour, through one faith.