River City Church's Podcast: Recent Episodes
River City Church
God leads us courageously into the midst of the obstacles that stand between us and the promises He has given us and does miracles. We must build memorials of praise out of the midst of those circumstances as reminders of who God and his what He has done for us.
Our choice to follow Christ is a journey that begins with taking the first steps. Pastor Jared shares from the Gospel and the story of Pentecost in Acts 2 what these steps of faith are and how they are essential for beginning the journey Jesus has called us to walk with Him.
We should never take for granted or belittle our position and ability to influence and make an eternal impact on the world around us.
Our greatest achievements and moments of brilliance may never be seen or recognized, but they change the world.
A look at the wisdom of The Book of James 4:13-17.
We can rely on Divine guidance when making plans for our lives, or we can be arrogantly self reliant and make plans on our own.
James helps us answer the question as to why the first option is better than the second.
Join us as we take a look at and learn from the personally challenging passage of James 4:11-12 on the topic of judging others.
Spiritual Training Series Part 3
"A spiritually healthy life in Christ is shaped by a healthy understanding of what the Bible is and how to read it."
if you don't know the playbook you could end up running in the wrong direction !
This teaching gives a glimpse of: - What the Bible is. - How not to read the Bible. - How to read the Bible. - 3 Reflection questions to help with life application.
As Pastor Jared began to speak this past Sunday the Holy Spirit interrupted and he stood silent for several minutes crying. Pastor Hilary explained what was happing and encouraged the church to also pray and listen to the Holy Spirit. A church member shared an encouraging vision that they felt God had given them for the church.
Pastor Jared then shared from his heart what he felt God speaking to not only RCC but other church communities and Christians as well.
- Erika shares the testimony of her husband Paul's miraculous healing.
- Pastor Hilary delivers an encouraging message as part 2 of our Spiritual Training Series, "Prayer".
Learn what it means to "join the team"(Act2:42-47) and "not skip leg day" (Hebrews 10:25) from Pastor Jared as we look at practical and Biblical ways that we can foster spiritual health and strength in our lives in Christ.
1 Timothy 4:8 Paul speaks to the importance of being intentional about developing spiritual strength and health (godliness).
Pastor Hilary leads us through Scripture and speaks to our need as followers of Christ to be pursuing the Presence of God daily in our lives.
It is the presence of God in our lives that separates us from every other people group on earth... and leads us to where and who we need to be.
Without a desire for God's presence, who and where are we in our Faith ?
Pastor Jared explains how a story in the Old Testament (2 Chronicles 7:1-3) of God consuming a sacrifice with a supernatural fire helps teach us the meaning of the Apostle Paul's call for us to live as "living sacrifices" (as worship to God) in the New Testament (Romans 12:1-2).
Pastor Jared explains how God's mercy is not a pass to live however we want and begins a journey into Romans 12:1-2 and the Apostle Paul's challenge for us be Living Sacrifices in worship to God.
Main Theme:
"Our words have the power to speak life or death into the world around us ; so be careful what you say and how you say it."
Application and Reflection Questions
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What kind of conversations do I frequently find myself having ?
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Do my words ever reveal areas of my heart and mind not inline with Christ’s?
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In what way(s) might God be leading me to exercise more control over what I speak and communicate in my everyday life?
Faith Without Good Deeds is Dead -
"Doing what God calls us to do is like breathing life into our faith, if we don’t actively inhale the Spirit of God our faith will die."
Pastor Jared resumes our Book of James series, (James 2:1-13)
Central Theme: "We as followers of Christ must treat other people with equal dignity and attention just as Jesus did and calls us to."
Life Application and Reflection Questions:
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What areas of comfort or familiarity do we need to leave (ideas, attitudes, perspectives, hang ups, excuses) in order to fully follow and Worship Christ?
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What gifts (skills, talents, or resources) do I posses that I could give and worship Christ with?
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How will I be intentional to give my best to God through these gifts?
A look at the last section of James chapter 1. (James 1:19-27)
Theme: We are called to "actively" live out our faith in Christ. So DO IT!
" True Christian religion does not leave room for living selfishly , only selflessly."
Pastor Hilary shares from the story in the Book of Genesis of a man named Joseph and how the pits we experience in life are often the doorways to the purposes God is calling us to and to avoid digging and staying in the pits that hold us back from God's purpose for our lives.
Do you ever feel like you are in a situation like in the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den, trapped and surrounded by starving lions?
You are not alone! In this encouraging message of hope we learn why we can trust God and how like Daniel, we can keep from being eaten.
Pastor Hilary speaks to the need for us to clear the spiritual "clog" we all experience from time to time and allow the Holy Spirit to flow freely in and through us.
God has given all of us promises, but what are we to do when major struggles or obstacles stand between us and what God is calling us to?
Pastor Jared shares 7 insights from the OT story of the Battle of Jericho on how we can reach out and claim the victory Christ has already provided for us.
Guest Speaker Joseph Pietrangelo gives an encouraging call for Christians to live the freedom they have been given in and through Christ.
"or Are you?"
A bold look at what it means to be a "Christian". (Salvation, Repentence, The Way)
Guest speaker Pastor Stephen Feith of Madison Church in Madison, WI shares his own personal (and often humorous) journey to discovering the value of living out a Christ honoring life of generosity.
Part 2 of "Super Is Natural" (1 Corinthians 12-14)
The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of the human body to explain the importance of all of us as followers of Christ coming together and serving one another in unity.
The Body of Christ and the world we are called to influence desperately needs "spiritually" mature men and women. (But what kind?)
What does it mean to be spiritually mature, produce spiritual fruit, and cultivate that fruit in others as well ?
Listen to this special Fathers Day message that both challenges, encourages, and calls for action.
We take a look at Jesus' parable of the Sower (planter) who scatters seed that falls on different types of soil. (Luke 8)
What type of soil will we choose to be?
Will we plant the seeds of what Jesus teaches through putting by putting it into practice?
Par 2 of our "Follow The Rabbi" series.
Like the leper in Luke's Gospel, are we desperate enough for a real ecnounter with Christ ? (Luke 5:12-14)
A humorous look at some practical does and don'ts for being a witness for Christ ...
(Part 4 of our Spiritual Essentials Series)
Don't give God the last and worst of your halloween candy!
This part of our series touches on one of the most important aspects of following Christ and being part of His church; "living a sacrificial life of worship".
Join us as we learn why "Sacrifice" is at the heart of true worship and without it we are just making hollow religious gestures when we give to God.
Sacrifice (The Heart Of Worship) Part 3 of Spiritual Essentials
We take a look at "who" our neighbor is and what it means to "love them as ourselves".
This is part 2 of our Spiritual Essentials Series.
Part 1 of our "Spiritual Essentials" series.
The world often can't see Christ in Believers and in churches because he has been hidden behind a wall of excuses for why God is not number one in our lives….
God doesn't bless idolatry, it's time for Christians to wake up and start smashing the idols in our lives.
Special Mother's Day Message not just for mother's but all women (and men). Pastor Kathy shares her own personal testimony of how God has proven faithful to His word in Scripture to "fulfill all His promises to her".
Part 3 of Staying Alive Series. Pastor Jared reminds in this sermon of not only the importance of feeding our Spiritual Life and what that looks like, but of the importance and role of the "family dinner table" (Church).
Part 4 of Staying Alive Series Learn to Fight - know what you are fighting against and what you are fighting for.
Part 2 of our Staying Alive series! (You know you really love something if you hate what will rob you of it.)
Part 1 of our Staying Alive series ! (How to keep our spiritual life vibrant, growing and alive.)
Part 4 of our "You Are… " series.
Jesus didn't choose the best of the best (according to societies standards) to follow Him and be His disciples. So what does that mean for us today when Jesus says, "I have chosen you…"?
We are all unique, but why is it so important for us to understand this? Discover how God has amazing plans to use you and everything that makes you one of a kind to help change the world !
Part 3 of our "You Are… " series.
In this part of the "Myths, Idols, and Dirty Diapers" series; Pastor Hilary addresses the myth/lie that "God Is Not Enough" and how our lives and behaviors reveal what we truly think we need.
Part 2 of our "You Are …" series. This series not only lays out foundational and life changing truths of the Gospel, but is an uplifting reminder to mature Followers of Christ of our identity in Him and what that means for our everyday lives.
We can't live the miraculous lives God is calling us to if we don't first understand the nature of God and who we are in him.
Join us for Part 1 of our "You Are…" series.
Part 3 of our December "Gifts…" series.
How is our faith and devotion to Christ sometimes like "Pretty Empty Boxes" and why? Listen to find out !
Our December theme this year is "Gifts…". This week we talked about "White Elephant Gifts" and even gave a few away (toilet bowl brush, dog treats, and TP) ! What kind of gifts do we give to Christ ….? This is a fun but challenging message !
New Beginnings is part 1 of our new series "Act Out ". Many times in the church world we complicate the Gospel and as a result many Christians find themselves confused on how to live out their faith. Join us as we take a look at the beginning of the Church and how the early church "acted out" their faith !
Part 1 of Love More Series .
Love More… is a message gave God Pastor Hilary a few months back for River City Church. You don't want to miss this series, it's as encouraging as it is challenging!
Part 1 of our Life Hacks series! Join us as we learn the spiritual "Life Hack" of praise and worship.
"What we value most is what we worship..... we are transformed into the image of what we worship......we were created in God's image.because we are created to worship HIm........if we worship money...we will be transformed into the image of the idol greed..."
For some people Fathers Day is one of the highlights of their year; for others it is a day of painful reminders. This message will not only encourage those who have never experienced the love of a father, but will challenge and speak to the hearts of fathers young and old.
(Part 1 of our sermon series on 1 Corinthians.)
How much do we have in common with the church of Corinth? Is Paul's letter to them relevant to our modern lives?
Who and What is the Church? ( A look at the day of Pentecost snd the formation of the Church. )
Is our faith in Christ alive or dead? Is our faith alive and breathing, or are we on a religious ventilator giving false signs of life?Join us as we look at James:2:14-26 and check ourselves for signs of life.
(Have we chosen to follow Christ on the path He has laid out for us, or to follow at a distance on a path of our own choosing?)
(Do we realize how blessed we truly are, do we remember to give thanks to God, or do we whine and complain about our current circumstances and loose sight of from what we have been rescued and to where and what God is taking us?) Numbers 11 and Psalm 107
(How to turn your worries and the thoughts of those you love into powerful life changing prayers.)
"It is His kindness that leads us to repentance".....A look at the meaning of true repentance and how without it we remain in death and sin.