River of Life Church: Recent Episodes
River of Life Church
This encounter teaches two lessons about Jesus—he is the Son of God who has mercy on doubting disciples—and two lessons about followers of Jesus—they doubt but should walk by faith, not by sight.
In this encounter, a lost traitor encounters the seeking savior bringing about a transformed life.
In this encounter, a terrible sufferer has a private and a public encounter with the powerful and compassionate Savior.
In this encounter, a great foreigner, in spite of great fences, exercises great faith in Jesus.
This is the final sermon in the Mark preaching series. Pastor Sam takes Mark 16 and gives an apologetic Easter sermon on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Alex Stephenson finishes up the New in Christ series with this last sermon “New Future”. This sermon
Do you know why you were born? Why exactly are you on this earth? The world tells us to look inside to find purpose, but God has created every human being for something bigger and better than ourselves.
This first sermon in the New in Christ series explores how the old has passed and the new has come for those in Christ.
This is the final sermon in our summer series on Eccelesiastes. Solomon has searched for meaning in every area of life and in this final chapter he gives the starting point for life, reassurance that the search has ended, and he gives us the singular rule for life.
Alex Stephenson starts us off in our summer series looking into the book of Eccelsiastes. This first sermon explores 1:1-11 and gives us an introduction to the Preacher.
This sermon closes our time in Mark 13. Verses 24-37 look at the triumphant return of Jesus in power and glory in the darkest night of the Tribulation. What can we learn from His words?
We continue on in Mark 13 with the second part of the three-part sermon series on Jesus’s words regarding the end times.
Mark chapter 13 records Jesus’s longest discourse with His disciples in this book. He discusses the temple and the end times and He may leave us with more questions than answers. But, can we understand the meaning of what Jesus is saying? Does it have any relevance for us today? Listen to this sermon to hear Jesus’s warning to His disciples which is still very applicable for foolowers of Jesus now.
This sermon focuses on two teachings of Jesus in Mark 12:38-44. Jesus provides a warning about following the example of the Scribes (outward religion that seeks to honor man) and also an example to follow, the humble and inward faith of the poor widow who gave her last 2 pennies. Be challenged and dig into the Word yourself!
In this passage Jesus asks the Scribes about the identity of the Christ. Quoting Psalm 110 he asks a riddle: how is the Christ both David's son (descendent) and Lord at the same time? Using Jesus’s question Pastor Sam takes a closer look at the identity of the Christ, focusing in on his humanity and deity.
We’re back in the book of Mark with part two of the sermon “Jesus & the Most Important Commandment of All”. Jesus gives a two-fold answer to the question of the scribe. Pastor Sam helps us to see how the Ten Commandments further illuminate Jesus’s words and how we can live this out in our lives today.
In this sermon our eyes are turned to look at Jude’s doxology in the book’s final verses 24-25. It proclaims the truth that God keeps his people safe until the end.
In these verses Jude gives his readers three commands: 1) remember the predictions 2) keep in the love of God, and 3) show mercy to those who doubt. In a sentence, Jude teaches us how to live with false teachers.
In the passage of Mark 12:28-34 a scribe asks Jesus what is the MOST important commandment. In this text the world's greatest question meets the worlds greatest teacher, providing all of us a simple two-fold purpose for our lives. We often call this the GREAT Commandment: to love God and to love our Neighbor. What does it mean to love God and neighbor and how we can make application to our everyday lives?
What caused Jesus’s opponents to go against Him back when He walked the earth? Could it be the same things that still cause people to hate Him today? Listen for what we can learn from Jesus in the Scriptures when He faces His enemies in Mark 12:13-27.
Before Easter we were in the middle of heated conversations between Jesus and the chief priests, scribes, and elders of Israel. In Mark 12 we pick up with Jesus telling a parable about the incredible grace of God toward His people and the continual rejection of God's chosen people and ultimately His own Son. Even 2,000 years later the words of Jesus still have relevance for us today. Will we reject Him or will we receive the Cornerstone?
As early as 30 years after Christ established the church false teachers were already popping up in the church. Jude verses 5-16 is the central part of his letter which focuses on describing the teaching of false teachers as well as their certain judgement. Christians today must still be on their guard and Jude helps the believer understand what to look for.
Jude is known as the most neglected book in the New Testament, yet it is a reassuring and relevant read. In verses 1-4, we are introduced to the writer, the readers, and the purpose of Jude.
We live in a world where evil seems to go unpunished and the corrupt go on in their shameful ways, but is God really in control? Does He exercise justice, and if He does, how can we know it is executed perfectly? Listen to this final sermon in the “Who is God?” sermon series from Alex Stephenson to find out what the Bible tells us about God’s justice.
The religious leaders of the day rejected Jesus’s authority, but the rebellion against God still rages in hearts today. Will you acknowledge God’s authority over your life?
Many people have been mystified by Jesus cursing the fig tree. What did it mean then, and what does it mean for us today? Follow along with Pastor Sam as he conintinues through the book of Mark chapter 11.
You may be familiar with this story as “The Triumphal Entry”, but in this sermon Pastor Sam helps us to examine why the King of kings had no coronation like we might have expected.
We are back in the book of Mark looking at the story of a blind man who came to Jesus seeking mercy. How did Jesus respond to him and how does God respond to our cries for mercy today?
Knowing God’s character is absolutely critical to following Him with our lives. In this sermon Alex Stephenson shows us from Scripture how we can be sure that God is unchanging.
In this final sermon of the Behold series Alex Stephenson takes us through Scripture to see how God describes His own Spirit.
The death of Jesus on the cross is central to Christianity, so why exactly did He come to die? What did it accomplish then and what is its significance for people now?
In this story a man who looks like he has it all together approaches Jesus about what he must do to obtain eternal life. So why does Jesus lovingly let this man walk away disappointed? Listen to the sermon for the answer.
In this passage Jesus directly addresses the issue of sin. Is sin real, and if is, is it really that bad? Read and hear for yourself how Jesus discusses the topic in Mark 9:42-50.
Up until Jesus left this earth He was teaching and demonstrating what it looks like to live in the kingdom of God. In this sermon Pastor Sam unpacks the important kingdom patterns that Jesus taught the disciples and that are still imperative that we learn as followers today.
What is the significance of this story in the book of Mark highlighting the disciples’ failure to cast out a demon from a young boy? Jesus uses the circumstances to teach about their lack of faith and their lack of prayer.
When was the last time you needed confirmation for something that challenged your beliefs or expectations? In this sermon about the transfiguration of Jesus Pastor Sam shows us how God gives the 3 apostles a confirmation of Jesus’s identity, diety, and message. Listen to find out how this still matters today,
Did you know that 1/3 of the psalms are lament Psalms? Suffering in this life is something that cannot be avoided, so how can we truly worship God when life doesn’t go as we planned? Pastor Sam shows us how Psalm 5 gives us an outline to worship God in the midst of turmoil.
Every human being desires to be happy, so what does God say about this? Can people really find true happiness in this lifetime? Pastor Sam takes us to Psalm 1 to find out.
This week Pastor Sam takes us through an overview of the book of Psalms discussing themes, their importance, some challenges to reading the Psalms, and the different types of Psalms.
After 6 months in the book of Mark we come to Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah in Mark 8:27-38. Mark makes clear the identity of Jesus, the mission of Jesus, and the cost of following Jesus.
Is there anything new to learn from two more accounts of Jesus healing more people? In today’s sermon Pastor Sam shows us the meaning behind the healing of the deaf and mute man and the only healing done in stages by Jesus and why these stories have significance for our lives today.
As our journey in Mark continues we come this week to what has been deemed a controversial story about Jesus. Pastor Sam dives into the reasons why this is a story about true faith, what true faith looks like, and how God responds to true faith.
This is a story - a turning point in religious history - where Jesus changed religion from a conversation about defiled hands and stomachs to a matter of the heart.
Jesus’ desire is to reveal Himself to you. Are you understanding and responding? Jesus' desire for His disciples is the very same desire that He has for you, that you would see and know His identity. His actions are shouting out who He truly is.
What is the new reality that Jesus was bringing when He announced the kingdom of heaven was "at hand"? Pastor Sam unpacks the two verses of Mark 1:14-15 and how it still impacts our lives today.
Why is Jesus's temptation important? What meaning does it hold for believers today? Pastor Sam takes two verses from the first book of Mark and shows us how God will test us, Satan will tempt us, but we can trust that God is faithful to help us.
Jesus's Baptism • What is the significance of Jesus getting baptized? Why did He do it? Following along with Pastor Sam in the first chapter of Mark to see how Jesus identifies with the very people He came to save.
Who is John the Baptist and how did he prepare the way of the Lord? Grab your Bible and follow along with Pastor Sam as he expounds on the first eight verses of the first chapter of the book of Mark.
What is a gospel? How does the book of Mark point us to Jesus? Pastor Sam introduces us to this book with some simple but helpful details that will prepare us for the journey through the next 16 chapters.
The church is God's plan, and Jesus came to establish it. As followers of Jesus we have the privilege and responsibility of being a part of it.
Listen as Pastor Sam continues to take us through the Four Covenant Commitments at River of Life Church.
For more practical resources visit our "Toolbox" at riveroflifechurch.de.
Pastor Sam wraps up the book of Genesis by addressing the providence of God as seen so clearly in the opening book of the Bible. The story of Joseph is one that takes up a large portion of Genesis, so what can we learn from it? Don't miss the work that God is doing inside of Joseph as you read his life's story of heartache, betrayal, rise to power, forgiveness and humility for in it we can learn many lessons that will help us build a solid and complete theology of God's providence.
What is God inviting us to know about Himself in and through Joseph's story in Genesis? If we have ears to hear, then we will be able to see the sovereignty and loving care of God the Father. We will be able to better trust His good character not only when we find ourselves on the mountain peak but also in the difficult times of life when we find ourselves in the pit.
God is with us.
We all know that life is messy, and the Bible does not shy away from that fact. Actually, it shows us real truth of what life apart from God looks like—the real effects of sin in and on our lives. But it doesn't stop there. No, God's amazing grace shines brightly in the midst of pain and darkness, and it is a true hope for all people of all ages.
Follow along in Genesis chapter 27 as Pastor Sam shows us what we can learn from the messy lives of Isaac and his family.
Have you ever thought about why God makes promises to His people? In addition, why does He take time — sometimes decades — to fulfill them?
Pastor Sam answers these questions as he walks through Genesis 15 in this Unfolding Grace sermon.
What does a journey of faith with the Lord look like? What does blessing from God look like?
In Genesis chapter 12 we see God moving His plan for the world into motion with a childless man named Abram. He is asked by God to leave important parts of his life behind while pursuing God's great plan. Could there be blessing in such a sacrifice?
This week Pastor Sam helps us to see how God's plans far outweigh our small, selfish desires for when we focus on ourselves, it stops there, but when God is the center, the WORLD gets blessed.
Every part of the Bible is valuable for learning about God's character and ourselves. In this sermon Pastor Sam takes us into the Table of Nations and the Tower of Babel to see God's grace acted out in human history when time and again we see the downward spiral that results from sin.
The Flood and God's Covenant with Noah
This week Pastor Sam helps us to see Jesus in the story of the ark and the flood. These chapters in Genesis show us how God views sin and how in His amazing grace He provides salvation alongside of judgement for humans.
Pastor Sam begins a new series following the ESV's Unfolding Grace outline. Beginning with Genesis chapters 1-4 he takes us through Scripture to see the character of God and asks three important foundational questions:
1) Do you have a high view of Scripture?
2) Do you have a high view of God?
3) Do you have a big view of sin and even bigger view of grace?
To further your studies and follow along with this series we encourage you to purchase your own copy of Unfolding Grace available at https://www.crossway.org/bibles/unfolding-grace-hcj/
Pastor Sam Dyer gives a bonus sermon for The Easter Story Series on April 25. The Gospel is the good news about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (week 1) and how He restores the relationship between God and humans (week 2). We have heard how this good news requires a response from every person (week 3) but if we stopped there our story would be incomplete. What happens after one places faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins? Find out this week!
Having heard of the world's greatest problem in week 1 and God's answer to it in week 2 Pastor Sam now walks us through the two possible responses to the good news of Jesus Christ.
This is week 2 of the Easter Story sermon series where Pastor Sam addresses the doctrine of justification. How does a perfect and holy (set apart) God justify people who are marred by sin? Discover the beauty of the gospel as you listen. Enjoy!
What are the biggest problems in our world today? What does God say about them and how does He address them? Find out in Pastor Sam's Easter Sermon on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Tim Faulkner takes us through Ephesians 4:11-13 to help us understand God's design in His creation of the local church and how we are to function as the church body.
Tim Faulkner helps us to see from Matthew 4:19 what true discipleship entails as one journeys through life with Jesus. This is the second sermon in a three part series that will help us better understand the River of Life Church Pathway.
This is the first sermon in the three part River of Life Church Pathway Discover Series. Tim Faulkner explains how the River of Life Church Pathway is designed to help us and others discover Jesus. He equips us with two tools as we naturally talk about life purpose with those around us.
Click here to know more about the River of Life Pathway.
You can view the Three Circles tool here.
Download the River of Life Church 5 Day Challenge (.pdf draft document) here.
This is the last sermon in our Titus sermon series and in it Pastor Sam looks at how Paul ends his letter to Titus in 3:12-15. Even in these few verses Paul reminds the church of God's grace and exhorts them to do their best for the gospel. Are we doing our best for the gospel today?
Pastor Sam preaches the second to last sermon on the book of Titus focusing on chapter 3 verses 1-11. What are the things that Paul reminds Titus to remind the church about? How can we be mindful of them today and why it is important to do so?
Pastor Sam looks at Titus 2:11-15 in this sermon. In these verses Paul explains to Titus "the why" of teaching what accords with sound doctrine as he put the churches in order in Crete.
This week's sermon comes from Titus 2:1-10. Pastor Sam looks at God's plan for living a life that corresponds with the Gospel which is fully demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ.
How did Paul instruct Titus to put the church in order in Crete and how does this apply to the church today? Pastor Sam preaches about this from Titus 1:5-16 in today's sermon.
Why is Paul's introduction in his letter to Titus so long? Pastor Sam explores this exceptional opening and what value it holds for Titus and for us today.
Pastor Sam begins a new 8-week sermon series on the book of Titus. In this episode he teaches how to study this letter and understand the intent and message of the Spirit-inspired author Paul in the context of the early church and for us now.
Pastor Sam looks at 1 Timothy 4:6-10 to give you 4 Pointers to help you get spiritually fit in this new year.
In addition, he gives the River of Life Pathway, the plan that will help us in our pursuit of holiness.
This is the first sermon in our vision 2021 series.
Pastor Sam discusses where God is leading us and how He is calling us as a new church plant in Frankfurt in the coming year.
In this second Advent message Pastor Sam gives biblical evidence as to why Jesus Christ had to die. This is good news for every person and brings hope to our world.
The sermon on Acts 11:19-30 sheds light on how God used ordinary people to build the early church and how He still uses us today.
This November 8 sermon was given via Zoom, but regardless of the venue we continue making our way through the book of Acts.
Luke shows us the blessing and challenge of incredible church growth in the days of the apostles. How were they led to solve problems and what can we learn today? Listen to the sermon from Sunday to find out.