Riverview Church Message Podcast: Recent Episodes
Various Teachers
Don’t let anyone condemn you for a different conviction about debatable issues, but love those who are weaker than you and those who arrogantly judge you. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through Colossians 2:16–23 as we continue through our series, “If Then”.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus, you have Jesus and He is enough. There are no more obligations and no more fine print. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through Colossians 2:9-15 as we continue on through our series, If Then.
Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through the topics of suffering as we continue through Colossians 2:1-3 in our series, If Then.
Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through the topics of suffering as we continue through Colossians 1:24–29 in our series, If Then.
When we suffer for Jesus, we preach the Gospel to a world that is suffering for no reason. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through the topics of suffering as we continue through Colossians 1:24–29 in our series, If Then.
Because Jesus has rescued us from who we used to be, our response should be to stay focused on Him. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through the topic of social media and technology and how as Christians, we can engage with AI and social media algorithms in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world around us as we continue through Colossians 1 in our series, If Then.
Pastor Justin Detmers walks us through Colossians 1:15-20 as we continue through our series, “If Then”.
Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through Colossians 1:15-20 as we continue through our series, “If Then”.
Pastor James Granger walks us through Colossians 1:15-20 as we continue through our series, “If Then”.
Knowledge, wisdom, and power in Christ is much different than the world’s view of these things. Paul’s prayer to the church of Colossae is a reminder of who God is and what he wants for his church (to be filled with the knowledge of God so we can live lives worthy of the gospel we have received) which is all centered around Christ and his redemptive work. Pastoral Resident Hezekiah Trevino walks us through the topic of knowledge, wisdom, and power as we continue through Colossians 1:9-14 in our series “If Then”.
Know deeply, walk worthily, remembering you belong to the kingdom of the Son. Pastor Joe Swords walks us through the topic of the Gospel cycle of sanctification as we continue through Colossians 1:9-14 in our series, “If Then”.
When you have joy in Jesus, you can make decisions the best you can with wisdom and spiritual understanding, leaving the results to him. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through Colossians 1:9-14 in our series “If Then”.
If we have hope in the truth of the gospel, it changes our perspective and we join in the work God is doing around the world, bearing fruit and loving the saints. Pastor Noel Heikkinen kicks us off into our new series “If Then” by walking us through Colossians 1:1-8.
Happy Easter! Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through the last chapter of Mark as we close out our series, “The Sticky Gospel”.
Pastor James Granger walks us through Mark 11 speaking on the topics of Palm Sunday, The Passover, and Holy Week as we prepare for Easter.
Jesus says difficult things about the most central parts of our lives. Our response should be to receive them like a child, not thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through Mark 10 as we tackle some tough topics continuing on through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Ronnie Goble, a church planting Resident at Resurrection Church in Lincoln Park, walks us through Mark 9 as we continue through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Pastor Justin Detmers walks us through the topic of sin and the consequences of sin as we read through Mark 9 as we continue through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Pastor Tyler St Clair, a church planter at Cornerstone Church Detroit, walks us through the topic of sin in our lives as we continue through Mark 9 in our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through the topic of unbelief as we continue through Mark 9 in our series “The Sticky Gospel”.
We won’t accidentally stumble into holiness. God invites us to be active participants in the process of Him changing us. Pastor James Granger walks us through the topic of transformation through Christ as we continue through Mark 9 in our series “The Sticky Gospel”.
Pastoral Resident Hezekiah Trevino walks us through the topic of unbelief and doubt as we continue through Mark 9 in our series “The Sticky Gospel”.
Jesus is the only one who can truly love perfectly and He loves you. When you experience that kind of true love, you begin to want others to experience it so you give it to others when they don’t deserve it either. Taking up your cross to follow Jesus means loving like He loves. Denying yourself for others. Loving the unlovable and those who don’t affirm you or bring you happiness and pleasure. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through Mark 8 as we continue on through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Pastoral Residence Hezekiah Trevino walks us through Mark 8 as we continue on through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through Mark 8 as we continue on through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Jesus, the bread of life, broke Himself for everyone, which means He broke Himself for you. Pastor James Granger walks us through Mark 8 as we continue on through our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Death is our enemy. It is not how the world was meant to be. Jesus faced death with grief and rage and He calls us to believe. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through John 11 as we process the grief, anger, and sorrow after the recent tragedy on campus at Michigan State University.
As followers of Jesus, we sometimes will face some sort of rejection. It’s a tough feeling to accept. In today’s post Christian society, we need to prepare our hearts for rejection. Pastor Brad Kidder of River City Church walks us through the topic of rejection and how even Jesus was rejected as we go through Mark in our series “The Sticky Gospel”.
When you see Jesus clearly for who He is, it helps you see yourself for who you are. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through Mark 6 as we go through the topic of identity as we continue on through our series The Sticky Gospel.
Sometimes we bring our big problems to Jesus and we pray for help and he delays. How does that feel? Is he forgetting about you? Or is he trying to teach you something through the delay? Faith persists even when God delays. Even when things get worse. Even when things get absolutely hopeless. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks through the topic of having faith through tough times and delay as he goes through the book of Mark continuing through our series The Sticky Gospel.
How do you deal with disruptions in your life? Pastor Tony Pyle guides us through the topic disruption and how Jesus was a good and necessary disruption to a world that needed Him as we continue through the book of Mark in our series “The Sticky Gospel”.
As Christians, we are called to have Jesus be the center authority of our lives. Are there times in our life where we get caught up in the details and forget the reason or the purpose of why we do those things? Our pastoral residence Hezekiah Trevino walks us through the authority of Jesus and how Jesus always has the final say as we go through the book of Mark in our series, The Sticky Gospel.
The Gospel is our invitation to union with Jesus. When we accept him as our Savior, we then await the day Jesus, the bride groom, will return for his bride and there will be gladness and great joy. Where in your life is Jesus seeking to introduce a himself to you? Demetrius Hunter walks us through “A Brand New Faith” as we go through Mark 2 in our series The Sticky Gospel.
Contrary to popular opinion, desperation is not necessarily a bad thing. Desperation drives us to stretch, risk and search for answers beyond ourselves. Desperation also drives us to a point where we rely on God more. Pastor Noel Heikkinen walks us through the topic of desperation as we go through Mark 2 in our series, The Sticky Gospel.
Even though we want our first priority to be to love and obey God and represent Him well in the world, we do tend to live as though the immediate and Earthly things are of utmost importance. It’s usually only when a collapse of something like a person or a career happens is when we start to want to follow Jesus. Pastor James Granger walks us through the book of Mark explaining why we shouldn’t wait until a collapse of something or everything to follow Jesus.
Jesus was the ultimate fisher of men and touched the untouchable. What will it take for you to drop everything and follow Jesus? Pastor Justin Detmers walks us through Mark 1 talking about how we can “fish” well as we continue through our new series The Sticky Gospel.
Jesus shows His authority through many accounts in the book of Mark. Some being through His teaching, in conquering evil in the world, in healing and in calling onto the disciples to follow Him. Where in your life do you struggle to put Jesus in authority? When is Jesus in the center of your life? Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through Mark 1 speaking on the authority of Jesus as we continue through our new series The Sticky Gospel.
The most prevailing sin of our time is that we have a misplaced center of authority. Who carries the authority of your life? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen launches us into our new series, The Sticky Gospel, going through the book of Mark by reminding us that Jesus not only has the authority to tell us what to do, He has the authority to forgive us for all those times we inevitably fail. Jesus’ invitation to repent and believe is ongoing; we keep turning back to Jesus and keep believing Jesus.
With this new year, we do not know what the future holds, and that’s okay. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to build our own kingdom and take credit for ourselves. We forget God and what He has done for us. Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through on why and how we need to remember God.
Who is our king, really? And whose kingdom are we building? Pastor James Granger walks us through the life of Herod and how he spent his entire life trying to build his own kingdom. What would prevent you today from falling to your knees and worshipping Jesus? Are you going to live for yourself or live for Jesus?
Over our lifetime, we will all have conflicts of some sort. Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus has come to earth to be our Prince of Peace in those areas of conflict. Pastor Noel Heikkinen talks about peace and how Jesus is the Prince of Peace as we continue on through our Advent series.
Christmas is the celebration of the peace that God brings to the world through the Savior born in Bethlehem. Pastor Tony Pyle talks about peace and how Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
What is “joy”? What does “joy” mean to you? Jesus gives us the pathway to joy. Pastor Noel Heikkinen guides us through the topic of joy as we continue on through our advent series.
Joy is a gift from God and it is experienced through knowing Him, seeing His work in
the world, and experiencing his presence in all circumstances. Are we sharing that joy to others? Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through the topic of joy as we continue on through our advent series.
Sometimes life goes to plan and sometimes it feels a complete mess. What do you do when life is pretty messed up? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen encourages us as followers of Jesus, that we can have faith, because we have hope that Jesus will return and set things right. Faith is believing the unbelievable is real and going all in on that belief.
Where do you place your hope? Church Planter Ronnie Goble begins our Advent series by reminding us that the only hope of humanity is bound up in one man: Jesus.
Every time we make plans, we do so with prayer and wisdom, but ultimately entrust them to God. How do you approach your plans and needs? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen concludes our Entrust series by reminding us that God will give us exactly what we need when we need it. Jesus has done all the heavy lifting for us, so now we can rest in Him.
Our purpose as Christians is not to stick to the schedule, it’s to listen to God and care about what God says more than anything else, in every moment of our lives. Pastor James Granger walks us through on how we can take these “interruptions” in our lives as an invitation from God to display […]
Pastor Tony Pyle guides us through community and commitment as we continue on through our entrust series.
Pastor Justin Detmers walks us through on what it looks like to commit to another in confidence as we continue through our Entrust series.
We all have plans and uncertainty in our lives. How do you see yourself in God’s plans? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen invites us to financially commit to Riv’s next two years of reaching the Lansing area and beyond. Jesus has already done all the work, and He invites us to join Him in reaching the […]
Our mission, as followers of Christ, is to make disciples of Jesus. What would you define as the mission of your life? Pastor James Granger continues in our Entrust series by reminding us that we are called, as flawed humans, to participate in God’s plan to save people. And our mission to make disciples of […]
Where do you plan to be present missionally? Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through the topic of being on mission as we continue through our Entrust series.
Pastor Justin Detmers guides us through the topic of “mission” and what it means for us practically as we continue through our Entrust series.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be present in our communities and to share the good news of Jesus with those around us. Do you have a place where you contribute, participate, and share in community? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen kicks off our Entrust series by reminding us that because we are loved […]
All of us have places where we are in and under authority. As a follower of Christ, what do you do in situations like this? Pastor Noel Heikkinen challenges us to recognize the places in our life where we are the sheep, as well as where we are the shepherd, and use both situations as […]
As a follower of Christ, we need to consider that our words have consequences. When you’re feeling annoyed or angry, do you turn to God in lament, or do you grumble with those around you? Pastor Justin Detmers reminds us that in God we have an ever-present help in times of need. God isn’t going […]
We treasure what God has said to us because it is a reminder that our lives are in the hands of a great God who cares for us. How can you engage with Scripture to gain a better understanding of the dignity and worth each of us have in Christ? Pastor Tony Pyle encourages us […]
For every generation there have been technological advances that tend to bring questions from the older people and quick acceptance from younger people. What does the use of technology look like in your life? Pastor James Granger encourages us to redeem technology we should choose to use it as a doorway for mission rather than […]
We are faced with so many choices throughout our lives, some of which can bring joy, or guilt, or anxiety. What impacts your choices when you come up against a difficult decision? Pastor James Granger encourages us to let the wisdom of God become the core of our decision-making grid.
We often think of love as something we have to earn. What does it look like for a follower of Christ to be loved by Christ? Pastor Young Yi reminds us that the love of God is freely given to those who accept Him into their hearts and lives. We are called to slow down […]
We have all been stupid in our lives, but like to present as knowing more than we do. How do your ideologies and thoughts impact your interacting with others? Riv’s Pastoral Resident Hezekiah Trevino encourages us to accept that we don’t have all the answers because that forces us to trust in Jesus. We don’t […]
At the core of Christianity, we have been called to love God and love others. How can you consistently pursue this calling when the circumstances of life might leave you feeling stagnant or apathetic? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that none of us are immune to the emotional and spiritual peaks and valleys of life, […]
We all know what we worship because it’s usually what gives us the most anxiety. What in your life guides your decision making and adds to your stress? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen reminds us that as Christian’s we are a people who have hope beyond this life. God sees your needs and isn’t freaking out, […]
Most of us struggle with a combination of pride and shame that often results in a hyper-individualist outlook on life. How has an emphasis on individualism impacted your relationships with God and those around you? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that we all need community, and while it’s not always easy to live dependent on […]
We are all recovering kids looking for healing that is found in Christ Jesus. What wounds from your childhood are you carrying through life? Pastor Young Yi encourages us that there is healing for us all in Jesus, no matter how deep the wounds go. As a recovering family, the church provides us with an […]
In our pursuit for freedom, we risk confusing what it truly means for a follower of Christ. The freedom we have in Christ is not for our own gain, but to love and serve others. Pastor Justin Detmers reminds us that true freedom is not a license for selfishness, but a restraining power to love.
This side of glory, we all stumble. Do you find yourself asking “why am I not living the life I want to live?” Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen starts our series reminding us that the normal life experience of a follower of Jesus is to stumble; we stumble and Jesus looks on us with grace. We […]
The end times written about in Scripture can be weird and crazy to read. How do you think about end times prophecy? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen reminds us that we believe in a God that knows what is going to happen, is in control, and lives within us. Our God has been, is, and will […]
In prayer, we often jump first into what we want, rather than looking to God for who He is. What do your prayers look like? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen points to Daniel in giving a great model for prayer; read your bible, see what God says He’s going to do, and then ask Him to […]
As followers of Christ, we can trust the power, plan, and purposes of God above our own. How can you rest in God’s sovereignty this week? Pastor Tony Pyle acknowledges that in times of trial and struggle we often find it increasingly difficult to cling to our hope in God. This week, as you work, […]
We have a tendency to live our lives focused on the me, here, and now. As followers of Christ, we are called to live a different way. Pastor James Granger teaches through one of Daniel’s visions and reminds us that this world is not our home. Sometimes life is not what we expected, yet we […]
It can be difficult to remember that the stories we read in the Bible were written about “normal people” with real emotions. Do you stop to think about the very real and scary emotions Daniel would have felt defying his government and being thrown in the lion’s den? Brad Kidder, pastor at River City Church, […]
Most of us have had a time in our life where we felt totally trapped, backed into a corner, and wondering if God would come through. How do you typically respond when you’re feeling this way? Ronnie Goble challenges us to consider how we might be tempted to trust in the wisdom of the world […]
We all face unique hardships in life. How can we be the kind of people that are faithful, resilient, and honorable when those circumstances come our way? Pastor Justin Detmers shares the narrative of Daniel in the lions den and reminds us that we aren’t remarkable for our own glory but for God’s glory. Jesus […]
Pride shows up in different ways for each of us, often through anger, apathy, or boasting. How and when does the sin of pride show up in your life? Pastor Tony Pyle challenges us to acknowledge and turn away from our pride and praise God for the good things in our lives. When we purse […]
Through all of our hardship, we can find comfort and hope in God. In what areas of your life do you need to rest in the blessing of God’s sovereignty? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that even when our lives feel difficult or things feel out of our control, God is still good. Even though […]
We all have areas of life where we might feel proud of ourselves. Where do you let that overcome your humility in front of Jesus? Pastor Young Yi reminds us that it is ok to be needy in front of God, He desires that. You can let go of control by letting go of the […]
All around us are things and people that pull for our attention and priority. Where does your allegiance lie in this life? Pastor Young Yi challenges us as God’s people, to lean into God’s Word and Spirit and never waiver in our allegiance in Him.
How we react to negative or difficult situations in our life can glorify God before those who witness our trials. Do you see the obstacles or times of persecution in your life as an opportunity to share the hope you’ve found in Jesus? Pastor Justin Detmers challenges us to rely on the power and glory […]
We all have something that pulls our loyalty from God. Are you tempted to exalt yourself through relationships, your career, or other self-promoting pursuits? Brendan Finnerty challenges us to look to the example we have in Jesus to align our hearts with God. When our loyalty to God costs us something we desire, we can […]
We all live in a crumbling and scattering world. How do you view the kingdoms around you? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen challenges us to look at the kingdoms you build for your own fame and glory and realize that they are nothing compared to the coming kingdom of Jesus where He will rule and reign […]
Historically, Christians often fall into the practice of drawing lines in wrong places or not drawing them at all. Have you taken time to consider each aspect of your life through your faith? The media we consume; the politics we hold; how we spend out time and money: they all can be shaped by our […]
As Christ-followers, we have been given a new identity that is from outside of ourselves. How then do we grow in self-control? Pastor Mark Brett concludes our series by reminding us that we are called to stumble together in community to love and live like Jesus. It is through others, the Word, and the work […]
Oftentimes the idea of self-control can contradict the way we want to live our lives because it goes against our primary goal of comfort. Pastor Tony Pyle asks if pleasure and comfort are the core values that we are called to pursue with our lives. Although it can feel like we’re depriving ourselves of our […]
Self-control for the follower of Jesus looks like relinquishing control. What are some areas of your life you can let go of control and trust that God’s plans are better? Pastor Young Yi challenges us to focus less on ourselves and more on others, remembering that we are called to a life that is bigger […]
We all have a driving force in our lives, for some of us it’s impatience, self-protection, or the pursuit of success. What fuels your life? Pastor Noel Heikkinen reminds us that Jesus describes Himself as lowly and humble in heart, and calls us to be the same. Jesus wants you to take the rest He […]
As followers of Christ, it is essential to rely on God as our ultimate source of faithfulness. We see in Scripture that Jesus was faithful to the Father and how is He faithful to us, where have you seen this in your own life? Pastor Justin Detmers asks us to consider where in our lives […]
Where we invest our time and hope can often come into conflict with placing our allegiance to God. Where do you place your allegiance? Pastor Young Yi reminds us that Jesus is a king who loves and actively participates in the lives of His people, and He calls us to do the same. As followers […]
We tend to use good to describe circumstances that are positive but not great. So, what does it mean that God is described as good in Scripture? Pastor Noel Heikkinen challenges our definition of good, reminding us that only God is good, He defines what goodness is. God declared His creation good, and one day […]
God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. Where have you seen His kindness in your life? Has it led you to repentance and a deepened faith in Him? Pastor Tony Pyle challenges us to set our mind on the kindness of God. We have been reconciled to God through faith in what Jesus […]
There is a critical link between patience and forgiveness. Do you struggle to forgive those who hurt you? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen reminds us of the perfect example of both patience and forgiveness we have in Jesus. As believers, we are forgiven through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and that should lead us […]
As Christ followers, we care called to pursue peace and build one another up. How do you pursue peace in your speech, thoughts, and actions? Pastor Young Yi reminds us that because we are made whole again and brought to peace with God through Jesus, we are called to live in peace with one another.
Peace is more than just the absence of conflict, it is the presence of wholeness. How do you react to situations or relationships that disturb your peace? Pastor Tony Pyle remind us that when our circumstances are difficult we can turn to God in prayer in petition, asking Him to remind us of His sovereignty […]
We all have a void in our lives that we’re trying to fill with temporary things. What do you focus your time and energy on? What are you afraid of losing? Pastor Justin Detmers challenges us to place our hope in the eternal person, presence, and power of God rather than our circumstances. As followers […]
Jesus wants to be the source of our joy which means he wants us to enjoy Him. How’s your joy? Pastor Noel Heikkinen reminds us that our joy isn’t tethered to our circumstances, but to our identity in Jesus. When external circumstances are increasing the pressure on us, we can rejoice in our salvation and […]
Love isn’t about doing, but is a matter of being. Does your life look like one that is loving? TJ Auten reminds us that at the heart of the Gospel is the saving love of God. As the love of God grows in you, it grows the love you have for others and we become […]
Our culture defines loves in so many different ways. How would you define the word love? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that the Bible’s description of love often differs from how we think of it, and challenges our view of God, ourselves, and others. When we live with God as our definition of love, we […]
Being a follower of Jesus is not an activity we do. So what does it mean to be a Christian? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen begins our new series reminding us that the fruit of the Spirit is all about reflecting Jesus to others. The life of a Christ follower is not about forcing the fruit […]
The freedom we have in Christ is not to indulge in our own desires, but to serve one another. Does the Gospel move you to love others? Pastor Young Yi challenges our understanding of spirit and flesh, and the impact of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As followers of Christ, we have been gifted […]
The Gospel of Jesus is a message of hope and reconciliation for the world. For that reason, we are committed to planting churches in Michigan, across our country, and around the world. Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen shares the story of church planting through riv and how we continue to see the fame of God grow. […]
Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, who stepped in to His creation. Have you looked to Jesus with your life and accepted His gift of life? This Easter Sunday, Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen reminds us that Jesus didn’t let guilt go unpunished, but took it on Himself and offers us life. When we trust […]
The Kingdom of God does not grow by force or strength, but by speaking the truth of who Christ is. Do you believe in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? This Easter Sunday, Young Yi reminds us that because of His finished work on the cross, eternal death is no longer the […]
We are all shaped by the things we give our time, attention, and thoughts to. How are you being intentional with that during this season of life? Pastor Tony Pyle asks us to consider the times in our lives where we experienced significant spiritual growth, and who may have had a role in that. As […]
Discipleship is the lifelong journey of being changed by, following, and becoming more like Jesus. This messy and grace-driven process happens best through the mutual sharing of our lives, with the Great Commandment at its heart and the Great Commission as its trajectory.
As followers of Christ, we are called to invest in the lives of others. Do you have people in your life that you are looking up to, and people you are leading? Pastor Justin Detmers challenges us to value and invest in the lifelong journey of being changed by, following, and becoming more like Jesus […]
We all have people and voices influencing our lives. Who or what do you follow? Pastor James Granger walks us through our final core value of pursuing relational and missional discipleship. May we pursue Christ and Christ alone with our everything.
The Gospel does not eliminate the unique cultures and experiences that make the church diverse, but unifies a diverse group of people by glorifying God through their differences. How do we live as a testimony to this within our church and our daily lives? Pastor Young Yi challenges us to live with a broader cultural perspective, recognizing that the Gospel of Jesus is the bridge that unites us and diversity is something to be celebrated. The Church is called to be a beautiful display of unity, glorifying and worshiping God for the love, grace, and mercy that brings us together.
Each one of us carries a unique and valid life experience. How have you looked beyond yourself and to the cultural perspective of others? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen shares our core value of being united in and honoring diversity. In the church, each one of our individual pieces of cultural and cultural experience is added to everyone else’s to make something beautiful. We do not desire conformity or uniformity, but the full expression of our individual and cultural life experiences woven together by our common salvation.
We are all a part of the Gospel legacy. What role do you play in carrying on the Word to the next generation? Pastor Young Yi encourages us that obedience to God’s Word leads to life and deepens our sole allegiance to Him. Because we have the Gospel upholding us, we can move forward with confidence in Jesus. Our part is to live in that truth and to pass on the Gospel to the next generation with boldness and faith.
It may look different for each of us, but we all need community. Have you found yourself feeling isolated over the past few years? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that trying to do life on our own is hard, and being in intentional relationships with others can strengthen and encourage our faith. When we live in community, and are present in our communities, we not only point others to God, but hopefully, we’ll find a space where we can be vulnerable and grow personally as well.
Our deepest need is to be made right before God. Have you accepted Jesus into your life, and recognize that He alone can meet that need? Jordan Allen reminds us that as believers, we are called to allow that truth to challenge the way we live our lives and how we invite others into the family of Jesus.
We all need people in our lives. Do you have authentic community around you? Pastor James Granger reminds us that every follower of Jesus needs authentic community that they can be vulnerable with. At Riv, one of our core values is being in and in the community.
The bible is the very inspired Word of God and the outline for how followers of Jesus are to live out their faith. Do you submit yourself to the truth of scripture? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen shares our core value of being committed to being biblically holistic and humble. As followers of Jesus, we apply the whole bible to our whole selves by learning from it and going out into the world and living it.
The Bible is the source of life, the Word of God, and it is true. Do you believe in the validity of Scripture? Young Yi reminds us that we are created in the image of God and because of that we have a new purpose in our lives. When we read Scripture we see the heart of God toward His people, and are invited to be a part of the humble and gracious work He is calling us to.
The Gospel states that we are loved by Jesus and set free from sin. How does that truth impact how you live your life? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen shares the first of our core values: that we are committed to being Gospel focused and motivated. As followers of Jesus, we are called to let go of our selfishness in order to love others like Jesus has loved us.
As a church family, we are called to love God and love others. How have we as a church failed in that? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen shares our new mission statement and invites you to step into this new season together with us. At Riv, we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him.
As believers, we can be confident in the eternity secured for us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. How can the way we view the end of our lives change the way we live in the present? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that our faithfulness and ministry can be empowered by our trust in Jesus and His promises.
The glory awaiting us in eternity is wonderful and unimaginable. Do you believe that death is not the end of our existence, but the beginning of our transition into a new world? Pastor James Granger reminds us that one day, when we are united with Christ, sin will be no more and we will be made whole in Him. How are you living today in light of the eternal life that awaits you?
When we live our lives in service to God, we aren’t earning His love, but returning love to the One who loved us first. Do you believe God is not only concerned with our earthly bodies, but how we use them to worship Him? Dan Eytcheson reminds us that although our bodies are limited because of sin, we can find comfort in the eternity promised to us through Christ. God’s ultimate plan is to resurrect our broken bodies into a perfect everlasting where sin and death will be no more.
God has put a longing for eternity and perfection in our hearts. How do you seek to fill that longing? Drew Ansley, pastor at Refuge Detroit, challenges our view of eternity and asks if we are truly living with an understanding of what has been purchased and promised for those who have placed their faith in Jesus.
We tend to focus more on the shape and extent of our sin than the enormity of God’s grace and forgiveness. How do you view yourself in relation to your actions? Pastor Justin Detmers reminds us that by receiving God’s forgiveness, we have a new reality. And just as we are loved and forgiven by God, as His children we can love and forgive others in the same way.
It is ofter easier to cancel someone than to forgive them. Are you afraid that forgiving someone will give them the power to hurt you again? Young Yi reminds us that while forgiveness is difficult and can take years, avoiding it can lead to pain and resentment. The tactic of the enemy is to divide the people of God, and it is through forgiveness that we are reconciled to one another.
We all have different circles of relationships and people in our lives. How do you care for and prioritize the others in your life? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen challenges us to consider how we can reorder our lives around prioritizing community. The calling of all followers of Jesus is to serve one another through love, and come alongside those in our family who are struggling.
The church is made up of imperfect people striving after Jesus. How do you view other followers of Jesus in your life? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen reminds us that despite our differences and our failures, we are called to pursue unity with other Christians. We are a set apart people of Jesus, called to gather together, so that the world can see how much Jesus loves them.
The Holy Spirit is everywhere, all the time. Do you believe that the Spirit of God is present in your life? Pastor James Granger encourages us that as followers of Christ we are never alone; the Holy Spirit is always present and active in our lives. Just as we are filled with the Spirit, let’s walk by the Spirit so we can guide others into truth, provide comfort to those in distress, intercede for others in prayer, and glorify Jesus in everything that we do.
Our selfish desires and actions are a natural outflow of our hearts without the Spirit of God. Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and heart? Pastor Tony Pyle reminds us that as we continue to live our lives for Christ, the Holy Spirit guides us to look more like Jesus. Instead of living in the flesh, we are called to live by the fruit of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit brings order and wholeness where there was once chaos. Do you find yourself feeling empty or without purpose in life? Pastor Justin Detmers reminds us that because we have the Spirit living and active within our hearts and lives at all times, we are never alone. When we seek God, our purpose in life becomes more about serving and loving others than fulfilling the desires of our flesh.
The return of Jesus is something that Christ followers have been awaiting for 2000 years. Do you believe Jesus will return? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen encourages us that as followers of Christ, we can patiently and confidently wait for Jesus’ return. His grace that saved us is the same grace that gives us power to overcome temptation and is the same grace that will give us new life at the end of time when He returns.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Do you believe that? Pastor Noel Jesse Heikkinen reminds us that Jesus left Earth so that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit to carry out the sharing of the Gospel. Jesus is still at work in our lives and in the world.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead? Pastor Tyler St. Clair from Cornerstone Church Detroit encourages us that Christ’s resurrection redeems our past, secures our future, and empowers our present. Because Jesus rose again, you can stand firm on the Gospel and be unshakeable.
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless because we are still in our sin. Are you searching for meaning and hope, when what we ultimately need is forgiveness? Pastor Noel Heikkinen reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus was not only the most important moment in history, but continues to have implications on our daily lives. Because Jesus rose from the dead and has forgiven our sins, we can put our hope in him for today and for eternity.
After the difficulties many of us faced in 2021, what can we be looking forward to, where is our hope, as we head into a new year? Pastor James Granger reminds us that no matter our circumstances, the truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again is unwavering. Because He rose again, we can put our trust and hope in Him.