Galatians 5:1 In this sermon by Joe Still we take a look at the freedom that Jesus Christ offers from our efforts to try to measure up to the man-made requirements of religion. The journey of making a disciple begins with sharing the “Good News” that Jesus, the beloved Son of God, came to set every man, woman, and child free from the shackles of sin. Jesus came to break the chains of religion and set us free from those soul-crushing efforts of trying to be good enough. This morning we celebrate ...
Sep 06, 2018•56 min
Galatians 5:1 In this sermon by Joe Still we continue our end of summer teaching series that we began last week; UNSHACKELD! Last week we followed Paul and Barnabas on their first Church Planting, Missionary Journey into the Roman province of Galatia, (modern day Turkey). After some years pass, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote a letter back to those churches to correct a perversion of the Gospel of Jesus that had crept into their lives. They had become deceived in their understanding of ...
Aug 30, 2018•52 min
Acts 13-14 & Galatians In this sermon by Joe Still we begin a new teaching series entitled UNSHACKLED. Inspired by the Spirit of God, Paul writes a letter to the churches he and Barnabas had planted in the cities and towns of Galatia. This letter was to groups of Christians who were adding legalistic rules and stipulations to the pure and simple message of the Gospel, that Jesus saves us from our sin and reconciles us to God. It is a letter we need to read and re-read ourselves. It is so eas...
Aug 23, 2018•55 min
Romans 11:33-36 In this sermon we are privileged to have Dave Hardin open God’s Word to us. I love Dave’s missionary heart. He inspires me to think missionally. I’m grateful for the day the LORD brought Dave, Michelle, Meg, Shannon and Kallie to The River. Music courtesy of hooksounds.com
Aug 16, 2018•40 min
This morning we bring our “GOSPEL-ing” series to a close. It has been great to hear all the stories of life transformation and mission engagement from our River-family. This morning we’ll hear from several others who are finding ways to live out and display the hope they have in the whole Gospel. We’ll also look to God’s Word to see HIS Heart for HIS Church to thrive as we “GOSPEL” together. Music courtesy of hooksounds.com
Aug 09, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Luke 10:1-2 & Matthew 9:35-38 In this sermon by Joe Still we continue our series, GOSPEL-ing and reflect on the essential role of prayer in all “GOSPEL-ing” efforts. We’ll also hear from some of the “Laborers” the LORD sent out recently from among our very own River-family. Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.
Jul 26, 2018•59 min
Matthew 16:18 In this sermon by Joe Still we continue our series “GOSPEL-ing”. We turn our attention to God’s call to take the Gospel of Jesus to every nation (people group) on the earth. Today we’ll hear from many from our River-family who have answered God’s call. We’ll think together about God’s heart for the nations and see how the New Testament church supported global “Gospel-ing” church planting efforts. Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.
Jul 19, 2018•1 hr 3 min
Philippians 1:25-27 In this sermon by Joe Still we begin our new teaching series entitled “GOSPEL-ing”. Over the next several weeks we will celebrate the numerous opportunities God is giving our River-family to demonstrate and declare the Good News of Jesus. We’ll also challenge one another to increase our awareness of “lostness” around us as well as communicate some new opportunities and strategies for addressing that “lostness”. We do this from a heart that longs for everyone to have numerous ...
Jul 12, 2018•47 min
Psalm 33:12 In this sermon by Pastor Joe Still, he writes, “I spent some moments this week re-reading and reflecting on a few of the founding documents of our nation; as well as additional writings by some of the Founders and other great leaders in its history. One of those documents was the Declaration of Independence. The concluding paragraph of that document has only two sentences, one of which is quite long. It’s the only sentence that declares our independence using the word “independent”, ...
Jul 05, 2018•1 hr 1 min
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In this sermon by Joe Still we look to God’s Word to find how HIS Grace Reigns over our circumstances and how we as a church can embrace God’s Grace for a broken world! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com
Jun 28, 2018•49 min
2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10 This morning Pastor Joe Still press deeper into our commitment to live out the command of GOD found in Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one comes short of the GRACE of God.” As your Pastor this weighs heavy on my heart and I’ve been praying and asking GOD to give each of us a great burden to live that out with one another and in the lives of every person where we live, work and play. Today we turn our attention to GOD’s plan for His amazing Grace to Reign over our weakn...
Jun 21, 2018•45 min
Matthew 18:21-35 We continue our journey this morning into GOD’S “Wonderful Grace”! Last week we saw how GOD’S Grace can and will Reign over our sin and failures, over our religious striving, and over our secrets and our shame. Today we turn the coin over to see Jesus teaching His followers that the extent to which we are willing to give Grace to the person whose hurt us the most and deserves it the least; reveals the extent to which we have actually received GOD’S Grace. Music courtesy of hooks...
Jun 14, 2018•57 min
Romans 5:20-21 In this sermon by Joe Still we explore the truth of God’s reigning grace that Paul shares in his letter to the church in Rome. At the end of Romans chapter 5, after making a comparison to the power of sin, Paul concludes with this great thought: “GRACE WILL REIGN” (Romans 5:21 HCBS) When GRACE REIGNS guilt is erased! When GRACE REIGNS relationships are healed! When GRACE REIGNS weaknesses are overcome! When GRACE REIGNS bitterness is broken! When GRACE REIGNS shame is covered! Whe...
Jun 07, 2018•49 min
1 Peter 1:13-19 In this sermon we continue to study scriptures that point us to the truths about our good and beautiful personal GOD. In His Word, He reveals that He loves us just as we are. He will accept us and receive us “as is”, in whatever condition we find ourselves. But, He loves us too much to leave us that way. Not only has He determined to perfect us and bring us into His perfect presence forever, He has also determined to begin His perfecting work in us right now. He has given us new ...
May 24, 2018•51 min
Romans 8:28-37 In this sermon we continue to think together about what it means to be loved by a personal GOD, we’ll reflect on HIS great passion FOR US. The Bible declares this truth: our GOD is for us! Thanking God when I think of you convinced that HE is “for you”! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.
May 17, 2018•51 min
Psalm 16 In this sermon, we continue our spring teaching series personal GOD and turn our attention to a personal GOD who is NEAR US. It is consistent teaching throughout the written Word of God that HE is always near HIS children. Scriptures like Joshua 1:9 (ESV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” and Psalm 119:151 (ESV) “You are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.” ...
May 10, 2018•50 min
Matthew 6:13 In this sermon we continue our series “Personal GOD”. This morning we celebrate our personal relationship with FATHER-GOD and HIS plans and pathways to “DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE”! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.
May 03, 2018•52 min
Psalm 91 In this sermon we continue to study the scriptures that reveal the truth about our good & beautiful personal GOD. Today we delve into Psalm 91. In it we find the scripture Satan quoted when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan twisted God’s Word on how God PROTECTS His own. That continues to be a significant scheme Satan uses to distort the truth about our personal GOD and lead many followers of Jesus astray. This morning we equip ourselves to stand firm against one of the grea...
Apr 26, 2018•48 min
1 John 4:7-12,16-19 In this sermon we will look at how our PERSONAL GOD … “LOVES”. In 1 John 4, the Apostle John says that “God is love.” God doesn’t just love us. He is love. He is the definition of love. And the greatest example or model of love is the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes we think that if we fail one more time, or sin again, or lose our temper, or think another impure thought that God is going to take His love back. But He does not work that way. Romans 8 says that, “NOTHING can separ...
Apr 19, 2018•41 min
1 Kings 19:11-13, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 In this sermon we begin a brand new teaching series entitled, “PERSONAL GOD.” Most everyone has, or has had, a personal relationship with someone who is “life-giving.” They help fill life with hope and joy! Personal relationships like that can be hard to come by. The Gospel writer John records stating, “I came so [people] can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John later records Jesus saying, “And this is the real and et...
Apr 12, 2018•49 min
1 Peter 2:21 In this sermon we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the central holy-day in the Christian calendar and the day God powerfully declared Jesus of Nazareth to be the Christ, the Son of the Living God! Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; we can have forgiveness of our sin, a new life now, an eternal destiny with God in Heaven forever, and the presence of God now through the Holy Spirit. It is believably amazing! That’s why we celebrate this d...
Apr 05, 2018•49 min
John 12:12-19 In this sermon we conclude our teaching series “ALL IN”. Today is the Sunday before we celebrate the Resurrection. On this specific Sunday, a little over 2,000 years ago, Jesus allowed Himself to be paraded through the streets of the capitol city of Jerusalem and celebrated as the long awaited Messiah from GOD. This day was already a special day on the Jewish calendar. It was a day that played a pivotal role in their celebration of Passover, which is the greatest of all Jewish cele...
Mar 29, 2018•50 min
Luke 23:32-43 In this sermon we continue our teaching series “ALL IN”. That phrase describes the life of our Lord and Savior. Last week Dr. Jeremy Sin helped us see that Jesus was ALL IN for ALL PEOPLE from ALL PLACES! This morning we see that Jesus is ALL IN for ALL PEOPLE in ALL CONDITIONS and in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Jesus is ALL IN for Pagans & Priests, Image Consultants & Immigrants, Addicts & Architects, Barbarians & Bankers, Prostitutes & Popes, Congressmen & Convicts...
Mar 22, 2018•50 min
Guest Speaker, Dr. Jeremy Sin In this sermon we explore Jesus’ ALL IN LOVE for ALL PEOPLE from ALL PLACES. As a preschooler my mom taught me a song that had a verse that said: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the World…” In Revelation 7, God’s Word gives us a glimpse of our eternal future gathered with people “from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb” celebrating in worship. Jesus taught us that it is God’s will...
Mar 15, 2018•48 min
Luke 9:51-56 & Matthew 5:43-46 Jesus loves people—all people. He loves the Manic and the Magnificent, Pagans & Priests, Historians & Haters, Pharisees and Financiers. Jesus loves Addicts & Architects, Barbarians & Bankers, Image-Consultants & Immigrants. He loves the Lovable & the Unlovable, Rejects & Radiologists, Prostitutes & Police. When Jesus walked the earth He was compassionate and merciful toward people from all walks of life. He still is today! What w...
Mar 08, 2018•54 min
Ecclesiastes 3:11 & John 14:2 As hard as humanity is trying to put a “bold face” on things, as a whole we’re not doing so great. Just take one of our vital signs and you’d see. The rate of antidepressant use has gone through the roof in the last 20 years. They have become the third most commonly prescribed drug. (Please don’t misunderstand, I believe in medication; but it says something about us when depression is a leading cause of disability on a global scale.) Ultimately, how you envision...
Mar 01, 2018•57 min
Matthew 5:13-16 As hard as humanity is trying to put a “bold face” on things, as a whole we’re not doing so great. Just take one of our vital signs and you’d see. The rate of antidepressant use has gone through the roof in the last 20 years. They have become the third most commonly prescribed drug. (Please don’t misunderstand, I believe in medication; but it says something about us when depression is a leading cause of disability on a global scale.) Ultimately, how you envision your future impac...
Feb 22, 2018•41 min
Micah 6:8 & Genesis 38 As hard as humanity is trying to put a “bold face” on things, as a whole we’re not doing so great. Just take one of our vital signs and you’d see. The rate of antidepressant use has gone through the roof in the last 20 years. They have become the third most commonly prescribed drug. (Please don’t misunderstand, I believe in medication; but it says something about us when depression is a leading cause of disability on a global scale.) Ultimately, how you envision your f...
Feb 15, 2018•1 hr
Luke 8:4-15 As hard as humanity is trying to put a “bold face” on things, as a whole we’re not doing so great. Just take one of our vital signs and you’d see. The rate of antidepressant use has gone through the roof in the last 20 years. They have become the third most commonly prescribed drug. (Please don’t misunderstand, I believe in medication; but it says something about us when depression is a leading cause of disability on a global scale.) Ultimately, how you envision your future impacts y...
Feb 13, 2018•53 min
Matthew 5:9 As hard as humanity is trying to put a “bold face” on things, as a whole we’re not doing so great. Just take one of our vital signs and you’d see. The rate of antidepressant use has gone through the roof in the last 20 years. They have become the third most commonly prescribed drug. (Please don’t misunderstand, I believe in medication; but it says something about us when depression is a leading cause of disability on a global scale.) Ultimately, how you envision your future impacts y...
Jan 31, 2018•41 min
