Today's sermon addresses a piece of Scripture that many of us are familiar with--The Rich Young Ruler.  As his description tells us, this guy has it all...or does he? It is not a coincidence that in each gospel, the story of the rich young ruler follows the narrative of the children from last week. 
And the reason why is significant. Let's find out why!

Today, we’re going to learn God’s heart when it comes to children. 
Last Sunday, we saw how Jesus elevated the status of women in marriage. 
Today, we’re going to see Jesus elevates the status of children. 
It’s not a coincidence here that we move from the subject of marriage and divorce to children. Throughout Scripture, God teaches how children are a blessing.

Now today’s Scripture passage is incredibly short. It’s only four verses. 
But don’t let the brevity fool you. This passage today is a theological key that unlocks the door to one of today’s most asked questions about children and death. 
What is that question? Let’s find out!

Today I’m compelled to do something that I really don't care to do. 
I need to share a personal story with you before I preach today’s message. 
Today’s sermon is on divorce, and unfortunately my life has been wrecked by it. 
Prayerfully, my story will relieve the anxiety that the topic of divorce brings.

God also knows the pain of divorce. And I wanted to share how and why God divorced Israel before we dive into today's Scripture passage.

Today we are celebrating the most significant event in human history. Today we are celebrating the best day ever! 
What is the best day ever, you ask?
 We are recognizing and honoring the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very foundation of the Christian faith. 
It’s the reason we are here today. 
It’s the reason the Church exists. 
Without Jesus walking out of his grave and that tomb being empty, there is no such thing as Heaven.

In fact, it is written...

1 Corinthians 15:13 — For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.

1 Corinthians 15:14; 17— And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless, and you are still guilty of your sins.

Dear friends, if we are still guilty of our sins, we have a problem that we cannot solve. 
What exactly is that problem? Let’s find out.

Pastor Dustin Daniels is the Senior Pastor of River Bible Church in Cottonwood, AZ. River Bible Church prays that you will experience God day by day as you learn the Word of God verse by verse.

Today is Palm Sunday. What is Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday is simply the Sunday before Easter. The Sunday before Easter introduces what’s known as Holy Week. This week has been celebrated throughout all of Christendom regardless of denomination. Holy Week focuses on the Passion of Christ. Holy Week or Passion Week is named because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay for the sins of people who believe the gospel.

As we move into today’s Scripture passage, Jesus presses into the actual cost of pride. 
Today’s sermon is heavy. 
Jesus teaches The Twelve about a very real place called hell. 
Jesus specifically instructs the Disciples about the consequences of pride in their life. And yet, at the same time, as disciples of Jesus, we will also learn the demands of discipleship. 
This passage teaches us a terrifying lesson about pride, the consequences of causing others to sin, and the necessity to do whatever it takes to sever  sin out of your life. What is this crucial lesson? Let’s find out!

Pastor Dustin Daniels preaches verse by verse through the Word of God at River Bible Church located in Cottonwood, AZ.

The following two weeks are a bit interesting because, at first glance, these stories look unrelated. 
But you’ll see several themes that are weaved into this Biblical text. 
Pride, humility, and suffering. 
At this point in Mark’s gospel, Jesus is now on His way to Jerusalem. 
His public ministry is now officially over, and His primary focus is the Disciples. 
On the way, Jesus reminds the Twelve of what’s coming next—rejection, betrayal, death, and a resurrection. (9:30–32). 
The Disciples are so taken back that they fail to hear the gravity of Jesus' words once again. 
And instead of asking Jesus to explain further, they get their eyes off Jesus and start focusing on themselves.

By focusing on themselves, the inevitable happens…they get into another argument. 
What’s the problem today? Let’s find out!

Today’s Scripture passage is a classic example of how quickly a mountaintop experience turns into a deep painful valley in the matter of moments. 
Peter, James, and John experienced the glory of God with the Transfiguration the night before. But, as they are walking down the mountain and before they can even greet the other disciples, there is a problem. 
And it’s not just a little problem. 
We’re going to see one of the biggest fiascos in their ministry today. 
What is the fiasco? And how do they respond to it? Let's find out!

Today, we’re going to watch how Peter, James, and John cope with the three miracles that they just experienced as they walk down the mountain with Jesus. 
We’re also going to see how Jesus responds to their coping. 
Lastly, we’ll ask the same question, how does all this impact our lives as disciples of Jesus today? 
Well, let’s find out!

Pastor Dustin Daniels is the Senior Pastor of River Bible Church in Cottonwood, AZ. River Bible Church prays that you will experience God day by day as you learn the Word of God verse by verse.

How do you think the Twelve were feeling after last week? 
Sad? Confused? Grieved? Well, today, Jesus sees their grief and does something about it. Today’s sermon is on the Transfiguration of Jesus.

The Transfiguration describes the transformed appearance of Jesus on a mountain in front of three disciples.

It’s like God the Father peels his humanity off for just a moment so that the disciples can see the brilliance, purity, and power of His deity. 
Why is the Transfiguration important for us today? Let’s find out!

Pastor Dustin Daniels is the Senior Pastor of River Bible Church in Cottonwood, AZ. River Bible Church prays that you will experience God day by day as you learn the Word of God verse by verse.