River City Church | Messages

"You feel it. A longing. A restlessness. A hunger for something more. What if that ache isn’t random? What if it’s an invitation?"

Welcome to The Ache, a podcast that explores the deep longings of the soul and how prayer draws us into the heart of God. In Week 6: A Heart After God, we reflect on what it truly means to trust God—even when we don’t understand.

Through the story of David in 2 Samuel 12, we see a man who prayed with all his heart for a miracle. But when the answer was not what he hoped for, David’s response was unexpected—he worshiped. A heart after God’s own heart isn’t defined by getting everything right, but by trusting in the goodness of God through every circumstance.

This week, respond by spending time in Psalm 23, letting it shape your heart’s posture in prayer and anchor you in God’s presence.

Subscribe now to discover how answering The Ache means learning to trust even in the unknown.

Are you willing to trust God with what you can’t understand?

"You feel it. A longing. A restlessness. A hunger for something more. What if that ache isn’t random? What if it’s an invitation?"

Welcome to The Ache, a podcast exploring the deep longings within us and how prayer meets us in those sacred places. In Week 5: The Ache for Grace, we explore one of the most difficult, yet transformative, truths: prayer isn’t about getting what we want—it’s about becoming who God is shaping us to be.

We look at Paul’s plea for relief from his “thorn,” and how God’s answer was not escape, but grace. We remember Jesus in Gethsemane, asking for another way, yet surrendering fully to the Father’s will. And we reflect on the Dark Night of the Soul—those seasons when God feels distant, but is still present and working in unseen ways.

This week, respond by praying honestly about your struggles, but end with the words: "Not my will, but Yours be done."

Subscribe now to explore how answering The Ache with surrender leads to grace, growth, and a deeper encounter with God.

Are you willing to trust Him, even when the answer is silence?

"You feel it. A longing. A restlessness. A hunger for something more. What if that ache isn’t random? What if it’s an invitation?"

Welcome to The Ache, a podcast dedicated to exploring the deep longings of the heart and discovering how prayer is the key to fulfillment. Through powerful stories, Scripture-based insights, and real-life applications, we journey together to understand how that restlessness is more than just a feeling—it's a call to deeper connection with God.

In this episode, we delve into biblical truths and historical movements that transformed lives and ignited global impact. Like the Moravian Prayer Movement that sparked a century-long prayer meeting and set the stage for one of history's greatest missionary movements. Or the moment John Wesley's heart was "strangely warmed," leading to the birth of the Methodist revival.

Join us as we learn to answer the cry of our hearts and discover the power of prayer that can transform not only our lives but the world around us.

Subscribe now to never miss an episode and step into the journey of answering The Ache within you.

Are you ready to lean in and discover the invitation hidden in your longing?

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

"You feel it. A longing. A restlessness. A hunger for something more. What if that ache isn’t random? What if it’s an invitation?"

Welcome to The Ache, a sermon series dedicated to exploring the deep longings of the heart and discovering how prayer is the key to fulfillment. In Week 3: An Ache In The Night, we confront the truth that prayer is not always serene or simple—it can be a place of wrestling and struggle.

We journey through the story of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32, a moment that redefines prayer as more than just quiet surrender. Sometimes, it’s a fight—a raw, unfiltered struggle where questions linger, and answers are hard-won. Yet, it’s in this wrestling that we are transformed. God doesn’t shy away from our fight; He meets us in it, shaping us through the struggle.

This week, respond by bringing one thing you don’t understand before God and sit with it in prayer, even if the answer isn’t clear. Allow the wrestling to deepen your faith and refine your heart.

Subscribe now to discover how answering The Ache through honest struggle can lead to lasting transformation.

Are you ready to wrestle with God and walk away changed?

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

"You feel it. A longing. A restlessness. A hunger for something more. What if that ache isn’t random? What if it’s an invitation?"

Welcome to The Ache, a sermon series dedicated to exploring the deep longings of the heart and discovering how prayer is the key to fulfillment. In Week 2: A Liminal Ache, we explore the difference between prayer as performance and prayer as presence.

Jesus confronted fake prayer—the kind designed for attention or spoken with mindless repetition. The Greek word for "hypocrite" (hupokritēs) literally means "actor" or "stage player." But true prayer isn’t a performance; it’s found in the secret place where it's just you and God. Jesus didn’t leave us guessing; He gave us a powerful model: the Lord’s Prayer—a simple, profound template for true connection.

This week, respond by praying the Lord’s Prayer slowly and intentionally each morning, allowing each word to echo in your heart.

Subscribe now to learn how to move from performance to presence in your prayer life and discover how answering The Ache can transform your soul.

Are you ready to step off the stage and into the secret place?

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

"You feel it. A longing. A restlessness. A hunger for something more. What if that ache isn’t random? What if it’s an invitation?"

Welcome to The Ache, a sermon series dedicated to exploring the deep longings of the heart and discovering how prayer is the key to fulfillment. In Week 1: Understanding The Ache, we begin our journey by unpacking the foundation of prayer—not as a skill to master, but as a relationship to grow into.

When the disciples saw Jesus pray, they recognized that His power flowed from His deep intimacy with the Father. It wasn't about the right words or rituals—it was about connection. Jesus’ first word in prayer was "Father" (Abba), a declaration that prayer is deeply personal, not mechanical. This isn't some mystical force; it’s the Spirit of God working personally through us, just as foretold in Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36.

This week, we challenge you to respond with a simple, daily prayer: "Lord, increase my capacity for prayer."

Subscribe now to journey deeper in prayer and discover how answering The Ache can transform your life.

Are you ready to step into the intimacy that Jesus modeled?

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

Part 3 of the sermon series “A Living Mission”
by lead pastor of River City Church, Jason Powers. 

Scriptures read today: John 13:34-35, Galatians 5:16-18, Romans 7:14, Romans 7:18-19, Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 5:22-23

All readings are in the CSB version

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

Part 2 of the sermon series “A Living Mission”

Scriptures read today: John 15:1, John 15:4-5,

Philippians 2:1-4, Matthew 11:28-30

All readings are in the CSB version

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

Part 1 of the sermon series “A Living Mission”

Scriptures read today: Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 10:7-8, Matthew 4:17 ,Jeremiah 29:1, Jeremiah 29:4, Jeremiah 29:5-6

Jeremiah 29:7

All readings are in the CSB version

For more information or to get connected, visit us at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org

Part 11 of the sermon series "Jesus is Better" by lead pastor of River City Church, Jason Powers. November 10, 2024

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcnb.org