River's Edge Church

In Mark 8:11–21, Jesus warns that what quietly shapes us—religious control (Pharisees), image-driven self‑preservation (Herod), or scarcity thinking (the disciples)—can harden our hearts, so we learn to search our lives, let Scripture be the mirror, and remember that the true Bread, Jesus, is in the boat.

How receptive is your heart to God’s Word? Rev Dr Narelle Coetzee explores the parable of the sower in Mark 4, challenging us to recognise what can harden our hearts, limit our roots and crowd out our faith. Discover how to make space for God’s Word, put it into action and cultivate good soil that produces lasting fruit.

What does it truly mean to offer our lives as a living sacrifice to God? Join Leanne Gomez as she unpacks Romans 12:1, challenging us to live a life of wholehearted surrender, worship and devotion to Jesus.

The Man with the Withered Hand | Mark 3:1–6We all have a withered hand.Areas of our lives where we feel broken, powerless, ashamed or unable to bring change. But what if the very thing we've tried to hide is the thing Jesus wants to use for His glory?In Mark 3:1–6, Jesus takes a man's shame and stigma and turns it into a testimony of His power and glory.In this powerful message, we are challenged to take two important steps:**1. ADMIT** – We are powerless to fix certain areas of our lives. Reality starts with the acceptance of our limitations. Healing begins when we acknowledge our need for Jesus.**2. APPROACH** – Come to Jesus with humility and surrender. *“I won't submit if I won't admit.”* We cannot surrender what we refuse to acknowledge.Jesus isn't afraid of our brokenness. He invites us to bring it into His presence, where shame can be replaced with freedom and our weakness can become a testimony of His glory.What is the withered hand in your life that Jesus is asking you to stretch out to Him?

In Mark 2, Jesus confronts the “inner Pharisee” in us—criticism, gatekeeping, comparison, and rule-keeping—and invites us to lay down control and receive His grace, healing, and rest as the true King.

Jesus proves He’s the true King by bringing a kingdom that’s **more than words**—He invites ordinary people to follow, speaks with real authority, demonstrates that authority with deliverance and healing, and shows that this kind of word-and-works power is sustained through prayer.

The Gospel of Mark opens with a headline: Jesus is the true King, God’s rescue has arrived, and He’s calling you to repent, believe, and follow Him—especially in the wilderness.

In 1 Samuel 3, God speaks in a season of spiritual silence and calls a child by name—reminding us that when we care about His presence, listen for His voice, and speak with courage, He can change more than we imagine.

Jesus is inviting you into real friendship with Him, where you learn to hear His voice, stay near His presence, and live with holy reverence.

This Father’s Day at Rivers Edge Church, we celebrated the dads, father figures, and men who make a difference in the lives of those around them.

We begin with a special panel of dads sharing their experiences, wisdom, challenges, and some of the lessons they’ve learned along the journey of fatherhood.

Ps Luke then shares from Matthew 3:16–17, where Jesus is baptised and hears the affirming voice of His Father: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Through this message, we explore the power of a father’s voice, the importance of affirmation, and what it means for each of us to know the love and approval of our Heavenly Father.

We pray this special Father’s Day message encourages you and reminds you of the heart of your Heavenly Father.