The River Church

Series: A Piece Of The Incredible Puzzle Date: 1/19/14 Week 3 John 13: 1-17 "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Series: A Piece Of The Incredible PuzzleDate: 1/12/14Week 2SERMON NOTES:"A new mission for 2014" Matthew 28: 16-20This title is misleadingA. In their new reality, the disciples needed to know what to do next.Remember the state of the disciple's world.These were people who were suddenly CONFRONTED with a new and CONFUSING situation. Christ has lead and DISCIPLED his followers but in an INSTANT, it was "game on".They weren't sure of what tasks were ahead nor how to EXECUTE them.That's why Christ said what He said.B. In our reality, we need to know what to do next.In our world, we wonder, "What's my ROLE? What's my JOB in the kingdom?For each of us, that is somewhat SUBJECTIVE. We all have our own gifts and abilities. But there's the great commission that stands for all of us, make DISCIPLES, baptize, TEACH.If we're not a part of that, there's a problem.The hermit and the new believer.C. Christ equips the disciples to change the world one person at a time.Notice Christ's 1st sentence. It's ABSOLUTLEY key for the disciples.They can begin this new work (the church) only because Christ has EMPOWERED them for the JOURNEY ahead. That's the only way this works!Because their Redeemer is with them, they can do the IMPOSSIBLE, and they do.And Christ presence is assured always. (vs. 20)D. Christ equips us to change the world one person at a time.That promise holds true for us.Because Christ has done His works of REDEMPTION in us, we can, throughthe Spirit's PRESENCE be a part of the "IMPOSSIBLE" task.For us to remember that the IMPOSSIBLE happens one person at a time, and ask the question, "Who has Christ EMPOWERED me to DISCIPLE?" is where we begin.In this work, He will use us to change our world.Our new mission statement

Series: A Piece Of The Incredible PuzzleDate: 1/5/14Week 1SERMON NOTES:A New Vision For 2014 - 1 John 3:11-24How did we get here?A. The readers of this letter are trying to love one another.Picture the context.You can imagine that in a pluralistic context, it was difficult to love others.The believers may have been RIDICULED, despised, DEMONIZED, and REJECTED, but God's call to love others was still PARAMOUNT to their faith.How hard would that have been?B. We are trying to love one another.The truth is, we know exactly how hard that is.We live in contexts where it is hard to love others because of many things. Sometimes people are ANGRY with Christians for many different reasons. Some people have hurt us. Some are just plain ORNERY and they're hard to love. But the COMMAND stands.The coach I didn't like.C. As the spirits presence grows in the readers, their capacity to love grows.The text is clear that loving is not easy. The believers are called to love those who hate them (vs. 13), those who are NEEDY (vs. 17) in short those it takes WORK to LOVE.It could also be read that "brothers" means just other BELIEVERS, but who is not a brother who has, like us, been created in the IMAGE of God. But God be praised, we do not do this ALONE!Verse 24 is clear. The one who loves does so because of the Spirit's PRESENCE within.D. As the spirit's presence grows in us, our capacity to love grows.As we trust more fully in the work the REDEMPTION of Christ in our lives, it becomes easier to love.In fact, if we are not loving to others it's a SPIRITUAL issue for us to ADDRESS in our own lives.Praise be to God, as we understand God's love for us in Christ (vs. 16) we are able to GRASP how to show love to others that may even be the HARDEST to LOVE.This is the great work of Christ's love in us, his people.Our new vision statement.

Series: THIS Changes EverythingDate: 12/29/13Week 5SERMON NOTES:God’s Other Name - Genesis 50:15-21What to say Today?1. Sovereign GodThe story of Joseph. Lots of things happened but they were not random acts. The possibility of revenge on Joseph’s part. But Joseph points to God’s role in all of what happened. That sentiment is reflected in the in the Heidelberg Catechism when it begins to explain what we believe when we say: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”.2. Assurance!Cornelius Plantinga: “As a confessionally Reformed Christian I believe in the faithfulness of God, the providence of God, the immutability of God’s nature. Reformed Christianity is not a cult, so I share my faith in God’s sovereign reliability with other Christians.” Assurance!Dale Cooper: “God’s other name is Surprise!”3. Joseph’s surprisesFavorite son gets sold into slavery. Ends up in Egypt. Then in jail. Interprets dreams. Becomes second in command in all of Egypt. Saves all of Egypt from famine—also his family, the family through whom God was working to bring salvation to all nations. Awesome family reunion!4. Any surprises this year?“God is great and God is good, but God is also elusive and unpredictable….” HC: “We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love.” Victor Klemperer’s Diary

Series: THIS Changes EverythingDate: 12/24/13Christmas Eve ServiceSERMON NOTES:Joseph’s Entire Future is Changed - Matthew 1:18-24“We stand where Joseph stood…caught between what God says and what makes sense.” --Max Lucado1. What made sense for Joseph?2. What seems normal to us?3. What did God say to Joseph?4. What about us?What about the know?

Series: THIS Changes EverythingDate: 12/22/13Week 4SERMON NOTES:Simeon’s Christmas - Luke 2:25-35Ready for Christmas?1. What was Simeon waiting for?Simeon was waiting for the Consolation of Israel. He was righteous and devout. The Holy Spirit was upon him.2. What are you waiting for?The usual stuff? This is the season. Maybe you are simply trying to get through it and waiting for the New Year. “I’m not having Christmas this year!”3. Simeon’s PresentA baby brought to the temple for his circumcision and to go through some of the required rituals. But he is salvation! And will have an impact on all people—including and especially Mary! 4. Be surprised!Are you ready to be surprised! Are you paying attention as Simeon was? God comes to us in unexpected ways! My fellow juror’s Christmas

Series: THIS Changes EverythingDate: 12/15/13Week 3SERMON NOTES:"This king changes everything" Matthew 2:1-8A. Herod certainly didn't want Jesus to be KingHerod is a messy guy.Herod was FEARFUL that this new king would take over and leave him with NOTHING if he kept his life. Remember that's the way things went.His DELUSIONS unfortunately had CONSEQUENCES for him (he never knewJesus) but it also had CONSEQUENCES for others.B. Some don't like the idea of Jesus being King.We can and should understand that people still feel this way about Jesus.When Christ is ACKNOWLEDGED as King, certainly something is lost; CONTROL, INDEPENDENCE, the ability to determine "right" and "wrong" on one's own.By the way, this applies to BELIEVERS too!The rich young ruler should make us think.C. Christ's kingship is different than Herod ever expected.The challenging thing about coming is that it does change everything; the like of his KINGDOM had never been seen before.Herod anticipated a battle with his new King based on POWER, wealth, and being in control. But Christ's kingdom was one of LOVE, SERVICE, worship, and relationship.Christ wouldn't be King because he killed, but because he DIED!D. Christ's kingship is different than we ever expected.In our world that still holds true. The hard part is that he calls us to die too.Some may never accept that type of KING. But as the spirit EMPOWERS us, and as we DIE to ourselves so that more of Him shows itself in our lives, other may WITNESS.By living in SUMISSION to our King, we show Him to an unbelieving world. Who knows what might happen then!My Coach Ken

Series: THIS Changes EverythingDate: 11/24/13PrequilSERMON NOTES:"How are we preparing for the Messiah?" Psalm 95Most popular phrase this time of the year.A. The text calls Israel to prepare for worship and thanksgivingWhy I wanted to just preach on the first 7 verses.Verses 8-11 remind us that GENERATIONS have gotten this wrong. Theyhaven't been thankful. They haven't worshipped. They'd FORGOTTEN God(vs. 10)Israel's desire for INDEPENDENCE, or a different type of God, or theirown STUBBORNESS impacted their ability to worship faithfully, and therewere CONSEQUENCES for that.B. The text calls us to prepare for worship and thanksgivingWhat impacts our ability to REMEMBER God? What sort of things havebecome BARRIERS to us living out vs. 1-7?This is highlighted to the Nth degree this time of year. It's a seasonof THANKSGIVING and WORSHIP of the savior of the world, but how does theworld treat it?Why worship at least once a week (at least!)?C. God reminds Israel that preparation is about submission and faith.Then they're ready.The whole Psalm describes a God of POWER. He is the rock (1), Great andabove all (3), the CREATOR (4-6). But verse 7 is different? That's aboutRELATIONSHIP, care, and LOVE.In verse 7, Israel sees that although God is great, powerful, and theircreator, that he is fundamentally about KNOWING and LOVING them andLIVING with them.They don't yet receive that ultimate means to relationship with God, butwe do.D. God reminds us that preparation is about submission and faith. Thenwe're ready.As we prepare for the coming of Christmas, for us to see the INCARNATIONas God REDEEMING his people in Christ by perfectly living inRELATIONSHIP with them, then dying on our behalf and rising so that wemight have life; That's PREPARATION!Generations waited for Christ's work. We don't have to. We live in itevery moment.For us to BELIEVE in how Christ changes our relationship with God,SUBMIT to his work in our lives and our world and PROCLAIM that truthfor his glory makes us "ready" for Christmas.Change the phrase.

Series: Adventures In WorshipDate: 11/10/13

Series: Adventures In WorshipDate: 11/3/13