Riverbluff Church Sermons

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.

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 opportunities to see, hear, and respond to the Gospel where they live, work, and play; never having to come to our campus or one of our meetings to have that happen. We simply want every man, woman, and child to come to saving knowledge of our Good and Beautiful God! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com

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”, and it’s used three times.” “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State

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

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 weaknesses. The Apostle Paul became so overwhelmed by the beauty and power of GOD’s Grace to transform him that he ceased boasting about any strength he had and would only boast about his weaknesses. He began this new way of living because he discovered he had access to the power that raised Jesus from the dead only through the Grace GOD would give him. Paul emptied himself of every belief that his strength of personality, or masculinity, or experience, or intellect, or pedigree could empower him more than the Wonderful G

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 hooksounds.com.

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! When GRACE REIGNS disappointments are diminished! When GRACE REIGNS brokenness is redeemed! Our biggest problem with GRACE is our familiarity with explanations “about it” without the corresponding personal experiences “in it”. My prayer is that in the month of June we will all take a fresh look at God’s Amazing GRACE like we’re seeing it for the very first time! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.

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 life now! Today we embrace the sanctifying work of our personal GOD! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.

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.

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.” These verses give our hearts courage and hope, but so often our “feelings” send us a different message. In moments of honest disclosure most of us confess that there are times our journey with GOD feels more like an episode from “Where’s Waldo”. Our hearts struggle with thoughts like: “If God is always with us, why is HE so hard to find?”, “If the LORD says HIS sheep know HIS voice, why doesn’t HE talk to me?” The TRUTH is that just like in a “Where’s Waldo” book where Waldo appears on every page but to the untrained

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.

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 great deceptions of the enemy of our souls as we see how our personal GOD PROTECTS HIS OWN! Music coutesty of hooksounds.com.

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 separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.” This is one of the greatest promises we can hold onto and find comfort and security from. In Christ, here is our reality: We are His beloved! May we all live in Him without fear, for perfect love – God’s Love – casts out all fear! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.

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 eternal life: That they know You, the one and only True God…” Jesus clearly tells us that having a personal relationship with God is not only possible, but that growing to know Him more intimately and more personally is how we find the life we’ve always wanted. According to Jesus, because of His Resurrection, everyone can have a close, personal relationship with this very PERSONAL GOD. Unfortunately, many people attempt to create their own “personal god.” That “god” only serves their personal whims, and no matter how p

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 day! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com

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 celebrations. On this Sunday before Passover, Jewish families would select the very best lamb and bring it into their family to dwell with them. Four days later they would sacrifice that lamb. It is not insignificant or coincidental that on this day, for the first and only time, Jesus would allow Himself to be brought into the hearts of the people as their long awaited Messiah. They had no idea that Jesus was positioning Himself to be ALL IN as the ultimate sacrifice for their sins and the sins of the whole world. This a

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! Jesus is also ALL IN for the Condemned. The Gospel writer Luke records the astonishing exchange between Jesus and one of the men being executed next to Him. While hanging on the cross between two criminals, in the final moments before His death, Jesus gives all of Himself to a condemned convict. Jesus is ALL IN for ALL PEOPLE at ALL TIMES. The way our Savior died assures us that He is ALL IN for us no matter our condition or our circumstance! Music courtesy of hooksounds.com.

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 that none should perish but that all should come to believing faith. When Jesus walked among us He celebrated the great faith of people who were very different from His nationality and culture. Jesus even stated that the greatest faith He had seen was not from among His own people, but from a foreign soldier (Matt. 8). When Jesus walked this earth He lived and taught that God His Father, who created all men and women in His Image, loves and desires to bless all peoples of all races from all places and He commanded Hi

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 would it be like for you to have a personal encounter with that Jesus? Anyone can! Music courtesy of Hooksounds.com.

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 your future impacts your current experience more than anything else. What if you knew that God was going to restore your life and everything you love any day? What if you believed a great and glorious goodness was coming to you? If you did, you would have a hope that would see you through anything! That is why Jesus came. HE came to RESTORE! Jesus came to restore everything we have lost and even everything we never had, but that for which our souls continuously ache. And though the complete and total Restoration will not