Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith”, looking at the people of God in the past and explaining how they did things that, on the surface, didn’t make sense. They do this because they have a confident assurance in who God is, they have placed their faith and hope in the right One. And even though there are failures, this faith that tethers their heart to the God who conquers all, justifies them. And today, we all through faith are able to be justified in spite of our failures through Jesus whom God sent for us.
Greater Than Series - Is There Hope For The Church?
This Sunday we will conclude our teaching series, "Greater Than" as Elder Drew Dolan will teach through Hebrews 10 - unpacking the Hope of the Church, the Beauty of the Church, and the Hope for the Church.
Greater Than Series - Once And For All
The concept of covenant is further expanded on here in chapter 9. One of the things that this new relationship with God through Christ does is to clear our conscious and to free us to serve him. The sin that clings closely to us has been dealt with once and for all, and through this God shows he loves us and he will not forsake us.
Greater Than Series - Spiritual Intimacy
The Christians receiving the letter to the Hebrews were found to be drifting away from who they are in Christ, and turned back to things that were familiar and comfortable to them. The passage in Hebrews chapter 8 we looked at this week is almost entirely a quote from Jeremiah 31. Contained in that quote to the Jewish people hundreds of years prior, there was a promise given of something better- a new covenant. That new covenant would make obsolete the old ways they tried to obey and make themselves ‘right’ with God. A better way was here, ushered in through Jesus obeying God perfecting and making us ‘right’ with God through the finished work on the cross.
Greater Than Series - Covenantal Love
We are made for covenantal love- the kind of love that is committed and lasting, in spite of when one side falls short of expectations. We see this primarily in the love that God has for us, that in spite of the shortcomings of his people (both communally and personally), he calls out to us “I will be your God, and you will be my people”. God does this through a new kind of priest- one who isn’t made a priest because of his lineage, but because of how he lived a perfect life. This priest is Jesus- the king of peace and righteousness, the one who upholds our end of the covenant with God.
Greater Than Series - Where Is Our Hope?
This week Jesse Velarde continues through the book of Hebrews, teaching through Hebrews 6:1-19, and the hope available to all those who remain in Jesus.
Greater Than Series - It's Just Jesus
We are starting a new series through the book of Hebrews called “Greater Than”. This title reflects that a central theme of Hebrews is that Jesus is greater than (insert anything here). For the Jewish audience, it is key to show that Jesus is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant institution (sacrifices, the temple, the law of Moses, etc). He is the heir of all things, person through whom God created and upholds the universe, the one who can make purification for sin once and for all. We should value Jesus as superior over all things in our lives.
Greater Than Series - Rest
Hebrews chapter 4 focuses on the word “rest”, a rest that is offered eternally by being in God’s presence, washed of sin by the work of Jesus. This is deeper than just the physical, mental or emotional rest that we so often long for. It is the rest for our soul, the safety found in the promise of salvation. There is an inner-striving we have that undermines any trust in God, and makes us weary. This chapter bids us to strive to trust God more, to have faith that the finished work of Jesus is enough. When we strive for this, we find rest.
Greater Than Series - The State of Our Hearts
The Jewish people would view Moses as one who has seen the glory of God more than anyone alive, but Jesus is the glory of God. Moses was a servant of God, but Jesus is his son. Jesus, the Living God, is deserving of our worship more than any other person, tradition, or law. The people who looked to Moses failed to respond to the restorative work God was doing because they hardened their hearts. Today, we still need to be on guard against the things that would harden our hearts and fall away from the living God, urging one another on in that lifelong battle.
Greater Than Series - Embracing Jesus
Jesus becoming human is the one of the most powerful and comforting acts ever done. We see that God isn’t callous, uncaring, and powerless about our suffering and human condition. He puts Himself in the middle of it, endures it, and allows death to come to Him in order to destroy the power of death. And so He makes a way for us not to taste the sting of death for all of eternity, and gives us more than words to turn to in the midst of our suffering; we have a person, Jesus.
Greater Than Series - Christ's Superiority
We are starting a new series through the book of Hebrews called “Greater Than”. This title reflects that a central theme of Hebrews is that Jesus is greater than (insert anything here). For the Jewish audience, it is key to show that Jesus is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant institution (sacrifices, the temple, the law of Moses, etc). He is the heir of all things, person through whom God created and upholds the universe, the one who can make purification for sin once and for all. We should value Jesus as superior over all things in our lives.
For discussion questions please go to www.riverbendonline.org/discuss
Christmas Carols Series - O Come O Come Emmanuel
We see echoes of Isaiah 9 in the song “O Come O Come Emmanuel”. The people of Israel, at the time Isaiah is writing, are enslaved and waiting, sitting in a place of gloom and hoping for God to show up, to prove to them that they were for him. Even though Jesus’ coming has shown us that God did indeed prove that he is for us and is greater than the gloom and doom of the world, there is still gloom and doom around us. This is where reflection of just the word “Emmanuel”, meaning “God with us” is so crucial and is able to satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts while we wait.
Christmas Carols Series - Go Tell It On The Mountain
Isaiah 52 was the inspiration for Go Tell it on the Mountain, an African-American spiritual song that has become a classic Christmas Carol. The context in Isaiah is that Israel is enslaved to Assyria, from which they await a salvation. Through Isaiah, God describes the wave of good news of this salvation - starting up high on the mountains and spilling out to become joyful praise everywhere. We now realize that Jesus birth is God’s ultimate plan coming to fruition, and spreading the joy of that salvation continues on through us.
Christmas Carols Series - Joy to the World
The song “Joy to the World” was inspired by Psalm 98, where the people of God are told to rejoice. 2020 has been a year for many of us that may be hard to see what there is that is worth rejoicing about. But here, especially in the Christmas season, we are reminded of the steadfast love of God, a love that came down to be our salvation.
An Attitude of Gratitude Series - 1 in 10
In Luke 17, people come to Jesus in a desperate situation and needing his help. Theirs was a desperation from a physical sickness, and while we may occasionally run into situations where we need a physical cure, our need for Jesus stems from a spiritual sickness. While Jesus’ ability to save is consistent, there is a difference in our response. We can either move on once we feel we no longer need him, or respond in praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging him as our greatest gift.
An Attitude of Gratitude Series - 5 Loaves and 2 Fish
Luke 9 contains the famous story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. While this is a display of Jesus’ miraculous ability to bend creation to his will, we also get to peer into the kind of trust, gratitude, and obedience that he wants his followers to have toward him.
An Attitude of Gratitude Series - Rest For Your Soul
The accounts of Jesus’ life are filled with examples of Jesus giving thanks and showing gratitude. In Matthew chapter 11 we see his prayer of thanks to God spill out over his message and invitation into God’s eternal rest. When we have a clear view of the gifts we have been given and the goodness of the gift-Giver, we can’t help but follow in Jesus’ example of gratitude in all things.
Jonah Series - The Unreached
At the conclusion of the book of Jonah, we see a man who misses the magnitude of God’s mercy, and a beautiful picture of God’s compassion. Jonah’s anger stems from his enemies repenting and drawing near to God. God reminds and shows Jonah how just as He was willing to meet Jonah at the lowest points, He is willing to do the same for the lost people of Nineveh. We are left hanging with a question and a challenge- will Jonah, and ourselves, join God in loving those who don’t yet know Him?
Jonah Series - Rebellion and Redemption
Jonah: Rebellion to Redemption (Week 3) Pastor Joe continues teaching through the book of Jonah. Jonah 3:1-10 details Jonah's journey through the city of Nineveh, and their response to God's warning. This audio recording was originally recorded for the Riverbend Community Church livestream gathering on Sunday November 1st, 2020.
Jonah Series - Rock Bottom
Jonah: God's Grace Over Prejudice (Week 2) Pastor Joe teaches on Jonah 2. This chapter deals with the thoughts, prayers, and posture of Jonah when he hit "rock bottom" in the belly of the fish. This video recording was originally recorded for the Riverbend Community Church livestream gathering on Sunday, October 25th 2020.