Rio Vista Church Sermons

Rhythm of Grace Part 14

February 22, 2015 16:00 - 28 minutes - 11.4 MB

This week we meet a Pharisee who was intrigued by Jesus and cautiously risked a little in meeting him, and a prostitute who was deeply moved by love for the one who had forgiven her sins and was ready to risk everything for him. Which one are we?

Rhythm of Grace Part 13

February 15, 2015 16:00 - 31 minutes - 12.6 MB

When God doesn’t do what we want Him to, we are often plagued by doubt. Does He know what we need? Does He love us? Is He even there? John the Baptist, in prison and waiting to die, was filled by doubt. What did Jesus say to him? What does it mean for us?

Rhythm of Grace Part 12

February 08, 2015 16:00 - 49 minutes - 19.7 MB

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus tells us good roots make a good tree, and we know a good tree by its fruits. He also declares many to be blessed whom we would not: the poor, the hungry, etc. If Jesus alone is enough for you–you ARE blessed indeed!

Rhythm of Grace Part 11

February 01, 2015 16:00 - 32 minutes - 12.9 MB

The Sabbath: A day of rest from your usual work and a day to worship the Lord. Why do we struggle with the idea of rest? Being important and significant comes from Jesus, not from being too busy to rest. The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath!

Rhythm of Grace Part 10

January 25, 2015 16:00 - 38 minutes - 15.3 MB

In this week of Epiphany, we see Jesus in three interconnected stories as he illustrates not just that he brings salvation, but also what kind of salvation that is. He penetrates to the deepest, darkest parts of us and makes us entirely clean.

Rhythm of Grace Part 9

January 18, 2015 16:00 - 33 minutes - 13.4 MB

Luke chapter 4 records Satan tempting Jesus. It is a familiar story to many of us. This week, Pastor Tom Hendrikse shows us that Jesus was tempted by far more than we understand from the text, and that he went through this because we NEEDED him to.

Rhythm of Grace Part 8

January 11, 2015 16:00 - 39 minutes - 15.9 MB

Repentance. Theologians debate whether it is simply a deep sorrow for your sins or a commitment to a changed life. This week from Luke chapter 3 and the story of John the Baptist, we see that repentance is most importantly the path that leads us to Jesus!

Rhythm of Grace Part 7

January 04, 2015 14:00 - 38 minutes - 15.5 MB

12-year old Jesus remained behind at the Temple, prompting a frantic three day search by his family, who thought he was probably dead. When his frantic and upset parents found him, Jesus explained that He was compelled to be about his father's business.

Rhythm of Grace Part 6

December 28, 2014 16:00 - 41 minutes - 16.7 MB

Simeon, a righteous and devout man, and Anna, a widowed prophetess, saw the infant Jesus at the temple. Both proclaimed that Jesus would be God’s provision for the unification of Israel, and then eventually of all God’s people.

Rhythm of Grace Part 5

December 25, 2014 00:00 - 23 minutes - 9.44 MB

Christmas Eve. The night when God entered the world to live with His people. The reality of that night was likely very different from the idealized vision in children’s tales. We look back, with the eyes of our imagination, to that cave in Bethlehem.

Rhythm of Grace Part 4

December 21, 2014 14:00 - 29 minutes - 12 MB

Elizabeth and Zechariah, the parents of John the Baptist, were filled with deep longing for a child. Even though God miraculously gave them a son, they learned it was only God himself who could truly satisfy their deepest longings.

Rhythm of Grace Part 3

December 14, 2014 16:00 - 30 minutes - 12.3 MB

Mary sets an example of accepting both your general vocation and your unique vocation for which God has specifically chosen you. Mary didn't settle for mediocrity, and God used that about her. We don't serve Christ somewhere, we serve Christ where we are!

Rhythm of Grace Part 2

December 07, 2014 14:00 - 35 minutes - 14.3 MB

In the Rhythm of Grace, we should be longing for God. But what do we do when God breaks through in our lives? Mary probably had her whole life planned out, but chose to set it aside when she encountered God. Her response was surrender. What will ours be?

Rhythm of Grace Part 1

November 30, 2014 16:00 - 40 minutes - 16.1 MB

The Rhythm of Grace, our study of the life of Jesus as found in the book of Luke, begins with the people of that time and place living under the tyrannical rule of Herod and longing for life! What is it that you long for, especially at this time of year?

The Story of the King Part 43

November 23, 2014 16:00 - 41 minutes - 16.8 MB

(Series conclusion.) The death of King David, and David's final words to his son Solomon. Death forces us to face the inevitability that we will come to an end and, if we're wise enough to do it, gives focus to the however many days we have remaining.

The Story of the King Part 42

November 16, 2014 16:00 - 40 minutes - 16.1 MB

The most difficult questions begin with just three letters: Why? Why doesn't God answer my prayer? Why is God allowing me to suffer? Truly difficult questions, but there is an answer. It might not be one that we want, but it's definitely one that we need.

The Story of the King Part 41

November 09, 2014 14:00 - 44 minutes - 17.8 MB

David's last thoughts are of his house, his father, and the generations to come. David's house was in shambles but he knows God's everlasting covenant will make it ordered and secure. Likewise the future of our own families is not in our hands, but God's.

The Story of the King Part 40

November 02, 2014 14:00 - 32 minutes - 13 MB

The voice in our story changes this week, from the narrator telling us the story of David to David himself as he approaches the end of his life. We begin to see his final thoughts, and David is thankful for God’s salvation, both now and what will come.

The Story of the King Part 39

October 26, 2014 15:00 - 37 minutes - 14.8 MB

David and the nation of Israel have been facing a three year long drought, something completely devastating to a culture like theirs in that time. In the midst of that drought, the people lose heart but David cries out to God as he writes Psalm 4.

The Story of the King Part 38

October 19, 2014 15:00 - 44 minutes - 17.9 MB

King David has been restored to his throne, but he is unable to reconcile his people, so peace eludes him in his kingdom. This is a contrast to our true king, Jesus, will will come and reconcile all things to himself, bringing a beautiful peace forever.

The Story of the King Part 37

October 12, 2014 15:00 - 46 minutes - 18.7 MB

Driven off the throne by his son Absalom, David fights to regain his kingdom. Absalom is killed, restoring the rightful king to his throne and bringing peace to the kingdom. God's son also died to bring peace and restore the true King to His throne.

The Story of the King Part 36

October 05, 2014 15:00 - 39 minutes - 15.8 MB

If everything else in your world was stripped away from you--your family, job, or health--would having God alone be enough for you? David has lost almost everything and this week he loses his kingdom, and we see his answer. What about us? Is God enough?

The Story of the King Part 35

September 28, 2014 13:00 - 35 minutes - 14.1 MB

What are the consequences of sin? Sin doesn't just cause bad THINGS to happen, it changes people. Especially those who've sinned. This week we see how David's fall into sin changed him, and it's not pretty. Sin brings us low, but Jesus can lift us up!

The Story of the King Part 34

September 21, 2014 15:00 - 46 minutes - 18.6 MB

More consequences from David’s sin. His own children become involved in shocking acts of rape and murder. It is a horrible perversion of God’s design, in which a man protects a woman. No woman should suffer abuse alone. There is help and hope for them!

The Story of the King Part 33

September 14, 2014 15:00 - 38 minutes - 15.5 MB

We have seen a lot of David the hero, but last week we saw David the sinner. This week, David's sin is unmasked in front of everyone. What can we learn from his repentance? Just as David found hope in God, so we find hope in the unfallen one: Jesus!

The Story of the King Part 32

September 07, 2014 15:00 - 38 minutes - 15.2 MB

There is a story of tragedy in the life of every Bible hero, save one: Jesus. This is not just the story of the fall of David, it is the story of the fall of his entire world. This week we see that David is just like us. We never fall in isolation.

The Story of the King Part 31

August 31, 2014 15:00 - 35 minutes - 14.3 MB

God made promises to King David: To give him a great name, a secure land, and rest from his enemies. These promises freed David from having to live in fear. This week we see the generosity and self sacrifice that someone freed by God's promises can show.

The Story of the King Part 30

August 24, 2014 13:00 - 34 minutes - 13.9 MB

This week, we see God instruct David in the opposites of humility and pridefulness. It's easy for pridefulness to creep in disguised as false humility, which is where David found himself. We serve a humble King who exalts his HUMBLE servants!

The Story of the King Part 29

August 17, 2014 15:00 - 41 minutes - 16.7 MB

What is worship to you? Singing, (maybe) clapping, (sometimes) raising your hands? To God, worship is a clear indication of how we regard Him. King David shows us that whenever we worship, however we do it, we must worship with all our might!

The Story of the King Part 28

August 10, 2014 13:00 - 37 minutes - 15.1 MB

David unites the tribes and becomes king over both Israel and Judah and in the process of doing so, he is faced repeatedly with seemingly overwhelming odds. Time and again, though, he shows that when we give our battles to the LORD, we have already won.

The Story of the King Part 27

August 03, 2014 15:00 - 37 minutes - 15 MB

Following the death of Saul, David is anointed king and a civil war breaks out. Men scheme and plot, but David continues to trust the purposes of his King. A cautionary tale about how the roots of grief can produce bitterness in our hearts.

The Story of the King Part 26

July 27, 2014 15:00 - 41 minutes - 16.8 MB

Emotion dictates our behavior, attitude, and actions. David grieves over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. In the case of Saul, that is remarkable since he tried to kill David. Your enemy is NEVER another brother or sister in Christ. We are all one body.

The Story of the King Part 25

July 20, 2014 15:00 - 35 minutes - 14.1 MB

What is the difference between sentiment and compassion? How far do you have to be moved from feeling to taking action? The Story of the King continues with Saul meeting his end and David reaching a new beginning.

The Story of the King Part 24

July 13, 2014 15:00 - 41 minutes - 16.8 MB

David has sought refuge from Saul among the Philistines. He uses deception to convince them he is on their side. How do we reconcile that with the God of truth we serve, who wants us to live truthfully? Tom Hendrikse has a clear answer to that question.

The Story of the King Part 23

July 06, 2014 13:00 - 32 minutes - 12.9 MB

What is the distance between faith and fear? This week we study an extremely unusual story that shows us clearly how someone goes off the rails when motivated by fear rather than faith. Is fear keeping YOU from doing what you know God wants you to do?

The Story of the King Part 22

June 29, 2014 15:00 - 36 minutes - 14.6 MB

Have you been wronged and cry out for vengeance? Most of us have heard "vengeance is mine, says the Lord." Does that mean God is your hit man? What if, instead of doing something TO the ones you seek vengeance against, you should do something FOR them?

The Story of the King Part 21

June 22, 2014 13:00 - 34 minutes - 13.9 MB

When confronted with ungrateful and insulting behavior from another, David became furious and aimed to kill Nabal. But his passion was calmed by wise counsel from Abigail. When passion rules over thought, where is YOUR wise counsel coming from?

The Faith of Abraham (Father's Day 2014)

June 15, 2014 13:00 - 23 minutes - 9.5 MB

We talk a lot about the faith of Abraham. He is a model for all who came after him. But what exactly WAS Abraham's faith? What DID he believe about God? He believed then what we must today, that God can bring life out of that which was dead.

The Story of the King Part 20

June 08, 2014 13:00 - 36 minutes - 14.6 MB

David found himself in a situation where it seemed that the stars had aligned to deliver Saul into his hands, giving David the chance to bring Saul's pursuit of him to an end. Yet David chose to find God's will in God's word, not in circumstances.

The Story of the King Part 19

June 01, 2014 15:00 - 42 minutes - 17.1 MB

Before he was Israel’s greatest king, David was living in the desert, hiding in caves. During this time David wrote some of his most peaceful psalms. Saul had no peace, but David--who Saul was trying to kill--did. How? Where did it come from?

The Story of the King Part 18

May 25, 2014 15:00 - 37 minutes - 14.8 MB

David was arguably King Saul’s most loyal subject. He’d saved all of Israel from the Philistines by killing Goliath. Yet still Saul tried to kill him. How did David react to this incredibly unfair set of circumstances? What can we learn from that today?

The Story of the King Part 17

May 18, 2014 15:00 - 34 minutes - 13.8 MB

The privilege of addressing God as Father was given to the king in the Old Testament, only he and his family were permitted to do so. King David is succeeded by the true King, Jesus, and we are his sons and daughters. Thus we too may call God our Father.

The Wife of Manoah

May 11, 2014 15:00 - 36 minutes - 14.5 MB

In the book of Judges, the mother of Samson is never referred to by name--she is simply called the wife of Manoah. Yet the Angel of the Lord, likely God himself, appeared to her not once, but twice. Pastor Tom Hendrikse explores her remarkable story.

The Story of the King Part 16

April 27, 2014 15:00 - 34 minutes - 13.7 MB

This week, Saul jealously tries to kill David, while Saul’s son Jonathon sees in David a spirit that reminds him of himself, and Jonathon loves David and commits himself to him. An encounter with the king, you see, will reveal what is truly in your heart.

The Story of the King Part 15

April 20, 2014 13:00 - 32 minutes - 12.9 MB

God, who is the perfectly righteous, holy, and flawless creator and judge of the universe, will judge us all by his own perfect standard. That's a huge, Goliath-sized problem for us! We need a champion, like David, to stand up for us. We need Jesus!

The Story of the King Part 14

April 13, 2014 15:00 - 33 minutes - 13.5 MB

Despite seeing clearly absolutely everything we do and THINK, when God looks at us, what He sees is our heart. That should prompt you to desire the purification of your heart, which should lead you to Christ because only He can give us a heart like God.

The Story of the King Part 13

April 06, 2014 15:00 - 42 minutes - 14.5 MB

The King expects, and deserves, our trust. Trust in the king can be measured by obedience. Do you obey him completely? This week, we see that Saul did not obey the LORD completely. That lack of trust would cost Saul dearly. Are we any different, though?

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