River City Vineyard - Teachings

Hope and Justice-Scott Tjernagel

While on trial in the midst of trial after trial, Paul keeps his focus on engaging others in good conversation about Jesus. Oh, that we could keep that focus in our trying days.

Promise of Protection

Will our faith in Jesus overcome the fears generated by the events of our day? Is there any promise of protection?

Structures of Power and Our Witness

N.T. Wright suggests that this passage in Acts "provides an object lesson in how a Jew like Paul thought about the structures of power in society." From Paul we can learn "some object lessons in basic political theology." Seems like a very helpful topic for today!

Part 2, Otto Gallaher

Dear friends, we had a technical problem recording Part 1 of Otto's message. Sorry about that. Here is Part 2 which is well worth the listen even without Part 1. Thank you, Otto, you challenge our community to stay on track with Jesus.

Our Constant in Our Changing Times_Scott Tjernagel

Who we are and what we do remain constant in spite of court rulings, IS activities, and whoever is President.

Who Should NOT Be Allowed to Live?-Scott Tjernagel

Too often our celebrations are accompanied by our sorrows. Happy Father's Day and at the same time today is a day to remember the tragic lose of life in Charleston this week. How grateful I am for God's Story which not only intersects with our current events, but also guides us through our times of shock, dismay, and grief.

Jumping to Conclusions

Too easy to do! How can we learn to stop this very bad habit?

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Farewell to the Wilsons-Jeremy Wilson

We are sad to see the Wilson family moving, but at the same time we are so happy for their friendship. Jeremy shares a few profound thoughts with our community as we end this wonderful season.

Moses Lite-Scott Tjernagel

Paul, a Jew, starts to follow Jesus, the Messiah. He does not stop being a Jew to become a "Christian." He does "belong to the King" but he continues to practice Jewish vows and rites of purification. Sadly, Paul gets a reputation for going lite on Moses falsely accused of teaching Diaspora Jews not to circumcise nor to follow certain traditions of Moses. Back in Jerusalem he attempts to clear the air.

The Influence of Mom-Scott Tjernagel

Happy Mom's Day!

Vineyard Prayer Model-Scott Tjernagel

We want to make the most of a wonderful season. We have a tool to help us. The Vineyard Prayer Model is tried, true, and very effective for making the most of a season of deepening reconciliation and emerging leaders.

Brokenness, Grace, & What We Have-John Bryant Baker

Yes, there is brokenness and yes, there is grace. They have to mingle if grace is going to work in this crazy, broken world. How they mingle depends on broken people who have experienced grace mingling with broken people who have yet to experience grace. Bryant does a great job of encouraging us to go there again and again without any hype, or cliches. Simply let grace speak through our deeds.

Mercy from the Best-Noel Bryant

Where do we go when we need help? When we cry for Mercy who hears our cry and comes through?

What to Do with the Rise of Suffering-Scott Tjernagel

13.6 million people have been displaced in Syria and Iraq in just a couple of years. That is like relocating the largest city in Europe, London. Imagine that! Many of those suffering are Christians. All are human beings. So what are we to think? What are we to do?

Humbug, The Disciples' Disbelief-Scott Tjernagel

Disbelief is not unbelief. It is simply refusal to believe. And can you blame these poor souls? What a roller coaster week? Up____"The Kingdom of God is going to appear at once". Down____"I will not drink this wine again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God". Up___"Welcome to the King". Down____"Are you the King of the Jesus?" Like a really hard fought match point conclusion to a long, seemingly unending tennis match, the week especially Friday and Saturday went on and on, up and ...

Welcome to the King-Scott Tjernagel

Expectation for the appearance of the Kingdom of God was exceptionally high on the day Jesus' entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. So he told a story. That story was just as important then as it is now. How do followers of the King do his business with his currency as they wait for his kingdom to appear?

Guarding the Sheep- Scott Tjernagel

Paul's farewell address to the leaders of the Ephesian church is incredible. His final charge to the leaders is a heartfelt, passionate, tearful appeal to keep the community together without being scattered by threatening "wolves". Just think of the kingdom potential of a Church resistant to the divisions introduced by leaders emphasizing non-essential truths.

Leaders in God's Kingdom-Scott Tjernagel

Paul's farewell to the Ephesian leaders is full of great leadership qualities. Spend some time reading and thinking through Acts 20. Please share some of your insights.

Good Fortune and The Kingdom

Eutychus means "good fortune" and how fortunate he was the night he fell from a third story window to the pavement below. By embracing the dead life returns in those moments when the Kingdom breaks through.

The Authority of the Kingdom-Scott Tjernagel

As Paul is preparing to press on from Ephesus the city erupts in protest against the perceived threats to the Temple and the worship of Artemis. Notice who is protesting, who is angry, who is violent, who is threatened. Please also notice that Paul's message is not against Artemis. It is for the King and his Kingdom. Yes, we have something to learn from our history for today!

The Kingdom Message-Scott Tjernagel

More and more people following Jesus. The Message increasing. The power of the Kingdom of God winning out over Jewish and Greek magic. The Message prevailing. It happened in Ephesus, a city of 300,000. How can it happen in cities today?

The Kingdom Arriving-Scott Tjernagel

Paul did his best to make the things of the Kingdom real and convincing to others. In a two year window of opportunity the Province of Asia was saturated with the Good News of the Kingdom. How are we doing in our announcement to our generation?

God Inside Us-Scott Tjernagel

The Holy Spirit is the game changer. He empowers our living and our witness from the inside out. We just can't do it without God inside us.

Raising the Bar-Scott Tjernagel

The beginning of a New Year gives us the opportunity to raise the bar of expectancy and commitment. Jesus wants to do a few things through our community this year. With his help and encouragement from one another we will build community, improve teamwork, engage in our domains, and take advantage of our learning communities equipping all of us for Kingdom ministry.

A New Year

What does Jesus wanna do this year? *Build community*Improve teamwork*Impact the bigger world around us for the better*Journey toward understanding in Israel and Palestine*Equip the saints for the work of ministry

A King is Born-Scott Tjernagel

Will our generation worship the King or rage against him?

A Savior is Born-Scott Tjernagel

Jesus is Savior. He does provide us with the means to be forgiven and to forgive, but he also intends so much more for all of humanity. We tend to focus on external behavior. He goes right to the heart.

God So Loves-Scott Tjernagel

To what degree does God love humanity? How does he demonstrate that love? Does Jesus communicate God's love or God's judgment? A few good questions to ask at this time of the year.

Announcing a Joyful Event-Scott Tjernagel

"In those days"____when hope for a personal Messiah was at a highpoint in Jewish history. "In those days"____when the Roman emperors were addressed as savior. It just so happened that Jesus____Messiah and Savior___was born in Bethlehem. This is the joyful event announced for all of humanity.

A Voice Calling_Scott Tjernagel

Who is preparing our generation for the return of Messiah?

Messiah is Coming-Scott Tjernagel

Advent is a season of waiting for Messiah. Since He has come and is coming, we commemorate His first coming as we prepare for his return.

ThanksGiving-RCV Community

Happy ThanksGiving! "Be cheerful no matter what; Pray all the time; Thank God no matter what..."

Generations- Apollos & Paul-Scott Tjernagel

Generation to generation we tell the story of our King and his arriving kingdom.

Reconciliation Report-Cathy Nobles

Cathy Nobles, the founder and director of the Reconciliation Walk Community in Luton, UK, shares a word of encouragement with River City Vineyard.

Fresh Hearts_Scott Tjernagel

All who follow Jesus are strengthened by the presence and power of God. May we share the experience of this ancient praise from the Qumran community: "Thou hast caused the Spirit of Thy Holiness to fall on me."

Inciting Illegal Worship_Scott Tjernagel

Paul is accused of inciting illegal worship in Corinth. Guess who comes to his defense. Maybe it is time for the "accused" to keep their mouths shut and let God provide the defense.

Sweet Dreams-Scott Tjernagel

Encouragement to make new friends out and about in the cities where we live.

Doing Our Best to Convince Others about Jesus-Scott Tjernagel

What do the folks around us at work, school, and in the neighborhood know about Jesus?

Summer Adventure with Matt & Katie

Volunteering this summer in Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem was very interesting!

The Time of Ignorance is Over-Scott Tjernagel

Do we know of God or do we know God? Are we seeking to find God or have we found Him? When we find Him do we live day by day in friendship with Him or do we connect with Him through dutiful religion that keeps Him at a distance shrouded in the unknowable?

Multiply Vineyard-Scott Hatch

There is a great cause worth living and dying for!

Evidence of Good Beyond Our Doing_Scott Tjernagel

This message is out of sequence but it is a good week to post. We enjoyed a Sign Up Sunday on September 7 and if you were not there the recording of signing up for serving, learning, and connecting is a tad uneventful. So here is a podcast we missed posting a while ago.

Jesus & Anastasis-Scott Tjernagel

As Paul announces the King and the Kingdom in Athens those with a pagan background have no point of reference for Jesus or the resurrection. Is he introducing two new gods to the Pantheon? This is amazing.

Our Declaration to Our Generation-Scott Tjernagel

We had a bit of technical trouble in the middle of this podcast, however we think there is enough to pass along. Sorry about that. Thanks for listening.

Disturbing the Empires-Scott Tjernagel

This message; Jesus is alive raised from the dead, Jesus is King, His Kingdom has arrived, disturbed the Roman Empire. Whose empire is disturbed by this message today?

Citizens in Good Standing-Scott Tjernagel

Paul and Silas were Roman citizens and enjoyed the rights of citizenship. After violating those human rights the Philippian officials backpedal after a big Oooppps. How are we doing today with human rights?

Get Out of Jail Free Card-Scott Tjernagel

"Please tell me how to get out of this mess."

Disturbing the Peace-Scott Tjernagel

Slavery and divination were both acceptable in Roman Law. Paul, however, represented another law, the Law of the Kingdom. Human trafficking, divination, and demon possession were just not acceptable. When he did something about it on the streets of Philippi he was accused of disturbing the peace.

The First Believer in Europe

Paul receives a vision of a man in Macedonia. He and the team get to Philippi in Macedonia as quickly as possible. That "man from Macedonia" pleading for help ends up being a lady from Asia Minor, Lydia. The first to respond to the announcement of the King and his kingdom in Europe is a woman!