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329 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 1 ratingA Jesus-centered community in Waverly, Iowa
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Episodes
Psalm 147 (Summer of Psalms #5)
July 05, 2020 15:00 - 34.2 MBLaunch Sermon PlayerGuest Speaker, Shane Klein, teaches from Psalm 147 as part of our “Summer of Psalms” series.
Psalm 51 (Summer of Psalms #4)
June 28, 2020 19:32 - 31.6 MBAt his lowest point, King David fell into terrible sin, was confronted by God's word through the prophet Nathan, and had to repent of his disobedience. His poignant expression of contrition in Psalm 51 can serve as a model for the Jesus-follower when he or she falls short of God's standards. Guest Speaker Jacob Tews leads this study of Psalm 51, looking in detail at its context and application for our lives.
Psalm 51 (Summer Of Psalms #4)
June 28, 2020 19:32Launch Sermon PlayerAt his lowest point, King David fell into terrible sin, was confronted by God’s word through the prophet Nathan, and had to repent of his disobedience. His poignant expression of contrition in Psalm 51 can serve as a model for the Jesus-follower when he or she falls short of God’s standards. Guest Speaker […]
Summer Of Psalms #4
June 28, 2020 19:32Launch Sermon PlayerAt his lowest point, King David fell into terrible sin, was confronted by God’s word through the prophet Nathan, and had to repent of his disobedience. His poignant expression of contrition in Psalm 51 can serve as a model for the Jesus-follower when he or she falls short of God’s standards. Jacob Tews […]
Ephesians 6:1-4 (Father’s Day 2020)
June 21, 2020 15:00 - 57.1 MBThese are complicated times. We live in a difficult, confusing, and often frustrating age, and more now than ever does the world desperately need households led by godly dads. Guest teacher and Minneapolis church planter Patrick Ray shares a Father's Day message from , as well as insight on #BlackLivesMatter, police reform, community well-being, and how we as Jesus-followers ought to respond in light of what the Bible teaches.
Psalm 46 (Summer of Psalms #3)
June 14, 2020 15:00 - 23.6 MBDo you ever find yourself seeking a rest from life's daily grind through things like Netflix, YouTube, disc golf, or even drinking coffee? In this week's message, Matt Townsley walks us through which shows us that God is our protection, provider, and power. If you a desire to seek true rest from the stressors of this world, listen in to know what it means to "be still" and know a God who loves you more than you can imagine.
Summer of Psalms #2
June 07, 2020 21:05This will be our first Sunday back for in-person gatherings! While we are excited to be together again, most of us have undoubtedly been through some turbulent times. To some extent, we've all encountered loss, grief, frustration, and suffering within the span of these last few months. In this week's message, Worship Leader Jake Epley will walk us through Psalm 42, a lament that teaches us that in the midst of depression and discouragement, our only hope is found in God alone who truly satis...
Psalm 42 (Summer of Psalms #2)
June 07, 2020 15:00 - 39.9 MBThis will be our first Sunday back for in-person gatherings! While we are excited to be together again, most of us have undoubtedly been through some turbulent times. To some extent, we've all encountered loss, grief, frustration, and suffering within the span of these last few months. In this week's message, Worship Leader Jake Epley will walk us through , a lament that teaches us that in the midst of depression and discouragement, our only hope is found in God alone who truly sati...
Psalm 127 (Summer of Psalms #1)
May 31, 2020 15:00 - 37.6 MBHave you ever wondered what the Bible says about work? Is it wise to put in 40 hours and be done? Is working overtime punishment or pleasing in the eyes of God? In this week's message, Matt Townsley walks us through showing how overconfidence and overworking can lead to an unfulfilled life. So, if you have a desire to work at home or in the office in a way that honors God, listen in!
The Lamp of the Parables (Mark #12)
May 24, 2020 20:50 - 21.7 MBThe parable Jesus tells in Mark 4:21-25 is often referred to as "The Parable of the Lamp." But as you'll hear in this sermon from Pastor Erin Bird, the gospel story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the lamp to the parables.
True Family (Mark #11)
May 17, 2020 18:42 - 53.8 MBIn this week's passage, Jesus surprises his listeners (and us, the readers) by declaring that true family isn't the one you're physically born into, nor is it the racial group you identify with, nor is it even our best friends at work or on a sports team. Rather, Jesus declares that true family comes through the gospel. To hear more, listen in as Pastor Erin Bird walks us through Mark 3:20-35.
The Chosen Few (Mark #10)
May 10, 2020 18:30 - 31.9 MBWe all long to be chosen. To be selected by a team, company, or that special someone feels like we have worth, and value, and are loved. So you can imagine when Jesus chose His twelve disciples, those twelve guys were on top of the world. But in truth, to be chosen by Jesus is actually very, very humbling. Why? Listen in to discover how the calling to follow Jesus is a humbling event, and yet a moment that also instills us with a very different type of confidence.
Redefining Religion (Mark #9)
May 03, 2020 19:00 - 41.7 MBEver thought you knew the words to a song, but it turns out you were singing it all wrong? Some of the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day thought they knew how to do thing likes fasting and observing the Sabbath, but turns out they were off the mark. In this week's message, Pastor Erin Bird walks us through Mark 2:18–3:6 showing how we are much like the ancient Jewish leaders who were off in their understanding of religion and obeying God. So if you have a desire to have a close relations...
The Faith of the Five (Mark #8)
April 26, 2020 18:22 - 48.2 MBWhat should a healthy church look like? And how do we trust God when He doesn't give us what we want? These are two questions that strangely get answered in a story about a healed paralytic. If you've ever asked yourself either of these two questions, listen in as Pastor Erin Bird walks us through Mark 2:1-12.
Care for the Outcast (Mark #7)
April 19, 2020 16:01 - 45.4 MBToo often, Americans will read a Bible story and "insert" themselves into the story. For instance, when we read the famous story about David and Goliath, we imagine ourselves as David, slaying the "giants" in our lives. But when we twist a Bible story into a personal story, we actually rob the story of having greater power in our lives. This week, Pastor Erin Bird walks us through Mark 2:1-12, showing us that to insert ourselves into the story as the outcast leper cheats us of seein...
The Four Chairs – Easter Sunday (Mark #6)
April 12, 2020 19:37Every Easter Sunday, the global Church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. But then most people who attend those churches just go back to regular life on Monday. Should the resurrection of Jesus impact the life you are living in 2020? In a unique short-film sermon, Pastor Erin Bird teaches from the Parable of the Soils in Mark 4:1-20, helping us think about the type of legacy we want to leave behind when our time on earth is done. And he will argue that the resurrection of Jesus makes all ...
The Authority of Jesus (Mark #5)
April 05, 2020 19:27 - 38 MBIn Mark 1, we see Jesus begin to become famous, but it wasn't for being rich, or for being attractive, or even for displaying talent in a sport or art form. His fame came from a display of authority. This is good news for you! Because His authority means He is with you, He cares for you, and is still in control in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird challenges us to trust God no matter what.
Repent and Believe (Mark #4)
March 29, 2020 20:10 - 28.2 MBFirst words matter. Whether in a speech or a job interview, your first words set the stage for what is to come. Mark strategically waited until verse 15 of his Gospel account on the life of Jesus to let us hear Jesus speak for Himself. And the first words we hear from Jesus have the potential to change your life.
The Temptation of Jesus (Mark #3)
March 22, 2020 19:50 - 29 MBAll humans are tempted, the question is, what will you do when tempted? Even though He was fully God, Jesus was also fully human during His time on earth. So just like you, He was tempted. Through the gospel accounts of Mark and Matthew, we discover how Jesus faced temptation and managed to never give in.
The Significance of Baptism (Mark #2)
March 15, 2020 20:14 - 25 MBThe Bible teaches that Jesus was without sin. And yet, we see in Mark 1 that Jesus was baptized by his cousin, John the Baptizer. Why we Jesus baptized? What was significant about this moment? And what does it mean for us in 2020? Listen in as one of Riverwood's elders, Ed Pavelecs, walks us through Mark 1:9-11.
Prepare the Way (Mark #1)
March 08, 2020 19:18 - 31.8 MBThis week, we begin a series studying the book of Mark, which will allow us to see the purpose and person of Jesus. If you want to learn more about Jesus, or be reminded of His awesomeness, listen in as Pastor Erin walks us through Mark 1:1-8.
Forward with Boldness (FORWARD #4)
February 25, 2020 00:00 - 29.9 MBAccording to Barna, Americans pray for their family, for guidance, for health and wellness, and even to express thanks. But one thing they don't pray for - boldness. Maybe it's because we are already bold. But more likely, we don't pray for boldness because we like our lives safe and comfortable. But if Riverwood is going to be a church after God's heart, we need to take a page out of the early church's book and pray for boldness. If you are curious about what this looks like, or h...
Forward with Generosity (FORWARD #3)
February 16, 2020 19:52 - 40.8 MBMoney. (Yep, we went there!) Why do churches seem to always talk about money? Well, we can't tell you why other churches talk about money so much. But at Riverwood, we don't talk about it as much as we probably should, but when we do, we look at not what we can get FROM you as much as what God wants FOR you. And we believe God wants you to be generous like Him. So listen in as Pastor Erin Bird teaches from the book of Acts about the joy that can be found through generosity.
Forward Together (FORWARD #2)
February 11, 2020 01:14 - 28.2 MBPerhaps you've heard the phrase, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." There definitely are times in life a person needs to move fast. But for a church to go far, they MUST go together. But that proves to be especially difficult here in America, because Americans are extremely individualistic (plus, they prefer fast!). So how is a church in the midwest of the U.S. in 2019 supposed to move forward together? We let the early church as seen in Acts 2:4...
Forward In Faith (FORWARD #1)
February 02, 2020 23:22 - 29.5 MBHaving faith in something brings confidence and peace. For instance, when you place your "faith" in a chair, you have peace that it will hold you when you put your full weight upon it. When your faith is in your team before a big game, you have confidence they will emerge victoriously. But what do you do when the person or object of your faith has let you down? In this first message in the "Forward" sermon series, Pastor Erin Bird shows us from Acts 2:42-47 what the first church did to buil...
Vision Sunday
January 26, 2020 20:35 - 34.8 MBWe believe God has given Riverwood a very important mission, to invite the spiritually disconnected of our communities to find and follow Jesus. But are we accomplishing it? On Vision Sunday, Pastor Erin Bird helps us look back at 2019 to see how we did and did not accomplish our God-given mission, and Elder Tim Corcoran helps us look ahead to 2020 to see what might be ahead to help us continue helping people in our region find Jesus. This is a memorable Sunday in the life of River...
Surrendered Prayer (Teach Us To Pray #2)
January 12, 2020 20:10Your understanding of who God is affects your prayers. Whether you see God as demanding, loving, distant, or something else, it will affect how you approach Him and talk to Him. This is why Jesus begins His teaching on prayer in Matthew 6:9-10 with defining who God is. And when you learn what Jesus teaches, your prayers will possibly be very different - and more meaningful.
The Secret to Prayer (Teach Us To Pray #1)
January 08, 2020 00:59We all want to know "the secret." Whether it's the secret to a happy marriage, how to make a lot of money, or how to advance in a career, we want to know the one magic bullet that will bring us success. In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus teaches "the secret" to prayer. So if you have ever desired to have a robust prayer life, listen in to this first message in the Teach Us To Pray series.
Sacrificed Everything (The Cost of Christmas #4)
December 22, 2019 19:24 - 43.1 MBEvery Christmas, churches and families will spend time looking at the stories of the various biblical characters involved in the narrative of the birth of Jesus (which we have done through this Cost of Christmas series). But there is one character that surprisingly sometimes gets overlooked: Jesus. So in this week's sermon, Pastor Erin helps us see through Philippians 2:5-11 what the first Christmas cost the Son of God. Listen in to be inspired by Jesus and challenged by what Jesus-...
Sacrificed Resources (The Cost of Christmas #3)
December 16, 2019 00:11 - 28.5 MBAmericans love to spend a lot of money and time on Christmas. Did you know the average American will spend over $900/person and spend well over 40 hours in the month of December on Christmas related activities such as shopping, traveling, and worship services? (Yep, that's a lot!) However, if you are a follower of Jesus, God has a different plan for your money and time than just to use it all on a cultural holiday. To learn His better plan for you, listen in to part 3 of Riverwood's...
Sacrificed Livelihood (The Cost of Christmas #2)
December 08, 2019 22:10 - 33.8 MBThe Oxford Dictionary defines livelihood as "a means of securing the necessities of life." But often times, we confuse what a "necessity of life" truly is, fooling ourselves into thinking wants are actually needs. These false "needs" keep Jesus-followers from a closer relationship with God. In week 2 of our Advent Series, Pastor Erin Bird shows us from Luke 2 the incredible risk the shepherds took that first Christmas night, and how their example can lead us to sacrifice the things ...
Sacrificed Reputation (The Cost of Christmas #1)
December 01, 2019 22:58 - 35.5 MBIf someone were to ask your friends to describe you, the words your friends use would reveal your reputation. Most of us hope to have a good reputation in life. But did you know that to follow Jesus might actually cost you a good reputation? In this first message in The Cost of Christmas Advent series, Pastor Erin Bird unpacks several passages of the Bible, showing how the first Christmas cost Joseph & Mary a good reputation on earth, yet they willingly gave it up because they beli...
Walk in Wisdom (How to Walk #3)
November 18, 2019 01:30 - 40.7 MBLaunch Sermon PlayerEven back in John’s time, people were twisting what the Bible has to say about Jesus. Today, things haven’t changed a whole lot. Pastor Erin Bird of Riverwood Church teaches from the book of 1 and 2 John about how to walk in wisdom.
Walk in Love (How To Walk #2)
November 10, 2019 19:53 - 39.9 MBLast week, we saw in 2 and 3 John the power and importance of truth. But if a church is only about truth, it will cease to care for people. That's why John shifts from "walk in truth" to "walk in love." But what exactly does it mean to "walk in love"? Listen in as Erin Bird helps us explore 2 & 3 John to discover the second way for us to walk.
The Gospel and Rest (The Everyday Gospel #14)
October 20, 2019 19:27 - 69.7 MBThis week Pastor Erin Bird teaches from the book of Hebrews about how we should use rest to see Jesus. True rest is not: - a place - a day - lack of activity Rather, true rest is - a person (Jesus) - found in the gospel
The Gospel and Work (The Everyday Gospel #13)
October 14, 2019 02:33 - 34.9 MBOur culture is very work-centered. When we meet someone for the first time, we often ask, "So what do you do for a living?" If someone is in college, we ask, "What's your major and what do you hope to do with it?" But did you know the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection changes our approach to work? This week at Riverwood Church, Worship Leader Jake Epley teaches from the book of Colossians about The Gospel and Work.
Story (How to BLESS #5)
October 06, 2019 19:48People LOVE stories. We read them in books, watch them at the theater, and exchange them around the water cooler. But did you know that if you are a Jesus-follower, your spiritual story might actually "bless" someone? In this final message in the How to Bless sermon series, Pastor Erin Bird shares a story from John 9 that will encourage you, if you are a follower of Jesus, to share your story.
Serve (How to BLESS #4)
September 30, 2019 01:54Most of us would rather serve ourselves before others. This week, Pastor Erin Bird talks about the importance of serving. Begin with prayer Listen Eat Serve Story (How to BLESS)
Eat (How to BLESS #3)
September 22, 2019 19:33 - 25.1 MBEvery one of us eats most every day. But did you know you can turn this simple act into a way to bless someone else? Listen in as Erin Bird, teaching pastor for Riverwood, shows us from Luke 5 how sharing a meal is a great way to let someone else know they matter.
Listen (How to BLESS #2)
September 15, 2019 19:42 - 42.2 MBAt Riverwood, we believe that what this world desperately needs is for Jesus-followers to "love like Jesus loved and live like Jesus lived." This week, Pastor Erin Bird teaches that this includes "listening like Jesus listened." Whether you realize it or not, listening is a powerful way to bless the people God has put in your life. So if you want to learn how to listen like Jesus, listen in to the second message in the How to BLESS series.