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Begin with Prayer (How to BLESS)

September 10, 2019 00:22 - 39.3 MB

In this sermon series, Pastor Erin Bird teaches how to "BLESS" others: Begin with prayer Listen Eat Serve Story This week, he teaches from Colossians that the first way to "bless" someone is to begin with prayer.

The Gospel and Contentment (The Everyday Gospel #12)

September 03, 2019 00:58 - 30.5 MB

Subscriptions are becoming more popular than ever before. People spend money monthly on things that they think will give them contentment. Instead of relying on worldly things for contentment, we should seek the Gospel. Pastor Erin Bird of Riverwood Church discusses how we use the Gospel to find contentment.

The Gospel & Saving (The Everyday Gospel #11)

August 25, 2019 20:31 - 40.4 MB

When it comes to saving money, most of us believe we don't have enough. Whether we have $10 in the bank or a million, we tend to think we need more. But what if God gives you money not simply so you can keep more for yourself, but use more of it to help others? Listen in as Riverwood's teaching pastor, Erin Bird, helps us consider from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 how God desires us to use the money we would normally stash in the bank.

The Gospel & Giving (The Everyday Gospel #10)

August 18, 2019 18:58 - 32 MB

Well-known pastor Andy Stanley says that "Giving isn't about what God wants from you, it's about what God wants FOR you." Riverwood's pastor, Erin Bird, agrees. In this second message in the "Money Edition" of The Everyday Gospel, Pastor Erin shows from 2 Corinthians 9 that the financial contentment you long for comes not in a big bank account or huge pay raise, but rather through giving in six different ways. May this challenging yet inspiring message help you discover what God wan...

The Gospel and Stewardship (The Everyday Gospel #9)

August 11, 2019 23:22 - 30 MB

It can be hard to earn a living and make ends meet these days. It can be even harder when God calls us to give to others out of those earnings. In this sermon, Pastor Erin uses Psalm 50 to dig into the idea of stewardship, what belongs to God and what belongs to us. He helps us understand what it means to follow Jesus and love others with our resources.

The Gospel and Emotions (The Everyday Gospel #8)

August 04, 2019 19:00 - 42 MB

Some people seem to believe emotions are "bad" and should not be shown. Others, on the other hand, wear their emotions on their sleeve. So which is better? Are we to downplay our emotions so they don't lead us into making a poor decision? Or do we embrace our emotions so that we can feel alive, even if those emotions hurt those around us? In this third message in the "Self Edition" of "The Everyday Gospel" series, Pastor Erin Bird walks us through a passage out of 2 Corinthians 2, s...

The Gospel & The Past (The Everyday Gospel #7)

July 29, 2019 22:29 - 27.9 MB

All of us have a past. Some of us are quite proud of the things in our past - accomplishments, relationships, or fond memories. Others of us are ashamed of our past. And some of us probably have a mixed past, one filled with both pride and shame. But have you ever stopped to consider how the gospel speaks into your past, both the good moments and the regrettable ones? In this second message in The Everyday Gospel (The Self Edition) (and part 7 overall in the series), Riverwood Part...

Combined Outdoor Baptism Service

July 14, 2019 21:21 - 20 MB

Riverwood joined Grace Baptist and Denver Baptist Churches for a combined outdoor baptism worship service and potluck. Jonathan Davis, lead pastor for Grace Baptist, taught us from Acts 10:34-43, showing us how the life of Jesus WAS the gospel, and how, through baptism, we declare the life and gospel of Jesus.

Joy in All Circumstances (Genuine Joy #11)

July 07, 2019 21:02 - 36.7 MB

It is very important to have joy in all circumstances. But what do we do when something so tragic happens, that there seems to be nothing to be joyful about? How do we be joyful when things aren't going like we expect? This week, Pastor Erin Bird teaches why it is so import to find joy under all circumstances.

Joy from Peace (Genuine Joy #10)

June 30, 2019 19:56 - 53.5 MB

Everyone longs for peace. We look for it in relationships, through our entertainment, even in the foods and drinks we consume. We want something that is going to tell us that everything is going to be alright. In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul talks about how to find a peace that surpasses understanding. If you long for that type of peace that will carry you through whatever situation you find yourself in, this is the message for you.

Joy in the Journey (Genuine Joy #9)

June 23, 2019 19:36 - 30.3 MB

All of us are on a journey. On our journey through life, we encounter difficulties, struggles, obstacles, and even our own mistakes. How do we make it through the journey of life, and to do it with joy? Ed Pavelec, one of Riverwood's elders, walks us through Philippians 3:12-4:1, showing us the encouragement the Apostle Paul gave his original readers so they might find joy in the journey.

Joy in Christ Alone (Genuine Joy #8)

June 16, 2019 23:22 - 37.3 MB

It is important to watch out for those who claim the Bible is wrong. It is also important to find joy in Christ alone. This week, Pastor Patrick Ray talks about the book of Philippians and where we should find our true joy.

The Joy of Sending (Genuine Joy #7)

June 09, 2019 19:45 - 32 MB

Many Americans think "bigger is better," including when it comes to church. "If you have a bigger attendance, you must be a more successful church." The book of Philippians shows us you can find joy in sending others to teach the Gospel, not just keeping people in your church. Pastor Erin Bird of Riverwood Church talks about how there can sometimes be more success when you show the Gospel globally than if you just worry about how many people attend a particular church.

Joy in Obedience (Genuine Joy #6)

June 02, 2019 21:05 - 30.7 MB

Some humans will hear about various dangers in life, whether smoking cigarettes, eating too much sugar, or driving a motorcycle without a helmet, and proceed to ignore them. Why? Because they believe the "rules" of life don't apply to them. Sometimes, Christians will do the same thing. They will hear the "rules" of the Bible, but think they don't apply to them. What they don't realize is that these so-called "rules" don't exist to make life miserable, rather, they exist to bring the...

Joy in Humility (Genuine Joy #5)

May 26, 2019 20:49 - 26.2 MB

Want to know the secret to great relationships? Believe it or not, the book of Philippians holds the secret. So if you long for great relationships at home, work, school, or church, this message from Pastor Erin Bird as part of our Genuine Joy series will give you the inside scoop.

Joy in the Gospel (Genuine Joy #4)

May 19, 2019 21:42 - 41.8 MB

Have you ever longed for something so much, you were willing to give almost anything for it? Perhaps you were willing to give up sleep to be first in line for the new iPhone or Black Friday sales. Maybe you left a job and city to move to be near someone with whom you hoped to spend the rest of your. Or maybe you emptied your entire savings to start a business you had been dreaming of for years. Unfortunately, many times the things we long for and expend our time, energy, and money to get fad...

Joy in Suffering (Genuine Joy #3)

May 12, 2019 18:24 - 55.7 MB

Is it possible to find joy in suffering? If so, how? Paul writes in his letters how to suffer well and use the hardships to grow in your faith. This week Jake Epley discusses the importance of suffering well.

Joy in Jesus (Genuine Joy #1)

April 28, 2019 19:05 - 34.7 MB

This week, we kick off a study of the New Testament book of Philippians by looking at Acts 16. Listen in to meet the first three people who helped start the church in the ancient city of Philippi when they decided to follow Jesus.

Easter, Riverwood, & Beyond (Easter Sunday 2019)

April 21, 2019 19:13 - 37.9 MB

This Easter, Riverwood Church celebrates its 5th birthday! Pastor Erin Bird talks about the history of Riverwood and the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Firm Faith (Daniel #6)

April 15, 2019 01:38 - 41.1 MB

Most people want glory without putting in the effort. In this week's sermon in Riverwood Church, Pastor Erin Bird talks about the 3 ways to stay firm in your faith; just like Daniel in Daniel chapter 6. Daniel stays firm in his faith; rebelling against the law that he could not worship the one true god and trusting that everything was in God's control.

Forgotten Faith (Daniel #5)

April 09, 2019 01:19 - 36.8 MB

For most of us, it's easy to forget God when things aren't going our way. Years after king Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazzar took over the throne of Babylon. After all those years he forgot that God was the one that he should worship and obey. He was forgetful of a lesson that was taught to Babylon a long time ago. This week Pastor Erin Bird discusses the importance of obeying and remember the rules God has for us.

Crazy Faith (Daniel #4)

March 31, 2019 18:10 - 35.7 MB

Worship means to give worth to something. To have faith in something. Some of use put our faith things like media, food, people. God says our primary faith should be in him. This week, Pastor Erin Bird talks about the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and how worshiping himself led to humiliation and embarrassment.

Faith through the Furnace (Daniel #3)

March 24, 2019 20:31 - 40.3 MB

Launch Sermon PlayerLife can put us in some awkward or difficult situations. Sometimes we do something or don’t do something and all of a sudden we feel trapped in a hard situation. If its bad enough, it may feel like everything is on fire and we don’t know what to do next. This week Pastor […]

Where the Real Focus Lies (Daniel #2)

March 17, 2019 17:47 - 24.9 MB

Have you ever had a dream so real that you woke up wondering what it meant? Sometimes, we wonder if the dreams have any meaning or power in our real lives. In the second chapter of Daniel, Elder Ed Pavelec dives into a story about a king, his dreams, and his search for truth. Many of us turn to the world and it's knowledge, especially in times of trouble. Instead, Daniel shows us how to approach God in humility to seek His mercy and find true wisdom.

A Call to Exellence (Daniel #1)

March 10, 2019 18:14 - 31.1 MB

While imprisoned by his enemies, Daniel could have chosen complete rebellion against their king. Yet he chose to wisely and respectfully negotiate out of faith. How can we, even through hard and difficult times when it seems like God is far from us, continue to trust His promises and the gospel? In this message, Elder Luke Anderson will encourage us to ignore the temptations to abandon our trust and belief in God and stay true to our faith in Jesus.

The Gospel & Others (The Everyday Gospel #4)

March 03, 2019 23:36 - 36.9 MB

Most people want to get along with others, but does it really matter to God whether we are nice or selfish in our relationships? Today, listen as Pastor Erin explains how the gospel impacts our relationships and how we interact with the people in our lives.

The Gospel & Sex (The Everyday Gospel #2)

February 10, 2019 20:14 - 36.7 MB

For many people, there is a strong sexual desire that leads them to engage in sexual activities that traditional Judeo-Christian teaching says is wrong. But what does the Bible really say about sex? And does God actually care about how we use our bodies for sexual pleasure? In this second message of The Everyday Gospel series, Pastor Erin Bird sensitively tackles the tough topic of sex, showing from a Biblical perspective why God has a right to tell humans what they should and shoul...

The Gospel & Marriage (The Everyday Gospel #1)

February 05, 2019 04:06 - 36.3 MB

In 2019, the Riverwood family will be looking at how the Gospel affects multiple areas of life. We will look at how the life & death of Jesus affects our view of self, our view of money, and our view of time. But before we get to any of that, we will be looking at how the Gospel affects our relationships. And in this first week of the series, Riverwood's Teaching Pastor, Erin Bird, tackles the topic of marriage.

Sharing the Gospel with Joy and Confidence

January 27, 2019 21:52 - 31 MB

Most people naturally share that which pleases them. We typically don't hesitate to share about a movie we enjoyed, or a great new restaurant we visited. Guest teacher and Riverwood "missionary" Patrick Ray, a church planter from North Minneapolis, shows us from John 1 that when people met Jesus, they got excited and couldn't help but tell others. If you are a Jesus-follower, may this message inspire you to find joy in Jesus, so you, too, can share Him with confidence.

Lord, Send Me (Dangerous Prayers #3)

January 20, 2019 21:23 - 31.6 MB

Just as the decorations at a party can serve as clues as to what type of party you are at, the Bible is filled with clues that God has established a theme in life of sending people to bless others. In this final message in the "Dangerous Prayers" series, Pastor Erin Bird shows us God's sending theme by taking us through multiple passages of the Scripture, inspiring Jesus-followers to pray "Lord, Send Me." Are you ready surrender everything to God and let Him send you to bless other...

Lord, Break Me (Dangerous Prayers #2)

January 13, 2019 19:37 - 29.9 MB

If you've ever been lost, whether while hiking or driving, you know that sometimes in order to go forward, you have to first go back. In our spiritual lives, sometimes in order to go forward in our faith, we need to go back in a sense, to allow God to break us, to remove some things in our lives, such as selfishness or sinful patterns, so that He can mold and shape us into who He sees us to be. In this second part of our "Dangerous Prayers" series, Pastor Erin Bird shares through J...

Lord, Search Me (Dangerous Prayers #1)

January 06, 2019 20:09 - 28 MB

A dangerous prayer isn't one that asks God to put you in dangerous situations. A "dangerous" prayer is a bold prayer, a prayer that completely surrenders your life to God. A dangerous prayer isn't about ruining your life, but if God answers it, your dangerous prayer will upend your life. In this series, we will look at three dangerous prayers. In the last week, we will pray "Lord, Send Me." But before a Jesus-follower can be sent, they need to be surrendered. And so in the second we...

Jesus Our Great High Priest

December 30, 2018 19:40 - 40.1 MB

Have you ever had a chance to meet someone famous? If so, perhaps you were at a loss for words, or perhaps said something silly, or embarrassed yourself by acting differently than you normally do. But what would it be like to meet Jesus? Listen in as guest teacher, Shane Klein, walks us through Hebrews 4:14-16, seeing Jesus as our Great High Priest.

Prince of Peace (A Son is Given #4)

December 23, 2018 21:21 - 30 MB

We all long for peace. From birth to death to multiple points in-between, we long for calm in the midst of the chaos of life. But all of our attempts to find peace usually end up temporary and ineffective. How do we find true lasting peace? In this final message in the Advent series A Son is Given, Pastor Erin Bird shows from Colossians 1:19-20 why Jesus was given the name "Prince of Peace" more than 700 years before He arrived that first Christmas Day, and how you can find a peace...

Everlasting Father (A Son is Given #3)

December 16, 2018 23:21 - 30.6 MB

Dads make a huge difference in our lives. Their presence or absence affects us far more deeply than we may realize. The love of a good daddy can make all the difference. Did you know that Jesus displays love like a perfect dad? Listen in to this third message in the Advent series A Son is Given to discover why Isaiah called Jesus "Everlasting Father."

Mighty God (A Son is Given #2)

December 09, 2018 21:53 - 29 MB

Have you ever had an initial impression of someone only to discover you were totally wrong? You might have made a wrong assumption about their age, education level, or importance at work. Throughout history, large swaths of humanity have made the same mistake about Jesus. They have thought of him as just another human, or a wise sage, or even a great prophet from God. But those assessments are WAY off. Listen in to this second message in the A Son is Given Advent series to be remin...

Wonderful Counselor (A Son is Given #1)

December 02, 2018 20:10 - 33.9 MB

If you've ever found yourself in need of some advice or insight, because you were unsure of what to do, what you needed at that moment was a counselor. Approximately 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet called Jesus a "Wonderful Counselor." Listen in as Riverwood's teaching pastor, Erin Bird, explains how to seek after Jesus to be your "Wonderful Counselor" during Advent and beyond.

Supplication (ACTS of Prayer #4)

November 25, 2018 21:38 - 21.4 MB

If you are like most people, you don't want to be seen as a bothersome pest, whether at work, home, or in your relationship with God. And yet, Jesus invites His followers to persist in prayer, almost to the point of seeming like a spiritual pest to God. In this last message in the ACTS of Prayer sermon series, Pastor Erin Bird helps us see why persistent prayer isn't bothersome to God, but rather honoring and glorifying. So listen in to learn the importance and power of proper suppl...

Thanksgiving (ACTS of Prayer #3)

November 18, 2018 20:49 - 7.14 MB

It's that time of year - Thanksgiving! In this devotional message, Luke Anderson (one of Riverwood's Elders)† teaches through Psalm 100 on why we should give thanks, to whom we give thanks, and how we might express our thanksgiving.

Confession (ACTS of Prayer #2)

November 11, 2018 19:21 - 27.8 MB

Have you ever had a problem in life that, in the moment, seemed overwhelming, but years later, as you look back at that moment, you realize it wasn't that huge of a deal? That's perspective. In this second message in the ACTS of Prayer series, Pastor Erin Bird helps us see how the letter A (Adoration) in the ACTS model of prayer gives us perspective. And that perspective leads us to the letter C - Confession. And Confession leads us to connecting deeper with our Creator.

Adoration (ACTS of Prayer #1)

November 04, 2018 21:24 - 28.3 MB

For many people, prayer is awkward, hard, confusing, or boring. Recognizing this, Pastor Erin Bird is using the month of November to teach the Riverwood family about the ACTS model of Prayer in an effort to help us connect with God. And in this first message, he takes us to Psalm 34 to tackle the topic of Adoration.

The Circle of Love (1 John #7)

October 30, 2018 02:56 - 33.8 MB

The Lion King had the "Circle of Life," but the True King invites you into the "Circle of Love." What is this circle? Listen in to find out, and learn how it can radically change your life and relationships.

True Love (1 John #6)

October 21, 2018 19:36 - 28.7 MB

Our American culture LOVES to talk about love. But do we truly understand what true love is and what we are supposed to do with it? In this sixth message in the 1 John series, Pastor Erin Bird walks us through one of the most famous passages from the book of 1 John, and helps us see not only God's intense love for us, but what He wants us to do with that love.

Act Like a Child (1 John #5)

October 14, 2018 18:38 - 25.4 MB

Just as a dolphin is designed to swim and an eagle is designed to soar, all Jesus-followers are designed to do something. But the only way a Jesus-follower can do this one thing is to understand who they are as part of God's family. So if you are a Jesus-follower, listen in. And if you are NOT a Jesus-follower, listen in as well to know what it is God will expect of you if you do become a follower of Jesus.

Beware the Antichrist (1 John #4)

October 07, 2018 22:00 - 31.1 MB

The famed "bad guy" of the end times is supposed to be "the Antichrist." But who is this "man of lawlessness"? And when will he show up - or has he already appeared? In this week's non-scary message from 1 John, Pastor Erin Bird walks us through the end of chapter two and beginning of chapter 4, looking at what the Antichrist values, and how Jesus-followers can be sure to not fall for anti-christ teaching.

Being with Jesus

September 30, 2018 18:59 - 58.9 MB

As part of our Celebration Sunday, guest teacher Bob Westfall taught from Colossians 1:24-29, reminding Riverwood's new elders (and all of us) that "Being precedes Doing." Listen in to this fantastic message that will encourage you to just "be with Jesus."

A New Old Commandment (1 John #3)

September 23, 2018 19:29 - 49.9 MB

To become an expert on a particular subject, you have to study it in detail. This type of study requires you to hear and read the same material repeatedly until you practically have the subject memorized. And when you have the subject memorized, it becomes a part of you, affecting the way you think and what you talk about, making you an expert. If you are a follower of Jesus, what if the subject you knew in and out was the gospel? What kind of effect would that have on your life? Mo...

The Light Path out of Hypocrisy (1 John #2)

September 16, 2018 20:33 - 46.8 MB

To be human means to be a hypocrite. And that's a problem, because hypocrisy is a sin, and sin cannot be in the presence of a perfect holy God. So what is a human to do? In this week's message, we look at the challenging yet encouraging words written by the Apostle John so long ago that let us know we do not need to be trapped in the darkness of our sin and hypocrisy.

It’s All About Jesus (1 John #1)

September 09, 2018 20:58 - 61.3 MB

As humans, we long to be accepted by others. We want to connect with people through the things we enjoy, whether a favorite hobby, sports team, musician, movie, or something else. Because we find meaningful connection through these things, we often make them the most important things in life. But what if God has something else for you that can lead to meaningful connection with humans AND with Him?

The Greatest Struggle of the Christian Life (Grow in Groups #2)

September 02, 2018 20:40 - 63.9 MB

If someone asked you, "What's your greatest struggle?" you might be tempted to respond something like "gossip," or "lust," or "overeating," or "spending too much money," or something else. No matter what your answer, though, THAT is not your greatest struggle. To learn what your greatest struggle actually is, listen in to guest teacher Patrick Ray, who explains from Hebrews 10:11-14 what our biggest struggle actually is, and how being part of something like a Growth Group can help y...

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