Rio Vista Community Church serves Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the Greater Broward County area. We worship together, live in community with each another, and promote renewal in our city. This podcast comes from our Spiritual Formation team and includes both Bible study and panel discussions of cont…
Sam and Will talk about Abram's tragic decision to impregnate Hagar and God's incredible kindness to Abram. Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael. His faithfulness shines through when everyone else fails. Plus, Sam and Will briefly explain the awkward beauty behind the covenant of circumcision.
Sam and Will discuss one of the more bizarre passages in the story of Abraham. However, when we understand what is taking place in this passage, we see a brilliant and beautiful foreshadowing of the gospel.
Sam and Will discuss Genesis 13 and 14. In these chapters, Lot and Abram separate because they are too financially blessed. Then Abram meets a priest named Melchizedek (a pre-incarnate Jesus) who celebrates Abram for risking his life to rescue his adversarial nephew and a city of wicked Sodomites.
Sam and Will launch a new series on the life of Abraham. Abram, whose name means "exalted father" was childless in a land that worshipped a pagan god of fertility. In this episode, we find a faithful and flawed Abraham beginning his journey with the one true God whose faithfulness NEVER fails.
At the age of 62, our good friend and host of the Out of Water podcast, Mark Lautenschlager, has stepped into glory. In this tribute episode, we honor the legacy of our friend with clips from prior episodes and reflections from Mark himself.
Sam and Will discuss the angel Gabriel's announcements to both Zachariah and Mary. The various details surrounding these two announcements carry tremendous significance against the backdrop of the Old Testament. A prophet with the spirit and power of Elijah has returned to usher in the Messiah, and a prophet even greater than Samuel has come to anoint a King FAR greater than David!
Sam and Will talk about the disturbing ethics of the Roman world in the first century. The gospel produced a seismic shift in the world's view of women, the poor, the sick, and the enslaved -- giving birth to modern ethics that we now take for granted.
Sam and Laura continue the discussion about how God orchestrated historical events to advance the gospel. The Gospels present a radically different king than the emperors of the first century. The New Testament also highlights the conversions of several Roman centurions and other soldiers to reveal that the Messiah did not come to destroy Roman soldiers but to adopt them into a better kingdom.
Sam and Will discuss how God sovereignly pre-evangelized the Hellenistic world by sending brilliant Greek philosophers whose questions and conclusions about the world were perfectly satisfied in the person of Jesus Christ!
Pastor Sam and Will lead a discussion about the conditions of the first-century Roman Empire that reveals how God sovereignly orchestrated all of history to make it optimal for the spread of the gospel of Jesus.
Sam and Will discuss the truths of 1 John 5. How can you KNOW that you have eternal life? How do the water, the blood, and the Spirit offer you an assurance of the salvation that you have in Christ? Join us as we discuss this final chapter in John's first epistle.
Pastor Sam and Will discuss the importance of "testing the spirits" and making sure that we are embracing the truth as revealed in the Scriptures. John also tells us that Christians MUST love each other because He has first loved us.
In this episode, Sam and Will discuss how a Christian can receive John's call to pursue righteousness without falling into the trap of legalism. Authentically righteous living is fueled by a correct understanding of your identity in Christ and your relationship with Him.
In this episode, Sam and Will discuss how the gospel not only calls believers into freedom from the eternal consequences of sin, but the gospel also empowers us to live a new life that resists the power of sin in our daily lives.
Pastors Sam and Will walk through the first chapter of John's first epistle. In this chapter, John highlights the importance of sound doctrine concerning our Savior. Who is Jesus? They will also address the rich fellowship that believers enjoy in Christ, the biblical view of sin, and the precious liberty & forgiveness that we enjoy in Christ.
Pastor Sam and Mark conclude their study in Galatians. If you believe that becoming a child of God requires just a bit from you, Paul says you've made Christ of no value and now you must keep the whole law.
Pastor Sam and Mark continue their study in Galatians. This week we examine the great value of being declared a son or daughter of guard. The priceless inheritance that awaits us in beyond comprehension.
Pastor Sam and Mark continue their study in Galatians. Paul explains the theology behind the crisis. To revert and try to keep the law for salvation made what Christ has accomplished worth nothing.
Pastor Sam and Mark continue their study in Galatians. This time they turn their attention to what actually happened in Galatia. Paul was upset that they turned away from the gospel. Where? How? Come find out!
Pastor Sam and Mark begin a short study of the book of Galatians, a letter Paul wrote early in his ministry to a church whose actions had distressed him greatly. What caused the apostle to become so upset? Join us and find out.
Mark returns and joins Pastor Sam in discussing the the topic of how you deal with it when the hard news is for you instead of the person across from you? How does God fit in that picture?
Pastor Sam and Director of Student Ministries Will Buschmann continue their verse by verse Bible study with Mark chapter 16.
Pastor Sam and Director of Student Ministries Will Buschmann continue their verse by verse Bible study with Mark chapter 15.
Pastor Sam and Director of Student Ministries Will Buschmann continue their verse by verse Bible study on on Mark chapter 14.
Pastor Sam teams up with Director of Student Ministries Will Buschmann to tackle Mark chapter 14. This episode begins with the promised update on host Mark Lautenschlager.
Pastor Sam and Mark continue with the mission of Jesus. The destruction of the Temple, signs of the end of the age, signs of Jesus' return, the abomination of desolation, and no one knows the day or the hour.
Pastor Sam and Mark continue with the mission of Jesus. The parable of the tenants, render to Caesar what is his and to God what is his, marriage in heaven, and the widow's mites. Lots to talk about this week!
Pastor Sam and Mark continue with the mission of Jesus. The Triumphal Entry, a less or two about fig trees, a temple gets cleaned, and Jesus outsmarts some Pharisees. Come along for the ride!
Pastor Sam and Mark continue with the mission of Jesus. The Pharisees try to trick Jesus with a question about divorce. The faith of children is compared with that of the rich young man. And Blind Bartimaeus has his sight restored.
Pastor Sam and Mark reach the pivot point in our series from the Gospel of Mark, moving from the identity of Jesus to his mission. We've explored who Mark wanted us to know Jesus is and now we seek what Mark tells us Jesus does.
Pastor Sam and Mark reach the halfway point in this series, with the last chapter dealing with the identity of Jesus. This chapter has more iconic stories: the feeding of the 4,000, the two step healing of the blind man, and "who do you say I am?"
Pastor Sam and Mark reach the halfway point in this series, with the last chapter dealing with the identity of Jesus. This chapter has more iconic stories: the feeding of the 4,000, the two step healing of the blind man, and "who do you say I am?"
Pastor Sam and Mark are together again and go verse by verse through Mark chapter 7. Jesus begins serving notice that the old ways were done, and he was bringing a new order. It feels like big things are just around the corner!
Pastor Sam and his wife Laura are on the podcast this week, as Mark is out recuperating. They discuss the 6th chapter of Mark and explain what the stories contained there can tell us about the identity of Jesus. What kind of person is he?
Pastor Sam and Mark go through Mark chapter 5, where Jesus casts out the demon called Legion, the one who was many, and sends them into a herd of pigs. Following that, Jesus heals a woman from 12 years of suffering and raises a girl from the dead.
Pastor Sam and Mark discuss the 4th chapter of Mark's gospel, which contains a number of parables (which were covered recently in another series). They focus instead on what the parable tells us about the teacher. They close with Jesus calming the storm.
Pastor Sam and Mark study the third chapter of Mark to learn what they can about the identity of Jesus. Topics range from the Sabbath to the apostolic office and modern gifts of the Spirit to the question of whether there is an unforgiveable sin.
Pastor Sam and Will Buschmann take you through the second chapter of Mark's gospel, discovering what he tells us about the identity of Jesus. Who was he? What kind of person did he prove himself to be?
Pastor Sam and Mark start a new series from the Gospel of Mark. The first 8 weeks will discuss the identity of Jesus. Who does Mark show Jesus to be? The second 8 weeks are on the mission of Jesus. This is part one of a two part episode.
Pastor Sam and Mark start a new series from the Gospel of Mark. The first 8 weeks will discuss the identity of Jesus. Who does Mark show Jesus to be? The second 8 weeks are on the mission of Jesus. This is part two of a two part episode.
Pastor Sam and Mark discuss the story of Zacchaeus. Coming after an account of the Rich Ruler in Luke 18, this encounter between Zacchaeus and Jesus is definitely intended for us to see the contrast as we watch a rich man pass through the eye of a needle.
Pastor Sam and Mark discuss the case of someone who had it all—money, youth, power—and still found their life to be empty. He comes to Jesus, who tells him that he lacks just one thing. It's the same thing we have all lacked at one point in our life.
Pastor Sam and Mark discuss the Parable (maybe) of the Sheep and the Goats. Whether it's a parable or something else, it's the words of Jesus explaining how true faith should change the hearts of believers and what that should look like in their lives.
Pastor Sam and Mark discuss the Parable of the Wedding Feast from Matthew chapter 22. Here Jesus again warns the self-righteous and declares that God will pursue the wedding guests, welcoming the humble and removing the prideful.
Pastor Sam and Mark talk about the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Jesus wants us to be prepared for his return. Now is the time for faith and salvation, not when the bridegroom arrives. Because once the door to the wedding feast is closed, our time is up!
Pastor Sam and Mark have another doubleheader with two parables unique in that Jesus tells you what they are about before he tells the story: the Persistent Widow and the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. All right after the longest introduction in history.
Pastor Sam and Mark talk about the parable of the Friend at Midnight, where Jesus taught his disciples about prayer. The discussion begins with the topic of prayer generally, then covers the Lord's Prayer, before going through the parable.
Pastor Sam and Mark take on a topical doubleheader this week, discussing two parables: the Unjust Steward and the Ten Talents. The application of both is the same, Jesus wants his followers to use what he gives them wisely for the kingdom.
Pastor Sam and Mark discuss the Parable of the Rich Fool, one of many parables about money Jesus told. Jesus discussed money more than he spoke about faith and prayer combined, because he knew how dangerously seductive it could be to our hearts.
Pastor Sam and Mark on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. They work through the context and setting for this story, then make some modern day application from it. Ultimately, Jesus is the greater Good Samaritan and sets the example for us.
Pastor Sam and Mark begin with the Parable of the Two Builders, continue by discussing Paul's letter on building on the foundation that is Jesus Christ, and conclude in John's Gospel with the connection between loving Jesus and keeping his commandments.