River Oaks Table Talk

In verses 11 and 12 of chapter 4, Paul teaches the Thessalonians to avoid unruly lives and to “mind your own affairs.” He encourages diligent work as part of a believer's witness to a watching world. 

In verses 9 and 10 of chapter 4, Paul gets back to his emphasis on loving one another. The Thessalonians were known for their love toward other beilevers, and Paul wants them to keep growing in this.  

In verses 7-8 of chapter 4, Paul continues his emphasis on sanctification and his stern warning about sexual sin. He notes that to disobey in this area is to sin against God, “who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” 

In verses 3-6 of chapter 4, the apostle Paul addresses sanctification – the process by which God makes a believer increasingly holy. Paul strongly warns against sexual sin, and notes that the Lord is “an avenger” in cases of adultery.

In verses 1-2 of chapter 4, the apostle Paul points to a life of increase – abounding in spiritual growth – for every believer. We should never stop growing to know God better and love Him more.

In the latter half of verse 3:13, Paul notes his anticipation of the Lord's return.  This coming reality shapes his thinking and his vision for ministry. It should shape ours as well 

In verses 11-13 of chapter 3, the apostle Paul gives a “benedictory prayer” – a blessing mixed with prayer – for the Thessalonians.  His words provide a beautiful model prayer that we can pray for ourselves or others.

In verses 6-10 of chapter 3, Paul expresses his relief that the Thessalonian believers were doing well spiritually. But Paul does not intend to cease praying for them; rather, he is praying “earnestly night and day.” 

In verses 4 and 5 of chapter 3, Paul continues to express his concern for the Thessalonians. He notes the spiritual danger they may face when “the tempter” seeks to destroy their faith.

In verses 1-3 of chapter 3, the apostle Paul expresses his great concern for the faith of the new believers in Thessalonica because of their suffering. Paul reminds them that believers in Jesus are “destined” for such suffering.

In the final verses of chapter 2 (verses 17-20), the apostle Paul again points to the reality of Jesus' second coming. He notes his own joyful anticipation of the Lord's return 

In verse 13 of chapter 2, the apostle Paul points to the power of God's Word to effect change in our lives. In verses 14-16, Paul notes the importance of persevering through suffering.

Verses 9-12 of chapter 2 present another metaphor for effective disciple-making – that of a father instructing and guiding his children.

Verses 5-8 of chapter 2 present a touching picture of gently caring for those who are new in their faith.

Verses 1-4 of chapter 2 address our motives – are we aspiring to please people or to please God?

Verses 9 - 10 point to the importance of expectantly waiting for the return of Jesus.

Verses 6-8 focus on the importance of living our faith before others as good and godly examples.

Verses 4 and 5 touch on what it means to be loved and “chosen” by God.

Verses 2 and 3 of chapter one reveal three marks of a growing believer in Christ.

The first episode in this podcast series focuses on 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and introduces us to this remarkable book. Emphasis is placed on what it means to be “in Christ.” 

A new podcast by Pastor David Beaty begins Monday, February 2. These weekday episodes will go verse by verse through 1 and 1 Thessalonians as a supplement to our sermon series and small group study Stand Strong: Everyday Faith in Light of Eternity. 

Hello friends! This week David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Martin Harrison as we finish our study in Luke chapter 24, "The Resurrection". Here we explore the different events that occurred around the resurrection of our Lord. This week's Essential Moment focuses on the Resurrection.

Hello friends! This week David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Bella Tisdale as we continue our study in Luke chapter 23, "Jesus on the Cross". Here we explore the different events happening during the greatest moment in human history, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This week's Essential Moment focuses on the death of Jesus.

Hello friends! This week Pastors David Holcomb and Andrew Wild sit with special guest Dave Steward as we continue our study in Luke chapter 23, "Jesus' Trial". Here we get a good background and understanding of the steps that lead to a trial in which an innocent man receives the death penalty, and a guilty man is released from his. This week's Essential Moment focuses on Substitutionary Atonement.

Hello friends! This week Pastors David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Kelly Sweet as we continue our study in Luke chapter 22 with "Peter's Denial." Here we learn about Christ's forgiveness and restoration despite our deepest failures and this week's Essential Moment discovers the reality of Satan.

Hello friends! This week David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Billy Bowen as we continue our study in Luke chapter 22, the 'The Last Supper'. Here we learn about the meaning and significance of Communion. This week's Essential Moment is on the celebration of "Communion".

Hello friends! This week David Holcomb and Andrew Wild sit with special guest Susan Scott as we continue our study in Luke chapter 21, the 'widow's offering'. Here we learn the value of giving from the heart. This week's Essential Moment is on the meaning of "Redeemed".

Hello friends! This week David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Ed Chappelle as we continue our study in the gospel of Luke with chapter 20 and the parable of the wicked tenants. Here we learn the value of receiving Jesus as "the Cornerstone" and ultimately the Christ! This week's Essential Moment is on the meaning of "The Christ." What does Christ mean? Is it Jesus' last name, just a title, or does it reveal more?

Hello friends! This week pastors David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Carol Bonner as we continue our study in Luke chapter 19, the parable of the ten minas. As we dive into Jesus' teaching here on the Kingdom of God, we will discuss the current moving of the Holy Spirit in our nation, the meditative season of Lent, and the wonderful teaching on Sunday from Pastor David Beaty on Kingdom Stewardship. The Essential Moment this week is on the meaning of "The Kingdom of God."

Hello friends! This week Pastors David Holcomb and David Beaty sit with special guest Nathan Tuttle and take a deeper dive into the sermon from Sunday. As we continue in our "Certainty" series on the Gospel of Luke, this week we are looking at Luke Chapter 18 and discussing how saving faith is recognized. Our "Essential Moment" focuses on salvation.

Welcome back to Table Talk! This week David Holcomb and David Beaty kick off the 5th season of the podcast as we continue our Certainty study in Luke chapter 18.The conversation introduces the final set of messages in this study of Luke, then digs into Luke 18:1-17, the text in Part Four / Unit One of the small group / sermon guide, 'Approaching God.' Concluding the time together, is a new segment of the weekly Table Talk episode, an Essential Moment! Each week we will look at a key biblical / theological understanding of the weekly passage and attempt to break it down. This week's Essential Moment is on the meaning of being "justified" (justification), as seen in Luke 18:14.  

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Shirilee Little. Together they open Luke 17 and talk about faith, trust, obedience, gratitude, and more on this week's Table Talk!

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Daniel Pulliam. Together they discuss Luke 16 and answer questions on the challenging topic of money and eternity.

This special edition of Table Talk was recorded LIVE from the River Oaks Community Church sanctuary.  Join Pastor David Holcomb, Pastor Andrew Wild, and Deacon Alan Bentley at the table as they take a deeper dive into Luke Chapter 15 and the "lost and found" parables.

Welcome back to another episode of Table Talk! Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Campbell McClain as they tackle tough questions on the cost of discipleship and give practical insight on how to stay a salty Christian.

Welcome back to another episode of Table Talk! Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Bezily Varghese, as they discuss this week's sermon on Luke chapter 14. This is a powerful episode as they answer some thoughtful questions, and bring to light some historic and cultural realities that Jesus' parables would have addressed. All of this and more on this week's Table Talk!

Welcome back to another episode of Table Talk! Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Lesley Steward. Together they break down Jesus' teachings in Luke 13, concentrating especially on repentance and Christ's warning of the narrow door. Tune in as they tackle challenging topics, ask some thought-provoking questions, and more on this week's Table Talk!

Welcome back to another episode of Table Talk! Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb and this week's special guest Natalie Jungles. Together they unpack this week's sermon topic in Luke chapter 12 as they explore what it means to be watchful and expectant for Christ's return.

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Pebbles Forbus. Together they break down Jesus' teaching on anxiety and worry as well as what He taught concerning wealth and riches. Tune in for some practical instruction, thoughtful answers to challenging questions, and more on this week's Table Talk!

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, & this week's special guest, Micah Senga. Together they dissect more of Luke chapter 11 and discuss the various layers, interpretations, and lessons here as Christ calls us to repentance. All of this and more on this week's Table Talk!

Welcome back to our fourth season of Table Talk! Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, and this week's special guest, Connor Jones. Together they dive into Christ's instruction in the Gospel of Luke to His disciples on how to pray, expand on some powerful points made during this week's sermon, and answer some profound questions from our listeners.

Today's scripture reference: Luke ch10 v25-37 - "Who Is My Neighbor?” Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Dan Fritz, as they discuss one of the more well-known parables in Scripture, the Good Samaritan.  Reflect on questions submitted by our viewers ... Is showing mercy really the only thing necessary for eternal life? Why did Jesus "ignore" the Samaritans in Mathew's Gospel, but teach a lesson for which he is the hero in Luke's? And am I (you) really your brother's keeper? It's the final episode of the "Part Two" of Luke's Gospel before River Oaks takes a summer intermission. We will be back around the table to pick up Luke 11 in the fall. Email us your questions at TableTalk@RiverOaksChurch.org

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Jennifer Schurman, as they discuss one of the more well-known passages for how to "go with a mission."  Of interest this week is the general instruction from Jesus to the disciples, whether it was 70 or 72 of them. But also the teaching for handling both rejection and success. All of this and more on this week's Table Talk. 

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & this week's special guest, Jon Schurman, as they discuss one of the more perplexing passages of Luke's Gospel record, the transfiguration of Jesus. Why were Moses and Elijah present?  Was it really Moses and Elijah? And while Peter seems to make an honorable, worshipful, well-intentioned suggestion, God interrupts him with an extremely important correction. All of this and more on this week's Table Talk. 

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, & this week's special guest, Elizabeth Carlson, as they discuss one of the more intriguing passages within Luke's record of the life and ministry of Jesus. The disciples join Jesus on a boat ride (a turbulent one at that), which docks near the village tombs on the other side of the lake. Approached by a demon-possessed man for whom Jesus would deliver from his demons and send them, upon their own request, into a herd of pigs for a high dive into deep water. What possibly could we have to talk about this week?   

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, & this week's special guest, Wil Warren, as they discuss one of the more beautiful (and bizarre) episodes within Luke's record of the life and ministry of Jesus. A dinner party hosted at a Pharisee's home. Invited guest at table, observers along the walls. When out of nowhere a woman of ill repute approaches Jesus. Can you imagine what everyone is thinking? What is she going to do? What will Jesus say? What is so incredibly convicting and encouraging to what we discover? Take a seat at the table and reflect with us as together we pursue a deeper learning, loving, and living out of God's Word.  

Pull up a chair and join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, & this week's special guest, Pebbles Forbus, as they discuss two specific episodes of healing in the life and ministry of Jesus; a centurion's servant and a widow's son. Consider with our table panel the significance of these healings, not simply the physical miracles, but the message, or sign, for which Jesus was teaching in the moment. What is it about the authority and power of the words of Jesus? What was it about the centurion that made Jesus "marvel" at him? How could Jesus touch the "bier" and not become defiled? Let's talk about these and more! 

Pull up a chair to join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, & this week's special guest, John Attinello, as they reflect on the second half of Jesus' great teaching, as recorded by Luke and sometimes referred to as the Sermon on the Plain. In part one, Jesus had laid out some challenging warnings and instructions relative to love as a Kingdom ethic and what constitutes blessed or woeful life. Now, by way of parables and further instruction on judgment, Jesus concludes the message and the people return home. Were they changed? Were they committed to following him as disciples? What would they tell their friends? This and more on this week's Table Talk. 

Join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & Fran Crew in this week's Look @ Luke, as they discuss Jesus' "Great Sermon", sometimes referred to as the "Sermo on the Plain". They answer a viewer's question about the difference between the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven" and also dive deeper into the geographical location of where this great sermon of Jesus may have taken place.

Join David Holcomb, Andrew Wild, & Mike Gowen in this week's Look at Luke, as they reflect on the responses Jesus provides religious leaders who question his actions on the Sabbath and consider the implications for how followers of Jesus might approach Sabbath today. The conversation is intended to encourage everyone to think about their posture toward God's gift of rest and commandment of faith. And besides, you never know when you might be passing through a field of wheat (grain, corn) on an empty stomach …  

Join David Holcomb, David Beaty, & Allison Reid, in this week's Look @ Luke, as they reflect on Jesus' ministry of healing. They address a viewer question regarding the trustworthiness of preachers who promise healings to large groups of people including those that are often televised. They also discuss the Pharisees and how even though they are often depicted in an unfavorable way in Scripture, maybe they don't deserve such a bad reputation.  Pull up a chair and listen in as we grow together in the loving, learning, and living out of God's Word.