River of Life Church Sauk Centre (Audio)

Guest speaker Paul Hurckman shares what God is doing around the world and how God is inviting us to be a part of God's work in impactful ways.

Life is full of challenges, but how we respond makes all the difference. When we face trials, we have a choice: to grow bitter with resentment or to lean into gratitude.

He is risen! The tomb is empty, and hope is alive. Jesus conquered death, and because He lives, we have new life. Celebrate the victory!

The innocent for the guilty. The righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus saw us as the reward for His suffering. Pause and reflect on the price He paid—for you.

Disappointment comes when our reality doesn't match our expectations. Life can be full of those moments—when things don't turn out the way we hoped, and sometimes, that disappointment is even directed at God. The same was true for the people in Jesus' day. They expected a powerful king, but instead, they got a suffering Savior. What do we do with our disappointments? How do we respond when life lets us down—and could trusting God's plan, even when it doesn't match ours, lead to deeper faith and unexpected hope?

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus feeds over 5,000 people with just a small boy's lunch. What seemed small became more than enough in His hands. This story reminds us that God can do far more with what we give Him than we ever could on our own.

Have you ever counted down the days to a vacation, only to return just as exhausted as before? We long for the moment we can finally take a break—from work, responsibilities, and the chaos of everyday life. But when that break comes, it never seems to be enough. Before we know it, we're overwhelmed all over again. Jesus offers a deeper kind of rest—not just in moments of escape, but in the middle of our work, our struggles, and our everyday lives.

We've all been there—too much to do, not enough time, unexpected bad news, financial stress, or family struggles. When life feels like it's too much, how should we respond?

As Christians and as a church, we must be mindful of our tendency to drift spiritually. How can we combat complacency and continue to move forward in our relationship with God?

It is possible to be completely saved but not completely free. What does it look like or mean to live in freedom and walk in God's authority?

Statistically, many in our churches today have faced or been affected by abortion personally. Like many difficult topics, it's not just about what we believe but how we respond to those around us. How should the church faithfully uphold truth while extending grace and compassion?

The Church has often struggled with how to respond to issues of homosexuality and gender in a biblical way. Unfortunately, many Christians aren't even sure what the Bible actually says on the subject. So, what does Scripture teach, and how should we engage with those around us with both truth and grace?

How should Christians respond to deportations? More than a political issue, this is about people—people who need Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are called to see them with love, compassion, and a heart for the Gospel.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul gives us an illustration about the pursuit of victory in life. Just as athletes train and strive to win a crown that eventually fades, we too can work hard to achieve success—but in the end, those rewards are only temporary. Instead, we should be chasing something that actually lasts, something with eternal value, rather than just things that won't matter in the long run.

The Bible shows us  that a pastor's calling is not just to reach the lost but to equip the church for ministry. A pastor's role is to train and empower every believer to serve. We are all ministers, called to bring God's love to those around us.

It's easy for church to become a personal experience—focusing only on what we get out of it—while losing sight of those around us who also need God and a church family. But God's heart is for everyone to know Him. Do we share that same desire for those who are still searching for Him?

Today we welcome missionary guest Greg Colegrove with Convoy of Hope. He shares a message of the importance of investing in what really matters. There are so many demands and distractions in life, it's easy to spend our time on things that don't truly matter. Are we investing in what will last?

Deep down, we all desire to be better at prayer and to spend more time with God. However, many times we find ourselves distracted, unsure of how to pray, or even doubting its effectiveness. Something so vital to following God often feels so difficult. So, how can we make prayer a bigger part of our relationship with Him?

It's difficult to make room for God when our lives are overflowing with busyness. Fasting is a way to intentionally remove distractions and create space for Him. As we experience physical hunger during a fast, it serves as a powerful reminder of our deeper spiritual hunger and need for God's presence in our lives.

Christmas is a season of wonder and joy, but all too often, it passes quickly, and we return to our everyday routines, leaving that joy behind. As we step into the new year, may we discover a wonder that extends beyond Christmas—a wonder rooted in all that God has done for us. Let us be reminded that God's peace never ends.

Jesus brings peace! The beauty of His peace lies not in the absence of struggles but in His presence within those struggles.

The Wisemen might seem like an unusual choice for God to invite to worship Him. Yet, God's wonder transcends our expectations of who should or could worship Him. This Christmas, may we open our hearts to the wonder of God that can fill every person.

When Jesus was born, God didn't choose kings or religious leaders to share the news—He chose everyday, hardworking shepherds. Discover how God awakens us to the wonder of His plan!

The Christmas story is filled with wonder—God using unlikely people, like Mary, to give birth to Jesus, and the shepherds and wise men coming to worship Him. Yet, it is also marked by suffering: Mary's pregnancy in a hyper-religious culture, the journey to Bethlehem, and fleeing from Herod. Similarly, when we choose to follow God and allow Him to work through us, we will inevitably face opposition from the world.

Have you ever been in wonder of something—the Grand Canyon, the northern lights, or towering buildings? That initial sense of awe is unforgettable, but over time, we often lose that wonder. Our prayer for you this season is that you never lose the wonder of Christmas and all that God has done!

Pornography is everywhere—on our screens, in our culture, and often in plain sight. It's a problem that's been normalized but carries devastating consequences, destroying marriages, careers, and lives. So, how can someone break free from this cycle of addiction and find hope and healing with God?

In this new message series, we're tackling some of the tough topics in today's culture and exploring what the Bible has to say about them. This week, we're focusing on alcohol—what Scripture teaches and how we can respond in a way that honors God and reflects His wisdom.

In the Bible, Jesus focused on the people that didn't know the love of God. Following his example, River of Life Church is an outward focused church. That is why we are Kingdom Builders! We financially give passionately and generously, above our regular tithes and offerings, to vetted organizations that help build the kingdom of God Locally, Globally and in the Future Generations.

Today, we're honored to have our guest speaker, Chris Pruett, with us. He reminds us of a powerful truth: it's easier to raise a generation than to change one. In a world where everyone is competing for influence over our kids—and over us—it's more important than ever that our kids know who they can trust and where they truly belong. And that place is with Jesus.

Many of us have the desire to grow closer to God, but also experience the frustration  when our efforts fall short. Rather than relying just on our own strength, we need to train our mind, body, and spirit to pursue God intentionally and partner with Him. By practicing spiritual disciplines daily, we can develop a deeper relationship with God—much like an athlete training for a marathon, preparing for what is ahead.

What you believe shapes the way you think, and your repeated actions shape your behavior. If you truly want lasting change in your life, you need to address both. Simply thinking or knowing the right things isn't enough—it's about putting what you know into practice.

Most of us try to avoid discomfort at all costs. We have heated and cooled seats in our cars, we rarely go hungry, and we pretty much never have to go without. But have you ever thought about how all this comfort might be holding us back? The truth is, if we're always staying in our comfort zones and avoiding challenges, we're not really growing. The Bible reminds us that it's through the struggles and trials in life that our character is shaped and our faith gets stronger.

Community is essential for our spiritual growth, but it's about more than just showing up to church on Sundays! We need real, intentional relationships that help us heal from our past and draw closer to God. It's in those deeper connections where we find support, encouragement, and a place to grow.

How do we live like Jesus? How do we actually do what he did? As the church, we are called to not only follow Jesus in spirit but we are called continue his work on earth as it is in heaven. This means healing the sick, praying for the lost, opening up our homes and our lives to those far from God. The end goal is to do what he did.

Today we explore how the world around us influences who we become, often without us realizing it. From where we live to the people we spend time with, these factors shape us. But Romans 12 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of the world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Becoming more like Jesus is a lifelong journey of surrender.

If we want to become like Jesus or do the things that he did, we first need to be with him. This is the baseline for following Jesus.

In this message, we kick off our new series, "Practicing the Way," inspired by John Mark Comer's book with the same title. We'll unpack what it really means to FOLLOW Jesus as His apprentice. We'll explore Jesus' call to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did, and how this ancient practice still applies to our lives today. Join us to learn how to live more closely with Jesus and grow in His ways!

How do you stand up in a culture you don't agree with? Today we looked at three examples in the book of Daniel where people did just that. Taking a stand against evil may look different that we think.

Politicians use all sorts of tactics and language to get us to believe we are at war against the other side. Are we at war? If so, who is our enemy...and what does it look like to take a stand like Ephesians 6 tells us to?

What we believe shapes how we live, but too often, Christians rely more on cultural opinions than on the Bible. Understanding God and living out our faith correctly demands a deep, personal engagement with Scripture. 

Our natural tendency is to lean either towards grace or towards truth, but when we do, we get it wrong. Scripture tells us that Jesus came full of both grace and truth. As His church, we are called to uphold both in everything we do!

The Good News of Salvation is a beautiful gift meant for everyone, but how can someone accept this gift if we don't go and tell them about it? The message of Jesus was meant to be shared to those around us. We must be living out our faith and telling of God's love for people. 

Throughout the Bible we see God places his favor on people to carry out his plans and further the Kingdom of God. God's favor is still available today! This week we look at what God's favor is and how we walk in it.

Without praise in our life we are missing something that is foundational in the Christian life. See how powerful praising God at all times can impact not only your life, but the church as a whole!

God wants to change the way you think because your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. If you want to change your life, you need to change the way you think and replace it with God's truth.

Asking God for help is just the beginning. Real change happens when we also take action and stop living in the same old patterns—life change is a partnership with God.

God wants to change your life! He wants to give you hope, heal your brokenness, and give you purpose. We first have to allow give Him permission to heal the deepest parts of us.

We all have something in our life we wish was not there—something we did, said, or continue to do. In other words we are ALL broken people, but God loves broken things and makes them beautiful! 

We often want to make a name for ourselves, that is the American dream! However, letting go of our own ambitions and focusing on what God wants for us, we find a deep, lasting sense of purpose.

Life is full of different seasons, but what are we suppose to do when we find ourselves between seasons and feel lost or confused with what to do next?

Have you ever wanted to experience and hear from God more? What if that was possible; are you willing to make a place to stay for God?