River of Life Sermons

In a world obsessed with charisma, talent, and public image. God prioritizes your internal character. Pastor Darren focuses this with three key topics: Righteousness, Integrity and Humility. We cannot pass on what we don't possess. Choosing the Jesus way, we can't do by ourselves, we need His help.

Pastor Josiah points out that each of us will leave 2 legacies: the worldly, and the Heavenly. Which legacy will you be remembered for? Jesus commands his followers to obey his commandments and strive to fulfill the "Great Commission", with a sense of urgency. We are to be active participants in sharing the Gospel, reflective in our words AND actions.

Simon Hoeppner, a candidate for a position on staff with RoL, shares his testimony, emphasizing that, if we are obedient to God's leading, He often guides us in directions that we had not considered, but yet are blessed evermore than we could have imagined.

Nevine Bebawi is RoL's cnadidate for the part-time position of "Connections and Discipleship Pastor". Today Nevine's shares her testimony and God's calling. She sums it in the simple phrase "Life is ministry and ministry is life".

The Adult and Teen Challenge team from Yarrow, joined RoL this Sunday morning and shared about the recovery program, highlighted by the testimonies by two of the men, showing the powerful work of God in their recovery from addiction.

Each one of us will leave a legacy, whether intentional or not. Pastor Darren starts the "Leaving a Legacy" series with a call to leave a legacy of loving God, teaching His ways through words and actions.

Pastor Darren wraps up the series "More than Just Words", a study on the book of James, with James' exhortation to the practice and power of the prayers of a "righteous" follower of Jesus. Darren points out statistically, the practice of prayer plays a small role for most Canadians. He encourages the congregation, as followers of Jesus, to examine our own prayer life, and what it may imply of our devotion to Jesus Christ.

Pastor Abraham shares of updates in HIM - Hope India Mission. HIM is one of the missions which RoL supports. And while there are "success stories" in the parts of India which are most hostile to the Christian church, Pastor Abraham emphasizes that we are all called to the mission field, whether overseas, or right next door.

The patience James is calling on followers of Jesus is an attitude of "self-restraint". It starts with an inner attitude with the Holy Spirit's help. Pastor Darren unpacks this passage and how we can apply it in today's social and cultural setting.

James' warning to people who make the pursuit of wealth their god, rather than Jesus. He points out that all they have will rot away. They will be severely judged by God for their pursuit of wealth at the expense and unfair treatment of others. Pastor Darren unpacks this passage and its implications in today's society and culture.

Pastor Darren recounts the legitimacy of Jesus Christ's resurrection. "He is Risen!"

Today's service began with congregational sharing of how God is actively working through testimonies of answered and requested prayers healing, of praise, and the sending out the Hungry for Life team to Ukraine. Pastor Darren then led us to the significance of Palm Sunday, the beginning of The Holy Week. The Jewish people were anticipating a Messiah, to save them from oppression, yet Jesus came to save us from so much more. Are you anticipating Jesus' return? Who is Jesus to you?

Cyrus Centre Ministries is a faith-based, non-profit organization providing 24 hour shelter, support, and services to youth aged 12-24 who are without a safe and stable place to live. CCM is one of the missions groups RoL partners with. Guest speaker Maren Kroeker gives an overview and gives examples of their work in the communities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

James writes bluntly to his readers/listeners, that the root of all quarrels and fights is driven by the selfish ambitions in our hearts. How can we overcome the battle between the desires of this world and our desire to serve God? Pastor Darren breaks down this passage to show that the only way to overcome is to submit ourselves to God and let the Holy Spirit transform our hearts.

James points out the foolishness and arrogance in making plans without acknowledging God's will. Every moment of our days are given by the grace of God. Pastor Darren encourages RoL to include Him in our plans and activities.

The heart influences all we think, choices we make, our beliefs, our emotions, our spirituality. Guest speaker Ron Friesen explains the three positions of the heart: the blessed heart, the broken heart, and the Babylon heart. He teaches on how we ought to guard our hearts with: the Gospel, the Scriptures, and with gratitude.

After a time of congregational sharing of how God had revealed Himself in their lives, Pastor Josiah led a brief devotional and time of directed praying with the RoL attenders

What is wisdom, and where does it come from? James delineates wisdom from two sources. Earthly wisdom which originates from bitter envy and selfish ambitions, and heavenly, godly wisdom which is generated by "He" (God) focused, and not "me" focused. James challenges us to have a "heart-check" and search out the 'end-goal'. Jesus modeled out true wisdom. As followers of Jesus, we must choose the "Jesus Way".

James comes to the crux of the message in his letter. "Your faith is proven by your actions." Intellectual knowledge of Jesus and his values is not enough. Your faith is proven by your motivation. Are your "good works" the result of trying to gain favour from God, or the result of thankfulness in receiving God's favour?

James marks the gravity of favoritism comparing it with adultery and murder. Pastor Josiah challenges the listeners to evaluate our motivation in how we treat others. Is it driven by our selfish ambitions or by serving others in action to those who cannot return the favour.

James compares the practice of listening yet not obeying with the irony of looking into a mirror and forgetting what you see. Jesus calls us to be obedient, To be "other-focused" and not "self-focused". We are to follow His teaching - "hear the Word, live the Word, and do not forget the Word".

Pastor Darren starts a new series called "More than Just Words" with an introduction to the letter of James. In it, we learn that Jesus calls on Jesus' followers to consider trials because of their faith, with joy. The challenges we face in this life are easier to face when we view them from an eternal perspective.

Paul closes his letter to the churches of Galatia with an exhortation that only Jesus is necessary for salvation, nothing else. He adds however, to be ready for persecution, when it comes. Pastor Darren challenges you to examine your own belief - is it really only Jesus? Are you ready for persecution, WHEN it comes?

An evening of celebrating the birth of Christ through song, and a short devotional by Pastor Darren about the angels who spoke to certain people (Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) proclaiming their part of the Christmas story

From Luke's account,, the crowds in Bethlehem as well as the innkeeper, appeared too busy to notice the significance of the birth of Jesus. How busy are you this Christmas Season? Pastor Darren urges us to slow down, make room for Jesus, and share Him with others.

In the second of the series, Not Just the Shepherds, we look at Simeon and Anna, two worshippers with different back-stories, yet both waiting for the promised Messiah. Both expressed feeling peace in the assurance that God keeps His promises.

Pastor Darren begins the Advent series "Not Just the Shepherds, Others in the Christmas Story" by looking at some of the other significant people in the Christmas story and their role in it, in this message he speaks of King Herod.

Vic and Sharon Rempel, and Cynthia Mushaluk share of their time with the Hungry for Life Ukraine retreat house as they served as "cooks and tour guides" offering a time of respite to groups of mostly women and children who have lost loved ones in the tragedy of the on-going war.

Who do you have in your circle of relationships for encouragement and accountability? Paul teaches on the importance of genuine, honest relationships in growing/maturing as followers of Jesus Christ.

In Galatians, the apostle Paul speaks of the freedom that followers of Jesus have by His grace. That freedom, however must be tempered between law and lawlessness. This is only possible with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Josiah unpacks this in Week 6 of the "Only Jesus" series.

Guest Speaker Jon Pasiuk explores the challenging question of why Jesus performs some miracles and not others? What is Jesus' motivation/purpose in providing his miracles? Jon points to the context/setting of the miracle, and how Jesus uses it to speak to His greater objective.

As followers of Jesus, we are heirs of our Father's Kingdom. The guarantee of this promise is that believers of Jesus Christ is the indwelling of Holy Spirit Pastor Darren challenges us to identify "who/what is our #1?" Is our trust in Jesus or in someone or something else?

Paul challenges the Apostle Peter for his hypocrisy in adding Jewish practices to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul asserts that it Jesus, and only Jesus Christ through whom salvation is given.

RoL celebrates Thanksgiving 2025 with congregational sharing, commissioning of the latest Ukrainian Missions Team, and Communion, remembering with thanksgiving for the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sake.

Paul's insistence that the Gospel News is for everyone, challenges our own perception of who "qualifies" as a follower of Jesus and who does not. Are we adding "conditions" to belonging in His Kingdom? Pastor Darren challenges: "Is there a person or people group that God is calling you to share the Gospel with?

Paul emphasizes that his salvation faith was accomplished only by the power and initiative of Jesus. Nothing more needed to be added or changed. Pastor Darren emphasizes that if Saul/ Paul could be changed, no one on earth is beyond redemption by the power of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Darren introduces the 8 week series on the letter to the churches planted in Galatia by Paul the Apostle. Paul passionately calls the Galatians back to the true gospel, warning them not to fall into legalism. He teaches that salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned by works, and urges believers to live lives marked by love, guided by the Holy Spirit.

We kick off the RoL calendar year with Pastor Darren reviews our Mission Statement "We exist to help people experience full life as Jesus Christ intended", focusing on the three pillars of our faith: 1. Love God 2. Growing together 3. Reaching the World

After a time of congregational sharing of God's blessing and working amongst his people, RoL acknowledges the retirement of George and Dora Hoeppner and thankfulness for their many years of service at RoL. Pastor Darren then leads RoL in congregational prayer.

Jon Pasiuk draws from Psalm 127:1-2, Solomon's instruction to rest/sleep with confidence and assurance that God is sovereign and He promises to look after/protect His loved ones.

Barry McLeod shares of his ministry and experiences with the "Youth Unlimited" - Mission team, providing support, housing and consul to homeless and vulnerable youth in our communities. Using Acts 2:4-2-47, he emphasizes the characteristics of the early church, and how we can better incorporate them in our own church body/community.

Lucas Bosma uses the example from the life of Old Testament prophet Daniel, to illustrate God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, which serves as an encouragement and admonishment in our own life choices.

Guest Speaker Scott Gaglardi, executive director of Ruth and Naomi's Mission, shares of its ministry and in partnership with local churches, to Chilliwack's vulnerable and homeless population. He reads from Acts 12 and Isaiah 58:6-7 and teaches that God isn't asking us to wait for a miracle, He tells us to be part of His miracles.

Zac Wallace teaches on the follower of Jesus' response to the incredible gift of God's mercy. We are called to resist the pressures of current culture and society, but to allow our minds, our motivation for the choices we take, to be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Paul, the author of the book of Galatians, exhorts the readers (hearers) of his letter to use their new-found freedom in Christ to humbly serve one another in love, rather than their inherent sinful nature. To "love your neighbour as yourself", is to deny your pride and seek opportunities to humbly serve others with the spirit of love.

Guest Speaker Danny Unruh teaches Jesus' commands of "turning the other cheek" as would understood by his audience, the Jewish people.

Rodney Wiebe, a director at Bethesda Christian Association (an organization that nurtures a community of belonging for all abilities) shares of his personal story of raising 2 sons with fragile x syndrome. What do the Scriptures say about the premise that all humans are created in the image of God, and inclusive of belonging in the Kingdom of God?

Simon Hoeppner continues his study on "The Suffering Servant" using the example of Philip who explains the passage of Isaiah 53 to the Ethiopian. Simon teaches that this shows God cares for the individual, not just the many. We are called by the Holy Spirit to be bold and obedient to His prompting, ready to respond to the Gospel.

Simon Hoeppner teaches of "The Servant" prophesized by Isaiah, points to Jesus, who lived on earth 700 years later. Simon encourages to read the Old Testament as more than just a historical textbook, it is alive and active, and has meaning for us today just as it spoke to the Israelites, 2700 years ago,

RoL concludes a 4 year series on the book of Luke with Jesus blessing his disciples and his ascension to heaven. Pastor Darren challenges us if we really believe what we read in Luke's gospel, it should impact the way we live our lives. Our response to God for who He is and what He has done, should be joy-filled worship.

After his crucifixion and death, Jesus proves to his disciples that his resurrection body is real, by allowing them to touch his body and eating food with them. We also need to choose whether we believe in Jesus' claim that he is the resurrected Christ. the Messiah, God in the flesh and are we willing to commit our lives to Him?