Rivercrest Presbyterian Church's Podcast

Jesus gives us a profession, promise, and pathway for discipleship. Everyone must address the question that Jesus poses to His disciples; "Who do you say I am?". Knowing He is the Christ of God, the disciples follow Jesus but don't fully know what He means when talking about His death on the cross. As we pursue the pathway of Jesus, we are to pick up our crosses daily and follow Him in complete surrender, open hearts, and forgiveness.

Jesus sends out his disciples with the priority and task of sharing the gospel. Just like Christ, the disciples are to go and tell of the good news of eternal life. As 5,000 people gather to hear Jesus teach, they are amazed as all are fed from an initial meal of five loaves of bread and two fish. There is always enough room and food at the King's Table, available for everyone who believes and trusts in Him for salvation. Jesus can do a lot with a little, an encouraging truth for us today.

A woman is healed and a young girl is raised to life. Jesus is the only one who can do such miracles. There is no physician, no medicine, no cure to death and the pangs of this life except in Christ. He is gracious and willing to heal, intent on having a personal relationship with those He saves. It's by faith these women are made well; the same is true for us today.

Jesus calms a storm. In this miraculous event, Jesus is with His disciples, understands their feelings, and quickly rebukes the storm so it ceases. Then He asks them, "Where is your faith?". The same question is for us today. Who do we trust in? Where is our hope? Where is our faith? May it be in the One who is powerful enough to calm powerful storms, to heal and restore, and to rise again from the grave.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus is explaining the importance of receiving the gospel message. The sower, who is Christ, and the seed, which is the gospel, are constant and true. It's the soils the seed lands on that are different; the hearts of everyone who hears. 

Jesus is a friend of sinners, drawing close to us and extending grace. Though the woman is known to be sinful, she approaches Jesus with humility and faith, while Simon the Pharisee treated Jesus as if he doesn't need Him. There is no one too sinful for God's grace, and no one too far from the feet of Jesus.

Jesus is a good friend, one who reminds John and others of the eternal hope and healing they have in Him by faith. John the Baptist gets high praise from Jesus above all other people, and still as he sits in prison he doubts the Messiah. And it's Jesus' response that is remarkable; He is gentle and patient. The same is true for us in our doubts, that our Great Friend is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and He hears our doubts and loves us still.

In two accounts, Jesus heals and helps loved ones of individuals. For the centurion it was his beloved servant, and for the widow it was her only son. Jesus marvels at the faith of the centurion, healing his servant from afar with authority. It's a testament to how powerful and capable Jesus is in our helplessness. And then Jesus sees the mother in tears and has compassion on her. In a powerful display of connection and love, Jesus comforts her and raises her son to life again, all pointing towards the sacrifice He would make as God's only Son so that all who have faith in Him will live. Jesus has compassion for the hurting, broken, and suffering; and in grace He's redeeming.

Over and above the shine of worldly trinkets, our Heavenly Father, our kind and loving Father has the good gifts of restoration, and life, and eternity for us. We can't get blinded by the counterfeit gods of the world like money, and comfort, and security. These are fleeting. But we must remember that our Savior is here with us. May we be found here with Him!

To be a disciple of Christ we must know Jesus, become like Jesus, and act as Jesus did. He prays, He unifies, He helps, He gives hope. The apostles and the great crowds all go to Him because there is no other person in which they can live. Christians today are to live in the same manner, showing their faith to a watching world.

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, He is the Law-Giver, the Healer, and the Son of Man. Accused and despised by the Pharisees, Jesus does what is right in their midst even though they believe His actions during the Sabbath are against the law. They are blind to Him and His mission; to seek and save the lost. Today, we can be blinded too. It's important for Christians to intentionally have time with the Lord, to rest in Him, to follow after Christ.

Jesus cleanses a leper and gives mobility back to a paralyzed man. These miracles point to Jesus' power in restoring and healing the broken and hopeless at a deeper level, a sin level where our greatest need is. Forgiving sins is mankind's greatest need, and Jesus does that for all who believe in Him by faith. Now, those who believe, like the paralyzed man's friends, are sent to be lights in the world, willing to serve and outstretch their arms to others in need.

Jesus calls His first disciples after performing a miracle in their midst. Simon Peter expresses fear before Jesus when they catch an abundance of fish, but Jesus calmly comforts him and then calls him to respond. Discipleship isn't a hobby, it's a lifestyle of surrender and trust in the Almighty God of salvation - the One also concerned with our spiritual formation.

Jesus rebukes fevers and demons in His public ministry. His authority as the Son of God is unmatched. People with various diseases are coming to Him and everyone of them is healed. Though He is serving, healing, giving, and blessing all of these people He doesn't let His tiredness keep Him from doing His Father's will. For us today, Jesus can heal us - He's not too tired or too busy - He can truly heal us of our biggest and neediest problem of sin.

Jesus continues His ministry by teaching in the synagogue of Capernaum. A demon-possessed man interrupts His teaching, but Jesus calmly rebukes and casts the demon out. Through holy authority, righteousness, and reverberation Jesus is bringing truth and salvation. 

After being tempted in the wilderness, Jesus returns  to Nazareth to proclaim the gospel in His hometown. At first the people marvel at Him and anticipate what He will do as His fame has grown. But Jesus, after reading Isaiah in the synagogue and teaching about His identity as Lord, is rejected. Not only are we today to follow Jesus and know the gospel, but live it out even when it's difficult.

Jesus enters into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. While anyone else would have failed, Jesus never gave in to the lies and schemes of Satan. Being well prepared and in full trust of the Word of God and His Heavenly Father, Jesus succeeds. He is truly able to sympathize with our weaknesses as one tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Luke provides a genealogy of Jesus just as He begins His earthly ministry. From the line of David and Abraham, Jesus fits the requirements of being the Messiah, but Luke's record traces Jesus' roots all the way to Adam and ultimately to God. Being the Second Adam, Jesus does was the First couldn't. He lives a perfect and obedient life so that all can be saved to redemptive life. Through salvation and adoption, no matter where you come from or what you've done, Jesus represents you and is enough for you, bringing you into the family of God by grace.

As John the Baptist preaches from Isaiah about the coming Messiah, many wonder how they can live according to the high standard of the law. True heart change doesn't come from behavior modification, it isn't earned or found within someone's own willpower; it is only through Jesus Himself. 

Jesus grew in favor with God and man. As any human grows, so did the Son of God. He perfectly honored His earthly mother and father, while also perfectly honoring His Heavenly Father. Jesus at the age of 12 stays behind at the Temple to keep growing in wisdom and stature in the Lord, having an understanding of His role in the plan of redemption and bringing in the New Covenant. He sought first the kingdom of God in our place.

As the angels appear to the shepherds, there is a humbling and beautiful reality taking place. Though Joseph and Mary are to listen to Caesar Augustus, the real King is being born in a stable. And the command from the Lord to His angels isn't to go tell it to the Roman leaders, the people in positions of power - but to the least of these. Shepherds were unwanted and cast out to do dirty work, yet they are told of the birth announcement first. Their haste to see the Savior born King is how we are to be each and every day, then returning to our daily lives spiritually changed.

The Lord comes, not just to the affluent, and not just to the most prominent, but the witness of Scripture is that He comes to the needy, He comes to those who understand that without Him coming to us, we'd have no way of getting to Him. And Mary serves as a model for us, not for how to earn the favor of the Lord, but as a model for receiving the grace and mercy of the Lord.

In the ordinary life of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the Lord remembered them and His promises to His people. God meets us in the same way, in our lives to love Him with our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Zechariah is sent home to tell the truth and good news to his wife, not change the world. Christians today can have peace knowing that a life with Christ is one of ordinary yet marvelous love and faith.

The gospel of Luke begins with the goal of a witness and his pattern for presenting the truth of Jesus Christ. Luke is believable not because of his convincing arguments or intelligent writing, but because of his real-time witness of the Son of God. And why does he write this? So that all who read his account will have certainty about Jesus.

Without Christ we are completely needy and unable to do any good, yet through Christ we can do all things. Dependent upon the Lord is the faithful walk of a Christian, and the Church is to uplift, support, and encourage each other to be content and joyful regardless of circumstance, because God will supply our every need. We don't need to doubt, we need to trust.

Conflict, anxiety, and fear arise in all human beings, including inside the church. Engaging with these struggles requires the redemptive work of Christ, who cultivates peacemakers and teammates in the gospel. To think about the good, to dwell on truths of God, to rejoice in this great salvation must be how the church moves forward in love, to make disciples and live freely in hope of our Savior's return.

The Christian life involves a faithful pursuit of Jesus, to follow Him obediently and diligently. Paul strains towards the goal of holiness, is grieved by those in the church who aren't actually pursuing Christ, and reminds us of the assurance of hope and sanctification that has been made possible through Jesus. May we live in that identity, knowing our eternity is set while chasing after the prize that is undefiled and unfading; all so Christ is magnified.

We are not, and never will be, good enough on our own. That's the bad news. And that's the burden of human existence. But the good news is that Jesus is. And in and through His grace He gives us His righteousness by faith.

Gospel life focuses on exalting Jesus with the family of faith. In describing Timothy and Epaphorditus the apostle Paul calls them son and brother, faithful friends, focused on what's most important, and striving for the kingdom of God. May Christians today be known for the same things, enjoyed by the Church and pursuing the Lord with their adopted brothers and sisters.

Carried along by the Holy Spirit, believers are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling while also rooted in gladness and rejoicing. The Lord has delivered His people, therefore they have full assurance of their hope and can live a lights and witnesses of the glory of God to a crooked and twisted generation. It's still tempting to blend in with the world and grumble, but Christians must lean into the realities of new creation life purchased for them at the cross.

Having the mind of Christ involves an obedience and humility demonstrated by Jesus Himself. As He lived and endured the cross, Jesus was completely obedient and humble both in our place and so that we may live the same way. By living this way we will share in unity the love and grace of Christ to others.

Suffering and the Christian life go hand in hand, yet the Lord faithfully holds His people through every circumstance. Refined by trials and grace, Christians walk in this world able to serve and love others knowing that God is in control and supplies our deepest needs. 

Paul reminds us to be committed to the gospel. In the end, it will all turn out in deliverance and salvation for those who trust in Jesus. And though this life brings difficulties and the desire is to leave this world to be with Christ, the tension to stay and be a light to this world will shape and fashion us into His likeness. We are to be committed to the Lord, His will, and His people.

As Paul's imprisoned, he is still witnessing the gospel advancing. Our circumstances do not limit the Lord, who uses even hardships to spread the good news of Christ. We are to share sincerely, have right motives, and rejoice regardless of the temporary difficulties knowing that our greater circumstance is secure and perfect in God who loves us.

In his love for the church, Paul expresses his desire that Christians should pray for one another. Not only is it impactful in the moment, but it will carry us as we wait for the day of Christ; when He comes again. In this we will be sanctified, to look more and more like Jesus.

Paul writes with joy and love to the people of the Philippian church even though he's imprisoned and away from them. Being rooted in Christ, Christian community is more than just togetherness, its family and shared partnership. The church is where believers are strongest and most effective in gospel mission.

Paul writes to the church in Philippi to encourage and instruct them in Christ. An eclectic group of people make up this church as we observe in Acts 16, some of Paul's earliest encounters with other believers. From this origin we know that Paul is writing to people he knows and cares for. 

David finishes his prayer of deliverance in gratitude and humility. Everyone is hard wired to worship, but who or what we worship is a choice. David has chosen to worship the Lord who saved him and established his feet upon the Rock. We can do the same today as we faithfully trust in Jesus who is powerful to save.

As David has grown old and reminiscent of his up and down life, he is confident in the prevailing love and grace of God. Though he has done great things, horrible sins, and been through many trials; David attributes salvation to God who cares for him. Believers can have the same assurance today, looking at their own personal experience as well as in history to the cross of the proof of the Lord's steadfast love.

David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah is met with a consequence; that the sword will never depart from David's house. His son, Absalom, is a schemer and commits treason so that he can claim the throne in Israel. Though we can look at Absalom and David and see how they are both sinful, we see the difference is not in how great they are, but in Who they trust; Absalom in himself, but David in the Lord. Christians today find themselves just like these two men, prideful and flawed, but thanks be to God who forgives and redeems all those who trust in Him.

Confession, repentance, forgiveness; these are all laid out by David before the Lord. In terrible sin and conviction David recognizes that he has wronged the Lord and is completely honest and broken over his sin. We, like David, ought to consider the weight of our sin, Who it is we've sinned against, and quickly run to Him in honesty and vulnerability. God promises to forgive and cleanse us from sin, a mercy and grace unmatched and overwhelming. 

Sin doesn't happen in a vacuum. David's adulterous actions with Bathsheba led to murder of her husband Uriah. This mess was made by David and against the Lord who spoke truth through the prophet Nathan. In justice, the Lord doesn't let the sin go unpunished, but in grace the Lord stays with the king of Israel as He promised in covenant. Sin will never be so great that God's promises are void.

The slide toward sin doesn't begin with what is seen, but with what we linger on. David's life in 2 Samuel 11 is a more than a tragic story of sin and its fallout. It's a cautionary tale for the people of God, in humility, and in recognition of our own spiritual weakness, to recognize just how susceptible we are to sin, and to grow more in the grace of the Lord in Christ.

David, in keeping his word to Saul, pursues and extends kindness towards Mephibosheth; the crippled son of Jonathan who can offer David nothing. This is the lavished kindness God has extended towards all those by faith in His Son, that we would both receive that kindness and feast at the King's table as His family, as well as extend that kindness towards others like David did.

David responds to God's covenant promise with right posture. This posture then leads to praise and petition. In humility and awe, David ponders the greatness of God and acknowledges all he has is the Lord's. Christians share in this promise and can confidently know God will deliver on His promises, despite our forgetfulness and wandering. The Lord is faithful and good, and we can stand before Him in love, and ask Him to do what He said He will do.

In a season of rest, David seeks to build a house for the Lord but is met with a different answer than he expected. Instead, God makes a covenant with David that will transcend generation after generation in David's line, ultimately to Christ who will rule and reign as King forever. The promises of the covenant are encouraging to believers today, but we also recognize they are powerful because of Who makes the promise; and that gives us great hope.

David is now king of Israel and has commissioned the Ark of the Covenant to return to Jerusalem after 20 years with Abinadab. Though David and the people of Israel were doing the right thing, they were not obedient to the way God asked them to transport the Ark. God isn't a domesticated being, and He's certainly more powerful than any other force in the universe, therefore we praise Him as we fear Him, we're humbled before Him as we exalt Him, and we celebrate Him unashamedly for what He's done in bringing many sons to glory.

The book of 1 Samuel ends with the tragedy of Saul. The Lord humbles the king of Israel regardless of Saul's power, plea, and position. In justice and holiness, God humbles all those who are prideful and choose to go their own way. This ushers in the new era of King David, who does the opposite of Saul and trusts in Yahweh. Christians today are called to do the same. 

God never abandons His people, nor is indifferent to what happens in His creation. In His providence, work of recovery, and in overwhelming generosity we can be encouraged, along with David in this trial, that God is in control and to Him belongs all good things. We need not fear or worry as a child of God.

Following after the Lord's anointed and trusting in Yahweh has led David's men away from home, and when they return they realize their families have been taken. This hurts the men, including David, whom many want to stone, but David points them back to the Lord who is always in control and is faithful. As we follow after God we may experience hardship, but it doesn't mean He isn't close or caring.

David pours out his heart in the midst of great struggle. All the while he understands Who it is who holds him, Who it is who loves him and hears his prayers. Believers today are to live in the same trust in a God who covers us in the shadow of His wings.