RiverTree Community Church

This week, we say Goodbye. Goodbyes are hard to do. They almost never come out quite right. So today in lieu of a goodbye sermon, this is a commencement address for your graduation from RTCC's program on how to be missional. It is our deepest hope that you keep RiverTree alive by living out its ideals and teaching those around you how to be missional.

This week, in our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, we examine the idea of love. Jesus set an example of how we are to be religious by paying the customary temple tax. How is this a model for how we are to live our lives? Our main passage this week is Matthew 17:24-27.

This week, in our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. We examine the idea of faith and how much faith we need to muster up to live a wondrous Christlike life. Our main passage this week is Matthew 17:14-23.

This week, we dive back into the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus has a discussion with some unlikely people and reminds us in a powerful way that he is God. Our main passage this week is Matthew 17:1-13.

This week, we dive back into our series on “How to be Missional” by looking at conversations. We will look at the idea that there is not a one-size-fits all box for having spiritual conversations. We close out with a few examples of how you might talk to someone about the gospel. Our main passage this week is: Colossians 4:2-6.

This week, we dive back into our series on “How to be Missional” by looking at conversations. We will look at how important listening is when having conversations with people. Both listening to the person and listening to the Holy Spirit. Our main passage this week is: Colossians 4:2-6.

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Sampson. In this story, Sampson is called to deliver the people from the Philistines. We see what God's apparent plan is and then we see how Sampson ignores that plan. Sampson tries to do things his own way. We examine just how well that works out.

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Esther. In this story, Esther is called upon to save her people from a plot of genocide. But we see that the story does not start here. Rather, it is a story that spans generations and is all rooted in listen to God and having faith in God's plan.

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Jericho. In this Story, God asks the people to wage war on the city of Jericho in an unconventional manner. One that, on the surface, seems bad. But God's instructions were less about the actions themselves and more about asking the people to have faith. How often does this happen in our lives? What does it mean when God calls us into situations that don't make sense? How can we show faith in moments like that?

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Gideon. God called Gideon to lead the people against overwhelming odds. God asked Gideon to show faith and trust on an insane level. In the end, Gideon's faith was rewarded, and God's power and protection shined through.

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Moses. Moses' life is full of moment after moment where things seemed completely lost. Yet, God was orchestrating things. Moses' life showcases the simple truth that God will never leave us alone, God stands with us in our most desperate times.

This week, Anna talks to us about the importance of community. We examine the trinity through the lens of community and how that gives us a model for how God wants us to live. As well as looking at other examples of community present in the Bible. Our main passage today is: Acts: 2:24-47.

This week, we continue our series examining how to be missional in our everyday lives. In today's message, we finally turn look at the question “what could being missional look like for me?” We take inspiration from Jesus' ministry and try to take the people/arenas around us combined with what inspires us to find a missional outcome that blesses our community and shows Jesus' love. Our main passage is: Matthew 9:9-13.

In today's message, we try to answer the question ‘to whom are we called to be missional?' The people and places right around us are our primary mission field. Why has God placed us where we are? If we can answer that, then we can start to understand what it is to be missional. Our main passage is: Matthew 9:9-13

It is too cold to host an indoor service today. So, stay inside, stay warm, and listen to this brief devotional about relying on God.

This week, we kick off a new series examining how we can be missional in our everyday lives. In today's message, we explore just what it means to be missional and why it is important. We will also look at an example of Jesus being missional in his interaction with Matthew. Our main passage is: Matthew 9:9-13

This week, we continue our Christmas series titled “the first Christmas Playlist”. In today's text we examine the song of Simeon. We see how Simeon held onto a promise so much that he did everything he could to see it happen. He was so excited for the Messiah that he took an active role in making sure he did not miss him. Our main passage is: Luke 2:25-32

This week, we kick off our Christmas series titled “the first Christmas Playlist”. In today's text we examine the song of Zechariah. We explore just what it means to be in a place of waiting. We look at examples that highlight that God is all too often working in the silence. Our main passage is: Luke 1:67-79.

This week, we reached the halfway point of our two seek Worship Journey. In today's message, we will explore the question “Why do we worship?” We will look at God's plan for humanity from the beginning. How sin altered that plan. But how God's perfect love brought things back to that perfect plan.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus, once again, feeds a large crowd. We will explore why Matthew has two similar stories so close to each other and what it tells us about Jesus' mission. Our main passage this week is Matthew 15:29-39

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus has an encounter with an unnamed Canaanite woman. This woman displays amazing faith and changes the minds of those around her. Our main passage this week is Matthew 15:21-28.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus walks on the water and Peter has 30 seconds of courage. We will explore the idea that faith is not about knowing everything, but rather, its trusting that Jesus will catch us when we fall. Our main passage this week is Matthew 14:22-36

There is no service this week for the long holiday weekend. Instead, we have a meditative prayer walk for you. Set aside about 30 minutes, get outside, and be with God in nature. Use this podcast to guide your time and focus your heart on God. Have a wonderful week!

Despite it being 90 degrees out, we are celebrating Christmas this week. Christmas is a time when we think about and celebrate Christ coming to earth to live among us and to die for us. That is something we should celebrate all year! So join us in reflecting on the Incarnation of Jesus.

Today we are joined by our friend David Peterka, from When the Saints. David will give an update on the work his organization is doing. Then will talk to us about what Jesus says about loving those we don't really want to love.

This week, we wrap up our series examining some core elements of reformed theology, by talking about salvation. We will look at what salvation looks like, and what we have to do to gain it (hint: nothing!)

This week, we continue our series examining some core elements of reformed theology, by talking about the Holy Spirit. The Third member of the trinity is maybe the most misunderstood. So we will look at who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit does for us every day.

This week, we continue our new series examining some core elements of reformed theology, by talking about Jesus. We will examine three key elements of who Jesus is. Then we will see how these elements make Jesus the only way for us to have fellowship with God

This week, we continue our new series examining some core elements of reformed theology, by talking about God. God can be difficult for us to describe. We too often want to impart our own idea or part of ourselves into the picture when thinking of God. Today we will look at what the Bible says about who God is.

This week, we continue our new series examining some core elements of reformed theology, by talking about Covenants. Covenants are agreements. God has made many Covenants with us over time. We will look at some of them and explore what they say about God an God's desires for us.

This week, we kick out our newest series where we examine some core elements of our theology. We will start, where all good things should, with the Bible. What is our bible to us? What is it meant for? What is it not meant to do? Join us as we discuss all these questions and more!

He is Risen! This Easter, we look at Jesus' resurrection through an Old Testament lens. The Empty tomb is strikingly similar to the Mercy Seat described in the Book of Exodus. That is no mere coincidence. Jesus' death and resurrection acts as the ultimate fulfillment of the Mercy Seat and its atonement.

This week, we continue our Lent series ‘Tales from the Cross. This week, we take the perspective of God the Father. We examine a little of God and Jesus' relationship, God's view of sin, and how all of that came together during Jesus' death.

This week, we continue our Lent series ‘Tales from the Cross. This week, we take the perspective of one Jesus' best friends—Peter. We will look at how Peter's denial of Jesus impacted how he reacted to Jesus' death. We will also explore how Jesus' have Peter a second chance and unending love.

This week, we continue our Lent series ‘Tales from the Cross. This week, we take the perspective of one of Jesus' mother—Mary. We examine how the death of her son impacted her and her faith.

This week, we kick off our Lent series ‘Tales from the Cross. Our first perspective is Mary Magdalene. We first examine who she was and what was her relationship to Jesus. Then we will explore the question of who is Mary in today's culture?

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, we see what happens when Jesus goes back to his hometown to preach. We look at what the Bible says about belief and unbelief. And how is it we can even begin to have faith Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:53-58.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus tells a parable about something that would have been near and dear to the disciples…fishing. We look at fishing practices of the time and how they can be a wonderful window into how we share the gospel. Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:47-52.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus presents two small parables. We talk about what these parables mean and how they impact the surrounding context of this chapter. And we see a valuable of knowing when to use context and when to not. Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:31-35

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus presents the parable of the wheat and the weed. We talk about how this story is both warning against sin and evil and beautiful promise of salvation and eternity with God. Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus presents the parable of the seeds. He then goes on to offer an interpretation of it. We will look at that interpretation and see where we see ourselves in this story. What dose that tell us about our spiritual journey at this moment in time? Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:1-23.

This week we kick off 2023 by first reflecting on some of the opportunities RTCC had last year. Then we look head to what is coming up this year and try to come up with some church goals for this new year! Our main passage this week is John 15:12-17.

This week, we continue our Advent series in which we examine the Grinch. Before the Grinch can dump all his stolen Christmas goods off the mountain, he has a change of heart. The song of the Whos makes him change his mind, he is filled with Christmas joy. Anna talks about another group that were filled with this Christmas Joy. The shepherds who heard about Jesus' birth on that first Christmas night. Our main passage this week is Luke 2:8-16

This week, we continue our Advent series in which we examine the Grinch. The Grinch does not like what the Whos are doing and so takes matters into his own hands. He must be in total control of the situation. The desire for total control really goes back to the Garden and Satan's first temptation to humanity. But what would it look like to loosen our grip and let Jesus take some of the control in our everyday lives? Our main passage this week is Luke 1:46-55.

This week, we kick off our Advent series in which we examine the Grinch. The Grinch had a lot of misconceptions about Christmas. But what is Christmas really about. What gifts did God give to us on that first Christmas night? Our main passage this week is John 3:16.

This week is our Expectant Hope service. This short devotional addresses the notion of what do we go when we don't want to praise God? How can we praise God when we are angry, sad, or afraid? Today we look at one of the most powerful psalms ever written (In my humble opinion). We will see just what it looks like to call out to God in the deepest moments of despair and fear. Our main passage this week is Psalm 121.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In today's text, Jesus has what looks like an awkward exchange with his mom and brothers. But what is really going on here? We explore this passage in the light of earthly families and the family of God. Our main passage this week is Matthew 12:46-50.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In this passage, Jesus uses stories from the Old Testament to highlight how some of the people are being willfully ignorant. This section finishes with a small analogy about a person/house that overrun with ghosts. This illustrates the dangers of allowing false teachers to persist. Our main passage this week is Matthew 12:38-45.

This week we take a break from Matthew, for a short devotional about greed. In the classic story the Legend of Sleep Hollow, we are introduced to three characters who all suffer with some kind of greed. We talk about how greed can consume us and will always lead to a something bad in the end. Our main passage this week is Luke 12:16-20.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. We look at an interesting passage where we see Jesus go out of his way to avoid a potential conflict. This is paired with a passage from Isaiah that talks about what God's ideal servant will look like. Jesus did not go out starting fights and looking for areas to start arguments, his approach to ministry was so different. Our main passage this week is Matthew 12:15-21.

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. Anna explores what Jesus means when he says that his Yoke is light. We talk about how this is an invitation to allow Jesus to come along side of us and carry our burdens for us. Jesus wants to do that work that we simply cannot do. Our main passage this week is Matthew 11:25-30.