Riverwood Church Community

In this message, we're diving into a powerful question: Who, or what, is shaping your thoughts, emotions, and identity From Gutenberg's printing press to today's social media algorithms, disruptive technologies have changed how we see the world. But while algorithms work for profit, God's Word works to transform our lives and set us free. The Word of God, described in The Bible as the flame, the hammer, the light, the source of life, the sword, the treasure, and so much more, isn't just words on a page, but God's living voice drawing us into relationship with Him.

Breakthroughs don't come from one big moment; they're forged in the quiet grind of showing up, day after day, when no one's watching. That same kind of faithfulness has carried our church for 30 years, and now we're stepping into a brand-new season. 30 & Counting: We're Just Getting Started is more than a birthday party, it's a 4-month adventure of fun, mission, and momentum toward the future God is calling us into.

Church in the Park is our annual Sunday celebration where all five worship communities come together for an outdoor service, BBQ, and an afternoon of connection. This year's theme, “Can't Steal My Joy” (Nehemiah 8:10, John 16:22), reminded us that true joy in Christ is unshakable and unstealable.

The invitation to follow Jesus is not a static invitation nor is it a title we wear. It is an invitation to follow him outside the camp. The world we live gives us empty promises of control, safety, and comfort, but to follow Jesus is to embrace the risk of leaving our city walls and embracing the path of sacrifice, humility, & radical love that Jesus himself journeyed to the cross on our behalf.

Struggles and sin may trip us up, but they do not remove us from the race God has called us to run. With endurance and our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can lay down every weight and keep moving forward. His sacrifice frees us from shame and gives us strength to endure.

Struggles and sin may trip us up, but they do not remove us from the race God has called us to run. With endurance and our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can lay down every weight and keep moving forward. His sacrifice frees us from shame and gives us strength to endure.

The heroes of Hebrews 11 make faith look effortless—but a closer look reveals their paths were anything but easy. Through weakness, waiting, and hardship, each one showed unshakable resilience and faith, proving that Jesus Himself is always better than any promise or outcome we could receive.

The heroes of Hebrews 11 make faith look effortless—but a closer look reveals their paths were anything but easy. Through weakness, waiting, and hardship, each one showed unshakable resilience and faith, proving that Jesus Himself is always better than any promise or outcome we could receive.

We all have patterns we cling to and old ways of thinking, coping, and believing that keep us stuck. Hebrews 10 challenges those defaults, inviting us to think differently about sin, guilt, and repentance. Instead of avoiding the hard truths, it reframes them, leading us to someone better. 

We all have patterns we cling to and old ways of thinking, coping, and believing that keep us stuck. Hebrews 10 challenges those defaults, inviting us to think differently about sin, guilt, and repentance. Instead of avoiding the hard truths, it reframes them, leading us to someone better. 

Changing your mindset isn't easy—but it can change everything. In Hebrews 9, we're invited to move from religious ritual to real relationship, from barriers to breakthrough, and from law to liberty through Jesus. This message is an invitation to stop striving and start living in the forgiveness, full access to God and freedom that Christ secured for us.

Changing your mindset isn't easy—but it can change everything. In Hebrews 9, we're invited to move from religious ritual to real relationship, from barriers to breakthrough, and from law to liberty through Jesus. This message is an invitation to stop striving and start living in the forgiveness, full access to God and freedom that Christ secured for us.

The Bible reveals a radical way of doing relationship:  not as transactional contract but as relational covenant! God leads by example by providing a sacred, enduring promise of love that doesn't expire when we fail. In Hebrews 8, we discover how Jesus mediates a New Covenant that's not transactional, but transformational—one written on our hearts, rooted in grace, secured by forgiveness, and marked not by mutual benefit but by unshakable love.

The Bible reveals a radical way of doing relationship:  not as transactional contract but as relational covenant! God leads by example by providing a sacred, enduring promise of love that doesn't expire when we fail. In Hebrews 8, we discover how Jesus mediates a New Covenant that's not transactional, but transformational—one written on our hearts, rooted in grace, secured by forgiveness, and marked not by mutual benefit but by unshakable love.

Traversing dangerous mountain passes was once the only way to cross the Continental Divide—until the railway provided a secure, lasting route. In the same way, where human effort once struggled to reach God, Jesus now offers a better way as our permanent, trustworthy High Priest.

Traversing dangerous mountain passes was once the only way to cross the Continental Divide—until the railway provided a secure, lasting route. In the same way, where human effort once struggled to reach God, Jesus now offers a better way as our permanent, trustworthy High Priest.

You can go to church, sing the songs, give, serve, follow the crowd—and still be stuck in a spiritual circle of death. In Hebrews 6, we're called to grow, climb, and anchor our lives to something stronger than routine—we're called to pursue Jesus.

You can go to church, sing the songs, give, serve, follow the crowd—and still be stuck in a spiritual circle of death. In Hebrews 6, we're called to grow, climb, and anchor our lives to something stronger than routine—we're called to pursue Jesus.

Like the Fremen in Dune who faced desert struggles and longed for a true leader, we too face life's hardships needing a perfect mediator. Hebrews 5 reveals Jesus as the ultimate High Priest—appointed by God, fully human yet without sin—who entered God's presence once and for all to offer Himself for our salvation. When life feels overwhelming, remember: Jesus stands with you, fights for you, and intercedes before God on your behalf. Jesus is better.

Like the Fremen in Dune who faced desert struggles and longed for a true leader, we too face life's hardships needing a perfect mediator. Hebrews 5 reveals Jesus as the ultimate High Priest—appointed by God, fully human yet without sin—who entered God's presence once and for all to offer Himself for our salvation. When life feels overwhelming, remember: Jesus stands with you, fights for you, and intercedes before God on your behalf. Jesus is better.

Many of us can imagine the tension of receiving a warning. That unsettling moment when you're told that where we are isn't safe, and having to decide whether or not you'll believe it. Hebrews 4 acts as this kind of warning for our souls, urging us stop living like the world that is obsessed with work and endlessly restless, and to cling to Jesus who gives us ultimate rest.

Many of us can imagine the tension of receiving a warning. That unsettling moment when you're told that where we are isn't safe, and having to decide whether or not you'll believe it. Hebrews 4 acts as this kind of warning for our souls, urging us stop living like the world that is obsessed with work and endlessly restless, and to cling to Jesus who gives us ultimate rest.

In 2018, a million-dollar Banksy painting shredded itself live at auction—and became even more valuable. Hebrews 3 invites us into a similar disruption: where what feels like loss might actually be God at work. Moses was a masterpiece—but Jesus is the Builder. What might God be asking you to release, so He can reveal something better? Join us for Week 3: Jesus Is Better—a bold call to let go, hold fast, and find rest.

In 2018, a million-dollar Banksy painting shredded itself live at auction—and became even more valuable. Hebrews 3 invites us into a similar disruption: where what feels like loss might actually be God at work. Moses was a masterpiece—but Jesus is the Builder. What might God be asking you to release, so He can reveal something better? Join us for Week 3: Jesus Is Better—a bold call to let go, hold fast, and find rest.

Sometimes we encounter Bible passages that feel like a dense, tangled jungle—full of words and concepts that seem impossible to navigate. Hebrews chapter 2 is definitely one of those. In this message, we'll take up our machete and start clearing a path through the thicket, uncovering remarkable vistas and powerful truths along the way!

Sometimes we encounter Bible passages that feel like a dense, tangled jungle—full of words and concepts that seem impossible to navigate. Hebrews chapter 2 is definitely one of those. In this message, we'll take up our machete and start clearing a path through the thicket, uncovering remarkable vistas and powerful truths along the way!