Riverwood Church - Waverly, IA: Sermons

Generosity is not supposed to be disposable or temporary. Generosity should be repetitive and intrinsic just like blinking or breathing is to each of us.

The grace that overflows from God to us so freely should manifest in our giving freely of the abundance we have. Through this, we reflect God's heart to others.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ends with “for God loves a cheerful giver.” Why is cheerful giving hard? How do we overcome the baggage that keeps us from giving cheerfully?

Instead of asking the question "How much should I give?" we should instead try to figure out "How much should I keep?"

2 Corinthians 9:6 uses a simple “If this, then that” statement. Show sparingly and you will reap sparingly. Sow bountifully and you will reap bountifully.

Paul teaches the church at Corinth about giving in 2 Corinthians 9. In part 1 of this 6-week series, we learn from Paul how we are to "give expectantly.”

We were born into our sin yet we are to keep pulling away from that which we were born into feel continually drawn to.

In today's sermon, Pastor Erin pulls apart our misconceptions of who is in charge of the church we attend.

In part 2 of the “Defining Church” series, Pastor Erin shows how the church should be “on mission” together.

This is the first part of a four-week study. If you are not a follower of Jesus, you’re welcome to be a part of Riverwood. We started this church for you.

Shortly after answering the 3 questions previously covered, Jesus immediately addresses how He can be the “Son of David” and also David’s Lord.

The most important commandment in all of scripture is also one of the most famous verses in all of scripture that many churchs have built their mission on.

“Cancel culture” is nothing new. Even Jesus faced being canceled. In spite of that, It’s important understand God and know that we bear his image.

In today's sermon, Pastor Erin breaks rejection down for us and explains how we can always rely on God who pulls closer in spite of our constant rejection.

1 Peter 5:6-11 instructs us as believers to be humble, to be watchful, and to stand firm in resisting the devil. Listen now to guest speaker Jonathan Davis.

We can often get lost in pride as we rely on ourselves and not on Christ. When our hearts are prideful, we can't truly trust in God or have full faith in him.

Greed is ingrained in our culture. Businesses recognize this & market products directly at our greed. Bigger, Better, & More are all used to trigger our greed.

Proverbs 1:20-33 speaks to our culture. Humanity, as a whole, has turned its back on the wisdom of God and put faith in its own abilities and knowledge.

Proverbs chapter 2 begins with Solomon addressing his son and imparting words of wisdom that his son should heed. The kids join the congregation this Sunday.

Mark 11 tells two stories that intertwine to form one larger picture. In the first story, Jesus curses a fig tree and in the second, Jesus cleanses the temple.

Launch Sermon PlayerJesus, once again, shows his power when healing the blind man, Bartimaeus. More importantly, he shows us how to love those that we might consider unlovable. Even more than that, Bartimaeus gives up one of his only possessions to seek healing from Jesus. What person/people are in your life that you could go […]

Launch Sermon PlayerJames and John approach Jesus asking if they may be seated at his right and left hand in glory. While sincere, this question is based in selfishness. When you live life in a selfish way, you continue to act selfishly even after humbling experiences. Happy Mother’s Day! Good mothers often give up their desires […]

Launch Sermon PlayerWhen the rich, young ruler approached Christ and asked “What must I do to be saved,” Jesus responded by telling the young ruler to give away everything he owns and follow Him. Even the disciples were surprised when Jesus comments how it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of […]

Launch Sermon PlayerJesus showed that he could heal many people simply by touching them. Is it a surprise that parents are pushing their children towards Him in hopes of healing or blessings? Yet, when the children started surrounding Jesus, the disciples were quick to rebuke the parents for surrounding Him with these children. Listen as […]

The topic of divorce can be a sticky subject. It has affected many of us, so to hear some of the Scriptures teaching on divorce can be painful. And yet on Riverwood’s “Baptism Sunday,” Pastor Erin Bird walks us through Jesus’ teaching on divorce from Mark 10:1-12, showing us how this subject actually points us to the love and faithfulness of Jesus. So listen in to be encouraged to trust Jesus.

Easter is the highlight of the Christian Calendar. Without Resurrection Sunday, there is no Christian faith. Join us as Pastor Erin Bird walks us through John 10:1-18 to help us appreciate the resurrection of Jesus and learn how it can change your life over 2000 years later.

As part of our reflective Good Friday service, Pastor Erin shared briefly from John 10:17-18 about the willingness of Jesus to give His life for ours, helping us appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice and enable us to worship Jesus on Easter Sunday all the more.

If you’ve ever anticipated doing something extremely difficult, you might have felt nervous, hesitant, or even tried to delay the suffering. Yet Jesus, knowing what lie ahead of Him, walked willingly with determination toward Jerusalem. How did He do it? In this Palm Sunday sermon, Pastor Erin Bird shows us what enabled Jesus to resolutely move toward Jerusalem where mocking, torture, and death awaited Him, in the hopes that it will fill you with an awe of Jesus and a motivation to love those around you. So go grab a Bible and listen in as Erin walks us through Luke 19:28-40

Often in life, we “want it all.” We want to buy expensive things without spending much money. We want to lose weight while still eating as much as we desire. In other words, we want to have our cake and eat it too. We carry this attitude into our relationship with God. We want God’s blessing while still living however we want. But in Mark 9:43-50, Jesus warns us that to truly follow Him and live the life God has for us, it might require us to take some difficult steps. Listen in to learn how to truly live “all for the gospel.”

There are others in the world believing and working along side you, claiming God and his promises. Pride and and inward eye can mar that picture of Gospel Teamwork. Today Elder Ed Pavelec walks through Mark 9:33-42 teaching on this idea

The Transfiguration is a famous story from the pages of the Bible. But could there be more to the story than just a “shining” Jesus? Listen in as Pastor Erin unpacks Mark 9:2-13, helping us see Jesus like never before.

Sometimes in life, paradoxical phrases lead us to deep truths. For instance, "Less is More" or "The way out is in" are phrases that sound like paradoxes, but in the right moment, they can give you clarity. In Mark 8:27-9:1, the twelve disciples hear Jesus state what, to them, feels like a paradox. But upon closer inspection, we discover a deep truth that can completely change our lives in 2021. What is that truth? Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird explains.

Many people turn to the teachings of Jesus for encouragement, guidance, and reassurance. But what do you do when Jesus gives a warning? You listen and take it to heart! In this week’s sermon, Pastor Erin Bird expounds upon the warning Jesus gives in Mark 8 and what we need to watch for in our own lives in 2021.

All people are looking for some sort of “Jesus” to save them from their loneliness, or their past, or their addiction, or their fears, or from whatever. As John Calvin famously put it: “The human heart is an idol factory.” And so in this search for rescue, the “idol factory" turns romantic partners, or money, or fame, or a whole host of things into its own “personal Jesus.” But rather than look for something or someone to rescue us, we need to look to the one and only Jesus who already loves us, and not just in a general sense (because He loves everyone), but in a very unique and personal sense. So listen in as Pastor Erin Bird shows us from two different-yet-similar stories from the book of Mark just how Jesus displays this unique and personal love toward you.

Have you ever had a crisis of faith? A time in life where you doubted God’s goodness, or power, or even His existence? Perhaps you are there right now. In this week’s sermon, Pastor Erin Bird introduces us to a woman found in Mark 7:24-30 who had every right to doubt God’s goodness or power, and yet she displays a big faith in Jesus. Listen in to discover the four ways you, too, can grow to have a big faith in God as well.

For our annual Vision Sunday, Pastor Erin takes some time to look back at all the things God did in 2020 (and it’s a lot of really big things!), as well as where he and the Elder Team believe God is calling us in 2021. While this sermon is primarily aimed at the Riverwood Church family, it is a great message for anyone who has supported Riverwood in the past or is considering making Riverwood their home church in the future.

The “Great Commission,” found in Matthew 28:18-20, are some of the last words Jesus uttered on earth. It is a very famous passage. But what many Christians don’t realize is this passage, which talks about “going” and “baptizing” and “teaching” only contains one command. What is that command? Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird concludes our “Praying the King’s Agenda” series as part of Riverwood’s 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

Obedience is hard. It feels confining. It feels joyless. It doesn’t feel very fun. So just how does a Jesus-follower actually obey the King’s Agenda without hating their faith and life?

In order for a follower of King Jesus to “pray” the King’s Agenda, he or she must first “hear” the King’s Agenda. But how does one actually hear the King’s Agenda? Listen in as Pastor Erin shares from Matthew 28:18-20 as well as several other passages just how to do that.

When Jesus was born, the angels declared His earthly arrival to shepherds. Inside of their short song are all the other themes of Advent - Hope, Peace, and Joy. But there is one more theme their song helps us see, and it is one of the most important themes in all of the world. Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird helps us hear about God's Love through the Angel's Song.

For many people, 2020 has been a really hard year. We’ve battled a pandemic. We’ve experienced cultural tension over politics, race, masks, and more. And some people have personally battled health issues, the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or some type of trauma. So the idea of having “joy” this Christmas season seems like an impossibility. Yet joy is within reach. Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird shows us how we can find joy even in the most difficult circumstances by learning from Mary’s “Christmas” Song found in Luke 1:46-55.

Many people find themselves longing for something in life that will give them peace. It might be a longing to be married, or be a parent, or to have a certain amount of wealth, or finally get that dream home. Whatever it is, we yearn for this external person or item to bring us internal peace. And yet, it doesn’t work. Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird shows us from the Christmas Song Zechariah sings in Luke 1 where inner peace is truly found.

For many people, 2020 has been a really hard year. Whether because of the pandemic, politics, loss of a loved one, or our own personal crisis, we long for this season to pass. And yet, the Bible commands us to “Give thanks in all circumstances.” How are we supposed to do that in a year like 2020? Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird walks us through the “impossibles” of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, helping us discover how we can still give thanks in the midst of intense struggle.

Life is full of tension. If you have parents, a spouse, kids, coworkers, or classmates, you have experienced tension. But “tension” isn’t just found in relationships. You can also find it in politics, on social media, and even in church. And oftentimes, when we encounter tension, we seek to resolve it. However, some “tension” can't be resolved. In fact, there are some arenas in life where you should “intentionally” remain in “tension.” Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird walks us through one such tension that should exist within a church.

Many people globally are living with fear due to the coronavirus, while many Americans are living with anxiety over the upcoming Presidential election. And this doesn't include the hard things happening in many people's lives personally that are causing stress, worry, and more. Thankfully, God's Word speaks into our fear and anxiety, helping to bring peace. Listen in as one of Riverwood's elders, Ed Pavelec, takes us to several passages in Scripture to bring encouragement during our troubled times.

Back in His day, Jesus was a celebrity. When a person in our day and age meets a celebrity, they want a selfie, or an autograph, or even some advice. But in Mark 6:53-56, we see the people do something very different when they see Jesus - something that any Jesus-follower in 2020 should also do. What is it? Listen in to "The Fame of Jesus" to find out.

Ever had an embarrassing moment where you are holding your phone in your hand, and yet think "Wait... where is my phone?" Suddenly, you begin looking all around for your phone, checking your pockets or reaching into your purse, when about 5 seconds later you realize your foolishness. Anyone? Yeah, us neither. But other people have missed what is right in front of them, such as some of the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day. And if we are not careful, we can make a very similar mistake they made when it came to faith. So to avoid "missing the forest for the trees," listen in as Pastor Erin Bird takes us through Mark 7:1-23.

Have you ever thought you saw someone out in public only to discover it wasn’t actually them? Or perhaps you had a conversation with someone, only to later learn who they actually were. We’ve all done it, making a mistake about a person's identity. In Mark 6:45-52, we see the author give several clear clues of who Jesus truly was, but His disciples will completely miss the clues. But if you can catch these clues to Jesus’ true identity, it can help you through your most difficult times. So listen in as Pastor Erin Bird shares “Trust I Am.”

Life is full of inconveniences. Whether it is having to gas up the car when you are late for a meeting, coming home after a vacation to a broken refrigerator, or taking care of a puking child at 3:00 am, life is full of inconvenient moments. But did you know love is also rarely convenient? In this message from the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Erin Bird helps us see that if a person is going to love like Jesus loved, they have to be ready to love in the inconvenient moments.

In John 20:21, Jesus told His followers that just as His Heavenly Father sent Him to bless the world, He was sending His followers to do the same. But what does it look like for a Jesus-follower to be "sent"? Pastor Erin Bird walks us through Mark 6:7-13, showing us eight details about what it looks like to be sent by Jesus to be a blessing.