Riverwood Church - Waverly, IA: Sermons

It is very natural for humans to think that in order to achieve a certain level of holiness, they have to "earn" it. Whether it be through classes, practices, or upholding certain traditions, they believe they have to jump through certain hoops in order to be "saved" or to please God. But as Erin Bird, teaching pastor for Riverwood, shows us from the book of Colossians, what we need isn't to add classes or religious practices in order to make God happy - rather, we just need to continue with Jesus. So no matter where you are at in your spiritual journey, listen in to learn how you can love like Jesus loved and live like Jesus lived.

Have you ever seen those videos of people texting on their phones while walking who end up running into a sign, or into a pond, or even into a wall? They are so distracted by their phones, they miss what is around them. In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul didn't want his readers to spiritually walk into "walls" by getting distracted by the things of life. So to protect them, he helps them by telling them to keep their eyes on Jesus. If you are a Jesus-follower, this message will help you learn how to keep your eyes on Jesus. And if you aren't a follower of Jesus yet, listen in to learn why you might want to follow Jesus.

Evangelism. It's a scary word for a lot of people. Most Jesus-followers don't engage in it, and those that do often do it from impure motives. Teaching from 2 Corinthians 5:9-21, guest teacher Steve Erickson walks Jesus-followers through four reasons why they should share the gospel with others, and how to do it with the right heart.

Imagine a scientific lab that discovered a cure for cancer, but didn't tell anyone. That would be awful, wouldn't it? Yet on a spiritual level, many Jesus-followers know the "cure" for sin, but remain mum. In this last message in "The Gospel" sermon series, Pastor Erin Bird shows from the book of Colossians that if someone is a Jesus-follower, it is expected he or she will "speak the gospel." And as we'll see, Jesus-followers are to speak the gospel to those who don't know Jesus as well as to those who already follow Him.

So far in this series called "The Gospel," we have seen the importance of continually learning the gospel (week 1) so that we can think the gospel (week 2). But the purpose for allowing the gospel to be a filter to our way of thinking is to impact our way of living. The Scriptures do not teach us the gospel simply to fill our heads with the story of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible shows us how the gospel is to impact our everyday lives and relationships. In this third part of "The Gospel" series, Pastor Erin Bird takes us through Ephesians 4:1-6, showing us exactly how God calls us to "live the gospel," which will impact our relationships at home, at work, and even in our churches.

How you see yourself shapes what you do. If you see yourself as a great athlete, you'll keep trying your best at your sport. If you see yourself as a horrible cook, you'll stay away from the kitchen. The same goes for your faith. How you think about yourself spiritually affects what you do and how you feel about life. In Romans 12:1-3, the Apostle Paul talks about this very thing - how your thinking affects your behavior. Listen in as Pastor Erin Bird explores these ancient words while also giving a "tool" that can help you think the gospel, leading you to the life you deeply desire.

Just like a person can become fluent in a foreign language with study and practice, a Jesus-follower can become "fluent" in the gospel by studying it. This week, in part one of "The Gospel" series, we look at the importance of learning the gospel continually, because it has the power to shape how we think, speak, and live.

On this particular Sunday, Erin Bird, our lead pastor, takes a moment to look back at what happened in the Riverwood family in 2017, and what is possibly to come in 2018.

After you breathe your last breath, what do you hope to have left behind? Nice thoughts about your life? A full bank account that will provide for your children? A building bearing your name? If you are a Jesus-follower, these things are too small. God wants to do so much more than just see people say nice things about you at your funeral. If you want to leave a legacy that will make an eternal impact, listen in to "Committed to the Gospel" as Pastor Erin Bird walks us through 2 Timothy 4:1-8.

Ever been lost in a strange city? Some people stop and ask for directions (well, at least most of the women reading this do...). Some people just try to figure it out (which many of the guys reading this try to do...). But most often, in our day of smartphones, we consult a map. A map helps us get reoriented to where we currently are and how to get where we want to go. Sometimes, we need the exact same thing spiritually - we need some sort of "map" to figure out how to move forward in our spiritual journey with Jesus. Thankfully, God has provided just the thing! Listen in to learn more about this God-given map, and how it can help you grow spiritually in 2018.

People are committed to all sorts of things: family, work, hobbies, sports, etc. But underneath our devotion to such items is often a greater dedication - a commitment to self. In this first message in the Committed message series, we hear from 2 Timothy 3:1-13 how a commitment to self actually keeps us from the life we want and that God has for us. So listen in to learn how to make the primary commitment in your life a commitment to God.

Many Americans love to drive around town in December looking at Christmas lights. (We are like bugs drawn to the light!) Why? Perhaps because light, while it is outside of us, does something within us. Light gives us some joy, a bit of hope, and a sense of awe. Maybe this is why Jesus is called "the Light of the World." In this third part of our teaching series "An Incarnational Christmas" we discover that Jesus, as the light, has come to give us joy, hope, and awe. But his incarnation does more than just give us light. It also changes how we live. So listen in to "An Incarnational Life."

Our view of self as humans vacillates wildly. We shift from thinking we are one of the most awesome persons on earth to one of the worst people to have ever lived. (And sometimes we even think all of that on the same day!) But the Incarnation of Jesus actually addresses our view of self, helping us see who we really are in the eyes of God. And that view will simultaneously humble us and embolden us as humans. So listen to "An Incarnational Mirror" to better understand who you truly are and who you are meant to be.

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines "incarnation" as "a person who embodies in the flesh a deity." In Christianity, the incarnation of Jesus, God the Son, into human flesh is a foundational doctrine to the faith. But this doctrinal truth does more than just separate Christianity from other religions, it impacts the meaning of Christmas and our view of God.

As part of our annual Thanksgiving Family Worship Gathering, Riverwood's very own Jacob Tews shared some thoughts about why Jesus-followers can give thanks in all circumstances - even the hard ones.

In this final message in the His Story sermon series, we wrap things up in a different way. Rather than see how the Bible points to Jesus, we ask "How does your story point to Jesus?" To answer that question, we look at the story of a woman in John 4 and then hear from five Jesus-followers who reveal how their story really does point to Jesus.

Ever seen a Magic Eye picture? It looks like a mess on the surface, but if you peer through it, you see something entirely different - a 3D image inside the picture. The Book of Revelation is somewhat similar. On the surface, it appears to first be apocalyptic literature all about the end of the world. But as you peer deeper, you discover that it first points to Jesus. Listen in to discover at least four ways that the Book of Revelation shows us Jesus in its pages, and in the process actually encourages you rather than scare or confuse you.

The Epistles in the New Testament are letters written to individuals and churches to help them follow Jesus. Listen in as we look at 1 John 2:1-14 to learn the four things the Epistles can do for those whose faith is in Jesus.

Sometimes in life, we see, hear, or experience an event, and yet somehow we misunderstand the truth. For instance, you might meet an incredibly tall athletic-looking man and assume he plays basketball. Yet the reality might be that he hates sports and actually has an affinity for the fine arts. Well, something similar has happened to Americans' view of church. Because of our experiences, we have created definitions of what a church is, and yet we misunderstand what it truly is. So as you listen in to this message from Pastor Erin Bird, be prepared to have your definition of church challenged - which will help you understand more clearly what it means to follow Jesus.

Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead after his brutal crucifixion, he ascended to heaven in front of his followers. Right before he lifted off the ground, he gave one last instruction. This final command of Christ has been feared by Christians throughout history. Many find this command too difficult to obey, or they want to obey it in their own way in their own timing. But as we hear in this next part of the His Story series, this final command of Jesus isn't supposed to be drudgery, rather it is for our good and the good of others. It is supposed to be a command that Jesus-followers gladly obey with joy. What is this command and how can you (if you follow Jesus) fulfill it? Listen in to "The Ascension of Jesus."

Christians all around the world throughout history have remembered the death of Jesus on the cross as payment for sin. But did you know the gospel message doesn't stop with the crucifixion of Jesus? There's more to the story. Listen in to discover why the resurrection of Jesus is crucial to the gospel story. Because if there's no resurrection, there's no Christianity.

The crucifixion of Jesus is the central aspect of the Christian faith. Churches around the world every Sunday sing about it, talk about it, and take communion elements to remember it. But have you really looked at the crucifixion? Do you know what Jesus truly went through? In this next part of the His Story series, we take a deep look at the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering of Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to the spear thrust in his side. And as you listen to this gruesome message, may you realize the immense love God has for you.

Christian churches all around the world celebrate the sacrament of communion (also called the Lord's Supper). But where did this practice come from? Listen in to discover the roots to this ancient ceremony. And as you do, you will discover how the Lord's Supper, like the Bible, points to Jesus.

Have you ever experienced a "wow" moment? You know, a moment that takes your breath away, and all you can say is "wow"? Jesus gave his disciples and the people around him some "wow" moments. We call them miracles. And as we study the reaction of the disciples in Mark 4:35-41 to one of the biggest miracles Jesus, we see how the miracles of Jesus should affect us. So listen in to this next message in the His Story series. You might just have a wow moment while looking at the miracles of Jesus.

Some people become famous in life for having one consistent message. For instance, Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his speeches on civil rights. Jesus also had one consistent message. In this next part to the His Story series, we look at His one repeated message, and discover how it should affect the one message of your life.

The first-century disciples (followers) of Jesus were ordinary men and women like you and me. But some of them did extraordinary things because they allowed their lives to not be about themselves, but to be all about the message and life of Jesus. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, if you want to follow Jesus (or are simply curious about following Him) listen in as Riverwood's Worship Pastor, Jeff Willis, talks about the call and cost of following Jesus.

Everyone one of us has experienced a disruption in life. Some disruptions are good, like finding out you got the job. But some disruptions seem to wreck our personal stories, like hearing the doctor say "It's cancer." The arrival of Jesus into the pages of history was a disruption. But in this message, we learn how the arrival of Jesus should be a good disruption to our story. So listen in to hear three points that help you see how the birth of Jesus impacts you personally.

In this stand-alone message, guest teacher Steve Erickson shows from the life of Jesus how a Jesus-follower can use the everyday spaces he or she finds themselves in to grow spiritually and be a blessing to others.

We live in a day and age where "fake news" is a regular part of the cultural conversation. But did you know that there has been quite a bit of "fake news" shared about the sacrament of baptism? This week, we look at the baptism of Jesus and the context surrounding it in Matthew chapter 3. Through this passage, we discover 5 "fake news" headlines about baptism that get debunked, helping us see what baptism is truly all about. So listen in to learn more about the beautiful sacrament of baptism.

This week, we look at the biblical story of an incredibly hypocritical Jewish prophet, and see how his hypocritical life points to the non-hypocritical life of Jesus.

Oftentimes when people read the Bible, they engage in a case of "mistaken identity." When they read a story, they unintentionally read it as if they were the main character. And one story we often engage in "mistaken identity" is the story of Daniel and the Lions Den. In this week's message, Pastor Erin Bird helps us see that Daniel's story in the sixth chapter of the book that bears his name isn't first about us, but rather about Jesus. And when we realize that the identity of Daniel points to Jesus, we discover something about ourselves in the process.

In the book of Ezekiel is a famous story about dry bones becoming skeletons which become bodies which become living human beings. But did you know this famous story from Ezekiel 37 can also help you in the moments you are struggling to trust God in your darkest moments? Listen in to be encouraged that your current condition is not your forever condition.

In America, we are addicted to new. New movies, new music, new clothes, new cars, new relationships, new everything. Let's face it: We like new. But oftentimes, we make the mistake of believing that "new" makes us better. Now, don't make the mistake of thinking "new" then is bad. God actually wants you to experience "new" life. But rather than give us external things like clothes or cars, He wants to give us a new heart. If you want a new heart and to experience the life God has for you, listen in.

In this unique Worship Gathering, we weaved together passages from the Old Testament book of Isaiah with contemporary songs that point to the birth, life, death, & resurrection of Jesus. As you listen, may you worship God and be blown away at the revealing of Jesus over 700 years before He ever was set in a manger in swaddling cloths.

If you've ever been ridiculed, or betrayed, or lost a dear loved one, or battled depression, you have felt alone. You have felt unloved, unwanted, disconnected, and isolated. Some people, when they feel this way, try to medicate the pain through sleep or drink or thrills. But some people try to medicate the pain spiritually. And for thousands of years, many people have used the Book of Psalms to try to spiritually heal the emotional aloneness they feel. In this twenty-second part in the His Story series, we take a look at the comfort and encouragement the Psalms can bring. But we also see Jesus inside these ancient song lyrics, and as we do so we realize that we do not suffer alone and we will not suffer forever. So listen in to be encouraged.

Have you ever considered what it is that makes people like Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King Jr. so inspiring? It's humility. Humility is the ability to put the needs of others before your own. It's hard, but it can be powerful. Listen in to the story of Naaman and the power of humility, even when shown reluctantly.

Most people know a temple as a sacred building that some religion believes contains the presence of their deity. They gather at the temple to engage in various religious practices to worship their god and fulfill spiritual requirements. The ancient Jews weren't much different. In the book of 1 Kings, the wise King Solomon had the first Jewish temple built to house the Ark of the Covenant so that the presence of God could be with the nation and the people could worship the One True God. As Solomon dedicates the temple to God before the assembled nation, he reveals in a prayer four things about temples that actually help Jesus-followers understand God's design for how to live out their faith. So no matter where you are in your spiritual journey, listen in to see how knowledge about temples can help you positively impact the people around you.

When making small talk with a young person, we often ask, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" And when they respond, we might follow up with something like, "That's great! How are you going to make that dream become a reality?" But rather than ask WHAT they want to do and HOW they are going to do it, perhaps we should be asking "Who are you?" When we ask this of ourselves, this critical question of WHO helps us know who we are, which then affects what we do. But did you know this question also helps us understand the Christian faith? For when we ask "Who is God?" it helps us discover the character and nature of God, which explains what He does and how He chooses to do it. So listen in as guest teacher Steve Erickson teaches us "Three Core Beliefs."

Ancient nations longed to have a king rule over them because they believed that a good king would make them safe, strong, victorious, and fulfilled as a nation. We aren't much different in our day and age. While we do not want political kings, we do find personal kings. We long for things, people, or experiences that make us feel safe, strong, victorious, and fulfilled. The problem is, none of these kings can ever come through 100% of the time. Each and every one of them will fail. But this is actually a good thing. Listen in to this 19th message in the His Story series and discover how Jesus is the one true King you have been looking for and actually need. This week's passages are from 2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51, and Psalm 145.

Ever felt like a failure when your Plan A didn't go as envisioned? This week, in "The King 2.0" (Part 17 in the "His Story" sermon series from Riverwood Church in Waverly, IA), Pastor Erin Bird shows us the biblical pattern that Plan B might actually be God's Plan A, and you aren't a failure at all - rather you are exactly where God wants you to be.

"Jesus Loves Ruth" is Part 16 in the His Story series from Riverwood Church in Waverly, IA. This week, Pastor Erin Bird walks us through the Old Testament book of Ruth.

Launch Sermon PlayerTo surrender is incredibly difficult (just ask a kid who doesn’t want to obey their parent!). But to have the type of relationship with God that we want, it means we have to surrender. In the story of the battle of Jericho, there are four types of surrender that can help someone become […]

Launch Sermon PlayerOn April 30, Riverwood member Nate Luck shared his story about his spiritual journey of finding Jesus.

Launch Sermon PlayerIn Deuteronomy 18, Moses told the Israelites that God would raise up a prophet, a leader, like him. Listen in to learn how Jesus fulfills this prophecy completely.

Launch Sermon PlayerHave you ever looked at a decision and said in your head “I can’t do that!” or “That’s not possible”? In the book of Numbers chapter 13, we see the Israelites, upon hearing some hard news, adopt a mentality of “impossible!” But in the midst of the people saying, “we can’t!” there were two men who looked toward God […]

Launch Sermon PlayerWhat is your definition of a GOAT? Is it an animal or is it more? In this next message in the His Story series, we take a closer look at (the very boring book of) Leviticus and see how 2 goats show us that Jesus is the GOAT.

Launch Sermon PlayerA few years ago, the Ten Commandments were in modern-day news. Should they still be observed? Should they be ignored? Or do these ancient Jewish laws fulfill some other purpose for Jesus-followers in light of the Gospel? Listen in as Pastor Erin explains from Exodus 20:1-17 how the Ten Commandments should or should not affect your life today.

Launch Sermon PlayerEvery human alive has had at least one significant day that changed their lives. Whether it’s the birth of a child, a wedding, graduation day, or their own birth, everyone has gone through a day that changed everything. The ancient Israelites went through a day that changed them as a nation and changed their religion. […]

Launch Sermon PlayerRunning a marathon requires a lot of work and training to get up to the point of running 26.2 miles. But what if you did all the prep work in the last week instead of taking months to train? Or what if you had to give a book report, but all you used in your […]

Launch Sermon PlayerThe story of Jesus goes through some very questionable characters. For instance, this week in Genesis chapters 37-50, we meet a cocky 17-year-old who gets sold into slavery by his half-brothers and thrown in prison by his master, while his older brother sleeps with a cult prostitute – who turned out to be his daughter-in-law. Pretty […]