In this episode of A Different Way, we explore Jesus’ challenging words on marriage and divorce from Matthew 5:31–32.In a culture where divorce had become casual and one-sided, Jesus raised the bar — restoring God’s vision for covenant ...

In this message from our series A Different Way, Jesus confronts the deeper issue beneath behavior: the heart. In Gospel of Matthew 5:27–30, He raises the bar from external obedience to inner transformation, showing why desire is ...

Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount refuse to let us stay on the surface.In this message, we look at how Jesus takes a command everyone already agrees with ("You shall not murder”) and drives it deeper into the heart, addres...

What happens when two different systems collide?In this message from Matthew 5:17–20, Jesus addresses one of the most misunderstood ideas in the Sermon on the Mount: Righteousness.This passage serves as the foundation for...

What are followers of Jesus actually for in the world?In this message from our series A Different Way, we turn to Jesus’ words in Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16, where He calls His people the salt of the earth and the light of the w...

In this opening message of “A Different Way: The Sermon on the Mount,” we begin with Jesus’ surprising words in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12). Before giving any commands, Jesus sits down like a rabbi and makes a radical declaration about who ...

What happens after Advent? After the season of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Jesus, one question remains: Now what?  In this message, guest speaker Logan Phillips turns to 2 Corinthians 5:17 to explore what it really means to become...

In this Christmas Eve message from Isaiah 9:6, we’re reminded that Jesus was not only born… He was given. Christianity tells a radically different story than every other religion: instead of humanity reaching up to God, God ca...

What does real love actually look like?In this Advent message, we explore love not as a feeling or a slogan—but as a costly, sacrificial gift. Drawing from 1 John 4, familiar cultural stories, and the quiet power of Christmas, this messa...

In a world chasing happiness through better circumstances, stronger habits, and curated lives, many of us still feel weary, empty, and restless. Why? Because happiness—while good—was never meant to carry the weight of our deepest longings.<...

This week in The Weary World Rejoices, we focused on the peace Jesus brings — not just calmer circumstances, but peace that settles deep within our souls. The angels declared “peace on earth” at His birth, and we explored what...

In this first message of our Advent series, The Weary World Rejoices, Justin reminds us that Advent begins in the dark—not to discourage us, but to help us see the Light of Christ more clearly. Drawing from Romans 15:12–13, we explore ...

In this final RHYTHMS series message, Justin explores how mission isn’t something we add to our lives—it’s how we live our lives as followers of Jesus. Rooted in Matthew 28 and the everyday spaces we inhabit, this message unpacks four si...

This week we begin our final RHYTHM — Mission — the natural overflow of a life formed by Jesus. In this message, we are reminded that mission isn’t something we do for God; it’s who we are because of God. From the Fathe...

This week we’re continuing in our series called RHYTHMS — where we’re exploring the everyday practices that shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Last week, we talked about why community matters — that following Jesus isn’t som...

We were never meant to follow Jesus alone. In this message from our RHYTHMS series, we look at the heartbeat of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 — a community devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. In a world where "connec...

In this message, guest speaker Jeff Ebert unpacks one of the most beautiful truths about God—that He is a generous God. Through the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13, Jeff invites us to rediscov...

In this message from Matthew 6:24–34, guest speaker Jeff Ebert unpacks what it means to live with a heart that reflects the generous grace of God. Drawing from Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Jeff reminds us that gen...

Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” In this message, Justin unpacks this paradox of rest—showing how true peace isn’t found in doing less, but in walking with Jesus at His pace. Discover the freedom that comes when you stop st...

What if the most spiritual thing you could do this week... was stop?In this message from our RHYTHMS series, we explore one of the most countercultural invitations in Scripture—the call to Sabbath. In a world addicted to motion, where o...

Recently, we looked at the story of Mary and Martha, and we were reminded that the most important thing isn’t doing more for God—it’s being with Him. But once we slow down long enough to sit at His feet, the question remains: how do we actu...

Welcome to the River Valley Church Podcast! Each week we’re learning what it means to practice the way of Jesus together through daily and weekly rhythms that shape us into His likeness. In this episode, we continue our RHYTHMS series by focusi...

In this week’s message, we continue our RHYTHMS series by looking at the transforming power of Scripture through the lens of the resurrection. Just as the slow drip of water carves stone, the daily rhythm of God’s Word shapes who we are becomin...

In this opening message of our new fall series RHYTHMS, we explore how the patterns we practice—in life shape who we become. Rhythms form us slowly but powerfully over time. As a church, we’re setting out to look at five key rhythms that we thi...

This week we looked at an important strategy when it comes to the mission of God to reach people... OIKOS. No, not the Greek yogurt! The 8-15 people in one's closest relational network, including friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Disc...