Greetings Friends,
In our Sunday morning teaching series we are drawing near to the end of Paul's epic letter to the church in Rome in which he nurtures the obedience of faith in his readers by proclaiming the righteousness of God (his covenant faithfulness and saving justice).  In Romans 12, Paul argues that in response to God's righteousness and mercy, a life of living sacrifice is our proper response.  One translation calls it our "spiritual act of worship" (NIV), another our "spiritual worship" (ESV).  In Greek the terms are more literally rendered "logical service".  I like this.  It makes sense.  In view of all that God has done through history to patiently bring about the obedience of faith for the redemption of not only humanity, but also the cosmos (as we saw in Romans 8), it is only logical, reasonable, that we live lives of humble sacrifice before him and others.  Romans 12 goes on to describe what this kind of life looks like.  It is certainly not the easy or natural way to live, but it certainly is liberating, surprisingly. I'm excited to explore this more this weekend...together!
Grace and peace,
Dave

That is the title of one commentary's section on Romans 6.  How appropriate for us.  This Sunday we will be celebrating a number of baptisms on Independence Day.  How ironic...or should I say "providential"?

As Paul continues to unravel the mystery and beauty of God's righteousness (his faithfulness to his covenant and his saving justice), he demonstrates how baptism is our means of identifying ourselves with Christ in his death (and the forgiveness of our sins), and also in his resurrection (and our newness of life in him).  

Like Israel led by Moses out of slavery through the waters of the Red Sea, so we enter the waters of baptism out of slavery to sin.  Like Israel led by God toward the Promised Land, so we are led by the Holy Spirit of God to the New Heavens and New Earth and the life to come.  In the meantime, we continually remove and renounce the shackles of sin, and willingly become servants of God and his righteousness.  That is true freedom.  And that's the heart of the message that we will explore Sunday.  Let's celebrate this true independence together!

God's grace and peace be with you all,

Dave

In Romans 5:15-17, Paul shares the Good News of the "charisma" (a Greek term) from God to all who trust in the One who raised Christ from the dead.  This "charisma" is translated as "gift" (in the NIV) or "free gift" (in the ESV).  Personally, I like to translate it as "gracious gift".  Why?  Because the root for "charisma" is "charis", the Greek term for "grace" or "favor".  This means that the gift is unmerited (thus, the adjective "free" from the ESV).  Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but I think "free" is significantly different from "gracious".  To understand why, we need to understand what the "charisma" is...what is this...gift?  The "gift" is the justification from God for all of us who have trusted in Christ as our Savior (from our sins) and Lord ("Master") over all of our life, including sin's result (our death).  We believe in Him, because He proved His lordship through His resurrection from the dead.   This "gift" (justification) makes us "righteous" before God...because it is Christ's righteousness that we bear, through faith...by God's grace.  It is a "gracious gift".  And, though unmerited, it is also not "free".   At least not in the sense that we usually think of "free".  In fact, it was a very costly gift.   On Jesus' part it was costly in that he suffered and bled and died that we might receive forgiveness.  On our part it is costly in that it requires us to give up our "presumed" lordship over our own lives...admitting that we've believed the same lie from Genesis 3, that we are "like God".  We give away our delusion of lordship to receive the reality of His.  A small price to pay, you might say, but it does require our trust.  And what a wonderful "price" to pay!   "Charisma"...the gracious gift of being justified through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by the grace of God!  Read it (Romans 5) and weep...for joy!

I look forward to celebrating this "charisma" of God with you Sunday!

God's grace and peace be with you,

Dave

As we continue the series in Romans it is impressing me more and more how righteous (just) God is...how unworthy of his justice I am...and how gracious he is to offer it!  No wonder Paul exclaims, in so many words, "It's the kindness (not wrath!) of God that leads to transformation (repentence)."  As those who've experienced and tasted this grace and kindness and forgiveness, it is good for us to remember afresh the depths from which he has rescued us.  When I do this, I am flooded by joy (not guilt...or even apathy or cynicism), and find great excitement in sharing the hope God offers to all peoples everywhere through Christ Jesus, the Lord.  We can be free of our self- serving nature and liberated to live by God's Spirit and bring a taste of the Kingdom of God to our neighbors.

I am excited to hear from a number of you about how God is encouraging you to take steps of faith in bringing God's justice to various areas of this world that need the light of Christ.  Salvation is not just a "get out of hell" ticket, but also liberation to serve our risen King both here and now as the Church lives out Jesus's prayer that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!  Amen?

I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday!

Dave

Practice Justice?

In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he states this premise (literally in Greek):  "The righteousness (justice) of God in the Gospel (good news) is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, 'But the righteous from faith will live." (1:17)

Later he shares that the wrath of God is being revealed against humanity due to how we have worshiped creation rather than God, the Creator....and that the fall out from that is a perversion of all things...from sex, to money, to just about every aspect of human relationships. 

And if we look around we have to agree that things are in a sad state of affairs.  From war around the globe to oil spills in the gulf...there is brokeness everywhere.  And that brings us back to "the righteousness (justice) of God".  God so loved the cosmos (John 3:16) that through his Son, our risen Lord, Christ Jesus, God will make all things new...that is his justice.  He will fix what is broken and bring his justice (righteousness) to the world. 

Though the fulfillment of that is to come...we, the Church, are to be a foretaste of that great Day when all things are made new.  We are to practice justice (righteousness) right here, right now.  Unfortunately, the Church has too often passed judgement, rather than practiced justice.  So, what does it mean to practice justice?  It means, simply, to bring healing to what is broken...to make right(eous) what is wrong in the world.  So, how might that look on your block, your neighborhood, your city? Seriously.  How might that look?  Shoot me an email and let me know: pastordave@rivercommunitychurch.org.

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday!

Dave

 

 

 

Greetings Friends,

This weekend (Memorial Day weekend) we will begin a summer-long series through Paul's letter to the Church in Rome.  It begins and ends with Paul's labor and God's ability "to bring about the "obedience of 

faith"...and we, the "hearers", should take note (Romans 1:5; 16:26).  

The objective of this letter apparently is to do just that...to nurture "the obedience of faith" in those who "hear" it.  It is my prayer as we enter into these summer months that just as our gardens and fields grow to maturity in order to reproduce a harvest, that our 

faith may also grow in maturity and that we, too, may see a harvest.   

A harvest of righteousness...where God's righteousness in our lives individually and in our church corporately brings good news to one another and to our neighbors and neighborhoods.  Please prepare for worship this Memorial Day weekend, by remembering the grace and peace that God has lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ!  I hope to see you all Saturday at the Big White House or Sunday at the River.

God's grace and peace to you all,

Dave

Faith, Hope, Love.

As we continue "taking steps of faith" together, I have been energized by the vision of the Church ("the Bride of Christ" globally) growing more and more into the image of Christ, her Groom....the Object of her faith....the Object of our faith.  

On the local level (small "c" church), I envision us reflecting Christ in word(s) and deed(s) to our neighbors both in the Church and outside of her, both locally and globally by the power of the Holy Spirit.  I envision us growing in our obedience as a result of our growing faith.  I envision us being inspired by the hope of the fact that our risen Lord is indeed "making all things new" (Revelation 21:5).  And I envision us practicing love...a love for God, a love for one another, a love for others...a genuine, practical love.   This Sunday we will explore these steps together with some very practical ways that we might grow in faith, hope, and love.  (And, by the way, if you haven't heard, the greatest of these is love.)

I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Dave

Greetings!

As we as a congregation have been exploring taking steps of faith over these past four weeks, we've discussed several aspects of faith:  1) the importance of taking our "first steps" and walking by faith; 2) the necessity of focussing our eyes on Christ to run by faith; 3) a "picture of the faithful person" who humbly lives and gives and loves by faith; and 4)  the dangerous potential of doubt in derailing our faith and the importance of discipline in maintaining our faith.  This series has been very timely for me as I have gone through a season of 

doubt...not doubt in God, but doubt and uncertainty of "direction".  

Through this season I have been surprised by the many ways that God has encouraged my faith, and I am excited and filled with hope that we are moving forward in ways that please God, namely "by faith".  This Sunday we will once again look at our God-given role as reconcilers, 

and our utter dependence on God (faith!) to enable us for our task.  

Let's come together by faith and encourage one another in this journey of faith!

God's grace and peace be with you all,

Dave

As we continue to discuss "Taking Steps of Faith" it is important to realize a few things.  A corollary to "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6) might be "With faith it is impossible to please the enemy."  Whenever we take steps of faith, we are bound to meet some resistance.  The Bible (especially in the teachings of Jesus himself) makes it clear that there is a hidden realm that is opposed to the ways of God.  Jesus faced it in his ministry.  Paul faced it in his ministry.  And the Church (including our fellowship) faces it in her ministries.
Becky reminded me this week that while in Michigan, after committing to move to the Iowa City area to plant Genesis, before every trip that we planned to take here to get ready for the move, one of our children would get sick.  And many times since, when we've talked about taking steps of faith as a church it seems like something comes up that tempts us to take our eyes off of what we believe God is calling us to do, or tempts us to be discouraged, or some misunderstanding(s) arise in the body that have the potential of creating division or dissension.  God knows the source of these things, we don't, but it has been noticeable that we seem to meet resistance whenever taking steps of faith.  Could it be that  we are experiencing a struggle that "...is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)?  Maybe so.  One thing we do know is that God loves it when we grow in our trust in him, and the enemy hates it.
So, as you and I (and we!) take steps of faith in growing deeper in our trust in Christ and our commitment to glorifying him in all areas of our lives, may we not be as those who "shrink back" (Hebrews 10:39), but as those who move forward, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith!"  (Hebrews 12:2)
Let's continue this journey...together!
God's grace and peace be with us all,
Dave

Our faith...in Jeopardy

 

Answer:  "Try to get other people involved in the Lord Jesus.  Try to love one another as you love yourself and Jesus.  Help others."

Question:  What is our vision at the River (and Genesis)?

The answer above was written on a "connection card" by a new follower of Jesus in response to the above question I raised at the River last Sunday.

Sometimes it is easy to forget the very basics of what is our vision and mission as local assemblies of Jesus' followers (aka "the church").

This woman, though young in her faith, was ancient in wisdom.  I told her that her answer to "What is our vision?" pretty much sums up the guiding principles Jesus gave us...his vision for us.

So, how are we doing?  Are we connecting people to our Lord Jesus (getting them "involved" with him)?  Are we loving one another as much as we love ourselves?  Are we loving Jesus (by trusting him and obeying him)?  Are we helping others?

We must continually remember the "answer" to the question of "What is our vision at the River?"  And we must continually ask ourselves if we are committed to the tasks at hand....and then act upon the need at hand.

We must walk by faith, continue running by faith, and then we will be 

amazed at what faith in Christ produces in others, but also in us.  

Sunday, Gene Leutzinger (one of the elders at Genesis Church) will be exploring this with us in his sermon "A Picture of the Faithful Person".

O Come all ye Faithful!

Dave

Last week we began a 7-week series entitled "Taking Steps of Faith".  

The text we observed was from II Corinthians 5 and we called the teaching "Walking by Faith" (from verse 7).  In this text Paul shares with the church in Corinth that we walk by faith in the great Christian hope of resurrection.  In essence, Paul states that these skeleton bones will be taking on a new body, a resurrected body, that will never know suffering and death again.  Ezekiel alludes to this in Ezekiel 37.  Paul goes further in his letter in saying that since we walk by faith in this great hope in the resurrected Christ, that we are now given the great joy and responsibility of bearing God's message of reconciliation.  God, through his people sharing his Word, calls all people everywhere to be reconciled to him.  And, subsequent to that, to be reconciled to one another.  This is part of our walk of faith.

This week we will quicken the pace, and examine from the author of Hebrews what it means to RUN by faith.  We are at a point in the life of our congregation where we need to honestly ask ourselves individually and as a community, what steps of faith Christ is calling us to as we carry forward God's message of reconciliation.  May we come together Sunday ready to run...by faith...in Christ.

God's grace and peace to you!

Dave

"Up from the grave he arose; 

 with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;  

he arose a victor from the dark domain, 

 and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.  

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!"

 

So goes the chorus to a song I remember singing as a child on Easter Sundays.  It's one of the few songs I remember the first time hearing it.  When the chorus exploded out of the sleepy lyrics of the main verses, I remember sitting straight up.  Musically, it captured the explosive events of the resurrection.  Christ, after his Sabbath rest in the tomb, exploded to life again...altering the course of history...conquering the result of human sin and rebellion, namely death.  He died that we might be forgiven.  And he lives, that we may live both now and forevermore!  This forgiveness and this new life are ours to be received...by faith in Christ alone.  

From now until Pentecost Sunday (May 23), we will be focusing on "Taking Steps of Faith"...and where they may take us individually and as a church in the days ahead.  I am excited for this next phase of the journey as a church family and I hope you are, too.  I hope to see you Sunday as we travel down this path together, with Christ.  

Grace and peace,

Dave

Greetings, Friends!

I just wanted to remind you that we are remembering the death and burial of Jesus Christ ("The Lamb of God") tonight at a special service at the Big White House (1246 12th Ave, Coralville).   Since we may have some elderly people joining us, we ask that we save those parking spots next to the house (south side of lot) for them.  We may also park in the lot of Hillside Christian School.  The service will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Room, with overflow and video feed in the Fireside Room.

Also on Sunday, we will be meeting at the River Community Church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ ("The Resurrected Lord").  

Both congregations are converging together for these services.  Brunch will begin being served at 9:00 a.m., worship will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m., and an Easter Egg Hunt will be held immediately after the service in the green space east of the parking lot.  (We are also still in need of nursery workers - let me know if you can help out.) I hope you can join us for these special services!  To get you ready for Sunday here's a peak at a new song Cody and Joey and gang are going to lead off with:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYESNOPpXV4

God's grace and peace be with you all!

Dave

On Sunday we will be continuing our journey through Luke's Gospel and discovering the different ways Jesus is presented to us, the readers.  

We've seen Jesus as the unique Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.  We've seen Jesus as the Anointed One ("Messiah" in Hebrew, "Christ" in Greek) who comes to fulfill the Covenants and Prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures.  We've seen Jesus as the Healer, who liberates people from their afflictions...sometimes physically, but often spiritually.  We've seen Jesus as the Teacher, the One who explains to us the ways of the Kingdom of God, and the life we can have by faith in Him.

This week we will look at Jesus the Redeemer...the One who has descended to us in order to lift us up; to seek the lost that we may be found.  I hope we will see Jesus in a fresh way as we find the Amazing Grace he offers for all who would receive it!

Let us come and worship him....together!

Dave

This past January and now into February we have been re-centering ourselves (individually and as a congregation) on finding the meaning IN life.

We have started with the presupposition that our lives have purpose (a God-given purpose) to "glorify" him in all things.  We have stated that Christ Jesus is the center of our purpose.

In our worship, Christ is at the center of our teaching, fellowship, prayers, and the communion table.

In our personal devotion, Christ is at the center of our trust, obedience, and life.

In our fellowship, Christ is at the center of our love for one another.

In our service, Christ is at the center of care for those on the "outside" of things.

This Sunday, we  examined  how Christ is also the center of our mission...both locally and globally.

Also, as a reminder, if you can't join us for worship Sunday morning at the River, we are also worshiping (and working through this series) at the Big White House (1246 12th Ave, Coralville) on Saturday nights (5:30 p.m.) and at Genesis (North Liberty Community Center, lower level) on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

I look forward to worshiping this Sunday...together!

God's grace and peace to you,

Dave