Riverside Church, Birmingham, Uk

TEACHING SERIES: This Little Light of Mine SERMON TITLE: Clinging on For Life BY: Nathanael Ballew DATE: Sunday 11th June 2023 ‘BIBLE PASSAGES: Revelation | Chapter 2 | Verses 8-11 EXCERPT: Going through hard times can be one of the biggest barriers to faith in Jesus. And sometimes when followers of Jesus suffer, questions start emerging about whether God is there, or at work. For these ancient followers of Jesus, John reminds them that the opposition and suffering they face won’t last forever. And that, one day, they will receive a prize that will help them to keep clinging on now, despite the struggles they face. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will

TEACHING SERIES: This Little Light of Mine SERMON TITLE: Love That Shines BY: Judy Moore DATE: Sunday 4th June 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: Revelation | Chapter 2 | Verses 1-7 EXCERPT: In the UK, what is the church known for? In a recent survey (talkingjesus.org), the most common positive responses were: friendly, caring, hopeful and generous. And yet, at the same time, the church is also known for being hypocritical and narrow-minded. As John writes to Christians in the ancient city of Ephesus he is encouraged by some of what he sees – the good things they’re doing; their hard work; their perseverance; and their inability to tolerate evil. In a sense, they ‘hate’ the right things. And yet, at the same time there is one big thing they are missing – love. What would it be like to for the church to be known for both love and hating evil at the same time? Is it possible? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people g

TEACHING SERIES: This Little Light of Mine SERMON TITLE: Where to Look? BY: Sarah Auger DATE: Sunday 28th May 2023 ‘BIBLE PASSAGES: Revelation | Chapter 1 | Verses 1-20 EXCERPT: When you sit in the dark for long enough, your eyes become accustomed to it. It doesn’t seem so dark anymore. Perhaps the same is true for our society? Have we become so accustomed to one way of life that we get used to it? For the first readers of the book of Revelation, they faced a real danger – in the middle of opposition, the temptation to settle down to a life of comfort in the Roman Empire was so attractive. And yet, the light of Christ shines like a lighthouse – brightly revealing the darkness and guiding to safety. What would it look like for followers of Jesus to then shine this light brightly, like lampshades in a dark world? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across

TEACHING SERIES: What are You Running From? SERMON TITLE: What Does God Thinks of My Enemies? BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 14th May 2023 ‘BIBLE PASSAGES: Jonah | Chapter 4 | Verses 1-11 EXCERPT: This whole book is aimed at those who think that God loves us – our country etc – and therefore is against our enemies. It’s a powerful drama confronting the racism, nationalism, sectarianism, tribalism in our hearts. The Jonah figure is us. The strength of his emotional collapse at the mercy shown to his enemies is striking. And yet, we witness the same tribalism and division every day in world (e.g. on social media) – how do we respond? God’s question, at the very end of the book, leaves us hanging. It’s a question about the posture of our lives, that we all need to ask. Should I not be concerned about that great city? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers acro

TEACHING SERIES: What are You Running From? SERMON TITLE: Is Change Possible? BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 7th May 2023 ‘BIBLE PASSAGES: Jonah | Chapter 3 | Verses 1-10 EXCERPT: What does ‘repentance look like in practice? Nineveh was a brutal and horrific enemy…we are meant to identify with Jonah about wanting them to be wiped out. And yet, here in chapter 3, they seem to repent. What is true repentance like? And what would revival look like in our society today? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life. Whoever you are, whatever you

TEACHING SERIES: What are You Running From? SERMON TITLE: Does God Really Hear Our Cry? BY: Judy Moore DATE: Sunday 30th April 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: Jonah | Chapter 1, verses 17 to Chapter 2, verse 10. EXCERPT: Inside the fish, Jonah prays. It is noticeable, though, that Jonah doesn’t really acknowledge or confess his sin. It’s almost as if he is more interested in his own rescue, than admitting his error? Maybe he hasn’t quite grasped the bigger picture about how wide God’s grace is. It is only by the end of the prayer that we actually get to God’s grace – his steadfast love. It’s at this point that Jonah is released back to the land of the living. When Jonah is finally alone with God, and finally admits what God is like, then salvation comes. We sometimes say sorry to escape consequences, rather than actually being sorry. Maybe this is what Jonah is doing? Maybe it’s only when God is all we have left, that we discover God is all we need. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together i

TEACHING SERIES: What are You Running From? SERMON TITLE: What are You Running from? BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 23 April 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: Jonah | Chapter 1 | Verses 1-16 EXCERPT: The book of Jonah is not about the fish! It’s actually a mirror on our culture and our hearts. It’s about any group of people/person that we think ‘they deserve God’s justice & judgement more than they deserve his grace’. For Ancient Israel, they would have identified with Jonah and would not have wanted Nineveh to repent. Jonah is running from God’s grace and mercy, whereas the (pagan) sailors discover they need it. What about us? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will f

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: We need to Talk BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 16 April 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 5 | Verses 13-19 EXCERPT: Surely confession can’t be that important? The journalist Dorothy Dix was quoted as saying “confession is always weakness”; but is this really true or might confession be one of the most powerful things we can do? How often are we really honest with those closest to us? Really, really honest….telling them the things we know are embarrassing, hard and let our guards down so they see the real us, the bits that aren’t quite as shiny as we’d like them to be. Do we prefer to stick to the Instagram perfect pictures, where everything is filtered to perfection? Yet this is what we have been called to do to help us grow in our relationship with God and help us live fully in the freedom that God intended for our lives. James helps us to realise there is great power in confessing the things we struggle with so we can live fully in the light of Jesus. Wel

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: The Power of Prayer BY: Nathanael Ballew DATE: Sunday 2nd April 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 5 | Verses 13-19 EXCERPT: How should we pray and does it even work? The Christian author Pete Greig said, in response to the question of who prays nowadays “Everyone prays. Even non-Christians pray. The difference when Christians do it is they are climbing into the lap of their heavenly Father!” Prayer can be a mystery. Why are some prayers seemingly answered and others not? However, what if we reimagined what many seem to have allowed prayer to become, a wish list of what we think should happen, and instead turn it into a powerful relationship with an ever present loving Heavenly Father. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity o

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: Facing Suffering BY: Judy Moore DATE: Sunday 26th March 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 5 | Verses 7-12 EXCERPT: How do I walk through suffering? For many believers and unbelievers one of the biggest questions we continually wrestle with is “how can a loving God allow suffering?” and yet suffering lies at the very heart of the Christian story. Rebecca McLaughlin writes & suffering is not an embarrassment to the Christian faith. It is the thread with which Christ's name is stitched into our lives. How does this truth change the way we can walk through the darkest times? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you w

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: But Why? BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 19th March 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 5 | Verses 1-9 EXCERPT: How can I show God’s heart for justice? At a time in our society where the gap between the rich and poor seems ever widening God calls us to live in a counter-cultural way, not trusting in or trying to gain the things the world puts value in such as wealth and power but instead trusting in God alone. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life. Whoever you are, whatever you believe,

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: The Issue with Submission BY: John Auger DATE: Sunday 12th March 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 4 | Verses 1-13 EXCERPT: How is submission to God a good thing? A recent article in Christianity Today explored the negativity that surrounds the word submission. Many people associating it with control, abuse of power, inequality and a lack of freedom. However, James teaches that as we submit ourselves to God, he will lift us up, giving us a greater and closer relationship with him rather than pushing us away. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly serv

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: The Story Is Not Finished BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 5 March 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: Acts | Chapter 16 | Verses 6-15 EXCERPT: Have you ever missed the end of a movie and never found out what happened? You’re left hanging and wondering. Seeing how the story ends changes how you see the story beforehand. What if the same is true in life? In the book of Acts, we read of some early Jesus followers. And as we see each step of their story, it sometimes doesn’t make sense. And yet, when we see how the story ends it changes how we see the rest of the story. It’s good to remember for our lives that the story is not yet finished. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: Wisdom In A World Of Information BY: Judy Moore DATE: Sunday 26th February 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 3 | Verses 13-18 EXCERPT: How do you cultivate Godly wisdom in your life? With the internet and world of social media we have information and knowledge at the ends of our finger tips now more than ever however, as Charles Spurgeon said “wisdom is the right use of knowledge”. James looks at the difference between the knowledge we can gain from the world in comparison to the life-changing wisdom that comes from God. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: The Things That I Say BY: Sarah Thomson DATE: Sunday 19th February 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 3 | Verses 1-13 EXCERPT: Why do the words I say matter? It’s said that for every 1 negative word that is spoken to us we need 10 positive words to cancel it out. Our words have really powerful consequences so maybe there isn’t such a thing as a little white lie or a harmless bit of gossip. James reminds us of the power of the things that we say and the importance of using our words as worship to God at all times. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: Doing or Believing? BY: Judy Moore DATE: Sunday 12th February 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 2 | Verses 14-26 EXCERPT: What’s more important my faith or my works? C.S.Lewis once said “Regarding the debate about faith and works: It’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important. Throughout church history many have argued that James seems to teach in contradiction to Paul (Galatians 2:16) about faith and works but actually as we explore further we realise they are both saying the same wonderful truth. As we grow in our relationship with God we can’t help but demonstrate our faith in the ways we live our lives and the impact we make on those around us. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds an

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct SERMON TITLE: Watch Out! BY: Damilola Makind DATE: Sunday 5 February 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: Daniel | Chapter 1 | Verses 1-8 EXCERPT: Scams are never pleasant experiences, but sometimes they come with unexpected theological depth! In this talk, Damilola leads us to consider what the experience of Daniel and his friends in Babylon speaks to us as Christians in the west today. We are encouraged to hold fast to our treasure in Jesus – not just for our sakes but for the sake of the world. Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and releva

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct Sessions 4: Remove the Plank BY:  Tim Chilvers DATE:  Sunday 29th January 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 2 | Verses 1-13 EXCERPT: Christians are called to be people who love not to judge. A recent study of people aged 16-29 in the United States found that 90% considered Christians to be judgmental people and for many this was a barrier to them attending churches or exploring the Christian faith further. How can we be people who show radical love to all, knowing that we have a judge who is above all but who loved us so much that he sent his son to die for every one of us? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct Sessions 1: Living the Word BY: Judy Moore DATE: Sunday 22 January 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 1 | Verses 19-27 EXCERPT: How does the Bible impact your everyday life? In the Christian series we looked at the trust we can have that the Bible is true but how can engaging with the Bible in your everyday life make a difference to how you live? In the midst of busy lives how can we fully engage with the Bible and help point others towards the difference that the Bible can make in their own lives? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and group

TEACHING SERIES: Distinct Sessions 2: How Much Is Too Much? BY: Tim Chilvers DATE: Sunday 15 Janaury 2023 BIBLE PASSAGES: James | Chapter 1 | Verses 1-18 EXCERPT: How do you face temptation & show perseverance? Every week we seem to be reading a news scandal of yet another celebrity affair or celebrity evading tax payments but even in our own lives we face daily temptations both big and small. God promises that when we persevere and don’t give in to temptation we will receive ‘the crown of life’. How can knowing God in our lives help us to stand firm against temptation and help us know the assurance of his forgiveness when we do get things wrong? Welcome: What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God