His Story

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.

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.