Rivercrest Presbyterian Church - Sermons

On the road to Emmaus, two disciples encounter the risen Christ and are forever changed. Jesus meets them in their processing and hopelessness, and reveals Himself to them in explaining the Scriptures and the breaking of bread. For believers today, Christ reveals Himself in the same way, and encourages us to walk together by faith as His people; because recognizing Jesus is just the beginning to a life of discipleship.

Jesus dies on the cross and is buried in the tomb. In this atoning sacrifice, Jesus lays down His life. He bears the weight of sin and wrath on Himself in His death, tears the curtain in two, and breathes His last. There are witnesses to these events that marvel at Jesus' divinity and show respect and love towards Him. Christians today are to model Christ's example and lay down their lives to Him and to others.

Jesus journeys from where He's tried to the hill to be crucified. Along the way He is met by apathetic people, angry religious leaders, amused soldiers, and an accepting criminal. It's this repentance and faith that demonstrates for us the simple gospel, as he has never lived a day for the Lord until now and he's met with the promised words from Christ, "Today you'll be with me in paradise."

With the depravity of humanity on full display, Jesus remains perfect as our substitute. In the face of trial, accusations, and berating He stays quiet and obedient in our place. Replacing Barabbas, the people have chosen wickedness over innocence, but in Christ the wicked are made innocent by His taking of our sin and in giving us His righteousness.

Jesus is arrested, betrayed, and denied, yet He prays pleas, promotes peace, and practices presence. In unwavering love He remains faithful to His Father and to His people. In taking the cup of wrath, Jesus endures the complete sting of death and weight of sin on Himself, in our place. It's not about our strength and ability, but about His.

In some of His last moments with His disciples, Jesus expresses both the status of a humble servant and the posture of prayer. Through His promises, providence, and prayers we have the assurance of Jesus both now and forever. Our Savior is in heaven right now advocating for us before the Father, a powerful and profound thought in our day to day lives.

When we come to the table of the Lord, we're reminded that just as certain as Jesus was about all the details in that upper room, He's just as certain of the details of our salvation.

Jesus treats those who are actively against Him with love, boldness, and truth. We follow Christ knowing that He defeats both His and our enemies, allowing us to not fear man's authority, arguments, or approval. The freedom we have is in the fear of God, the one who took our sin and shame on the cross and gives us newness of life.

The temple, a place of worship to the Lord, had become a hope for profit instead of a promise of hope. Jesus righteously drives out those who were there for selfish reasons, while taught those who held onto His words. Today, our awe and wonder of God leads us to true and better worship of the One who gave us resurrection life.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt; a public display of His lineage to David and of His divine kingship. Jesus comes with peace and sorrow as He weeps for the people He would die for who reject Him. As Christ-followers, we are the exemplify the traits of our Savior, concerned for those who have yet to repent of their sin and turn towards the Prince of Peace.

Jesus teaches about stewardship in a parable of servants entrusted with minas. It's important for Christ followers to invest what God has given them - the good news of the gospel. And Christians are to be faithful in witnessing the gospel because God commands it, He empowers us to do it by His Spirit, and because He promises to come again.

Jesus teaches us through the parable of the persistent widow, that while we should pray without ceasing, we cannot forget Who hears our prayers and acts upon them in His good will. God is the only good and just being, therefore when we pray to Him we have assurance of His receiving them. So we pray in faith to the God who sits on the throne, knowing we need Him and He is listening and answering.