New River Valley Church

In a diverse city like Corinth, people were largely divided along ethnic and nationalistic lines. The Romans, the Greeks, the Jews... all carrying their cultural experiences, customs and biases into the Church. Maybe we can relate to that today? The question for us is this, is the voice of Jesus louder than our biases?

Are you not still worldly? In 1 Corinthians 3 this is the question the apostle Paul asks of his audience. He challenges them for the ways they look at others and they look at themselves, losing sight of God himself. When we turn our eyes back to God we are able to shift from "self-made" people, to servants of God and coworkers with Christ.

"Biblical hope is not about desiring a certain outcome, but about waiting for a certain God." When things seem to be falling apart around us, or when our prayers are continually met with silence, how are we to respond? How do we find hope in those times? Mary's story, and the coming of Jesus, show us that hope is found in unexpected places. 

Why does the farmer risk his greatest treasure in this story?

Kameron did a great job of preaching to us about how we are to be ready for the day when Jesus comes. To be the servant that has done their duty. Like the disciples, our response to this call should be "Lord increase our faith!".

For a tree that normally produces fruit 10 months out of each year, it almost seems like a waste to keep this tree around, yet the vinedresser fights on its behalf to the owner. Why does the vinedresser fight for this fig tree? How much time does this fig tree really have? Kameron Body helps us understand this passage and what it might mean for us.

"What must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Who is my neighbor?" These questions seek to define limits and parameters regarding the the way we love and who we love. Jesus challenges our expectations and our parameters and calls us into costly compassion, even for our enemy. At the same time he challenges our view of God, depicting a loving Savior who gladly offers his children an inheritance, no matter the cost to Himself. 

Taking a look at Luke 9 more closely, we learn that the three responses Jesus received are more common than we may realize. In fact we ourselves may have said these things to Jesus on more than one occasion when he asks us to follow him.

Jesus invites us to take a look at the soils of our hearts in this parable. 1st century Palestinian farming practices allow us to better understand what Jesus is talking about, as well as the far-reaching love of God. Wherever we find ourselves, God still whispers to us, urging us to have "ears that hear"and walk with Him. 

A religious leader, a prostitute and Jesus find themselves in a room together... The scene that unfolds exposes the toxicity in each of us and challenges us to judge correctly - to see our own sin without justifying ourselves by comparison. When we do, like the woman of this story, we discover amazing grace freely poured out on us.

Earthly kingdoms, sacred places & "perfect" people are what so many can build their foundation upon when it comes to following Christ. Jesus challenges his listeners to re-examine their foundations and build on his words instead.

After studying the first half of John 15 and Jesus' teachings about abiding in him and obeying his commands, we look at Jesus' commissioning of his disciples to go and bear fruit as those 'set apart' by him to testify about him. We are invited to go alongside the Holy Spirit and participate in his mission to the world. 

Persecuted, imprisoned & chained up... and yet unhindered? What does it really mean for us to be unhindered when we face daily obstacles? We take a look at the final chapter of Luke-Acts and Paul's example to answer this question. 

Seeing the church as "radiant" and "holy" can be difficult when so many of us have been hurt by "the church". Understanding the distinction between God's Kingdom and the Church is necessary to understand the expectations God has for us. 

How do you react to the storms in your life? There are times where we need to experience a physical saving in the here and now, yet also hold on to an eternal understanding of the process of being saved. God is present in the storms and assures us that not even a single hair from our heads will perish.

In Paul's evangelistic presentation to King Herod, he uses his audience with the King to bring light where there is darkness. Aware of King Agrippa's lifestyle and background, we can take notes on how Paul approached this difficult conversation with someone who lived and believed differently from himself.

For millennia humankind have been telling their stories - personal, communal and historical. There is power in our stories and like Paul, we need to tell our stories not only for our benefit but for the benefit of others. We each have stories that our communities need - what is stopping us from telling those stories?

Will Hutchins highlights how faith and preparation can go hand in hand. We need to have a planned and intentional life in order to take take those leaps of faith and vice-versa, have faith to be able to live in that way. 

At our special graduate honoring Sunday worship service we are reminded that although transitions can bring out the worst in us, they can also be catalysts for transformational growth.

God is inviting us our of a life of scarcity, and into a life of abundance. This kind of life begins with a relationship with God that overflows.

The undoing of all evil since the very first human fall. We take a journey back to the beginning of the story of God and his people to compare and contrast parallel stories which give us a new look into the resurrection story. 

In preparation for Easter we remember our Lord and/or Savior? How do we see King Jesus in our lives and how does that affect how we live?

Kameron preaches out of Acts 19:1-6.

Have you ever noticed deficiencies in your actions or character? When we notice our own deficiencies, they can begin to cripple us. Particularly when we are unsure about our identity. In our text today we see Spirit-led examples of having hard conversations and an identity in Jesus. 

God shows up in our lives when we partner with Him and with His people. He is a God who shows up, but are we ready to respond and partner with Him?

In a city known for its scholarship, culture and many gods, Paul uses Stoic and Epicurean philosophy to speak directly to the hearts of the Athenians and introduces them to the "unknown god."

Will Hutchins preaches through Acts 17:1-15 and helps paint the picture about what it meant for the Bereans to examine the scriptures in their context and how that heart can draw us closer into community.

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Give your allegiance to the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household."

Have you ever felt that gentle nudge within your spirit? That gentle whisper inside your head, urging you towards the right path? The Holy Spirit teaches us to say no to our desires, AND say no to good things, in wait God's best thing.

"What are you doing here?" the Lord asks. Have you ever wondering what you are even doing, as if your best efforts aren't enough? The gentle whisper of God's voice comes to us in our silent retreat with him, not with powerful signs and wonders. The Lord shows up on his terms, through a gentle whisper. And it is enough to center us onto him.

"Lord, open their eyes, that they may see!" We all need our eyes opened to see the spiritual battle going on around us. We also need our eyes opened to God's presence with us, each day. But sometimes God is calling us to be the ones to pray for others, that they may see Him too. When we are surrounded by difficult circumstances, we need help to see what God may be up to. 

“In those days, the word of the Lord was rare.” How do we truly hear the voice of God? Samuel had to learn to recognize God's voice to him. We too are learning to hear, discern, and obey the voice of the Lord. 

"What is a Christian Identity?" Today we discuss aspects of our identities that the world uses to separate us. Everything from circumcision to language. We also discuss what a Christian identity is - a beloved child of the Most High God. The proper expression of this identity is offering one's self over to the living God. 

“It seems to be human nature to want gods that can be seen and touched, gods in the likeness of men.” In our text we hear myths about Zeus and Hermes, the reality of a Living God, and faith that is visible. How might we have faith that is as alive as our God?

How does one receive the Kingdom of God like a child? In our text today we see the lengths that kings like Herod will go through to protect their own kingdoms. We also see Peter's uncertainty about what God is up to. It seems the one quickest to receive the kingdom of God is a littler child... just like Jesus said. 

As people, we constantly and subconsciously deem certain people as "unclean." This text shows us that a biblical church is messy, not because we are complacent in sin, but instead by our reconciliatory practices. A community of reconciliation is messy. Reconciliatory conversations require humility that will refine us. We can experience this simply by listening to what God might be saying and listening to the people in front of us.

How does Jesus speak about the practice of Sabbath? Is Sabbath practice beneficial for us today? In a culture of workaholism, busyness and burnout, Sabbath practice acts as counter-formation for our benefit. 

Classically considered Saul's conversion narrative, we see that two people had formative encounters with the risen Christ in this text. In what ways may we need formative encounters with Jesus in our day?

We imagine the story of an Ethiopian man who was castrated so that he could serve the Queen. The Spirit of God calls Philip to create space for this man to appear on his own terms. What we see is a giving and receiving of hospitality, and a call for all peoples to be welcomed - immersed in the kingdom of God. 

Benjamin takes us to Acts 8 where we discover what the phrase "proclaiming the gospel" means and how we are in danger of commodifying the Kingdom of God... without even realizing it.

This week's lesson examines how the early church handled conflict and solved problems together in Acts 6:1-7. The message highlights the answer to an important question: what does God value in choosing whom to entrust responsibility? "Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom..." (Acts 6:3)

Jealousy, power, court-room drama and the Holy Spirit... Will we settle for the status quo, or find ourselves clothed with power from on high? Join us in waiting for the Holy Spirit and in sharing our testimonies.

Benjamin Hutchins takes a look at one of the most uncomfortable passages in the New Testament. What can we learn from Ananias & Sapphira?

Join us as we dive into the faithful example of the disciples in Acts 4, who gathered together to pray for boldness in light of their persecution. As we look to their example, we can learn what it means to live in view of God's power and to have greater faith in times of challenge. "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)

Mark Jackson preached a message on Acts 3 today, highlighting Peter and John's willingness to share the healing power of Jesus and the message of the cross with those they encountered, and challenging us to give what we have, be prepared to share the message, and have faith in Jesus' redemptive power. Acts 3:6 - "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you." 

Seth Mitchell visited on September 4, 2021 and shared a message from Acts 2 about the two very different temples we can embody as a community: a temple of self-preservation, or of the generous love of God.

August 29, 2021 - Jon Landis brought a powerful message at our Congregational Service about the meaning of being under the influence of the Holy Spirit, like the first-century Church at Pentecost, as we continue our series in Acts. What would it look like to come under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and lose your inhibitions to loving others fully? 

August 22nd - Jonah Charles preaches through Acts 1 as we begin our study of the book of Acts as a church this Fall.  What does it mean to live as witnesses of Jesus' Kingdom? Jonah explains what it means to be convinced of what we've seen, and what it might look like to answer the call as a witness.

August 15th - Jonah Charles and Mark Koninckx preached about the process of wrestling with God as a family during a season of grief for our church community.  Genesis 32:28 - Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.

Jonah Charles shared powerfully on Sunday, August 8th about what it means to seek God's glory rather than our own when using spiritual gifts in His service. Romans 12:4-8-- "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

Love is the greatest gift; it is what empowers our other gifts to build up the body of Christ. 

We must become a people who are obsessed with the spiritual formation off togetherness, until together, we are a "Whole Human".

What does Jesus mean when he says that we must become like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? How does this affect our community? 

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of your to the interests of the others."

Is it possible to experience "life together" as the disciples did in the early church in our context today?

William Hutchins talks to us about Elijah's life and how he used silence in the way God desires from us.

Jonah Charles brings us to Titus 2 and shares how we can live into grace through spiritual disciplines.

Warren Trolio preaches the word out of Matthew 6 and helps us examine worry and rest in our lives.

Coming out of the rainy season that has been this last year, how can we rebuild our house?

"Unceasing prayer" is the process of prayer becoming our primary posture in the world. Say that 5 times fast.

Wrestling with discontentment? "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

During our Easter Service we were encouraged to jump into living an embodied resurrection as Gods people.

From part two of our joint service with the Blue Ridge Church, Benjamin preaches out of Luke 13:18-30 and asks us to reconsider what the kingdom of God is like. How can God's kingdom disrupt me and my vision of the "good life"?

For our joint service with the Blue Ridge Church in Charlottesville, Drew Mines helps us navigate the balance between what God has already done and allowing those things to form what we should do.

For International Women's Day we take a look at some of the key disciples in Jesus ministry - Joanna, Mary Magdalene and Susanna.

In this sermon we celebrate Black History and its connection with Christian History.  Simon of Cyrene was a man from modern-day Libya whose experience with Jesus formed him into a man who passed on generational faith. 

Warren Trolio, a masters student at Radford takes us through Romans 6 and shows us how we as humans are always being formed or shaped by something - either sin or righteousness.

This week we learn about the wholeness of Jesus' discipleship. Compartmentalizing our discipleship can easily turn into the yoke for religion. 

Taking a look at what it means to be a fruitful vine branch on Jesus' vine.

What are the other things we are being yoked to in this world besides Jesus?

"Do we fast to get something or to become something?" Recording from: January 17, 2021

How can we practice the spiritual discipline of generosity? Recording from: January 13, 2021

How does Jesus use silence in his daily ministry? How should we? Recording from: Jan 3, 2021

Koinonia - This week we look at Communion Fellowship as we study through the Spiritual Disciplines. Recording from: Dec 27, 2020

This week we looked at what it means to dwell in the word. Join us as we continue to study out the spiritual disciplines. Recording from: Dec 20, 2020