Baptism Sunday - 07.12.26 - Wes Dobson

Baptism Sunday - 07.12.26 - Wes Dobson

Wes’ Baptism Sunday sermon traced the meaning of baptism from its roots in Jewish ceremonial washing, showing that baptism did not appear out of nowhere with John the Baptist, but grew out of the biblical picture of being made clean and prepared for God’s presence. He connected John’s call to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” with the prophets’ vision of God’s Kingdom as a place of peace, holiness, humility, and transformed people. The sermon emphasized that humanity cannot create that kind of Kingdom through better laws, leaders, systems, or human effort because the deepest problem is not outside of us, but within our hearts. Through the new covenant, God promises to write His law on our hearts, give us a new spirit, and turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. In Christ, baptism becomes a sign of being united with Jesus in His death and resurrection, a public declaration that we are putting the old self to death and asking God to make us new. Baptism does not mean the water itself changes us, but it does point to the grace of God that cleanses, renews, and forms us into people ready to live in His presence and His Kingdom.  Find out more about us at revivearvada.org

When the Church Prays - 07.05.26 - Ben Worley

The sermon walks through Acts 12 and shows that God invites His people to participate in the advance of His Kingdom, even in the tension of suffering and miracles. The chapter begins with real suffering as James is killed and Peter is imprisoned, yet the church responds with earnest prayer, reminding us that no answer does not mean no opportunity and that suffering surrendered to God can still become a place where His Kingdom moves forward. As Peter is miraculously rescued by an angel, the sermon highlights that God often calls us to participate through simple, mundane obedience, taking the next step even when we do not fully understand what He is doing. When Peter arrives at the prayer gathering and the believers are shocked, we see that dependent prayer does not require perfect faith, but it does require carving out time and attention to seek God together. The message ends with the reminder that while Herod’s power fades, “the word of God increased and multiplied,” calling the church to surrender suffering, obey faithfully, pray dependently, and trust that when we participate, God multiplies.  Find out more about us at revivearvada.org

Recognizing, Joining, and Supporting What God is Doing - 06.28.26 - Tim Corbin

The sermon walks through Acts 11 and shows that God’s people are called to recognize, join, and support what God is doing in the world. After the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 10, the church in Jerusalem has to decide how it will respond to God moving in a way they did not expect. Peter helps them recognize that this was not his idea or strategy, but the clear work of God, and their criticism turns into worship in Chapter 11.  From there, the Gospel spreads to Antioch through unnamed believers, showing that God often does His greatest work through ordinary people who simply speak about Jesus. Barnabas arrives, sees the grace of God, encourages the church, and brings Saul into the work so disciples can be made and strengthened. The chapter ends with the Gentile church supporting the Jewish believers during a famine, showing that the Holy Spirit moves the church toward worship, mission, generosity, and service. The central invitation is to pray, “Holy Spirit, what do You want to show me?” and then have the courage to recognize, join, and support what He is already doing.  Find out more about us at revivearvada.org

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset - 06.14.26 - Kyle Morris

The sermon uses the contrast between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset to show that, with Jesus, no person, situation, relationship, sin pattern, or mission field is beyond transformation. In Acts 9, Saul’s story moves from violent opposition to bold witness, reminding us that what looks final to us is never final to God. The message highlights how Saul’s preparation, opposition, and eventual acceptance through Barnabas all point to the power of the Gospel to change anyone and anything. Peter’s healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha further show that Jesus breaks into situations that seem completely fixed, bringing healing, life, and faith. The sermon centers on Acts 9:31, calling Revive to be a church that walks in both the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, pursuing holiness while encouraging and championing one another. In the end, the invitation is to reject fixed mindsets, believe Jesus is still saving, healing, restoring, and transforming, and come alongside someone this week with the encouragement of the Spirit.  Find out more about us at revivearvada.org

We are worse than we think, but more loved than we could ever imagine - 06.07.26 - Kyle Morris

The sermon walks through the conversion of Saul in Acts 9, showing that Saul was not searching for Jesus, but Jesus was searching for him. Saul was a highly educated, deeply religious Pharisee who sincerely believed he was serving God while violently persecuting the church, yet Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and transformed him by grace. The message emphasizes that if there is hope for Saul, there is hope for all, reminding us to keep praying for prodigals and lost loved ones because no one is beyond the reach of Christ. Saul’s story also shows that the Gospel both confronts and consoles us: we are worse sinners than we think, but more loved than we could ever imagine. Through Ananias and Barnabas, the sermon highlights the courage and cost of extending grace, forgiving enemies, and welcoming transformed people into the family of God. In the end, Saul becomes Paul, a bold witness for Jesus, showing that the same Gospel that saves us also compels us to ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”  Find out more about us at revivearvada.org