River’s Edge Church

John - Buried with Christ

After Jesus breathes his last, two hidden disciples step boldly out of the shadows to give him a burial fit for a king. And this burial is important to dwell on because Scripture says that you were buried with him.

John - Blood and Water

Before taking the body of Jesus down from the cross, a Roman soldier thrusts a spear through Jesus’ side and up into his heart. As the spear is removed, blood and water begin to flow out. But where does the water come from? And what is the significance of the blood and the water for our lives today?

John - A Family Formed at the Cross

As Jesus dies on the cross, he says to John and his mother (Mary), “mother, here is your son, and son, here is your mother.” Not only is Jesus very practically ensuring that his mother is cared for in his absence, he’s also highlighting the profound reality that a new family is being formed at the cross.

John - It Is Finished

As Jesus breathes his last, he announces “it is finished.” But did Jesus mean? And what has he accomplished?

John - Jesus and Pilate

Having struggled through their own trail, the Jewish leaders now hand Jesus over to Pilate (the Roman governor). But in an ironic twist, the Roman occupier tries repeatedly to set Jesus free, while the Jewish leaders refuse to back down.

John - Jesus and Peter

Peter acts as we expect - he operates in the Kingdom of the world, in fear, self-protecting and reacting. Jesus operates as we wouldn't expect; he is in a different reality, the Kingdom of Heaven. He is abiding in the perfect love of the Father, and it drives out all fear. Thus, he can give his life away. He can lay it down. Because of Jesus, we too can live this reality, this existence, rooted in the Kingdom of Heaven, and we too can give our lives away.

John - Racial Unity

We conclude our discussion on "unity in the church" with the topic of racial unity. What's the state of racial unity in the church? What's holding us back? And where do we go from here? Join us for an interview with Rodney McAuley, director of the Bridge Project, followed by a time of Q&A

 

Recommended Resources:

- Reading While Black, Esau McCaulley
- How to Fight Racism, Jemar Tisby
- Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative (eji.org)
- Anti-racism discipleship pathways

John - Political Unity

Politics has become as source of bitter division in our culture, and that division comes to bear on the church as well. But how are we to navigate the toxic world of politics as followers of Jesus? Can we experience what Jew and Gentile experienced in the first century?

John - Socio-Economic Unity

Jesus prays that His disciples would be one, as He and the Father are one. Join us as we explore hurdles to (and possibilities for) unity in the church; socio-economic unity, political unity, and racial unity. 

John - Glorify Your Son

As Jesus ends his final discourse with his disciples, he prays to be glorified. But what is the glory of God, and how is it on display on the cross?