Deepfake technology uses artificial intelligence to transform an imposter into an almost undetectable duplicate of another person. Earlier this year footage was released of a deepfake of the Queen of England delivering a Christmas message. Those who did not know better would have been deceived by the digital rendering of the Queen. Other deepfakes have included fakes of actor Tom Cruise and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. There is even a deepfake of former President Obama warning the audience of deepfakes. We live in a world in which it is difficult to distinguish between what is authentic and what is fake. In our passage for this Sunday, there is a battle between whose god is the one true God. On one side there is Baal, the Canaanite god of rain. On the other is the Lord, the God of Israel. On the peak of Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal meet Elijah, the prophet of the Lord. And in an epic battle, they show forth who is the one true God. And what we will see is that despite all the fake and false gods in the world, the one true God is a God who saves his people. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 18:1-40, Leviticus 9:24, Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalm 30:5, Matthew 6:7-8, Ephesians 2:8-9, and WCF 2.2.

Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church (REPC) - Sermons

Live Stream Worship Service for February 6, 2022

In our passage for this week, we continue to learn about Elijah’s time with the Sidonian widow. As you remember from last week the Lord provided unending provision for her and her son as Elijah stayed in their home. However, in this week’s passage tragedy strikes her home; her son grows ill and dies. Being raised in a Sidonian pagan, this widow would have had a worldview to interpret these events. She would have been taught that Baal was the god of life. The reason that rain came was because Baal rode forth on the clouds and rained down upon the land. His rain would bring fruitfulness to the fields and life to all in the land. Life and abundance was his realm. However, when the seasons changed and the rains ceased it was a sign that Baal had been defeated by his rival Mot. Mot was the lord of death. Baal would be held in the realm of death by Mot. He was not able to escape this fate. Baal must submit to Mot. Nevertheless, when Spring came again it was a sign that a third god, Anat, had traveled to the realm of Mot and rescued Baal and freed him from Mot. Each god had their appointed role and place of power. One god would rise to prominence but when their time of power came to an end they retreated once again. However, the Lord, the one true God does not have borders. His power is not limited. He is not only the God of life who brings unending provision, he is also Lord over death, who can raise a child who has died. The Sidonian widow needed to learn to trust the Lord in life and in death. And so too must we not put limits on the power of the Lord. There are no borders. His kingdom is without end and it extends to all areas of life. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 17:17-24, Job 1:21-22, Isaiah 45:4-7, John 11:1-44, Revelation 1:17-18, and Westminster Confession of Faith 5.1.

Live Stream Worship Service for January 30, 2022

Kingdoms in Conflict This week’s passage is about the Lord’s provision during times of hardship. In response to Ahab’s apostasy, the Lord sends a drought upon Israel. This drought was designed for two purposes. The first was discipline for false worship. The second was grace to teach Israel that the Lord alone provides. Baal was the Canaanite god of rain. In their worship of Baal, the people of Israel believed they were securing the blessing of rain for their crops and abundance for their families. However, in withholding rain, the Lord shows that he alone controls the weather. He also displays his power to provide for all the needs of his prophet Elijah. It was during the drought that Elijah was taught to trust the Lord’s grace to give to him all that he needed for life. The Lord’s providence will also bring us to times of hardship and deprivation. Christians will suffer along with the rest of the world. Christians still must deal with pandemics, economic crisis, injustice, natural disasters, and war. However, all those who trust in the Lord will experience provision for life and through Christ's life everlasting. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 17:1-16, Psalm 34:10, Habakkuk 3:17-18, Matthew 6:11, Luke 6:21, John 6:35, and Westminster Confession of Faith 5.5.

Live Stream Worship Service for January 23, 2022

Live Stream Worship Service for January 9, 2022

Kingdoms in Conflict This Sunday we begin a new sermon series on Elijah and Elisha in the books of 1&2 Kings. Many of us are familiar with the stories surrounding the miraculous and powerful ministries of these two prophets. However, we often overlook the context of their ministry. Sin had brought division among God’s people. In the south, the kingdom of Judah continued under the reign of David’s line but in the north, the Kingdom of Israel fell under the rule of ungodly kings. In Judah biblical worship was maintained but in the north, idol worship began to take hold. It was to this northern kingdom of Israel that the Lord sent the prophets Elijah and Elisha. They were sent to display the power of the Kingdom of God to bring the kingdoms of this world to submission. In particular, the house and kingdom of Omri are set in conflict against the power of God and his prophets. This Sunday we will turn our attention to the founding of the house of Omri and we will see that there is no salvation except in the kingdom of God. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 16:1-28, Psalm 127, Psalm 146, Isaiah 52:15, and Ephesians 1:21.

Live Stream Worship Service for January 2, 2022

Another Christmas has come and gone, for some expectations were met and for others, it was perhaps another year of disappointment. Whatever your feelings, one thing is true for all of us, we have entered the space between Christmas and the New Year and the space between winter and spring. It can be a hard and difficult week and season of life for us. We are not sure what to do because all the parties have been attended, all the presents have been opened, and all out-of-town family members have left or will be leaving soon. With winter upon us, the days are short and cold, so we wait trying to navigate the space between. This is a picture of our lives, we live in the space between the 1st and 2nd coming of Christ. Maybe we are not sure how to live or what to do as the people of God. Our sermon text will be Titus 2:11-14 and Paul gives us some direction on how we should live as we wait for the 2nd coming of Christ. Also, to come prepared to receive God’s Word take time this week to read and to meditate upon Luke 2:1-20, John 1:14, Colossians 3:1-17, Romans 5:6-10, and Revelation 1:4-7.

Live Stream Worship Service for December 26, 2021

December 19, 2021 - Preparing for the Lord's Day December 16, 2021 by David Weber Category: Preparing for the Lord's Day preparing Preparing for the Lord's Day Thy Kingdom Come Throughout the Fall our attention has been given to the teachings of Jesus on the Kingdom of God. We have seen that the Kingdom is like a seed that is planted. We have reflected upon the promise that the Kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field. We have been encouraged by the hope that the Kingdom is like a wedding feast for which we are called to wait. Now in Matthew 25, we are told that the coming Kingdom is like a shrewd businessman who gave his servants charge over large sums of money while he was gone on a journey. These large sums of money were called talents. In the ancient world, a talent was the largest unit of measure for money. A talent may have represented hundreds of thousands of dollars. A man who owned multiple talents would have been extraordinarily wealthy. Today the term talent has developed into a general term for personal giftings in areas of sport, music, or academics. Those with talent are those with potential for success. And this understanding of the term is rooted in Jesus’ parable on talents. For it is teaching that the Lord has given to his people gifts for the advancement of his kingdom. He has given to each of his people strengths and advantages that are to be used for the sake of the gospel. And what we will see in our text is that if we would be found faithful servants of the Lord we must trust our talents to his purposes. To come prepared for worship take time this week to read and meditate upon Matthew 25:14-30, Proverbs 6:6-11, Luke 19:12-27, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:7-13, and 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Live Stream Worship Service for December 19, 2021

Waiting for the cousins to arrive has become an annual tradition in our home each Christmas season. My sister’s family lives in Atlanta, Georgia and each year they drive up to Lynchburg to spend a few days following Christmas. Bringing five extra people into our home means that we must prepare. We must switch around rooms, get out fresh linens, and buy extra food. It also means that our kids spend the whole day anxiously waiting for their cousins’ arrival. They look out the window and ask, “When are they going to get here? Why is it taking so long?” Inevitably, the wait is too long for them to sustain their alertness. After a few hours of waiting, they find something else to fill their time. Then when they least expect it, their cousins pull into the driveway. In our passage for this Sunday, we have a parable about waiting. The parable is about ten young women who are waiting for a wedding party to begin. However, there is a delay. As they waited it became evident that five of them came prepared to wait and five did not. When the party finally arrived the five unprepared women missed out. And what Jesus is teaching us through this story is that as we wait for his arrival we must keep watch and be prepared. While his return might seem delayed it will come when we least expect it. To come prepared for worship take time this week to read and meditate upon Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 24, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and Revelation 16:15.

Live Stream Worship Service for December 12, 2021

Thy Kingdom Come This time of year is truly the season for parties and gatherings. As April and I began to fill-out our monthly calendar the number of Christmas events was overwhelming. We have tree-lightings, music at the church, music for the schools. We have classroom parties. We have team parties. We have office parties. We have family get togethers. We have the pastors’ party. We have more parties than I can keep track of without a whiteboard calendar. Tis’ the season of parties. In our passage for this Sunday Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is like a party. It is a party to which all are invited but, strange enough, not all will come. As we celebrate this Christmas season we must be reminded that every gathering and celebration is meant to point us to the one great party to which we are invited in Christ Jesus. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 55:1-2, John 1:11, Revelation 19:7-9, and Westminster Confession of Faith 15.4.

Live Stream Worship Service for December 5, 2021

Thy Kingdom Come: “The Beloved Son and His Kingdom” Giving thanks to God for His goodness to us in all things is always appropriate for Thanksgiving and Advent. Pastor Shane will be taking up the theme of "All the Benefits of Knowing the Lord" from Psalm 103:1-5. The Thanksgiving Day devotional will be posted to our website early on Thanksgiving morning—click here for direct access. May we look to the Lord with thankful hearts. As we look to this coming Lord’s Day, we enter the Advent Season, praising God for the blessing of our hope in Christ. And yet we realize that the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are not always easy. We navigate family relationships and remember those whom we have lost. We embrace the beauty of the coming of Christ yet couple His birth with the reality of His life and death for our salvation. Biblical contrasts demonstrate how the advent of God’s Son into this world speaks hope and joy for abundant life, while recognizing the great cost to our Savior for our wholeness. This Sunday, in our sermon entitled, “The Beloved Son and His Kingdom,” we’ll examine Matthew 21:33-46 and see how it directs us to Jesus Christ as loving Savior and almighty King. To come prepared for worship, please be in prayer! Meditate upon Matthew 21:33-46 and note the transitions from the description of God’s vineyard to the blessing of the beloved Son as the Cornerstone. Read Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 118:22-23 as Jesus uses these Old Testament passages in our sermon text. Consider Hebrews 11:36-38 in pondering the servants of the landowner, the prophets of God sent to speak truth and restoration. Reflect upon Ephesians 2:19-20 and 1 Peter 2:4-5 for kingdom life founded upon Jesus Christ. In celebrating the Advent theme of hope, please also read 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Live Stream Worship Service for November 28, 2021

Sin and righteousness can be complicated matters. We tend to see the sins of others very clearly and demand their repentance. Nevertheless, we fail to see the severity of our own sin and demand grace when we give in or slip up. On the other hand, in matters of righteousness, we are very quick to see the mixed motives of others and assume our own righteousness is pure and deserving of praise. It reminds me of an article that was written about gasoline gauges. I know that you have noticed that your gasoline gauge stays on full for a long period of time before it starts to drop. Once it does begin to drop the rate at which it goes down increase until it gets to empty at which point you have another few gallons to burn. It turns out that engineers developed the fuel gauge to read in this manner. People like to feel as though their car has a full tank of gas, so it stays on full for an extended period. People also like to have a grace period before they must refuel and so the gauge reads “empty” long before the tank is actually empty. You would think that the job of an engineer would be to aim for precision and accuracy. Turns out we would rather be told what we want to hear, rather than what is true. In our passage for this Sunday, the Lord Jesus explains that the Pharisees have been looking at their own sin and righteousness from a falsely engineered perspective. They have assumed that outward proclamations of obedience were all that was required in God’s Kingdom. Nevertheless, Jesus reveals that it is not righteousness that we must bring but repentance. For everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Both outwardly sinful and outwardly righteous people need to repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Our sin gauge is broken. On one hand, we can believe that we are too sinful to ever come into the Kingdom on the other hand we can believe that we are righteous enough to enter the Kingdom on our own. But what we will see is that to enter the Kingdom of God we must repent of both our sin and our presumed righteousness and trust in the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Matthew 21:28-32, Psalm 51:17, Isaiah 57:17, Matthew 3:8, John 4:34, Acts 26:20, and this article on Life as Repentance.

Live Stream Worship Service for November 21, 2021

Rivermont Missions Conference: A Weary World Rejoices “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...” You know these words from the Christmas Hymn, O Holy Night. It seems that this year, such words ring more true than ever. For there is no greater hope for our weary world than the thrill of knowing and trusting in the power of Christ's life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That has been the focus of our weekend Mission Conference and we look to wrap up the conference on Sunday as former Senior Pastor of Rivermont, Clay Smith, preaches a sermon from Acts 9 entitled, "The Gospel's Power to Savor". We'll be looking at the conversion of Saul, whose transformation and change was profound. As we look at his conversion, we'll ask the question, "How does a person change?" We'll find that a person begins to change when they meet Jesus and they grow when Jesus sets them into a family. As we celebrate God’s missional power to save, his call to serve and his invitation to savor, we will sing "How Great Thou Art", "To God Be the Glory", and "Lift High the Cross". We will also enjoy special music from Miriam and Rachel Amos (8:30), Doug and Julie Haley and Vicky Pogue (8:30/11:00), the Chapel Choir (11:00) and the Sanctuary Choir (11:00). May God's glory and renown be experienced as we come together this Sunday for worship.

Live Stream Worship Service for November 14, 2021

The Church Reformed, the Church Always Reforming. This slogan has been the call of churches in the Reformed tradition for the past several centuries. The phrase means that the church has been reformed from the errors of Medieval Roman Catholicism, and yet every generation and every individual must be reformed within. Over several hundreds of years, errors had crept into the institutional church. There were false doctrines concerning the nature of salvation, the sacraments, the authority of tradition, and the role of church government. There were also false and harmful practices such as praying to saints, pilgrimages of merit, and the selling of indulgences (the forgiveness of sin through monetary contributions). The Reformation of the 16th century sparked by Martin Luther and given theological clarity by John Calvin sought to reform the church according to the pure doctrine of God’s Word, the only rule for faith and practice. Their work was to return the church to a more faithful articulation of the faith delivered once and for all by the saints. As a Presbyterian church, Rivermont is within the Reformed tradition. We believe that the articulation of doctrine and practice within this tradition is the most biblically faithful. We seek to follow this tradition in our doctrine and worship. However, we must also be a people who are always reforming. This does not mean, however, that we are always changing our theology. While we should seek greater clarity, we also believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. To be always reforming means that as individuals we must be ever changed by the Word of God and His Spirit. The institutional church has been reformed, but as members of the church, we must continually be reformed. Reformation Sunday is the day we remember this truth, that God graciously brought reformation to the church, and therefore he will surely bring reformation to our hearts. In our passage for this Sunday Jesus teaches us how every Christian must have their hearts reformed according to the word of God. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Matthew 15:1-20, Exodus 30:17-21, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:1-23, John 3:3-14, and this article on the phrase Always Reforming.

Live Stream Worship Service for November 7, 2021

Thy Kingdom Come The Church Reformed, the Church Always Reforming. This slogan has been the call of churches in the Reformed tradition for the past several centuries. The phrase means that the church has been reformed from the errors of Medieval Roman Catholicism, and yet every generation and every individual must be reformed within. Over several hundreds of years, errors had crept into the institutional church. There were false doctrines concerning the nature of salvation, the sacraments, the authority of tradition, and the role of church government. There were also false and harmful practices such as praying to saints, pilgrimages of merit, and the selling of indulgences (the forgiveness of sin through monetary contributions). The Reformation of the 16th century sparked by Martin Luther and given theological clarity by John Calvin sought to reform the church according to the pure doctrine of God’s Word, the only rule for faith and practice. Their work was to return the church to a more faithful articulation of the faith delivered once and for all by the saints. As a Presbyterian church, Rivermont is within the Reformed tradition. We believe that the articulation of doctrine and practice within this tradition is the most biblically faithful. We seek to follow this tradition in our doctrine and worship. However, we must also be a people who are always reforming. This does not mean, however, that we are always changing our theology. While we should seek greater clarity, we also believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. To be always reforming means that as individuals we must be ever changed by the Word of God and His Spirit. The institutional church has been reformed, but as members of the church, we must continually be reformed. Reformation Sunday is the day we remember this truth, that God graciously brought reformation to the church, and therefore he will surely bring reformation to our hearts. This Sunday, we’ll look at Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus highlights kingdom life by telling a story about a wise builder and a foolish builder and they are both building a house for themselves. We’ll see what makes a wise builder with the blessing of certain rewards for today and the future. In preparation for worship, please be in prayer. Read Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 1, and Psalm 119. Ask yourself, what is one great decision you have made over the last eighteen months? How did you come to that decision? Ponder how your relationship with Christ and His word helps you in process of making decisions.

Live Stream Worship Service for October 31, 2021

It might not qualify as a miracle, but it was miraculous to me. I was planning the annual Christmas dinner for the church I pastored in South Carolina, Overbrook Presbyterian Church. It was the tradition for me to make taco salad for the event and plan a few Christmas-themed activities. Most years we had about thirty-five people attend this Wednesday night celebration, but this year over seventy people came. I was both overjoyed that we had such a great turn-out and horrified that I had only planned for half that number. I wanted our guests to feel welcomed. However, nothing says you don’t belong like an empty plate. As we served dinner, I was praying that the Lord would stretch the food that I had prepared so that everyone would have their fill. With each scoop of meat, I was more and more nervous. Despite my fear, though, there was more than enough for everyone. This event may seem a paltry example of the Lord’s provision. However, it was not the stretching of taco salad that was so important in the situation. Rather it was having my eyes opened to the Lord’s care and provision even in the small aspects of my life. It was the experience of God’s grace to provide what I could not. In this week’s passage, we come to the very familiar passage concerning the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Here, the Lord Jesus does not merely make food stretch but miraculously multiplies a few loaves and fishes to feed a crowd of 5,000. And what we will see in our text is that the Lord provides all that we need so that we might find our satisfaction in him alone. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Matthew 14:13-21, Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 34:8, Isaiah 55:1-2, John 6:35, and James 5:5.

Live Stream Worship Service for October 24, 2021

Weekly sermons from Rivermont EPC in Lynchburg, VA

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Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church (REPC) - Sermons

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