Riverbend Church

Orthopraxy - Fasting as a Way of Life

In this message, Katy teaches from Matthew 6:16–18 on fasting as a way of life, emphasizing that it is not a performance or form of self-denial but a practice of intimacy and dependence on God. Fasting invites believers to create space for God by voluntarily setting aside good things, aligning body and spirit in worship. It trains the heart to hunger for the presence of Jesus more than physical satisfaction and reminds the Church of its identity as His bride awaiting the final feast. Practiced rightly, fasting becomes a rhythm of renewal—an embodied act of love that shapes the soul to find joy, strength, and satisfaction in God alone.

Orthopraxy - Prayer as a Way of Life

In this message, Andrew teaches from Matthew 6:9–13 on prayer as a way of life, showing that it is not about achieving outcomes but about living in continual communion with God. Prayer is meant to reorient the heart from striving for results to abiding in God’s presence, where transformation happens over time through consistency and love. True prayer is an act of attention—adoring God, aligning with His will, and allowing His Spirit to reshape the inner life. By turning from the distractions of outcome-driven culture toward a rhythm of humble dependence and worship, believers learn to dwell in the reality of God’s kingdom and become what they behold in His presence.

Orthopraxy - Reconciliation as a Practice

Nic teaches that reconciliation is a central practice of life in God’s kingdom, rooted in Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:23–24 to seek peace with others before offering worship. True reconciliation restores what sin, pride, and misunderstanding have fractured, embodying the heart of God who brings estranged people back into right relationship. It requires humility to confess wrongs, courage to take initiative, and grace to forgive without demanding repayment. Scripture portrays reconciliation as a visible expression of the gospel—seen in stories like Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and the prodigal son—where repentance and mercy create restored unity. Within the church, reconciliation sustains genuine community, breaking cycles of resentment and hostility that erode spiritual life. Believers are therefore called to prioritize mending relationships as a form of worship and discipleship, reflecting God’s reconciling work through Christ and making peace a lived reality among His people.

Orthopraxy - Confession as a Way of Life

Andrew taught from James 5:13–20 that confession is not about shame but about freedom and restoration. Sin disrupts the wholeness God intends, leaving people hiding in isolation, yet God always moves toward us in love, covering our sin through the cross of Christ. Confession brings this reality into the open, allowing us to walk in the light and experience healing. Throughout history, revival movements have been marked by honest confession and deep prayer, creating communities where people are fully known and fully loved. Practicing confession in everyday life—whether with a spouse, in recovery groups, or small discipleship circles—breaks secrecy, nurtures holiness, and restores joy. Believers are called to reject shame, step out of hiding, and embrace confession as a way of life, so that God’s people can live in freedom and become a credible, prepared witness for renewal.

Orthopraxy - Hospitality as a Way of Life

In this sermon, Andrew discusses building one's life on the uncommon foundation of Jesus's teachings, using the metaphor of a house built to withstand a storm. The talk centers on the practice of kingdom hospitality as a way of life and a key part of the church's mission. Drawing from Matthew 5, the idea that believers are the "light of the world" is explored. This is connected to Jesus's declaration, "I am the light of the world," explaining that before believers are asked to shine their light, Jesus first shines his light on them. A Christian's purpose is to reflect this light, particularly in dark places.

Two essential qualities for shining this light are being "on fire" with the presence of God and being visible. Being visible means establishing a courageous and strategic presence in the world to draw people to the light, not by seeking relevance, but by building trust. The primary way Jesus modeled this was by gathering people around the dinner table, building relationships, and sharing life with them, an approach exemplified by initiatives like the Alpha course.

Orthopraxy - Community as Formation

In this message, Katy taught on Jesus’ words about the narrow path that leads to life, showing how true flourishing comes not through rule-keeping or cultural definitions of success but through transformation of the heart expressed in community. She warned against the dangers of individualism and isolation, which our culture often disguises as freedom, noting that this has even infiltrated the church and contributed to loneliness. Instead, the invitation of Jesus is to walk the narrow path of life together, practicing counterformation against the currents of culture, living as family who remind one another of our identity as sons and daughters of God, and experiencing healing in the context of trusted relationships. Community becomes the setting where we are re-parented into God’s family, resist the idols of self and division, and encounter grace that restores and transforms us. The call is to step beyond comfort, risk deeper connection, and embrace life in the kingdom with others, where God’s presence brings belonging, transformation, and joy.

Orthopraxy - Built on Love

In this message, Nic introduces the Orthopraxy series by teaching from Matthew 7:24–27, where Jesus contrasts the wise and foolish builders. The focus is not only on right belief (orthodoxy) but on right practice (orthopraxy), showing that hearing Jesus’ words must lead to putting them into action. Outwardly, lives may look similar—prayer, fasting, generosity—but the true foundation is revealed in whether these flow from religious duty or from being deeply loved by God. Spiritual practices are not meant as checklists but as ways to shape our hearts and align our loves with Christ. The call is to live with intention, building on the foundation of Jesus through obedience born out of love, so that faith is not surface-level but transformative, leading us to become people who reflect God’s kingdom in every part of life.

Prepare the Way for the Lord

In this message, Andrew draws from Exodus and the Gospel of John to emphasize God’s desire to dwell among His people and the call to prepare for His presence. He explains that just as Israel was instructed to build the tabernacle so God could dwell with them, followers of Jesus are called to become living tabernacles through prayer, repentance, and devotion. Using John the Baptist as an example, he highlights the need for credible, Spirit-filled witnesses who call people to return to God and prepare for renewal. The message stresses that while revival is ultimately a sovereign move of God, His people play a vital role by cultivating prayerful dependence, consecrated lives, and readiness to receive His Spirit. The challenge is to move from complacency and polite prayers to wholehearted devotion, trusting that God’s presence brings transformation to hearts, homes, communities, and society.

Sexual Integrity

In this message, Andrew teaches from Psalm 19:7–11, showing that God’s design for sexuality is not restrictive but life-giving, leading to joy, freedom, and flourishing. Beginning with creation, sexuality is revealed as a good gift—woven into our identity as image bearers, meant to reflect God’s love, intimacy, and creative purpose. Yet the fall has devastated this design, leaving all people with brokenness and distorted desires that are easily hijacked by cultural lies, shame, and addiction, especially through the counterfeit lure of pornography. Instead of moralism or hiding, the gospel offers transformation: Jesus’ grace brings forgiveness and healing, and His Spirit empowers new desires aligned with God’s design. Through practices like confession, immersion in Scripture, and participation in grace-filled community, hearts can be retrained to delight in true intimacy rather than counterfeit substitutes. The message calls listeners to reject shame, embrace God’s vision for their bodies and sexuality, and pursue wholeness in Christ as part of His renewing work in the world.

Living Water

In this message, Andrew teaches from John 4:1–42, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well and offers her living water that satisfies the deepest thirst of the soul. Instead of avoiding cultural and social barriers, Jesus moves toward her with love and dignity, prioritizing genuine connection over winning arguments or maintaining appearances. Her encounter shows that salvation comes through relational presence, where truth is embodied in love. This same pattern is the foundation for sharing the gospel today—not through debates or culture wars, but through listening, friendship, and Spirit-filled hospitality. Just as the woman’s testimony led her whole community to seek Jesus, believers are called to embody living water in their relationships, creating spaces like Alpha where people can experience God’s love personally and discover the hope found in Christ.