<description>During this message, Pastor Joe Still lights the “Pink Candle” of Advent representing JOY as we also peer deeply into the lives of those whom GOD chose to be the first to personally meet His Son. Advent invites us to wait with expectation, but it also invites us to rejoice! Few scenes capture this joyful wonder better than the shepherds in Luke 2:8–18. These ordinary, overlooked workers on a hillside become the first to hear heaven’s announcement of Christ’s birth. Their response reveals what true Advent joy looks like.

Luke tells us the shepherds were “living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night”—doing their routine work, in the quiet darkness. Into that darkness bursts the glory of the Lord and the voice of an angel proclaiming “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Advent joy begins not with our effort but with God’s initiative. Joy breaks in as God reveals Himself, even in the ordinary places of life.

The angel’s message is specific and personal: “Unto you is born this day… a Savior.” Advent joy is rooted in the reality that God’s salvation is not distant or theoretical. It is for you. The shepherds didn’t have to climb up to heaven; heaven came to them in the form of a baby, JESUS!</description>

During this message, Pastor Joe Still lights the …

During this message, Pastor Joe Still lights the “Pink Candle” of Advent representing JOY as we also peer deeply into the lives of those whom GOD chose to be the first to personally meet His Son. Advent invites us to wait with expectation, but it also invites us to rejoice! Few scenes capture this joyful wonder better than the shepherds in Luke 2:8–18. These ordinary, overlooked workers on a hillside become the first to hear heaven’s announcement of Christ’s birth. Their response reveals what true Advent joy looks like.

Luke tells us the shepherds were “living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night”—doing their routine work, in the quiet darkness. Into that darkness bursts the glory of the Lord and the voice of an angel proclaiming “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Advent joy begins not with our effort but with God’s initiative. Joy breaks in as God reveals Himself, even in the ordinary places of life.

The angel’s message is specific and personal: “Unto you is born this day… a Savior.” Advent joy is rooted in the reality that God’s salvation is not distant or theoretical. It is for you. The shepherds didn’t have to climb up to heaven; heaven came to them in the form of a baby, JESUS!

Christmas Lights - part 2 - Christmas is God's Plan A - December 14, 2025

<description>Every Christmas we celebrate the coming of” the Light” into the world—candles glow, streets shine, and hearts lift with hope. Yet long before shepherds stood under Bethlehem’s dark sky, the promise of that “Light”  was already spoken. Isaiah 9:2 declares, “The people who walk in darkness shall see a great Light—a Light that will shine on all those who live in the land of the shadow of death.”  This ancient prophecy forms one of the clearest bridges between the Old Testament and the Christmas story.

Isaiah first spoke these words into a world marked by political fear, military threat, and spiritual confusion. Israel was surrounded by powerful enemies, its future uncertain, and its faith often fragile. Darkness, in every sense, defined their experience. Yet into that bleak reality God promised “Light” —not merely survival, but renewal; not just relief, but redemption. The people walking in despair would not be left there. God Himself would act!

Centuries later, Matthew’s Gospel explicitly connects this prophecy to the birth and early ministry of Jesus.  Matthew writes that this happened “to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah” (Matthew 4:14–16). In other words, Christmas is not an isolated miracle; it is the long-anticipated fulfillment of God’s promise to bring “Light” to a darkened world.

Christmas celebrates the moment when that promised “Light” took on flesh. The baby in the manger was not simply a symbol of hope; He was hope embodied. The “Light” Isaiah foretold was not an idea or a political reform, but a Person. Jesus steps into human darkness—sin, fear, suffering, and death—and illuminates a new way forward. His birth declares that darkness does not have the final word.

I’m praying that you’re making plans now to join us every Sunday in the month of December for our Christmas Teaching Series: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. I’m also praying that the “Light” of our LORD JESUS will bring brightness and healing into your life this Christmas, and I’m hopeful you’ll be inviting folks to join you as we gather every Sunday this month and celebrate the Birth of KING JESUS, the “Light” of the World!

Pastor Joe Still</description>

Every Christmas we celebrate the coming of” the L…

Every Christmas we celebrate the coming of” the Light” into the world—candles glow, streets shine, and hearts lift with hope. Yet long before shepherds stood under Bethlehem’s dark sky, the promise of that “Light”  was already spoken. Isaiah 9:2 declares, “The people who walk in darkness shall see a great Light—a Light that will shine on all those who live in the land of the shadow of death.”  This ancient prophecy forms one of the clearest bridges between the Old Testament and the Christmas story.

Isaiah first spoke these words into a world marked by political fear, military threat, and spiritual confusion. Israel was surrounded by powerful enemies, its future uncertain, and its faith often fragile. Darkness, in every sense, defined their experience. Yet into that bleak reality God promised “Light” —not merely survival, but renewal; not just relief, but redemption. The people walking in despair would not be left there. God Himself would act!

Centuries later, Matthew’s Gospel explicitly connects this prophecy to the birth and early ministry of Jesus.  Matthew writes that this happened “to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah” (Matthew 4:14–16). In other words, Christmas is not an isolated miracle; it is the long-anticipated fulfillment of God’s promise to bring “Light” to a darkened world.

Christmas celebrates the moment when that promised “Light” took on flesh. The baby in the manger was not simply a symbol of hope; He was hope embodied. The “Light” Isaiah foretold was not an idea or a political reform, but a Person. Jesus steps into human darkness—sin, fear, suffering, and death—and illuminates a new way forward. His birth declares that darkness does not have the final word.

I’m praying that you’re making plans now to join us every Sunday in the month of December for our Christmas Teaching Series: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. I’m also praying that the “Light” of our LORD JESUS will bring brightness and healing into your life this Christmas, and I’m hopeful you’ll be inviting folks to join you as we gather every Sunday this month and celebrate the Birth of KING JESUS, the “Light” of the World!

Pastor Joe Still

Christmas Lights - part 1 - Knowing the Truth About Christmas - December 7, 2025

<description>In this message, Pastor Joe Still wraps-up our UNEXPECTED teaching on the Parables of JESUS. He'll close out this study by exploring two brief parables found in Mark chapter 4. In both parables JESUS compares the Kingdom of GOD to “seeds”. Both parables also point us to much HOPE!

This Sunday is also the first Sunday of ADVENT. On that day we join with churches all around the world lighting the Candle of HOPE!

Additionally, this Sunday begins our annual WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS. It is a week rooted in the HOPE that we will fulfill the Great Commission JESUS gave us to take His Gospel to every man, woman, and child on the planet. We'll also begin collecting our annual Christmas offering to support that work being done by our International Missionaries serving around the world.

It's going to be a great, HOPE-filled day here at "the River"!


</description>

In this message, Pastor Joe Still wraps-up our UN…

In this message, Pastor Joe Still wraps-up our UNEXPECTED teaching on the Parables of JESUS. He'll close out this study by exploring two brief parables found in Mark chapter 4. In both parables JESUS compares the Kingdom of GOD to “seeds”. Both parables also point us to much HOPE!

This Sunday is also the first Sunday of ADVENT. On that day we join with churches all around the world lighting the Candle of HOPE!

Additionally, this Sunday begins our annual WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS. It is a week rooted in the HOPE that we will fulfill the Great Commission JESUS gave us to take His Gospel to every man, woman, and child on the planet. We'll also begin collecting our annual Christmas offering to support that work being done by our International Missionaries serving around the world.

It's going to be a great, HOPE-filled day here at "the River"!




UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 9 - The Seeds of Our Hope in God's Coming Kingdom - November 30, 2025

<description>This Sunday is the first day of the week that contains the national day designated by the U.S. Congress and signed by the President of these United States, as the day of THANKSGIVING.  At Riverbluff, on the Sunday before THANKSGIVING, we traditionally take the day to align our hearts and calibrate our minds on all that we have for which we can be thankful. This Sunday, we will do that, but with a bit of a twist!

This Sunday, we will continue in our Teaching Series, “UNEXPECTED”, as we explore another of JESUS’ Parables.  The title of this week’s message is “THE WORST THANKS-GIVING…EVER!”

In this message, Pastor Joe Still teaches how JESUS shows us how to break the grip of false gratitude and step into Kingdom Thankfulness.</description>

This Sunday is the first day of the week that con…

This Sunday is the first day of the week that contains the national day designated by the U.S. Congress and signed by the President of these United States, as the day of THANKSGIVING.  At Riverbluff, on the Sunday before THANKSGIVING, we traditionally take the day to align our hearts and calibrate our minds on all that we have for which we can be thankful. This Sunday, we will do that, but with a bit of a twist!

This Sunday, we will continue in our Teaching Series, “UNEXPECTED”, as we explore another of JESUS’ Parables.  The title of this week’s message is “THE WORST THANKS-GIVING…EVER!”

In this message, Pastor Joe Still teaches how JESUS shows us how to break the grip of false gratitude and step into Kingdom Thankfulness.

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 8 - Worst Thanks-Giving Ever - November 23, 2025

<description>All of us, at one time or another have missed an opportunity that could have altered our lives, maybe for the better. There are also many famous moments in history that were squandered. Here are just a few:

• A Kodak engineer invented the first digital camera, but the company suppressed the technology, fearing it would hurt its “film business”.

• The telegraph company Western Union famously rejected Alexander Graham Bell's offer to buy the telephone patent for $100,000, calling the device "idiotic".

• A committee of the British Government rejected Thomas Edison’s light bulb, stating that it might be “okay for our transatlantic friends…but unworthy of the attention of practical or scientific men.”

• Decca Records famously turned down the Beatles after an audition, because one of their executives stated "guitar groups are on the way out".

In JESUS’ great “End Times” teaching found in Matthew 24 and 25, He employs a Parable to warn His disciples of the eternal tragedy of squandering our lives. This Parable is most often called the “Parable of the Servants &amp; Talents”, and we’ll explore its poignant message this Sunday. In this message, Pastor Joe Still leads us to discover together how to “Maximize our Lives” the JESUS Way!</description>

All of us, at one time or another have missed an …

All of us, at one time or another have missed an opportunity that could have altered our lives, maybe for the better. There are also many famous moments in history that were squandered. Here are just a few:

• A Kodak engineer invented the first digital camera, but the company suppressed the technology, fearing it would hurt its “film business”.

• The telegraph company Western Union famously rejected Alexander Graham Bell's offer to buy the telephone patent for $100,000, calling the device "idiotic".

• A committee of the British Government rejected Thomas Edison’s light bulb, stating that it might be “okay for our transatlantic friends…but unworthy of the attention of practical or scientific men.”

• Decca Records famously turned down the Beatles after an audition, because one of their executives stated "guitar groups are on the way out".

In JESUS’ great “End Times” teaching found in Matthew 24 and 25, He employs a Parable to warn His disciples of the eternal tragedy of squandering our lives. This Parable is most often called the “Parable of the Servants & Talents”, and we’ll explore its poignant message this Sunday. In this message, Pastor Joe Still leads us to discover together how to “Maximize our Lives” the JESUS Way!

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 7 - Don't Waste Your Life - November 16, 2025

Riverbluff is a Disciple-Making church with a strong heart  to see every man, woman, and child is given repeated opportunities to see, hear, and respond to the Gospel of Jesus where they live, work, and play.

Riverbluff Church Sermons

Details

Recent Episodes