I love what J. I. Packer, author of that great book KNOWING GOD once said of theology: "Theology is for doxology and devotion—that is, the praise of God and the practice of godliness... Theology is at its healthiest when it is consciously under the eye of God of whom it speaks, and when it is singing to his glory." Dr. Packer taught that theology that didn’t lead us to passionate worship of GOD and deeper devotion to GOD, was ultimately a worthless endeavor.

As we continue our study of the ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE, my prayer continues to be that it will lead us to passionate worship of our good, good, GOD, and an ever-growing devotion to HIM.  This week we will conclude our study of the ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE ABOUT SALVATION and connect it to our ESSENTIAL BELIEFS ABOUT BAPTISM.  We will also get to celebrate with one of our students who is following JESUS into baptism.

Pastor Joe Still

Essentials We Believe - Baptism - August 31, 2025

On the opening pages of the Bible, GOD unfolds HIS Blueprint for the best way Human Beings, the crown of HIS creation, can flourish. We call that Blueprint, “The Family”!

This Sunday we close out our Summer Teaching Series ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE, examining our FATHER’s meticulously detailed plans for “The Family”.

In this message, Pastor Joe Still leads us to celebrate and recommit ourselves to GOD’S good plan for the foundation on which every other human institution can be strengthened.

Essentials We Believe - Family - September 7, 2025

What can we do when so much in our culture is rapidly disintegrating around us?

The writer of Psalm 46 faced such times, stating: “earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea… nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble”

But then the Psalmist reminds us: “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord…”

As did the Psalmist we can turn to GOD!

When JESUS walked among us, He called all who would be His disciples to, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…” Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

In this message, Pastor Joe Still leads us to explore together how to follow this great challenge from our Lord. Don’t let GOD’s Kingdom pass you by!

Kingdom of God - Part 1 - September 14, 2025

While much has been said this week about the political assassination of Charlie Kirk and its potential to catalyze a movement of young Christian conservatives, JESUS tells us no true, lasting change will come to us or to our nation, until Biblical REPENTANCE and FAITH comes!

Last Sunday, we focused on a warning, that if we are not mindful and responsive, GOD’s Kingdom, that is all around us, could just pass us by. This Sunday, we explore a proven pathway that can lead us to experience CONTINUOUS KINGDOM BREAKTHROUGH.

In this message, Pastor Joe Still lead us to walk that pathway together.

Kingdom of God - Part 2 - September 21, 2025

Along with many others in our nation and around the world, I continue to believe that GOD is pouring out HIS Spirit in a powerful way, in our day!

Many of you have prayed for such a movement of GOD.  Now I am convinced our prayer should be “LORD DON’T PASS US BY”.  Two weeks ago, we explored that topic and looked at steps we could take to not be passed by.  Last Sunday we looked at a clear pathway to walk out individually so that we are not passed by as the LORD moves powerfully around us.

In this message, Pastor Joe Still explores the great prayer of JESUS in John 17.  In our LORD’s Prayer, He reveals what could exist in a church that could cause it to completely miss out on a great movement of GOD that might be happening all around it.

Kingdom of God  - Part 3 - September 28, 2025

"Avoid Becoming an Unintentional Pharisee"

JESUS was genius in His teaching! Matthew 7:28-29 describes how his hearers experienced His teaching: “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority…”

As JESUS’ teaching ministry expanded, He made the decision to frequently use parables as a primary teaching method as Mark 4:1-2 tells us: “AGAIN JESUS began to teach beside the lake. And a very great crowd gathered about Him…And He taught them many things in parables…” His parables focused on the Kingdom of GOD and often employed a very UNEXPECTED twist to awaken the hearts and minds of His hearers so they would draw nearer to Him and His kingdom work.

This series of messages is entitled UNEXPECTED. We’ll explore many of the parables JESUS taught.

Why don’t you plan now to join us on Sundays at one of our services at 9:30 or 11AM, or in our livestream service at 11AM on riverbluff.live for each message in this series? I am praying that something UNEXPECTED will happen in our lives and in our church that will bring much glory to GOD and release even more of His kingdom goodness on us, and through us, into our city.

Pastor Joe Still

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 1 - October 5, 2025

Parable of the Wheat & the Weeds

Like much of the world, this morning I am prayerful that we are witnessing the ending of Israel’s war with Hamas.  Last week marked the two-year anniversary of the barbaric attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians that sparked this war.  That act, brought the reality of the existence of “pure evil”, back to the forefront of news headlines and coffee shop conversations.  The evil released on that day has not only decimated life in that small strip of land known as “Gaza”, but it has spread tension and terror around the globe.

The ”problem of evil”, as it is has been labeled by philosophers and theologians, is not just a “modern” question, but an ancient one.  Every generation of humans must wrestle with it.  JESUS addresses this question in the Parable of the Wheat & the Weeds, recorded in Matthew 13.  He points us to GOD’s Sovereignty as HE reveals something of how to live now, in the Kingdom of GOD!

In this message, Pastor Joe Still looks to JESUS and His teaching, on how we can face our greatest enemy of evil, with the Sovereignty of our GOD

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 2 - October 12, 2025

This week we have been witnesses to what feels like the miraculous return of 20 living Israeli hostages, along with the bodies of several who died in captivity, and additionally, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees returned to Gaza and the West Bank. I’m not sure many of us thought we’d see this day of freedom come to so many in this war-torn part of our world.

The peace and freedom that we are witnessing are both very fragile in these moments, so please continue to follow the Biblical imperative to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. It will only be in peace that all involved might experience freedom.

Ultimate freedom is only found in this life, through our Lord Jesus and in His teachings found in the Gospels. This Sunday we continue our journey through the Parables of Jesus as Garrett Walker leads us to explore the Parable of Two Sons found in Luke 15. Both sons have their struggles in life, but only one will walk in freedom, which one may surprise you. I’m sure it shocked those who originally heard Jesus speak those famous words!

I can’t wait to hear Garrett open the Word of GOD that can lead us to full and eternal freedom!

Pastor Joe Still

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 3 - October 19, 2025

In this message, Dr. Curt Bradford will continue teaching in our series, UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus.

Curt was Lead Pastor at Riverbluff from 1988-2014.  The LORD has multiplied Curt’s mentoring ministry, as he now mentors pastors all around our state. He is currently serving as Point Leader for the Steward Team of the Charleston Baptist Association. Joyfully welcome Curt back to his teaching role with us!

Curt will explore the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, found in Matthew 13:44-45.

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 4 - October 26, 2025

In this message, Pastor Joe Still continues to teach from the Parables of JESUS  - something UNEXPECTED about the Kingdom of GOD. This week JESUS reveals something to us about Kingdom Prayer in Luke 18:1-8!

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 6 - November 9, 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.

UNEXPECTED The Parables of Jesus - part 1 - October 5, 2025

Riverbluff Church