Riverlife Messages

Riverlife Baptist Church

Weekly messages from Riverlife Baptist Church in Brisbane, Australia. Riverlife is a church that desires to be a family embracing the Father's presence, releasing empowered people to declare and demonstrate Christ's kingdom.

  1. Pray Like You Mean It: Pray With Power - Petrea Taylor

    1 day ago

    Pray Like You Mean It: Pray With Power - Petrea Taylor

    Pastor Petrea kicks off prayer month with a ripper of a question: can we actually change God's mind through prayer? Using the story of Abraham's gutsy negotiation over Sodom (where he basically haggles with God like he's at the markets), she unpacks what it means to pray persistently, not just when life hits the fan. The message walks through Abraham's bold conversation with God in Genesis 18, where he keeps pushing for mercy on Sodom, and Jesus' parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. The point? Prayer isn't about twisting God's arm or saying perfect words, it's about building a relationship where you keep showing up, again and again. Petrea shares a powerful personal story about praying over her daughter Ella's room and discovering spiritual discernment through persistent prayer. She challenges us to move beyond circumstantial, emergency-only prayers to a lifestyle of continual conversation with God, praying over our kids, workplaces, schools, and everyday moments. The message wraps with a call to action: make prayer month count by developing habits that last beyond June. When we pray persistently, we don't just change our circumstances, we're transformed by the One who's always listening. **Bible Verses Referenced:** - Genesis 18:16-33 - Luke 18:1-8 - James 5:13-16 - Philippians 4:4-7 - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 1 John 5:14-15 CONNECT WITH RIVERLIFE CHURCH HERE AT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverlifebaptistchurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverlifeBaptistChurchWebsite: https://riverlifechurch.org.au

    35 min
  2. Fire and Breath: Refined by Fire - Jo Leutton

    18 May

    Fire and Breath: Refined by Fire - Jo Leutton

    Ever wondered why God chose fire as one of the signs at Pentecost? This message unpacks the rich symbolism of fire throughout Scripture, from God's judgment and cleansing to His empowering presence and refining work in our lives. We journey back to that first Pentecost, understanding it wasn't just a random day but a significant moment of covenant renewal when Jewish pilgrims from across the known world gathered in Jerusalem. It's at this precise moment that God poured out His Holy Spirit, not just to remind His people of their covenant relationship, but to initiate something entirely new. The message challenges us to surrender our own plans and agendas, the lists we bring to God expecting Him to tick off, and instead allow His refining fire to prepare us for His purposes. Drawing on stories from a recent Alpha and global leadership conference, we're reminded that God is moving supernaturally around the world, and He wants to move in us too. This isn't about waiting for next Sunday's Pentecost celebration; we live in the perpetual reality of the Spirit's presence. The question is: are we willing to let the fire fall afresh on our lives? Bible Verses Referenced: Acts 2:1-4, Matthew 3:11, Malachi 3:1-3, Acts 1:8, Isaiah 9:7, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 1 Peter 1:3-7 CONNECT WITH RIVERLIFE CHURCH HERE AT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverlifebaptistchurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverlifeBaptistChurchWebsite: https://riverlifechurch.org.au

    35 min
  3. Mother's Day: You are Loved - Penny Leutton

    12 May

    Mother's Day: You are Loved - Penny Leutton

    Ever wondered what it's like to grow up knowing God is real but not quite knowing how to make it official? Our guest speaker Penny, takes us on a journey through her story, complete with big feelings, and the kind of honesty that makes you feel like you're having a coffee with a friend.   She opens up about being that kid who desperately wanted someone to ask if she wanted to become a Christian (spoiler: someone finally did), and how a kind woman named Aunty Jenny faithfully showed up week after week to disciple a completely silent nine-year-old. But this isn't just a sweet childhood story—it's about discovering that God wants to be part of our whole lives, not just an insurance policy against hell. The message takes a vulnerable turn as she shares about losing her brother at 16 and experiencing Jesus sitting with her in grief. She doesn't shy away from the hard stuff—spiritual warfare, tragedy, big questions, but points us back to the truth that God's love is bigger than anything we face. Whether you're waiting to be asked, using God as a safety net, battling the enemy, or walking through grief, this message reminds us that we're invited into God's family—not because we deserve it, but because that's just how much He loves us. **Bible Verses mentioned in the message:** 1 John 3:1 John 3:16 CONNECT WITH RIVERLIFE CHURCH HERE AT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverlifebaptistchurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverlifeBaptistChurchWebsite: https://riverlifechurch.org.au

    26 min
  4. Alive In The Spirit: You're Gifted - Ian Walton

    5 May

    Alive In The Spirit: You're Gifted - Ian Walton

    In the final instalment of the "Alive in the Spirit" series, we dive into the practical reality of spiritual gifts. Using a creative chocolate distribution demonstration (that may or may not have involved some rule-breaking), this message explores how the Holy Spirit equips each believer with unique gifts, not for personal consumption, but for the common good. You'll discover the difference between spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit, why some gifts feel more like burdens than blessings, and how your unique flavour matters in stewarding what God's given you. The message covers everything from what may seem like "ordinary gifts" like teaching and administration, through to what some would describe as "extraordinary ones" like prophecy and healing. All of which are needed for a fully functioning body of Christ. The key takeaways? Discover your gifts by asking trusted people and trying new ministries. Develop them through practice and mentorship. Deploy them in effective action, because if your gift remains hidden, there's a genuine lack in the body and in the world. With love as the essential motivation, we're called to be tools, not toys, in God's hands. **Bible Verses Referenced:** 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27-28 Romans 12:6-8 1 Peter 4:10 Ephesians 4 1 Corinthians 13 Ephesians 2:10 CONNECT WITH RIVERLIFE CHURCH HERE AT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverlifebaptistchurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverlifeBaptistChurchWebsite: https://riverlifechurch.org.au

    38 min

About

Weekly messages from Riverlife Baptist Church in Brisbane, Australia. Riverlife is a church that desires to be a family embracing the Father's presence, releasing empowered people to declare and demonstrate Christ's kingdom.