2Rivers Church Messages 2Rivers Church

Many wrestle with the concept of Jesus being the sole path to salvation. Listen as Pastor Nick dives into John 14:6, unpacking why Christians believe Jesus is the exclusive way to God.
Pastor Nick explores:
The Exclusivity of Jesus' Claim: Why Jesus' statement in John 14:6 is central to Christian belief.
Misconceptions of Exclusivity: Addressing common reasons people reject the idea of one true path.
Understanding Religious Pluralism: Examining the rise of belief in multiple paths to God.
Through an in-depth exploration of the ever-controversial statement from Jesus in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," Pastor Nick highlights the undeniable exclusivity of this claim. He emphasizes why this conclusive statement has been misunderstood, misconstrued, and often criticized by many both within and outside the church.

Discover the three common factors contributing to the growing belief in religious pluralism. Uncover why many refuse to affirm Jesus as the exclusive path because they suppose all religions essentially teach the same thing, they contest the idea of a narrow-minded God, and they fear offending others with this bold claim. In challenging these perceptions, we aim to reestablish the indisputable truth of Jesus Christ as the sole pathway to salvation.

Join Pastor Nick as he walks you through John 14:6, Acts 2, Acts 4:10-12, and the journey to understand Jesus' singular claim to be the route to everlasting life. 

At 2Rivers Church, our mission is help you become a more PASSIONATE follower of Jesus. 

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Resources mentioned during the sermon:  
- "How Good is Good Enough" by Pastor Andy Stanley

To connect with us on other platforms, check us out on:
Facebook: /2Riverschurch
Instagram: /2Rivers_Church

And for even more resources, visit our website at www.2riverschurch.com.

Who is 2Rivers Church in O’Fallon, MO? In this video, you’ll hear our leadership team discuss our history and share stories of God’s faithfulness from founding pastor Ron Cathcart and his wife, Debi.

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Today, we're celebrating 25 years as God's church called 2Rivers! Our Executive Pastor, Nick Tallo, and Director of Ministry, Sarah Good, sit down with Pastor Ron and Debi to discuss 2Rivers' early days and some of their favorite moments. Ron also shares his vision for the next 25 years, to ensure Jesus remains the lead story at 2Rivers Church.

This is a service with some tears, some laughter, and a lot of thankfulness to God for what He’s done.

Debi shared her favorite verse, Romans 1:11–12, a key verse for the Cathcarts and our church’s ministry: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

Ron shared Ephesians 3:20–21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

In this video:

WHO IS 2RIVERS CHURCH?

2Rivers Church is a non-denominational congregation in O'Fallon, MO, pastored by Ron Cathcart. We exist to help people become passionate followers of Jesus.

WHEN WAS 2RIVERS CHURCH FOUNDED?

2Rivers Church was founded in April 1999 by Ron Cathcart. We started as a portable church, meeting at Bryan Middle School, then Timberland High School. Our current and permanent home is at 88 Hubble Drive in O’Fallon, MO.

WHY WAS 2RIVERS CHURCH FOUNDED?

Ron Cathcart is a St. Louis-area native. He served on the staff of a few churches and as the lead pastor of one other, but dreamed of a new way to "do church." He and Debi prayed and launched the church in April 1999.

WHAT WAS THE VISION FOR 2RIVERS CHURCH WHEN IT WAS FOUNDED?

When Pastor Ron dedicated his life to God, he saw how Jesus changed every part of his life. He and Debi dreamed of a congregation that would help people become passionate followers of Jesus. 

HOW DID 2RIVERS CHURCH GET ITS NAME?

When Ron Cathcart and his launch team tried to come up with a name, they tried several and weren't satisfied. But Ron got an advertisement mailer from a local business named 2Rivers. He liked it, and the name stuck!

ALSO IN THIS VIDEO:

1. Ron and Debi’s “God-lights” from 25 years of ministry.
2. Nick Tallo and Sarah Good’s top 10 Ron-isms.
3. Nick’s memories of Ron Cathcart and 2Rivers Church.
4. What Ron Cathcart envisions for the next 25 years of 2Rivers Church.


Read about 2Rivers Church’s history: https://www.2riverschurch.com/our-history.html 
Meet the 2Rivers Church staff: https://www.2riverschurch.com/staff.html 
Plan a visit to 2Rivers Church: https://www.2riverschurch.com/whattoexpect.html 

Need prayer? Leave a prayer request here. Our team will pray for you: https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709 

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LIKE ✔️, SHARE 📢, and FOLLOW for more videos like this one to help you live equipped and become a passionate follower of Jesus!  

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Facebook: https://facebook.com/2rivers_church/ 
👋Visit us online at https://www.2riverschurch.com/

#2RiversChurch #ourhistory #25thanniversary #ofallonmo

Have you ever wondered about God’s will for your life? Have you questioned whether you are truly following His path? If you have, you're not alone.

Sometimes God’s will can feel confusing, abstract, or mysterious, but Pastor Nick breaks down understanding God’s will into two parts: The sovereign will of God and the revealed will of God. 

What is God’s Sovereign Will?

The word Sovereign = Having supreme power or authority. 

We believe God created the entire universe and set plans and laws of the universe into motion from the very beginning. The fact that our universe has laws and order are dictated by the one who created and is large and in charge of all things. 

Sovereign Will = God’s secret plan which controls the outcome of all matters in the universe. 

What is God’s Revealed will?  

God also reveals Himself personally throughout history and has made known His will for humankind and for each of us known in specific, knowable ways. 
   
Deuteronomy 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
 
Ephesians 5:17 – “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
 
How do we figure out God’s Will?
 
Through the Word of God
 
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
 
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
 
Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
 
Through the Spirit of God
 
Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
 
John 16:13a – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
 
Through the People of God
 
Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
 
Proverbs 19:20 – “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
 
The Will of God will never contradict the Word of God!
 
What do we do once we know God’s Will? 
 
James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
 
Acts 20:22-24 – “ And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
 
Acts 21:12-14 – “When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
 
Timothy 2:4 – “[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”


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To connect with us on other platforms, check us out on:
Facebook: /2Riverschurch
Instagram: /2Rivers_Church

And for even more resources, visit our website at www.2riv

Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world if God is both all powerful and good?

Evil is defined as that which is morally wrong or sinful; something that brings sorrow, distress or calamity. It can also be seen and known as the opposite of good.

In the beginning of the world’s creation, God saw all that he had made, and it was very good! So why does an all-powerful, good God let evil and suffering happen? Afterall, if God wanted to stop it He could. 

The question of the evil and suffering we experience and a supposedly all powerful and all good & loving God is a real one we all face. 

Join Pastor Ron Cathcart as he unpacks some of the tensions around this question & how the Bible talks about pain and suffering. 

See Genesis 1:3, James 1:13, 1 John 1:5, Isaiah 46: 9-10

EVIL AND SUFFERING ARE PART OF THE BROKEN WORLD WE LIVE IN

In the beginning, God gave Adam and Eve a choice and people have been making wrong choices ever since. Evil exists in our world because God’s creatures rebelled and continue to do so. Evil will persist until the return of Jesus. 

See Romans 5:12 

THE PRESENCE OF EVIL AND SUFFERING DOES NOT MEAN GOD IS NOT ALL POWERFUL

Atheists would say, “God is not taking care of it, He must not be all powerful.” In the story of Job, God never answers the question of why but establishes His ever present power. 

See Job 1: 10-19, Job 38: 4-5, Job 38:22, Job 39: 1-2 

THE PRESENCE OF EVIL AND SUFFERING DOES NOT MEAN GOD IS NOT GOOD AND LOVING 

When bad things happen, it does not change the fact that God loves us. God’s own son endured pain and suffering on our behalf.  Jesus was a suffering servant and by His wounds we are healed. He who knew no sin was laid out on the cross. 

See Isaiah 53: 3-6, John 3:16 

GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF PAIN AND SUFFERING 

We don’t always have the answers but this helps us understand the concept.  There may be many things happening, but God is our strength and portion forever. 

See Job 42:1-5, Psalm 73: 13-17, Romans 8:28

WHEN WE HAVE SUFFERED, WE CAN HELP OTHERS WHO ARE SUFFERING 

Sometimes our suffering can lead to a great calling to comfort for others who find themselves on the same difficult path. Our suffering can help others who are suffering. 

See 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

SUFFERING MATURES US

Deeper intimacy is gained with God during the hard times.  Our level of maturity and faith will increase during the hard times. 

See Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4

WE MUST VIEW PAIN AND SUFFERING IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY 

We measure life on a human timeline. This life is short on the map of eternity. Some day, Jesus will return and if he never did another thing, He’s done enough! 

See 1 Peter 4:13, Revelation 21:4

2Rivers Church in O’Fallon, MO, exists to help people become passionate followers of Jesus. 

Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to stay updated with our content ⏩.

LIKE ✔️, SHARE 📢, and FOLLOW for more videos like this one to help you live equipped and become a passionate follower of Jesus!  

👉 Explore our message series here:  https://www.youtube.com/@2RiversChurch/playlists 
 ===================================
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Facebook: https://facebook.com/2rivers_church/ 
👋Visit us online at https://www.2riverschurch.com/

#2RiversChurch #evilandsuffering #askingforafriend #brokenworld

What did Jesus do through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension? Jesus conquered death. He did what we could never do—lived a perfect, sinless life and became a sacrifice that satisfied the justice of God. He was punished for every wrong we committed and brought us peace, reconciliation, and healing (see Isaiah 53:6).

As we conclude our “Upside Down Kingdom” series, Pastor Nick Tallo explains how Jesus conquered death by going to the cross and rising three days later. (See links below for the rest of the series.)

THE BAD NEWS & THE GOOD NEWS

Pastor Nick takes us through key verses that explain the bad news about the human condition and the good news: how Jesus conquered death! 

The BAD NEWS is... 

We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23).
Our sin deserves death (Romans 6:23a).
We were born spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1).

The GOOD NEWS is...

God’s great love—His grace and mercy—made us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).
God forgave our sins and canceled our debt and punishment through His death on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).
We are made right with God when we believe Jesus sacrificed His life for us (Romans 3:23).

🔑 Key Takeaways:
Join Pastor Nick Tallo from 2Rivers Church as he shows how Jesus conquered death. Jesus, who was fully alive, had to die and be raised to life so that those who are dead could be brought back to life. 

If you want clarity about who Jesus is and what He did for you, you won’t want to miss this powerful message! 

2Rivers Church in O’Fallon, MO, exists to help people become passionate followers of Jesus. 

Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to stay updated with our content ⏩.

LIKE ✔️, SHARE 📢, and FOLLOW for more videos like this one to help you live equipped and become a passionate follower of Jesus!  

Resources mentioned during the sermon:  
Struggling and need prayer? We’d love to pray for you. Submit a prayer request here:  https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709
Have more questions about Jesus? We invite you to dig deeper and get your questions answered. https://www.2riverschurch.com/jesus.html

Watch the “Upside Down Kingdom” series here!
How to Love Your Enemies Part 1: https://youtu.be/O0oPNR5r7vQ
5 Reasons God’s Strength Is Made Perfect in Weakness Part 2: https://youtu.be/IFji_0T4zGc
What Does Humility Look Like Part 3: https://youtu.be/iZuMfsFR9as


Include social media handles, website, other ways to connect:
👉 Explore our message series here:  https://www.youtube.com/@2RiversChurch/playlists 
 ===================================
 Instagram: https://instagram.com/2riverschurch/ 
Facebook: https://facebook.com/2rivers_church/ 
👋Visit us online at https://www.2riverschurch.com/

#2RiversChurch #JesusConqueredDeath #UpsideDownKingdom

Humility is not by accident but a conscious effort on our part. It’s not present in our resume or a checkbox on our list of accomplishments, but only happens because of who Jesus is. 

In Matthew 23: 11-12, Jesus was speaking among those who looked and acted like they had it all together: The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

Today it’s not much different but what does this look like every day? 

Incorporating humility into your daily life might feel like a challenging task in a world that teaches self-promotion, but getting to the heart of it looks like loving and investing in other people.
In a world that rewards self-promotion, learning to be humble in your daily life can seem difficult. At its heart, though, humility is about loving and investing in other people.

See Isaiah 2:12, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18 Luke 18:9-14

 So is the way up in this world really to stepcome back down? 

Join Pastor Ron Cathcart as he walks you through the principles and teachings of humility so you can walk in it every single day of your life! 

CHECK YOURSELF 

Examining yourself means a heart check.  The way you walk in your life will come out in the way you live your life!  Ask yourself is it all about me or is it about Jesus? 

Proverbs 4:23, 1 John 2: 15-17, 1 Peter 5: 5-6, James 4: 6-10, Proverbs 13:10 

MEET WITH GOD DAILY 

It’s not just about listening to the sermon on Sunday, but getting into God’s Word everyday. When you make this a daily practice, you will find God will speak into your life and that you in turn, are not the hero of the story. By making this a daily practice, you'll discover that God speaks into your life more often, and, in turn, you'll realize you're not the hero of the story. 

Isaiah 40:25-26 

BE LIKE JESUS 

Jesus humbled himself to the point of death on a cross.  He was the most humble man to ever walk the earth. Today that might look like putting aside your to do list to take care of a person in need.

Philippians 2:3, Philippians 2:5-9

SERVE OTHERS 

Jesus washed the feet of others. In His greatest time of need before going to the cross, Jesus put others before Himself. Getting in the middle of someone else’s mess or circumstances is putting their needs before your own! 

Matthew 23:11-12, Mark 9:33-35, Luke 9:43-48, John 13:12-15

2Rivers Church in O’Fallon, MO, exists to help people become passionate followers of Jesus so you can experience the life God intended for you and go out and encourage others to do the same! 

If you have questions about Jesus, we would love to have that conversation! Reach out to us!
https://www.2riverschurch.com/contactus.html

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Resources for you:

Struggling and need prayer? We’d love to pray for you. Submit a prayer request here:  https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709

Questions about Jesus?  Reach out to us here:
https://www.2riverschurch.com/contactus.html

Looking for a place to worship this Easter? We’d invite you to join us for one of five services! Check out times here: https://www.2riverschurch.com/easter 


Other ways to connect:

👉 Explore our message series here:  https://www.youtube.com/@2RiversChurch/playlists 

 ===================================
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/2riverschurch/ 
Facebook: https://facebook.com/2rivers_church/ 
👋Visit us online at https://www.2riverschurch.com/

#2Riverschurch #humility #kingdomliving #upsidedownkingdom