The God of Second Chances | 2 Chronicles 30 | Sunday Worship (Oct 26, 2025) Hezekiah’s Passover teaches us the same truth that the cross of Christ proclaims: Our God is the God of second chances. He invites the unworthy. He provides a way for the unready. And he restores joy to those who return. So, if you’ve missed your “first chance,” if you’ve drifted or delayed, remember: It’s not too late. The door of mercy is still open. The God who welcomed prodigals and pardoned rebels still says, “Return to me.” And when we do, joy returns to worship.

Riverside Community Church – Sermons & Meditations Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Riverside Community Church in Elmwood Park, New Jersey — a House of Prayer for All Nations. Here you’ll find biblically grounded sermons, meditations, and reflections designed to help you walk with Christ in everyday life. Each message flows from a Reformed theological foundation and seeks to bring together truth and grace, doctrine and devotion, conviction and compassion. We believe discipleship begins with listening to God’s Word, living it out in community, and reflecting the beauty of Christ in every season of life. Join Pastor Brian Lee and the Riverside family as we journey through Scripture together — discovering the joy of wholehearted faith, the comfort of God’s promises, and the hope of the gospel that changes everything. “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” (2 Chronicles 25:9) Visit us at www.riversidepeople.org

Who is Holy Spirit | John 14:15-26 | Pastor Brian Lee | Riverside Community Church Introduction In his book, Keep in Step with the Spirit (1984), theologian-pastor J. I. Packer described the Holy Spirit as the “shy member of the Trinity.” He did not mean that the Spirit is timid or weak, but that His great mission is to shine the spotlight on Jesus Christ. Packer explained that the Spirit works like a floodlight: the brighter He shines, the less we notice Him, because our eyes are fixed on Christ. Some have explained the Trinity this way: God the Father planned salvation, God the Son accomplished salvation, and God the Holy Spirit applies salvation to our lives. The point is this. Without the Spirit, Christ’s work would remain outside of us. But by the Spirit, we are born again, united to Christ, equipped with gifts, and empowered for the Great Commission. In John 14:26, Jesus promised: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (ESV). The Greek word for "helper" is paraklētos. The NIV translates it “Advocate,” which I like, because He defends us. The KJV renders it “Comforter,” from the Latin "com forte" — “with strength.” Both are true: the Spirit is our Advocate and our Strength. So, who is this “shy member of the Trinity”? We'll try to answer that along with the following. What does it mean that He indwells us? And how should we think about His gifts?

Foundations Series | "Who is Christ?" | Sunday Worship | August 24, 2025 | Pastor Brian Lee Introduction As we continue our Foundations Series, I hope you are not saying this is "too basic." Think of it this way. If you remove the foundation of a house, then it doesn’t matter how well-decorated the living room is. The house built on sand will not stand when the storm comes. So, let us press on with the fourth foundational topic. Today, we ask the question, "Who is Christ?" Now, Jesus himself asked this question to His disciples. In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” He was not posing a mere theological question. He was asking the defining question of life itself. You see, how we answer the question, "Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?" shows who we are in this world. Today, we will consider three things: Christ’s personhood, Christ’s offices, and Christ’s work. The personhood, the offices, and the work of Christ are the foundation of the Christian life. We never move past them. We only grow deeper into them. As R. C. Sproul put it, “The work of Christ reveals to us who He is. The work and the person may be distinguished but never separated.” If we get Christ wrong, we get the gospel wrong. But when we see Christ for who He is, we not only see salvation, we see the very glory of God. 1. The Person of Christ: Fully God and Fully Man (John 1:1-4; 14) Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is not half God and half man. Christians throughout history, everywhere, have professed this about the person of Christ. He is fully God and fully man. Why does this matter? If He were not God, He could not save us, for only God can bear the weight of divine wrath and offer infinite righteousness. But if He were not man, He could not represent us (stand in our place), obey the law on our behalf, or die in our stead. As Hebrews 2:17 declares: "For this reason, he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." (NIV) Sinclair Ferguson notes that the incarnation shows us not only God’s power but God’s humility. The Creator stooped to become a creature, so that creatures might be reconciled to their Creator. 2. The Offices of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King (Hebrews 1:1–4) The Reformers often spoke of Christ’s threefold office as Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet, Christ speaks God’s Word to us. As Prophet, He is unlike any other prophets of religions. He is not merely another messenger. He is the message itself, the Word made flesh. He is the truth, life, and the way. As Priest, Christ offers Himself as the sacrifice for our sins and continually intercedes for us. “He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Unlike the priests of old, He never ceases, and he never fails. As King, Christ rules over all things. After His resurrection, He declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). His reign extends over every inch of creation. Knowing Christ in these three offices shapes our daily life. As Prophet, He directs us by His Word. As Priest, He (re)assures us of forgiveness. As King, He is victorious over sin and death. He gives us the confidence to press on, even when our lives are seemingly falling apart at the seams, because He is the King of Glory. He is mighty to save! 3. The Work of Christ: His Deity and Redemption (Colossians 1:15–20) When Apostle Paul says in verse 15 that Christ is “the image of the invisible God,” the Greek word is pronounced, εἰκών (eikōn). In everyday Greek, eikōn could mean a statue, likeness, or picture. But here it means something far more profound: Christ is not a copy or reflection of God, but the exact and perfect manifestation of the invisible God. What is unseen in God the Father is made visible in the Son. This is why Jesus can say in John 14:9, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” The unseen God is perfectly and personally revealed in Christ. He does not merely represent God; He presents God. He makes the invisible visible. James Montgomery Boice once said, “The deity of Christ is essential. If Jesus is not God, then we are idolaters for worshiping Him. But if He is God, then worship is our only reasonable response.” Conclusion: "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" When we feel crushed by guilt, we need to remember Christ is our Priest who intercedes for us. When we are confused by the noise of the culture, we need Christ as our Prophet to speak truth into our confusion. When we feel powerless in this broken world, we need Christ as our King who reigns over every detail of our lives. The most important question you can ever answer is the one Jesus asked: “Who do you say that I am?” #BrianLee #Foundation #WhoisChrist #Christ

Riverside Community Church Sunday Service (07.06.2025) | "What is Sin?" | Pastor Brian Lee Genesis 3:1-13 Introduction: How we confuse the matter Ask the average person what sin is, and you might hear something like “doing bad things” or “breaking God’s rules.” Many Christians share this belief. According to Barna's research, only about 1 in 3 American adults believe people are basically sinful, and even among professing Christians, many define sin primarily as outward wrongdoing rather than a condition of the heart. Tim Keller often said, “Sin isn’t just breaking the rules. It’s putting yourself in the place of God.” That insight captures what Genesis 3 shows us: sin is deeper than behavior. Sin is a relational betrayal, spiritual rebellion, and a cosmic crime with eternal consequences. Let’s explore three truths that define sin biblically—and help us see why we so desperately need grace. 1. Sin is Relational: It breaks fellowship with God Genesis 2:15-17 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat[d] of it you shall surely die.” Why would God forbid Adam and Eve from eating the fruit? Because love requires trust, and a relationship requires obedience. God was not withholding something good—He was inviting them to walk in trust and communion with Him. The moment they chose to eat, they didn’t just violate a command—they violated a relationship. “All we like sheep have gone astray…” – Isaiah 53:6 John Piper writes, “Sin is what you do when your heart is not satisfied with God.” We sin because something else looks better than fellowship with Him. We lie, cheat, and lust because we have lost intimacy with the only One who satisfies. 2. Sin is a Rebellion: It rejects God’s authority “Did God actually say…?” – Genesis 3:1 “You will not surely die…” – Genesis 3:4 This is how the serpent works. He doesn't attack head-on—he whispers. He questions God’s motives. He presents God’s Word as unreasonable or untrustworthy. Sin is the refusal to find your deepest identity in your relationship and service to the Creator. Instead, we construct an identity apart from God and follow another voice. John MacArthur Jr. warns, “Until people see sin the way God sees it, they won’t seek grace the way God gives it.” The core of sin is not ignorance—it’s insubordination. It’s when we make ourselves the judges over God's Word. Adam and Eve enthroned a lie. And when we question God’s authority or redefine His truth, we do the same. Sin is a rebellion, not a mistake. 3. Sin is Consequential: It leads to death and can only be dealt with by the cross “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked…” – Genesis 3:7 “Therefore the Lord God sent him out…” – Genesis 3:23 Sin always brings shame, fear, and alienation. And it always brings death, spiritually and eventually physically. But God, in His mercy, does something before He drives them out: “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins…” – Genesis 3:21 Blood is shed. A covering is provided. This is the first hint of atonement—and it points forward to the cross. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” – Hebrews 9:22 The seriousness of sin is not measured by the harm it does to us or others but by the infinite value of the One we have offended. God took sin so seriously that He sent His Son to die. That is what it costs. And no human effort, no therapy, no moral progress can pay for it. You cannot understand grace unless you understand sin. You cannot receive salvation unless you know what you’re being saved from. You cannot appreciate the cross unless you feel the weight of what Jesus bore. Conclusion: Why We Must Start Here You cannot understand grace without understanding guilt. You cannot treasure the cross without grieving for your sin. If we define sin as a mistake, we'll look for self-help. If we define sin as brokenness, we’ll look for therapy. But if we see sin as rebellion against a holy God, we’ll run to the cross.

Foundations: Growing Together in What Matters Most What do we believe—and why does it matter? In this 12-week series, we’ll walk through the core truths of the Christian faith by asking life’s most important questions: What is the Gospel? Who is God? What is salvation? What is our hope? Whether you're new to the faith or seeking to grow deeper, this series invites you to build your life on the firm foundation of God's Word. Together, we’ll return to the heart of the gospel and rediscover the joy of belonging to Christ and His Church. "What is the Gospel?" INTRODUCTION According to Mark, the gospel is not merely a message about forgiveness or going to heaven. It is “good news” because it proclaims the arrival of the King and the Kingdom of God. This isn’t something we invented—it’s something Jesus announced. “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'” — Mark 1:14-15 1. “The Time Has Come” – Already Greek word: kairos (appointed time), not chronos (calendar time) Jesus is saying: the decisive moment in God’s plan of redemption has arrived. This is not just another moment in history—this is the moment that all of redemptive history has been pointing toward. Kairos means fulfillment, opportunity, divine interruption. Jesus brings the culmination of the Old Testament story—He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the long-awaited King. Reflection Question: How does understanding the gospel as a “kairos moment” change the way you respond to it? 2. “The Kingdom of God Has Come Near” – Not Yet Fully The kingdom of God is not a place—it’s the reign of God through His appointed King. Jesus is saying: the King is here. His rule has begun. But it's a Kingdom that spreads not by swords but by Spirit, not by force but by faith. It is already here (in Jesus), but not yet in full (until His return). The “already–not–yet” nature of the Kingdom helps us make sense of both the hope and the suffering in the Christian life. Reflection Question: What does the Kingdom of God mean to you? Are there parts of your life that resist the King’s rule? 3. “Repent and Believe the Good News” – Our Response The Gospel is not just information—it demands a response. Repent – turn from all other kings, including yourself. Repentance is not just sorrow for sin; it's surrender to a new ruler. Believe – trust that Jesus is who He says He is. Faith is not just agreeing with facts, but resting in Christ as Savior and submitting to Him as King. Q. 87. What is repentance unto life? A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience. Reflection Question: What is Jesus calling you to turn from today? What does believing in the gospel look like for you right now? CONCLUSION The gospel is good news about the King and his kingdom. Why? Because the King conquers death. King Jesus brought a Kingdom of righteousness, justice, and compassion. He invites you to enter. But, in order to enter his kingdom, he demands that we be perfect. So, if you feel like you can be morally good enough to overcome sin and death, go ahead and try it. You will not succeed. No one is righteous; not even one. We can enter the Kingdom only by grace, by submitting to Christ's kingship! Behold! Hear the news! The King has come, and the kingdom is already upon us! Repent! Repent if you have been living as if you are the king of your world, and the master of your own universe! You did not create this world--God did!

Riverside Community Church Sunday Worship Service July 27, 2025 Foundations Series #3: Who is God? Pastor Brian Lee Romans 1:16-23

Move Up 2025 Sunday Service June 29, 2025 "Answering God's Call" 2025 Move Up Sunday Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV), “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Introduction: What Does It Mean to Move Up? Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and their families as "Move Up Sunday." For many, this means students advancing to the next grade, people entering new life stages, or even receiving new titles at work or in church. In the world, "moving up" typically means climbing the ladder of success—gaining influence, a higher salary, and recognition. But what does it mean to move up in the kingdom of God? In Colossians 3, Paul addresses a group of people who had no ladder to climb — slaves. They had no societal status, no political standing, and simply no rights to speak of. And yet, Paul gives them one of the most exalted views of work found in Scripture. Why? Because when we belong to Christ, every task becomes sacred, and every role becomes a stage for faithfulness. Three things I would say: Holy Work, Holy Master, and Holy Reward. Let's dig in. 1. Holy Work Our work is a sacred calling, regardless of the role. “Whatever you do, work heartily…” (v. 23a) This is breathtaking. Paul is speaking to those who had no freedom, no glamour, no rights. And yet he says, "Whatever you do"—that includes sweeping floors, tending animals, caring for children, doing errands—do it from the soul. The Greek phrase here, "ek psychēs," means with your whole being, your inner life. It is not begrudging labor. For Christians, whatever our situation may be, it's not a "job"; it's a holy work or "vocation." The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, meaning ‘to call.’ It’s not just about your skillset—it’s about your identity. When you belong to Jesus, your life is no longer random or self-defined. You are called. Your job may change—your calling doesn't. A job builds a résumé; a calling builds a life worth living. The world often worships work, chasing meaning, identity, and self-worth in success and productivity. But as Christians, we don’t worship our work—as worshippers, we honor God in the way we work. We don’t find our worth in what we do. Who we are makes whatever we do worth doing. We bring worth to what we do because we belong to Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 2. Holy Master Our true master is Christ, not people. “…as for the Lord and not for men.” (v. 23b) This is liberating. Paul tells slaves, and us, not to live for human approval. Don't work just to please your boss, your parents, or society. Instead, regardless of your situation, work for the Lord. This means we take our responsibilities seriously. It means our ultimate accountability is to Christ. He is the one watching. He is the one holy master. This frees us from eye-service and people-pleasing. It also brings dignity to the invisible labor that no one else sees. Your true Master is not the company or the client. It is Christ. Ephesians 6:6: “Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” 3. Holy Reward Our reward comes from God, not the world. “Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (v. 24) This is radical. In Roman society, slaves were not given any inheritance. And yet Paul tells them that they have an inheritance coming from the Lord. Why? Because in Christ, they are sons and daughters of God. They are co-heirs with Christ. Their future is not chained to their present condition. Our reward is not a paycheck or a promotion. It is the eternal inheritance of life with God, the crown of righteousness, the joy of the Master. This lifts our eyes from the temporary to the eternal. We work not for the applause of the people around us, but for the pleasure of Christ. 1 Peter 1:4: “To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master.” Conclusion: The Gospel Transforms All of Life How can we work like this? Because Jesus worked for us, he came not to be served, but to serve. He took the form of a servant and obeyed to the point of death—even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-11) Because he "served" us at infinite cost, we now serve him in everything. Because he died and rose, our work is not in vain. Even the smallest task becomes a stage for gospel faithfulness. So, let us not ask, "What will I get from this job?" Instead, let us ask, "How can I serve Christ in my current calling?" And when you do, you are not just doing a job; you are answering God's call.