As a lifelong fan of the New York Knicks, I found the team’s journey toward winning the NBA title last month to be uniquely thrilling and fascinating. Though people outside of NYC often find it hard to cheer for New York teams, I kept hearing how many non-New Yorkers found themselves rooting for this team. Perhaps it was the human instinct to identify with the underdog and believe they can overcome. Many of the team’s players had been previously overlooked and dismissed, and few people gave them a chance against the opposing team.
In yesterday’s sermon, we looked at the story of David and Goliath, which is one of the most well-known in all of ancient literature. The story resonates across times and cultures because it touches something deep within the human experience. We all know what it’s like to be overmatched: a frightening diagnosis, setbacks in our careers, injustice, grief, addiction, failure, overwhelming responsibilities. There exists a deep human longing to know that seemingly impossible obstacles can be overcome. We want reason to believe that hope is possible.
David was weak and despised in the eyes of the world, yet he was the one God chose to overcome Israel’s greatest enemy at that time. And David points us to his greater son, Jesus, who, though infinitely powerful and glorious, became weak and despised so that through his death he might defeat our greatest enemies of all—sin and death.
What giants are you facing in your life today? Are there any situations or obstacles that feel impossible to overcome? For all who trust in Jesus, he has defeated sin and death so that nothing in this life can ultimately hurt us. Whatever you may be dealing with in life, let us look to him and thereby find the strength to face the day with hope and courage.
Depending on him with you,
Paul
Stream RWS Services
On Sunday, we continued the sermon series with a message on 1 Samuel 17:32-50: “Courage.”
Sunday sermons are also available on our YouTube channel, ready for you to rewatch at your convenience. Prefer to listen on the go? Find our sermons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
Click here to visit our YouTube channel.
Recurring Giving
As a community, we are helped by recurring online gifts.
If you are able to start giving online, please consider signing up for that on Church Center, our online hub for people to connect, register for events, access groups, and manage giving.
A few months ago, we switched from Touchpoint to Church Center. If you already had online giving set up, please transition from Touchpoint to our new Church Center platform as soon as possible. While we’re not able to move gifts automatically for you, the process is quick and straightforward. Click here to follow the instructions.
Upcoming
- July 29 | 9:39 Bible Study Begins
- July 30 | Grief & Loss Support Group
- Aug 1 | RWS Dashers Running Club
- Aug 2 | Mandarin Speaking Community Group
- Aug 9 | All Angels’ Community Meal Volunteering
- Aug 13 | Riverside Chapel Service
- Aug 13 | Food Distribution at the Frederick Douglass Houses
- Sep 11 | West Side Youth Kickoff
- Sep 15 | Men’s Bible Study
- Sep 25 to 27 | Lake Champion Fall Retreat
- Sep 27 | New at RWS
Get Involved
| RWS Job Opening: Director of Youth Ministry RWS Job Opening: Youth Ministry Senior Coordinator RWS Job Opening: Worship Associate Volunteer with WS Youth on Friday nights this fall. Apply to serve with West Side Kids! Listen to sermons on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Serve at our welcome table for one Sunday a month at RWS. Subscribe to our Neighborhood Engagement Newsletter. HFNY: Find a place to volunteer this summer. Visit Hope For New York’s volunteer page to find a list of opportunities to serve across the five boroughs. |
