Sermons from Redeemer Community Church

When Jesus Met Saul

Acts 9:1–22 (Listen) The Conversion of Saul 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Sa...

Running With The Spirit

Acts 8:26–40 (Listen) Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south1 to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 A...

I Am and Will Be With You

Judges 6:11–27 (Listen) The Call of Gideon 11 Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his ...

Simon the Magician

Acts 8:9–25 (Listen) Simon the Magician Believes 9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good new...

Joy in the City

Acts 7:54–8:8 (Listen) The Stoning of Stephen 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together1 at him. 58 Then they cast him out...

The Stoning of Stephen

Acts 6:7–15 (Listen) 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Stephen Is Seized 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and...

Acts of Service

Acts 6:1–7 (Listen) Seven Chosen to Serve 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists1 arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,2 pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and ...

If It Is of God

Acts 5:33–42 (Listen) 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed,...

Jesus, Our Leader and Savior

Acts 5:12–32 (Listen) Many Signs and Wonders Done 12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least...

The Great Pretenders

Acts 4:34–5:11 (Listen) 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Ananias and ...

Of One Heart and Soul

Acts 4:32–37 (Listen) They Had Everything in Common 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought t...

Not My Will, but Yours, be Done

Luke 22:39–46 (Listen) Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives 39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an a...

A Prayer of Intercession

Genesis 18:1–8 (Listen) 18:1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks1 of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord,2 if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the...

An Invitation to Listen

Habakkuk 3 (Listen) Habakkuk’s Prayer 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. 2   O LORD, I have heard the report of you,     and your work, O LORD, do I fear.   In the midst of the years revive it;     in the midst of the years make it known;     in wrath remember mercy. 3   God came from Teman,     and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah   His splendor covered the heavens,     and the earth was full of his praise. 4   His brightness was like the light;  ...

A Prayer for Success

Nehemiah 1–2 (Listen) Report from Jerusalem 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall o...

What It Means to Be a Christian in an Increasingly Secularized and Post-Christian Culture

The Talkback format is a 45-minute theological talk, followed by 45 minutes of Q&A with the speaker. It’s practical theology – which means the talks are rooted in faith and everyday life. Mike will help us explore what it means to be a Christian who seeks the good of the city, in an increasingly secularized and post-Christian culture.

Prayer of Moses

Psalm 90 (Listen) Book Four From Everlasting to Everlasting A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. 90:1   Lord, you have been our dwelling place1     in all generations. 2   Before the mountains were brought forth,     or ever you had formed the earth and the world,     from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3   You return man to dust     and say, “Return, O children of man!”2 4   For a thousand years in your sight     are but as yesterday when it is past,     or as a watch i...

A Plea for Mercy

Daniel 9:1–19 (Listen) Daniel’s Prayer for His People 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas ...

End Of Life Prayer

1 Chronicles 29:9–20 (Listen) 9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. David Prays in the Assembly 10 Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all ...

A Prayer of Sorrow & Joy

Psalm 51 (Listen) Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 51:1   Have mercy on me,1 O God,     according to your steadfast love;   according to your abundant mercy     blot out my transgressions. 2   Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,     and cleanse me from my sin! 3   For I know my transgressions,     and my sin is ever before me. 4   Against you, you only, have I sinned  ...

Prayer of Nearness

Psalm 139 (Listen) Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 139:1   O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2   You know when I sit down and when I rise up;     you discern my thoughts from afar. 3   You search out my path and my lying down     and are acquainted with all my ways. 4   Even before a word is on my tongue,     behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 5   You hem me in, behind and before,     and lay your hand upon me. 6   Such know...

A Theology of Presence: What To Say When There Aren’t Words

For our first Talkback, we welcome UAB Hospital chaplain, Suzanne Simmons, as she speaks on the topic – A Theology of Presence. Life is full of seasons of trials and challenge. So, how should we walk with people who are struggling? What if they aren’t Christians? What do we say when there isn’t anything to say? When do we avoid issues of suffering and when do we bring them up? What does a theology of presence even mean? Join us, as we explore these ideas and more with Suzanne Simmon...

Hezekiah’s Prayer for Guidance & Deliverance

2 Kings 19:10–19 (Listen) 10 “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who wer...

Praying for Boldness

Acts 4:23–31 (Listen) The Believers Pray for Boldness 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,1 said by the Holy Spirit,   “‘Why did the Gentiles rage,     and the peoples plot...

Salvation Under No Other Name Than Jesus

Acts 4:1–11 (Listen) Peter and John Before the Council 4:1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five t...

What Do We Have to Offer a Broken World?

Acts 3:1–16 (Listen) The Lame Beggar Healed 3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.1 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attenti...

Day by Day

Acts 2:42–47 (Listen) The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe1 came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the...

Cut to the Heart by the One We Pierced

Acts 2:22–41 (Listen) 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—23 this Jesus,1 delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him...

Praying the Psalms

The Spirit of Pentecost

Acts 2:1–17 (Listen) The Coming of the Holy Spirit 2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested1 on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling...

Power of the Spirit

Acts 1:1–14 (Listen) The Promise of the Holy Spirit 1:1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying1 with them he ordered them not to depart from...

All That Jesus Began To Do

Acts 1:1–11 (Listen) The Promise of the Holy Spirit 1:1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying1 with them he ordered them not to depart from...

The Resurrected Lord

John 20:11–18 (Listen) Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did ...

The Relentless Love of God

Jonah 3:10–4:11 (Listen) 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. Jonah’s Anger and the Lord’s Compassion 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly,1 and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, sl...

God Using Sinners to Save Sinners

Jonah 2:10–3:10 (Listen) 10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Jonah Goes to Nineveh 3:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city,1 three days’ journey in breadth.2 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a ...

When the Church Grows Up

1 Corinthians 13:11 (Listen) 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (ESV)

Crying Out From the Depths

Jonah 1:17–2:10 (Listen) A Great Fish Swallows Jonah 17 1 And the LORD appointed2 a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah’s Prayer 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying,   “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress,     and he answered me;   out of the belly of Sheol I cried,     and you heard my voice. 3   For you cast me into the deep,     into the heart of the seas...

Running From God

Matthew 12:38–39 (Listen) The Sign of Jonah 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (ESV) Jonah 1:1–16 (Listen) Jonah Flees the Presence of the Lord 1:1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and ...

Learning the Adopted Life

Ephesians 6:10–24 (Listen) The Whole Armor of God 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you m...

The Gospel, Family, and Work

Ephesians 6:1–9 (Listen) Children and Parents 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants and Masters 5 Bondservants,1 obey your earthly masters2 with fear and trembling, with a sin...

The Model of Christ in Marriage

Ephesians 5:21–33 (Listen) 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives and Husbands 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he migh...

Be Filled With the Spirit

Ephesians 5:15–21 (Listen) 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything ...

Walk As Children of the Light

Ephesians 5:1–14 (Listen) Walk in Love 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that...

Walk in Love

Ephesians 4:17–5:2 (Listen) The New Life 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—21 assum...

The Light of Wonder

Isaiah 9:2–7 (Listen) 2   1 The people who walked in darkness     have seen a great light;   those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,     on them has light shone. 3   You have multiplied the nation;     you have increased its joy;   they rejoice before you     as with joy at the harvest,     as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4   For the yoke of his burden,     and the staff for his shoulder,     the rod of his oppressor,     you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 ...

Virgin Birth of Immanuel

Matthew 1:18–25 (Listen) The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ1 took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed2 to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not ...

Put On Your New Self

Ephesians 4:17–32 (Listen) The New Life 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—21 assumi...

The Consequence of Calling

Ephesians 4:1–16 (Listen) Unity in the Body of Christ 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Fathe...

Knowing the Love of Christ

Ephesians 3:14–21 (Listen) Prayer for Spiritual Strength 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family1 in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and le...

The Church: The Manifold Wisdom of God

Ephesians 3:1–13 (Listen) The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been re...