Roswell Presbyterian Church

Episode 51: Counterfeit Gods: "Work" (Matthew 20:1-16)

Today we continue our sermon series, Counterfeit Gods, by looking at the idol of work. Pastor Jeff takes us through the Parable of the Workers and unpacks how we might put our work in the place of God.

Episode 50: Counterfeit Gods: Food (1 Corinthians 8:1-8)

Today we continue our sermon series, Counterfeit Gods, by looking at the idol of food. What a tumultuous relationship we have with food! We love how it makes us feel to eat, but we often hate what the food does to our bodies. We stress eat. We emotionally eat. We restrict our food to control our lives. However, food is often a reason for families and loved ones to come together. Certainly, food is a gift and a curse! This morning let’s look at what God has to say about food and our relationsh...

Episode 49: Counterfeit Gods: "Technology" (Genesis 11:1-9)

Today we continue our sermon series, "Counterfeit Gods." This week, Pastor Jeff takes us through the story of the Tower of Babel and delves into how we tend to utilize technology in order to create a name for ourselves rather than in service to God.

Episode 48: Counterfeit Gods: "Family" (Luke 14:25-33)

Today we continue our sermon series, "Counterfeit Gods." So far, we have explored the gods of busyness and leisure and how they can prevent us from living a full and flourishing life. Today's sermon will explore the theme of family. While families are indeed good, we will see the negative effects they can have if we elevate them to the place reserved for God. We believe putting family in its right place will allow us to live graciously and freely with God and our families.

Episode 47: Counterfeit Gods: Leisure (II Thessalonians 3:6-15)

Last Sunday we began our New Year sermon series, “Counterfeit Gods,” reflecting on busyness. Today we will look at a somewhat obscure passage from 2 Thessalonians about leisure. As the cliché goes, sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. I look forward to exploring how we are called to both work and rest as God has designed us to.

Episode 46: Counterfeit Gods: "Busyness"

Join us as we begin a new sermon series looking at how things in our lives can prevent us from enjoying the life God has created us for. While these things are often good, they become harmful to us when they exceed their proper place in our lives. We hope this series will help you live a more abundant life as we enter this new year.

Episode 44: Unwrapped (Philippians 4:4-8)

Episode 45: The Gifts of Advent: "Making Room" (Luke 2:1-14)

Episode 43: The Gifts of Advent: "Joy" (Isaiah 35:1-10)

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent Pastor Jeff addresses the difference between happiness and pleasure from true Joy that is found only in Christ! We invite you to join us in celebrating the birth of Christ at one of our Christmas Eve services at either 3, 5, 7, 8 or 11 pm.

Episode 42: The Gifts of Advent: "Love" (Isaiah 7:10-16)

The Christmas season offers one of the key times of the year when people return to church. The music warms their hearts, the beauty of the lights and greenery bring back fond memories, and the message of the season is truly good news.

Episode 41: The Gifts of Advent “Peace” (Isaiah 2:1-5)

Advent points to the coming of Jesus as we remember his arrival to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, his presence in our hearts every day, and his promise to come again in glory. We at RPC hope to witness to that good news through all our ministries and activities.

Episode 40: The Gifts of Advent: "Hope" (Isaiah 11:1-10)

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the time that leads up to Christmas. The word, advent, comes from the Latin word for “coming.” Advent is the season when we celebrate the three ways that Jesus comes to us: when he was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, when he comes into our hearts daily, and when he promises to come in glory at the end of time. Our sermon series this year will focus on the gifts that Christ’s advent brings. For many of us, the Christmas season can bring back bad memories ...

Episode 39: Yesvember: "The Call of Yes" (Isaiah 6:6-8)

I am so glad you are here with us to worship this morning. During our Yesvember series, we have examined God’s “YES” to us through Jesus Christ and what our “YES” response to God looks like in our lives. Today we will hear what God clearly says to us about responding “YES” to God’s call to us through the prophet Isaiah. One of the great things about serving the children and youth here at RPC is having the privilege of helping young people discover God’s call on their lives. All of us are call...

Episode 38: Yesvember: "The Rest of Yes" (Psalm 62:5-12)

We are heading into one of the busiest times of year. Life will be full of hubbub, filled with activities like holiday parties, family pictures, and purchasing presents. The season can get so crazy that we forget to even enjoy it. What might it mean to find rest during this time of year? How can we say “Yes” to God and find the peace that Christ offers? These are a couple of the questions we will explore this morning.

Episode 37: Yesvember: "The Risk of Yes" (Matthew 9:27-31)

To kick off Yesvember, last week we looked at what it means for the apostle Paul to say that in Christ all of God’s promises are “yes.” We heard that in Christ’s triumph over death in the resurrection, Jesus demonstrates the power to keep all the promises of God. Today, we will focus on our side as a hearer of those promises by asking, What does it mean for us to trust in the promises of God? An enthusiastic “thank you” to all of you who have committed financially to help Roswell Presbyterian...

Episode 36: Yesvember: "The Promise of Yes" (2 Corinthians 1:15-20)

Today we begin a new sermon series looking at the great Yes! passages in the Bible. We hear No from so many voices in our lives, what does it mean to trust in God’s Yes? I believe this message can make a profound, practical impact in our lives.

Episode 35: Flourish: "Flourish with Our Hands" (Luke 10:25-37)

Today we conclude our sermon series on Jesus’ story about the Good Samaritan. In the previous weeks, we reflected on how our beliefs about God influence the way we think and feel about the world. Today’s sermon focuses on how God calls us to respond and live out our convictions. We will discover that Jesus challenges us to serve surprising people with hearts full of mercy and compassion. That’s the kind of community God is calling RPC to be!

Episode 34: Flourish: "Loving God with Our Heart" (Luke 10:25-37)

Today, we will see at what loving with our hearts looks like. Throughout the month of October, we hope you will respond to these messages by committing to give financially to the ministry and mission of RPC next year. You can make a commitment on the form in this bulletin, in the cards in the pews, or at www.roswellpres.org/give. My hope is that we can share the same love of Christ that my family experienced last Sunday with everyone who encounters our family of faith, whether inside or outsi...

Episode 33: Flourish: "Loving God with All Your Mind" (Luke 10:25-37)

At Roswell Presbyterian Church, we believe we are a family of faith united in Jesus Christ to love with our head, heart, and hands. The question we are asking this morning is, what does it look like for the work of ministry to flourish in and through RPC when we are loving with our head? We think through this question as we continue to study one of Jesus’ most famous teachings, the story of the Samaritan who showed compassion and mercy. We will look at how it specifically teaches us to love G...

Episode 32: Flourish: "Flourish" (Luke 10:25-37)

Today we launch our Generosity season with the theme Flourish. Over the next month, we will explore God’s desire for all of creation to flourish. At Roswell Presbyterian Church we want to contribute to that effort! It’s fitting today is also World Communion Sunday where we celebrate the sacrament of Communion with Christians all around the world. God wants all people on earth to experience the love, peace, and justice that comes through Jesus Christ. As we celebrate Communion today, we bear w...

Episode 31: Teach Us to Pray: "Other Helpful Advice" (Revelation 4:9-11)

Today we conclude our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer. So far, we’ve explored why Jesus invites us to call God, “Father.” We’ve talked about God’s sovereignty and aligning “my will” with “thy will.” We’ve talked about God’s care for seemingly mundane concerns like daily bread and forgiveness. This morning we will answer some of our remaining questions about how our prayers fit into God’s ultimate, cosmic purposes.

Episode 30: Teach Us to Pray: "Deliverance!" (Matthew 6:9-13; Matthew 26:36-46)

Over two years ago, RPC’s Session (the ruling elders of the church) set our Strategic Plan for the next five years. One of our key initiatives was to focus on building fellowship among our congregation. You can support this effort by joining a Community Group for the month of October. Please go to www.roswellpres.org/grow to sign up today! This morning we will continue our Fall sermon series looking at the Lord’s Prayer. Today’s passage focuses on our need for deliverance from evil. Have you ...

Episode 29: Teach Us to Pray: "The Reciprocity of Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13)

Today, we continue our study of The Lord’s Prayer by looking at the prayer’s fifth petition which has to do with forgiveness. Practicing forgiveness can be one of the most challenging activities of the Christian life. Do you find it difficult to forgive? Do you ever find yourself trapped in a prison of bitterness and resentment? Do you hold onto past wrongs long after you should have let them go? Surely all of us could answer yes to these questions at some point in our life. As he teaches us ...

Episode 28: Teach Us to Pray: "Sweat the Small Stuff" (Matthew 6:9-13)

When Jesus introduces “The Lord’s Prayer” to his disciples, he actually tells them to “pray to your Father who is in secret.” So how is it that this private, secretive prayer became so public? Maybe our first hint is in the way Jesus lays out the phrases: “Our Father..., give us..., forgive us..., lead us..., deliver us...” Establishing this model prayer with words that bring us together was a brilliant move on Jesus’ part! As we celebrate “The Lord’s Supper,” it is our custom to say to one a...

Episode 24: Teach Us to Pray: "Does Prayer Make a Difference?" (Matthew 6:9-13; Romans 8:14-17)

Today we kick off our program year with new Sunday School classes, new Wednesday Evening Fellowship programming, and the return of the choir (thank heavens!), along with so many other opportunities to join God’s ministry here at RPC. I hope you will take some time to look over this bulletin to discern how God is calling you to get involved. One of the most common areas of the Christian life that people ask pastors about involves the practice of prayer. Why pray if God already knows what God i...

Episode 23: Follow Me @: "King" (John 18:28-38a)

Good morning! Today we conclude our sermon series, Follow Me. We have journeyed through the Gospel of John and focused on the various "I am" statements that Jesus makes to describe himself. The interesting thing about our passage this morning is that while Jesus makes very clear that he is the king, it is not one of the "I am" statements. Jesus does not directly say "I am the King." Also in our passage this morning, Jesus explains that he is not king in the way we typically think of a king. H...

Episode 22: Follow Me @: "TheTrueVine" (John 15:1-11)

In today’s sermon, we will look at what it means to “abide in Christ.” If you’re anything like me, you often feel Christ’s love and peace crowded out by the cares and concerns of life. However, Jesus promises us that abiding in him will lead to making our joy complete. What does that mean? How can we experience that kind of joy? I look forward to addressing these questions with you today!

Episode 21: Follow Me @: "TheResurrectionAndTheLife (John 11:1-45)

An obituary notice headline named a prominent attorney who had died, and declared “FuneralArrangements Pending.” The article shared many of the accomplishments of this apparently brilliant attorney. It noted his extensive educational background, decorated military service, his community service, membership in numerous service organizations, and listed his surviving family members. The obituary closed by informing friends where to direct memorial contributions. It was truly a fitting tribute t...

Episode 20: Follow Me @: "FromAbove" (John 8:21-30)

“Where are you from?” – It’s not an uncommon question, even if you are just trying to make small talk or are actually curious to know the background of a person. It seems simple enough, but Jesus’ answer to the question is not so simple. In our scripture today, Jesus tries to tell a group of people where he is from, but they have a hard time understanding his answer. In fact, his explanation just leads to another, more pointed question, “Who are you?” If we look closely, we will see that when...

Episode 17: Follow Me @: "TheGate" (John 10:1-10)

We are only a few weeks into this summer, and already this abundant life in Christ is happening here and now. Through our camps, Bible studies, and VBS, it is so clear that God is at work in mighty ways through this church. It is my prayer that through our worship today, we would experience the transforming love and abundant life God offers as we worship together.

Episode 16: Follow Me @: "IAmtheLightoftheWorld" (John 8:12-20)

In worship today we will continue our sermon series examining the various “I Am” statements that Jesus made in the Gospel of John. Today we will look at “I am the light of the world.” What does it mean that Jesus is the light of the world and how does that call us to be at work in our context and in relationship with others around us? How are we called to be light?

Episode 15: 2nd Mile: "Sacrificing" (Daniel 3)

What a great start we had last week to our 2nd Mile for Mission Kick-off! Our guest speaker for the day, Shawn Duncan, shared many insights that will move RPC forward in healthier mission outreach, especially now, as we bring our gifts together to support our local and global mission partners. If you missed any of his presentations, go to https://www.roswellpres.org/serve. Today, we will make connections with the message from a well-known Bible story and current situations of people we know t...

Episode 14: 2nd Mile: "Sending" (Luke 10:1-9)

Every year at RPC we highlight two seasons to focus on what we can contribute – both financially and through service – to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Today, we kick off one of those seasons called 2nd Mile for Mission. During this season, we will invite you to commit to give to our mission budget that supports our local and global mission partners. We hope to have 100% of the congregation participate! This grand goal highlights a core aspect of RPC’s identity, namely, that we exist not just...

Episode 13: "The Great Commission" (Matthew 28:16-20)

Morehouse College: https://www.morehouse.edu/ The Golden Record: https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/golden-record/whats-on-the-record/ Jimmy Carter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter Blondin: https://www.historytoday.com/archive/blondin%E2%80%99s-first-tightrope-walk-across-niagara-falls Michael Jordan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan

Episode 12: The Outsiders: "The First Witnesses" (Matthew 28:1-10)

Podcast Notes: Humpty Dumpty Nursery Rhyme: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpty_Dumpty Jack & Jill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JackandJill(nurseryrhyme) London Bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LondonBridgeIsFallingDown Blaise Pascal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaise_Pascal

Episode 11: The Outsiders: "You Can Be Right and Still Wrong" (Matthew 21:1-11)

Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of the most important week of the Christian year. Over the next seven days, we will take the long journey from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to his last meal with his disciples, to his crucifixion, and finally to his triumph over death itself. I look forward to walking this path with you. Podcast Notes: Jeremy Affeldt https://www.mlb.com/player/jeremy-affeldt-346793 Walker Percy https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walker-Percy An Easter Egg https:...

Episode 10: The Outsiders: "The Wideness of God's Mercy" (Matthew 15:21-28)

In our passage, it appears that Jesus chooses not to acknowledge someone in need. Can that really be true? Do we have a Savior that ignores people who cry out to him? I wonder if, like the woman in the Matthew passage, each of us has had a time in our lives when we are certain that God was choosing to ignore us instead of choosing to help us. If that is the case, what does that mean for us and what does it say about God? How wide is God’s mercy? Is there room for everyone?

Episode 9: The Outsiders: "An Open Secret" (Matthew 11:2-6)

In our everyday lives, where do we see people following the teachings of Jesus? Maybe we observe these interactions at work, or while running errands, or at social events, or other activities. In our passage today, Jesus tells John the Baptist’s disciples, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:...” These words are followed by mentions of healings and compassion for the people of God. Jesus tells them that his ministry is to those outside the perimeters of society, to those people who need k...

Episode 8: The Outsiders: “There’s More Than One Way to Say ‘Help’” (Matthew 9:18-26)

In this morning’s passage, we will read stories of two people in desperate need. While they take different approached to seek help from Jesus, both receive the healing they seek. Their examples have much to teach us about seeking help for ourselves and our ministries in serving others. I look forward to exploring what their lives might teach us!

Episode 7: The Outsiders: “The Outsider’s Outsider” (Matthew 9:9-13)

In our sermon, we will continue our journey through Lent as Jesus encounters “outsiders.” In today’s passage, we see Jesus take grief from the religious leaders for eating with tax collectors and sinners, the “outsiders” of the first century Jewish community. Jesus responds to these objections by telling the leaders that they should learn the meaning of Hosea 6:6, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” This is a provocative, grace-filled claim that can unsettle us as much as it unsettled the Je...

Episode 6: The Outsiders: “Broken/Forgiven” (Matthew 9:2-8)

Today marks the first Sunday during the season of Lent. We experienced the imposition of ashes together this past Wednesday, and today we embark upon what for most of us is a familiar, yet ever so difficult journey toward the cross. In in, we are called to acknowledge and confront our own sin and mortality. We trust in God’s authority and victory over sin in Jesus Christ. Though our worship, our Community Groups, our Bible studies, and our individual reflections, we have the opportunity to re...

Episode 5: The Last Lecture: “Built to Last” (Matthew 7:24-29)

Today we conclude The Last Lecture sermon series by looking at the closing words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Every good speech should wrap up with a strong finish and Jesus doesn’t disappoint. His sermon closes with a summarizing statement about the difference his words can make in our lives – we would do well to listen and obey them!

Episode 4: The Last Lecture: The Sermon on the Mount “It Ain’t Easy Being Good” (Matthew 7:13-20)

Today we continue in our Last Lecture sermon series by looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. As we will see, if you think walking down the path that Jesus lays out is easy – think again! The Christian life challenges us in ways we would never imagine and this requires us to live by God’s grace. Leo Tolstoy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy Dietrich Bonhoeffer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer The Cost of Discipleship https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-...

Episode 3: The Last Lecture: The Sermon on the Mount - The Three "A"s of Earth's Empire (Matthew 6:19-34)

Episode 2: The Last Lecture: The Sermon on the Mount - Does Faith Make a Difference? (Matthew 5:13-16)

This is a fantastic day for us to worship together! Our scripture this morning is a passage that you have perhaps heard before. It calls us to be salt and light in the world. On this Martin Luther King Jr. day week-end, it is most appropriate we remember the call to stand up for what is of God and be a beacon on a hill. We give thanks for faithful men and women, like MLK Jr, who have modeled for us such faithfulness even when the world was pressing in. Also, today will be a morning of celebr...

Episode 1: The Last Lecture: The Sermon on the Mount - Who’s Your Teacher (Matthew 5:1-2)

January 6, 2019