revrobrodriguez.com: Recent Episodes
Robert Rodriguez
revrobrodriguez.com was created to share the Gospel, bring glory to God, proclaim Jesus Christ, and be led by the Holy Spirit.
The website includes the personal profile, experience, wellness coaching, and recent sermons and podcast offerings from the ministry of Robert Rodriguez.
This three-week series unpacks three of Jesus’s “lost” parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. By understanding God’s heart for sinners and for bringing the lost to him, we can celebrate salvation and conversion with generous and joyful hearts.
Christ seeks the lost, the outcast, and the weak, leaving the herd for the sake of the one.
We should be meeting with and showing love to those who are far from God, facilitating a culture of joy over those who come to faith.
This stand-alone Easter sermon looks at Paul’s declaration that Jesus is the firstfruits of those who have died. While the first, Jesus is not the last to rise from the dead.
Jesus’s resurrection is the promise that more will rise. Do you believe that the dead in Jesus will be raised?
God works all things together for the good of those who love him. The faith of Joseph challenges us to trust God, even when it seems that God has forgotten us.
The people of God are not perfect, and the world is fallen. The mistakes and sins of the fathers of the faith should serve as both an encouragement and a warning for those who believe today.
God never justifies the sin of the trickster Jacob but also accepts him as his own. By accepting Isaac’s blessing of Jacob and confirming the promise given to him, God is showing the world that his ways are not based on merit or birth order—or whatever the world uses to judge worth.
The flood is a demonstration of God’s care and concern for his creation. When you see a rainbow, remember the promise of God.
Genesis is the first book of the Bible for two of the major world religions. But what is in it? What does it have to say, and how does this teach us about Jesus? This nine-week series on Genesis will look at some of the foundational stories in the first book of the Bible. The fall changed everything in creation. When you wonder why bad things keep happening, look to Genesis 3 for your answer.
Jesus’s personal fulfillment and interpretation of the Old Testament has lasting authority for the church. As Christians, we should interpret the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament—through the lens of Jesus Christ and his apostles.
This four-week sermon series encourages congregants to explore God’s Word and equips them with basic hermeneutical principles that will help them engage with Scripture and correctly interpret its texts. In this series, we will cover topics such as Jesus as the Word of God, the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament, Scripture as God-breathed, and the Bible as a book that is living and active.
Jesus Christ himself is the Word of God spoken to the world. If we want to know who God is, we should look no further than the person of Jesus Christ.
With this one-week New Year’s sermon, we will walk through Paul’s hopeful and encouraging prayer for the church in Colossae. Paul prays that the Colossian believers will be filled with God’s knowledge and put it into practice.
Paul prayed that the Colossians would have the knowledge of God’s will and put it into practice. Our prayers for the new year should focus on putting our knowledge of God and his ways into practice every day.
Christmas is a time to remember the greatness of Christ. Jesus is better than anything you are going to receive this coming Christmas.
Through Jesus God gives us forgiveness. Why not ask for God’s forgiveness for Christmas this year?
In this series for Advent, we will explore the first chapter of the Gospel of John. What did it mean for God to take on human flesh and walk among us? As we grow in understanding, our hearts will become more prepared for the Christmas holiday and for an encounter, once again, with the living God.Advent celebrates the arrival of God in the flesh. Who are you most looking forward to seeing this holiday season?
This week's sermon is focused both on looking at the end of the year that’s closing and ahead to the year to come. Jesus’s commitment to the will of his Father and the well-being of his “family” and his confidence in God’s presence are significant when it comes to setting the pace for our lives. All our plans must come back to the essential message of obedience to God lived out through love of others. Jesus’s example of being a servant to his Father was worked out through serving others, and that is critical to our lives too.
Even though the Preacher describes a meaningless world that can challenge one to doubt, he fully affirms the God who gives meaning to life. We will believe in the God who gives life meaning.
The Preacher tries to find meaning and satisfaction through pleasure, wealth, work, and gaining knowledge. But he finds these paths meaningless. We will not seek ultimate meaning in money, work, knowledge, or pleasure.
The Preacher shows the problem with using wisdom as a formula for the perfect life. Life is random, complex, and often unjust. We will trust in God and not in our formulas to control a life that is beyond our control.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are his sheep. Find a few moments each day this week for quiet prayer and Bible reading, in order to create space for the Good Shepherd to work in you. Bring that quiet connection to Jesus into the spaces of your daily life.
This series explores the book of Ecclesiastes. By understanding the context and theology of the book’s main character (Qoheleth), we can understand the limitations of life. In acknowledging the author’s honest conclusions and the contemporary parallels, we will understand that God gives ultimate meaning in life and Christians can enjoy this life that God has given them.
The Preacher declares life to be meaningless and that there is nothing new that can give ultimate meaning. He questions life’s purpose. We will not succumb to trends and fads to give our life meaning.
Psalm 22 shows us the suffering and glory of Jesus as the Messiah. Take time to mediate on Psalm 22 this week, and journal about the atonement and what it means for your life.
Several verses of Psalm 118 point the reader to Jesus. Read Psalm 118 this week, as well as the mentioned Gospel Scriptures, and meditate on how Jesus Christ is revealed to us in both testaments of the Bible.
Psalm 98 celebrates Jesus’s first coming and anticipates a day when we will celebrate his second coming. Read Psalm 98 this week, and listen to a traditional choral rendition of “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts. Meditate on both. Is Jesus’s second coming a joyful thing or a fearful thing for you?
Jesus is the ultimate man of righteousness. Read through Psalm 1 again, thinking of it as a description of Jesus. Which of Jesus’s good habits described there can you let rub off on you this week?
Jesus Christ is both Priest and King. Identify the areas of your life that you consider “your own,” the areas that you like to have control over. In what ways can you surrender these areas of control to Christ the King?
The gospel redefines what makes us successful. Ultimately, our success is found in Jesus and his work, not in what we accomplish.
Joy is an integral part of worship. What can you do to make worship a time of joyful anticipation?
Nehemiah and Ezra experience opposition as they try to enact God’s will. Do not be surprised by opposition to your faith, but when you encounter it, use it as an opportunity to trust God.
Nehemiah and Ezra experience opposition as they try to enact God’s will. Do not be surprised by opposition to your faith, but when you encounter it, use it as an opportunity to trust God.
Sacrifice and service are characteristics of God’s people. Evaluate your attitude and behavior toward manual labor. Is there any job you consider beneath you? What is an action you can take this week to engage in humble service?
Ezra and Nehemiah show us important characteristics of a leader. Prayerfully consider where you may need to speak a hard truth to the community of faith.
This seven-week series looks at the complementary historical books Ezra and Nehemiah. Sometimes called “the new exodus,” the return of the Jews from exile to the promised land offers us many relevant lessons today about the nature of God and the gospel.
God keeps his promise—you can count on it!
Developing the skill to remember God’s promises will help you during the darker times of life.
We live in a noisy world. Even when alone, apart from sound, we’re bombarded with texts, emails, and social media messages. The desire to seek solitude and silence isn’t only about finding a quiet place. It’s about discovering the gift of removing ourselves from the cacophony of messages to find our rest in the Word, Jesus. A time of silence and solitude in God’s presence can heal us of the past and prepare us for our futures.
Just as Jesus sought solitude and silence before announcing the twelve men who would lead the effort to share the good news with the world, we also grow from a time apart in the midst of big decisions in our lives.
When approaching a major decision, an intentional time of solitude and silence lends us wisdom and confirms that we are following God’s lead.
Fathers are to nurture their children while children are to obey their parents, and slaves are to obey their masters while masters are to take care of their slaves. Also, life is a spiritual war, so be sure to keep each piece of spiritual armor in place; and stand firm against the devil.
Be imitators of God, and walk in love. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, and let him determine the quality of husband-wife relationships.
You should live like the person you have become. Live in unity and mutual ministry with others and in holiness before God.
God’s grace gives you life and unites you with him and with people from whom you are alienated.
Through the ministries of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Christians have been given every necessary spiritual blessing.
“Six Truths…” 1️⃣ All people are beautiful & wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14) 2️⃣ Our bodies are ultimately created for God. (Romans 1:21-25, 1 Cor. 10:31) 3️⃣ We are designed & defined by God for a purpose. (Genesis 1:27) 4️⃣ We all have rebelled & rejected God’s plan for sexuality. (2 Cor. 10:5) 5️⃣ God made a way to course-correct our confusion. (Romans 5:6-8) 6️⃣ We all have a choice in response. (2 Cor. 10:31)
What does God think about abortion? In the eyes of God the Creator, all creation—and all human life—is valuable. Being pro-life is about more than abortion. As believers, we should live in a way that honors the dignity of all humans, regardless of political policy or societal norms.
Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but that’s not always easy. Nor is keeping our temper in check, especially when we see rampant injustice in the world around us. We explore what the Bible teaches regarding our thoughts and emotions, and why it’s important to take care of our mental and emotional health in addition to our physical and spiritual well-being.
We live in a world where stress is a constant. But what is a believer to do when stress, anxiousness, and worry become more than we can handle on our own? Caring for our mental and emotional well-being is important to God and should be important to us as individuals and as a church community.
What is the relationship between faith and science? Faith and science are not opposing disciplines. Throughout history, Christians have often been the greatest proponents of scientific discovery, using their intellect to worship God. We should love God with all our minds, allowing faith and science to be in mutually beneficial conversation together.
How can we trust the Bible? We can trust that the Bible is God’s Word because of its enduring message. The Bible remains the primary way God teaches, encourages, and guides humanity. As believers, we can be confident that the message of Scripture is reliable and relevant to our lives—and live in that confidence.
If Christians really love Jesus, why is there so much hurt in the church? Jesus confronted the hypocrisy of religious people and desires that his disciples walk in love. Only when we stop pretending the church is perfect can we invite Jesus to conform us more and more to his image.
The temptation in our society is to find our worth in our actions: whether they are moral (in the church) or successful (in the world). But Christians know they are loved and approved because of Jesus. What would it look like this week not to participate in the struggle for approval and success?
God has brought us into his household. You are a son or daughter of God, and everything is okay between you two! Are you living your daily life like that is true?
The law points us to Christ. Where have you fallen short of the standards God sets for you and that you set for yourself? Lean into his promise of grace this week.
We are justified by faith in Christ and nothing else. Are the challenges and decisions in your daily life clarified and guided by the faith you have in Christ, or do you pray occasionally but most of the time go it alone?
Paul’s letter to the Galatian church is perhaps one of the most important letters for the church. This five-week series will look at its importance and theological relevance for our faith and life today. Specifically, we will look at the sweeping vision of grace that Paul lays out in this letter.
Galatians 1:1–10 - The Gospel and Leadership
The message of the gospel is of the utmost importance. Paul’s passion reveals that the gospel is what he cares about most. If someone were to gauge what you care about most based on how much passion you have for it, what would they come up with?
The resurrection of Jesus shows us that there is re-creation to come. The signs in John show us that God is active in the world; now God calls us to be his sign to those around us.
The crucifixion shows us God’s judgment of the world. On the cross, Jesus has drawn everyone to God, no matter who they are or what they have done—and that includes you.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. God loves you so much that he is willing to experience the suffering of humanity so you can live with him.
Jesus is the Light of the World. When you encounter suffering, focus on compassion rather than judgment.
The feeding of the five thousand reminds us that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Are we using requests for more signs as a delay tactic to avoid placing our trust in Jesus?
The healing of the invalid shows that God seeks out the lost to save them. God will accomplish his mission regardless of what we say or think or do.
The healing of the official’s son shows that God is generous with his grace. Do you believe God has heard you? Or do you need “signs and wonders” to believe?
The signs in the Gospel of John show the way to new life in Jesus. When Jesus turned water into wine, he showed his presence in the ordinary moments of everyday life.
The job of Christian parents is to instruct their children in wisdom and the fear of the Lord. This week, find ways to invest wisdom in your children and then place them in God’s hands, trusting that he is in control.
Joy is found in knowing God. Invest in finding joy in the Lord this week. Take time to talk to him, read his Word, and place your trust in him.
The job of Christian parents is to instruct their children in wisdom and the fear of the Lord. This week, find ways to invest wisdom in your children and then place them in God’s hands, trusting that he is in control.
A wise person is patient with others and mature in handling anger. When you experience anger, slow down, breathe, listen, and remove yourself from the situation if you need to cool the fires of anger. As far as possible, extend mercy and forgiveness to the other person, remembering how God handled his wrath against sin.
Wise relationships are rooted in our relationship with God. Are your relationships self-serving or loving?
God is the source of all we have; we should therefore honor him with our “firstfruits” and with the use of our money in generosity and service, not in greed. Commit to a specific amount or percentage of your income to give to God off the top. Then consider how you treat your employees or workers you encounter in society: Do you value their work and compensate it fairly, or do you hoard money for yourself?
The Book of Proverbs: The Ways of the Wise
Big Idea of the Series: The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings from (primarily) King Solomon. This seven-week series will look at the multiple gems of wisdom and themes found in the book and consider practical areas of our life where God’s wisdom can shape and change how we live.
Week 1
Text: Proverbs 3:1–2; 30:7–9
Topics: Orderly Life, Contentment, Stress
Big Idea of the Message: A well-ordered life will bring contentment.
Application Point: What are the most important priorities in your life? Is it a little crowded for Jesus right now?
This standalone message ignites an excitement for the new opportunities a new year or season offers believers who keep their eyes on Jesus. We can develop high-quality habits of turning the pages of Scripture to find our place in the powerful story of God.
Week 1
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 40:3
Believers are given God’s manual on finding hope and are invited to turn the page to unpack its message.
Value the opportunity to receive new life in Jesus, and appreciate the gift of growing in knowledge of the Bible.
Week 4 – Love
Text: Luke 1:39–55
Mary celebrates God’s great gift to her after visiting her cousin Elizabeth.
During Advent, we are called to stop and consider the many ways God has shown and continues to show us his love.
Week 3 – Peace
Text: Luke 3:1–17, Isaiah 9:6
John’s message prepared people for Jesus’s arrival, which would bring peace.
The world longs for salvation—for the coming of peace, when all is made right in our lives and in the world. During Advent, we are called again to bring the foretaste of the Prince of Peace’s salvation into our areas of influence.
Week 2 – Joy
Text: John 1:19–34; Philippians 4:4–9
Everyone longs for joy that lasts. Jesus brings the joy we need, but we must be willing to come to him to receive it.
To experience enduring joy, we will need to let Jesus’s arrival be a holy invasion of every part of our lives.
This four-week series will focus on how the arrival of Jesus answers our deepest longings in life: our longing for Jesus to come anew into our lives (hope); his arrival in Bethlehem answering our longing for God to move in our lives (joy); our longing for a Savior (peace); and finally, the return of Jesus to make all things new (love). We will see how the longings themselves are God’s gifts to us. The four-week series will call us to celebrate Jesus’s arrival and eventual return by considering the many ways he has fulfilled our deepest needs of peace, joy, hope, and love.
Week 1 – Hope
Text: Luke 21:25–36
At Advent and Christmastime, we tend to focus on the birth of Jesus, but we miss the point if we don’t also speak about his return.
God is aGod of hope who calls us to look beyond the circumstance and trust again in his promises.
Returning to God in worship can be challenging. The weight of having been absent and the struggle to make sure it is done right is palpable. When the Hebrew people returned from exile, they had to relearn how to worship God as he expected. This five-week series will take passages from the postexilic period that show how God led his people back to the worship of the one true God.
Returning to God in worship can be challenging. The weight of having been absent and the struggle to make sure it is done right is palpable. When the Hebrew people returned from exile, they had to relearn how to worship God as he expected. This five-week series will take passages from the postexilic period that show how God led his people back to the worship of the one true God.
Returning to God in worship can be challenging. The weight of having been absent and the struggle to make sure it is done right is palpable. When the Hebrew people returned from exile, they had to relearn how to worship God as he expected. This five-week series will take passages from the postexilic period that show how God led his people back to the worship of the one true God.
Returning to God in worship can be challenging. The weight of having been absent and the struggle to make sure it is done right is palpable. When the Hebrew people returned from exile, they had to relearn how to worship God as he expected. This five-week series will take passages from the postexilic period that show how God led his people back to the worship of the one true God.
This four-week series examines doubt in the life of a Christian. The experiences of biblical characters show us that doubt pushes believers toward a deeper understanding of faith. God desires that we walk with him in our seasons of doubt.
This four-week series examines doubt in the life of a Christian. The experiences of biblical characters show us that doubt pushes believers toward a deeper understanding of faith. God desires that we walk with him in our seasons of doubt.
This four-week series examines doubt in the life of a Christian. The experiences of biblical characters show us that doubt pushes believers toward a deeper understanding of faith. God desires that we walk with him in our seasons of doubt.
This four-week series examines doubt in the life of a Christian. The experiences of biblical characters show us that doubt pushes believers toward a deeper understanding of faith. God desires that we walk with him in our seasons of doubt.
The body of Christ, the church, must be diligent in recognizing false teachers and doctrine while trusting the Scriptures and recognizing true ministers of the Word. By learning to recognize false teachers, Christians will also be able to identify those who teach truth and by living into that truth they can grow in the grace of God and Christian virtue.
The body of Christ, the church, must be diligent in recognizing false teachers and doctrine while trusting the Scriptures and recognizing true ministers of the Word. By learning to recognize false teachers, Christians will also be able to identify those who teach truth and by living into that truth they can grow in the grace of God and Christian virtue.
The body of Christ, the church, must be diligent in recognizing false teachers and doctrine while trusting the Scriptures and recognizing true ministers of the Word. By learning to recognize false teachers, Christians will also be able to identify those who teach truth and by living into that truth they can grow in the grace of God and Christian virtue.
The body of Christ, the church, must be diligent in recognizing false teachers and doctrine while trusting the Scriptures and recognizing true ministers of the Word. By learning to recognize false teachers, Christians will also be able to identify those who teach truth and by living into that truth they can grow in the grace of God and Christian virtue.
The Fellowship of Evangelical Churches recently sat down with Pastor Rob. They talked about life, ministry, diversity, and melting pots. But mostly they talked about the centrality of the Gospel and being a part of Jesus’ family.
Pastor Rob recently had the opportunity to speak at a marriage retreat for the Recovery House of Worship Church Planting Movement, along with Our City Center Church, and Life Church (Allentown, PA).
This series explores God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7. Each week will examine one of the characteristics by which God describes himself: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving sin, judging the guilty.
THIS WEEK'S THOUGHT - Even when we are unfaithful to God, in his faithfulness God will remain near to us. Because God’s faithfulness is more than enough for us, we can draw near and rest in his presence.
This series explores God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7. Each week will examine one of the characteristics by which God describes himself: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving sin, judging the guilty.
THIS WEEK'S THOUGHT - God is not seeking to wrathfully avenge; rather, he desires all to come to repentance. We should be encouraged by God’s patience and return to him in repentance.
This series explores God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7. Each week will examine one of the characteristics by which God describes himself: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving sin, judging the guilty.
Pastor Rob had the opportunity to give thanks to Dave Wiedis and his team at ServingLeaders, for all that they do to serve pastors and ministry leaders who are going through crises.
Some American Christians mistake being in a particular political party for being Christian. When this happens, politics becomes an unintentional idol in our life that has harmful consequences. Application Point: Our allegiance to the Kingdom of God should exceed our loyalty to any nation or political party.
Jesus provides a model of prayer to his disciples that places prayer in the context of relationship with our Heavenly Father. You can come to your Father and confidently partner with him in praying for his glory and kingdom to come into the earth, as well as for provision for needs, protection, and cleansing.
God will give you more than you can handle, but He will never give you more than He can handle.
No matter what the cause of our trials, we know that God will use it to strengthen our walk with Him.
Paul emphasizes to the Corinthians that God set up the church as a family where brothers and sisters in Christ should hold each other accountable.
As Paul illustrates in his own life, when you rely on God, you will find satisfaction in whatever situation (good or bad) that life hands you.
In this passage, Jesus calls for us to seek after the kingdom of God first, not ourselves; if we do, everything else in life will fall into place.
Being created in the image of God means we naturally seek to worship and reflect the image of the one we worship. We can be conformed back into the image of God daily when we focus all our worship on him.
Christian leaders are influential citizens in their community. We will be leaders who know that the world is broken, but we will strive to reflect Christ in every situation.
Christian leaders must have emotionally healthy attitudes and relationships. We will be leaders who have self-control and emotional maturity.
Christian leaders will suffer at times and should speak truth in love to those who oppose them. We will lead with love and truth in times of conflict.
Christian leaders are to be servant leaders to the “least of these” in society. We will lead others by serving them first.
Church leaders are called to believe and live out Christian convictions. Christians must make sure that positions of church leadership will be filled with those who are qualified
Christian leaders are to allow their character to be trained and developed for righteousness. Our actions should be motivated by a character shaped by God’s Word.
Christian theology should be grounded in the Bible and not in minor opinions or divisiveness. All Christians are theologians and are responsible to reflect a biblical view of God to the world.
All Christians are called to be leaders in some area of life. The weight of leading others and reflecting Christ is placed on the shoulders of every Christian who is also empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring about change.
Persecution as believers should not surprise us; we are guaranteed that we will suffer for Christ’s sake. Our strength to endure persecution well comes from our reliance upon the Spirit of God and His Word.
The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but that’s not always easy. Nor is keeping our temper in check, especially when we see rampant injustice in the world around us. We explore what the Bible teaches regarding our thoughts and emotions, and why it’s important to take care of our mental and emotional health in addition to our physical and spiritual well-being. We live in a world where stress is a constant. But what is a believer to do when stress, anxiousness, and worry become more than we can handle on our own? Caring for our mental and emotional well-being is important to God and should be important to us as individuals and as a church community.
Persecution as believers should not surprise us; we are guaranteed that we will suffer for Christ’s sake. Our strength to endure persecution well comes from our reliance upon the Spirit of God and His Word.
Worrying is a futile attempt to maintain a false sense of control over our lives. We can be free from anxiety when we trust in God’s unfailing love for us and seek Him first.
During a time of uncertainty in his nation’s history, Isaiah was comforted by a vision of God on His throne. When we recognize God’s sovereign rule over every facet of our world, we can have peace in spite of the turmoil around us.