Restoration Community Church: Recent Episodes
Restoration Community Church
Gary Chorpenning brings the message this week, focusing on Hebrews 12:1-3. He encourages us that this race we are running is a challenging course in this fall world full of thorns and thistles. But we can do it by fixing our eyes on Jesus.
Passages: Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 John 1:1-4
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church looks at Psalm 10. This psalm gives voice to the cries of the one who is suffering at the hands of the powerful, when it feels like God is silent. It demonstrates how we can maintain our faith of God's active presence during times of distress.
Passages: Psalm 10:1-18; Hebrews 11:1
Dave Bindewald of the Center for Play and Exploration brings the message on Psalm 9. He focuses on verses 5 and 6 and the memory of the wicked.
Passages: Psalm 9:1-20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church looks at Psalm 8. This Psalm examines the worth of humanity, both that we are nothing, and that we are everything.
Passages: Psalm 8:1-9; Matthew 21:16; Genesis 1:26; Hebrews 2:6-7; 1 Corinthians 15:25-27
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church looks at Psalm 7. This Psalm was written by David because of the words of Cush the Benjaminite. Looking at how David processes his emotional turbulence can model for us what it means to trust in God in all circumstances.
Passages: Psalm 7:1-17; Matthew 10:22; Romans 12:16-21
Andy Moore delivers the message this week on Psalm 6. In the midst of David's sorrow, he stays and prays, crying out to the Lord for comfort.
Passages: Psalm 6:1-10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we conclude the series with what might be the clearest foreshadowing of the suffering of Jesus Christ, the servant songs from the prophet Isaiah.
Passages: Isaiah 42:1-7; 49:1-13; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12; Matthew 12:18-21; John 8:12; Isaiah 40:3-4; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 9:51; Acts 8:30-35
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we look at Psalm 22. Not only does this Psalm, written by David, foreshadow the suffering of Jesus. But when Jesus recites this Psalm on the cross, it provides an example of faith in the midst of distress.
Passages: Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 27:32-50; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we look at the failed leadership of Saul and how it foreshadowed the coming of the true leader in Jesus Christ.
Passages: 1 Samuel 15:10-35; Matthew 23:23-24; Matthew 12:7; John 6:28-29
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we look at 6 Old Testament passages which display appearances of Jesus prior to the incarnation.
Passages: John 8:58; Genesis 32:22-30; Exodus 3:1-5; Joshua 5:13-15; Matthew 10:34; Revelation 19:11-16; Daniel 3:24-25; Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 3:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we look at the annual celebration of the Day of Atonement and how it reflects Jesus' work addressing both the penalty and presence of sin in our lives.
Passages: Leviticus 16:1-22; Hebrews 10:1-4; Romans 8:1; Psalm 103:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:1-2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we look at the miracle of God bringing water from the rock in the Wilderness. Is there more going on here than just the miraculous provision?
Passages: Exodus 17:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Numbers 20:6-12; Hebrews 10:10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we examine Genesis 28, Jacob's Ladder and see how Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth.
Passages: Genesis 25:23; Genesis 28:10-22; Genesis 11; Psalm 34:8; John 1:43-51; John 3:16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we examine Genesis 15, the covenant God made with Abram. We will see God's encouragement to Abram in his seasons of doubt.
Passages: Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15; Romans 4:1-3; Mark 9:24; Jeremiah 34:18; Genesis 2:21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series called Shadows of the Savior, looking at Old Testament passages that foreshadow Jesus. This week we examine Genesis 1-3 and see how even in the creation narrative and its fall, hope of the gospel and second Adam is promised.
Passages: Luke 24:25-27; Genesis 1-3; John 1:1-3; Romans 5:12-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17
This week we celebrated a joint service with our sister church, Gospel for All Ministries, Come and See Centre. Pastor Chris spoke about how this service gives us a glimpse into the heavenly realities where all nations, tribes, and tongues gather around the throne to praise the Lord.
Passages: Revelation 7:9-10; Ephesians 3:4-6; 10-11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church hosts a Q&A Sunday. The questions and discussion largely focused on the nature of spiritual warfare with a brief question on suicide.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church shares an Easter message. In a time when there is so much evil in the world, it is easy to lose sight of the kingdom of God that Christ established. This week we were reminded of the promises of God's coming kingdom that should give us hope.
Passages: Revelation 21:1-22:5; Isaiah 2:4; Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 1; Exodus 33:20; 28:36
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The final channel we are looking at is the Intellectual, loving God with the mind. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Proverbs 4:7; 1 Kings 4:33-34; 1 Kings 11:6; Luke 2:46-47; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Mark 12:30; Ecclesiastes 1:9; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 13:2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The eight channel we are looking at is the Contemplative, loving God through adoration. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 63; Deuteronomy 33:12; John 15:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The seventh channel we are looking at is the Enthusiast, loving God with mystery and celebration. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: John 3:8; Genesis 28:10-15; 37:1-11; 1 Kings 3:5-10; Daniel 7:1f; Matthew 1:20; 2:12; 2 Samuel 6:22; Luke 19:40; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The sixth channel we are looking at is the Caregiver, loving God by loving others. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Exodus 1:15-21; Mark 5:24-34; Luke 10:30-35; 1 John 3:17; Philippians 2:3-4; Hebrews 6:10; James 1:27; Mark 10:42-45
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The fifth channel we are looking at is the Activist, loving God through confrontation. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Exodus 2:11-12, 17; Exodus 5; 1 Kings 18:16-46; Habakkuk 2; Psalm 82:3-4; Ezekiel 33:1-20; John 2:13-17; 1 Samuel 30:22-24
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The fourth channel we are looking at is the Ascetic, loving God in solitude and simplicity. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Numbers 6; Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35; Matthew 4; Matthew 26:36; Zechariah 7:5-10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The third channel we are looking at is the Traditionalist, loving God through ritual and symbol. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Exodus 20:24; Joshua 4; Luke 4:16; Acts 3:1; Psalm 62, 140; Numbers 15:38-40; Romans 12:1; Amos 5:21-24; Matthew 23:27
Michael Thornhill continues our series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The second channel we are looking at is the Sensate, loving God with the senses. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series called Sacred Pathways, using themes from a book with the same name by Gary Thomas. The first channel we are looking at is the Naturalist, loving God outdoors. We look at the strengths and pitfalls of this posture.
Passages: Psalm 24:1-2; Isaiah 1:18; 55:10-11; Proverbs 6:6-8; Psalm 22:6; Psalm 19:1-2; Romans 1:20; Genesis 1; Psalm 8:1; Psalm 23
On a snowy day pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church previews the upcoming sermon series and shares a chapel message he gave at PUCS earlier in the week.
Passages: Mark 2:1-12
Chris Anderson returns to Restoration Community Church to share the message. Chris looks at how two different Biblical figures approached their anxiety and provides suggests for how we might deal with anxiety in our lives.
Passages: 2 Chronicles 20; Matthew 26
Michael Thornhill returns to Restoration Community Church to share the message. He uses the parable of the good Samaritan to issue a challenge to the church in how we ought to carry ourselves in this modern age.
Passages: Luke 10:25-37
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church hosts a Q&A Sunday. The questions and discussion largely focused on outreach/evangelism with a quick focus on the authority of the Gospels at the end.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we close our study of the book with some practical exhortations.
Passages: Hebrews 13:1-25; Genesis 18:2-15; 1 Corinthians 11:1; James 3:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we look at the section of Hebrews often called the "Hall of Faith." It is a record of the faithful acts of saints in the past.
Passages: Hebrews 11:1-40; Genesis 4; Genesis 5:21-24; Genesis 6-9; Genesis 12:1-3
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week the author brings the argument to a close with three tangible action items that are as relevant today as they were when written.
Passages: Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 6:20; Matthew 27:46
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we look at the author's continued argument on the superiority of Christ's atonement for us.
Passages: Hebrews 9:1-28; Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 16; Ephesians 2:3
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we see the contrast between the heavenly, high priestly ministry of Jesus, with the earthly, limited efficacy of the Levitical priesthood.
Passages: Hebrews 8:1-13; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 12:33
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. From Melchizedek we move to the superiority of Jesus as our great High Priest. Jesus serves, not as an earthly priest, but a heavenly one.
Passages: Hebrews 7:11-28; Psalm 110:4; Luke 22:31-32; John 17:9-11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. Melchizedek is a bit of a mysterious figure in the Old Testament. In this passage the author of Hebrews shows the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek over the Levitical priesthood of the Mosaic Law.
Passages: Hebrews 7:1-10; Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4; Numbers 18:21-32
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. Our hope is not in our own effort, but is rooted in the certainty of God's immovable promises.
Passages: Hebrews 6:13-20; Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 22:15-18; Psalm 46; Psalm 33:20-22
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we look at one of the more controversial passages in Hebrews. In the midst of a dire warning, the author alludes to the possibility that those who fall away from the faith, can never return to it.
Passages: Hebrews 5:11-5:12
Dave Bindewald, founder of the Center for Play and Exploration, continues our series through Hebrews. Dave highlights the role of the priest, to intercede between us and God, and how Jesus not only was that intercession, but was God brought near to us.
Passages: Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Chris Anderson, support staff for the CCO and Chaplain to the Penn State Hockey Team continues our series through Hebrews. Chris shares from chapter 4 which describes the Sabbath rest provided for the people of God.
Passages: Hebrews 4:1-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This message has Jesus compared to the positive example of faithfulness in Moses. The author provides two examples, a positive one in Moses, and a negative one in the Israelite faithlessness in the Wilderness.
Passages: Hebrews 3:1-19; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Numbers 12:7; Psalm 95:7-11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we see Jesus, while having authority that far exceeds the angels, humble himself to show his solidarity with humanity.
Passages: Hebrews 2:5-18; Psalm 8:4-6; Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 22:22; Isaiah 8:17b-18; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 8:10-11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches through a series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week we see that Jesus is superior to the angels; therefore his message is superior to theirs.
Passages: Hebrews 1:5-2:4; Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 97:7; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 104:4; Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 102:25-27; Psalm 110:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series looking at the book of Hebrews. Holding On: Our Anchor in Christ. This week he provides some background information about the book, and dives into the four verse introduction.
Passages: Hebrews 1:1-4; Psalm 2:8; John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-16; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 110:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church hosts a Q&A Sunday. The questions ranged from, "What does it mean to be a Christian", to "How do I know if what I am hearing is from God or myself?", and even some discussion around the vision and mission of our church.
The audio feed does jump around a bit as we did not have a microphone on the person asking the question, hopefully you are able to follow the conversation.
Restoration Community Church welcomes Michael Thornhill to share the message this morning. Michael, previously served as our Resident Preacher. He shares out of the story of Thomas' interaction with the resurrected Jesus. Michael looks at trauma and Christ's compassion towards it.
Passages: John 20:1-29
Restoration Community Church welcomes Dave Bindewald to share the message this morning. Dave is the director of the Center for Play and Exploration. Dave looks at the bookends of the story of Scripture and reminds us of God's intention and desire for goodness.
Passages: Genesis 1; Revelation 21; Genesis 1:31
Restoration Community Church welcomes Greg Burdette to share the message this morning. Greg is an Associate Pastor at Bellefield Presbyterian Church. He shares from his favorite of the Psalms, Psalm 103. Greg encourages us to seek gratitude in God, even when our soul may not feel like it in the moment.
Passages: Psalm 103
Restoration Community Church welcomes Julia Allan to share the message this morning. Julia is one of the planters of Garden City Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh. She shares from the book of Daniel which served to be an encouragement for him in the midst of great distress.
Passages: Daniel 12:1-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes a series through the book of Judges. This story is perhaps the darkest story in the entire Bible. What are we to make of this moral descent that we see from Israel?
Passages: Judges 19:1-21:25; Genesis 19:1-11
P.S. The audio cut out about 5 minutes early, so the bulk of application was missed. We apologize for this glitch.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. Having finished the stories of the judges, we now turn to the two epilogue stories in the book. These stories illustrate what life was like when everyone did as they saw fit.
Passages: Judges 17:1-18:20; Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 5:4-5; Colossians 1:15; Judges 1:34-35; 2 Chronicles 16:9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. This week we look at the death of Samson and how in his final moments he crushed his enemies through his death. This foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ.
Passages: Judges 16:1-31; Judges 13:5; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 10:10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. Samson was a figure with such promise (Judges 13), but who was stirred more by his senses than the Spirit of the Lord. We will see both Samson's violent nature, as well as the Lord's purposes being accomplished through his behavior.
Passages: Judges 14:1-15:20; Exodus 34:15-16; Acts 2:23; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Galatians 5:22-23
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. This week we begin the story of the final judge in the book, Samson. This chapter focuses on the miraculous nature of his birth and the hopeful anticipation that would create.
Passages: Judges 13:1-25; John 3:14-15; Numbers 6:1-21; Isaiah 7:14; Romans 12:2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. This week we look at Jephthah. The story of Jephthah is a tragic and horrible story in the book of Judges. It reveals just how easy it is to have blind spots which cause us to compromise on what is right.
Passages: Judges 10:6-12:7; Deuteronomy 12:31
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. This week we continue looking at Gideon. Gideon's success has bred an expectation that he is owed honor and deference from others.
Passages: Judges 8:1-10:5
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series through the book of Judges. This week we continue looking at Gideon. Gideon has rallied the army, but God says there are too many people there for him to deliver victory. What does this story reveal about boasting and weakness?
Passages: Judges 7:1-25; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Mark 5:36
This past Sunday was Youth Sunday at Restoration Community Church. Leela Norman gave a message on the Fruit of the Spirit. She sang with us, gave us anecdotes and walked us through what each fruit might look like in our everyday lives.
Passages: Galatians 5:19-24
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series through the book of Judges. This week we explore the next judge, Gideon. This first look at Gideon reveals the difference between regret and repentance. We also look at his use of the fleece to build his faith.
Passages: Judges 6:1-40; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Romans 5:8; Mark 9:24
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series through the book of Judges. This week we explore the next judge, Deborah. Does Deborah's vocation inform and shape our understanding of women in ministry in the modern church?
Passages: Judges 4:1-5:31; Hebrews 11:32; 1 Corinthians 11:5; 1 Timothy 3:11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series through the book of Judges. This morning we encounter the first three judges of the book. One is expected, one is unexpected, and the third is an afterthought.
Passages: Judges 3:731; Jeremiah 2:13; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Acts 4:31; Isaiah 62:8-9; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 53:2-3; 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series through the book of Judges. This morning's second introduction to the book highlights the cycle of idolatry by the Israelites as the attempted to live in the Promised Land.
Passages: Judges 2:6-3:6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series through the book of Judges. This morning's introduction to the book highlights the half-hearted nature of the Israelite conquest and how that might apply to our lives of faith.
Passages: Judges 1:1-2:5; 21:25; Numbers 13-14; Joshua 23:5-6; Joshua 5:9; Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:15,25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 1:8-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church looks at the shorter ending to the gospel of Mark. He argues that this is the original ending of Mark's gospel. It is abrupt, incomplete, and brilliant.
Passages: Mark 16:1-8; Mark 14:28; Mark 5:42; Mark 1:14-15
Andy Moore provides the message at Restoration Community Church this week. He shares two encounters of Jesus, two men praying at the temple, and little children approach Jesus to be blessed. Everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, but the one who humbles themself will be exalted.
Passages: Luke 18:9-17
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church attempts to answer the question, "What is an Evangelical?" Using the Bebbington Quadrilateral, Pastor Chris looks at the four main characteristics of Evangelicalism. This week is Activism, the demonstration of the gospel through missions and social reform efforts.
Passages: James 2:17
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church attempts to answer the question, "What is an Evangelical?" Using the Bebbington Quadrilateral, Pastor Chris looks at the four main characteristics of Evangelicalism. This week is Conversionism; a focus on humanity's need to experience a life-changing, direction shift with Jesus.
Passages: Romans 10:9-10; John 3:3-8; Colossians 1:13; John 10:10; 1 John 4:18
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church attempts to answer the question, "What is an Evangelical?" Using the Bebbington Quadrilateral, Pastor Chris looks at the four main characteristics of Evangelicalism. This week is Crucicentrism; a focus on the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross for the redemption of humanity.
Passages: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church attempts to answer the question, "What is an Evangelical?" Using the Bebbington Quadrilateral, Pastor Chris looks at the four main characteristics of Evangelicalism. This week is Biblicism; a particular regard for the Bible.
Passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Director of the Center for Play and Exploration, Dave Bindewald, delivers the message this week at Restoration Community Church. Dave looks into things we say and are we aware of what they actually mean. This message of hope reminds us that all good things we never end.
Passages: Luke 9:33
Note: we did have some technical difficulty with the microphone, so some of the message appears a bit garbled.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes our look at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we look at the benediction commonly included in the prayer. But was it part of the original words of Jesus?
Passages: Matthew 6:13; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Colossians 1:15-18; 1 John 4:19
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our look at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we look at the final petition which deals with temptation.
Passages: Matthew 6:13; James 1:13-15; 1 Peter 4:12-13; James 1:2-4; Matthew 4:1f; Genesis 3; 1 John 2:16; Luke 22:31-32; Ephesians 6:10f; 1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7; Galatians 5:16; Hebrews 2:18
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our look at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we look at the fourth verse which focuses on forgiveness.
Passages: Matthew 6:12; 1 John 1:8-9; Matthew 28:21-35
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our look at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we look at the third verse which highlights our request for our daily bread.
Passages: Matthew 6:11; Genesis 3:19; Matthew 7:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10; Matthew 4:3-4; John 6:35
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our look at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we look at the second verse which highlights the kingdom of God and his will.
Passages: Matthew 6:10; Micah 6:8; Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 17:21; Revelation 18:4
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our look at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we look at the first petition, Our Father, in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.
Passages: Matthew 6:9b; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 55:10; Psalm 19:1-2; Isaiah 66:1; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 6:1-7; Hebrews 4:16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a series looking at the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This week we provide an introduction to this prayer.
Passages: Luke 11:1; Matthew 6:5-9a; 1 Kings 18; Matthew 15:8
Andy Moore brings the message this week. He looks at the story of the Good Samaritan and reminds us that there are situations where we think we know the everything, but then a situation humbles us.
Passages: Luke 10:25-37
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church hosts a Q&A Sunday. The two questions asked were:
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What does it mean that Jesus descended into hell?
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How should Christians understand the Old Testament law?
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church addresses the season of Advent looking at the story of tween Jesus at the temple. What lessons can we learn from this rare story of his childhood?
Passages: Luke 2:41-52; Deuteronomy 16:16; Mark 3:21; Hebrews 5:7-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church addresses the season of Advent looking at the story of Simeon and Anna. In their stories we see faithfulness in the midst of their waiting, and joy when God comes through!
Passages: Luke 2:22-24; Leviticus 12:8; Luke 2:25-35; Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:36-38; Luke 18:1
Sister churches, Restoration Community Church and the Gospel for All, Come and See Centre, come together for a bilingual, joint worship service. Bishop Fataki brings the message this week in defining truth and reality.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church addresses the season of Advent looking at the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. In their story we see rhythms of faith in the midst of years, even decades of silence from God.
Passages: Luke 1:5-7, 8-17, 18-25, 57-66; Exodus 30:7; Numbers 6:1-3; Malachi 3:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins the season of Advent looking at the genealogy of Jesus Christ as found in the gospel of Matthew. What might this list of names communicate about who Jesus is and his purpose?
Passages: Matthew 1:1-17; Genesis 12:2-3; 2 Samuel 7; Genesis 38; 2 Samuel 11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church closes out a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. This might be the most difficult command of Jesus, to love our enemies.
Passages: Matthew 5:43-48; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 2:4; Matthew 12:34; Luke 23:34; Romans 12:17, 21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. What is God's will for my life? Jesus gives us some insight into our decisions.
Passages: Matthew 7:21-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Matthew 25:23; James 2:19; Genesis 4:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. Humans are judging machines. What does Jesus have to say about this part of our lives?
Passages: Matthew 7:1-6, 15-20; Luke 9:51-56
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus instructs his followers that it is not problematic for them to feel anxiety, but that they should not feed it.
Passages: Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 5:45; Luke 12:7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus sets up money (Mammon in the Greek) as a rival god to Yahweh. How does Jesus want us to consider our wealth?
Passages: Matthew 6:19-24; 1 Timothy 6:10; John 12:6; James 2:1-4; Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus' teaching on lust and adultery often produce the most resistance. What does Jesus have to say about our desires?
Passages: Matthew 5:27-30; Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. This week we look at Jesus' teaching about our words.
Passages: Matthew 5:33-37; 2 Corinthians 1:20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. This week we look at Jesus' words about our anger.
Passages: Matthew 5:21-24; Exodus 20:13; Numbers 35:31; Deuteronomy 19:4-10; Mark 3:1-5
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. This week we look at two metaphors Jesus uses to describe his followers; salt and light.
Passages: Matthew 5:13-16; Isaiah 49:6; John 8:12
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest section of teaching by Jesus in the New Testament. This week we look at Jesus' call for us to live a life of hiddenness with our good works.
Passages: Matthew 6:1-16, 16-18; 2 Corinthians 10:5
Bobbi Perkins brings the message this week. She shares the story of Hannah's despair at her barrenness and the subsequent hope she found in God.
Passages: 1 Samuel 1:1-20
Pastor Mike Matthews returns to the pulpit to bring the message this week. He shares how God will build his church through the proclamation of the Gospel and that the Gospel will not be defeated.
Passages: Matthew 16:13-20
Pastor Jon Shafter returns to the pulpit to bring the message this week. He reflects on having our faith shine out to make an impact on the world around us.
Passages: Romans 8:19-22; Philippians 2:12-13
Mike Matthews brings the message this week. He shares how our posture as Christians should not be one of offense, but motivated by the radical love of Jesus Christ.
Passages: Romans 12:9-21
Andy Moore brings the message this week. He shares the universal longing that we have for shalom, God's restoration of all things.
Passages: Isaiah 35
On Youth Sunday at Restoration Community Church, Elizabeth Ansell delivers the message. She shares connection points between the film, "The Lorax" and our faith.
Passages: Matthew 16:1-4; James 4:17
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to a walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week we finish the story of Jacob. As Jacob returns to his homeland he is anxious about meeting his brother; is he still angry with him? In the middle of these fears, Jacob has a powerful encounter with God.
Passages: Genesis 32:1-32; Genesis 33:1-20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to a walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Jacob. This message focuses on the increase of Jacob's wealth and his desire to return to his homeland but is waylaid by his uncle Laban.
Passages: Genesis 12:3; Genesis 30:25-43; Deuteronomy 18:10; Genesis 31:1-18; Genesis 31:19-55
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to a walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Jacob. This message explores the development of Jacob's family as well as Laban's deceit towards Jacob.
Passages: Genesis 28:10-22; John 1:51; Genesis 29:1-30; Genesis 29:31-30:24; 2 Corinthians 1:20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to a walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Jacob. This message highlights the birth and contentious nature of Jacob and Esau's relationship.
Passages: Genesis 25:19-26; Genesis 25:27-34; Genesis 27:1-45; Genesis 12:3;
Sister churches, Restoration Community Church and the Come and See Center, come together for a bilingual, joint worship service. Pastor Fataki brings the message this week on Isaac and Rebekah.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church finishes a series looking at the five solas, the primary theological statements of the Reformation. The final statement is soli Deo gloria: Glory to God alone.
Passages: John 3:30; Galatians 6:14; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Revelation 4:10-11; Psalm 115:1
Andy Moore delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. He continues a series looking at the five solas, the primary theological statements of the Reformation. The fourth statement is sola gratia: grace alone.
Passages: Ephesians 2:8-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a series looking at the five solas, the primary theological statements of the Reformation. The third statement is sola fide: faith alone. What is faith? How is it the conduit to receive the grace of God?
Passages: Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 4:20-25; Galatians 2:16; Romans 6:1-2; Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:18, 26
Resident Preacher of Restoration Community Church, Michael Thornhill, continues a series on the five solas of the Reformation. The second statement is solus Christus: Christ alone. What does it mean that we trust Jesus alone for our salvation?
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series looking at the five solas, the primary theological statements of the Reformation. The first statement is sola scriptura: Scripture alone. What does it mean that we hold the Bible as the highest authority when it comes to knowing God and the world we live in?
Passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church will take the next few weeks to engage the first five Psalms. This week we look at Psalm 5. Yet another Psalm of lament, but the interesting structure of this focuses not on the behavior of the wicked, but their speech.
Passages: Psalm 5:1-12; Malachi 1:2-3; Luke 14:26; Romans 3:13; Matthew 15:18; Ephesians 4:29
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church will take the next few weeks to engage the first five Psalms. This week we look at Psalm 5. This is another Psalm of lament which deals with quiet restraint in the midst of troubling circumstances. How ought you respond when others are tarnishing your reputation?
Passages: Psalm 4:1-8
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church will take the next few weeks to engage the first five Psalms. This week we look at Psalm 3. This is a Psalm of lament written by David during a time that he was on the run because of a political coup. Even though he felt overwhelmed, he steadied himself in the knowledge of God's faithfulness in his life.
Passages: Psalm 3:1-8; Numbers 10:35
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church will take the next few weeks to engage the first five Psalms. This week we look at Psalm 2. This Psalm begins with the nations raging against Israel, an uneasy time. But God's response to their activity is to laugh, he is not threatened by them.
Passages: Psalm 2:1-12; Acts 4:25-26; James 4:13-15; Hebrews 1:5
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church will take the next few weeks to engage the first five Psalms. This week we look at Psalm 1 which is like a gateway into the book of Psalms. Psalm 1 contrasts two lives with different trajectories. The blessed vs. the wicked. What is it that separates the two?
Passages: Psalm 1:1-6;
Dave Bindewald delivers the message at Restoration Community Church this week. He reminded us that regardless of what we might see in the night sky, the moon is always fully orbed. So too, regardless of what our daily experience might feel like, we have the fully orbed love of God in our lives.
For Easter Sunday Restoration Community Church partnered with our sister church, Gospel for All Ministries, an African church plant in Swissvale. This message is bilingual, given in English and translated to Swahili.
Passages: Ephesians 2:3; Matthew 26:36-39; Psalm 75:8; Psalm 22; Romans 8:18-25
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The final question is "How Could a Loving God Send People to Hell?" In this message we look at a few different perspectives of hell and examine its justification.
Passages: Exodus 34:6-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "How Could a Loving God Allow So Much Suffering?" In this message we look at the relationship between the goodness of God and the existence of evil.
Passages: John 11:1-6, 17-24, 25-26, 32-35, 43; Isaiah 53:4-5; John 9:2; James 1:2-4
Resident Preacher, Michael Thornhill, of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "Doesn't Christianity Degrade Women?" While the Bible has been used to denigrate women, Michael shares the rich history of female empowerment in the Scriptures.
Passages: Judges 4, 2 Kings 22:14; Genesis 16; 1 Samuel 25; Exodus 2; Joshua 2; John 11:35-44; Luke 2:36; Matthew 26:13; Luke 8:3; Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 9:18; Romans 16; Luke 24:1-12; Luke 1:24-45
Resident Preacher, Michael Thornhill, of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "Doesn't the Bible Condone Slavery?" There are depictions of slavery in the Bible, does this mean that the Bible is condoning of the practice?
Passages: Luke 7:1-10; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:28; Genesis 16; Exodus 21:16, 10, 26, 20-21; Proverbs 6:16-19
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "Hasn't Science Disproved Christianity?" In this message we look at the relationship between science and faith.
Passages: Job 26:7; Ecclesiastes 1:5; Genesis 3:19
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "How Can You Take the Bible Literally?" Pastor Chris discusses the need for nuance as top when to take the Bible literally verses metaphorically.
An additional note: we had some technical difficulties, so there are parts of the feed where the sound seems to go in and out, we will try to address this for next week.
Passages: John 3:4; John 2:19-21; Isaiah 55:12; Mark 8:22-25; Luke 5:1-11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "Doesn't Religion Cause Violence?" Is religion more likely to cause violence than secular humanism ideologies? What did Jesus have to say about violence in his teaching?
Passages: Matthew 25:41-46; 1 John 1:8; Matthew 5:38-39, 44; Matthew 18:21-22; Luke 9:23; Romans 12:21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "Doesn't Religion Hinder Morality?" Many atheists like to propose that religion causes people to act in immoral manners, but is that a fair critique of faith systems?
Passages: Romans 2:13-15; Galatians 5:22-23
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The next question is "How Can You Say There's Only One True Faith?" Are different religions mutually exclusive? Why or why not? If we advocate for the truth of Christianity, how does that direct our interactions with those who might be different from us?
Passages: Genesis 2:9; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; Matthew 28:18-20
Resident Preacher, Michael Thornhill, of Restoration Community Church continues a sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The second question is "Doesn't Christianity Crush Diversity?" What does the Bible have to say about this topic? How has diversity been supported and/or destroyed in the life of the church?
Passages: Revelation 7:9-11; Acts 6:1-6; Galatians 2:11-16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church kicks off a new sermon series around difficult questions of the faith. The first question is "Aren't We Better Off Without Religion?" Is religion toxic like proponents of the new atheism profess? Or is religion beneficial for us and our world?
Passages: John 15:18-19; Acts 20:35; Philippians 4:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Matthew 7:14
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes an Advent series for us. This week we looked at our craving for justice. Soon after the birth of the promised Messiah, King Herod attempts to strike out against this threat to his job security by slaughtering infants in the town of Bethlehem. The wait for true justice is not yet over.
Passages: Matthew 2:13-18; Jeremiah 31:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an Advent series for us. This week we looked at our craving for love. Dr. Larry Crabb says that in our relationships we look for two elements, security and significance. We examined how human relationships ultimately fall short of this need and only God can truly fulfill us.
Passages: 1 John 4:7-8; Psalm 36:5; Zephaniah 3:17; Isaiah 54:10; Romans 5:6-8; John 4:10; Galatians 4:4-5
Michael Thornhill of Restoration Community Church continues an Advent series for us. This week we looked at our craving for joy. Is it possible to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of our struggles? Much like "walking and chewing gum" at the same time?
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an Advent series for us. This week we looked at our craving for peace in the world. It doesn't take long to look around and find places of strife, violence, and disorder. As we wait in the season of Advent, we wait for Jesus to return to give us peace, not just the absence of violence, but true shalom.
Passages: Psalm 120:6-7; Isaiah 9:6-7; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14-16; John 14:27; John 16:32-33; Matthew 5:9; Isaiah 2:4; Romans 12:17-18
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins an Advent series for us. This week we looked at our craving for hope in the world. Trauma, illness, conflict, many things can cause us to despair. How does the sign of Jesus give us hope that we are not alone?
Passages: Job 2:9; Job 19:25; Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:21-23; John 16:33; Psalm 42/43:5
Our friend, Dave Bindewald, delivers the message at Restoration Community Church this week. He explores why Christians should never make claims like "things will always be this way" or "it is never going to change." In the faithfulness of God, even when hope is difficult, transformation will occur.
Our friend, Michael Thornhill, delivers the message at Restoration Community Church this week. Looking at the history of the book of Lamentations, he encourages us to see how gratitude can help us gain perspective amid suffering.
Passages: Lamentations 3:22-23
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church explores the biblical concept of tithing. Is tithing required for believers under the New Covenant?
Passages: Genesis 14:17-20; Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Malachi 3:8-9; Matthew 23:23; Luke 18:9-14; Matthew 19:23-24; Luke 6:20, 24; Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to the New City Catechism for this week's message. This is question 24 of the NCC:
Q: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.
Passages: Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:21; Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 5:11; John 3:16; Hebrews 10:14
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. At the close of the letter we see Paul thank the Philippians church for their financial support of him. We look at themes of gratitude and contentment.
Passages: Philippians 4:10-23; Proverbs 30:8-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this section of the letter Paul addresses a specific conflict in the Philippians church, and then encourages the church in their broader conflict with those who are persecuting them.
Passages: Philippians 4:2-9; Philippians 2:2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this section of the letter Paul encourages the saints in Philippi to maintain their pursuit of their faith in Christ. He warns them of becoming complacent.
Passages: Philippians 3:12-4:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this section of the letter Paul lays into his opponents, they were distorting the gospel. Paul reminds the Philippians that our righteousness is a gift from God and is not predicated on our good works.
Passages: Philippians 3:1-11; Matthew 3:7; Isaiah 64:6
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this section of the letter Paul encourages the Philippians to work out their salvation, because God is at work in them. We examined this antinomy of the faith. Then Paul gives a few examples of saints who have "conducted themselves" worthy of the gospel.
Passages: Philippians 2:12-30
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this section of the letter, Paul turns his focus on the Philippian believers. He calls them to steadfast faith in the face of persecution from the outside, and to reject disunity with from within. The example of this attitude of humility is found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Passages: Philippians 1:27-2:11
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this section of the letter, Paul shares his circumstances, that his imprisonment is advancing the gospel and that causes him to rejoice. There is a possibility that this jail sentence, may end with his execution, but in all things he pursues Jesus.
Passages: Philippians 1:12-26
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins an 8-week look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. Even in the first several verses, the themes of the letter arise. In this message Pastor Chris focuses on the type of community between Paul and the Philippians, which sticks with one another through thick and thin.
Passages: Acts 16:6-40; Philippians 1:1-11; Ephesians 3:14-19
This week, Michael Thornhill delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. Michael is the director of DEI at Venture Outdoors. He shares with us timeless lessons of leadership using the model of Exodus 18.
Passages: Exodus 18
This week, Mike Matthews delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. Mike is the founder of an online ministry called Limping for Jesus. He encourages us to consider whether we are approaching God with the swagger of a Pharisee or the vulnerability of the tax collector?
Passages: Luke 18:9-14
This week, Dennis Allan delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. Dennis is the co-pastor of Garden City Church on the Northside of Pittsburgh. He shares how the resurrection is a reminder that in the midst of our battles we do not walk alone.
Passages: Matthew 28:1-10
This week, Bobbi Perkins delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. Bobbi is a campus minister with the CCO in partnership with Bellefield Presbyterian Church. She shares from the gospel of Luke where John the Baptist had some doubts about Jesus' identity as the messiah.
Passages: Luke 7:18-28
This week, Andy Moore delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. Andy is a campus minister with the CCO in partnership with Bellefield Presbyterian Church. He shares from Nehemiah and points us to the ways in which nostalgia can prevent us from moving forward to the things God calls us.
Passages: Nehemiah 2:11-20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week we sketch out the final 9 chapters in Ezekiel which provides a vision of a new temple, with a return of the glory of God. Reading for a few excerpts in that section, we see the hope and restoration that God will bring in his coming kingdom.
Passages: Ezekiel 43:1-5; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Psalm 46:1-3; Revelation 22:1-5
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week we investigate the vision of the valley of dry bones. This is the story that inspired the 1920's spiritual, "Dem Bones." We will see God's willingness to enter places of death and bring life and flourishing to them.
Passages: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 49:14-15; Ephesians 2:1-2; Colossians 2:13; Isaiah 58:12
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week we see the restoration and "heart surgery" that the Lord commits to his people. God is motivated through the concern for his name to continue to show mercy and bring healing and reconciliation to his people.
Passages: Ezekiel 36:16-38
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week's passage includes the strongest messianic prophesy pointing to Jesus in the book of Ezekiel. We see a contrast between the corrupt actions of the leaders of Israel with the promised shepherd-leader in the lineage of David.
Passages: Ezekiel 34:1-24; Psalm 23:1; John 11:11; Luke 15:4-6; Matthew 9:36; 25:32; 1 Peter 5:2-4
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. The last three weeks we have seen the judgment of God upon Israel. This week, we see how God dealt with the Hebrew people through their history. Even though they rebelled against him, he restrained or delayed his wrath out of his patience and mercy.
Passages: Ezekiel 18:21-23; Ezekiel 20:1-23, 40-44
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week, we saw clear expressions of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The story ends in tragedy, with God's glory and presence leaving the temple and Jerusalem.
Passages: Ezekiel 8:1-18; 11:17-20; Ephesians 4:30
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week, we looked at the prophetic call of Ezekiel and saw how it was a heavy responsibility for the prophet.
Passages: Ezekiel 2:1-3:15
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins an 8-week foray into the prophet Ezekiel. This week we see the starting point for the book, which is the majestic, powerful, awe-inspiring glory of God.
Passages: Ezekiel 1:1-28; Psalm 18:10; Exodus 25:17-18; Psalm 104:1-2
This week, Michael Thornhill delivers the message at Restoration Community Church. Michael is the Director of DEI at Venture Outdoors. He shares about the experience of Elijah, in between his two mountaintop experiences of the defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and his journey to God in the chariot of fire, Elijah is in a period of deep depression. Michael shares how God cares for his physical and emotional needs by slowing him down and reminding Elijah that he is not alone.
Passages: 1 Kings 18-19
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Abram (later renamed Abraham). Sometime following the birth of Isaac, Abraham is asked to do the unthinkable and offer his son as a sacrifice to the Lord. This week we looked at this event and the question God was asking "Are you willing to give up what you cherish most for me?"
Passages: Genesis 22:1-14; Exodus 16:4; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:21-22; John 1:29
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Abram (later renamed Abraham). This week we see, after 24 years, God's promise that Abraham would have a child of the covenant, finally fulfilled.
Passages: Genesis 17:1-21; Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-7; Galatians 3:27-28
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Abram (later renamed Abraham). This week we look at the relationship he has with Hagar and her son, Ishmael. In Hagar's plight, the Lord is a God who sees.
Passages: Genesis 3:16-17; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 21:8-21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. We are currently in a multi-week focus on Abram (later renamed Abraham). This week we see another staggering display of grace. God makes a covenant with Abram, taking the consequences of violation upon himself.
Passages: Genesis 15:1-21; Exodus 12:35-36; Romans 6:1-2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week we begin a multi-week focus on Abram (later renamed Abraham). Here in Genesis 12 is the call of Abram, where we see God's promised blessings and that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon Abram's behaviors.
Passages: Genesis 12:1-20; Acts 7:2-3; Galatians 3:8
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week is focusing on the story of the tower of Babel (Gen. 11). In this we will see how the residents of this region violated God's command to create diversity through culture and God's rejection of their attempt to control him for their purposes.
Passages: Genesis 11:1-9; Genesis 1:26, 28; Ephesians 3:10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church addresses another Q&A Sunday where participants can submit questions. This question involves our understanding of communion.
Question: “Why can people receive the body and blood of Christ at one church but not another? If we believe the same thing, why am I made to think I am sinning by receiving the body and blood of Christ in a tradition different than my own?”
Passages: Mark 14:22-25; John 6:52-59; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Revelation 19:6-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church shares an Easter message. Considering the death of a little girl from cancer, how can we see God's goodness and plan in really difficult bouts of suffering? What hope does the crucifixion and resurrection bring?
Passages: Luke 22:39-46; Isaiah 53:10; 1 Corinthians 15:26
Andy Moore brings the message this week and concludes our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on Celebration.
Passages: Genesis 2:1-3
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on guidance.
Passages: Acts 15; 1 John 4:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on worship.
Passages: John 4:23; Exodus 20; Matthew 4:10; Mark 12:30; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 14:15
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on confession.
Passages: Romans 2:4; Luke 15; 1 Timothy 2:5; James 5:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Psalm 103:12
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on service.
Passages: Luke 9:46; Matthew 20:25-28
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on submission.
Passages: Matthew 5:44, 5:39; Luke 9:23; Colossians 3:18-4:1; Ephesians 5:21; Philemon 15-16; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Acts 4:13-22
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on solitude; this also includes the discipline of silence which is essential to solitude.
Passages: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 6:12-16; Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 1:35; Proverbs 25:11; Matthew 17:1-4; 1 Kings 19:9-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on simplicity. Simplicity is an inward reality with outward behaviors. It is crucial that we develop the inward first before focusing on externals to avoid legalism.
Passages: Leviticus 25:23; Matthew 19:16-22; Philippians 4:13; Deuteronomy 8:17; Matthew 5:37
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on study. Study involves paying careful attention to the world around us so that we can move into closer alignment with God's vision for the world.
Passages: Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:15-16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on fasting. Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
Passages: Matthew 6:16-18; John 4:32-34; 1 Corinthians 6:12
Mike Matthews delivers the message at Restoration Community Church this week continuing our sermon series through the spiritual disciplines. Mike gives practical examples of our attitude and focus in prayer.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new sermon series looking at the spiritual disciplines. We will be following the disciplines as described in Richard Foster's book. "Celebration of Discipline." This week the focus is on meditation. Meditation allows us to slow down enough to hear the voice of God and obey it.
Passages: James 5:17-18; Matthew 14:13; Luke 11:24-26; Psalm 19:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church addresses another Q&A Sunday where participants can submit questions. This question involves our understanding of angels.
Question: "What is the role of angels in our interactions with them today? In the Old Testament they appear often as messengers and now we have Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Do we rely on them less for messages from God?"
Passages: Ezekiel 1:4-14; 10:9-15; Revelation 4:6-8; Psalm 99:1; Ezekiel 28:14; Hebrews 13:2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church welcomes in the New Year challenging us to use this time to reorient ourselves to greater worship of God. Looking at the praise that comes from the living creatures in Revelation 4, what words or phrases would we use to celebrate the glory and character of God?
Passages: Revelation 4:6-8, Philippians 2:12-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the Advent season with a message about Love. In English we have on primary word (love) which covers a range of emotions. I might say "I love burritos" but that isn't the same love that I feel for my wife or children. Considering the Greek understanding of love, we examine the manger, to see the unconditional, sacrificial love of God on display.
Passages: Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 33:20-21; Psalm 136:26; Zephaniah 3:17; Exodus 34:6-7; John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Andy Moore of Bellefield Presbyterian Church and the CCO fills the pulpit to continue our series through Advent. Andy preaches on the message of joy that was brought, not to the political elite, but the peasants, the shepherds with the birth announcement of Jesus Christ.
Passages: Luke 2:8-20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues the Advent season with a message about Peace. In English, our context for peace is often the absence of conflict. In the Hebrew understanding, peace (shalom) meant far more; a wholeness and healing of the way things ought to be.
Passages: Isaiah 9:6; 35; 2:2-4; 41:1-4; 53:5; John 14:27; 16:33
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church kicks off the Advent season with a message about Hope. Much of the Christian life is waiting; the Old Testaments saints waited for their Messiah, we wait for the second coming of Jesus. In this season we pause our rhythms to remember the waiting of the past to help bolster our resolve to wait in the present, for God's future coming glory.
Passages: Isaiah 40:1-5; Isaiah 9:2-7; Isaiah 61:1-2; Revelation 19:11-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes our series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The final statement is, "I AM the vine." With this statement Jesus reminds us of our need to be continually connected to him as the source of life.
Passages: John 15:1-11; Psalm 80:8-11; Matthew 21:33-44
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The sixth statement is, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life." The context of this statement is Jesus comforting his disciples that he is leaving to prepare a place for them with the Father. Even though there are strong exclusive claims to his statement, the scope of who is invited to follow Jesus as the way is universal. All are invited to participate with him.
Passages: John 14:1-14
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The fifth statement is, "I AM the resurrection and the life." Jesus pairs this statement with his most epic miracle, raising Lazarus from the dead. In this encounter we see Jesus' outrage and fury at the intruder, death.
Passages: John 11:17-27; John 11:33-46
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The fourth statement is, "I AM the good shepherd." With this statement, Jesus draws on significant examples of both good and bad leadership in the Old Testament and highlights his affection for those in his flock.
Passages: John 10:1-18; Jeremiah 23:1-2; Ezekiel 34:2-4; Isaiah 40:10-11; Psalm 23; Luke 15:4-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The third statement is, "I AM the door." In it we see Jesus not only highlight that he is the gatekeeper into the kingdom of God, but also he expresses the potential presence of evil and suffering on this side of paradise.
Passages: John 10:1-18; Psalm 118:19-21
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The second statement is, "I AM the light of the world."
Passages: John 1:1-5; 8:12-20; 9:1-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church starts a new series looking at the seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The first statement is, "I AM the bread of life." Jesus expresses his life sustaining provision and our need to feast upon him for life.
Passages: John 6:25-51
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church conclude our series looking at the church of Jesus Christ. This week he addresses the "why" question, by helping understand the purpose of the church. The church is a place of equipping meant to unleash the followers of Jesus Christ upon the world in order to seek the kingdom of God in their midst.
Passages: Deuteronomy 5:15; Ephesians 4:7-12; Psalm 68:18
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our series looking at the church of Jesus Christ. This week he addresses the "how" question, by walking through the rhythms of the church. Like musical themes in a movie, the rhythms and melodies we learn at church are meant to be taken with us outside of the walls to help us connect with God through the remainder of our weeks.
Passages: Acts 2:42; Isaiah 55:1-2; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues a new series looking at the church of Jesus Christ. This week he addresses the "who" question, who is the church? What are the defining characteristics of the body of believers and what makes this community unique to others in the world?
Passages: Romans 12:4-5; Revelation 7:9; Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Corinthians 12:14-20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a new series looking at the church of Jesus Christ. This week he addresses the definition of the church. What is it? Is it merely the building we have our worship services in? Is it an event we attend? Or is it something more?
Passages: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Hebrews 10:23-25
Mike Matthews, associate pastor of Evangel Community Church, fills the pulpit. Mike shares the secret of contentment. In the words of Elizabeth Elliot, "the secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances."
Passage: Philippians 4:10-13
Dennis Allan, co-pastor of Garden City Church, fills the pulpit. Mark walked us through what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. He compares the stories of Jesus in the synagogue in Capernaum with his hometown of Nazareth.
Passage: Mark 6:1-6
Shaq Hager, co-pastor of Garden City Church, fills the pulpit. Shaq walked us through the psalm of lament (Ps 44) which occurs right after a military defeat. Shaq encouraged us that while we may not know what God is doing in our present circumstances, the past points to his enduring faithfulness which gives us hope for his continued work in the future.
Passage: Psalm 44
Mike Matthews, Associate Pastor at Evangel Community Church in New Castle, fills the pulpit. He shared from his own experience of disability to provide insight into our suffering. Faithfulness in times of suffering is for the glory of God or our own character development in Christ.
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10
Dave Bindewald fills the pulpit, providing a compelling look at the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus did come to save sins, but the restorative light of God goes far beyond merely the problem of sin.
Passages: Luke 4:16-22; Mark 1:40-45; Genesis 3:15
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week is part 2 of the flood narrative (Gen. 9). In this segment we look at the parallels between the first few verses of chapter 9 and the creation mandate (Genesis 1:28-30), the sign of the covenant with God (the rainbow), and some family drama.
Passages: Genesis 9:1-29; Genesis 1:28-30; Romans 8:19-21; Genesis 10:15-19; Deuteronomy 7:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week is part 1 of the flood narrative (Gen. 6-9). He looks at why God destroyed humanity in the flood, why Noah and his family were spared, and some other contemporary literature with the flood account.
Passages: Genesis 6:1-12; 7:11-12; 8:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week he looks at the conflict between Cain and Abel. In this story we see the continued descent of humanity, and an example of one of the seven deadly sins (wrath) manifest in Cain. While we may not have stooped to Cain's level, where do we see our own culpability for sin and brokenness in the world.
Passages: Genesis 4:1-16, 25-26; 1 Peter 5:8; Hebrew 12:24
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week he looks at the fall, the time when Adam and Eve followed their own desires instead of God's direction and sin entered the world.
Passages: Genesis 3:1-24
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our walk through the narrative portions of Scripture. This week he looks at the second of the two creation stories. Here we see the priestly role of Adam and Eve in the garden and the goodness of work.
Passages: Genesis 2:4-25; Numbers 3:7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church starts a new series where we will look at the narrative story of Scripture. We begin, at the beginning, the first creation account as found in the opening chapter of the Bible.
Passages: Genesis 1:1-2:3
Andy Moore from Bellefield Presbyterian Church fills the pulpit. Looking at a portion of the upper room discourse from Jesus, Andy addresses the question, "What is joy?" He suggests that "joy is a peace that comes through a manifestation of God's goodness and love."
Passages: John 16:16-24
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church examines a popular phrase used in the church. "What does it mean to be born again?" Looking at the context of John 3, we try to understand the nature of being born again in the Lord.
Passages: John 3:1-16; Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes our sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Laodicea. Jesus communicates a harsh message to a wealthy city. While they are physically prosperous, he reminds them they are spiritually impoverished.
Passages: Revelation 3:14-22; 2 Corinthians 1:20; John 3:3
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Philadelphia. Christians in Philadelphia had been excluded from the worship of God in the synagogues. But Jesus reminds them who holds the keys to the kingdom (him).
Passages: Revelation 3:7-13; Isaiah 22:15-25; Isaiah 60:14; Isaiah 56:3-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Sardis. This was a church known for its energy and exuberance. It had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus instead labels it as dead/asleep.
Passages: Revelation 3:1-6; Revelation 16:15
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Thyatira. In many ways the commendations/critiques are the opposite of what we saw in Ephesus. They were abounding in love, but had empowered false teachers in their communities.
Passages: Revelation 2:18-29; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 1 Kings 18:19
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Pergamum. Here we see that even though there was faithfulness amidst persecution, they had given positions of influence to false teachers who rationalized assimilation with the Roman government.
Passages: Revelation 2:12-17; Numbers 22
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Smyrna. The Christians in this city continued to hold fast to the faith in light of intense persecution. While martyrdom is not something a 21st century American regularly would face, can we learn from their faith as it pertains to suffering and slander in our lives?
Passages: Revelation 2:8-11; Daniel 1:12-14; Revelation 5:5-6
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins our new sermon series looking at the letters from Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. This week we look at his statements to the church of Ephesus. By all account, the church in Ephesus is thriving, Jesus sees their works, their toil, their discernment. But his critique of them is that they have lost the love they had at first; both for God and their neighbor.
Passages: Revelation 2:1-7; Acts 20:29-30
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church speaks on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Not only is the bodily resurrection of Jesus an event rooted in history, it also has ramifications for us today. The resurrection breaks the power of sin in our lives and breaks the shackles of death.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVnMUkohE1o
Passages: Matthew 28:1-15;
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church addresses another Q&A Sunday where participants can submit questions. This question focuses on Russia and the End Times.
Question: "Is Russia in the Bible when it describes what happens in the End Times?"
Passages: Ezekiel 38:1-4; Revelation 20:7-8; Genesis 10:2
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes our sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at vainglory. Many lists of the deadly sins include pride, however, the church fathers like Thomas Aquinas listed pride as the root of all of the sins. While pride is the excessive focus on excellence in itself, vainglory is the fixation on the recognition for our excellence.
Passages: Matthew 23:27-28; Luke 18:9-14; Psalm 139:1-6,13-16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at envy. This vice takes root in our lives when we fixate on the goods that God has given someone else and are resentful of the life that God has given us. Consequently, envy prevents us from loving our neighbor with fidelity.
Passages: Luke 22:24; Matthew 20:1-16; Exodus 20:17; James 4:1-3; Isaiah 43:1-4
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at sloth. Contrary to common opinion, sloth is more than just laziness. Joseph Pieper suggests that busyness and a workaholic posture can be the telltale signs of sloth. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it fits with how the church fathers understood this vice.
Passages: Proverbs 26:14-15; Psalm 90:6; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 1:1-3
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at lust. Lust is a disordered sexual desire that is used for personal gratification. Given this definition we need to acknowledge that sex was created good by God, but has been distorted. To remedy this vice we need to temper our desires and channel them in virtuous avenues.
Passages: 1 Corinthians 6:13-20; Genesis 1:27; Philippians 4:8
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at greed. In the 1987 movie "Wall Street," Gordon Gekko famously said that "Greed...is good." We live in a society where the economic engine and the creation of wealth seems to be largely based around corporate greed. How do we reconcile this with the stories that Jesus taught about money?
Passages: Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 30:7-9; Hebrews 13:5-6
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at gluttony. If food is essential to life, how do we define gluttony? What ways are we using food to fill us physically while we starve ourselves spiritually?
Passages: Matthew 11:18-19; 1 Corinthians 6:12; Matthew 6:16
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church kicks off a new sermon series through the 7 deadly sins. This week we look at wrath. Is wrath the same thing as anger? How do we know that we have moved from anger to wrath? While each of the 7 deadly sins should be relatable to us, anger is something many of us struggle with regularly.
Passages: Ephesians 4:26-27; Matthew 5:21-22; Genesis 4:6-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church takes a look at the concept of social safety nets. Government entitlement programs are highly debated in our political setting. Does the Bible give us any insight into whether Christians can support these programs? As we dive into Scripture, we see that the heart of God is one of compassion where he provides social programs to help others flourish.
Passages: Exodus 22:21-23; Zechariah 7:9-10; Isaiah 1:17; Psalm 146:9; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 25
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church takes us through the "Parable of the Talents" as found in Matthew's gospel. Often, the focus of this parable is productivity for the kingdom of God. Instead, Pastor Chris reminds us of the truths of our security in the gospel, and reminds us of the need for faith in the goodness and salvation of God.
Passage: Matthew 25:14-30
Dennis Allan co-pastor of Garden City Church filled the pulpit this week to bring the message. Dennis looks at a passage in Exodus which reveals to us the provision and protection of God for his people.
Passage: Exodus 7:8-16
Andy Moore of Bellefield Presbyterian Church filled the pulpit two weeks ago to bring the message. Andy looks at the Beatitudes of Jesus from his Sermon on the Mount. He explores how our relationship with God involves surrendering everything to him.
Passage: Matthew 5:2-12
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to the New City Catechism. This week he describes the hypostatic union, the fully human and fully divine natures of Jesus Christ and focuses on his humanity. Question 21 will cover both this week and next.
Q21: What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?
A: One who is truly human and also truly God.
Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church returns to the New City Catechism. This week he describes the hypostatic union, the fully human and fully divine natures of Jesus Christ and focuses on his humanity. Question 21 will cover both this week and next.
Q21: What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?
A: One who is truly human and also truly God.
Q22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weakness.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes our series looking at different characters in the Advent story. This week we look at the current "king of the Jews," Herod. Herod learns of the birth of Jesus from the Magi, but his response is very different. Herod assesses and attempts to terminate this perceived threat.
Passage: Matthew 2:1-8, 13-18
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our series looking at different characters in the Advent story. This week we look at those mysterious characters from the east, looking for the "king of the Jews," the magi. What does their pursuit of Jesus show us about the radical inclusion of God?
Passage: Matthew 2:1-12
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our series looking at different characters in the Advent story. This week we look at the first recipients of the good news that Jesus Christ had been born, the shepherds. There was no more "average Joe" in the ancient world then shepherds. What can we learn that God first went to these humble and lowly figures to share the good news?
Passage: Luke 2:8-20
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our series looking at different characters in the Advent story. This week we look at Joseph, the adopted father of Jesus. Joseph is a character in the nativity who then fades into obscurity. In this message we learn about the balance between righteous living mixed with compassion, and the humility to accept the role God has placed upon him.
Passage: Matthew 1:18-25
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins a short series looking at different characters in the Advent story. This week we look at Mary, the mother of Jesus. God goes to a rural community, calls on a poor, unwed, teenage girl, and tells her she is going to carry the Messiah in her womb. God shows that all he needs to accomplish his purposes are those willing to partner with him.
Passage: Luke 1:26-38
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches another FAQ (frequently asked question) Sunday. This question focuses on anxiety in the midst of the pandemic of COVID.
Question: "How do I keep from worrying over the stats of COVID? Or even worrying about everyday things that I have no control over?"
Passage: Matthew 6:25-34
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church preaches about giving/tithing. With the content from the Gospel-Centered Life in the backdrop, what does it have to say about our giving habits to the Lord? Do the Old Testament requirements for giving apply to us as followers of Jesus Christ?
Passage: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church concludes our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris looks at the place of conflict in our lives. When we engage in conflict through the flesh (i.e. human effort) we have a tendency to be an attacker or a withdrawer. How does the gospel speak to this constant presence in our lives?
Passage: Galatians 2:11-14
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris looks at the place of forgiveness in our spiritual lives. First we must consider the forgiveness we have been offered by God before we decide whether or not it is right for us to forgive someone else.
Passage: Matthew 18:21-35
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris encourages us to examine how our freedoms in the gospel are not meant to be hoarded, but to be used to love and serve our neighbor. This is the fuel for mission. God invites us to be his agent to the world, out of love and joy and not drudgery.
Passage: Galatians 5:13-15
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. Last week we looked at the rhythm of repentance and belief as a catalyst for transformation in our lives. This week, we desire to make sure we are repenting of the "right" sins. Too often we try to turn away from sins that are symptoms of deeper heart idols. We need the powerful work of the Holy Spirit to flush these idols out and bring healing.
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris invites us to examine the power of repentance to bring transformation. Repentance is not just something that should be done for "really bad" sins. Instead, this is a daily recognition of places we fall short, and invite God to continue his work of transformation in us.
Passages: Psalm 51:1-12; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris looks at our relationship to the law in light of Christ's atoning work. How should Christians view the law? Do we need to obey or not?
Passages: Ephesians 2:8-10
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris shares the antidote to our tendency to pretend and perform, believe the gospel. We apply the gospel in our lives when we remember the passive righteousness of Jesus, and the fact that we have been lovingly adopted into God's family.
Passages: Philippians 3:1-11; Galatians 4:4-7
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church continues our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris shares ways that we "shrink the cross" by pretending and performing. We make ourselves out to be something we are not and we minimize God's holiness by thinking it is a level we can attain by our own effort.
Passages: Colossians 1:21-23
Pastor Chris Ansell of Restoration Community Church begins our sermon series through the Gospel-Centered Life. In this episode, Chris seeks to help us increase our awareness of God's holiness and the sinfulness of our lives. By being honest with our brokenness, the cross which connects the gulf, will loom larger in our lives.
Passages: Colossians 1:3-6; 2 Peter 1:3-8
Dave Bindewald, director of the Center for Play and Exploration gave the message this week. He shared from Revelation chapter 21 which describes the new creation. He encouraged us to expand our vision of what heaven will be like in that age to come.
Passage: Revelation 21
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale looks at a difficult portion of Scripture in the book of Revelation, Christ's millennial reign. He breaks down four different ways that Christians have interpreted this passage over the years. Regardless of which position we land on, this doctrine is not an essential to the faith, and therefore we should show grace and generosity to those who might hold a different position than our own.
Passage: Revelation 20:1-15
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale returns to the New City Catechism. This week he investigates the identity of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through the precious blood of Jesus, he redeemed us, setting our worth, and displaying his love for us.
Catechism: Who is the Redeemer?
A: The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself.
Mike Pierson, Chaplain at the Washington County Jail, fills the pulpit of CityReach Swissvale. Mike looks at God's amazing grace through the experience of one of the thieves crucified next to Jesus. He reminds us that there is no distance we could travel away from God, that he wouldn't welcome us back in an instant.
Passage: Luke 23:32-43
Bobbi Perkins, University Minister at Bellefield Presbyterian Church, fills the pulpit of CityReach Swissvale. Bobbi examines what it means to be known by God. God sees all of our flaws and has accepted us through Jesus Christ. She encourages us to name our shortcomings before God and to create safe spaces so that others can find that freedom as well.
Passage: Hebrews 4:14-16
Andy Moore, University Minister at Bellefield Presbyterian Church, fills the pulpit of CityReach Swissvale. Andy looks at the intro to the gospel of Matthew, the genealogy of Jesus. There is rich content in stories of the people named, but Andy encourages us to not only see this as the genealogy of Jesus Christ, but as as well.
Passage: Matthew 1:1-17
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale encourages us to rethink how we think about following Jesus. Instead of a bounded-set framework where we decide who is in and who is out, he encourages us to focus on a centered-set perspective which focuses on proximity and direction towards the source of Jesus Christ. He uses two stories involving Mary and Martha to showcase different avenues for this to happen in our lives.
Passage: Luke 10:38-42; John 11:17-27
P.S. We apologize for the static, we had some technical difficulty on Sunday with our equipment.
Shaq Hager, co-pastor of Garden City Church fills the pulpit of CityReach Swissvale. Shaq looks at a Psalm of lament and provides insight into how the Psalms give us permission to cry out to God when our experience in the world doesn't match our expectation of our experience of God's kingdom.
Passage: Psalm 77
Greg Burdette, Director of Adult Discipleship of Bellefield Presbyterian Church fills the pulpit of CityReach Swissvale. "Judge not lest you be judged," a passage so often quoted in our world, but what does it mean? Greg looks at the root of judgmentalism that Jesus speaks against, and invites us to look at when and why we fall into its trap.
Passage: Matthew 7:1-6
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale answers questions from our congregation in our very first FAQ Sunday. These messages will occur a few times a year and are an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the life of faith, Scripture, theology, God. This week's questions are:
Why/how was CityReach Church Swissvale planted?
What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?
Who is Satan and what does he do?
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale concludes our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at the life everlasting. What will preoccupy our time in eternity?
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at our hope of life after life after death, namely the physical resurrection of our bodies. We examine where this hope comes from. Using Jesus as our prototype, we speculate what those bodies will be like when we receive them.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) as a model for how God dealt with our sins through Jesus Christ on the cross. Not only did the suffering of Jesus satisfy his wrath, but Jesus also removed our sins from us, never to be seen again.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. From our affirmation of the Holy Spirit, we next turn to the church, that body of Christ which is built up through the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith is not meant to be an individualized pursuit, we are in this journey of faith together.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we turn to the third paragraph of the creed, dealing with the Holy Spirit. Who is the Spirit and what is his role in applying faith to our lives?
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. For the last several weeks we have looked at the past work of Christ, his birth, death, and resurrection. This week we look ahead to his glorious return. While we do not know the day or hour he will return, Jesus encourages us to be ready for his coming.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we examine the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The resurrection shows Christ's authority to deal with sin on the cross, and his ascension gives us confidence that he is in heaven advocating on our behalf.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at what happened between the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Good Friday, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. What does it mean that Jesus "Descended to the dead"?
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at the suffering of Jesus Christ. His suffering and death provide atonement for our sins, satisfying the wrath of God.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at the human nature of Jesus as realized in his miraculous birth. The co-eternal person of the Trinity took on human flesh and was born of a virgin. In some circles this is called the incarnation. Jesus left his place of privilege on high and moved into the neighborhood (in the words of Eugene Peterson).
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we begin the section of the creed which speaks of Jesus Christ. We affirm the name of Jesus Christ, and the meaning behind it, his divinity, being called the Son of God, and his lordship and authority in our lives.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week we look at the first statement, affirming God the Father. As we learn what it means that God is a Father, is Almighty, and is a Creator, we can see his affection for us and how he invites us to join in his re-creation of the world.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale begins our new sermon series, "We Believe..." This series will investigate one of the oldest creeds in the Christian tradition. This week is an introduction to the creed investigating; what is a creed? Why is a creed important? And the opening clause "We believe." The goal of this series is not to build knowledge about God, but to see how these truths about God change our lives.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale shares an Easter reflection. How does God towards you? What is his disposition? Whether we feel it or not, God loves of deeply in Jesus Christ. His love moves towards us through Christ's life, it suffers with and for us in his death, and shows that it cannot be stopped in his resurrection.
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale concludes our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." The passage begins with Paul in prison, awaiting trial in the city of Rome. This shows the gospel going to the ends of the earth by going to the seat of the Roman Empire. Luke leaves the narrative on a cliffhanger, inviting us to write the next chapter of the book of Acts.
Passage: Acts 28:16-31
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." This week we see Paul in the city of Athens, a city with a rich philosophical tradition. In order to communicate the gospel to the residents of the city, Paul changes his model. He utilizes the spiritual objects of worship revered by the Athenians in order to build bridges for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Passage: Acts 17:16-34
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Two ways of understanding Jesus come to a head at the council of Jerusalem. Is circumcision and other elements of the Mosaic law required to follow Christ to salvation? The church tackled this significant issue and provides a framework for us for how we can deal with conflict in a way that honors God.
Passage: Acts 15:1-21
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." The peace the early church experienced is over. James, the brother of John is killed by Herod Agrippa, Peter is arrested and is next on the chopping block. In this passage we see the church's earnest prayers answered by God as Peter is delivered from jail. This passage can teach us about earnest prayer, but also the faith that should follow such prayers.
Passage: Acts 12:1-24
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." This week we see the first mainstream inroads of the gospel to the Gentile community. Faithful disciples who labored in obscurity, planted the church in Antioch. Out of this growth in Antioch, the label "Christian" was first applied to these Jesus followers. While that label was originally used in a condescending manner towards the disciples, it has become a badge of honor where we seek to orient ourselves as "little Christ's."
Passage: Acts 11:19-30
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Last week we encountered Saul who had a worldview-shifting experience with Jesus Christ. Saul had to reorient his vertical understanding of what it meant to love God. This week we look at the apostle Peter, who also has a reorientation experience, but this time with the horizontal plane of loving neighbor.
Passage: Acts 10:1-33
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Saul, the man responsible for persecuting the church, is on his way to arrest more Christians when Jesus intercedes. Saul's entire worldview changes as he recognizes the truth that Jesus Christ is alive. Can Saul's conversion experience serve as a model for how we come to faith, and are sustained in faith, by Christ?
Passage: Acts 9:1-33
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Saul continues to apply pressure to the church, increasing persecution until the believers in Jerusalem flee from from the city. They do not go as refugees, but missionaries. Through the scattering, the believers maintain their call to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, and bridge the gospel to the Gentiles.
Passage: Acts 8:1-8, 12-17, 26-40
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Last week we saw the increasing hostility brought against the church from the religious authorities. Here we see that escalate, culminating in the death of Stephen. This week, we look at character, and the place of suffering in the life of the believer.
Passage: Acts 6:8-15, 7:54-8:1
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Many of the religious authorities felt threatened by the growth of the early church. We see in this message, the cycle the church lived out. Signs, working miracles in the name of Jesus. Setbacks, persecution from the authorities. Civil Disobedience, a drive to continue with the message God entrusted to them, regardless of the consequences.
Passage: Acts 3:1-10, 4:7-22, 5:12-16
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." As the church grew, they needed to learn how to live together in unity. The book of Acts shows a powerful example of Christian support and unity, virtually eliminating poverty in the church. But even this idealized church community still was not perfect.
Passage: Acts 4:32-5:11
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." Just as Jesus promised, the power of the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples during the feast of Pentecost. When the Spirit moves, redemption follows. Here we see the undoing and redeeming of a curse from thousands of years before, the tower of Babel.
Passage: Acts 2:1-13
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale begins our new sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: The First Christians." In this encounter, Jesus meets with his disciples before he ascends to heaven. He commands them to wait in Jerusalem until they receive power from God. Namely the baptism of the Holy Spirit. With this power, they will be witnesses of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Passage: Acts 1:1-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale shares of the fallout after the magi visit the boy Jesus. King Herod, sensing a threat to his rule, attempts to squelch this new king by slaughtering the boys in the village of Bethlehem. Pastor Chris investigates why this barbaric story is included in Scripture, and what lessons we can learn about ourselves from it.
Passage: Matthew 2:13-18
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale shares about the need to wait on the Lord. The final revelation of the Old Testament to the birth of Jesus was separated by over 400 years. For centuries, God's people waited for God to act. Pastor Chris looks at what it means to wait on God and examines the times in our life when it feels like God is distant. What St. John of the Cross calls the dark night of the soul.
Passage: Malachi 4:1-6
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." Last week we encountered Jesus' death, this week we celebrate his triumph over death and the powers of darkness through his resurrection. While much could be said about his death and resurrection, those are the first two steps to God's plan for the world. The third step is that the good news of Jesus Christ must be preached to the nations. God invites us to participate with his plan and share this good news we have experienced with others.
Passage: Luke 24:1-12, 36-49
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." This week we look at the crucifixion of Jesus and how that applies to our justification before God. Two thieves are crucified next to Jesus; one rejects him, but one turns to him for salvation. We can follow the example of the thieves to turn to Jesus in our need and trust him for our salvation.
Passage: Luke 23:26-49
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." As Jesus prepares to head to the cross, he instructs his followers on what they should keep an eye out for as they wait for his return. The church has waited for nearly 2,000 years, but Jesus encourages us not to let our guard down as we await his glorious return.
Passage: Luke 21:25-38
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." Part of our discipleship means that Jesus wants all of our lives, not just that which we think of as "spiritual." To that end, how do our spending habits reflect the kingdom of God? This week we see one of the encounters Jesus had with a wealthy man, and right on the heels of that he told a parable involving the responsible stewardship of wealth.
Passage: Luke 19:1-27
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." This week we encounter the "Lord's Prayer" as well as a call to boldness and persistence in prayer. Jesus has given us the framework and posture with which we should ask boldly and regularly from God.
Passage: Luke 11:1-13 & Luke 18:1-8
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." This week we look at three parables of Jesus which help us understand God's passion for the lost. The words linking these three parables are; "lost," "found," and "rejoice." Unlike the grumbling of the Pharisees, we ought to celebrate with God when those who are far from God draw near to him.
Passage: Luke 15:1-32
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." This week we look at three parables of Jesus which give insight into the nature of his kingdom. Christ's kingdom is tangibly here in our world, but it is not yet here in its fullness. Instead of a kingdom that comes suddenly, with great power, Jesus teaches that it starts off small, even invisible. But it will grow, by the power of God into the inevitable conclusion that God desires.
Passage: Luke 13:18-30
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this installment Jesus gives his most famous parable, the Good Samaritan. In response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus turns their cultural understanding of neighborly love on its head. He encourages the Hebrew people to stop trying to determine who is my neighbor, and to start being a neighbor. There is much for us to glean from this text today as well.
Passage: Luke 10:25-37
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this installment, Jesus expresses the cost of being his disciple. Will we choose to follow the path of the world, or the path of Jesus?
Passage: Luke 9:23-27
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this installment, Jesus performs two healings. Two individuals in the community are desperate for his help. Jairus, an official in the synagogue has a twelve year old daughter who is dying, and an unnamed woman who has been bleeding for twelve years. See how Jesus lovingly responds to both.
Passage: Luke 8:40-56
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this installment, we see the pinnacle of Jesus' ethical teaching in the gospel of Luke. Jesus' teachings are instructional to us, and provides examples of what it looks like to love our neighbor. This is hard teaching, but Jesus promises provision to those who would take up his charge.
Passage: Luke 6:20-49
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this installment, we see one of the early healings of Jesus. What is noteworthy in this encounter, is not the healing itself, but the events surrounding the healing. Pastor Chris helps us see our need for friends who can support us when we struggle, the facades that we put up veiling our sin, and the need to move towards Jesus in faith.
Passage: Luke 5:17-26
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this episode we see Jesus kicking off his ministry by teaching in the synagogue. The Scripture that was chosen for him to read that morning came from Isaiah 61:1-2, and it contained many promises of God which points to the kingdom he is bringing here on earth. Jesus claimed the authority to bring this kingdom and the crowds were incredulous.
Passage: Luke 4:14-30
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this episode, we look at the baby Jesus being presented at the temple. In that setting, there is a particular exchange with Simeon, an older man who God made a promise to. As Simeon finally saw the fulfillment of the promise in Jesus, we also are encouraged to have hope that God will follow through on his promises.
Passage: Luke 2:22-38
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale begins our new sermon series, "The Way of Jesus: Lessons from the Teacher." In this series we will look at how Jesus encouraged us to live our lives. In an age of secularism, we need people who are rooted in the things of God and not tossed to and fro by the tides of culture.
Passage: Luke 1:1-4
Guest speaker, Nick Bersin, fills the pulpit at CityReach Church Swissvale. Nick, a student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, shares with us the good news of what Christ is doing in the world, reconciling it to himself.
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Guest speaker, Michael Pierson, fills the pulpit at CityReach Church Swissvale. Mike uses the imagery of childbirth to give us encouragement and hope in the midst of the pain and suffering of life. Just as a laboring woman endures the pain to seek the joy of the child who is born, we too can endure the pain of life, knowing that God has prepared a resurrected and joyous life for us.
Passage: Romans 8:22-25
Guest speaker, Michael Thornhill, fills the pulpit at CityReach Church Swissvale. He looks at a particular encounter between Joshua (leader of the Hebrew people) and a warrior on the eve of battle. Joshua asks this warrior, "Are you for us, or for them?" The same question we often ask God in our own lives. Tune in to see how the warrior responds, and what God might be teaching us through his response.
Passage: Joshua 5
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale addresses the intersection of our freedoms as believers of Jesus, and the call to love our neighbor. Looking at 1 Corinthians 8, we see that Paul explains when our freedoms conflict with caring for our neighbor, our love for our neighbor ought to win out every time. He uses some relevant issues of churches, masks, and schooling to help drive the point home.
Passage: 1 Corinthians 8
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale closes out our sermon series, Squandering Grace: Radical Love and Human Selfishness. This week we look at the shortest book of the Old Testament, Obadiah. The prophet tracks the family feud between Esau and Jacob, and how that conflict continued generations later with their descendants.
Passage: Obadiah
Andy Moore, Campus Minister with the CCO in partnership with Bellefield Presbyterian Church, fills in as guest preacher at CityReach Church Swissvale. Andy looks at Paul's charge to a persecuted church, how those early believers could deal with the anxieties of that persecution. For us, that means that anxiety never has the last word, Christ does.
Passage: Philippians 4:1-9
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale finishes our sermon series, Squandering Grace: Radical Love and Human Selfishness. This week we see the conclusion of the destruction of Nineveh. With brutal language, God gives a clear picture of their judgment. While they consider themselves strong, they will be made vulnerable.
Passage: Nahum 3
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues the sermon series, Squandering Grace. The nation of Nineveh has not held fast to their repentance of their wickedness, but returned to their old ways of terror. In Nahum 2, God describes their future judgment and downfall at the hands of the Babylonians.
Passage: Nahum 2
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, Squandering Grace. This week we look at the sequel to Jonah. It is about 150 years later, and Nineveh has returned to their wicked ways. God is patient, but his patience is about to run out. The prophet Nahum predicts the destruction of Assyria/Nineveh.
Passage: Nahum 1
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale finishes preaching through the book of Jonah. In this text we see Jonah's negative response to God's compassion in light of Nineveh's repentance. Jonah sulks, still hoping the city will be destroyed. But God has something to show Jonah about his compassion towards his creation.
Passage: Jonah 4
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale continues our sermon series, Squandering Grace: Radical Love and Human Selfishness. This week Jonah finally gets to his mission, sharing a message of God's upending to the wicked city of Nineveh. The passion of their response can encourage us to follow their lead in repentance, trusting in the compassion of our God.
Passage: Jonah 3
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale kicks off the new sermon series, Squandering Grace: Radical Love and Human Selfishness. Jonah prays to God, thanking him for saving him from drowning. But in the midst of Jonah's prayer we see that even imperfect, selfish praise can be accepted by God.
Passage: Jonah 2
Pastor Chris Ansell of CityReach Church Swissvale kicks off the new sermon series, Squandering Grace: Radical Love and Human Selfishness. This week we encounter the prophet Jonah, after receiving a call from God to preach to his nation's mortal enemies, Jonah hightailed it out of there, attempting to flee from God. Jonah must come face to face with some of the inconsistencies in his service to Yahweh.
Passage: Jonah 1
Pastor Chris looks at question 19 of the New City Catechism which explores the way in which we can escape judgment and be brought back into God's favor. Spoiler alert: it is through Jesus. We see that we are not only saved the punishment of sin, but Christ also saves us from sin itself.
Q19: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
A: Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer.
We now turn to our personal responsibility towards our own spiritual growth. As we consider what it means to be a follower of Jesus, we must recognize that to follow him means that we are his disciple. We can look to the Word and other believers as resources to aid us in that journey of growth.
Passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:2
The church should be an incubator of our spiritual growth. But what elements should be present in the church and how do they relate to our continued development in the family of God?
Passages: 1 Cor 9:16; 15:3-4; Mt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26; 2 Cor 2:5
As we consider our own spiritual growth, we look to the model of Jesus. Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man, but yet Scripture indicates that he experienced growth. How do we understand a perfect God "being made perfect"?
Passages: Luke 2:52; Hebrews 5:7-9
The New Testament is packed with 100 "one another" passages. In these passages, the Biblical authors help us understand how we are to care for one another. Christ has given us a place to belong in God's family; in this message we see how we can care for each other with our presence and service.
Passages: John 13:34-35; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 4:8-11
Dear Abby once said, "The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners." The church ought to be a place where the lost, broken, and hurting, can be spiritually triaged in order to receive the healing hope of Jesus Christ.
Passage: Romans 12:3-13
This week we start a new series looking at the foundations of CityReach Swissvale of belong, grow, worship, and engage. In an age of immense loneliness, Christ promotes a sense of social equity and allows our adoption into the loving family of God.
Passage: Galatians 3:26-29, 4:4-7
Elder Michael Drabik shares the word this week. He investigates lessons from the Trinity, God as one being and three persons. He looks at some of the trios we see in creation to help examine the Trinity.
Passage: Exodus 3:6
The last few weeks we have recognized that sin and disobedience is not out there, but is within each of us. In light of this how should God treat us? Should his wrath be poured upon us, or should he just cut us a break?
Passage: Various
How are we to understand idolatry in a modern context? Most of us can say we have not recently bowed down and worshiped a statue as God. Is this the only behavior we need to to vigilant to avoid?
Passage: Exodus 20:3-6
We return for a few weeks to the New City Catechism. This week we turn our attention to question 16, "What is Sin? Our understanding of sin cannot be just of really bad stuff "out there" or by others, but must include our own proclivity to sin as well.
Passage: Various
The hardest part of faithfulness is the waiting. Waiting for what God has in store for us, but waiting for it on his timing. How do we see faithfulness and the waiting associated with it intersect with the Christmas story? Tune in to find out!
Passage: Hebrews 11:1-3
Fear can be a primary motivator in our lives, crippling us from action. How does the arrival of Jesus in the manger point us to a life that can be lived in fearlessness? Tune in to find out!
Passage: Isaiah 35:1-10