Restoration Community Church

The First Christians - Where the Spirit Moves, Redemption Follows

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

The First Christians - Carrying the Mantle

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

Enemies Will Oppose His Arrival

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

400 Years

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

The Way of Jesus - God's Master Plan

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

The Way of Jesus - The Passion

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

The Way of Jesus - The End

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

The Way of Jesus - Jesus and Money

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

The Way of Jesus - Teach Us to Pray

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

The Way of Jesus - Never Too Far Gone

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