Restoration Community Church

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