No matter where you are on the journey of faith, God’s Word has something to say to you. Second on the Mount is a collection of sermons from Second Presbyterian Church on Mountain Avenue in Roanoke, VA. Listen to the encouraging words of ministers George Anderson, Elizabeth Link, Rachel Thompson, and occasional guests as we journey together, finding direction by following Jesus. We hope you’ll return to this podcast, visit our website www.spres.org for more, or visit us in person!
“The Advocate” – I Corinthians 13:1-13, John 14:15-21
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from May 17, 2020. "Brothers and sisters, you are inheritors of this advocate Spirit Jesus promises. And you cannot receive this Spirit and remain unchanged. The Spirit is among us, abiding within us, creating holy places where authentic, self-sacrificial human love can take root and flourish."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/the-advocate/
“Enough of Utopia” – Luke 15:11-24
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from May 10, 2020. A mother’s loving gaze; a father’s watchful eye. Seeking freedom through severing ties; longing to be reminded of who we are and that we are loved… In his sermon, “Enough of Utopia,” Dr. Anderson draws connections between the thoughts and feelings of the prodigal son, to the thoughts and feelings many of us may have in today’s age of information. "That imperfect but real community of faith is out there to be found."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/enough-of-utopia/
“By Faith” – Hebrews 11:1-10, 32-34; 12:1
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel C. Thompson Orfield from May 3, 2020. "In a sense, that’s what faith is, isn’t it? Doing the best that we can to do good, and love others, and follow God. Even when we’re exhausted. When we feel like we have nothing left."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/by-faith/
“Paradigm Shift in the Belly of a Whale” – Jonah 2
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from April 26, 2020. "Getting to joy is a journey that inevitably involves spiritual side trips into places like confusion, anxiety, pain and grief. . . . Let’s hold each other up and get to that better place together."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/paradigm-shift-in-the-belly-of-a-whale/
“Peace be with you.” – John 20:19-31
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from April 19, 2020. "Jesus appears to Thomas in a body that is scarred and wounded. A body that openly bears its traumatic history. A body that refuses to hide its suffering, its sorrow, its brokenness. ...This is really Jesus. Jesus from Friday on the cross. Jesus who felt pain. Jesus who said, 'I am with you,' and meant it. 'I am with you where it hurts. I am with you where you are.'"
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/peace-be-with-you/
"For Thine Is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory Forever" – Mark 16:1-8
Part VII of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. "The risen Jesus is out in the world and can be found wherever there is commitment to each other in a time of separation, there is an affirmation of life in the face of death, of love in the face of hate, and hope for the future within an anxious present."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-for-thine-is-the-kingdom/
"Deliver Us from Evil" – Mark 14:32-42
Part VI of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by The Rev. Rachel C. Thompson from Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020. "Evil is real, but Jesus is with us. And his presence with us in our suffering will become our strength. And over time strength becomes courage. And courage becomes hope. And hope does not disappoint. Easter morning is still coming."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-deliver-us-from-evil/
"Forgive Us Our Sins" – Matthew 6:14-15
Part V of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from March 29, 2020. "IF I could soften what Jesus says just a bit but without losing its meaning, I suggest that Jesus is saying, 'Forgive others as a way to live into God’s forgiveness. For unless you learn to do that, you have no idea what God’s forgiveness really means.'"
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-forgive-us-our-sins/
"Our Daily Bread" – Exodus 16:13-15, Matthew 6:9-11
Part IV of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from March 22, 2020. "...I know that what I have today, is enough. Even though we are apart, even though we miss the ordinary pleasures of life, it will be okay again. Tomorrow, there will be some new manna–ordinary or not–fresh on the ground. Somehow, God will provide. I believe it."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-our-daily-bread/
"Thy Kingdom Come" – Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 4:17, 9:35-38
Part III of the Lenten sermon series, "Pray Then In This Way."
Sermon and benediction by Dr. George C. Anderson from March 15, 2020 (with pastoral prayer by Rachel Thompson). "Let’s remember that there is no heaven without others. God wants a beautiful place where the pearls are justice, gold is reconciliation and neighborhoods are places not of isolation but of reconciled harmony. If you want those treasures, pray for them… and then be a part of heaven coming to earth by remaining connected to each other even during this time of physical separation."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/pray-then-in-this-way-thy-kingdom-come/
