Second on the Mount

"Universal Restoration" – Acts 3:1-26Part II of the sermon series, "Catching Up With the Spirit."
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from September 20, 2020. "Thanks to the boundary breaking work of the Spirit, all peoples may have a new future in Jesus and a new story to tell. Because of the Spirit, we have hope. We need not follow the way of the many, but the way of the One. May we do our part to seek and work for the peace and justice he has ushered in."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/catching-up-with-the-spirit-universal-restoration/

"Out of Reach" – Acts 1:1-14Part I of the sermon series, "Catching Up With the Spirit."
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from September 13, 2020. "And it is precisely then that Jesus rises from them as if to demonstrate that he is not, nor ever will be, in their grasp, or in the grasp of any nation or agenda. The Spirit of Jesus will return and work wonders, and if they want to be with that Spirit, they will want to keep up."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/catching-up-with-the-spirit-out-of-reach/

"A Second Language of Faith" – Proverbs 8:22-31
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from September 6, 2020. "The Wisdom writers sought God’s truth, however it is revealed, and were particularly fascinated with what could be learned from the world in which we live. . . . They saw the study of nature as a means of praise. It is no leap to say that if they had been introduced to modern science, they would have seen scientific study as a means of praising God. . . . When faith learns to speak the language of science, faith becomes the worldview, and science becomes the tool."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/a-second-language-of-faith/

“I Am With You” – Exodus 3:1-15, Matthew 16:21-28
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from August 30, 2020. "I know many of you are hurting, aching for the old rhythms of life we all took for granted. You are not alone. Wherever you are tired or hurting or fearful or insecure or anxious or distressed, Jesus is with you. He hears your lament, he sees your hardship, and he is in it with you. You can count on his presence and power to see you through."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/i-am-with-you/

"The Sacrifice that Matters" – Hebrews 13:10-16
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from August 23, 2020. "And in strange times, a strange passage might be just the right pairing... . . . But what makes the passage not so strange is this 2020 reality for Second Presbyterians: once we normally thought of the offerings of worship happening inside the walls of the church, and now, where are most of our worshippers on Sunday mornings? In dens, kitchens, living rooms, cars, or outdoors on walks. Strange times."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/the-sacrifice-that-matters/

“But who do you say that I am?” – Matthew 16:13-20
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from August 16, 2020. "My friends, who do you say that Jesus is? If you knew no one were looking over your shoulder—if it were you and Jesus standing face to face, how would you express your confession? How does your life reflect what you believe, with your relationships, your bank account, your time, your social media presence, the ways you vote, your energy, and all the rest? Jesus’ question to Peter is an invitation to answer this question for ourselves."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/but-who-do-you-say-that-i-am/ 

“Signifying Everything” – Matthew 14:22-33
Sermon by Jen Brothers, M.Div, from August 9, 2020. "I imagine the sound and the fury of [this story] signify so much of what you have experienced lately. And yet, here is the good news: this story signifies everything we need to know in this moment. Jesus is in the chaos, Jesus has power over the chaos, and Jesus will deliver us from sinking into the chaos."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/signifying-everything/

"Curiosity" – Psalm 8
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from August 2, 2020. "Curiosity will destroy an unexamined faith, but is the virtue that can lead to a deep faith in God as a mystery, and to truths that are better described as revelations than certainties. It will lead to the kind of faith that is grounded in love, guided by grace, and fueled by hope."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/curiosity/ 

“Great Faith” – Matthew 15:21-28
Sermon by The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link from July 26, 2020. "The more I wrestle with this passage, the more I have come to believe that in this scene, we are witnessing Jesus grow. It is possible that Jesus’ own sense of God’s kingdom is challenged, stretched, and enhanced by his encounter with this fierce and faithful woman. It is possible that he changed his mind."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/great-faith/ 

"Encouragement" – Hebrews 12:1-17
Sermon by Dr. George C. Anderson from July 19, 2020. "You see, sometimes cheerleading is not enough. Sometimes encouragement has to go beyond “Keep it up,” to being reminded that we are accountable. . . . With how we live, with the decisions we make, and with the hope we bear, let’s hang in there with the one who leads us to joy. Let’s stay with Jesus, and we’ll finish strong."
Read the manuscript on our website: http://www.spres.org/encouragement/