Roswell Presbyterian Church

Episode 31: Teach Us to Pray: "Other Helpful Advice" (Revelation 4:9-11)

29 September 2019  |  Season 6  |  24 mins 37 secs

Today we conclude our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer. So far, we’ve explored why Jesus invites us to call God, “Father.” We’ve talked about God’s sovereignty and aligning “my will” with “thy will.” We’ve talked about God’s care for seemingly mundane concerns like daily bread and forgiveness. This morning we will answer some of our remaining questions about how our prayers fit into God’s ultimate, cosmic purposes.

Episode 30: Teach Us to Pray: "Deliverance!" (Matthew 6:9-13; Matthew 26:36-46)

22 September 2019  |  Season 6  |  26 mins 58 secs

Over two years ago, RPC’s Session (the ruling elders of the church) set our Strategic Plan for the next five years. One of our key initiatives was to focus on building fellowship among our congregation. You can support this effort by joining a Community Group for the month of October. Please go to www.roswellpres.org/grow to sign up today!

This morning we will continue our Fall sermon series looking at the Lord’s Prayer. Today’s passage focuses on our need for deliverance from evil. Have you ever needed help? Do you ever find yourself asking for deliverance? Where do you turn in times of danger? We will explore how Scripture answers these questions today.

Episode 29: Teach Us to Pray: "The Reciprocity of Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13)

15 September 2019  |  Season 6  |  23 mins 47 secs

Today, we continue our study of The Lord’s Prayer by looking at the prayer’s fifth petition which has to do with forgiveness. Practicing forgiveness can be one of the most challenging activities of the Christian life. Do you find it difficult to forgive? Do you ever find yourself trapped in a prison of bitterness and resentment? Do you hold onto past wrongs long after you should have let them go? Surely all of us could answer yes to these questions at some point in our life.

As he teaches us to pray, Jesus invites us to step into the freedom that only comes through forgiveness. In our sermon, we will explore why Jesus asks us to pray in this way, how we can forgive even the most difficult wrongs done to us, and then we will discover the difference forgiveness makes in our lives. I hope you will join me in courageously stepping into the freedom that comes only through forgiveness!

Episode 28: Teach Us to Pray: "Sweat the Small Stuff" (Matthew 6:9-13)

8 September 2019  |  Season 6  |  15 mins 11 secs

When Jesus introduces “The Lord’s Prayer” to his disciples, he actually tells them to “pray to your Father who is in secret.” So how is it that this private, secretive prayer became so public? Maybe our first hint is in the way Jesus lays out the phrases: “Our Father..., give us..., forgive us..., lead us..., deliver us...” Establishing this model prayer with words that bring us together was a brilliant move on Jesus’ part!

As we celebrate “The Lord’s Supper,” it is our custom to say to one another when passing the bread, “the body of Christ.” Hearing that before we eat the bread is a personal reminder of Jesus’ physical sacrifice for us. It is also a good opportunity to look beyond ourselves and remember that “the body of Christ” is present in the world today through you and me, the community of faith.

It has been a true honor to serve this community of faith, the Roswell Presbyterian Church, for the past eight years as one of your pastors. I am forever changed because of seeing God work in and through you both locally and globally. I believe with all of my heart that the best is yet to come for this body of Christ!

Episode 24: Teach Us to Pray: "Does Prayer Make a Difference?" (Matthew 6:9-13; Romans 8:14-17)

18 August 2019  |  Season 6  |  18 mins 24 secs

Today we kick off our program year with new Sunday School classes, new Wednesday Evening Fellowship programming, and the return of the choir (thank heavens!), along with so many other opportunities to join God’s ministry here at RPC. I hope you will take some time to look over this bulletin to discern how God is calling you to get involved.
One of the most common areas of the Christian life that people ask pastors about involves the practice of prayer. Why pray if God already knows what God is going to do? What should I pray for? Should I change when I pray? This list of questions goes on and on. I hope today’s sermon will help you better understand the nature of prayer and help you be more attentive to God’s presence in your life.